How stock market indices move exert a huge influence on individual stocks. In this unit we will learn about the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 indexes and how they affect the shares that we trade.

Shares can be traded in two different directions: A long-position is when you buy a share in anticipation that its price will rise, and a short-position is when you sell a share (that you do not own) in anticipation that its price will fall. In this lesson we will learn the fundamentals of these two types of trading positions.

The NYSE and NASDAQ are open from 9:30am to 4pm New York time (2:30pm -9pm UK time). Whilst this is the case it is important to note that the trading day itself can be divided into several main parts, and these will be discussed during this lesson.

In order to make trading easier, it is preferable to trade in fixed quantities of shares. In this unit we will learn the meaning and significance of trading in fixed quantities.

We use charts in order to follow the movement of a share price. In this unit will become aquainted with Japanese candlesticks, how they are formed and what they tell us. We will also look at the different type of charts that traders use.

An old market adage is "trade with the trend", but first we must know what a trend is. In technical trading there are some simple rules to follow. In this unit we will find out how to recognise a trend in a chart and how to take advantage of of it.

One of the basic principles of technical analysis asserts that shares move between support and resistance levels. As traders we must understand the significant of these levels, the reasons why they form, and how we can use them in order to define share entry and exit points.

As part of a trend a share will give back some of its gains or losses (depending on the trend) before continuing in the same direction or maybe even ending the trend. In this unit we will learn to spot these "reversals".

A share’s movement can largely be anticipated based on a range of familiar chart patterns. In this unit we will learn about technical patterns, become familiar with the main formations, and learn how to use them, and why.