Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
What is a stock split and a reverse stock split?
A stock split is an increase in the number of outstanding shares of a stock. The price of the stock is immediately adjusted so that the total equity remains the same. For instance, if a $100/share stock splits 2 for 1, there will be twice as many shares but they only be worth $50 each now. This is usually done to make the stock more affordable to the public.
A reverse stock split is a decrease in the number of shares. This is usually done to raise the price per share to meet stock exchange requirements or simply to look more "healthy."
Directional Movement Index: The directional movement index (or DMI) was developed by J. Welles Wilder in order to determine the overall direction of a given asset's prices. DMI is composed of two lines, one representing positive direction ( DI) and one representing a negative direction (-DI).
To calculate the DMI, a trader first calculates the difference between the current high and the previous high (HiDiff), as well as the difference between the previous low and the current low (LowDiff). HiDiff and LowDiff are then compared. If HiDiff is greater in value, a variable DMI is set to HiDiff and a variable -DMI is set to 0. If LowDiff is greater, -DMI is set to LowDiff and DMI is set to 0. If the two values are equal, or if no trend is seen in either highs or lows, both values are set to 0. A calculation known as the Welles Summation is then performed on both DMI and -DMI, resulting in two numbers: DI and -DI, both ranging from 0 to 100. The directional movement index consists of these two points.
The DMI can be used in strongly trending markets to determine strong buy and sell signals. The DMI generates a strong buy signal when DI crosses above -DI at any point and generates a strong sell signal when DI crosses below -DI at any point. In non-trending markets, this indicator becomes less useful.
The directional movement index is the basic value from which the average directional index (or ADX) is derived.
Drawdown: Drawdown is a measure of peak-to-trough decline, usually given in percentage form. In trading, drawdown refers to the reduction in your trading account from a trade or a series of trades.
For instance, your trading account is initially at $10,000 then you lost $2,500 today and $2,500 the next day. Your account would then be at $5,000 and you would’ve had a 50% drawdown. In other words, a drawdown measures how much you’ve lost before you get your account back to par. But with a $5,000 remaining balance, you’d need to win another $5,000 to bring your account back to breakeven … That’s a 100% gain!
Knowing your trade’s drawdown is an important part of risk management. Traders usually take note of their maximum drawdown, which is the largest top-to-bottom loss incurred under a trading strategy. While “Maximum Drawdown” sounds like your typical summer blockbuster movie, it ain’t cool since it basically measures your biggest losing streak!
In Nov/Dec-99, Lucent Technologies (LU) formed a trading range that resembled a head and shoulders pattern (red oval). When the stock broke support at 60, there was little or no time to exit. Even though there is a long black candlestick indicating an open at 59, the stock fell so fast that it was impossible to exit above 44. In hindsight, the support line could have been drawn as an upward sloping neckline (blue line), and the support break would have come at 61. This is only 1 point higher and a trader would have had to take action immediately to avoid a sharp fall. However, the lows match up rather nicely on the neckline, and it is something to consider when drawing support lines.
Currency Peg: A currency peg, sometimes referred to as a fixed exchange rate, is a kind of exchange rate policy wherein a country’s domestic currency is only allowed to fluctuate within a narrow range (usually between -1% to 1%) against the value of another currency.
Currency pegging is usually done by countries who wish to stabilize their global trade operations. By using a currency peg, risk caused by exchange rate fluctuations of businesses involved in international trade is reduced. This kind of exchange rate policy is very useful for countries with robust trade industries.
China, the Bahamas, and Marshall Islands have pegged their currencies to the U.S. dollar; Niger and Senegal to the French franc; and Bangladesh, Czech Republic and Thailand to a basket of several select currencies.
Traders usually concentrate on charts made up of daily and intraday data to forecast short-term price movements. The shorter the time frame and the less compressed the data is, the more detail that is available. While long on detail, short-term charts can be volatile and contain a lot of noise. Large sudden price movements, wide high-low ranges and price gaps can affect volatility, which can distort the overall picture.
Investors usually focus on weekly and monthly charts to spot long-term trends and forecast long-term price movements. Because long-term charts (typically 1-4 years) cover a longer time frame with compressed data, price movements do not appear as extreme and there is often less noise.
Others might use a combination of long-term and short-term charts. Long-term charts are good for analyzing the large picture to get a broad perspective of the historical price action. Once the general picture is analyzed, a daily chart can be used to zoom in on the last few months.
Price Scaling
There are two methods for displaying the price scale along the y-axis: arithmetic and logarithmic. An arithmetic scale displays 10 points (or dollars) as the same vertical distance no matter what the price level. Each unit of measure is the same throughout the entire scale. If a stock advances from 10 to 80 over a 6-month period, the move from 10 to 20 will appear to be the same distance as the move from 70 to 80. Even though this move is the same in absolute terms, it is not the same in percentage terms.
A logarithmic scale measures price movements in percentage terms. An advance from 10 to 20 would represent an increase of 100%. An advance from 20 to 40 would also be 100%, as would an advance from 40 to 80. All three of these advances would appear as the same vertical distance on a logarithmic scale. Most charting programs refer to the logarithmic scale as a semi-log scale, because the time axis is still displayed arithmetically.
Verisign, Inc. (VRSN) price scaling example chart from StockCharts.com
The chart above uses the 4th-Quarter performance of VeriSign to illustrate the difference in scaling. On the semi-log scale, the distance between 50 and 100 is the same as the distance between 100 and 200. However, on the arithmetic scale, the distance between 100 and 200 is significantly greater than the distance between 50 and 100.
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Monetary Policy Meeting and Announcement: Release schedule : No set time, usually between 2:00 and 4:00 (GMT); monthly, in the middle of the month
Source of report : Bank of Japan
Web Address : http://www.boj.or.jp/en/index.htm
Address of Release : http://www.boj.or.jp/en/theme/seisaku/kettei/index.htm
Schedule of Meetings : http://www.boj.or.jp/en/theme/seisaku/index.htm
"What" is More Important than "Why"
In his book, The Psychology of Technical Analysis, Tony Plummer paraphrases Oscar Wilde by stating, "A technical analyst knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing". Technicians, as technical analysts are called, are only concerned with two things:
What is the current price?
What is the history of the price movement?
The price is the end result of the battle between the forces of supply and demand for the company's stock. The objective of analysis is to forecast the direction of the future price. By focusing on price and only price, technical analysis represents a direct approach. Fundamentalists are concerned with why the price is what it is. For technicians, the why portion of the equation is too broad and many times the fundamental reasons given are highly suspect. Technicians believe it is best to concentrate on what and never mind why. Why did the price go up? It is simple, more buyers (demand) than sellers (supply). After all, the value of any asset is only what someone is willing to pay for it. Who needs to know why?
Chart Basics
A price chart is a sequence of prices plotted over a specific time frame. In statistical terms, charts are referred to as time series plots.
On the chart, the y-axis (vertical axis) represents the price scale and the x-axis (horizontal axis) represents the time scale. Prices are plotted from left to right across the x-axis with the most recent plot being the furthest right. The price plot for IBM extends from January 1, 1999 to March 13, 2000.
Technicians, technical analysts and chartists use charts to analyze a wide array of securities and forecast future price movements. The word "securities" refers to any tradable financial instrument or quantifiable index such as stocks, bonds, commodities, futures or market indices. Any security with price data over a period of time can be used to form a chart for analysis.
Assist with Entry Point
Technical analysis can help with timing a proper entry point. Some analysts use fundamental analysis to decide what to buy and technical analysis to decide when to buy. It is no secret that timing can play an important role in performance. Technical analysis can help spot demand (support) and supply (resistance) levels as well as breakouts. Simply waiting for a breakout above resistance or buying near support levels can improve returns.
It is also important to know a stock's price history. If a stock you thought was great for the last 2 years has traded flat for those two years, it would appear that Wall Street has a different opinion. If a stock has already advanced significantly, it may be prudent to wait for a pullback. Or, if the stock is trending lower, it might pay to wait for buying interest and a trend reversal.
Business Cycle
The graph below shows the idealized business cycle and the intermarket relationships during a normal inflationary environment. This cycle map is based on one shown in the Intermarket Review by Martin J. Pring (www.pring.com). The business cycle is shown as a sine wave. The first three stages are part of an economic contraction (weakening, bottoming, strengthening). Stage 3 shows the economy in a contraction phase, but strengthening after a bottom. As the sine wave crosses the centerline, the economy moves from contraction to the three phases of economic expansion (strengthening, topping and weakening). Stage 6 shows the economy in an expansion phase, but weakening after a top.
Stage 1 shows the economy contracting and bonds turning up as interest rates decline. Economic weakness favors loose monetary policy and the lowering of interest rates, which is bullish for bonds.
Stage 2 marks a bottom in the economy and the stock market. Even though economic conditions have stopped deteriorating, the economy is still not at an expansion stage or actually growing. However, stocks anticipate an expansion phase by bottoming before the contraction period ends.
Stage 3 shows a vast improvement in economic conditions as the business cycle prepares to move into an expansion phase. Stocks have been rising and commodities now anticipate an expansion phase by turning up.
Stage 4 marks a period of full expansion. Both stocks and commodities are rising, but bonds turn lower because the expansion increases inflationary pressures. Interest rates start moving higher to combat inflationary pressures.
Stage 5 marks a peak in economic growth and the stock market. Even though the expansion continues, the economy grows at a slower pace because rising interest rates and rising commodity prices take their toll. Stocks anticipate a contraction phase by peaking before the expansion actually ends. Commodities remain strong and peak after stocks.
Stage 6 marks a deterioration in the economy as the business cycle prepares to move from an expansion phase to a contraction phase. Stocks have already been moving lower and commodities now turn lower in anticipation of decreased demand from the deteriorating economy.
Keep in mind that this is the ideal business cycle in an inflationary environment. Stocks and bonds advance together in stages 2 and 3. Similarly, both decline in stages 5 and 6. This would not be the case in a deflationary environment, when bonds and stocks would move in opposite directions.
Carbon Credits: Carbon credits pertains to the right to emit a certain volume of greenhouse gases. The current measure is that one ton of C02 (or C02 equivalent gases) is equal to one carbon credit. To encourage businesses and companies to minimize their emission of greenhouse gases, they can exchange, buy, and sell carbon credits in the international market
Value Spotting
Sound fundamental analysis will help identify companies that represent a good value. Some of the most legendary investors think long-term and value. Graham and Dodd, Warren Buffett and John Neff are seen as the champions of value investing. Fundamental analysis can help uncover companies with valuable assets, a strong balance sheet, stable earnings, and staying power.
CFD: In finance, the term 'CFD' stands for Contract For Difference. This is a contract between two parties, typically described as "buyer" and "seller" to exchange the difference in value of a financial instrument between the time at which the contract is opened and the time it is closed. In effect CFDs are financial derivatives that allow traders to take advantage of prices moving up or prices moving down on underlying financial instruments and are often used to speculate on those markets
General Steps to Fundamental Evaluation
Even though there is no one clear-cut method, a breakdown is presented below in the order an investor might proceed. This method employs a top-down approach that starts with the overall economy and then works down from industry groups to specific companies. As part of the analysis process, it is important to remember that all information is relative. Industry groups are compared against other industry groups and companies against other companies. Usually, companies are compared with others in the same group. For example, a telecom operator (Verizon) would be compared to another telecom operator (SBC Corp), not to an oil company (ChevronTexaco).
Accumulative Swing Index: The accumulative swing index, or ASI, is a tool developed by J. Welles Wilder to measure the breakout potential of a given market.
The ASI takes the form of a number from 100 to -100, with positive values indicating an upward trend and negative values indicating a downward trend. Once calculated, the ASI can be charted in conjunction with a candlestick chart. The chief value of the ASI is that it's susceptible to the same technical analysis tools as a candlestick chart, allowing traders to use trendlines, wedges, triangles and other tools in order to determine support and resistance levels. However, ASI charts are much simpler and smoother than candlestick charts, making them both easier to analyze and less susceptible to indicating false breakouts. If the absolute value of the ASI for a given day exceeds the absolute value of the ASI at the time of a previous breakout, a new breakout from the trend is imminent, and traders can take positions accordingly.
The ASI is based on Wilder's swing index, which is an extremely complex calculation that incorporates high, low and close prices for an asset along with numerous other variables, some of them specific to certain kinds of markets. On its own, the swing index isn't particularly useful as a predictive tool, but the swing indexes for several successive days can be incorporated by another calculation into the ASI, which fulfills Wilder's original intention for the measure. Full instructions for calculating the swing index and ASI are available in Wilder's "New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems", and a number of popular pieces of trading software are able to calculate the ASI automatically.
Analyst Bias
The majority of the information that goes into the analysis comes from the company itself. Companies employ investor relations managers specifically to handle the analyst community and release information. As Mark Twain said, "there are lies, damn lies, and statistics." When it comes to massaging the data or spinning the announcement, CFOs and investor relations managers are professionals. Only buy-side analysts tend to venture past the company statistics. Buy-side analysts work for mutual funds and money managers. They read the reports written by the sell-side analysts who work for the big brokers (CIBC, Merrill Lynch, Robertson Stephens, CS First Boston, Paine Weber, DLJ to name a few). These brokers are also involved in underwriting and investment banking for the companies. Even though there are restrictions in place to prevent a conflict of interest, brokers have an ongoing relationship with the company under analysis. When reading these reports, it is important to take into consideration any biases a sell-side analyst may have. The buy-side analyst, on the other hand, is analyzing the company purely from an investment standpoint for a portfolio manager. If there is a relationship with the company, it is usually on different terms. In some cases this may be as a large shareholder.
Convergence: Normally, the contract price of a futures contract is higher than the current price of the underlying asset (normally a commodity). The futures contract price is higher because of the effect of the time value of money. As the expiration date nears, the spread between the spot price and the futures contracts price becomes smaller and smaller. On the delivery date of the contract, the futures and spot prices should be equal.
This process of futures and spot prices approaching one another is called convergence
The market peak and downturn are followed by a contraction in the economy. At this stage, the Fed starts to lower interest rates and the yield curve steepens. Falling interest rates benefit debt-laden utilities and business at banks. The steepening yield curve also improves profitability at banks and encourages lending. Low interest rates and easy money eventually lead to a market bottom and the cycle repeats itself.
Industrial metals and bonds rise for different reasons. Metals move when the economy is growing and/or when inflationary pressures are building. Bonds decline under these circumstances and rise when the economy is weak and/or deflationary pressures are building. A ratio of the two can provide further insights into economic strength/weakness or inflation/deflation. The ratio of industrial metal prices to bond prices will rise when economic strength and inflation are prevalent. This ratio will decline when the economic weakness and deflation are dominant.
From the PeopleSoft (PSFT) example, we can see that support can turn into resistance and then back into support. PeopleSoft found support at 18 from Oct-98 to Jan-99 (green oval), but broke below support in Mar-99 as the bears overpowered the bulls. When the stock rebounded (red oval), there was still overhead supply at 18 and resistance was met from Jun-99 to Oct-99.
Chicago PMI: This report is created by The National Association of Purchasing Management. It rates the level of factory health in the upper Midwest. It is also known as the Business Barometer. Announced at the end of the month in The Chicago Report. Because it is released on the last day of the reporting month, it is used to predict the ISM Report. The Chicago PMI is based on a level of 50. Any level higher is considered expansion. Naturally, any level lower is a sign of contraction.
Validation
It takes two or more points to draw a trend line. The more points used to draw the trend line, the more validity attached to the support or resistance level represented by the trend line. It can sometimes be difficult to find more than 2 points from which to construct a trend line. Even though trend lines are an important aspect of technical analysis, it is not always possible to draw trend lines on every price chart. Sometimes the lows or highs just don't match up, and it is best not to force the issue. The general rule in technical analysis is that it takes two points to draw a trend line and the third point confirms the validity.
The chart of Microsoft (MSFT) shows an uptrend line that has been touched 4 times. After the third touch in Nov-99, the trend line was considered a valid line of support. Now that the stock has bounced off of this level a fourth time, the soundness of the support level is enhanced even more. As long as the stock remains above the trend line (support), the trend will remain in control of the bulls. A break below would signal that net-supply was increasing and that a change in trend could be imminent.
Downtrend Line
A downtrend line has a negative slope and is formed by connecting two or more high points. The second high must be lower than the first for the line to have a negative slope. Downtrend lines act as resistance, and indicate that net-supply (supply less demand) is increasing even as the price declines. A declining price combined with increasing supply is very bearish, and shows the strong resolve of the sellers. As long as prices remain below the downtrend line, the downtrend is solid and intact. A break above the downtrend line indicates that net-supply is decreasing and that a change of trend could be imminent.
For a detailed explanation of trend changes, which are different than just trend line breaks, please see our article on the Dow Theory.
Day Trading: Day trading with the foreign exchange market is in some ways vastly different to that in other markets, in addition to which, day trading in the currencies market does not suffer from the unpleasant connotation that may spring to mind when one thinks of such things with relation to the stock market.
That said, if you have previously traded in other markets, then many items styles utilized in forex, such as forwards, futures, options, spread betting, contracts for difference and also the spot market are very similar to those used in the equity markets, and often maintain a minimum trade sizes for the base currencies.
It is worth noting however that day trading, being a fast moving, highly challenging trading style may not be for everyone. Should decide that day trading is for you, then there are also many different styles and variations of day trading with the currency market that you may wish to sample before choosing the form that feels right for you, or maybe you will prefer to utilize a series of styles.
The best way to learn the day trading styles with regards to forex markets is the same as in learning and perfecting any other trading style, or indeed other skill; by practice.
Talking to you forex trading mentor and other experienced day traders to see what styles have worked best for them over the years, ask for any hints, tips and techniques that may be of benefit and try them out before making the definitive choice of which style will be right for you.
Exhaustion Gaps
Exhaustion gaps are those that happen near the end of a good up- or downtrend. They are many times the first signal of the end of that move. They are identified by high volume and large price difference between the previous day's close and the new opening price. They can easily be mistaken for runaway gaps if one does not notice the exceptionally high volume.
It is almost a state of panic if the gap appears during a long down move where pessimism has set in. Selling all positions to liquidate holdings in the market is not uncommon. Exhaustion gaps are quickly filled as prices reverse their trend. Likewise, if they happen during a bull move, some bullish euphoria overcomes trades, and buyers cannot get enough of that stock. The prices gap up with huge volume; then, there is great profit taking and the demand for the stock totally dries up. Prices drop, and a significant change in trend occurs. Exhaustion gaps are probably the easiest to trade and profit from. In the chart, notice that there was one more day of trading to the upside before the stock plunged. The high volume was the giveaway that this was going to be, either, an exhaustion gap or a runaway gap. Because of the size of the gap and the near doubling of volume, an exhaustion gap was in the making here.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) Exhaustion Gap example chart from StockCharts.com
Daily Candlestick Chart for MEDT
[img]stockcharts.com/c-sc/sc?s=MEDT
Central Bank: Central banks play a key role in the currency markets because of their power over monetary policy. They have a direct influence over money supply, which in turn affects demand and price of the currency. Through the use of different policies, central banks can try to manipulate the markets so that they can keep their currency at specific levels. Some countries and their central banks try to peg their currency to that of another currency or basket of currencies (for example, China to the U.S.).
The central bank can participate in the forex market by buying and selling their currency at the spot market in order to keep it from changing too much. Another motivation for central banks is to keep the local currency at a specific price in order to make their local economy more attractive for international trade. If a country’s currency appreciates too quickly, it could actually make it less appealing to importers.
Remember that many transactions have to use the local currency. Thus, if currency that is needed rises too quickly, it effectively makes goods more expensive to foreigners, which in turn, hurts trade. To counter this, the central bank may intervene in the market by selling its currency and buying up other major currencies. This in effect, weakens the local currency so as to make it more appealing to foreign importers.
While the exact value of what percentage such central bank transactions take up isn’t known, take note that because these are the banks of national governments, such interventions can have a much larger impact on the market than any single commercial bank.
Followers
|
3288
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
0
|
Posts (Total)
|
2804248
|
Created
|
08/22/10
|
Type
|
Free
|
Moderator Nilbud | |||
Assistants mick ManicTrader PhotoChick Kirimi $Pistol Pete$ |
Investor Hub Alerts: Sign up for 'STOCKGOODIES PLAYS OF THE WEEK ' E-Mail List UPDATE; 5-1-22 courtesy of charting /\ wit tweezer top calls /\ Tony @Montana_Trades Really good study sheet on Candlestick Patterns [-chart]pbs.twimg.com/media/FRn8188XMAAdZvk?format=jpg&name=small[/chart]
02-07-2021
|
Posts Today
|
0
|
Posts (Total)
|
2804248
|
Posters
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Assistants
|
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |