I often find all manner of reference to Technical Analysis whilst reading threads, questioning certain elements, asking for advice on indicators and also requesting advice on a stock and whether it's a good time to buy, sell, hold or remain indifferent. I am the first to admit that my own TA is still in its infancy, but I do spend time on expanding my knowledge (hopefully in the right direction!).

Rather than having to ask a TA question on a particular thread, perhaps this thread could be used as a forum for TA queries and become a knowledge base. Just a thought, if there is little or no interest, the thread will sink without trace and that will be the end of that. I will personally add a few snippets to help those with less knowledge (if that's possible) to keep things rolling. There is a danger that the thread will receive countless requests for opinions on a variety of stocks and there is only so much I can do alone, therefore I would more than welcome input from other posters, no matter how rudimentary they believe their own knowledge to be, hopefully some real experts will take the time to contribute.

Yes it is. I can be disciplined for short term. But get frustrated by positions which dont move for weeks.

I know my own character and flaws in it, so trade accordingly. I learnt the hard way though..

managed to be a "good boy" and closed out my Dow long with a modest profit but a profit nonetheless .... if Dow now roars ahead at the cllse, so be it

tut tut posting exits and not entries again ;-)

Just on the foothills of the strong willed and disiciplined mountain but have learned to accept my losses without cutting my throat. Now need to control that demon greed and set stop losses when I've got a profit. I have some shares that i just let sit but that's because I'm loosing sooooooooooooo much there's not worth cashing in. Am also learning to sit on my hands and not rush in until I see some indicators.
Have been watching UKC for some time seems like a good trading share opinions welcomed.

don't be a bitchy littkle queen ..... i think i did elsewhere actually, and if you really want to know, bought at 13385 and sold at 13420

I got to the top of that mountain numerous times, magg , and fell back to the bottom.

Its difficult to pick yourself up and climb again.

I took some time out a couple of years ago and read some books on self discipline, and in particular I picked up on using methods of self punishment if I break my rules.

Just silly things, like I create a job which I dread doing round the home or garden and then make myself do it when I break the rules.

It's not exactly a deterrent but it keeps the "rule breaking" fresh in my head and I find I think about not breaking them more often..

I have also got my methods for each instrument I trade priinted out in big black font on a note board to the right of PC monitor. I try to read them whilst I'm watching trades come good (or bad :( )

oh wind your neck in , I put a winking smiley mr big shot

dyna, maggie, have you written yourselves a Trading Plan? If not suggest you research and find a good draft of one, that should instill some discipline if you stick to it, including 'punishments', like cease trading until you have addressed the 'problem'. Hope that helps. Trade2win.com website has an example in its articles.

That sounds very interesting will investigate even if my initial reaction is I'd probably cheat on the punishments. Think I've a long way to go in this self discipline.

dyna ..... u did indeed ... my apologies for being blind as well as a bit touchy

could be of concern that, in the end, Dow barely held above 50 dma ....... if London reacts badly to NRK news, then Wall Street could easily follow suit

I think it's safe to say London reacted quite badly to the NRK news Cynic.

Interesting stuff re trading discipline, probably the toughest area to master. Even when you think you have the TA tools / knowledge to trade / invest with moderate success, along come those demons to mess with your stops and limits. Personally I gave this considerable thought over the summer, I came to the conclusion that if I stick to trading trending stocks, the simplest way in which to stick to the plan is to place stops and limits at resistance / support levels and then close no matter what. If the TA is correct in the first place, then one shouldn't go too far wrong.

Sounds awfully simple :)

pth

Question from someone who has just recently found this thread.

On the UK:BARC hourly chart the SMA(20) has crossed through the SMA(50) today - Is this a Golden Cross? Does this give us any signal for the next few days/weeks?

Thanks in advance if someone can clarify for me.

The so called golden cross is generally viewed as the 50 moving up through the 200, both of which must be on the way up.

20 through the 50 may be positive, although don't use any one indicator in isolation, look at others and especially the trend, resistance and supprt.

All IMHO of course

pth

Suggest look at Market, Sector & Stock Trend, Patterns, Resistance & Support, Volume Trend & Indicators in that order.

When the 50 dma crosses the 200 dma,both ascending,[aka a golden cross, i believe] does this 'usually' signify a up turn in the SP or does it mean that if you were trying to buy into the share you have missed the boat as the SP has already gone upwards. Looking at the chart for DES and can't help thinking the opportunity has now passed. hindsight is a wonderful thing
Anyone care to comment?
Alex

I won't comment on the chart analysis for DES as others are far more knowledgeable than me, but purely on the news front for DES, I would think it is very likely to follow a similar chart pattern to FOGL, who now have BLT on board. Once the initial excitement of one of the big boys joining in has died down, then the sp settles back to a realistic level.

2pworth, Rather than being stuck to a specific 41 day, 50day or 200 day MA (EMA, MA) why not back test the MA to that particular share adjusting length to you trading period. It may give you more information than working on a fixed period. Also don't go long if your MA is going down or short if the medium and short MA are going up. But put your stops in before you put your trade an in the market we have just had wider than normal unless you playing the game of cut and run on daily movements.