Learn Stock Market Investing Techniques Through Technical Analysis PDF Print E-mail
Written by Chris Blanchet   
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 09:33
For people looking to learn stock market investing techniques, a great place to start is through gaining an understanding of technical analysis tools. Although technical analysis is never enough determine whether to execute a trade, it can provide statistical data on entry and exit points.
by ChrisBlanchet


For people looking to learn stock market investing techniques, a great place to start is through gaining an understanding of technical analysis tools. Although technical analysis is never enough determine whether to execute a trade, it can provide statistical data on entry and exit points.

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. One of the easiest technical formations to spot, people who want to learn stock market investing techniques will automatically become drawn to gaps (up or down). Typically, gaps provide support or resistance to stock trends. Although trading on a gap up or down can become risky for people who are just starting to learn stock market investing, when a regular trend breaks through that previously formed gap, it is quite possibly a sign of a strong price movement.

Bollinger Bands. Unlike the previous patterns, Bollinger Bands are oscillators that measure the volatility of a stock price vis-a-vis its moving average. In terms of the Bollinger Bands, investor who want to learn stock market investing techniques should realize that volatility here means two or three standard deviations from the mean. So when a stock crosses an upper band, a sell signal is triggered (the opposite is true of a lower band). A requirement for a cross-over is volatility, and the greater the volatility, the greater the reliability of the signal.

Investors who are eager to learn more about stock market investing techniques can find plenty of instruction on-line. For those who prefer a more hands-off approach, there is an equally abundant amount of trading software that will complete all of the analysis. Most software measures the same statistical data that full-time technical analysts measure and is therefore a worthy investment.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.