Useful Web resources for Independent Traders

Huge data and info is available on the net for a motivated independent trader. Some websites provide excellent tools at reasonable price. I think this is leading to huge participation and democratisation of financial markets. Some would argue it is leading to huge volumes aiding price discovery.

1. NSE offers excellent data and visualization facility by way of  NSE MARKETTRACKER
2. ICharts has a screener and stock lists and stock Glance facility which is also appreciated by active trader community. I believe it comes at a nominal charge.
3. One of the dilemmas faced by an independent, active ,discretionary trader is in stock selection. As emphasised by SMB Capital  being in SIP ( Stocks in Play) is most important for active traders.

Thinking about Volatility

Volatility is a bit less understood and researched by retail market participants compared to directional bets.

1. There is lot of disdain about academic work on markets in the arena of practicing traders. This gap needs to be bridged as there is plenty of fine academic work on market behavior and the traders edge can be derived from that.
2. My reading of Victor Niederhoffer, Brett  Steenbarger's works have made me appreciate the scientific and quantitative aspect of markets.
3. I had the pleasure of attending NISM workshop and listening to the fine lectures of Kotha Kiran Kumar on Volatility and Market Microstructure.
4. Fine Understanding about Volatility here from none other than Robert Engle.
5. Volatility is least understood because it is not directly observable unlike price movement.

Understanding Price Structure

The basic intention in the TA training course @ BlackSwan is to make investors & Traders understand the technical jargon. Concepts of TA are very important than simplistic technical rules or tips.

1. Often media and analysts proclaim about the structure of a market or Instrument. Corey  Rosenbloom lucidly explains about PRICE STRUCTURE.
2. After reading and following Corey Rosenbloom, I got to respect TA and the importance of understanding deeply its concepts.
3. Stockbee on concepts of TA.
4. I am happy to see a fellow SpecLister and highly respected Analyst SUSHIL KEDIA launching a TA forum for Indian Traders. I would love to be part of this initiative. Sushil regularly contributes to DailySpec and I liked his articles.

What is BlackSwan Financial Markets School ?

BlackSwan Financial Markets School had succesfully completed a two day Technical Analysis workshop during Oct 2-3.

1. Nine participants from diverse backgrounds and age groups attended the workshop.
2. The group expressed tremendous satisfaction on the way it is organised and presented. one medical doctor, ex-CEO, an Entrepreneur, an IT professional on a sabbatical from UK, a professional Day trader, A beginning Trader, Investor are part of this group.
3. We shared ideas, exchanged notes and  both the teacher and taught are richer for the experience.