A short-term investor is an individual or entity that engages in the buying and selling of financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, intending to capitalize on short-term price movements. Unlike long-term investors who hold assets for an extended period, short-term investors typically have a horizon ranging from minutes to a few months.

Short-term investing is often driven by the goal of taking advantage of market volatility, exploiting short-term trends, or responding to specific events affecting asset prices. Day traders, for instance, are a common type of short-term investor who executes multiple trades within a single trading day, aiming to profit from intraday price fluctuations.

Short-term investing strategies can involve technical analysis, chart patterns, and other short-term indicators to make rapid decisions on buying or selling. While short-term trading offers the potential for quick profits, it also comes with higher risks and requires a significant amount of time, attention, and expertise. Short-term investors need to closely monitor market conditions, news, and economic indicators to make informed decisions in the dynamic and fast-paced world of short-term trading.

A short-term investor is someone who aims to profit from price movements over a brief period, ranging from a few minutes to several weeks. Instead of focusing on long-term business value, they concentrate on market trends, momentum, and timing. Short-term investors often rely on technical analysis, charts, indicators, and news events to guide their decisions. Common styles include day trading, swing trading, and scalping.

The main objective is to capture small to moderate gains while managing risk through stop-loss orders and position sizing. Because markets can move quickly, short-term investing requires discipline, fast decision-making, and emotional control. It also involves higher transaction costs and greater exposure to volatility compared to long-term investing. For these reasons, short-term investing is generally more active and demanding, but it can offer frequent trading opportunities for experienced participants.