Marc Rivalland on Swing Trading: A guide to profitable short-term investing

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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Marc Rivalland is an active trader of futures,options and CFDs. Between 1975 and 1978, Marc was a share analyst for one of South Africa's leading merchant banks. In 1979 he emigrated to the UK and worked in the futures industry. He was team leader for Conticommodity on the LIFFE floor when it opened in September 1982.Later, after a stint as a floor trader and arbitrageur, he was called to the English Bar in 1987 and he remains a practising barrister. Marc used to write articles on point & figure charts for London's Evening Standard. Marc writes The Trader column for Investors Chronicle.

Review :
Marc Rivalland makes a potentially difficulty subject easy to read with great charts and descriptions and lots of examples. The sections on Point & Figure are first class and he so often strikes cords that many a trader will relate to. If you decide to read one new investment book this year, this should be the one! Mark Rivalland bring amazing new insight, clarity and refinement to age old Gann swing charts. His methodology of combining Gann swing charts and point and figure charts is consistent with the principle of confluence in technical analysis.