Technical Analysis Plain and Simple: Charting the Markets in Your Language (3rd Edition)

Technical analysis offers powerful, objective tools for picking stocks and making money - and in today's market environment, that makes it more indispensable than ever. Unfortunately, most explanations of the subject simply confuse investors instead of enlightening them. In this clear, practical, fully updated book, Barron's technical analysis columnist Michael N. Kahn introduces state-of-the-art technical analysis techniques in simple language that any investor can understand and use. Kahn explains exactly how technical analysis works, then teaches you how to read charts and translate them into actual buy and sell decisions. Along the way, you'll learn how to use technical analysis to complement your current approach to stock selection, discover what makes a stock look promising to technical analysts, and objectively assess both risk and reward. This updated and revised Third Edition contains many new examples reflecting today's transformed market environment, including detailed coverage of recognizing bubbles, including real estate (2006), oil (2008), and bonds (2009). Kahn offers powerful new insights into the relationship between technical analysis and market psychology, as well as crucial, up-to-date guidance on sector rotation for changing markets. He also presents a full chapter on "when things stop working": how to recognize when usually reliable technical tools are being overwhelmed by "once-in-a-thousand-year," "black-swan"-type events.

Top technical analyst and Barron’s Online columnist Kahn demystifies technical analysis.

While many investors view technical analysis as a mystical “tea-leaf reading” process, “this could not be further from the truth,” says the author, in the second edition of this handy guide to technical analysis. Indeed, Kahn teaches investors how to bring clarity and objectivity to their market decisions by augmenting their fundamental research with the use of technical analysis. Beginning with a general overview of the subject, the author then moves on to the core concepts of chart analysis and the various facets of the investment process. Finally, he covers more advanced topics like candlesticks, cycles and Elliot waves, and also explains common technical terms and jargon and how to identify patterns, listen to the market and “reality check” broker recommendations.

Investors will appreciate this straightforward and clear guide to technical analysis.