Most novices follow the herd when building their first trading screens, grabbing a stack of canned indicators and stuffing as many as possible under the price bars of their favorite securities. This "more is better" approach short circuits signal production because it looks at the market from too many angles at once. It’s ironic because indicators work best when they simplify the analysis—cutting through the noise and providing usable output on-trend, momentum, and timing.
Instead, take a different approach by breaking down the types of information you want to follow during the market day, week, or month. In truth, nearly all technical indicators fit into five categories of research. Each category can be further subdivided into leading or lagging. Leading indicators attempt to predict where the price is headed while lagging indicators offer a historical report of background conditions that resulted in the current price being where it is.
Instead, take a different approach by breaking down the types of information you want to follow during the market day, week, or month. In truth, nearly all technical indicators fit into five categories of research. Each category can be further subdivided into leading or lagging. Leading indicators attempt to predict where the price is headed while lagging indicators offer a historical report of background conditions that resulted in the current price being where it is.
