Trading Stocks

So how does a new trader begin to understand the basics of the current market trend? First, try with these few basic guidelines that hold true at any experience level. Moving averages are always a good guide to use to help you establish the current trend. Are the 20 and 40 rising or falling? Are we above or below the 200? Is the 20 above the 40? Is the 40 above the 200? Are we in a pattern of higher highs and higher lows or are they starting to even off showing the potential for a base to form?

Many traders like to be market "gurus" and nail every twist and turn in the market. But a wiser choice is to follow a plan, play proven strategies, and always keep a close eye on what the market has done to help you determine your best course of action in the future.

Overbought/Oversold Overload

Analysts love to show off by proclaiming that the markets have become overbought or oversold. Unfortunately, few of us seem to understand what these terms really mean or what we should do when these moments of truth arise.

Should we run for the hills because a market is overbought, or perhaps load up the boat because it's oversold? And how do we know when one of our trades might fall prey to one of these extreme conditions?

The best way to understand overbought or oversold markets is to study the nature of supply and demand. At any given moment, a finite pool of buyers and sellers is available to take action on a particular stock. The trading activity of this crowd usually stays within fairly narrow boundaries.

But imbalances develop over time and force one side to pull the trigger, sometimes prematurely. This "uses up" that side of the market and awakens price mechanics that favor the other side.

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