Trading Tools

Learn about specialized tools traders may use to make trading decisions.

futures margin margin order types forex options futures trading options research technical analysis

Using Bookmap on thinkorswim®

Bookmap is a charting application available on thinkorswim that offers visual insight into real-time market data. Traders can use it to better visualize supply, demand, and volume.

Trading Tools

Charting Seasonality in thinkorswim® desktop

Identifying market or stock patterns can help inform trades. Here's how traders create seasonality charts with thinkorswim® desktop.

Technical Analysis

3 Strength Indicators for Assessing Stock Momentum

Deciding if a trend is forming—and how strong it might be—can make or break a trade. Here are three strength indicators technical traders use to assess a stock's momentum.

Technical Analysis

The Average True Range Indicator and Volatility

The Average True Range indicator can help traders analyze volatility, place stops and limits, and manage position size.

Trading

Trading and Social Media

Social media is full of trading tips—but should you listen?

Trading Tools

5 Types of Alerts on the thinkorswim® Platform

Schwab's thinkorswim® trading platform offers a wealth of alerts to help you keep tabs on your trades and the market. Here's how to use them as your virtual trading assistant.

Technical Analysis

Time Travel: Choosing Stock Chart Time Frames

Long-term investors tend to focus on daily stock charts to help with decisions, while active traders often focus on more detailed charts. Why not try both?

Trading Tools

Using thinkorswim® to Find Long-Term Holdings

The thinkorswim® platform has plenty of useful features for long-term investors. Here we break down how to use the Stock Hacker to find long-term candidates for your portfolio.

Stocks

Why and How to Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks

Dividend stocks deliver regular payments to investors and can be an essential part of portfolios. Learn how to assess dividend stocks and understand reasons to choose or avoid certain ones.

Trading Tools

5 Elements of a Smart Trade Plan

Find out why you should have a trade plan—and the five elements that may help you put it to work successfully.  

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner or investment manager.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Hedging and protective strategies generally involve additional costs and do not assure a profit or guarantee against loss.

Options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Please read the options disclosure document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" before considering any option transaction. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

With long options, investors may lose 100% of funds invested.

Covered calls provide downside protection only to the extent of premiums received, and prevent any profitability above the strike price of the call.

Cryptocurrency- related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended. Please read more about risks of trading cryptocurrency futures here.

Futures, futures options and Forex trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to trading futures products.

Forex trading involves leverage, carries a substantial level of risk, and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure for Forex.

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