The latest "Apprentice Investor" column is up at TheStreet.com. Its called Tracking Elephants, Part II. The subhead is "The non Technicians Guide to Technical Analysis," and that’s a pretty good description. Charts have something of value to add to even pure fundamentalists. In a way, its the opposite of the Wisdom of Crowds.
Starting this week, I’ll also be adding a podcast, giving some additonal background and flavor to each column:
Of course, the ubiquitous excerpt:
"Here’s an interesting question: If you could look at one and only one source before buying your next stock, which would you choose: a fundamental analyst’s report (with no charts in it), or the chart
of your choosing? While I like having access to both, I cannot ever
imagine buying something without first looking at the chart.And so we wade into the ongoing battle between technical and
fundamental analysts. Frankly, it’s one of the sillier debates in
investing. But I’ve heard so many bad arguments and misleading theories
about technical analysis that I decided to weigh in."Before we wade too deeply into the controversy, ask yourself: "Why
do I need to choose?" Why wouldn’t you use any tool that can be shown
to have value? You wouldn’t build a house using only a hammer, but no
drills or saws. Why limit yourself away from a tool that can assist you
as an investor?
Here are some charts illustrating these points:
Apple Breaks its Uptrend
click for larger graph
GM Breaks Support
click for larger graph
eBay Risk/Reward entry points
click for larger graph
