Can You Make a Living as a Full-Time Day Trader in Malaysia?

We often receive this question from the public — "Can you really make a living solely from trading?" or "Is it true that there are people in Malaysia who earn a full-time income from the stock market or FCPO?"

The question seems simple, but the answer is far from black and white.

Yes, there are traders who live entirely off their trading income, but the number is small and their journey is far more challenging than most people imagine.

The Reality Behind the Dream of "Trading for a Living"

Many dream of becoming a full-time day trader — working from home, having time freedom, and no longer depending on a fixed salary. But the reality is, the trading world is not a place for daydreaming. It is not a shortcut to riches; rather, it is a field that demands discipline, emotional control, and the ability to handle high risk.

There are indeed individuals who live entirely off trading income, but they are not ordinary people — they are knowledgeable, patient, strategic, and willing to endure years of ups and downs.

What Is Day Trading, Really?

Day trading means buying and selling financial assets such as stocks, FCPO (Futures Crude Palm Oil), or other futures contracts within the same day. The objective is to profit from short-term price movements.

Day traders typically make several transactions per day — entering and exiting positions quickly based on technical analysis, price momentum, and market trends.

However, to succeed, you need more than just knowing how to read charts — you need to understand the local market structure and its unique challenges.

Risks and Challenges in the Malaysian Stock Market

Trading in the Malaysian market has its own advantages, but it also comes with risks that many are unaware of.

1. Low Trading Volume

Compared to markets like the US or Japan, Bursa Malaysia has a much lower daily trading volume. This means price movements can be sluggish, making it difficult to "scalp" or enter and exit positions quickly without slippage.

2. Limited Volatility

Malaysian stocks are generally less volatile compared to US stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, or AMD. When volatility is low, short-term profit opportunities also diminish. Sometimes prices only move 1–2 sen throughout the day — enough to trap impatient traders.

3. Wide Spreads and Uneven Liquidity

Many small-cap counters (especially penny stocks) have wide spreads, making it difficult to exit positions without additional losses. Stocks priced below RM1 are often only active at certain times.

4. Susceptibility to "Operator Play"

In a small market, prices can sometimes be manipulated by big players or "operators", causing price movements that do not reflect the true value of the company. This makes relying on technical analysis alone insufficient.

5. Transaction Costs and Taxes

Brokerage fees, stamp duty, and clearing charges are still relatively high compared to foreign markets. For day traders, these costs can erode small profit margins.

In summary, the Malaysian stock market requires patience and specialised strategies. It is not a place for traders who only want to chase rapid movements every day.

Why FCPO Is More Popular Among Active Traders

Due to the constraints of the relatively inactive Malaysian stock market, many day traders have shifted to FCPO (Futures Crude Palm Oil) — a crude palm oil futures contract traded on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives.

Advantages of FCPO:

High volatility: Daily price movements of 50–100 points are not uncommon.

Consistent volume: One of the most actively traded derivative products in Southeast Asia.

Two-way transactions: You can profit whether the market goes up or down.

Easy to analyse technically due to its trend-based nature and influence from global factors such as crude oil prices and palm oil export data.

However, FCPO also requires a substantial margin (approximately RM5,000–RM8,000 per contract) and carries a high level of risk — a small movement can result in large profits or large losses.

Essential Preparation Before Becoming a Day Trader

Equipment and Stable Internet

You need a high-performance computer, a fast internet connection, and a trading platform with real-time data. In FCPO, a difference of a few seconds can be the deciding factor.

A Suitable Broker

Choose a broker that offers access to Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD), with fast execution and a clear commission structure.

Capital and Risk Management

Although the minimum margin is approximately RM5,000, a realistic working capital is RM30,000 and above to accommodate fluctuations and risk management.

A Clear and Consistent Strategy

Successful traders do not guess — they have a tested plan: when to enter, when to exit, and when to stop.

Emotional Control

The market can rise or fall without warning. Traders who cannot control greed or fear will quickly lose their way.

Why Many Traders Fail

The majority of traders fail not because the market is cruel, but because they lack a plan and risk management.

They enter the market with emotions, not strategy. No stop loss, no trading journal, and no patience to learn.

Those who last the longest are not the ones who are best at reading charts and armed with countless techniques — but those who know how to protect their capital and learn from small losses.

Can You Make a Living From Day Trading?

Yes — Focus on FCPO and Understand the Reality of the Malaysian Stock Market

The honest answer: yes, but it is extremely challenging.

Only a small number of day traders are able to generate consistent income from the Malaysian market.

Those who succeed are the ones who:

Fully master risk management,

Understand the market structure and its limitations,

And adapt their strategy to the local realities of volume and volatility.

Day trading can be made into a career, but it requires knowledge, capital, discipline, and years of patience.

Key Takeaways

Being a full-time day trader is not just about knowing how to read charts — it is about understanding the local market and yourself.

The Malaysian stock market may be slow and less volatile compared to the US, but with the right strategy, it can still open golden opportunities.

However, if you want more active price movements and the opportunity to profit in both directions, FCPO is the more logical choice — provided you are prepared to bear the risks.

In the world of trading, those who last the longest are not the smartest, but the most disciplined and patient in developing the right setup.

FAQ — Can You Make a Living as a Full-Time Trader?

The answer: yes, but not through luck or "following someone else's signals".

In the Malaysian market where volume is not as vibrant as Wall Street, you need real knowledge, strategy, and discipline to survive.
Many get burned not because the market is cruel — but because they do not know what they are doing.

This is where the Mahersaham Gold Package was created to help you:
Complete modules from basics to advanced techniques
Practical, step-by-step stock analysis & FCPO (BONUS) training
Free webinars and workshops with licensed and experienced trainers
Free CDS account opening so you can start trading properly

We do not sell dreams — we teach you how to think like a real trader.
If you are serious about building a career as a full-time trader, this is the place to start with proper knowledge.

Register for the Mahersaham Gold Package today and begin your journey from newbie to professional trader: /akauncds

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