CMT Examination Preparation/Technical Analysis - Day

This comprehensive program is both an academic learning process and a hands-on practical exposure to technical analysis. It is designed to prepare students for the Level 1 Chartered Market Technicians (CMT) exam, which is a professional accreditation developed by the Market Technicians Association (MTA) for Technical Analysts. A fair amount of material can also be used for the Level 2 exam. Generally, the day course is given over two days. There is an optional workshop on a third day, depending upon enrollment.

Unlike other summary technical courses that just show technical principles, candidates will be taught to use the material learned and attempt to create and innovate profitable investing and trading strategies. Current market situations that students may experience in their work or personal experience in the bond, commodity, currency, equity, futures and options markets will be discussed in class. Sample problems from past actual market charts will also be discussed, and recommended readings from leading textbooks will be listed for each section. Supplementary articles from business publications and academic journals will also be provided. Students will be provided with one of the textbooks required for the exam.

Guiding students will be the 25 years' experience of John Palicka CFA CMT, who has managed billions of dollars with a top record by incorporating technical strategies with fundamentals. He will share some of the typical challenges and solutions experienced with various technical strategies in his funds and by his many students and client consultations.

No sessions currently available. Contact client services to get the next available date.
Portfolio managers, traders, asset allocators, behavioral economists, strategists, finance professionals, hedge funds, and those wishing to take the CMT exam.
No advance preparation required.
Students will be able to:
  • Appreciate key technical analytical approaches to investing
  • Differentiate between fundamental and technical analysis
  • Explain the role of behavioral finance and technical analysis
  • Describe the ethical and professional standards expected in technical analysis
  • Identify reversal and continuation patterns
  • Set measurement objectives for potential profits
  • Adjust technical techniques to accommodate both trading and long-term investment objectives
  • Use intermarket analysis, statistical and probability analysis
  • Take current investment situations in the stock, bond, and commodity markets and attempt to achieve hands-on profits with technical analysis
  • Understand the role of quantitative techniques and artificial intelligence programs in technical analysis
  • Utilize derivatives in technical strategies
  • Be prepared for the requirements of the Market Technician's CMT Level 1 exam, as well parts of Level 2 and 3
Familiarity with general and common business and economic terms is expected.
Disclaimer
This review course at the New York Institute of Finance attempts to meet the CMT exam learning outcome statements. However, these statements may change, with short notice by the MTA. The candidate is responsible for keeping track of the required body of knowledge, especially if the time period between the review course and the exam is lengthy. NYIF does not guarantee that taking this course will result in passing the CMT exam. There is no substitute for spending time mastering the curriculum, and we wish to remind candidates that our course is to be used as a support to their preparation and not an alternative. Candidates should also note that NYIF does not know the exact questions that will appear on the exam, and the questions that appear on the exam may be presented in different formats than the study materials used in NYIF's review course.
Introduction to Technical Analysis/Reversal/Continuation Patterns
  • History of Technical Analysis
  • Basics of Technical Analysis
  • Chart Construction, Arithmetic/Logarithmic
  • Supply/Demand Philosophy
  • Dow Theory, Old and New
  • Head and Shoulders
  • Triangles, Wedges
  • Rectangles, Pennants
  • Measurement Rules
  • Double/Triple Tops and Bottoms
  • Diamonds, Climaxes
  • Cases

Trend Analysis/Momentum

  • Definition of Trends
  • Speedlines, Fans, Channels
  • Support/Resistance
  • Saucers, Gaps
  • Artificial Intelligence uses in technical analysis, quant tools, backtesting, multicollinearity, outside vendors
  • Introduction to intermarket analysis: bonds/stocks, commodities/dollar, business cycle and industry groups, strategies
  • Algorithmic trading
  • Moving averages, double, triple
  • Envelopes, Bollinger bands
  • ROC, MACD, RSI, other stochastics
  • Trading: day, swing, asset allocation, investing
  • Cases

Relative Strength and Volume

  • Relative Strength
  • Intermarket continued
  • Volume: OBV, A/D, CLV, and other measures
  • Tick volume, TRIN
  • Money flow
  • The arms index
  • Put/Call, CDS
  • Introduction to option strategies with technical analysis
  • Statistical and probability concepts
  • Cases

Point and Figure and Gann; Elliott Wave Theory

  • Point and figure construction methods
  • Reversal criteria
  • Measurement tools, such as horizontal, vertical, pole
  • GANN, Wyckoff
  • Elliott Wave: characteristics and measurement objectives
  • Patterns and ratio aspects
  • Fibonacci numbers
  • Cases

Cycles/Sentiment and Behavioral

  • Types of cycles: including Kondratieff, Kitchin and others
  • Cycles concepts: summation, harmonicity, synchronicity, proportionality
  • Classifications
  • Use with other technical indicators
  • Creation of technical patterns with cycles
  • Bubbles - USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, real estate, etc.
  • Sentiment surveys: traders and investors
  • Sentiment indicators: levels, money flows, supply/demand, fed model, TED, fear/greed measures, CDS measures
  • Put/call ratio
  • Short index
  • Insider activity
  • Margin debt
  • TED, VIX
  • New indicators
  • Limits and uses
  • Behavioral concepts

Japanese Candlesticks and Ethics/Professional Management

  • Candle types
  • Candle sequences
  • Blending with western charts
  • Intensity, continuation, reversal types - special names, such as Marubozu, Spinning Tops, Doji, Dragon Fly, Hamari, Hanging Man, etc.
  • Blending/engulfing
  • Support/resistance
  • Candles and traditional charts
  • Ethics and professionalism
  • Portfolio management
  • Cases
  • Special statistical and portfolio theory appendix

Clients who register for this course will receive a complimentary 6 month subscription to the Financial Times and FT.com. The Financial Times is the world's most respected financial newspaper, providing a broad assessment on finance, business and the industrial sector. Subscriptions will start within 6-8 weeks of the application process and are limited to one per client. For questions about your subscriptions call 800-628-8088 or email uscirculation@ft.com. US and Canada enrollees only.

Lunch included for all students taking day classes.