Q: I noticed a new link for a "Printable PDF Version" on some of your Chart School articles. What are PDFs, and how do I print them?

A: After numerous user requests for a more printer-friendly version of our Chart School articles, we have added PDF versions of the entire "What is Technical Analysis?" section. PDF stands for Portable Document Format and allows for easy printing and viewing offline. PDF files can be viewed in both Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer. To view and print PDF files, you need to download the FREE (that's right folks, free) Acrobat Reader tool available from Adobe. Once you have Acrobat Reader installed on your machine, all you have to do is click on the link in the article and print it off.

Happy Printing!
Kellie Erlandson

Q:Some of the charts in the PDF version of the Chart School articles don't print clearly. Is there anything I can do to make them better?

A: Most definitely. There are a number of settings within Acrobat Reader which allow you to adjust the appearance of the document you are trying to print. The settings are located in the 'Print' window that appears when you go to print a document. If you are experienceing blurred or fuzzy charts, you can check (or uncheck) the "Print as Image" box and try printing. If the document is being cut off on one side, or the charts are being stretched, you can check (or uncheck) the "Fit to Page" box. If you try both options, and you are still seeing problems with the document, please send us feedback.

Thanks!
Kellie Erlandson

Q: Could you add an "email this to a friend " button to the scan pages? I wanted to send the page which showed all the bullish MACD stocks to a friend.

A: Although we have "email this page" links on our expert articles and now on our SharpCharts pages, we don't yet have them on every page on the site. But -- you can still email links! Most popular browsers include a "Send Page" command under their "File" menu that will do what you suggest. Or, just copy the URL from the web address line at the top of your browser window, and paste it into an email message. It's a bit more work, but won't it be worth it when your friend rewards you with heart-felt gratitude because you passed the word about StockCharts.com?

Take care
Anita Rowland

Q: When viewing Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) for different periods, like 3, 10, 20, 45, I see that it could be positive for a 3- or 10-day period but is negative for 45 days. It might be green for 4 or 5 months but goes negative past 1 or 2 months. But, then when I look at a short period and it's positive, does that mean starting to get buying pressure and best to wait for longer period to go positive? I'm not clear on how to interpret CMF with different time periods.

A: The time period set for CMF and most indicators should be based on your trading/investing style and time horizon. Traders with 1-3 week time horizons would probably prefer 10 days, while investors with 3-6 month time horizons might prefer 45 days. The more days in the look-back period, the more lag in the indicator. Below is a chart with a number of different CMF settings.

(Current version of this chart)

Think of the 1-day CMF as the base for the indicator. A 10-day CMF would combine the last 10 days for CMF (1) values, which includes both positive and negative readings. A 20-day CMF would combine the last 20 CMF (1) values. The 45-day CMF has the longest look-back period and the biggest lag. It is therefore best suited for those with long-term outlooks.

Another twist is the Accumulation Distribution Line, which is like a cumulative total of the 1-day CMF from the beginning (whereas CMF is only for a set look-back period). When CMF (1) is positive the line rises and when CMF (1) is negative it declines. I personally have always been partial to the Accumulation Distribution Line.

In addition, keep in mind that Chaikin Money Flow and Accumulation Distribution Line are but two indicators among many. Other aspects of technical analysis, including the price chart and momentum, should be considered.

Cheers
Arthur Hill