Start With The Ascending Continuation Triangle When You Learn Technical Analysis

By Chris Blanchet

One of the more important Classic Patterns in the Learn Technical Analysis Free Series is the Ascending Continuation Triangle. Unlike other Classic Patterns, this one is a little more difficult to spot as it will take its form after two trading-range highs that appear to form a resistance level are joined by a horizontal trendline and two higher lows of the same range are joined by a rising trendline (our site has a visual for this pattern, so please feel free to stop by for a visit).

The importance of the Ascending Continuation Triangle as it relates to investors who want to learn technical analysis is that it is a bullish signal. Typically, it is a short-term pattern that forms between one and three months. This allows for quick gains and also for lesser losses if the pattern was false.

Investors who have just begun to learn technical analysis will actually find it more difficult to remain patient as they confirm the pattern than it is to spot the pattern. For confirmation, investors should look for the following.

Volume

This is probably the most important confirming factor when it comes to this pattern. As the pattern takes shape, volume should be diminishing. When the pattern is confirmed and there is a breakout, volume should spike. Lacking this volume spike at breakout, investors should no consider the pattern reliable and should steer away from making trade decisions based on it.

200-day Moving Average

If the pattern's prices come close to or touch the 200-day Moving Average, the pattern is stronger and investors should consider it more reliable than if the prices were not close.

Duration

For people who are just starting to learn technical analysis, keep in mind that the break-out (penetration of the upper, horizontal line) should happen well before the pattern actually reaches the apex of the triangle (the right-most tip). In fact, break-out should occur roughly three-quarters to two-thirds of the way along the upper line.

In terms of explaining, in fundamental terms, how the Ascending Continuation Pattern evolves, consider a large institutional investor who wants to unload a large quantity of stock at a certain price. The order is placed. Once that price is reached, buyers will draw on the large supply and consequently, for other sellers to fill their orders, the price will need to drop. This will create a resistance line. However, once that large supply of stock is exhausted, the price will continue to climb as it normally would, providing the breakout that investors who want to learn technical analysis are waiting to see. - 23223

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For investors who want to learn technical analysis free and receive two free stock picks every week that exemplify the signals discussed in the Series, visit Online Trader Today.com.

Living and Investing in Costa Rica

By Randy Berg

The general feeling among the real estate experts is that investment in Costa Rica is going to be lucrative in future. As more and more foreigner is ready to buy property in Costa Rica, the boom in property business is going to stay a bit longer. Some areas of Costa Rica saw appreciation of more than 100% in last two years. Until now the investors have made big money when they have invested in Costa Rica.

Only buying real estate just for investment and waiting for time to soar may be the way to have high returns on the investment done. However, in Costa Rica the real estate prices are driven high because of country offering buyers a quality lifestyle. The access to Costa Rica is very easy with number of flights available to Europe and South America.

In some places investing in real estate and waiting for ideal time to have the best returns is the way of following investments in real estate. But Costa Rica is a country which has provided quality lifestyle to buyers that have driven the real estate markets to such a height.

Some of the salient features of Costa Rica as a place is Costa Rica is well connected with Europe and South America by air. The standard of living is high even though cost of living is low. The procedure to acquire real estate is very simple and straight. There is something for everyone in this small country - beautiful beaches, lovely lakes, mountains and rain forest.

Living in Costa Rica is entertaining with full fledge amenities and infrastructure available; shifting to Costa Rica for living is not a bad option. Real estate in Costa Rica being cheaper, it is also a good long term investment with past showing lots of appreciations in property prices.

People are lured to live in this country all because of entertaining adventurous sports, exotic beaches, pleasant climate and wonderful resorts. With so much stress given to tourism in this country and flourishing of tourism also possible due to availability of natural resources, people from around the world flog to this country for fun and entertainment.

This country is real paradise for nature lovers, water sport enthusiasts or retiree who wants to enjoy rest of his life with nature and other modern amenities around. Those who are fed up with hurly burly of busy life and wants to lead life leisurely are attracted to the country Costa Rica. Other factors that are a big advantage to living and investing in Costa Rica is risk free investment due to stable political environment of the country Costa Rica. With no political turmoil reported until date the risk involved in the investment in real estate in Costa Rica is almost zero. During all these year property in Costa Rica has seen up-swing due to people from other countries showing lots of interest in investing money. - 23223

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Most Millionaires Share These Common Traits

By Dan Gazaway

Who wants to be the next millionaire? I think all of us want to make a lot of money for a variety of reasons. Most people are unsure how to go about making a fortune and feel they will never have the opportunity to make a lot of money. However, today there are many ways to make money, particularly on the internet. Success Leaves Clues! Lets take a look at some of the most common characteristics most millionaires have.

If you have read The Millionaire Next Door or The Millionaire Mind, you will find statistical information about millionaires. What are they doing that is so unique? Why are they making so much more than the average Joe?

Millionaires are also workhorses. Most millionaires are millionaires because they create a business around their passion. They dont feel like they are working. In fact, someone once said that if you choose to work for yourself in a field that you are passionate about, you will never work a day in your life. These same millionaires also have learned how to leverage their time by hiring around their weak areas so they focus on their strengths to keep the business fun for them. Otherwise, why do business in the first place if it isnt enjoyable to you.

Believe it or not, the majority of millionaires are very conservative in nature. They always buy used everything, not just used cars, but used clothing as well. They live well below their means paying themselves first. They are often some of the most giving people you have ever met, donating thousands of dollars to charity on a regular basis. They feel the more you give the more you get in return.

Believe it or not, most millionaires are very conservative people. Most of them will never buy a new car or new anything. They understand the value of the dollar and dont want to waste hard earned money on things that depreciate in value. They will however be aggressive when it comes to investing in them and their business. - 23223

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If you are serious about starting an online business or creating multiple income streams visit knowledge worth knowing.

Different Types Of Stop Loss Orders

By Ahmad Hassam

If a trader is to maintain a degree of profitability over time, managing risk and using systems that helps evaluate price changes is critical. You should understand how to select stop orders to limit your potential losses and how to let profits ride.

Managing risk should be your number one job and capturing as much profit as possible from winning trades should be your utmost goal. The descriptions of the types of stops and the pros and cons of each should help you make the right decisions for the different market conditions.

You should know the various types of stop loss orders. You should also know where and when to place these stops. Predetermined stop loss orders help you conquer your emotions. Stops should be part of the trading system and included in your trading rules.

Set a stop objective and weigh the risk/reward ratio before entering each trade. When volatility is low, stop orders can be placed close to the entry level. However, when the volatility is high, stop orders should be placed further from the entry level.

Initially you will form an opinion based on your gut feelings that is substantiated by a trade signal. When entering a trade make sure you know where and why to put the stop order.

However, you will undoubtedly get caught in the news driven price shock events. It makes the markets highly unpredictable in the short run. These news releases create price spikes that may make an adverse move against your position.

Stop orders can also be placed to enter positions. Stop orders that you place online if the market trades at a certain price, then the order is triggered and become a market order to be filled in by the next best price available. Stop orders are placed to protect against losses.

Buy stops are placed above the current market price and sell stops are placed below the current market price. Protective stops are used to offset a position and to protect against losses and against accrued profits.

You can set a daily dollar amount on the loss limit. If you want to risk only $250 per $100,000 standard lot position then your stop loss will be placed 25 pips from your entry point. Stops can be placed on a dollar amount per position.

You can also use a certain percent of your overall account size as your stop loss. Traders use 2-5% of the overall account size as their stop loss. If your trading account size is $10,000, this comes out to be $200-$500.

Swing traders can use the automatic trailing stop. This makes the decision making process fully automated. Many traders tend to turn winners into losers as they get in the let it ride mindset. The trailing stop reduces the chance to let trades ride. - 23223

About the Author:

Mr. Ahmad Hassam has done Masters from Harvard University. He is interested in day trading stocks and forex. Develop your own Forex Trading System. Learn Forex Trading .

Global Macro and Investing in BRIC's

By Jesse Baruch

Brazil, Russia, India, and China are collectively known as the BRIC's. The paper in 2003 by Jim Oneil entitled The Path to 2050 brought the BRIC's to the forefront of emerging market investors. The idea is that by the year 2050 the BRIC nations will be as large and powerful if not more then existing super powers. Based on economic and demographic forces the paper might be right.

Now that these nations have embraced capitalism and started to throw out corruption they are able to better compete for investment capital with other nations. Due to this and the fact that they have huge and growing populations along with large natural resources and you have a good chance for a big move on their way to power and influence.

The first letter in the acronym is B and it stands for Brazil. One of the largest non OPEC oil nations Brazil is also the home to many different industries. They have a large and proven banking system as well as airlines and manufacturing. But the two biggest drivers for the next several years will likely be the growing education of its population and the huge energy supplies that Brazil has.

Russia is probably the biggest wildcard in this group as they are still trying to figure out how to fully embrace capitalism. Russia has solid hard working people, with many being very educated and competent engineers, computer programmers, etc. Their remaining major issue is that of their leadership. With a leader who is an ex KBG agent things run but do not always run well. If the leadership can figure a few things out then Russia will be able to become very strong in the coming years.

India has one of the largest populations in the world and has a large educated populations that speaks English. Because of this they are the kings of outsourcing. Have you ever called up customer service and gotten an Indian for Dell, Apple, Etc? Due to their educated population they are also quickly becoming legitimate leaders in technology. After having been laggards in the tech space the last ten years has seen India become a major player in the global markets.

China is last but not least having recently passed up Japan as having the second largest stock market in the world behind the United States. Long a communist nation China now takes the soft line in politics and instead is focused on improving their economy and the standard of living for its citizens. There are obviously still may challenges that lay ahead of China and the rest of the BRIC nations but they appear to be overcoming them and getting rid of the old guard of corruption and instead becoming huge economic powerhouses. - 23223

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If you need actionable trading ideas then check out The Macro Trader It is a weekly global macro trader advisory publication with frequent intra-week updates for time-critical analysis and actionable trading ideas.