Reinvigorate ASF as a stock forum

[nioka]

Over the last couple of years I have found ASF to have less and less use as a stock forum where you keep up to date with your favourite stocks. The home page is usefull in providing a daily update on the general market and a hint of what the day may bring forth.The information that can be gleaned from contributing members on most stocks is limited.

Let us do something about it before it is too late. Post news on a stock when you know something that may help others. That is what I log on for. Most of the rest is entertainment and sometimes not very good entertainment.

[son of baglimit]

Quote: Originally Posted by nioka Over the last couple of years I have found ASF to have less and less use as a stock forum where you keep up to date with your favourite stocks. Most of the rest is entertainment and sometimes not very good entertainment.

[johenmo]

Agree in general. Musn't lose the educational aspects of it. Very useful for newcomers. I don't log on for AFL etc but have been known to comment on the odd non-stock thread. Maybe these threads provide something for others - just not for me.

[gordon2007]

Quote: Originally Posted by nioka Over the last couple of years I have found ASF to have less and less use as a stock forum

[tech/a]

Ive suggested this before but seems that there isnt an interest.

Most discussions of trading ideas get lost in the Q&A which follows.
I suggest that if something is being demonstrated to follow as in say the Volume thread that it can be locked by the person showing the ideas with a separate thread for questions.
That way you can at least follow it.
I know moderation status has to go with that capability but if its abused just take it away.

There are some serious analysts here who are sick of all the rubbish filling up their threads.
It takes sometimes hrs to present charts and examples.
You soon get sick of spending the time and effort when it all gets lost!

[GumbyLearner]

Quote: Originally Posted by tech/a Ive suggested this before but seems that there isnt an interest. Most discussions of trading ideas get lost in the Q&A which follows. I suggest that if something is being demonstrated to follow as in say the Volume thread that it can be locked by the person showing the ideas with a separate thread for questions. That way you can at least follow it. I know moderation status has to go with that capability but if its abused just take it away. There are some serious analysts here who are sick of all the rubbish filling up their threads. It takes sometimes hrs to present charts and examples. You soon get sick of spending the time and effort when it all gets lost!

[Julia]

Quote: Originally Posted by GumbyLearner I agree that this forum has been hi-jacked with politics. I would prefer this to be forum where I can read threads I'm interested in. Surely the mods could come up with a piece of code that would block out the political banter. So that the helpful contributors could be focused on! Just my

[canaussieuck]

Wow Nioka, talk about read my mind. I was thinking on the weekend how its like 'spot the stock thread' time.

I could not agree more, more analysis, more trades posted!

I love the macro view too!

You know really, this is the time you learn the most about the markets, when they're bloody hard to trade! (day traders aside)

Bring it on, more charts, more fundy stuff, etc.etc.

Cheers.



CanOz
Faithful supporter

[GumbyLearner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Julia For heaven's sake, all you have to do is just not read the political threads! Just pretend they're not there, Gumby. I notice your distaste for political threads doesn't prevent your contributing to them. The forum has been lacking in interesting content lately. It's not anyone's fault. I agree that many are out of the market at present so it's pretty natural that there isn't much in the way of scintillating stock discussion. I do wonder sometimes if potentially valuable new members may be put off when they post a newbie query, or question a strategy put up by an existing member and are met with arrogant and dismissive responses. Don't think I'd be hanging around for more of the same.

[kennas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Julia I do wonder sometimes if potentially valuable new members may be put off when they post a newbie query, or question a strategy put up by an existing member and are met with arrogant and dismissive responses. Don't think I'd be hanging around for more of the same.

[nioka]

Quote: Originally Posted by GumbyLearner I agree that this forum has been hi-jacked with politics.

[basilio]

It would be great to reinvigorate ASF as a stock forum. Trouble is the stock market has been sick as a dog for a couple of years now.

As a result I think many members have been burnt and probably less inclined to keep trying to come up with new investment opportunities. After all there is just so much money one can lose before it all gets a bit too hard. I think it would be a rare member who did not take a beating with some of the big collapses in 2008-9.

I have to say I have enjoyed and benefited from ASF. I picked up a few very good results from the research and analysis done through this forum. (And I hope I have also contributed to the conversations) So lets appreciate that.

One thought though. I have firmed up in my belief that much of the money made in stock markets is not on the quality of the shares but the effectiveness of the ramp. If enough people can be persuaded that a share is a good thing their interest will cause a decent self perpetuating but short term price rise. It seems to me that this is where the quickest but probably most unethical profits are made. I think in a stagnant to falling market there is just far less capacity to create this sort of profit.

On a big picture scene I can't help feeling that there is a groundswell of nervousness about the investment scene overall. (I note that a number of contributors are largely out of the market. )There is no resolution of the huge debts that are overhanging every economy. There are legitimate fears that external issues like climate change and peak oil will create black swan events that will make the GFC look like a picnic. In that context it is very hard to paint a rosy picture.

Perhaps the expansion of the non stock conversations to constructive ideas and opportunities beyond the strictly narrow confines of the stock exchange will be a good way for people to use their skills more effectively.

[nioka]

Quote: Originally Posted by basilio It would be great to reinvigorate ASF as a stock forum. Trouble is the stock market has been sick as a dog for a couple of years now. As a result I think many members have been burnt and probably less inclined to keep trying to come up with new investment opportunities. After all there is just so much money one can lose before it all gets a bit too hard. I think it would be a rare member who did not take a beating with some of the big collapses in 2008-9. I have to say I have enjoyed and benefited from ASF. I picked up a few very good results from the research and analysis done through this forum. (And I hope I have also contributed to the conversations) So lets appreciate that. One thought though. I have firmed up in my belief that much of the money made in stock markets is not on the quality of the shares but the effectiveness of the ramp. If enough people can be persuaded that a share is a good thing their interest will cause a decent self perpetuating but short term price rise. It seems to me that this is where the quickest but probably most unethical profits are made. I think in a stagnant to falling market there is just far less capacity to create this sort of profit. On a big picture scene I can't help feeling that there is a groundswell of nervousness about the investment scene overall. (I note that a number of contributors are largely out of the market. )There is no resolution of the huge debts that are overhanging every economy. There are legitimate fears that external issues like climate change and peak oil will create black swan events that will make the GFC look like a picnic. In that context it is very hard to paint a rosy picture. Perhaps the expansion of the non stock conversations to constructive ideas and opportunities beyond the strictly narrow confines of the stock exchange will be a good way for people to use their skills more effectively.

[canaussieuck]

Quote: Originally Posted by nioka Fundamentals are more ikely to predict the future than charts.

[pixel]

hmmm - here I was, reading all those great suggestions, and intending to add one of my own:

Can it be made easier to insert a chart into a stock discussion? "that other place" lets us upload and insert images into the post itself, rather than finding another website to upload, then inserting a picture by URL to that location.

... and then I stumble across nioka's bald statement: "Fundamentals are more likely to predict the future than charts."

Didn't know anybody could actually predict the future. Even Sir Alan Greenspan admitted "despite extensive efforts on the part of analysts, to my knowledge, no model projecting directional movements in exchange rates is significantly superior to tossing a coin."
(source: http://www.federalreserve.gov/boardd...20/default.htm)

For more than a decade, I've tried to drag newbies out of the misconception that fundamentalists aren't tiring to rope them in with. Firstly, no matter how diligently you do your fundamental research, the results of your calculations - yield, p/e, profit margins,... - are only valid till the next Annual Report. Secondly, even if every one of your fundamental calculations proves true, the Market need not share your opinion, but hold some sentiment against or way above your "valuation". Thirdly, and most importantly: Assuming you have foretold the future of a company, that will all too easily lure you into a "The market will come to its senses. I'm right. This is a stock to hold on to till I die" conviction.

In contrast, a chart - done properly - doesn't pretend to predict anything; it simply plots factual trades. If the price goes up on rising volume, you see it and know you can hold on to this stock, maybe even add to your position. Once price hits resistance or volume suggests buyers are drying up, you can make an informed, intelligent decision to take profit from part or all of your holding. Charts also can, as a matter of probability, help you assess the odds of a trend continuing or turning.
Trading shares that way eliminates the need to dig into the bowels of fundamentals: a time-consuming task per share, which bears within it the danger of holding on past a share's use-by date because "Now I've spent so much time studying this company; I can't let it go and start the process all over again with another share."

Back to the subject "Reinvigorate ASF": I would love the ability to more easily include the image of a chart, to explain my (technical) analysis of particular stocks, specific trades, or just a general strategy.
If that approach were generally frowned upon and deliberately discouraged, please say so, and I stop wasting my time and yours.

PS Of course I agree with Julia: If a topic doesn't appeal to me, I skip over it. Nobody forces anybody to read a particular thread.

[professor_frink]

Quote: Originally Posted by pixel hmmm - here I was, reading all those great suggestions, and intending to add one of my own: Can it be made easier to insert a chart into a stock discussion? "that other place" lets us upload and insert images into the post itself, rather than finding another website to upload, then inserting a picture by URL to that location.

[nulla nulla]

I've been inserting charts using "the manage attachments" box at the bottom of the "Reply to Thread" box.


What I would like to achieve is being able to post further comments below the chart?

[professor_frink]

Quote: Originally Posted by nulla nulla I've been inserting charts using "the manage attachments" box at the bottom of the "Reply to Thread" box. What I would like to achieve is being able to post further comments below the chart?

[nulla nulla]

Trying again.....

djia & nasdaq 20-7-10.bmp

And the result is....success! Thank you professor.

[professor_frink]

Quote: Originally Posted by nulla nulla Trying again..... And the result is....success! Thank you professor.