Stock List updated February 20, 2021, for the week of February 22.

These are the best stocks for day trading based on four different scanning methods. This page is updated weekly, prior to the Monday open. The stocks discussed provide ample opportunity throughout the week.

• Stocks that move a lot every day, in percentage terms (5%+).
• Stocks that move a lot every day, in dollar terms ($2+).
• Trending stocks with lots of momentum that are poised to break out and run.
• Stocks moving big today (I’ll show you how to find)

For ideas on how to trade the stocks listed on this page, see How to Day Trade Stocks with a Trend Strategy.

Best Day Trading Stocks – Consistent High Percentage Movers

These stocks typically move 5% or more every day. This means you don’t need to look around every morning for something new to trade. You know that these stocks are likely to move big each day. I usually list a few stocks that meet this criterion (with lots of volume); pick one or two and trade them all week. To learn how to scan for these stocks yourself, see How to Find Day Trading Stocks That Are Consistent High Percentage Movers.

The high percentage movers tend to lower priced stocks, under $50. The list below a random sampling of stocks from different price ranges.

The following list is a sample of the day trading stocks that tend to move more than 5% per day.

The 5-Minute Charts are provided by TradingView – the charts I personally use.

Riot Blockchain (RIOT): Average Day Range (30) is 15.15% and Average Volume (30) is 35 million.

Marathon Patent Group (MARA): Average Day Range (30) is 14.33% and Average Volume (30) is 43 million.

Bionano Genomics (BNGO): Average Day Range (30) is 13.22% and Average Volume (30) is 78 million.

Gevo Inc. (GEVO): Average Day Range (30) is 13.93% and Average Volume (30) is 41 million.

FuelCell Energy (FCEL): Average Day Range (30) is 12.27% and Average Volume (30) is 50 million.

Nano Dimensions (NNDM): Average Day Range (30) is 10.7% and Average Volume (30) is 34 million.

Virgin Galactic (SPCE): Average Day Range (30) is 11.77% and Average Volume (30) is 25 million.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR): Average Day Range (30) is 10.41% and Average Volume (30) is 87 million.

Best Stocks for Day Trading – Consistent Big Dollar Movers

These stocks typically move $2 or more every day. I usually list a few stocks that meet this criterion (with lots of volume); pick one or two and trade them all week.

The following list is a sample of the day trading stocks that tend to move more than $2 per day, but that are priced near $300 or below.

These are 5-minute charts provided by TradingView.

Alibaba (BABA): ATR (14) is $7.01 and Average Volume (30) is 20 million.

Facebook (FB): ATR (14) is $6.02 and Average Volume (30) is 20 million.

Microsoft (MSFT): ATR (14) is $4.01 and Average Volume (30) is 29 million.

Apple (AAPL): ATR (14) is $2.66 and Average Volume (30) is 99 million.

Advanced Micro Devices: ATR (14) is $2.54 and Average Volume (30) is 45 million.

Best Day Trading Stocks – Trending Stocks Poised to Breakout and Run

These are stocks that have been trending higher and are poised to break out and run. The price is currently consolidating. If the price breaks out of the consolidation to the upside it may continue run. Consider capturing big profits in these stocks using a trailing stop loss.

I tend to focus on publishing stocks in uptrends when the major indexes (like S&P 500 are in an uptrend). I publish more downtrends, and thus potential short trades, when the indexes are trending lower.

Below are daily charts, since we are watching for a breakout above the daily consolidation.

Some strategies for these stocks are discussed in The “Breakout and Run” Day Trading Strategy for Stocks.

This stock list was compiled using the Chartmill Technical Breakout Scanner.

US Day Trading Stocks – Breakout and Run

There are loads of potential breakout patterns this week, as well as stocks that have recently broke out. Here is just a sampling.

Canadian Day Trading Stocks – Breakout and Run

Best Stocks for Day Trading – Finding Today’s Big Movers

If you want a daily updated list of stocks to day trade, that are making the biggest moves each day, I recommend getting a Finviz Elite subscription. Then, run a scan before the market opens and during the day. Here’s what it might look like. 

Focus on the stocks that have the biggest Change from Open, either to the upside or down.

Also pay close attention to the stocks that have the highest Relative Volume (Rel Volume), as these stocks are seeing a lot more activity than usual.

Also, monitor the list throughout the day for stocks that are making big changes in either of these columns. For example, if a stock is only showing a 2% change from open, but then starts showing 3%, then a 4% change, that stock is on the move!

In the pre-market, you may want to set Current volume to 100K. Then, as the day progresses, you can continue to increase this so that you don’t end up with a list of stocks with little volume. Adjust any of the criteria to suit your needs. Under the Technical tab you may also wish to set ATR to >0.50, for example, so only stocks that have decent dollar movement show up.

How to Scan For Day Trading Stocks That are Making Big Moves Today provides more details on this daily scanning approach.

ChartMill also provides a Pre-Market Mover scan which may be of interest.

Happy Day Trading!

Cory Mitchell, CMT