Current market conditions are incredibly volatile. Buy and hold hasn't quite worked for most investors in recent years, mainly due to the recent combination of a) the proliferation of technology enabling easier trading, and b) macro economics trying to keep up with an always upward trend. "...A wide variety of "set it and forget it" strategies have been mediocre producers for the past two years. " In other words, it's a fantastic time to be an active trader! http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-are-suffering-from-the-terrible-twos-2016-06-29 *Tip, skip the introductory paragraph.
The future is almost always bright for traders, potentially... that's why we get into this game. Problem comes in "shifting gears" quickly enough.
Depends on how you define "active" Only way to make money is to trade a volatile instrument and take a couple trades a day either reversal or continuation. Any more than that and you will kill yourself.
I agree with you 100% Hence why I didn't quite state "day traders" but rather "active traders". (Brace for day traders to light me on fire in 3... 2...)
Different strokes for different folks. Day trading is good, sometimes are better than others but it is good.
Nowadays, you can actually do them all - and all from the little rectangular thingy in your arse pocket! Horses for courses - but a good jockey is not much use on a dead beat horse! J_S