The Masters Certificate in Technical Analysis
Things You May Already Know
What is Trading?
A Bit Of History
Stocks and Bonds
Stockbrokers and the Financial Markets
Short Selling
Types of Orders
What Can I Trade?
Futures
Options
Forex
Contracts for Difference
Spread Betting and Binary Options
The Psychology of It All
Module 1 – Technical Analysis and the Dow Theory
Introduction to Technical Analysis
The Principles of Technical Analysis
Trading Versus Investing
Technical Analysis versus Fundamental Analysis
Criticisms of Technical Analysis
The Dow Theory
The Basic Principles: The Six Tenets
Doubts about Dow
Technical Indicators
Module 2 – Charting Basics
Introduction to the Types of Charts
Line Charts
Bar Charts
Candlestick Charts
Real Life Chart Samples
Arithmetic and Logarithmic Price Scales
Volume
Open Interest
Weekly/Monthly Charts
Trendiness
Using Long-Term Charts in Trading
What about Inflation?
Future Charts
Ways of Using Charts
Module 3 – Trend Concepts
Introduction: What is a Trend?
The Parts of a Trend
Support and Resistance
Reversal of Roles
The Psychology behind Support and Resistance
The Strength of Support and Resistance
Trendlines
Using Trendlines
Breaking the Line and Role Reversals
Adjusting Trendlines and Trendline Steepness
Channel Trading: The Channel Line
Percentage Retracements
Speedlines
Internal Trendlines and Summary
Module 4 – Reversal and Continuation Patterns
Introduction
Reversal Patterns
Head and Shoulders Reversal Pattern
Complex, Failed and Inverse Head and Shoulders
Triple Top and Bottom Reversal Patterns
Double Top and Bottom Reversal Patterns
Saucer Bottom, Cup and Handle and Spikes
Continuation Patterns
Triangles
Symmetrical Triangle
Ascending Triangle
Descending Triangle
Broadening Formation
Flag and Pennant
Wedge Formation
Rectangle Formation
The Measured Move
Head and Shoulders Continuation Pattern
Module 5 – Volume and Open Interest
Introduction to Volume
On Balance Volume
Open Interest
Strength or Weakness?
Other Indications
Options and Commitments of Traders Report
Reversal Days
Gaps
Summary
Module 6 – Moving Averages
Introduction and the Simple Moving Average
Exponential Moving Average
Prices and How to Utilise Moving Averages
Using One Moving Average
Using Two Moving Averages
Using Three Moving Averages
Moving Average Envelopes
Bollinger Bands
Cycles and Weekly Rule
Moving Average Optimization and Summary
Module 7 – Oscillators and Sentiment Indicators
Introduction
Using Oscillators in Trending Markets
Momentum Indicator
Commodity Channel Index
Relative Strength Index
Stochastics
Williams %R
Oscillator Variables
Moving Average Convergence/Divergence
The Importance of Contrary Opinion
Investor Sentiment
Summary
Module 8 – Further Charting
Introduction and Candlestick Charting
Basic Shapes and Doji
Spinning Tops and Long Bodies
Reversal Patterns
Reversal Patterns Continued
Continuation Patterns
Pre-qualifying Patterns and Summary
Point and Figure Charting
Construction
Interpretation
Candle Volume Charts
Three Line Break
Renko
Kagi and Ichimoku
Module 9 – Elliott Waves and Cycles of Time
The Basics of Waves
Zig Zags and Flats
Triangles
Channels and the Rule of Alternation
Fibonacci Numbers
Fibonacci Retracements
Fibonacci Time Targets
Cycles of Time and Summary of Elliott Wave Theory
Cycles Basics and Principles
Cycles to Watch For
How to Find and Use Cycles
Module 10 – Cloud Charts – the Ichimoku Technique
Introduction and Construction Techniques
Turning and Standard Lines
The Cloud Lines
Lagging Line
Interpretation and State of the Market
Signals
Time Periods and Summary of Principles
Different Time Frames
Summary
Module 11 – Money Management and Computers
Money Management: Introduction
Money Guidelines and Diversification
Risk versus Reward and Using Stop Losses
The Way You Think and Position Sizing
Trading Tactics
Order Types
Trailing Stop, Stop Limit Order and Order Modifiers
Less Common Orders and Summary
Using Computers
Mechanical Trading Systems
Module 12 – How to Build a Trading System
Introduction: The Approach
The Concept and Rules
The Entry
Sizing and Exit
Spot Check and Backtest
Paper Trade
Trading Journal
Summary: Trading Rules and Reminders
Module 13 – The Stock Market
Introduction and Relative Strength Analysis
Market Breadth
Advances and Declines
McClellan Oscillator And Index
New Highs and New Lows
Trading Volume
Traders Index
Equivolume Charting
Comparing Averages
Insider Buying
Module 14 – Futures
Introduction: What is a Future
Trading Futures
Market Example
Commodity Pointers
Other Futures
Pricing Futures
Futures Strategies
Strategy: Long and Short Futures
Strategy: Spreads and Narrow-based Indices
Summary
Module 15 – Options
Introduction: What is an Option
Why buy an Option? Selling an Option
American and European Styles
Option Types
Equity and Index Options
Commodity and Forex Options
Interest Rates and Binary Options
Option Pricing
The Greeks
Strategies and Techniques
Exercising American Options
Covered Call and Naked Put
Spreads and Protective Put
Stock Swap and Long Put
Straddle and Strangle
Summary
Module 16 – Forex
Introduction: Forex Trading and its Advantages
The Types of Forex Trading
Analysis of the Forex Markets
Intermarket Relationships
Forex Brokers
How are they Dealing?
Guide to Different Order Types & Execution Methods in Forex
Capitalization
Summary
Module 17 – Strategies and Trading Principles
Trading Principles
Keep a Trading Journal
Trading Strategies
Buying Dips
Buy Relative Strength
Selling Rallies
Sell Relative Weakness
Buy Support and Sell Resistance
Module 18 – Valuing Companies: Company Fundamentals
Triangles and Pyramiding
Ascending Triangles and Self Deception..
Descending Triangles..
Stock Market Manipulators..
ATR and how can it help me with Setting Stop Losses
Pyramiding your Positions
Personality Traits
Thoughts from the Frontline – Trader Commentary
My Journey to Becoming a Successful Trader
The Crab Principle
Do not fight the Market – Milk it..
Researching Stocks..
Don’t fall in love with a stock, no matter how sexy it is..
Setting Profit Targets is Futile, Setting Trailing Market Orders is Not..
Are you trying to Predict the Market’s Direction?
Stop Losses – to use or not to use?
Why would anyone like any sort of Stop Losses?
Where to set the Stop Loss Level…
Unexpected Share Price Declines..
Spreadbetting – when and when not to use it
Options trading and Pizza Coupons
City vs Retail Investors, Small Caps and Number of Holdings
Losing Money Fast
The Credit Crunch and the Current Market Crisis
What is really happening in Retail…
Trading for Tough Times – Which Companies fare better in a Recession?
SETS, SEAQ and Level 2
Explaining SETS and SEAQ and WHY you need them
Using the SEAQ Level 2 screen
USA, UK and Japanese Economic Indicators
USA Economic Indicators
UK, Australian and Japanese Economic Indicators
Education
We provide FREE EDUCATION to help make more informed traders who – quite possibly – make smarter trades. This essential technical analysis course provides a thorough grounding in technical analysis techniques for spread betting traders and investment managers new to the subject. We also present the most effective technical trading strategies for more experienced market professionals.