Marc Rivalland on Swing Trading

The proactive approach to the stock market - don't be a victim - there is something you can do about it.



Swing trading is an approach to the stock market which is concerned less with value (a moveable feast as many have found out), and more with exploiting short-term upswings and downswings in share prices and market indices. Although the ranks of swing traders swell daily, not many traders know that there is a type of chart, a swing chart, which is designed specifically for swing trading.



In this ground-breaking book, Marc Rivalland, author of 'The Trader' column in Investors Chronicle, shows how swing charts can be used to perfect market timing. Moreover, Marc reveals his hitherto secret modifications to Gann swing charts which make them even more effective for stock market traders. W. D. Gann said "a study of swings in active stocks will convince a man that he can make far greater profits in swings than in any other way of trading". With this book, you get Gann and more.



In addition, Marc uses his two decades of experience with point & figure charts to bring to readers an up-to-date and thoroughly modern evaluation of the best point & figure signals to use when trading individual equities. Point & figure is enjoying an enormous resurgence. Readers of this book will discover new insights into this proven and popular 100+year old method of charting share prices.



Marc reveals his proprietary method of integrating swing charts and point & figure charts to further increase the chances of success. There is a chapter on the vital RSI indicator and a chapter devoted solely to those more passively inclined - long-term buy-and-hold investors.



In every case, the best trading tactics are discussed. Each technique is critically examined. The advantages are highlighted but the disadvantages are not glossed over. In all, the reader will receive a uniquely informative evaluation of the best, most disciplined way to approach the markets.



The style of the book is highly practical. Over 100 colour charts of real-life trading situations are used to illustrate the points being made. The charts are carefully annotated, and accompanied by clear and thoughtful commentary. The exact point where buy and sell signals occurred is shown.



'Marc Rivalland on Swing Trading' is THE essential book for stock market investors and traders.

PREFACE
Exploiting swings
Why swing trade?
Swing charts and point & figure charts
Audience
Structure of this book
1. INTRODUCTION
Early lessons
What is a swing trade?
What is the point of swing trading?
What makes a swing trader?
Who swing trades?
Swing trading and charts
The logic underlying the use of charts
2. SWING TRADING IN PRACTICE
Selling short
Normal service
Linear phases and how to spot them
My approach
The tooled up swing trader
3. GANN SWING CHARTS
W.D. Gann's secret
Standard Dow theory compared to Gann
Changes of trend and intermediate swings
Construction of a Gann swing chart
4. MODIFIED SWING CHARTS
Definitions
Faults with the Gann swing chart
Modification 1 - 'Get in Early'
Modification 2 - 'If the third day is an outside day, it is part of the correction'
Modification 3 - 'Relax the requirement for three consecutive days'
Modification 4 - 'Count trading days only'
Buy and sell signals
Change of trend signals
Continuation of trend signals
Problem areas
Tailpiece
5. SWING CHARTING TACTICS
My approach
Profit maximisation techniques
stop losses
setting profit targets
linear phases
Trading all the swings
6. POINT & FIGURE CHARTS
Introduction
Ethos
7. POINT & FIGURE SIGNALS
Introduction
The double top and double bottom
The bullish signal
The bearish signal
The bearish signal reversed
The bullish signal reversed
Triangles
The triple top
The ascending triple top
The spread triple top
The triple top with long tail
The bull trap
The catapult
The triple bottom
The descending triple bottom
The spread triple bottom
The triple bottom with long tail
The long tail down
The high pole
My evaluation
My favourite point & figure signals
- The triple top with rising lows
- The bearish or bullish shakeout
The whipsaw
8. POINT & FIGURE TACTICS
Choose the right security
When to take profits
Reliability of point & figure charts
Tailpiece 1
Tailpiece 2
9. INTEGRATING POINT & FIGURE AND SWING CHARTS
Integrating p&f charts and swing charts when trading indices
Integrating p&f charts and swing charts when trading individual equities
Tailpiece
10. RSI
Explanation of RSI
Weekly RSI
Moving averages
The Coppock Indicator
Bullish Percent charts
Candlesticks
Relative strength
11. TACTICS FOR LTBHs
Limited use of swing charts
Using options and charts to enhance returns
Tailpiece
12. SUMMATION
My approach - a summary
Mistakes to avoid
Final word
Appendices
Glossary
Index