Learn Stock Market Investing Techniques Through Technical Analysis
Beginning investors who want to learn stock market investing techniques will gain a competitive edge by digging into the different types of technical analysis patterns and indicators. While technical analysis is never enough as on its own, it can certainly give investors an indication as to whether they should buy or sell stock.
In terms of the strongest and most popular technical analysis measurements, the following are three of the greatest technical formations that you will want to understand as you learn stock market investing techniques. While these three are not comprehensive by any stretch of the imagination, they provide a solid starting point:
Head and Shoulders. Considered one of the most reliable technical indicators, this type of formation gives investors an extremely reliable indication as to where the stock is headed — up or down — over a specified period — short, medium, and long-term. A head-and-shoulders formation has three sharp points. In a bottom formation, there are three low points with the second point (the head) being lower than the first and third points. This pattern gives a strong and reliable indication to buy the stock. As well, it is easy to spot, particularly for investors who are just starting to learn stock market investing techniques. In terms of volume, the first point (the left shoulder) will come with higher volume than the last point (the right shoulder).
Gaps. Perhaps the easiest technical indicator to identify, a gap happens when a stock’s low for one day is higher than the high of the previous. People who are starting to learn stock market investing techniques will be automatically drawn to these patterns, although trading on such gaps can pose substantial risk, particularly when beginning to learn stock market investing techniques. It should be noted that gaps usually provide resistance or support levels, so when a stock trend crosses through a previously formed gap, it signal a strong price movement to come.
Bollinger Bands. Considered an Oscillator when it comes to technical analysis, this does not provide a pattern, per se. Instead, it measures the volatility from the stock’s trading mean. Volatility here is defined as two or three standard deviations from that mean, or moving average. Traders who have started to learn stock market investing techniques need to understand that when the stock price crosses the upper “band” a sell signal is triggered and, likewise, when it crosses the lower band, a buy signal is triggered. Cross-overs typically happen during periods of high volatility.
For investors looking to learn about stock market investing techniques, much of the information on the topic of technical analysis can be found on-line. Likewise, theoretical textbooks can become costly. As an alternative, investors can purchase trading software that makes recommendations based on the very same data that technical analysts use when making their recommendations.
With nearly 20 years of Investment Management experience, Christopher Fitch recommends High Yield Investments for 2010. He is the founder of the Mutual Fund Site.org.
