How I Find My 6 Stocks Before the Market Opens
Finding good stocks before the market opens used to feel like guesswork. I’d scroll endlessly through charts, news, and social media — and still end up with trades that didn’t work. Over time, I realized I needed a simple system. One that gave me clarity before 9:30AM and didn’t require a dozen tools.
Now, I use a routine that helps me narrow down hundreds of tickers into just 6 solid stocks each morning. These are the ones I watch closely at the open. And I stick to that list. The structure this gave me has completely changed how I trade.
I break down this full process step by step inside my ebook here, where I explain how I use this routine to pay bills with simple setups — even with a small account.
Table of Contents
Why Only 6 Stocks?
Because more isn’t better — more is distracting. I used to keep 20 tickers on my screen and try to catch everything. But what ended up happening? I missed everything. Now, I pick just 6 stocks before the bell, and I know exactly why I’m watching each one.
By narrowing it down, I can focus. I can spot clean setups. I’m not chasing alerts or flipping tabs. I’m just executing what I already planned.
Where I Start Each Morning
I start early — usually around 8:00AM Eastern. I go straight to my preferred free stock scanners (which I list in my ebook), and I look for:
- Stocks with fresh catalysts (news, earnings, filings)
- Pre-market volume that’s above average
- A clean daily chart with room to move
- A float that matches my trading style (I prefer small to mid)
Once I find those, I start filtering.
How I Filter the Best Setups
I look at how the stock moved the day before. Did it have strong momentum? Was there a gap and fail? Are we near a key breakout level? I want stocks that have a story behind the move — not just random pops.
I avoid tickers that feel forced or overhyped. If I don’t understand why a stock is moving, I won’t touch it. My list is built on logic, not emotion.
What Goes On My Final List
Each of the 6 stocks I pick has a specific plan:
- Entry and exit levels
- Volume targets
- Risk zones
- A setup I’ve seen work before
I also leave space in my mind for one wildcard, just in case something crazy hits the scanner before the open. But if it doesn’t show clear structure, I won’t chase it.
Final Thoughts
Finding 6 solid stocks each morning doesn’t take magic. It just takes a system that filters out the noise. That’s what I’ve built for myself — and it’s what’s allowed me to finally trade with confidence.
If you want to learn the full method, I’ve laid it out in plain language inside my ebook. I show you exactly how I scan, how I pick the tickers, and how I’ve used this method to pay rent, bills, and even stack some savings using simple stock setups.
Stick to your plan. Tune out the noise. Build your list with purpose — and you’ll see the difference it makes in your results.
One thing I’ve learned over time is that simplicity wins in trading. A lot of people chase complex strategies, dozens of indicators, and overwhelming lists of stocks. That only leads to burnout. What helped me get consistent was creating a calm, focused pre-market routine that delivers a clear watchlist — and I stick to it.
Each morning, I open up my favorite screener tools and look at what’s moving with unusual volume. I don’t care if a stock is trending on social media. If it doesn’t show strong price action with volume to support it, I’m not adding it to my list.
Volume is the first thing I filter. I want to see at least 3x to 5x normal pre-market volume. That tells me people are watching it, institutions might be involved, and there’s potential momentum at the open.
Then I scan for news catalysts. Is there an earnings report? FDA announcement? Company acquisition? Those are things that move stocks. If a stock is gapping up for no reason, I pass. I only trade what I can understand and explain.
Once I have a few candidates, I check their daily charts. I want a clear setup — like a breakout over a recent resistance, a support bounce, or a gap fill. If the chart looks choppy, or if I can’t define where I’d enter and exit, it doesn’t make the list.
I also keep an eye on sector momentum. If energy stocks were strong yesterday, I’ll scan within that sector. Same if biotech is hot — I want to be where the action is. Sector strength often carries into the next session.
A small tip that’s helped me: I write a note next to each ticker. Something simple like “watch for breakout over $5.10” or “only valid above premarket high.” This keeps me locked into my plan when things get fast at the open.
I also don’t force six. Some days I only find 3–4 setups worth watching — and that’s fine. It’s better to trade one clean name than chase six mediocre ones. Remember, the goal isn’t to trade more — it’s to trade better.
By the time 9:15AM hits, I’ve usually narrowed my list down and already know my top two. I don’t let the open surprise me. I go in ready, calm, and with a plan. That structure is what lets me trade with low stress and high clarity.
Inside my ebook, I break this routine down in detail — how I scan, what tools I use, how I build confidence with just 6 tickers, and how this structure helped me go from guessing to paying bills with my trades.
I don’t need alerts. I don’t wait for someone else to tell me what to trade. I built a system that works for me, and I trust it every day. That’s the real key to becoming independent in the market.
If you’re overwhelmed with too much noise and still not seeing results, maybe what you need is less — not more. Try building your own system, keep it simple, and make every stock on your list earn its place.