Technical Analysis v. Fundamental Analysis: Difference?

Technical Analysis v. Fundamental Analysis

Technical Analysis operates on the theory that market prices at any given point in time reflect all known factors affecting supply and demand for a particular market. Consequently, technical analysis focuses, not on evaluating those factors directly, but on an analysis of market prices themselves. This approach theorize that a detailed analysis of, among other things, actual daily, weekly and monthly price fluctuations is the most effective means of attempting to capitalize on the future course of price movements. Technical strategies generally utilize a series of mathematical measurements and calculations designed to monitor market activity. Trading decisions are based on signals generated by charts, manual calculations, computers or their combinations.

Fundamental Analysis is based on the study of factors external to the trading markets which affect the supply and demand of a particular market. It is in stark contrast to technical analysis since it focuses, not on price but on factors like weather, government policies, domestic and foreign political and economic events and changing trade prospects. Fundamental analysis theorizes that by monitoring relevant supply and demand factors for a particular market, a state of current or potential disequilibrium of market conditions may be identified before the state has been reflected in the price level of that market. Fundamental analysis assumes that markets are imperfect, that information is not instantaneously assimilated or disseminated and that econometric models can be constructed to generate equilibrium prices, which may indicate that current prices are inconsistent with underlying economic conditions, and will, accordingly, change in the future.

Another definition of Fundamental Analysis:

Fundamental Analysis is an approach to analyzing market behavior that stresses the study of underlying factors of supply and demand. It is done in the belief that such analysis will enable one to profit by being able to anticipate price trends. A Fundamentalist is a market observer-and/or participant who relies principally on Supply/demand considerations in price forecasting. Components of Fundamental Analysis:

Supply:

• Weather
• Acres planted to a crop
• Government Programs
• USDA Reports

Demand:

• USDA Reports
• Domestic usage - Feed & processing
• Value of the Dollar
• Actions of Other Countries
• Exports
• Transportation

How do Trend Follower's view fundamentals for trading? Not favorably...