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Learn momentum trading
Plain-English deep dives into the ideas behind the scanner: the setups, the metrics, and the risk control that make momentum breakout trading work.
Strategy
The Qullamaggie trading strategy, explained
A plain-English breakdown of the Qullamaggie trading strategy: the breakout, episodic pivot, and parabolic short setups, the entry rules, and how Kristian Kullamagi manages risk.
Read the guideHow-to
How to find breakout stocks
A step-by-step guide to finding breakout stocks: how to screen for Stage 2 leaders, tight bases, relative strength, ADR, and volume, then build a focused daily watchlist.
Read the guideMetric
Relative strength (RS) rating, explained
What a relative strength (RS) rating is, how it is calculated against the S&P 500, what counts as a good RS score, and why market leaders almost always have high relative strength.
Read the guideMetric
Average daily range (ADR), explained
What ADR (Average Daily Range) means, how it is calculated, what a good ADR value is for trading, and why momentum traders use it to filter out stocks that move too slowly.
Read the guideConcept
Stage 2 uptrends, explained
What a Stage 2 uptrend is in Stan Weinstein's stage analysis, how to identify it with moving averages, and why momentum traders only buy breakouts in Stage 2.
Read the guidePattern
The volatility contraction pattern (VCP), explained
What a VCP (volatility contraction pattern) is, how Mark Minervini's pattern of tightening pullbacks works, how to spot it, and how to trade the breakout from the final contraction.
Read the guideSetup
The episodic pivot, explained
What an episodic pivot (EP) is, how a major catalyst and a gap-up create a sudden change in perception, and how momentum traders enter and manage risk on the setup.
Read the guideRisk
Risk management and position sizing for breakouts
How breakout traders manage risk and size positions: defining risk per trade, placing stops, sizing from the stop distance, and using trailing stops to let winners run.
Read the guide
Want the whole method in one place? Read the strategy guide for an end-to-end walkthrough, or check the FAQ for quick answers about how SovaScan works.