Scaling In
Adding to a position in increments as price moves in your favour, building size only when the trade is proving itself right.
Scaling in means entering a position across multiple smaller trades rather than all at once. The disciplined version adds to a winner only after it has confirmed the thesis — each addition is at a better price than the last (pyramiding into strength).
The risk management key: each new tranche must use a stop that keeps total position risk within the original risk budget. Scaling in without adjusting the aggregate stop often creates a position far larger than planned.
On the desk
Plan: 300 shares max risk. Buy first 100 shares at $50 (stop $48). Stock breaks out to $52, buy 100 more (stop raised to $50). At $54, final 100 shares (stop at $52). Full size built, still within the $600 original risk limit.