Stock, Fund & Index Charts

Stock, Fund & Index Charts

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Creating a stock, fund or index chart is a simple process. Begin by clicking "New Chart" icon on the UA toolbar or by selecting "New" from the "Chart" menu.

The "Selecting Data Series" screen displays, allowing you to select one or more data series for charting:

stockselect

Market Type

As shown in the above example, the "Market Type" must be set for "Stocks/Mutual/Indices." If this doesn't show on your screen, click the arrow at the right side of the box to drop down the menu and make your selection as shown here:

pickstocklist

Symbols

Now you may identify the stocks, funds and/or indices you wish to chart. If multiple symbols are to be charted in exactly the same way, you may include them here. Keep in mind that the maximum quantity of charts is subject to the charting limit specified as Memory Cache Size in UA Preferences.

If you know the symbols of the series you want to chart, just type them into the "Symbols" box.

symbolbox

Symbols entered must match the selected "Market Type."

Symbols must be separated by a comma, a space or both, as shown in the above example. Here we show a request for charts of General Electric (GE), Int'l Business Machines (IBM) and Ford Motors (F).

An alternate way to identify the stocks for charting is to enter the CSI number, such as 5159 for IBM. CSI numbers can be found in the Market Specs Factsheets.

Click [Mkts] to choose markets from the Market Specs list," if you prefer not to type the symbols. Click here for instructions.

Stock Selection

Click the "Stocks" tab in the center region of the screen (see top example). Even if the stocks page is already showing, click the "Stocks" tab anyway. This enters your symbols without submitting the full selection screen. UA will confirm your symbols and display them with corresponding CSI numbers in the "Symbols" box.

Internet Updates

The right-hand panel of the Selecting Data Series screen includes an "Internet Updates" setting. New charts are automatically available for intraday internet updates through UA's SnapQuote feature. Because this entry is checked (it cannot be unchecked), any new chart will be updated with SnapQuote data if, and only if, you manually initiate a SnapQuote intraday retrieval session. If you do not want SnapQuote data to be visible on an active chart, check "Ignore Snap Quote Data" on the "General UA Behavior 1" screen of UA Preferences.

Post Processing

Also in the right-hand panel is the "Post-Processing" box that offers two features for manipulating your data. These are referred to as "Post processing" because the processing occurs after the data is retrieved from your files, but before charts are displayed.

Detrend - Detrending is a manipulation that attempts to remove long-position biases and other distortions that can occur in long-term analysis by transforming all historical data into today's terms. It can be a useful procedure for all types of continuous files, but is typically used more for futures, which are more subject to distortions, than for stocks.

For stocks, the detrending approach always focuses upon the very first (most distant) day of the historical series and the day before the last day in your series. This determines a precise interval on the y price axis. The number of trading days that transpired from the first (most distant) point and the chosen end point determines the number of units (days) by which the entire series will be elevated or decreased, as the case might be, and leads to the slope calculation.

If Detrending is desired, check the box. When offered the choice of Second Contract or Second Day for the calculation, select Second Day. This is the only valid response for a stock, mutual fund or index. Note that when stock splits are ignored (see Historical Adjustments in Charting Preferences), detrending is likely to produce negative stock values.

Invert - Chart Inversion is a post-processing feature that allows you to view or analyze market data from an alternate perspective. It is used almost exclusively for comparing correlated currency markets. There may be some benefit from inverting certain indexes or funds, so inversion is available here. Inverted prices are significantly distorted in both raw values and market direction. This feature in NOT appropriate for most markets. Inversion should only be used judiciously and with care.

Date Range

The default start and end dates are "as available," which incorporates all available data into the current chart. If you want a later start date or earlier end date, click the appropriate box and type the desired date.

The required format is an eight-digit numerical value consisting of the four-digit year, two-digit month and two-digit day, with no commas, slashes, dashes or spaces. For example, March 5, 2004 would be entered as: 20040305.

Click [OK] to display your chart(s).

See the Chart Interpretation & Manipulation chapter for information on interpretation and manipulation. Consider using the "Save to Portfolio" feature to save your charts for future use.

Choosing Stocks, Indices & Funds From List

You may choose markets from a list by clicking the [Mkts] button at the right of the "Symbols" box. The CSI Market Specs Factsheet that corresponds to the selected "Market Type" displays. You can begin every new chart directly from this screen (instead of the Selecting Data Series screen) by choosing "In Data Series Manager, choose market from Market Stats List" on the General UA Behavior 2 preferences screen.

The example below is for U.S. Stocks. You can select other market types, such as mutual funds or foreign stocks, etc., by selecting from the "Limit To Market Type" menu, explained below.

To choose from the list, click the box under the "Sel" (Select) heading for each market you wish to chart, and then click [OK].

stockfact

The following features of this screen may help you in your selection:

The Limit to Market Type box at the upper right will further classify the data to ease the selection process. Click the arrow at the right to view a menu of all possible market categories and make your selection. The choices that apply to stocks, indexes and funds are:

All Stocks and Mutual Funds

US Stock Markets

Non-US Stock Markets

World Stock Markets

Mutual Funds

Domestic Stock Index Futures

Foreign Stock Indices

World Stock Indices

Stocks With Options

CSI Stock Industry and Sectors

Stock Market Data Stored as Futures

Only those market types within your subscription category will be available to you on the Market Specs factsheet.

The "Sort By" box is found at the top left of the Market Specs screen. Click the arrow at the right side of this box to drop down a menu of sorting choices. Secondary sorting occur as identified on the Market Specs Behavior screen of UA Preferences. The "Sort By" keys that are available for stocks, funds and indexes are:

CSI Number

Symbol

Exchange

Name

Price Format

Start Date

Stop Date

Option Start Date

Option Strike Dividend

Option Price Format

Sector Code

Industry Code

Earnings Per Share

Shares Outstanding

Number Institutional Shares

Percent Institutional Shares

Stock Beta

Revenue Growth 5 Years

Dividend Growth 5 Years

Dividend Yield

Price Earnings Ratio Average 5 Year

Latest Annual Operating Revenue

Price Earnings Ratio

Has Fundamental Data

The obvious benefit of selecting a sort key is that you can pick the identifier you know to quickly find markets of interest. For example, if you know the Name, but not the CSI number, you can choose "Name" as the sort key and then easily scroll to or use "Find" (below) to reach the desired name in the sorted list. Likewise with symbol, exchange, etc.

This vast array of sorting keys also allows you to begin the process of screening investments based on your choice of parameters. For example, you could search for markets with appealing P/E ratios, dividends, earnings growth, etc. for consideration.

An alternate method for selecting the "Sort By" field is to click the heading at the top of the desired column. For example, to sort by name, click the "Name" cell at the top of the table. To reverse the sort order, click the heading again.

Find - Use this in conjunction with the "Sort By" key. Once you have selected the sorting key, enter the identifier you wish to find here. For example, if you are sorting by name, enter the name in the "Find" box. If you are sorting by CSI number, contract size or other numerical value, enter the number here. UA will locate and display your choice in the Market Spec factsheet.

If the "Find" feature does not reveal the market you desire, try the "Advanced Search" described below.

Footnotes

Be sure to check the footnotes at the bottom of the screen see if important information is available for your selected market. Click the market once to activate the footnote function.

Advanced Search

The "Find" feature shown above searches only on the beginning letters of the search string, which will usually lead you to your desired market. If it doesn't turn up your desired market, click the [Advanced Search] button at the bottom of the screen, which employs a more sophisticated search screen, shown here:

reitsearch1

Text to find:

Enter the name or description of the market you wish to find in the "Text to find" box. For this example, we entered "REIT," to view everything with this common abbreviation for Real Estate Investment Trust. The results are shown below.

You may also fine-tune your search by selecting an exchange or exchanges from the list. This is not necessary, however.

Click [Find] to start your search.

Choose Matching Market

UA will display all the markets holding the search string you entered, as in the example below for "REIT." Click the one you wish to select and click [OK].

Click [Restart Search] if your choice isn't shown and try again with a different or narrower search criteria.

reitsearch

The Market Spec factsheet will re-display with your selection visible. Click your choice(s).

When the desired markets have been selected, click [OK].

You will return to the Selecting Data Series screen, where your selections will display in the "Symbols" box. You can now complete your stock selection.