Why open Long and Short positions? The key differences you should know when trading

When it comes to trading derivatives or Forex, we often hear the terms Long and Short repeatedly. However, many people are still confused about what they mean and how to use them. Today, we will explain the differences between the two clearly so that both new and experienced traders can understand and apply them to maximize benefits.

What is a Long Position and Why Use It

Long Position is an order to “buy” an asset that we expect to increase in price. This strategy is “buy low, sell high” — meaning we purchase at a low price level, wait for the price to rise, and then close the position by selling.

For example, if a trader thinks that a company’s stock will go up, they might open a long position at 41 baht. When the price rises to 42 baht, they close the position by selling, making a profit of 1 baht per unit. Of course, if the prediction is wrong and the price drops to 40 baht, the trader would close the position at a loss.

Long orders are good when:

• The market is in an uptrend
• You expect the price to increase
• You want to profit from regular trading

What is a Short Position and Why Use It

Conversely, Short Position is an order to “sell first” with the expectation that the price will fall. This strategy is “sell high, buy low” — meaning we sell at a high price, wait for the price to drop, and then buy back to close the position.

For example, Tim notices warning signals about the stock of ORANGE that might drop in price. He decides to sell the stock at 350 baht. When the price drops to 300 baht, he buys back, making a profit of 50 baht per unit.

Short orders are good when:

• The market is in a downtrend
• You expect the price to decrease
• You want to profit from market declines

Main Differences Between Long and Short

When to Use Long and Short

Use Long when: If you have information indicating that a stock or asset will trend upward, such as good company earnings, positive news, or technical indicators showing buy signals, use long to profit from price increases.

Use Short when: If you see warning signals like bad news about a company, political risks, or technical indicators showing sell signals, use short to profit from price declines.

Things to Be Cautious About

• Not all tools support short — Make sure your platform allows short selling.
• Risks — Both long and short involve risks; if your prediction is wrong, you may incur losses.
• Manage your capital well — Do not invest more than you can afford to lose.

Having a deep understanding of long and short is essential for becoming a successful trader. Whether the market is bullish or bearish, you will always have ways to generate income.