tactical trader

Because I found the 2005 Almanac so useful I was eagerly looking forward to the new edition. When I was asked to review it I was only too pleased to oblige.

For those of you who do not know it, this is an essential reference work for any active investor or trader with an interest in the UK markets and beyond. I can think of no other source that pulls all of this information together in such an easily usable format. Yes, we all know that just about everything can be found online for free nowadays but why waste so much time looking for it when it is all here, time that could be more profitably spent taking money from the markets?

You also have the reassurance of knowing that it is written by a very reputable and experienced author (Stephen Eckett) who shares our passion for the markets.

So what will you find in the book when you part with your hard earned cash?

First and foremost there is the diary section; month by month there is a full market review along with a considerable array of informative and useful statistics. Key dates are also clearly noted and for those moments where the mood needs to be lightened there is an amusing and insightful quote for the day.

The second main section of the Almanac is given over to an extremely useful reference section. Very often we hear terms that we are expected to understand and it is often difficult (and embarrassing) to try and find out what they mean. Your search is over because most of it is here.

The real beauty of the reference section is that there is no trivial rubbish, everything is of value. I particularly liked the section devoted to the greatest one day market falls especially as I was fully invested for most of them!

There is also a new indicator called the ‘P’ factor, it would be fascinating to trade this for a while and see how it performs, who knows, the results could even be published in the 2007 edition.

The reference section winds up with a comprehensive directory of all companies on the LSE/AIM and a very useful glossary…