Schwager on Futures: Technical Analysis

Jack Schwager is one of the most important visible figures in the futures industry today. His Market Wizards and the New Market Wizards are two of the best selling finance titles of all time. Now, in the latest volume in the Schwager on Futures Series, Technical Analysis, Schwager has created the most comprehensive guide ever for using technical analysis for futures trading. What makes Technical Analysis unique, besides its in-depth coverage, is that it is written from a trader's perspective. Schwager doesn't merely cover the subject, he explores what works and doesn't work in the real world of trading.

Contains a comprehensive guide to chart analysis written with a particular focus on trading applications
Includes a separate 200+ page section illustrating the use of chart analysis in the real world
Details and illustrates several original trading systems
Includes a self-contained primer on cyclical analysis
Describes popular oscillators, the pitfalls in their common use, and guidelines to their successful application in trading
Explains the concept and use of "continuous futures" and compares 10-year continuous futures charts with conventional nearest futures charts for all major U.S. futures markets
Contains a section on trading strategy and philosophy, including over 100 trading tips

Hundreds of charts, tables, and examples illustrate key points throughout, while the text is written in the informative, insightful, and non-technical style that has made Jack Schwager one of the most highly regarded and best selling investment authors ever. This invaluable book by one of the world' foremost authorities is destined to become the premier industry guide on technical analysis for many years to come.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: CHART ANALYSIS

1. Charts: Forecasting Tool or Folklore? 3
2. Types of Charts 14
3. Trends 25
4. Trading Ranges 57
5. Support and Resistance 64
6. Chart Patterns 80
7. Is Chart Analysis Still Valid? 142
8. Midtrend Entry and Pyramiding 148
9. Choosing Stop-Loss Points 157
10. Setting Objectives and Other Position Exit Criteria 165
11. The Most Important Rule in Chart Analysis 188
12. Linking Contract for Long-Term Chart Analysis: Nearest versus Continuous Futures 242
13. An Introduction to Japanese Candlestick Charts, by Steve Nison 277

PART TWO: REAL-WORLD CHART ANALYSIS

14. Real-World Chart Analysis 309

PART THREE: OSCILLATORS AND CYCLES

15. Oscillators, by Thomas A. Bierovic 523
16. Cycle Analysis of the Futures Markets, by Richard Mogey and Jack Schwager 557

PART FOUR: TRADING SYSTEMS AND PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

17. Technical Trading Systems: Structure and Design 595
18. Examples of Original Trading Systems 631
19. Selecting the Best Futures Price Series for Computer Testing 660
20. Testing and Optimizing Trading Systems 672
21. Measuring Trading Performance 705

PART FIVE: PRACTICAL TRADING GUIDELINES

22. The Planned Trading Approach 731
23. Eighty-Two Trading Rules and Market Observations 741
24. Market Wiz(ar)dom 751