Does Technical Trading Really Work?

Game,Set,Match
Now that we have final proof that even the naysayers of TA are using TA, my hope is that we can all move forward in our analysis of trading etc ---and drop the ad hominem attacks on the individuals who are TA proponents. I realize that this will never occur and I do have concern that the naysayers do not realize all of what TA entails since they use it and think they don't. --However I am going to move on, knowing what has been proven here and post on different more interesting subjects like risk management, the only true edge in trading---Thank you for your time---Izzy
 
Thank God you realize you are not the most qualified to speak on the subject. Let's chalk it up to a lack of rigor to handle substance matter.

Now that we have final proof that even the naysayers of TA are using TA, my hope is that we can all move forward in our analysis of trading etc ---and drop the ad hominem attacks on the individuals who are TA proponents. I realize that this will never occur and I do have concern that the naysayers do not realize all of what TA entails since they use it and think they don't. --However I am going to move on, knowing what has been proven here and post on different more interesting subjects like risk management, the only true edge in trading---Thank you for your time---Izzy
 
Is technical analysis the Holy Grail for investors? Or is it just tea leaf reading...

It is not the holy grail. Usually, the naysayers will use that statement as a facade that TA users views it as such.

Its simple...if TA works for you and you're a profitable trader...keep using it. Seriously, why would you stop using it if its helping you to make money.

In contrast, if you fail at using TA...stop using it and/or show up at forums to say it doesn't work. If you're a naysayer, you will never be able to convince someone that's profitably using TA to give it up. :D

Mr. Lloyd...as a reminder...please wait about one month after this thread has run its course before starting another TA debate thread.

Baron pays well to keep the forum active (sarcasm).
 
we're all bored losers...debating this same TA or FA etc ...sh*t week-after-week in each new thread endlessly passionately :confused: to feel like we have a sense of fight and purpose in life :p

i wish there was a little status icon next to your username or something...that shows your linked trading account performance return %. -- the bottom line speaks.
 
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Brokers not allowed to do such. Yet, they can setup a forum or chat at their own website for such but they would still need your permission to display your trading info...a few have done such.
 
Is technical analysis the Holy Grail for investors? Or is it just tea leaf reading?
One of the most biting criticisms of technical analysis is the idea that there's no way past prices can be a crystal ball for future prices.

It is not going to work for you, I am not trying to be an ass, but those who succeed in this craft are those who work and read extensively and you have not read the posts within this forum about what you ask. If you can't due the simple work of reading material, you are a lost cause. Reason I say lost cause is you have to learn how to program and back test like your family's future is on the line, cause it can be, but being this lazy so soon tells most of us that trade for a living, we won't help. Come back a year later on the how to risk or how to reduce risk, then I am willing to help.
 
TA does not work in itself. Of course it does not to any rationally thinking person, because past prices do not have crystal balls between their little OHLC or Candlestick legs. But I let you in on a secret: There is a concept called momentum or more scientifically "cointegration" and it basically is a reflection of human beings reacting to new information to varying degrees and with different lags. That is precisely why you often observe price inertia in the absence of new information that adversely affect present velocity. TA in all its expressions is by definition lagging and simply reflects the present at some time in the future. So, sure, as long as an extremely strong trend manifests itself you will realize that (of course later than everyone else) via the application of TA. Mean reversion approaches are even more esoteric in that mean reversion TA basically tries to push the repeating pattern of moon phase methodology (every now and then we see a "full moon") into a financial market that reacts in real-time to constantly arriving news/events/market impacting items. But if it works for you awesome, at least I am glad I do not invest and bank with HSBC.

"Human beings reacting to new information to varying degrees with different lags".
Thats a great quote in my opinion.
I contend that recent price behaviour preceding the "new information" effects the rate of change
of price. Simply , given the same new information, from a deeply 10 day oversold condition will produce different results than from a 10 day overbought condition.
(Some will argue with the over/under bought conditions themselves......ok)
It is possible as well, that recent price behaviour, again at opposite extremes, will react to the same "marginal", non decisive , news with opposite price inertia. Supports price mean reversion concepts, (screw the news)
So, looks like this is an argument for TA. Off with his head!

Ps. Dont get how you group momentum with cointegration. What is cointegrated with what?

Finally, the article from the trader Pabst in the hall of fame treads, written by Surf, is a good read for his take on TA And FA.
 
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Now I recall...I bet you are the guy (was it Veteran) who hung out at one of those TA sites that is run by a guy living in Palos Altos. I was wondering why that term Izzy sounded so familiar coupled with your fervor for TA. Am I right or am I right.

No--actually this has been resolved. I will not be debating it anymore. I hope you will do the same. --Izzy
 
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