Day trading means buying and selling a stock on the same day. You open a position during market hours (9:30am to 4:00pm ET) and close it before the market closes. No position is held overnight.
Day traders aim to profit from short-term price movements. They might hold a stock for seconds, minutes, or a few hours. The goal is to capture a small move, repeatedly.
Because positions are closed each day, day traders are not exposed to overnight risk. If a company releases bad news after hours, a day trader who closed their position is not affected.
Day trading requires significant time commitment. You need to watch charts, news, and price action in real time. Most people who try it lose money because they lack experience, discipline, and a tested strategy.