Very thought provoking questions. It tells me you have been in the market for some time.
Am I a Swing Trader?
I like to be counted in the short term to intermediate trader group. My hold can be from 1 day to a week to a month to a year(s). At the same time, I don't believe in buy and hold philosophy. I don't buy a stock and think, ok, let me wake up after 1/2/3/4/5 years, the stock is waiting for you to take profits.
My Methodology?
Basic underlying pattern is pullback. The question is after what scenario the pullback is of interest to me? I can give you one scenario which is useful in the current market. 52 week high and pullback. Ofcourse, clean chart with a trending stock.
When I enter, I never enter directly in to stock. I enter with a buy stop above the yesterday's high (given that there was a pullback). The value above the high depends on the stock price and volatility. Once I enter, I determine my risk and initial profit target. I keep them same amount value. The risk depends on the stock price or chart pattern.
Once the profit hits, I sell 50% and move the risk stop to where I bought. At this point, I am breakeven and will be playing with table's (read other's) money. As the stock goes up, I move the stop. When, I do this, I don't move the stop close to the current price. I use bases to move the stop up, giving lot of room to the stock. This should be ok since we are already in the profit. Our goal should be to get the max out of the stock. Therefore, you choose not to micromanage at this point. So, thats the reason, I am more of a intermediate player.
Book the profits ...
In most cases, I don't sell all the shares directly. I sell in chunks when there is huge movement in the stock. For example, from the above you know I will sell 50% when the initial profit hits. Then, on further movement, if I decide that the stock has run good enough, I may sell 10 to 20%. I trail the remaining 30% with a stop. This may continue.
Another question ---- it is a bull market. Will we get such clean charts at bear market?
In a bear market (why do you think about it? Really!! Are you missing it already), you will have to go by sectors. What I mean is, there will still be some sectors which will trend. So, you will choose those (At this point, you would also short). In the worst case scenario (Lets say, if the market is in trading range, which is no no for us who believe in trend is your friend philosophy), you will choose sectors that trade independent of the market. For example, metals and oils. I hope bear market is long way to go.
Voltas
I do like the chart. But, looks like it is going through some minor correction due to change in gears, which it couldn't keep it up. Look at the action from 800 to 1100. It was a big move. Now, it looks like it is trying to digest.