July 1996
Letters to the Editor

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SWING LINE CHARTS

Editor,
I would appreciate any information you have on swing line charts. Also, do you know of a charting system that shows this type of chart? I'm not referring to oscillators but to a type of chart that W.D. Gann used. In Gann's day, he updated his charts by hand using this technique, and in comparison to his other techniques, it was simple to understand. It also appealed to me because it potentially could improve my own cash management of a trade when to enter or exit a trade.
DAVID BLUE
Nelson, New Zealand

I can't tell you which software draws swing line charts, but I can refer you to two articles that explain how to create them. "Gold: bull or bear market?" appeared in the March/April 1983 issue of STOCKS & COMMODITIES, Volume 1. "Anatomy of a Trade: December Treasury Bonds" appeared in July/August 1983 issue, also in Volume 1. Both articles were by Jesse Thompson. Our Volume Books (compilations of past issues) can be obtained from our circulation department, 800 832-4642. -- Editor

MODELING THE MARKET

Editor,
I read with interest Gregory Hight's article, "Predicting major market moves," in the April 1996 STOCKS & COMMODITIES. I found it informative and helpful in my own modeling work, and I have corresponded directly with Mr. Hight about it.

While I find most of your articles interesting, I hope you will continue to include articles on modeling the whole market and the major indices.

DALE R. STENSETH
Minneapolis, MN

MODEL OF PERFECTION

Editor,
Thank you for the fine work on my statistical article published in your April issue, "Predicting major market moves." Your scrutiny, energy and attention to detail far surpassed what I've seen at other publications. That's a credit to you and the magazine. Working with you was a pleasure.
GREGORY HIGHT
Brainerd, MN

ON BECOMING A STOCKBROKER

Editor,
I'm a subscriber to your magazine and in reading Letters to S&C, I have noticed a lot of readers wanting to know where to get information on being a stockbroker or some other related profession.

I would suggest looking at the classified section of Investor's Business Daily. There, you'll find listings of companies that offer both stock and commodity broker courses with sponsorships. Many will send free information on the courses they offer.

I hope this has been helpful.

JOE BUTLER
Camden, ME

REMOTE QUOTES

Editor,
In your April 1996 review of QuoTrek, you forgot to mention that the hand-held quote receiver is usable only in major metropolitan areas.

While I realize that it's incomprehensible to many city people that life outside their metropolitan area exists, it still would be nice if they could point out service availability or use restrictions in their advertisements, or, as in this case, reviews.

G. PUERCKHAUER
Roan Mountain, TN

In product reviews, we tend to concentrate on what the product does rather than on service restrictions. In this case, we could have mentioned service availability. Thanks for writing. -- Editor

BEGINNER IN NEED OF A JUMPSTART

Editor,
I am a novice at charting and investing and I recently responded to your publication's offer for a trial subscription, but I haven't yet decided to subscribe. I like your magazine, but the only parts of it I understand are the ads. The articles and formulas are over my head.

Can you recommend a book, course or a friend that can bring me up to at least a basic understanding of what everybody is talking about? After I have that knowledge, I'll ask you to recommend a book, course or friend who can tell me what to do with the information! Then, I'll be ready to subscribe to your magazine and will gladly do so.

I like the look and feel of your magazine. I only wish I understood it. So please understand, the problem is mine, not yours.

NORMAN LOWY
Phoenix, AZ

Here are a few book recommendations. All three provide substantial, comprehensive information about technical analysis and should more than bring you up to speed.

Murphy, John J. [1986]. Technical Analysis of the Futures Markets , New York Institute of Finance.

Schwager, Jack D. [1996]. Schwager on Futures: Technical Analysis, John Wiley & Sons.

Williams, Bill [1995]. Trading Chaos, John Wiley & Sons.

As for the friend part, think of our publication as your constant trading companion! -- Editor

ON BECOMING A PRODUCT REVIEWER

Editor,
I don't know if you'll remember me, but I wrote a few articles for your publication back in the mid- to late 1980s. Back then, I didn't have the time to commit to writing on an ongoing basis. Now, these many years later, I find myself with more time and would like to offer my services to you.

I have multiple PCs on which to evaluate software or trading systems. If you have an assignment in mind, I would be happy to hear from you.

ROBERT J. LANG
Wiliamsport, PA

Thanks for reintroducing yourself. We invite you to submit articles on technical analysis and trading for possible publication in STOCKS & COMMODITIES. You'll find our Author Guidelines on our Web site, or call our office for a copy.

Products are reviewed for our magazine by staff writers or other regular contributors with whom we've established a working relationship. Following these guidelines helps ensure that reviews are impartial, fair and reliable. To earn that stature, we suggest you make a go at submitting some articles that would fit our publishing guidelines. We hope to hear from you soon! -- Editor

NEVER TOO YOUNG FOR STOCKS & COMMODITIES

Editor,
I work in a family-owned business for which the fourth generation has just begun learning the ins and outs. Pictured are Dean Korbelik, chief financial officer of Mosbaugh Properties, and daughter Megan, two weeks old, discussing the Arms index from the April 1996 S&C.
MARY GRASMUCK 
Arnold, CA

Looks like good upbringing to us! -- Editor

ERRATA

There was an error in the GMI data that I used for my article in the April 1996 issue ("The GMI bond market system"). The error originated with my data vendor. The bad data item, 622.09, was on 10/11/91 and should have been 662.09. I corrected the data and reoptimized the test segment. This reoptimization produced different values for the system parameters. These new values are:




Bjmp%=20%,Sjmp%=-20%,nabove = 

42wks,nbelow=50wks

Please pass this information along to your readers.

DENNIS MEYERS
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