How does technical analysis differ from the fundamental analysis?

Answer 1

Technical vs. fundamental analysisThe primary difference can be summed up in terms of both the underlying philosophy, and the data studied.

Fundemental analysis is concerned chiefly with discovering asset values. The data relied upon includes off exchange sources such as balance sheets, income statements and supply and demand statistics.

Technical analysis on the other hand, is concerned chiefly with the timing of buy and sell decisions. The data studied is generated exclusively by the exchanges.

Where does investor sentiment fall within these two definitions? If the sentiment data is derived from options data, then it would fit the definition of technical analysis. If on the other hand the data was generated by opinion polls, then it would not fit the definition of technical analysis. Nor would it be considered fundamental analysis either. It would more properly and simply be defined as "sentiment analysis."

While there is some debate over whether off-exchange data (e.g. astrological data, dividends, opinion polls, etc.) properly belong under the definition of technical analysis, none of the main organizing bodies for technical analysis have ever rendered an official, public opinion on this question.

According to noted technical analyst Daniel Chesler, CMT --

"Technical analysis is the forecasting of markets through the study and analysis of data generated exclusively from the buying and selling of financial instruments. It is part science and part formalization of trader intuition and experience. Any market for which there is a regular, transparent transaction history is a candidate for technical analysis. Planetary cycles, opinion polls, fundamental, monetary and economic data as well as any data not specifically generated from the buying and selling process, are not a part of orthodox technical analysis."

Answer 2

Technical vs. fundamental analysisThe primary difference can be summed up in terms of both the underlying philosophy, and the data studied.

Fundemental analysis is concerned chiefly with discovering asset values. The data relied upon includes off exchange sources such as balance sheets, income statements and supply and demand statistics.

Technical analysis on the other hand, is concerned chiefly with the timing of buy and sell decisions. The data studied is generated exclusively by the exchanges.

Where does investor sentiment fall within these two definitions? If the sentiment data is derived from options data, then it would fit the definition of technical analysis. If on the other hand the data was generated by opinion polls, then it would not fit the definition of technical analysis. Nor would it be considered fundamental analysis either. It would more properly and simply be defined as "sentiment analysis."

While there is some debate over whether off-exchange data (e.g. astrological data, dividends, opinion polls, etc.) properly belong under the definition of technical analysis, none of the main organizing bodies for technical analysis have ever rendered an official, public opinion on this question.

According to noted technical analyst Daniel Chesler, CMT --

"Technical analysis is the forecasting of markets through the study and analysis of data generated exclusively from the buying and selling of financial instruments. It is part science and part formalization of trader intuition and experience. Any market for which there is a regular, transparent transaction history is a candidate for technical analysis. Planetary cycles, opinion polls, fundamental, monetary and economic data as well as any data not specifically generated from the buying and selling process, are not a part of orthodox technical analysis."