Product Description

The Visual Investor, Second Edition breaks down technical analysis into terms that are accessible to even individual investors. Aimed at the typical investor--such as the average CNBC viewer--this book shows investors how to follow the ups and downs of stock prices by visually comparing the charts, without using formulas or having a necessarily advanced understanding of technical analysis math and jargon. Murphy covers all the fundamentals, from chart types and market indicators to sector analysis and global investing, providing examples and easy-to-read charts so that any reader can become a skilled visual investor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46647 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780470382059
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Publisher
Now in a book aimed at the huge and growing market of individual investors in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, John introduces readers to the art and science of visual analysis. Clearly and simply he explains the principles of technical analysis in terms that nonprofessionals can understand and shows individual investors how to track the ups and downs of stock prices by visually comparing charts--instead of relying upon abstruse mathematical formulas and rarefied technical concepts. He also introduces readers to his widely acclaimed Intermarket Analysis--a proven analytical approach based on understanding the impact that all the different markets have on each other and what that means to investors. Features dozens of easy-to-read charts and graphs with step-by-step instructions on how to understand and interpret them. Includes leading software demo disks.

From the Inside Flap
Visual analysis, also known as technical or chart analysis, is one of the best ways to invest in today's markets—and it's not as hard as you might think. This proven approach allows you to follow almost any market, without having to be an expert on any of them, and it can give you an enormous advantage over those who prefer to use some form of economic or fundamental analysis.

With over forty years of market experience and a number of bestselling financial books to his name, John Murphy, one of the world's foremost technical analysts and educators, knows what it takes to make it in this field. Now, with the Second Edition of The Visual Investor—which has been completely updated for current markets—Murphy shares his invaluable insights on this subject with you.

Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this updated guide will introduce you to "visual" investing by explaining a variety of charting techniques that professionals have used for decades, and shows you how specific visual tools can put you in a better position to successfully trade commodities, currencies, bonds, and stocks in both domestic and global financial markets. With the real-world examples and comprehensive charts found here, you'll quickly discover how to:

• Tell the difference between markets that are trending and those that are not

• Locate important breakouts or breakdowns

• Spot significant support and resistance levels

• Implement asset allocation and sector rotation strategies through exchange-traded funds and mutual funds

• Utilize moving averages to keep track of trends

• Incorporate essential price patterns into your investment analysis

Along the way, Murphy takes you through the ins and outs of reading price and volume charts that can help you make sensible investment decisions, and highlights how you can track the ups and downs of financial markets by visually comparing charts—instead of relying upon complex mathematical formulas and confusing technical concepts.

Knowing why a market is moving is interesting, but not crucial to investment success. In order to trade profitably, all that really matters is what the markets are actually doing. Visual analysis is the best way to determine this, and with the Second Edition of The Visual Investor as your guide, you'll learn how to put this effective approach to work for you to enhance the performance of your portfolio.

From the Back Cover
Praise for The Visual Investor Second Edition

"John Murphy displays his remarkably broad knowledge of price patterns and intermarket relationships in this concise, up-to-date edition. It is a tour through the most important visual techniques, punctuated with practical, timely examples, including real estate, gold, VIX, mutual funds, and ETFs. Every trader will want to read this."—Perry Kaufman, author of New Trading Systems and Methods, 4th Edition and A Short Course in Technical Trading

"John Murphy has surpassed another career milestone. His first book on technical analysis is widely regarded as the industry's standard, and his second is considered a groundbreaking dissertation on intermarket analysis. So too, The Visual Investor, Second Edition is expected to become a reference guide for technicians and fundamentalists alike, as he has successfully removed the mystique that has shrouded conventional chart analysis by providing a panorama of visual tools and relationships that simplify a heretofore seemingly complex investment approach."—Tom DeMark, President, Market Studies Inc.

"Imagine going grocery shopping in the stock market and facing hundreds of canned goods marked candlesticks, chart patterns, and indicators. Murphy pulls from the shelf his favorites, explains them to you, and adds them to your shopping cart. At home, he opens each can and cooks a delicious meal that is not only tasty but profitable as well. The Visual Investor is John Murphy's cookbook. Read it."—Thomas N. Bulkowski, ThePatternSite.com, author of Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns and Encyclopedia of Candlestick Charts

"If investors want to learn how to trade trends, they should study every word of The Visual Investor, Second Edition. Murphy hits the mark again!"—Michael Covel, author of The Complete TurtleTrader and Trend Following

Customer Reviews

a clear, thorough, well-written presentation of the subject
This is the best work I've seen so far on technical analysis. I tried a couple of on-line tutorials, as well as a couple of books, and only ended up confused. This author assumes you know nothing and starts you out from scratch. I understand every sentence; it's also well-written enough that it's interesting. I'm now inspired to go on from here, perhaps with Nisan's Candlestick Charting and Beyond Candlesticks. I highly recommend this book.

Learn it, know it, live it...
As a day trader I've found the techniques discussed in this book give me a significant edge in my trades. The only time I've lost money in the market since buying this book is when I fell back on my old methods of trading. I've learned my lesson. Now I keep it next to my bed and review it every evening and when I'm screening for my next stock. It's an easy and concise read.

Illustrated Technical Analysis Explained.
John Murphy is able to explain technical analysis with illustrations. Technical analysis should be part of the decision-making process when investing for any fund, stock and/or options. This book is able to take you step by step on how to start and continue into the more complex versions of technical analysis.

Mr. Murphy starts in his first section with the basics: Trends, peaks, through, Fibonacci ratio, etc. These explanations are done with illustrations from actual stocks, not from made-up graphs.

His second section explains indicators: Chapters cover lagging and oscillating moving averages, trading envelopes and bands, measuring overbought and oversold conditions, momentum rate of change (ROC), Relative Strength Index (RSI), stochastic indicators and finally but not least the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator. All the indicators mentioned are explained and demonstrated with real stock graphs.

Mr. Murphy in his final section explains "Linkage": He starts with the Market Linkages chapter where he sums up his previous book on intermarket technical analysis by explaining how the three major asset classes - commodities, bonds and stocks relate to each other. He explains how as commodity prices rise, which result in higher interest rates and lower bond prices, and vice-versa. He also talks about oil and gold prices and how they can affect the stock market, since they are related to companies directly. The interesting couple of pages I found were the indexes to watch while following the linkages of the market trends.

I most appreciated the summaries at the end of every chapter.

Overall the book is very educational and filled with helpful information to make proper decisions when selecting your next investment(s). One disappointment was the supplied CD. Mr. Murphy kept referring to the supplied software within the CD, although the CD only linked to his site. On his site you can find many (not free) software tools to help in your technical analysis.

Good stepping-stone and reference book for traders and investors.

Have fun.