A unique feature of our charts is that they encompass both real-time and
historical data. This means that you can monitor what is happening in terms of
index value and volume at this very moment (i.e., in real-time), and you can
also go back in time to see how a specific event played out in the past – all on
one chart. This feature can become a tool for personal research. For example,
you may wish to determine how the market reacted to a certain Federal Open
Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, or how other economic news, sector upgrades and
downgrades moved (or failed to move) the market, and so on. In each instance,
you can see how volume affected index value and moved the market. It’s all
revealed on our charts.
The combined use of the {Zoom in} and {Zoom out} buttons (found at the top of
the charts) and the “scrolling arrows” (found at the charts’ very bottom) can be
used to access a particular date of interest (as far back as 1997).
To more accurately pinpoint a particular date of interest, make use of the
“crosshairs function”. You activate it by simply clicking anywhere on a chart.
Two intersecting lines will appear - a red vertical line and a black horizontal
line. The red line can be used to pinpoint a particular date (and even time of
day on the lower time frames); the black line is useful in marking off levels of
significant volume surges or important index levels. Note that at the very
bottom of the chart, roughly in the middle, a date appears; it corresponds to
the point where the red and black lines intersect. This feature allows you to
know exactly where you are on a chart. Once you are in the vicinity of a date
that interests you, use the {Zoom in} function and the scrolling arrows to get a
closer look, or reposition the crosshairs slightly.
Experiment with the {Zoom in} and {Zoom out} features, the scrolling arrows,
and the crosshairs function. It is easier done than explained.
While zooming and scrolling, also note how the content of the {Period
selector} window changes, as you progress from more recent data sets to older
data sets.
Of course, you can also gain access to a particular time period directly
through the “period selector” window. Simply select the desired time period from
the pull-down menu.
Finally, be aware that volume moving averages need to be adjusted as you
proceed from one time period to another. There is little sense in selecting a
very short-term volume moving average for a 2-year data set, for example.
We believe our historical data sets will help you analyze current trends and
anticipate future index movements.
