In the fast-paced nature of short-term trading, where stocks are exchanged in minutes (if not seconds), staying up-to-date on market news is critical to success. That’s why the capacity to access well-timed information can make the difference between a profitable trade and a costly mistake.
And what is one of the fastest ways to communicate these days? Twitter (or X, for a while now).
Although every trader has his feed tailored to his needs for researching news from the markets, more and more are turning to Twitter for its immediate -and often reliable- updates. That’s because, through the platform, virtually anyone can connect with industry experts and other traders who share valuable insights. For free.
However, creating an objective list of the best day traders to follow can be difficult, if not impossible. Each professional has distinct skills and excels in different niches of the financial markets.
For example, some traders focus solely on stocks, while others may specialize in options or forex. This broad diversity means traders should curate their Twitter feeds according to their interests and trading strategies.
Before diving into the list of what we believe are among the best day traders and accounts to follow, it is essential to understand a fundamental concept: short-term trading is not just about quick profits; it requires a well-thought-out strategy, discipline, and a careful understanding of market dynamics.
So each piece of information must be analyzed according to your yardstick, and then decide whether or not to harness it.
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Why should you use Twitter to follow a trader?
Twitter is one of the most interesting resources for investors and day traders today. Economists are studying the relationship between tweets and changes in global markets (this tool is also widely used by various institutions and by the U.S. presidents too).
Hedge funds are using this information to make smarter decisions, while day traders – as mentioned – appreciate it for the immediacy with which information can be found.
This need to always get fresh and updated news, fundamental to identifying the stocks of the day, led us to create the ‘Stock Trading Watchlist‘: updates sent twice a day divided into Morning Movers and Brendan’s Movers & Shakers.
Of course, this is not the only valuable reason why so many professionals strive to have a clean and efficient feed for their business.
Twitter is, for example, a great way to do quick sentiment analysis, gauging public opinion and market sentiment about specific stocks or sectors.
One trivial example: the platform can be worthwhile for checking the volume of tweets around a specific asset and its sentiment, comparing it with its chart, and detecting any correlated bearish or bullish movements.
Let’s not forget networking. Twitter is one of the best platforms for connecting traders with each other, allowing them to share insights and ask for opinions on their strategies.
How to exploit Twitter for trade ideas
Social media has become an important part of any day trader and investor. Here are some of the best ways to exploit Twitter for trade ideas:
- Breaking news – One way of using Twitter is to find breaking news. These days, most news break on social media platforms like Twitter.
- Trending hashtags – A quick look at the trending section of Twitter will show you some of the trending companies and cryptocurrencies. You can then do more research on these assets.
- Follow influential traders/analysts – These accounts, like the ones in our list below, can help you grow as a trader and deliver valuable insights for you to use in the financial markets. And they can do this much better than traditional media.
- Learn new skills – You can also use Twitter to learn new skills from some of the top traders in the world.
- Identify pump and dumps – You can use Twitter to identify stocks and cryptocurrencies that are being pumped.
And – of course a selection of market players that may be worth following on twitter. But first, one last thing.
How can i make the right choice?
We have decided to create two separate lists, one for the best day traders and one for the best trading accounts (companies or agencies) that you can include in your twitter feed.
Choose which account to follow according to your trading style, strategies and preferences (stocks, forex, options and more). This ensures that the information you receive is pertinent to your trading goals. In addition, following everyone’s advice would only be harmful.
Focus on accounts with a positive (and recorded) track record and a proven history of advice and predictions that later came true. It is easy to fall into the trap of some self-proclaimed experts who share their ideas, often without any sort of analysis, and then hide the evidence of their failures. Keep away!
A quick tip on this. Don’t include only accounts with the same opinion, but try to vary and create a feed with different perspectives. You must have a comprehensive view of the financial markets, or the advice you find will be biased.
To make your trading Twitter’s feed more in focus, relevant and useful, you might think about creating a dedicated account exclusively for this.
The 9 Best Day Traders to Follow on Twitter:
- Peter David Schiff (@PeterSchiff) is – among other things – an American stock broker, author and financial commentator (he also has his own podcast, the Peter Schiff show) very well known and active on the social network. His account currently has over 300k followers (and more than 16K tweets).
- South African-born Craig Heath trades in momentum. His tweets used to have lots of practical tips on his stock preferences. Now with ‘The Street Mentor’, he has converted to a coach and trading mentor with educational purposes only.
Follow @Burns277 - Nathan Michaud. Nathan has already posted $10,000 a day in profits. He is the quintessential day trader. Notice his thousands of followers (more than 100,000) and over 50,000 tweets, including very recent tweets. A very active trader and fun to watch.
Follow @investorslive - Mark Lehman has more than 23 years of experience in the market, and already has been known to release news about stocks before the media. He has a remarkable knack of predicting events for companies before they happen. Often the advice is provided in small pills of few but effective words. A must-follow!
Follow @markflowchatter - Joe Kunkle is an options expert. He is constantly scanning and trading stocks, figuring out which prices will move by tracking increases in the options traded for the underlying equities. A must-follow for his directional trading ability that allows him to nail many of the moves that produce profits.
Follow @OptionsHawk - Scott Redler is a technical analyst. The more you watch him, the better you learn to chart stocks. With over 20,000 tweets and regular updates, he provides stock-charting experience and learning resources that are second to none.
Follow @RedDogT3 - Neal Roberts is a Trader and host of @traderTVLIVE. He loves to post trading ideas and charts with his technical analysis. If you need some good advice on real time stock trading, this is the one you are looking for.
Follow @tradertvneal - Shawn Catena is a Trader and host of @traderTVLIVE. Like his colleague Neal, he mainly focuses on tweeting good opportunities in the stock market with the help of charts. The tone of voice is a little more fun but equally effective!
Follow @tradertvshawn - Brendan Wickens is another Trader and host of @traderTVLIVE. He prefers to post more analytical tweets, as can be easily guessed from the amount of numerical information provided on the various stocks.
If you are looking for premarket analysis or daily recap, you should definitely follow Brendan.
Follow @tradertvbrendan
Many active traders online tweet about what they are buying and selling, as well as their opinions about stocks. Following the right traders shortens the learning curve for trading stocks. It can also maximize results.
Related » The Best News Sources for your Trading
15 Best Trading Accounts to Follow on Twitter:
- TradetTv.Live: Our partners have carved out an important space in a short time thanks to their live show on youtube. On their Twitter profile, in addition to some video pills, you can find advice on the premarket and on the stocks to keep an eye on.
Follow @TraderTVLive - CNBC: CNBC is a great starting point if you’re just getting into following stocks on Twitter. This major news network posts all kinds of news-related stories focusing on financial markets. Tweets include company profiles, major economic trends, mergers and breaking news. When a company is mentioned by CNBC, it moves, so this is a great place to look for small companies that are about to go big.
Follow @cnbc - RANsquawk: RANsquawk provides real-time alerts and news through a premium service. Follow @RANsquawk to access the most important financial news, stocks and global economic features. News that breaks on RANsquawk drives the world financial index and shifts markets in the United States and internationally, so it’s a good feed to read.
Follow @RANsquawk - The_real_fly:This is one of the most followed feeds on the interactive community StockTwits, which collects financial information from Twitter and social media sites. Follow @the_real_fly to stay current on market trends, trading ideas and articles that provide further insight on important financial issues.
Follow @the_real_fly - Wsj Markets: You probably subscribe to The Wall Street Journal, but you can get even more global financial news by following @wsjmarkets on Twitter. The WSJ offers analyses, news, company profiles and in-depth economic assessments of world markets.
Follow @wsjmarkets - Harmongreg: With 50,000 followers, Greg Harmon is one of the most popular traders on Twitter and StockTwits. He’s a professional trader for Presidium Capital and offers a variety of trading advice on Twitter and in group discussions on StockTwits. His feed includes real-time trade ideas and observations on the world financial index and changes in individual markets.
Follow @harmongreg - TraderStewie: Trader Stewie is operated by ArtOfTrading.net, an organization with 15 years of experience. This feed includes information on trending stock prices, volume and trading movement. Use these observations to generate company lists that can be researched on your own time.
Follow @traderstewie - Danzanger: Learn more about chart analysis, and pick up smart trading ideas by following @danzanger. Zanger is a famous swing trader who turned a five-figure investment into $40 million in profit. On Twitter, he provides trading tips, news and educational information. Since all Twitter stock market information can’t be explained in 140 characters, some tweets link back to ChartPattern.com where you’ll find additional resources.
Follow @danzanger - Stt2318: If you start your day by visiting YourDailyWatchlist.com or RealTimeChartAlerts.com, add the related @stt2318 Twitter account to your following list. This is the feed to watch for charts, trading alerts, stock lists and recommendations. Some content relates to current articles and newsletters that are available to premium subscribers.
Follow @stt2318 - Fousalerts: If you focus on micro-cap stocks, penny stocks and small investments, you’ll be interested in following Cameron Fous. His feed is filled with real-time alerts and trading info. Followers can access additional resources through his premium subscription service. Since 2011, Fous made a name by earning over $550,000 trading small-caps stocks all valued under $1 per share. Today, he’s sharing his secrets for making money.
Follow @fousalerts - Bloombergnews: Bloomberg is the king of financial news outlets. You can stay up-to-date on global markets, securities and commodities by following @bloombergnews. If you are constantly tuning into the radio or checking the web for market news, you can follow @bloombergnews instead. This twitter account provides real-time coverage on breaking news, market shifts, economic headlines and world events.
Follow @bloombergnews - Peterlbrandt: Peter L. Brandt is a familiar name. He’s been trading since 1981 using classic chart techniques. He’s also the author of “Diary of a Professional Commodity Trader.” If you’re following @peterlbrandt, you’ll find stock tips and insight on large economic changes. Brandt’s tweets focus on technical analysis, chart patterns and analytic methods for evaluating companies and markets.
Follow @peterlbrandt - Alphatrends: Expand your knowledge about current stock values and factors that affect the world market index. Professional trader and finance author Brian Shannon shares fresh information about large trends and big companies. You’ll find coverage on large-cap companies, video analyses and short-term trading tips backed by research.
Follow @alphatrends - Maoxian: Based in Beijing, C. Maoxian is an influential trader who shares his stock tips online. If you follow @maoxian, you can track the company featured in his daily trading idea. You can research the company of the day on your own, or you can get Maoxian’s complete newsletter by subscribing through www.tinyletter.com/maoxian. As a free subscriber, you can also access past recommendations.
Follow @maoxian - Zerohedge: Zerohedge is a popular source for Twitter stock market information. It covers global financial markets and has earned a loyal following. Zerohedge tweets breaking news, information on political events and real-time market updates. Follow this account to get a complete look at global markets and the events that drive changes.
Follow @zerohedge
If you haven’t considered using social media sites to gather stock information and learn more about day trading (or long term investment), these are some excellent starting points.
It’s easy to find accounts that focus on small-cap trading, swing trading, stock options and investments that fit your interests.
How to monitor Twitter
There are several strategies you can use to make the most of Twitter. First, follow the most popular finance social media professionals such as those mentioned above. Second, set notifications to receive the latest news from good Twitter users.
Third, you can consider having a separate computer screen for your social media apps. You can add other popular social media platforms like StockTwits and Reddit. Finally, have Twitter on both your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
Spot and avoid fake news
One of the biggest dangers of using Twitter in trading is the prevalence of misinformation (or fake news). At times, this wrong news can lead to substantial challenges and losses. Here are some of the top ways to spot and avoid fake news in Twitter:
- Trust but verify – One way to avoid fake news is to always verify important news from other sources. A simple Google search can help you verify important news.
- Follow credible people – Always ensure that you are getting news from credible sources and people.
- Beware of promotional content – Always beware of promotional content – pushed from bots too – and always verify it.
It is also crucial to keep our emotions under control, as always when trading. Spotting hot news on twitter might push our hype through the roof, prompting us to react impulsively due to FOMO (or panic selling, in the opposite case).
Linked to this, we have the risk of manipulation by bots of some trends. They can definitely create a false sense of urgency and interest in a particular asset/stock.
Conducting careful analysis comes first, always.
Related » Buy the Rumor, Sell the News Strategy
