Recency bias, a cognitive bias where individuals give more weight to recent events than to earlier ones, can have several implications for intraday trading. In the context of intraday trading, recency bias can influence traders’ decision-making in the following ways:

Short-Term Trends:

Traders may be more inclined to follow short-term trends based on recent price movements. If a stock has been consistently moving in a certain direction over the past few minutes or hours, traders influenced by recency bias may expect this trend to continue.

Immediate Reaction to News:

Recent news or events, even if short-lived or with limited impact, may disproportionately influence intraday traders. Traders might react impulsively to the latest news, leading to quick buying or selling decisions without thorough analysis.

Overreacting to Recent Price Changes:

Traders influenced by recency bias may overreact to recent price changes, particularly if there has been a sudden and significant movement. This overreaction can result in impulsive trading decisions that may not align with the broader market trends.

Ignoring Historical Patterns:

Recency bias may lead traders to overlook or underestimate the relevance of historical price patterns or longer-term indicators. They may focus more on recent patterns without considering the broader market context.

Chasing Momentum:

Traders influenced by recency bias may be more prone to chasing momentum stocks—those that have recently experienced significant price movements. This can lead to entering trades at less favorable entry points.

Limited Analysis of Intraday Data:

Traders may prioritize recent intraday data over a more comprehensive analysis of historical intraday data. This limited analysis can result in a skewed perception of market trends and potential trading opportunities.

Emotional Decision-Making:

Recency bias can contribute to emotional decision-making, as traders may become overly influenced by recent experiences or short-term price movements. Emotional reactions can lead to impulsive trades and increased risk-taking.

Rapid Response to Intraday Volatility:

Intraday trading often involves rapid price changes and increased volatility. Traders influenced by recency bias may react hastily to intraday volatility without considering longer-term trends or the stability of the overall market.

To mitigate the impact of recency bias in intraday trading, it’s important for traders to incorporate a disciplined and systematic approach. This may involve conducting thorough technical analysis, considering multiple time frames, and being aware of the potential influence of recent events on decision-making. Additionally, setting predefined entry and exit points and avoiding impulsive reactions can help traders navigate the challenges associated with recency bias.