With more than a few requests to see what I see each day, and my interest in seeing how others set-up their trading machinery, I though it would be beneficial to readers for me to share a portion of what I stare at all day and allow you to take a peek over my shoulder.

My broker and chart software provider is TradeStation, though I often post on the blog using StockCharts.com.

For now, take a peek over my shoulder to my “Day Trading” set-up that I use to trade primarily the Dow Mini and DIA, though I’m showing a capture of the S&P 500 here (so as not to show my current positions):

In short, I focus primiarly on the 5-min timeframe and look for targets/confluences on the 15 and 30 minute frames.  I frequently will play off the structure on the daily chart to play swings in a target direction using the 5-min chart.

I use the following indicators, some of which I have customized:

“Floor Trader Pivots”  (dotted lines)
Candle Charts
20 period EMA
50 period EMA
200 period SMA
Bollinger Bands
“3/10 Oscillator” (blue oscillator)
Custom ADX (showing as red and green line)

I’m also watching the TICK and TRIN along with the Breadth (net advancers and decliners).  I have a separate screen for trading execution (which I often manage with bracket and OCO/OSO orders) and RadarScreen scanning (second monitor, though I’m not showing the Trade Execution module).

Finally, here is a quick photo of my main trading computer set-up:

I’m using a Dell 8-gig RAM (a monster), 64-bit Windows computer with a 24-inch widescreen main monitor with a 21-inch montior I have in a vertical position for additional use with TradeStation and applicable news as needed.  It comes in hand for browsing websites after market hours.

I also have two additional computers not used for trading and my primary laptop which I use for the blog and email.  I use the most powerful computer only for Trading and Analysis and do anything else on other computers which is sort of paradoxical but essential – I’ve waited so long to get such a powerful machine and I love it, though I only can use it for a couple of programs.  That’s discipline!

I currently don’t have a need for much else as my style of trading – though mainly daytrading – is more relaxed than aggressive intraday strategies – I usually take around 5 trades a day and hold them sometimes for an hour or longer depending on the set-up and price structure.

I’d be happy to see other system set-ups if readers are willing to share them in the comments section and I feel it might be beneficial to us all.

Corey Rosenbloom
Afraid to Trade.com