Question 1

What is RVOL in stocks?

Accepted Answer

RVOL (Relative Volume) is a ratio comparing a stock's current trading volume to its historical average volume. An RVOL of 10 means the stock is trading at 10 times its normal volume. High RVOL indicates increased interest and potential price movement, making it valuable for day traders looking for momentum opportunities.

Question 2

How do I find high volume stocks?

Accepted Answer

Use a real-time stock scanner that monitors volume across all symbols and compares it to historical averages. Look for RVOL ratios above 3-5x for significant activity. The best scanners track pre-market, regular hours, and after-hours sessions, alerting you the moment volume spikes occur across NYSE, NASDAQ, and OTC exchanges.

Question 3

What are trading halts and why do they happen?

Accepted Answer

Trading halts temporarily pause trading on a stock due to significant price volatility (LULD halts), pending news announcements, or corporate actions. Halts typically last 5-10 minutes and are issued by exchanges to allow information to disseminate and prevent panic trading. Traders monitor halts because stocks often move significantly when trading resumes.

Question 4

What is the best free stock scanner?

Accepted Answer

The best free stock scanner should offer real-time data updates (not 15-minute delayed), RVOL tracking to identify volume spikes, pre-market and after-hours coverage, and customizable alerts. Look for WebSocket-powered scanners with sub-second latency that track all major exchanges including NYSE, NASDAQ, and OTC markets without requiring a credit card.

Question 5

How to use RVOL for day trading?

Accepted Answer

Day traders use RVOL to identify stocks with unusual volume activity. Look for RVOL above 3-5x during pre-market, then confirm with price action. High RVOL stocks often continue momentum during regular hours. Combine RVOL signals with technical patterns and news catalysts for best results. Set alerts for RVOL spikes above 10x to catch explosive moves early.

Question 6

How do stock scanners work?

Accepted Answer

Stock scanners continuously monitor price, volume, and technical indicators across thousands of symbols in real-time. They use algorithms to filter stocks matching specific criteria (like RVOL thresholds or price changes), then send alerts when conditions are met. Advanced scanners use WebSocket connections for live data feeds, enabling sub-second alert delivery compared to traditional polling methods.

Question 7

Can I scan stocks before market open?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pre-market scanning (4:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET) is crucial for day traders. Look for scanners that track pre-market volume and price movements separately from regular hours. Stocks with high RVOL in pre-market often continue momentum after the opening bell. The best pre-market scanners update every minute and include news catalysts.

Question 8

Do I need to pay for stock alerts?

Accepted Answer

Many premium scanners charge $50-200/month for real-time alerts. TheDesperateTrader runs on an affordable subscription at an early-access price of $24.99/month, with day, week, monthly, and longer plans available. New accounts start with 5 free premium days and no credit card is required to begin - full access to RVOL tracking, halt alerts, top movers, and EMA analysis.

PICS Stock Overview

PICS live alert feed

Trader talk on PICS