The Complete Guide to Point-and-Figure Charting: The new science of an old art

The aim of this book is to explain point-and-figure charting to European investors and traders, and to show why it is the most reliable technical tool for timing entry and exit points in stocks, indices and other securities.

The book is written for all levels of trader, from the novice to the experienced. It starts by explaining the basics of point-and-figure, and by showing its advantages over other types of chart. Readers are then given step-by-step instructions on how to start a point-and-figure chart from simple price data, and how to add to it day-by-day using simple rules based on end of day highs and lows. The emphasis is on simplicity and clarity.

The section on chart interpretation introduces the basic buy and sell signals, and goes on to explain the more complex signals, in each case illustrating the pattern, and the precise entry and exit points, with colour charts from FTSE stocks and indices. It also shows how trend lines are incorporated into a chart.

The latest point-and-figure trading techniques are covered in depth. The authors show how to: use horizontal and vertical counts to estimate the size of price moves, use stop-orders to protect positions, use pyramiding to maximise profitable trends, and use swing trading in combination with p&f. They also show how to adapt your trading style to the amount of capital you have available and to your risk tolerance.

In the later sections of the book, the authors concentrate on optimisation of p&f trading and the avoidance of the most common trap - 'over-fitting' - and on analysis of the profitability of p&f trading. They demonstrate conclusively that point and figure, correctly applied, produces consistent and reliable profits across a variety of markets.

In summary, Heinrich Weber & Kermit Zieg's book is the definitive guide to the theory and application of point-and-figure charting. It is especially welcome for UK and European traders, since it uses recent charts of FTSE and European securities as examples, and includes hitherto unpublished research on p&f's applicability to European securities.

Heinrich Weber is a co-founder of and served as CEO of the pan-European options market-making firm Servisen Trading/QT Optec.

Subsequent to the sale of his share in QT Optec, Weber became a partner and risk manager of the Eurex member firm DeTraCo in Switzerland. Moreover, he provided specific consulting in the securities area, some of which was conducted jointly with Dr. Kermit Zieg, co-author with Heinrich of 'The Complete Guide to Point & Figure Charting'. Together they have published a second book, 'The Complete Guide to Nondirectional Trading'.

Later in his career, Heinrich became an advisor to Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients, entrepreneurs, old-money and family offices. For many years Heinrich advised UHNW clients and family offices for one of the leading wealth managers, where he was also responsible for a team of UHNW-bankers. Currently, he is an Executive Vice President at one of the oldest Swiss private banks, where his main task is to advise UHNW clients and manage their assets.

Heinrich studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland. He holds the Certificate of Lifelong Executive Education from IMD, Lausanne, as well as the Certificate of Quantitative Finance (CQF). He is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and a Professional Risk Manager (PRM).

He lives with his wife and two young daughters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Kermit Zieg has written nine books and numerous articles on investment strategy. His two major areas of trading and research interest are point-and-figure charting and options. In his study of point-and-figure charting conducted continuously since 1961, he has run thousands of tests (back tested and live), and numerous what-if simulations.

Dr Zieg is a Full Professor of Finance and Investments at Florida Institute of Technology’s National Capital Region campus in Alexandria, Virginia. He keeps his finger on the pulse of the markets through active trading of options, using point-and-figure in all of his decision-making. He travels extensively, training, lecturing, consulting and serving as an expert witness.

He lives in Vienna, Virginia.