Day trading involves rapidly buying and selling stocks throughout the day to capitalize on short-term price movements. To find the best stocks for day trading, traders look for securities with high intraday volatility and liquidity. Volatility refers to price swings that allow traders to enter and exit positions for quick profits. Liquidity, indicated by trading volume, ensures efficient order execution even for large position sizes.
In this guide, we highlight the 10 hottest stocks primed for day trading this year based on above-average volume and volatility metrics.
Overview of the Top 10 Hottest Stocks to Day Trade in 2024

- Tesla (TSLA)
- Nvidia (NVDA)
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
- Meta Platforms (META)
- Apple (AAPL)
- Microsoft (MSFT)
- Amazon (AMZN)
- Alphabet (GOOGL)
- Twitter (TWTR)
- Ford Motor Company (F)
We’ll analyze recent price action and key statistics that make each stock ideal for active intraday traders in 2024.
1 Tesla (TSLA)
Tesla has cemented itself as the hottest stock among retail traders, known for its epic short squeezes and Elon Musk’s headline-grabbing Twitter activity. In 2023, TSLA became the best performing S&P 500 component, rocketing 65% higher. The electric vehicle maker continues its meteoric rise this year amid excitement over Cybertruck production and Optimus humanoid robots.
With an average daily volume topping 115 million shares, Tesla provides exceptional liquidity for rapid entries and exits. Its 3-month average true range (ATR), a volatility indicator, sits at a substantial $41. TSLA options are also heavily traded, with call volume recently exceeding one million contracts in a single session.
Between Musk’s market-moving tweets, short-term technical patterns like bull flags and triangle breakouts on its chart, and the potential for more parabolic upside, TSLA offers day traders endless opportunities in 2024.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 115 million
- 3-Month ATR: $41
- Beta: 2.31
2 Nvidia (NVDA)
The leading graphics chipmaker, Nvidia, continues to trend higher in the AI and data center boom. Up over 60% in the past six months, NVDA repeatedly tags new all-time highs amid a flurry of bullish analyst ratings. With the stock in a strong technical uptrend and its leadership in multiple secular growth areas like AI, gaming, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles, Nvidia provides an excellent vehicle for day trading in 2024.
Phenomenal average daily volume over 46 million shares creates substantial intraday fluctuations ripe for nimble traders. With a 3-month ATR of $35 and beta above 2, NVDA continues offering market-beating volatility. Options activity is also elevated, recently notching 570,000 calls traded in one day, presenting alternatives to short stock trades.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 46 million
- 3-Month ATR: $35
- Beta: 2.34
3 Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
Surging over 50% in 2023 and hitting record peaks entering February 2024, semiconductor leader AMD is firing on all cylinders. Several new product launches and increased data center chip sales point to sustained outperformance versus broader markets.
With 69 million shares traded daily on average, AMD boasts exceptional liquidity. Its 3-month ATR of $9 shows above-average volatility sought by intraday traders. While more muted than peers, single-day option volumes still exceed 250,000 contracts.
With AMD poised to continue taking market share in CPUs and pursuing the AI chip opportunity, its leadership position in secular growth areas bodes well for sustaining volatility. Technicians will also appreciate how the stock frequently builds consolidation patterns like pennants and triangles that result in continuation moves.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 69 million
- 3-Month ATR: $9
- Beta: 2.01
4 Meta Platforms (META)
It’s hard to imagine a stock embodying volatility over the past year more than Meta Platforms. After getting decimated in 2022, shares recovered strongly for 2023 before recently sliding on mixed earnings results. Still, META rallied an astounding 125% off its lows amid CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive push into AI and the metaverse.
With daily volume recently averaging 29 million shares, Meta offers solid liquidity for nimble traders playing rebounds and breakouts. Its 3-month ATR of $9 is on par with other tech titans, while its elevated beta of 2.76 shows sensitivity to market moves. Options activity is also heavy, with recent volumes exceeding 400,000 calls per session.
Given Meta’s headline risk and Zuckerberg’s proclamation that 2024 offers “The Year of Efficiency,” we can expect exceptional price swings to continue. That makes META a top pick for volatile day trading this year.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 29 million
- 3-Month ATR: $9
- Beta: 2.76
READ ALSO: How AI is Transforming Stock Trading: The Rise of Algorithmic Investing
5 Apple (AAPL)
As the world’s most valuable public company, Apple needs little introduction. The iPhone maker has rebounded nearly 11% year-to-date amid excitement over its augmented reality headset, expected later this year alongside the iPhone 15. Its foray into financial services also continues to gain traction.
With an average daily volume topping 115 million shares, AAPL guarantees solid liquidity for day traders. Its beta near the market average belies intraday volatility that regularly exceeds 1-2%. While its $3 ATR seems tame compared to other tech titans, Apple’s immense scale still allows for substantial price swings in dollar terms.
Beyond the fundamentals buoying AAPL longer-term, technicians will appreciate how the stock demonstrates both momentum and base tendencies. With plenty of breakout patterns, tight consolidations, and bull flag formations on its chart, Apple offers reliable volatility and leadership to capitalize on in day trades.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 115 million
- 3-Month ATR: $3
- Beta: 1.17
6 Microsoft (MSFT)
Another cornerstone tech giant, Microsoft, continues pushing to all-time highs after gaining 16% over the past six months. The Azure cloud computing and Office productivity software leader keeps firing on all cylinders, with activist investor ValueAct recently urging the company to spin out its gaming division.
While its $2 ATR seems negligible given Microsoft’s $1.8 trillion market cap, the tech juggernaut’s immense scale still fuels solid liquidity for day traders. Average volume nears 23 million shares daily, while option activity routinely exceeds 250,000 calls per session. MSFT also demonstrates reliable volatility through technical chart patterns like ascending triangles, channels, and flags.
With strong secular tailwinds in cloud services and enterprise software buoying Microsoft longer-term, traders can deploy strategies playing both breakouts and basing tendencies for MSFT in 2024.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 23 million
- 3-Month ATR: $2
- Beta: 0.94
7 Amazon (AMZN)
After plunging nearly 50% in 2022’s tech wreck, Amazon.com has rebounded 25% year-to-date as investors regain confidence in mega cap growth stocks. The e-commerce and cloud computing leader remains a secular winner in online retail and internet infrastructure, although its margins face pressure from rife economic uncertainty.
With daily volume recently averaging 4.4 million shares, slower summer trading has impacted liquidity but remains sufficient for most individual traders. More patient traders can also target heavier volume weeks around earnings when liquidity expands. Amazon has a historically elevated beta of 1.34, signaling sensitivity to broader market trends. The stock also shows a penchant for volatility through cresting waves and round trips exceeding 5%.
Whether playing upside breakouts from AMZN’s multi-month basing pattern or selling short-term bounces into overhead resistance, Amazon offers plenty of reliable volatility for day traders capitalizing on technical signals.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 4.4 million
- 3-Month ATR: $96
- Beta: 1.34
8 Alphabet (GOOGL)
Google parent Alphabet has rebounded over 35% from its 2022 lows, fueled by optimism over new AI initiatives across its search, cloud computing, and other enterprise divisions. GOOGL also continues to dominate digital advertising across devices. YouTube’s strong showing further spotlights Google’s lead in online video.
Average daily volume recently topped 1.6 million shares. That liquidity combined with a historically high 1.45 beta underscores Alphabet’s sensitivity to macrotrends that create substantial volatility. The stock’s $2 average true range seems tiny given its $1.2 trillion market cap, but it still allows for material dollar moves and chasing within day trader time horizons.
With so many potential catalysts, from search revenue and cloud computing expansion to AI product launches and regulatory developments, traders can deploy range trading approaches while awaiting technical signals like breakouts from GOOGL’s current consolidation pattern.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 1.6 million
- 3-Month ATR: $2
- Beta: 1.45
9 Twitter (TWTR)
Perhaps no other stock has created as many headlines recently as Twitter, given Elon Musk’s chaotic $44 billion takeover. Lawsuits, whistleblowers, mass layoffs, and blue check subscription service launches have kept TWTR exceedingly volatile since April 2022. Shares popped this January after a judge delayed the trial over Musk’s attempted withdrawal from the buyout deal.
This real-life soap opera generates incredible volatility for day trading. Twitter stock has a beta near 2, and its staggering $12 average true range demonstrates tremendous daily swings exceeding 10% at times. Average volume clocks in at 23 million shares. Options activity is also elevated, recently notching sessions with 500,000 calls traded.
Whether playing Twitter’s litigation catalysts, Musk’s unpredictable comments, or buyout-related technical levels on the chart between $50 and $55 per share, TWTR promises big returns for opportunistic day traders in 2024.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 23 million
- 3-Month ATR: $12
- Beta: 1.91
10 Ford Motor Company (F)
Legacy automaker Ford is transforming itself into an EV and mobility contender, taking on the likes of Tesla. Launches of the electric F-150 Lightning pickup and E-Transit van spearhead its key strategic initiatives. Up over 25% year-to-date, Ford is also benefiting from abating supply chain woes.
Robust average daily volume near 114 million shares makes Ford one of the most liquid stocks primed for active intraday traders playing both daily charts and minute intervals. Its beta of 1.44 demonstrates sensitivity to overall market trends. With a $0.70 average true range, F may seem tame volatility-wise but it still offers adequate fluctuations for day trading.
From false breakdowns below $12 triggering sharp reversals to bull flag continuations from consolidation giving way to multi-day runs, Ford shows reliable technical swing patterns. Add in its EV transformation narrative, and traders will find no shortage of daily trading opportunities with Ford in 2024.
Key Stats:
- Average Volume: 114 million
- 3-Month ATR: $0.70
- Beta: 1.44
To Recap: Maximizing Day Trading Opportunities
Day trading presents tremendous profit potential from short-term price action but also carries substantial risk. Managing risk intelligently allows day traders to endure the inherent volatility of momentum stocks. Choosing securities with high trade volume ensures efficient order entries and exits.
Seeking charts displaying active price swings or technical patterns builds the probability of a tradable move within narrow intraday time frames. Remaining nimble and not overextending position sizes will enable traders to sustainably capitalize on intraday moves when high conviction setups emerge.
With so many top tech stocks continuing in long-term uptrends alongside elevated volatility, 2024 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for day traders deploying strategies adaptively in these high velocity names.
Day Trading FAQs
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding day trading, volatility, volume, and brokerage requirements.
How do I choose the best stocks for day trading?
The best stocks for day trading typically demonstrate higher historical volatility through metrics like the average true range (ATR), beta, and past price swings. Securities should also have ample intraday liquidity, or volume traded, to allow smoothly entering and exiting positions without significant slippage.
What metrics indicate volatility for day trading?
Key volatility metrics to analyze for short-term trading include:
- Average True Range (ATR) – Measures past volatility as the difference between high and low prices.
- Beta – Quantifies sensitivity to market movements. Higher beta signals increase volatility.
- Price Swings – Assess 52-week high/low range and percentage changes over different lookback periods.
How much volume is good for day trading?
Ideally, day trading stocks should have a minimum average daily volume greater than 1-2 million shares. Volumes between 100,000 and 500,000 may work for small position sizes. Ensure volume metrics align properly with a stock’s price levels as well.
What account balance is required for day trading?
Under the Pattern Day Trader Rule, accounts below $25,000 that execute 4 or more day trades within 5 business days are designated pattern day traders. This requires maintaining equity of at least $25,000 to continue day trading. Otherwise, trading will be restricted for 90 days.
What platforms are best for day trading?
The best trading platforms for day traders offer real-time quote streaming, Level 2 market data, advanced charting capabilities, trade automation, risk management tools, paper trading simulators, and integrated research. Top platforms include Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation, TradeStation, and Thinkorswim.
In another related article, Top 10 Stocks for Swing Trading Based on Performance