Book Description

From the time of its first publication five years ago, The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing has established itself as a clear, concise, and highly effective approach to stocks and investment strategy. Since the dot.com crash and ensuing bear market, significant changes have come about in the investing world, and The Neatest Little Guide takes this into account.In this revised edition, readers will learn:

€ Strategies on how to double the Dow with one simple investment and the latest products required for this approach

€ Methods investors can use to avoid disasters such as Enron and WorldCom

€ Thoroughly updated reference lists, including new websites, new software, new brokers, and new publications

With the right information for investors to keep pace, and rooted in the principles that made it invaluable from the start, The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing is a resource that no serious investor can be without. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Great Buy!!
This book is definately for the people who do not know the first thing about investing in stocks. From the 1st page to the last, the author gives you a powerful insight into the investment world. I can't believe that I actually understand the ins-and-outs of stocks after reading this book. The author gives you real world examples and detailed information on the scary terms associated with the stock world. From Dow Jones, S&P 500, to P/E, Ratios, and so on. If you don't buy any other book, buy this one!

Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing
When I first started in an investment club this was the singlemost helpful book I found. Kelly does a wonderful job of explaining various popular approaches to investing, however, I found the last section of his book to be a gold mine. I had a basic question: "When I look at ROA, ROE, Book Value, etc. is a higher number or a lower number better?" Jason Kelly tells you! Not only does he tell you but he also tells you what this means in terms of your investment approach - growth or value. This is a wonderful beginner's book. I have recommended it to everyone in my investment club. I keep coming back to it again and again. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent Stock Market Investing Book
The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing (1998 edition) was excellent. It was very well written, extremely informative, makes things simple to understand and it gives the reader the motivation to learn more about the stock market and the confidence to invest in it. As a novice investor who wanted to understand and invest in the stock market, I truly appreciated the simplicity in which the book was written. It provides easy to understand definitions, examples, concepts, investing strategies, worksheets and much much more. I highly recommend it!!!

Straightforward, fun to read stock market manual
This is the first book I have ever bought about stock market trading, because all of the other ones scared me away with their big talk and wall street jargon. Jason Kelly has finally brought the high powered language of stock trading to a level we can all understand, and in a very entertaining way. I bought this to learn about stocks, and in a lot of ways, it felt like a leisure read. I read it cover to cover in one sitting on a Saturday; that's how much it hooked me! This book is a MUST have to any stock market initiate. Hats off, Jason.

Amazing book
Jason Kelly's 2004 edition was great. This book can help you no matter what age you are, just as long as you have an interest in the stock market. I'm only 19 years old and have nothing but rave reviews for this book. Jason got me hooked on investing. ... Read more

Book Description

Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, 8th Edition, is acritical reference for investors--especially in today's tumultuous markets. Thisseminal book--the first to produce a methodology for interpreting and profitingfrom the predictable behavior of investors and markets--revolutionized technicalinvestment approaches and continues to show traders and investors how to makemoney regardless of what the market is doing.

Now, with the addition of noted technical analysis authority W. H. CharlesBassetti (editor)--as well as charts and graphs that pertain to today's marketenvironment and major stocks--this completely updated and revised editionconfirms the wisdom of the original work for today's markets. Technical tradersand chartists will turn to it for:

* Information on utilizing electronic markets, the Internet, wirelesscommunications, and new exchanges, plus current ideas on portfolio managementand risk management
* Chapters on futures and derivatives charting and trading
* Expanded treatment of "runaway" markets--to help put the recent Internet stockcraze in perspective

"Chart formations," states Charles Bassetti in the preface, "are the language ofthe market." Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, 8th Edition, translatesthat language for a new generation of technical traders and investors. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Grandpa is still my hero
Technical Analysis of Stock Trends was a revolutionary book when it was first published. It was the first comprehensive work on technical analysis, at a time when technical analysis was considered an abstract art rather than a true science. It is so complete in its descriptions of the markets and how to trade them, that it has survived the greatest test of the literary world - time. It is without peer when described as the Bible of Technical Analysis. Anyone who is interested in market history, or the history of technical analysis, should read this amazing work. And anyone who is considering studying technical analysis or actually trading using TA, is also highly encouraged to not just read, but devour, this book. Now, Darwin was known for describing the process of evolution, and his attention would have been greatly stimulated by the world of technical analysis. This book was the first, but by no means the last. Mr. Murphy's Technical Analysis of the Futures Market and Mr. Schwager's Complete Guide to the Futures Market are powerful additions to the rishness and wealth of information in the world of TA. But there can only be one original, one foundation, and that classic epic title belongs to Edwards & Magee.

Definitely a classic, but not one in the top "buy" list
Written in the 20's, this book is at least five decades ahead of its time, discussing detailedly about Dow Theory, chart patterns, volume, support and resistance etc in the demand and supply context, at a time whilst most people focused solely on company/accounting data specific fundamental analysis. However, though market psychology doesnt change, technology and the speed and means of information distribution do, leading to shorter business cycles and thus trends, inevitably attacking the weakest link of the Dow Theory which is that confirmation of the primary and long term trend almost always come too late. The situation is even worse in that "traps" in trend following are so frequent in today's highly competitive market when power traders with the help of deteriatives fully exploit the stop loss orders of mass investors.

I dont mean to undermine the value of this book. Nevertheless, considering the high price of the book and the long time to read it through, there are many alternatives that cover TA wider and deeper. This book can be a very exhaustive reference book in chart patterns. It just cannot provide a compeat course on TA. The new appendix of MACD, Stochastics etc is adequate but far from sufficient. Afterall, TA is just a tool for money making. There's no point not to take a more productive route to achieve the goal.

Was the classic until re-release of Schabacker's book
Excellent book on TA, and this edition improves on prior one (not just because I get an acknowledgement in it). Spectacular description of Dow Theory. Uneven in more modern updates for indicators and such. Pattern descriptions second only to Schabacker's book.

Charting's greatest tutorial - BEYOND COMPARE.
Thou i consider it a 'reference' book,it is not something to refer to casually : the quantity and quality of pertinent information (in SPECIFIC chapters) is almost overwhelming - thou the authors use plain everyday language,it is so rich in content that it has to be savoured - repeatedly.

Chart sections beyond compare :
* Chapters 20,21,22 on a stock's 'habit/character/power' - absolute gems of insight.
* Chapters 6,7,8,12 on 'gaps','ascending/descending triangles' and 'head 'n shoulder' patterns.Where standard explanations of these pivotal formations finish,these guys are just warming up !

Favourite chapters (of mine) which i feel are of major benefit to anyone who sets foot in the stockmarket :
* TA philosophy and summary (chapters 1 and 17 respectively),plus the 7th edition preface(included in 8th edition) come to a grand total of around twelve pages - collectively,they sum up the merits of charting with such eloquence that no one could sensibly deny the benefits of PRAGMATIC chart observation.
* Chapter 3's concise version of Dow Theory is excellent,putting its relevance into perspective with added insight that explains the ways of the stock market extremely well.
* Chapter 13's discussion of support and resistance is superb : readers are given the ultimate tutorial,on what is arguably the most essential psycological concept to grasp.This (to me) is the NUCLEUS of the book - to call it outstandingly informative would be putting it much too mildly - if knowledge is power,this chapter is as strong as it gets !

By virtue of having written the book in simpler times,the authors had the (fortuitous) luxury/advantage of feeling no compulsion to curtail and dilute discussion of primary matters purely for the sake of giving space to complex and esoteric add-on tactics.Consequently,their UNIQUELY THOROUGH explanation of the UNCHANGING laws of supply and demand (as displayed in price 'n volume charts) in my view makes 'Technical Analysis of Stock Trends' the most INSTRUCTIVE and BENEFICIAL book in its field.

Most of the reviewers are right. Some missed the point.
Investors and traders and technical analysts who are not familar with this book are only short-changing themselves. Unless you are informed as to this material you are unable to evaluate the products of number driven analysis. This is TA 1. I am amazed to hear some people call it boring. In fact it is extremely well written. Having read it 15 or 20 times I think I am qualified to say that. Scoffers at technical analysis and traders who use only statistical technical indicators do nothing but delight me and other chartists. We need their money ... W.H.C. Bassetti ... Read more

Book Description

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BUSINESSWEEK, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BUSINESS BESTSELLER HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN STOCKS!

Simple-to-follow strategies for making--and keeping--profits in today's perilous stock market

More than 80 million investors lost 50 to 80 percent of their savings in the recent stock market crash. Investor's Business Daily publisher William J. O'Neil, however, was one of the first to see--and warn investors about--the dangers inherent in what had been, up to that point, a historic bull market run. Those who followed his counsel were able to sidestep devastating losses and emerge with their sizable bull market profits largely intact.

In The Successful Investor, O'Neil steps up to tell all investors how they can make money and, more important, avoid losses in up markets, down markets, and everything in between. Showing how mistakes made in the recent market collapse were amazingly similar to those made in previous down cycles, O'Neil reveals simple steps investors can follow to avoid costly mistakes and:

• Buy only the best stocks at only the best times
• Follow a market-tested 3-to-1 Profit-and-Loss Percentage Plan
• Know when to sell for the biggest possible profit
• Recognize chart patterns that presage enormous market moves
• Manage a portfolio over time to maximize its returns

William O'Neil has succeeded in virtually every market environment by following a stable, nonemotional investment plan. In his latest book, O'Neil explains how anyone can follow that plan to become a profitable long-term investor, regardless of market tides or turns.

The Successful Investor will bring reason and welcome relief to all investors buffeted and bewildered by the perils and uncertainty of today's stock market.

Reviews (20)

Don't just buy it, use it!
I have read O'Niels previous books and I read IBD everyday. In The Successful Investor, O'Niel goes beyond what he wrote about in his previous books. It's what 80 million people could have used during that last bear market.

Besides this book, I also recommend reading IBD everyday. Yeah, I know that sounds like a commercial, but the paper is great and you'll find it more benefical than reading the local paper. It will certaintly make you more money.

I also recommend Wall Street Money Machine VOL I & II and Red Light Green Light by Wade Cook. The first two saved me a ton of money during that last bear market. The last one has made me a lot of money playing earnings.

Great books and IBD is a great newspaper. Good luck.

An updated version of How To Make Money in Stocks
I read O'Niels book How To Make Money in Stocks which was excellent. The Successful Investor covers much of the same information with some new. It is excellent and particularly pertinent to investors who have become "gun shy" after the last three year long bear market.Obviously a lot of new people became investors in the late 90's and were totally unprepared for what happened post March 2000.Fortunately I moved out of aggressive stocks and funds and partially into cash (money market funds) and into other investments that produced a 20%-40% annualized return even during the bear market.IBD is the first thing I read and I read it voraciously. I would not be in the maket without it. In particular, I check the Monday edition with the top 100 stocks based on eps. I AM NOT TOO PARTUCARLY CONCERNED ABOUT P/E RATIOS AS LONG AS THE STOCK IS GROWING AT AT LEAST A 20% LEVEL QUARTER OVER QUARTER.IBD mas finding these stocks so easy.In 2003 I stayed with tech stocs even though many thought they were overbought, had risen too far and too fast. I bought good names like INTC, DELL, IBM, CSCO, YHOO and EBAY. I also bought some no tech names based on eps and information found in IBD.Interesting is that these stocks are still moving up despite continually hitting new 52 week highs.The Successful Investor covers an easy 5 step method that anybody could follow. O'Niel once again has a chapter on CAN SLIM, the whole basis of his system---which does really work.The Successful Investor is a must read for anyone who is currently in the market or wants to be. I also recommend Winning On Wall Street by Martin Zweig and More Wealth Without Risk by Charles Givens. In More Wealth Without Risk, Givens details his "money mvement strategy" (a technique that I used back in 2000 and still use today) which has you in the best investment for the times.Good luck with your investments!

I agree with chrisbest01 from NY RE: Buffett
I find it amusing that some people like to compare people like O'Niel with Warren Buffet. Not only did Buffet start with $7 mil way back then (more like $35-$40MIL) in todays dollars, an amount which only those with rich parents could do, what is Warren Buffet doing to show the average investor how to make money?

O'Niel provides a paper and his newest book that can show anyone how to make money predictable and consistently. Buffet is okay for those who those who already have a wad and can handle missing opportunities (like Buffet missed the technology boom in the 90's and again since Oct 1992) and are into "buy and hold." I don't know about you, but "buy & hold" didn't work for me and it certaintly didn't work for the 80 million who lost over a trillion during the Clinton bear market.

This book is O'Niels best book to date. Use and it profit.

Good luck!

Realistic and powerful advice
80 m illion Americans lost between 50-80% of their wealth th anks to the Clinton Bear Market that began in March 2000. When considering advice pertaining to the stock ma rket, it is a lot like that old tv show, Who Can You Trust. Certaintly the events that followed March 2000 have shown 80% of Americans who they cannot trust.

Bill O'Neil is more than a author of successful books and publisher of a great newspaper-IBD. He is also a successful, savvy investor. He knows how to win on WALL STREET and now he shows the rest of us how we can win and win big.

I highly recommend this great book by Bill O'Niel. It goes beyond his previous books. It provides a blueprint, a road to follow that works again and again. If you were to do nothingesle but buy this book and IBD, that alone would make you a very successful investor, far ahead of those who listen to brokers, financial planners, advisors and other so called investment experts including other authors.

Read Bill O'Niel, but more importantly, follow his advice to achieve your wealth.

I agree--read this book along with IBD -Be wary.........
I have to agree with the previous reviewer who said that all you really need is IBD along with this book. By contrast, I found the review by an obvious book peddler indicating that he has "averaged 50% gains per year" and "is considering writing a book if there is enough interest" laughable.

Where do you suppose this guy is going to get his information? That's right. From O'Niels book and IBD! You can do the same yourself.

Be wary of certain reviewers who are trying to peddle books. On the other hand, I highly recommend O'Niels books and IBD. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Technicals move only with Fundamentals!!!
As a brief introduction of myself, I have passed CFA Program. In my opinion, you can't make money by reading ANY book on Technicals or Fundamentals. In Stock Market, thought Process is THE sought-after thing. Much of the theories in fundamentals or technicals contain some assumptions. All or some of these may not be true. So decision-making lies in the valuation of stock considering the noise in such theories.

I used to be ardent follower or Technical Analysis. But after 3 years of experience, though in a smaller market, I now strongly believe that Technicals don't have any foot-hold of their own. These only move with the Fundamentals.

I have read this book. On the whole I found this a great book. The reason that I have given 3 stars is not about the book that remain below my expectations, but it's about the Technical Analysis that actually remained below my expectations!!!

Regards,

There is wisdom in there, if you can find it
This text is well known and required by the MTA for its CMT program. Its author is well studied and an expert at technical analysis and has a good historical approach. HOWEVER, his writing style is horrid. I am a fully licensed securities professional and have done technical analysis for a considerable amount of time. Even when I know what he is trying to say I personally find it almost impossible to understand some of his paragraphs. Throw in some typographical errors and some paragraphs are too obtuse to bother trying to decipher. Further, the charts in this book are not the best. They are all so compressed his examples are difficult to find and seldom marked. Its hard to find the early part of a year when the whole year is about an tenth of an inch. Buy this book if you have to or if you can read his style easily that you see in the sample provided. If not there are equally good books on the same subject out there.

Comprehensive - but oh, the typos!
This book has become one of the classics for the beginning technical analyst, and is one of the two texts set for the first level of the Chartered Technical Analyst exam. I'm working my way through it, but I've found myself as frustrated as informed. Certainly you will find some information about almost every technical indicator that you will hear about in the press or on the web, but the attempt to be comprehensive means that the treatment of many issues is cursory at best.
Worst of all, though, is the almost total absence of editing in the first half of the book. Some random examples - the RSI formula is misstated, the text refer to charts that don't exist, charts are mislabelled (e.g a Microsoft chart labelled as WalMart). One important table has the column headings offset by one column. The accompanying workbook suffers from the same problem (e.g reversing answers to multiple choice questions). And to add insult to injury, the book is falling apart! Martin Pring's contributions to technical analysis is unquestioned - unfortunately the poor editing and presentation of this expensive book does poor service to his reputation.

A Valuable Guide
A well rounded comprehensive guide to TA thats easy to read and apply. A great value for the price, good up to date information for the student of the markets. Filled with many easy to understand diagrams and scenarios, A good buy.

Covers it all
This book has something for everyone, covers all aspects of technical trading. Well worth the money and a good reference book in any traders library. The chapters in the book on barcharts and candlestick charting are good. Although there are some typos in the book and the fonts are rather small, for this i give it 3 1/2 stars , a good buy. ... Read more

Book Description

A guide to the latest, most promising technical indicators and their applications

Momentum, direction, and divergence are the three basic components of nearly all technical indicators used in the analysis of stock and commodities trading. And for those who understand them and their applications, they are also the pillars of a high-performance trading strategy. In this groundbreaking book, technical wizard William Blau schools financial professionals in all three. Combining the latest financial information with dozens of eye-opening graphics, Blau clearly, concisely, and with a minimum of complex mathematics:

• Introduces the principle of double smoothing and develops potent new indicators based on double smoothing techniques
• Describes the uses and limitations of a variety of notable technical indicators
• Explains momentum, direction, and divergence and new ways to apply them
• Presents the True Strength Index and shows how it can dramatically improve most directional indicators
• Provides new ways of identifying divergence that make implementation far simpler than ever before

MOMENTUM, DIRECTION, AND DIVERGENCE

The Wiley Trader's Advantage is a series of concise, highly focused books designed to keep savvy traders in tune with the latest successful strategies and techniques used by the keenest minds in the business.

In this latest volume, technical expert Bill Blau shows you how momentum, direction, and divergence form the basis of most technical indicators and how they can work for you to provide a considerable competitive advantage. Clearly, concisely, and with a minimum of complex mathematics, Blau shows you how to understand and apply them. Integrating the latest financial insights with more than 75 easy-to-follow graphics, Blau describes the uses and limitations of many of today's most notable technical indicators. He then demonstrates a variety of ways in which the principles of momentum, direction, and divergence can be used to create a versatile new set of technical indicators or to improve the effectiveness of the most widely used traditional indicators.

Focusing on the groundbreaking double smoothing concept, which he introduces for the first time in this book, William Blau:

• Develops reliable new momentum indicators based on double smoothing techniques
• Shows how these indicators improve the effectiveness of most popular oscillators, including the RSI, MACD, and stochastic indicators, by solving a host of timing problems
• Combines the standard Welles Wilder techniques with his original True Strength Index to improve the effectiveness of most directional movement indicators
• Introduces new ways of identifying divergence that make implementation simpler than ever
• And much more

A complete guide to the most potent new indicators and their applications, Momentum, Direction, and Divergence is an indispensable resource for traders, portfolio managers, and all financial professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Well worth the time
Very concise and to the point in covering what momentum is and how to use the tool of double smoothed averaging to smooth noise without lag. Essentially, that's the one main idea and the book takes it through a number of different flavors of implementation. The one confusion I had with the organization of the book is that the chapters are not explicitly related to one another using introductory and concluding review paragraphs. It reads like a series of independent smaller articles (which maybe it was from Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities). On the plus side, it's very short and a quick study.

I use Metastock and although the formulas are in Tradestation-speak, I did not have trouble converting them. Email me if you want them - irosenthal@yahoo.com.

Decent Idea Generator
Ok, in the introduction to this book the author states this book is about price change and utilizing double smoothing as a means of determining entry and exit points. So, for the previous two reviewers, did you not read the intro, or the rest of the book? First, this is an intro into the subject and the use of EMAs is a common method (and he in fact discussed the lag inherent in this and other methods). Second, the book never purports to be about reading price patterns, it is about price change and the use of double smoothing so of course indicators will be its focus, indicators are a powerful (not sole) tool in many traders toolboxes. With that said, the author guides you through the True Strength Index, Stochastics, Tick Volume, Directional Trending - he includes their calculations and the Easylanguage Code for everything discussed in the book. That is something I like because some books, like Strategies for the Electronic Futures Trader by Bernstein do not include code and the systems are once again for the novice. The charts he displays are all daily charts so it is not even geared for the intraday trader if that is what you are after, but they do in many cases contain several subgraphs so you can compare the difference between the various indicators and their tendencies. The author also states clearly that these tools and the examples are not meant to be trading systems by themselves, so there are no black boxes here. Just ideas, so if you are looking for a new look at momentum or want to try something new with your own indicators this might be a nice book. I was able to pull a couple of ideas out that I am incorporating into my trading to better transition from trending to congestion (a large focus of the book). However, I checked this out of the library and it was worth the gas to pick it up, but would I have paid 40 bucks, now that I don't know. As for the reason I only gave it three stars is mainly for content, this is an ideas book, not anything more, and for its size I feel that to be a good rating.

A great discussion of momentum
This is a book about momentum. It will show you what momentum is and how to interpret it. There are several vey unique indicators developped in a masterful way. You will get many new ideas, and should be able to improve your use of these indicators, and make better interpretation of other mainstream momentum indicators. You will understand smoothing and lag. A must read for any technician.

Not impressed
I thought this book was very short to begin with (only 104 pages of actual text, plus some small apendixes)...hardly worth $42 for a small amount of text. It's also very old (written in 1995). The content which is in the book is very difficult to apply because you really need a research tool (like tradestation) to apply these ideas. Numerous ideas in earlier chapters are brought back in later chapters and you have to go back and re-read to see what each indicator meant. I think all in all he just applies his idea of double smoothing to filter out misleading chart data....nothing revolutionary, and hardly worth the price.
Also, as odd as this may seem, with all the math involved, 90% of the charts which he derives from these mathematical formulas look exactly like a line chart of the security!
If you have access to tradestation, this book is worthwhile if you put the time into understanding all the concepts involved.

EXTREMELY great book
OK where did my previous review of this book go? I wrote it months ago was it lost?

Can't be bothered writing the whole thing again, so in summary: it is an excellent book, picks a main concept of smoothing and constructs some excellent indicators, and many different ones, has great ideas, inspires great ideas, has code / formulas you name it, extremely worthwhile for anyone who is serious and capable of putting these things into use.

That means constructing them and understanding them.

Some reviewers seem disappointed ... I suspect some people think "momentum" is some magic bullet that will get them into a stock before it moves, other reviewers are arguing definitions, all I can say is that when I first got hold of this book I took a look and did not really like it, but after working my way through it found it to be truly a gem.

Very worthwhile.

And where did my previous review go? grrrr ... Read more

Book Description

On today's Nasdaq, volatility and 100 point intraday swings are the norm. Trading on Momentum explains how to take advantage of these new market dynamics by trading stocks based on market momentum rather than traditional valuation methods. The resulting model shows traders how to recognize when the market is changing, determine what is changing and why, then instantly adapt their methods accordingly.

Detailed charts and graphs illustrate day trading strategies for quickly identifying market changes, then getting in and out with a quick profit. Traders of all types can turn to Trading on Momentum for pointers on how to:

* Determine market dynamics by tracking movement and watching the day's behavior
* Confidently identify short-term market tops and bottoms
* Master momentum techniques including gainers, dumpers, and gap plays
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Only if you want chat about trading
The book is really like a chat, it doesn't bring anything deep. It almost don't bring any chart or any new technical analysis, and even their system suggestion is week. For instance, when they explain how to use volume to pick a stock, they even doesn't show a volume chart.
What makes the book more frustating is the way it's written, one may feels that it's missing something or the author is hidden something. Moreover they put some stupid dialogs to ilustrate some situations...

The book really lacks substance!

Thus, buy this book only if you want waste your money and doesn't have anything better to read.

The bottom line of successful Day-Trading in a box
A little history goes with my review, inthat Mr. Wolff also runs a trading room, (MTrader), which I traded in about a year after I began trading. After a short stay at MTrader, I left, simply because I believed that adhering to the patterned strategies of Wolff were a bit too involved and things had to be simpler and faster. That was a mistake and after about a year of alternating trading styles, different strategies, indicators, software, etc., I happened on Wolff's book and out of curiosity, ordered and read it.

Plainly stated, what moves stocks is news about what a stock has just done, is about to do or is expected to do and the relative expectations of the investors and traders focusing on that stock. Wolff has studied news related momentum for years and is what I would securely describe as a master of expectation and price movement potential. There are a number of successful traders out there who cut their teeth on his schooling...a few went on to try there own trade site.

The methods are plainly and simply explained and in themselves, not difficult. Perhaps because of this truth, others may dismiss it, however, if you read this book and think about it, you come to one glaring fact...and that is Mr. Wolff explains momentum trading methods that are based on logic of predictable reaction to news related momentum....there are no lagging indicators...complicated formulas...just logic.

The difficulty is the patience and discipline one needs to apply in adhering to and application of the information.

One more thing...I'm trading at MTrader again because with everything else I've tried and I believe I've tried about everything...I found no consistency...I was either burning-hot....or stumbling. Here, I have found consistency that anticipates what a stock will do based on it's news and the market/sector sentiment at that moment.

Highly recommend this read. I hesitate to state this, but would also suggest after reading the book, you try a week trial at the site to see what you read happening...it would be helpful. Or I suppose if you want to save some money, drop by the site for the trial, (it's free) and decide before you buy if it allmakes some sense to you...

Good Trading!

Good usable stuff!!
Just finished the book and was very happy with the content. I enjoy trading books in general, but when I can pull one or two money making ideas out of a book, all the better. Ken Wolff posts for RealMoney.Com, and gives great ideas to his readers. The book elaborates on many of his methods like playing momentum both on the upside and the downside with a lot of clarity. More than that, he gives great pointers on keeping a journal of trades, measuring moves of stocks and watching the market..

A seriously substandard title
This book lacks substance, lacks detail and is merely an exercise in self-promotion. If you want to learn to daytrade professionally, get "The Undergroundtrader.com Guide to Electronic Trading"...
Wolff's book is nearly as crass as his online chatroom, which suggests buying against the trend, in violation of the primary rule of trading: "Trade with the Trend"... there are many better daytrading titles on Amazon.com.

This One Is For Real!
I was excited! Ken Wolff's book had just arrived, it was Friday and I had a weekend with no plans. I read the entire book by Sunday night, and after I finished it I was just as excited.

Why the cheerleading? Well, I started daytrading 2 1/2 years ago and after one year I had lost $60,000. I stumbled into Ken Wolff's web site and now, 1 1/2 years later my 60 grand is back in the bank with a very tidy profit to boot. How did I do it, you ask? By using the techniques Ken Wolff has outlined in this fine book. It is that simple.

This is a serious work for the person who is willing to take daytrading seriously and to work really hard at it. While Ken Wolff is a really fun guy, and a joy to trade with, he is dead serious about what he is about in this fine work. This not pie in the sky theory, this is a practical nuts and bolts primer, proven every day by Ken Wolff, and all of us that trade with him. Momentum trading simply works. I am living proof of it. ... Read more

Book Description

This book describes the trading strategies used by a professional stock trader in his own trading.The ideas come both from friends who are successful traders as well as his own experience with SOES trading.The collection of trading patterns described represents one of the first full-fledged books of instruction on short term, swing and day trading in individual stocks.The author's intraday trend trading approach and his scalping method are both described in detail.He uses the setups daily in his own trading.This manual should prove valuable to the thousands of short term stock traders who seek to make their living from speculating on short term price swings.It is a toolbox for finding high probability trades for success as you trade the stock market.The technical ideas are primarily crafted around the personality of the NASDAQ market but may also be implemented in New York trades. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Doesn't get any better than this
This book contains a gold mine of treasures. Each page contains nuggets of ideas that can be mined for trading success in the market. The four main sections of the book are broken up as follows: 1) Primary trading strategies - there is some repeat from Barry's first book, but many additional trading patterns are also covered. 2) Supporting tools & tactics - this covers what to look at in addition to daily charts to help with trading decisions. GOOD STUFF. 3) Real-World trade analysis and money management - Puts the whole trading process & thought patterns that go along with it under a microscope to summarize the analysis a trader must conduct to be successful. 4) The Psychology & Discipline of day trading. Know yourself before you trade! Things to analyze about yourself and know about yourself before you begin to trade.

This book, like Barry's first book, contains no fluff. There are no wasted words. Barry concisely gets to the heart of the points he is making.

I own approximately 10 books on daytrading. After trading approximately 1 year the only two books I go back to to consolidate/refresh/ingrain ideas are Barry's books.

Sorry Barry. The rating system only goes up to 5 stars. I'd give this book a 6 star rating also.

Worth the Money
This book is great for anyone who wants to seriously trade stocks for a living, and it covers many crucial topics for persons just starting to make money day trading.

Once you are in the trade, Rudd does not just leave you to fend for yourself.

This book is about as close as you can get to understand how to make day trading successful.

I found this to be an honest and detailed look into the mind and procedures of a trader.

All in all, I have to give a strong recommendation to this book. It is well worth the money.

Solid, but hardly spectacular
Reading all the reviews below, I can see the view of both the positive and negatives. The publisher is Traders Press, who are known for their over priced books, huge pages, fonts and often minimal content. This is no exception. There are 200+ pages in this book, but half of the pages are just charts that may take 3 seconds to look over before moving on. I finished reading this book in about an hour with little effort.

I do like Rudd's style, he gets straight to the point with his pattern setups with very simple (sometimes vague) explanations. He uses typical TA that we already know - support, resistance, price targets, open, close, high, gap resistances. Nothing particularly special for an informed trader. I can't say this is a bad book, the price is reasonable compared to a Joe Ross book and a trader may pick up a thing or two that he isn't aware of.

Not very impressed
Although the book does contains some useful information, it could have easily been sold as a daytraders handbook of some kind for much less. 1/2 of the book is illustrations (overkill in my opinion). Later parts of the book simply repeat information presented in earlier parts of the book.

This could have easily been a 75 page handbook for [less money]. In my opinion, the [book is] severly overpriced. Because of this, I give a 2 star rating.

One of the best books for day trading
I have read almost 50 books on trading and have been a full time trader for 3 years. I find myself always going back to the basics that Rudd taught. He presents the key strategies to day trade, nothing fancy, just tried and true principles. No Elliot Waves, Gann lines (...). When I first read it, it didn't quite sink in, but on re-reading it several times, it has helped my trading tremendously. There are a lot of trading books out there that are pretty much worthless. I have read most of them but Barry's books are among the 8 key books that I keep for trading. Trading should not be too complicated and one should just focus on several key principles and have fun. Barry helped me to do that. ... Read more

Book Description

Applied Equity Analysis treats stock valuation as a practical, hands-on tool rather than a vague, theoretical exercise—and covers the entire valuation process from financial statement analysis through the final investment recommendation. Its integrated approach to valuation builds viable connections between a firm’s competitive situation and the ultimate behavior of its common stock. Techniques explained include EVA, newer hybrid valuation techniques, and relative multiple analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Probably the best
I've been looking for a practical step by step book on equity analysis from a practitioners viewpoint. This is it. Other books try to take shortcuts. This book does not take short-cuts, but neither is it bogged down with unncessary academic exercises. If you really want to understand how to do valuation and applied equity analysis I can't recommend any book more highly. It is head and shoulders above anything else out there. Penman's book (from Columbia Business School) is also good but it is a VERY serious and weighty book that probably should only be attacked after you have read this one. Get this book by English and you will not be sorry. I have spent way too much time reading hundreds of other books that weren't nearly as educational. Again, however, it is only for the serious investor.

Very readable, very insightful, and extremely practical
James English's "Applied Equity Analysis" is a how-to manual on evaluating stocks based on his 20 years of experience at JP Morgan. The book is very well-written and readable since the author employs plain english (no pun intended) to make his three major points: 1) accounting numbers--while by no means perfect--are excellent tools in evaluating stocks, 2) accounting-based stock valuation is superior to (but does not neccessarily supplant) cash flows, and 3) competition ensures that eye-popping financial performance doesn't last forever.

Contrary to another reviewer, English employs excellent examples to clarify and explain his points. Some examples: Gateway 2000's earnings history was used to explain how to find and interpret non-recurring items (NRI) on financial statements. Ratio analysis was demonstrated by looking at the PC industry in 1998. Emerson Electric was the company chosen to show why mature companies were still good buys. Many other examples abound, and English does a successful job in tying their relevance to his arguements.

But successful use of examples is not just the only strength of the book. The author also tackles a range of topics complete with insightful and clear discussions: the flaws of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), Economic Value Added (EVA), financial statement analysis, fundamental analysis, etc.

A quick glance at the table of contents below gives you an idea of the scope of English's book. I highly recommend this book to not just Wall Street analysts, anyone who is interested in finding fundamental value in evaluating stocks instead of following the crowd.

Pt. 1 Getting Started
Ch. 1 A Day in the Life
Ch. 2 Fundamentals of Equity Valuation
Ch. 3 Strategy and Competition I: The Firm's External Environment
Ch. 4 Strategy and Competition II: The Firm's Internal Competitive Resources
Ch. 5 Fundamentals of Stock Behavior
Pt. 2 The Basic Tools
Ch. 6 Reading a Financial Statement: The Accuracy, Sustainability, and Predictability of Financial Information
Appendix 6-1 Gateway Financial Statements
Ch. 7 Reading a Financial Statement: the Composition of Returns
Appendix 7-1 Comparative Financial Analysis: Personal Computer Industry
Ch. 8 Reading a Financial Statement: Early-Stage Companies and Investment Capacity
Ch. 9 Reading a Financial Statement: Later-Stage Companies and the Transition to Maturity
Ch. 10 Economic Value Added: An Alternative to Traditional Analysis Techniques
Appendix 10-1 Gateway's Cost of Capital
Pt. 3 Financial Models
Ch. 11 Financial Modeling: Base Case Assumptions and Model Design
Appendix 11-1 Dell Computer Corporation Consolidated Statement of Income
Ch. 12 Financial Modeling: The Income Statement and Balance Sheet
Ch. 13 Financial Modeling: The Statement of Cash Flows
Pt. 4 Equity Valuation
Ch. 14 Valuation: Foundations and Fundamentals
Ch. 15 Combat Finance: Relative Methods and Companion Variable Models
Ch. 16 Hybrid Valuation Techniques
Ch. 17 The Quirky Price/Earnings Ratio
Ch. 18 Valuation of Speculative Stocks
Ch. 19 Equity Analysis and Business Combinations
Pt. 5 Getting It Down on Paper
Ch. 20 Financial Writing: Don't Bury the Lead
Bibliography
Index

too academic
I think the book's treatment of valuation is too academic. The author should use more practical examples. ... Read more

Book Description

Blood on the Street is a riveting account of the Wall Street scam in which ordinary investors lost literally billions of dollars -- in many cases their life savings -- in one of the greatest deceptions ever, by the crack reporter who broke the original story.

In one of the most outrageous examples of dirty dealing in the history of Wall Street, hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits were made during the booming 1990s as a result of research analysts issuing positive stock ratings on companies that kicked back investment banking business. Now, for the first time, award-winning journalist Charles Gasparino reveals the whole fascinating story of greed, arrogance, and corruption.

It was Gasparino's front-page reporting in The Wall Street Journal that brought the story to national attention and spurred New York State attorney general Eliot Spitzer to launch an official probe. Now, Gasparino goes behind his own headlines to tell the inside story of this spectacular swindle -- with revelations from his unprecedented access to never-before-published depositions and documents, including e-mail exchanges leading all the way up to Citigroup CEO Sanford Weill.

Drawing on his research and interviews with industry insiders, Gasparino takes readers into the back rooms of Wall Street's top investment firms and captures the outsize personalities of three key players: Salomon Smith Barney's Jack Grubman, a braggart with one of the largest salaries on Wall Street; Merrill Lynch's Henry Blodget, the Yale graduate who hyped his way to the top of the research pyramid; and Morgan Stanley's Mary Meeker, the "Queen of the Internet," who foresaw the market catastrophe but gave in to the pressures Blood on the Street shows how regulators, like former SEC chairman Arthur Levitt, allowed the deceptive practices to fester and grow during the 1990s bubble, leaving the door open for a then- little-known attorney general from New York State to step in and make his mark by holding Wall Street accountable.

Gasparino provides the first major account of Spitzer's rise to prominence, detailing how the attorney general pursued key players to build his case against Wall Street, including his shifting allegiance to the powerful New York Stock Exchange chairman Richard Grasso.

A fast-paced narrative rich in sharp insights, Blood on the Street is the definitive book on the financial debacle that affected millions of Americans. ... Read more

Book Description

Fund manager Joel Greenblatt has been beating the Dow (with returns of 50 percent a year) for more than a decade. And now, in this highly accessible guide, he's going to show you how to do it, too. You're about to discover investment opportunities that portfolio managers, business-school professors, and top investment experts regularly miss -- uncharted areas where the individual investor has a huge advantage over the Wall Street wizards. Here is your personal treasure map to special situations in which big profits are possible, including:

* Spin-offs * Restructurings * Merger Securities
* Mergers * Rights Offerings * Recapitalizations
* Bankruptcies * Risk Arbitrage

This is a practical and easy-to-use investment reference, filled with case studies, important background information, and all the tools you'll need. All it takes is a little extra time and effort -- and you can be a stock market genius. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A must read for any advance investor.
Don't be turned off by the book's funky title. "You can be astock market genius" is actually one of the few investment classicsout there. The book does not deal with everyday investment jargons. (Low PE, high growth rate, etc.) Instead, it focuses on rare special corporate events. And how investors may profit by looking through these small cracks which the greater investment community often ignored and misunderstood. Although I doubt many individual investors will be able to fully utilize what the author suggested. (It is a difficult proccess which required substantial background in related areas.) These corporate events are often quite unique in each individual case. And some of them carry tremendous risk. (eg. bankruptcy) Yet, if use properly. These methods can dramatically magnify one's return. (For instance, the section where he discussed how investors can use Leaps in turnaround situations.) Even for those readers who do not attempt to participate in special situation investing, Mr. Greenblatt's logic and methods are very beneficial in shaping investment decisions in general.

ONE OF THE BETTER BOOKS ON INVESTING
I read stock market investment books like some cooks read cookbooks-- for a new idea that can change the recipe and make the outcome a better success. I received several good ideas from this book. It is a keeper. I would also recommend the three (or or there more?) books by R. Max Bowser who has an unique system where he even guarantees $5,000 if the reader does not make a profit using his system. Mr. Bowser states that he has refined his investment system on an ongoing basis (adding improvements) over the past 20 years (Take a glance at Mr. Bowser's book, "Guaranteed Profits With Small Stocks"). There are so many good investment books out there and the serious investor should keep up with the new books to have a stream of fresh new ideas.

One of the Best Stock Investing Books There Is
Greenblatt does a good job explaining spinoffs, mergers, bankruptcies, etc. and how they can be create market-beating investments. He presents data backing up his theories, and also provides many good examples of finding such investment situations. He also explains the criteria for what qualifies a good risk/reward ratio in these types of investments.

However, one thing I want to point out is that you have to definitely do some research on each investment if you want to truly put Greenbaltt's put methods into efective practice. If you are willing to go through SEC filings and do thoroguh research on each investment you make, then the type of investing found in this book might be right for you.

Phenomenal
In a world filled with mutual fund managers who make millions for underperforming the S&P over the duration of their careers, students of investing should always ask to see a teacher's audited investment results before listening to a word.

Joel Greenblatt produced 50%+ annual returns over ten years. To put this superlative performance in context, it is better than Warren Buffet's. Quite simply: Greenblatt is an investing master and his teachings are worthy of special consideration.

The pleasure of this book is its simplicity. The kind of rigorous homework Greenblatt suggests is not easy to do in practice, but this is a key reason why it can be such fruitful work to do. Greenblatt's logic is driven by simple, fundamental and powerful truths: a) investing only in your best few ideas tends to lead to a higher quality portfolio, b) doing work where others are not contributes to an investment edge and c) there is statistical evidence to show that value investing and special situations outperform the broader market over time.

The book is filled with humor, common sense and a lot of investing wisdom. Greenblatt has opened the door, students must walk through it themselves...

strong buy
This book definitely gets a Strong Buy recommendation from me. It is by far the best investing guide I have seen. It is very imformative, and fun to read as well. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Confused about the stock market?
Then this book will answer your questions. The author explains, in simple, clear, straight forward and down-to-earth language, exactly how the stock market works and why, and how and why (and when) to buy stocks.

It's the only book I've ever read that straightened out the stock market mess and made sense of it for me, enabling me to gain a grip on the information needed to make rational decisions with my own portfolio!

If you've ever wanted solid, no-nonsense information that would enable you to truly begin to understand the stock market and its workings, written in a delightful form that utilizes all the tech talk in a manner so that it becomes clear as you read it, then order this book today!

Primo Primer for the Incipient Investor
I first read this book more than ten years ago after a particularly rough day at work. I thought "There must to be an easier way to make money." Instead of going straight home I headed to the Boston Barnes and Noble in Downtown Crossing. There I saw this book. For someone who has no idea what the stock market is or how it works this is an excellent book. Though the prose could be a little dry, it provides a basis on what stocks and bonds are, it differentiates between stocks and preferred stocks, it explains why you need a broker to buy most stocks. You definitely should read this before attempting to read more classical investment books because the terminology used can be daunting. This book also complements Tobias' "Still the Only Investment Book You'll Ever Need"

Good finance book
If you ever think to yourself that why didn't you a few years older and know more ?? This is a book for you. It's a history of the finance world and tells what has happened before you was born :) Most important this book really teaches you how to buy stocks.

My favorite book, so i give ***** :)

EQ

Great book, well illustrated and a Must Read!!
This is a great book to understand stocks and debt instruments market. The author explains the various stages in the growth of a company using his fictional Pocket Pole Company and his writing style is lucid. This is a book dealing with a considerable number of terms and Hecht's examples helps one in easily grasping the concept.

The book is big, more than 400 pages long and covers various investment techniques using Stocks, Bonds, Treasury Bonds, Mutual Funds and also discusses the making of a stock market, guidelines to follow while investing etc. It is really a wonderful read for anyone interested in understanding money flow and how corporations are born.

Personally, I enjoyed reading about Pocket Pole and the author's comparison of Pocket Pole with companies like IBM and Walt Disney. It is amazing to note that this book is around half a century old and the concepts haven't really changed.

One thing I didn't like about is that the book needs to be updated, and should discuss the Enron and the recent stock market crash. Louis touches upon incidents of 1994 and I feel that a revision is very much due!

Overall, a great book if you are new to the investment market.

Not a good book at all
This book seems to be a good eye catcher because of the color and the simplicity of the title. It definitely caught my attention to buy it. Was I sorry it did. This book provides nothing whatsoever. Everything is very straighforward and commonsense unless you are a five-year-old, then yes, you should buy this book. You ever get this feeling when you are reading a book that it seems you are reading a whole lot but not getting any information out of it? This is exactly the feeling I was getting while reading this book. If you truly want to KNOW about investing then get "A Random Walk Down Wall Street". This book summarizes what investing and the stock market is all about and the writing is superb. ... Read more

Book Description

Widely regarded as the world's foremost authority on chart analysis, Tom DeMark has developed technical systems and indicators for many of the most successful trading operations in the world. Now, in a sequel to his bestselling book, The New Science of Technical Analysis, he stakes out new territory while refining the most popular and precise of his indicators with exacting attention to real-time trading applications. In addition, he shares—for the first time anywhere—the complete details of a new indicator: TD Combo. Used in conjunction with his popular TD Sequential, TD Combo equips traders with a powerful new tool for understanding market rhythms and calculating buy and sell opportunities.

DeMark draws on a lifetime of research and gives the reader the benefit of his legendary expertise as a market timing analyst. He offers detailed material on indicator construction, application, and interpretation, and makes it much easier for traders to implement his revolutionary concepts in real-time situations. Among the indicators presented in this invaluable book are:

• Oscillators—Five of DeMark's key indicators for identifying both price tops and bottoms as well as the overall trend of markets.
• TD Sequential—An indicator unequaled in its ability to evaluate the condition of a market at any point in time based on price patterns, price relationships, and price movement.
• TD Combo—The result of an exhaustive research process, this new powerful indicator is used with TD Sequential and is revealed here for the first time in its entirety.
• TD Lines—DeMark's trendline analysis technique that provides an accurate, practical methodology for identifying price breakouts.
• TD Retracements—Consistent, objective, and scientific methods for calculating price retracement projections.
• Breakouts—DeMark's unique trading rules for detecting pending or potential price breakouts that would establish or accelerate a trend.
• TD Moving Averages—Used in combination with price breakout techniques, these methods avoid the shortcomings of similar, less successful approaches.
• Market Timing Techniques—An array of trading models for capturing short-term opportunities, participating in breakouts, and capitalizing on price patterns and price relationships, originally developed for Tudor Systems.
• TD Triangulation and TD Propulsion—DeMark's market timing approaches that depend on momentum and pattern recognition (TD Triangulation) and on the direction of an overall price trend (TD Propulsion).

Along with other thoroughly tested techniques, DeMark offers authoritative insights on a range of essential topics, from common misconceptions about the market, to the skills needed for successful trading, and the extreme importance of careful money management. With its combination of techniques, in-depth analysis, and sound, practical advice, New Market Timing Techniques is a rich resource that every trader will want to navigate the markets.

DECODING THE DYNAMICS OF THE MARKET

"Market timing has moved from the realm of voodoo to mainstream doctrine. New Market Timing Techniques provides cutting-edge techniques for using oscillators, moving averages, breakouts, and other basics of technical analysis, backed by 25 years of research."—Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder and CEO, Bloomberg L.P.

"After reading The New Science of Technical Analysis, I didn't think Tom DeMark could have very much more to say. I was wrong! New Market Timing Techniques not only refines the concepts of his earlier book, but adds subtleties and breaks new ground. Tom DeMark is not just at the cutting edge of technical analysis, he is the cutting edge."—Alfred H. Kingon, Kingon International Former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

"Tom DeMark is a technician's technician who has shared with all of us his insights, systems, and exceptional stock market timing techniques developed over 27 years of detailed analysis."—Leon G. Cooperman, Chairman, Omega Advisors, Inc.

"The stock market is a perilous journey at best. Anything that can reduce the risk and make the trip more enjoyable is most desirable. Tom DeMark's book does this. Here is a cornucopia of new ideas, new dimensions, and concepts that challenge the most discerning minds. This is a technical waker-upper."—Joseph Granville, The Granville Market Letter.

"Tom has done it again! Here he reveals even more of his fascinating trading tactics, techniques, and tools. His ideas are totally original and backed by proven research. If you trade without these tricks of the trade, you are not playing with a full deck."—Larry Williams, Trader and Author How I Made a Million Dollars Last Year Trading Commodities. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Why would someone give away profitable ideas?
A friend loaned me this book and I was intrigued by the ideas described in it to the point that I order ed my own copy--actually 2 copies now. I have marked my book with colored pens and made notations throughout. I realize the author did not intend to provide trading systems per se but it appears that these indicators are but a mere step or two from being systematic approaches to trading. I have already take a few trades all profitable, by the way, and the only question I now have is why did the author shore these ideas that could be worth many times the value of the book itself? Is he ultruisitic, does he have better tadings ideas that he uses personally, etc? If i had done the thorough research he apparently conducted and identified these tading nuggets I wold not be as willing to share them with others. Who is this author and does he trade for a living??

One of the best books on the subject
I like to read about various trading techniques. I also attend seminars. My conclusion from 20+ years of doing both is that nobody is going to share with a reader for the cost of a book a trading system that is highly successful. that was until I read this book. Although there is no straight forward formula in the book that delineates a profitable trading system, I truly believe some of the writer's methods are capable of being turned into profitable systems. I guess the old adage is true that if someone wanted to hide something of value then place it in the eyes of the public and they won't realize its true value there.

These indicators are on my data terminal
I was surprised when my fellow trader on the desk told me that the DeMark indicators were prevalent throughout the industry and that the Bloombeg, ILX Thomson, CQG, and Reuters machines include these with tgeir services. I have read the authors' bools and have tried to pogram the formulas myself and now realize i could have found them on the machine in front of me. What a pleasant surprise! I love them and they do help my trading and timing.

Book is Better than the positive reviews
Other traders have raved about this book for months. I traded based upon 20+ years experience. I didn't think I needed a crutch that relied upon indicators. Having read the book and now applying the techniques to my trading real time, I don't know how I thrived previoulsy without it. My trading methodology will never be the same. I follow the indicators and price action in tandem on a chart now and this trading map has improved my already profitable instinctive results. If one is serious about trading and determined to make money then this book is essential.

The author is truly a tading genius!
I have been trading for close to 40 years and I have never ever seen anyone with the insight and perspective of this writer. I can take some of his ideas and apply them to my charts and make money. Other ideas can be researched, possibly improved, and be effective in trading success as well. I laud his willingness to share his creative, original ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

If you’re like the majority of the estimated 12 million employees in the U.S. who have stock options as a key component to their compensation packages, you have a vague notion, at best, of how options work and what they can mean to your financial well being. What’s the vesting schedule for your shares and how will their strike price be set? What type of stock option grant will you receive, an ISO (incentive stock option) or an NQSO (non-qualified stock option)? What tax rules apply to your option program? Your financial future could depend on your knowing the answers to these and other questions regarding your company’s stock option plan.

Confused by all the brouhaha surrounding stock options? Let expert Alan Simon demystify this often-confusing investment vehicle for you. Featuring clear explanations of how your stock options might make you money—or not—this friendly guide fills you in on what you need to know to:

• Understand different types of stock options
• Read and find traps in your stock option agreement
• Evaluate the pros and cons of company investment vehicles
• Assess vesting schedules and tax laws
• Tap Web resources

Simon demystifies the jargon, rules, and tax consequences of stock options. He provides a realistic picture of what to expect from your options, and he helps you see past the hype to understand what your employer is really offering. Important topics covered include:

• What you need to know before accepting a compensation package that includes options
• Developing a stock option philosophy and clear-cut goals
• Knowing whether you’re being treated fairly by your company
• Making sense of the language of stock options agreements
• Getting a handle on key restrictions on how you exercise your options
• Stock option valuation
• Tax rules and how they apply to different types of options
• How stock options can be affected by changes at your company

Stock Options For Dummies is the only guide you’ll need to get the most out of this important investment vehicle. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This is not what I was looking for.
I was looking for a "dummies" book on options trading (puts, calls, volatility, etc.) so I ordered it. What I got was a comprehensive review of the ramifications of owning stock options issued by the company that employs you. In short, I felt like a dummy for not researching further before purchase. Don't make the same mistake I did. There is a silver lining, though. I promptly repackaged the book in the shipping box that I received it in and sold it through Amazon, recouping almost all of my original cost. If you have any books you don't need or want, I wholeheartedly endorse Amazon's used book marketplace. I gave it 5 stars because of this experience, and the fact that it is another top-notch example from the excellent Dummies series, just not what I was looking for. Incidentally, if you're looking for what I was looking for originally, you can't go wrong with anything Larry McMillan has written.

Well rounded discussion on every facet of options
A well rounded discussion on almost every facet of options, from how to understand the legal implications of the stock option plan to taxation. Simon explains preIPO, IPO, lockup periods, blackout periods, Rule 144 stock in detailed and desciptive ways. The chapters on taxation give an excellent overview - even of the 83b election and is probably sufficient for most. For more comprehensive discussion and tax strategy read Pastore's book.

Every option-holder should read this book!
By far, the best, most thorough, and most honest book on stock options I've ever read. Even though other books (such as Pastore and Thomas) cover taxes on stock options in more detail, the author definitely provides more than enough information, including considerations I've never seen elsewhere - ordinary income tax and AMT implications of working in multiple states, for example. And he covers the dreaded AMT trap of ISOs with detailed scenarios, better and easier to understand than I've seen anywhere else. But by far, this book's greatest value is in the author's no-holds-barred discussion of - as he puts it in one of the chapter headings - the good, the bad, and the ugly of stock options, including an entire chapter on stock option agreements and what to watch for. Like most Dummies books, there is humor and sarcasm, but the author doesn't overdo it; it just makes the book extremely readable. Even those who have had stock options in the past - whether or not they made money or not - will find value in the author's fresh perspective and post-crash look at just about everything about options.

Well written, but flawed
This book has great layout, good writing, and simple presentation. Unfortunately, it also has a number of technical erorrs about how stock options work, as well as an excessive focus on options in pre-IPO comanies (most employees with options do not work for pre-IPO companies, or even technology companies). ... Read more

Book Description

Critical Praise… "In my interviews with over 30 of the best traders of our time, there were some questions that I raised in each conversation. One of these was: Are there any books that you found particularly valuable and would recommend to aspiring traders? By far, the most frequent response was Reminiscences of a Stock Operator—a book that was over 70 years old!" —from the Foreword by Jack Schwager Author of Market Wizards and The New Market Wizards "Although Reminiscences…was first published some 70 years ago, its take on crowd psychology and market timing is as timely as last summer’s frenzy on the foreign exchange markets." —Worth magazine "The most entertaining book written on investing is Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, by Edwin Lefèvre, first published in 1923." —The Seattle Times "The best book I’ve read is Reminiscences of a Stock Operator. I keep a supply for people who come to work for me." —Martin Zweig "After 20 years and many re-reads, Reminiscences is still one of my all-time favorites." —Kenneth L. Fisher Forbes Offering timeless lessons about the market and investor psychology, Reminiscences of a Stock Operator has enriched the lives of generations of investors and continues to be the most widely read and celebrated investment book ever written. ... Read more

Reviews (114)

Very Interesting but not particularly useful...
I have read this book several times and always find it entertaining. The psychology of the markets is, I guess, always fairly similar; however, this book will not make you a dime. Do not buy this book if you think that you will learn valuable money making insights by reading it.

The worth in this book is in the ente