Chartist Definition – A Chartist is a devotee of technical analysis and a believer in its ability to predict future price behavior for currencies, commodities or stocks. This individual uses charts and graphs and interprets historical data to find trends, relying on their associated indicators to give clues as to when to enter and exit the market. Critics of technical analysis point to Random Walk Theory that suggests that all information, including past price behavior, is reflected in the current price and that any future price movement must be random, thus unpredictable. While academics refuse to budge from these arguments, forex traders have become very successful at applying technical principles to their advantage in very turbulent currency markets. To the chagrin of academics and politicians alike, markets gyrate and form wave patterns while they seek equilibrium. Technical analysis focuses on detecting these patterns, suggesting how the waves will play out, and generating high probability trading signals for achieving short-term gains. Forex indicators are not infallible. False signals can occur. However, the skill of the forex trader is his ability to assess the signals he is given, interpret their relevance, and then executing an appropriate trading strategy to secure profits. Consistency is the overall objective.
Risk Statement: Trading Foreign Exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The possibility exists that you could lose more than your initial deposit. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you.