Jan 27, 2009 copyright © David S.Y. Wong, published in SelfGrowth.com

How can the stock trader capitalize on the movement of stocks to gain trading profits? Getting the right reading on the direction of the stock is obviously very important. Determining the entry point (when to buy) and the exit point (when to sell) are equally important in addition to challenging. Related to the entry/exit points, the question of how long a stock should be held is also an important decision.

As with most stock trading topics, there are numerous approaches to the decision making process in terms of when to buy (where is the low point), when to sell (where is the high point), when to hold, or when to be out of the stock altogether.

There are various technical analysis techniques as well as charting systems that identify the up/down direction of a stock, trend lines, low/high price points and other factors important to the stock trader. I think of candlestick technical analysis as a particular expression or representation of a stock's price movement. Furthermore, candlestick charting provides a visual cue for the trader to identify low and high points, whether the stock is trending up or down, and trend reversal points.

More important than the type of technical analysis, the stock trader requires a trend following method with which to guide the buy/sell decisions. If the stock trader can ride the trend, the trade will yield a profit. A good trend following system yields the appropriate buy/sell signals for the stock trader to gain profits on a consistent basis. Such a system takes the guess work out of stock trading.

Candlestick technical analysis provides a good basis to formulate a trend following method. Candlestick charting provides a good visual for the stock trader to easily see the direction, trend and buy/sell signals.

Jan 27, 2009 copyright © David S.Y. Wong, published in SelfGrowth.com

Author's Bio: 

StockTradersPlace (http://stocktradersplace.com) provides a trend following method based on the use of candlestick technical analysis, presented through candlestick charting. You may find this to be a good complement to your trading tools and resources for consistently successful trades.