A swing trader is an investor who holds positions in financial instruments for a short to medium term, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks.

The goal of swing trading is to capitalize on price fluctuations or "swings" in the market by capturing both upward and downward trends.

Swing traders primarily rely on technical analysis to identify patterns and trends, often incorporating some fundamental analysis to make well-informed decisions about when to enter and exit trades.

By timing their trades to take advantage of market volatility, swing traders aim to achieve profits while managing risk more effectively than long-term investors or day traders.

Compared to day trading, swing trading allows for fewer trades over a longer time frame, but with a focus on exploiting market movements in a way that balances risk and reward.