Customer Reviews

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Investing isn't easy. Investing profitably is even harder. As a result, investors are always looking for that 'angle', that 'edge' that will help them realize more consistent profits.

In the past 2 decades, many on Wall Street have come to believe that technical analysis of stock charts is one of those tools. Having worked in the financial services markets since 1987, I do believe that technical analysis can be a helpful tool. And if you are looking for a definitive source of TA, then look no further.

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets by John Murphy covers all the basic aspects of TA: philosophy, chart construction, fundamental vs. technical analysis, trends, major technical pattern recognition, moving averages, oscillators, times cycles, computer trading systems and much more. He also covers different methods of charting, including bar, point and figure and candlestick (be aware that most of the analysis techniques he presents apply to bar charting, not PnF or candlestick).

What I like most about the book is that it written clearly, simply and logically. It uses many graphical examples that SHOWS the reader what to look for. It does not rage on about the merits of TA (which many investors feel is complete hooey) but how to apply basic (and sophisticated) TA techniques. I use TA frequently in my business and find that it helps me manage my client's portfolios more effectively, especially when it comes to SELLING a position, whether to lock-in gains or limit losses.

If you are a TA convert, or if you have an interest in learning more about it, this book is a useful guide and should be purchased. Today, it remains one of the few investment reference books that I keep in my office.

This book covers everything. For the complete beginner, it's all explaind. For the veteran, it's a great refresher. It should be the corner stone of any technical analysis library.

The section on Candlesticks for example, is better than a lot of books that are just about Candlesticks.

I didn't quite think it went far enough into Fibonacci related items, but that's understandable. Altogether-- GREAT!

This is an excellent book for anyone who is planning to start trading seriously as well as for those who are completely confused with trading. John Murphy consolidated all what is needed for understanding the underlying structure and psychology of the financial markets. The most what I liked about this book is how John reflects on and stresses the importance of trend in the financial markets. I used his book to trade in the FOREX Market - it works great. While not going into nuts and bolts of technical analysis, he embraces all major point in an easy and accessible language. Consider, however, that this book does not cover in great detail any specific technical indicator or oscillator. In conclusion, this book would be also useful for those who need to round up their knowledge and see a bigger picture.

This book is excellent and I woul recommend it to anyone willing to learn about tech analysis, especially if you are complete new to this subject.

If you are no novice to this subject. It still can be a good thing to read this book and see what the writers view on technical analysis is and how he uses it to help him make right decisions.

Language used in this book is very easy so even if your English is not perfect you still can understand what the writer is saying.

In this book you will also find a recomendation list of books that specifies only on one technical analysis, for example a book about Point and Figure Chart. This is very helpful if you want to go deeper in to the subject of your interest.

Conclusion I give this book 5 stars because it gives you a good explanation how tech analysis works in understandable English.

This is one of the most comprehensive Books I have come across in my 5 years of trading. While most PM do not buy into technical analysis schemes publicly, they most certainly do privately. I have used many of the techniques presented in this book and have been reasonably happy. The only warning I can offer is that the trader needs to understand when a persistent tend is done.

Covers almost everything. I rank it up there with Bruce Kamich's more recent tome. He even does a good job with Elliott Wave Theory, which is none too easy. There is also a good study guide that goes with it. Good discussions on patterns, and he also covers indicators and even technical systems very well. A top beginner's book. I used it when I taught technical analysis.

As a well-respected technical analyst with 30+ years experience, there are few markets John Murphy has not seen. The difference between him and most other analysts is that he has documented them as they happened through his Murphy Market Message Newsletter. It is easy to look at a chart in hindsight and perform rear-view mirror analysis. Anyone can do that. What is more interesting is reading commentary from experts while the market is unfolding which is what Murphy does a number of times every week. His books are peppered with examples of market moves and quotes from his newsletter analyzing the move as it happened which makes reading his books all the more interesting.

As someone who basically introduced intermarket analysis to the broad technical analysis community, John has watched markets move one another since the late 1970s and documented the whys and whatfores and then carefully recorded his thoughts for the benefit of the rest of us.

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets is without a doubt one of the best introductions and general discussions of technical analysis on the market today. It has been recognized by the Market Technicians Association and International Federation of Technical Analysts as such and is required reading for both the Chartered Market Technicians designation from the MTA and the Diploma of International Technical Analysis by IFTA. In fact, their required reading lists are great places to get ideas on which books the professionals are reading!

But it is a book that is not only for those new to trading and technical analysis. It is for everyone and anyone dedicated to improving their investment or trading returns by getting the right information direct from the source. It is a book I have read multiple times and will read again this year. It's well-written and an enjoyable read. It is also a book you won't get tired of reading over again and one that you will find a very useful reference. There is very little to complain about except that I wish it was longer. Then again I can't really complain with over 500 pages of great information and charts.

Matt Blackman - Technical Writer/Reviewer Email: matt@tradesystemguru.com
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Contributor to Stocks & Commodities Magazine, Working Money, Traders.com Advantage, Active Trader, Traders Mag (Europe) and SFO Magazine

This is a great book on technical analysis. The fundamentals are all here from pattern recognition to indicators. TA is essential anyone who wants better entries and exits on stocks and other financial instruments. This is the building block to using trading strategies to win in both bull and bear markets. For actually trading strategies, I recommend Dave Landry on Swing Trading or Street Smarts, but this book is the perfect start.

Yes, I agree with many of the comments below; this book, and the workbook that is usually attached as a set, serve as one of the best introductions to the study of technical analysis available today. If you do not yet own this book, I would advise seeking the later publications as Murphy regularly updates the stock chart illustrations using technical analysis. It will provide you with more recent, and more relevant, market events.

If you wish to become a Chartered Market Technican, do not waste any time; buy this book.

Cheers,

James.

Murphy's tome on technical analysis is rqeuired reading for any practioner in the financial markets. As a professional trader, I constantly refer to the book for soldifying core technical and trading tactics. A true gem of a work.