Could anyone recommend a good resource(s) to begin learning technical analysis? I want to use it for stocks if that matters. Any help is much appreciated.
http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/wyckoff-forum/3866-wyckoff-resources-2.html#post86783 http://www.amazon.com/Technical-Ana...1395055389&sr=1-2&keywords=richard+schabacker (Available for free online; I have the pdf but ET doesn't allow file sizes >1MB)
You may find the list of the most popular technical indicators with link to their description at complete list of technical indicators To save you time I would looking through scan results for various stock-indicator-timeframe combinations to see what technical indicators would work with your stocks at Stock Scanning Tool
go to www.stockcharts.com There is an explanation for all the technical indicators and the proper way to use them. You won't find a better source of web based technical charts. John Murphy, technical analysis Guru makes commentaries there.
In your course of learning, also remember a fundamental fact about technical analysis. No indicator can precede the event it diagnoses. In other words, all indicators react to price and can not tell you what price will be in the next time frame. Another fundamental aspect of TA is that the signals you get from a particular indicator should be viewed with a probabilistic mindset. You will never get 100% precision from your indictor, but the signals are there to try and give you a better than random entry. TA signals are meant to keep you doing the right thing, i.e buy low, sell high. You should always use TA as part of a trading system (risk control, money management etc.) Also, back test your system. you are looking for a system with positive expectancy.
My advice, don't bother too much about learning chart patterns. Learn about technical indicators. Understand that they are not predictive but rather a great way to code, test and follow specific rules that have been shown over historical data to have a statistical edge. Use them to react. Don't focus too much on entry methods or indicator settings...they are largely irrelevant. Focus on positions sizing algorithms and exit strategies. If you trade stocks, read Reminiscences of a stock operator and Nicolas Darvas 'how I made $2 million in the stock market'. Notice how technical analysis is largely ignored. The idea is to buy strength and hold until weakness, technical indicators can help you make this process objective, but money management is far more important. The focus of beginner traders on patterns and indicator settings is a gross misuse of time when learning to trade profitably. Learn about correlation analysis and trading diverse asset classes. Be very suspicious when you read that a particular indicator or pattern will help you profit...always make sure that the strategy has a verifiable track record. Good luck!
Technical indicators have predictive value, the problem is 99% of ET does not how to discover or use it. Do your own diligence, don't take any ones yay or nay for granted, including myself.