TRADING STRATEGIES 101
Course Outline


  1. General Market Theory: 
              What is technical analysis?
              Comparison of technical and fundamental analysis
              Basic premises of technical analysis
              Advantages of using technical analysis
              Criticism of technical analysis
              The Dow theory
              Trading mania

  2. Charting Fundamentals:  
              Types of charts
              Daily bar chart
              Using daily bar charts
              Support and resistance levels
              Identifying support and resistance levels
              Trend lines
              Retracements
              Reversal days
              Price gaps
              Point and figure charts
              The Elliot Wave theory
              Fibonacci numbers
              Cycle Theory

  3. Chart patterns:  
              Types of patterns
              Reversal Patterns: Head and shoulders
              Double top and bottom
              Rounded top and bottom
              V-formation or spike
              Continuous Patterns
              Symmetric triangle
              Ascending and declining triangles
              Flag and pennant
              Wedge
              Rectangle
              Continuation head & shoulders
              Candlestick Patterns
              Confirmation of the analysis

  4. Technical Indicators:  
              Introduction
              Moving Averages
              Moving Averages Difference Oscillator
              Relative Strength Index
              Momentum
              Stochastics
              Bollinger Bands
              Pivot Point Analysis
              Volume and open interest
              Historic volatility
              Advance/Decline Line
              Overbought/Oversold Indicator
              Advance/Decline Volume Line  
              TRIN - Short-term Trading Index
              Comparative Strength Index
              Call/Put Ratio

  5. Trading System Development:  
              Introduction
              Basic Examples of a Rule-Based Trading System
              Trading Systems and The Computer
              Developing the Trading System
              Setting Entry and Exit Rules
              Slippage, Commissions and Bad Luck
              Optimization and Curve-Fitted Trading Patterns
              Trading System Example

  6. Money Management:  
              Introduction
              Investing vs. Trading
              Futures vs. Stock Trading
              Leverage
              Realistic Expectations
              How Much To Trade With
              With How Much To Allocate Per Trade
              How Much To Risk On Each Trade
              Correlation and Diversification
              Using Stop Orders To Protect Against A Loss
              Stop Placement
              Risk Reward Ratio
              Ride Your Winners / Cut Your Losses
              Psychological Factors
              Margin Calls
              Pyramiding
              Equity Curves
              Mock Trading
              Cautions About Trading the Markets