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Getting Started with MetaStock® End of Day and MetaStock® Professional Version 10.1-x
Printed in the USA All Rights Reserved Copyright © 1985-2008 Equis International 90 South 400 West Suite 620 Salt Lake City, UT USA 84101 http://www.equis.com
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Except as permitted by law, no part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted by any process or means without the prior written consent of Equis International (Equis). Equis, by publishing this document, does not guarantee that any information contained herein is and will remain accurate or that use of the information will ensure correct and faultless operation of the relevant product or service. Equis provides its products and services as tools to be used by investors who are aware of the risk inherent in securities trading, not as recommendations to buy or sell. Equis, its agents, affiliates, and employees shall not be held liable to or through any user for any loss or damage whatsoever resulting from reliance on the information contained within this document or through the use of Equis products or services.
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Table of Contents Introduction
1
Welcome to MetaStock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Key concepts for this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Installing MetaStock
5
Installation Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MetaStock and Firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. The Basics
9
Key Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Before We Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Updating your Symbol Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Adding additional securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Choosing Local, Online, or On-Demand Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Opening a Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Plotting an Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Drawing a Line Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Deleting Line Studies and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Backing up MetaStock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Backing up only your personal files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Backing up formulas without MetaStock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Learning More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4. Charts
23
Working with Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Changing the Price Plot style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Zooming in and out on a chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Changing beginning or end dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Controlling the periods displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5. Indicators and Line Studies
29
Understanding Indicators and Line Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Line Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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EoD 6. Power Tools
33
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 The Enhanced System Tester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 The Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 The Expert Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Docking and undocking the Commentary window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Viewing the commentaries for other bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Understanding Chart Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 The Indicator Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
7. The DownLoader
55
Entering Your Data Vendor User ID and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Understanding Security Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Key concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Why use security files? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Creating a New Security File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Creating multiple security files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Saving security files in different folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Downloading Data Into a Security File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
8. Getting Help
69
Accessing the built-in Help system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Contacting Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Current Support Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Equis Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Online Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Email and Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Response times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Additional resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
9. MetaStock Data Vendor Options
73
QuoteCenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Available Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Reuters DataLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Available Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
ii • Table of Contents
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EoD
Introduction
Welcome to MetaStock Congratulations! You are about to learn how to use MetaStock, voted “best trading software” sixteen years in a row by Stocks and Commodities magazine, and considered an essential tool by thousands of successful traders. MetaStock is the ultimate technical analysis toolbox, complete with all the tools you need to get started, and with all the tools you need to grow as far as you desire as a trader! Here are just a few of the things you can do with MetaStock: • Analyze thousands of stocks with the touch of a button • Create, update, and customize charts for all the securities you’re following • Apply multiple line studies and indicators to your charts • Watch for automatic buy/sell signals • Get expert advice for any security you want • Make emotion-free decisions based on data and past performance The possibilities are limited only by your desire to get the most out of MetaStock. This manual and the User Guide are designed to help you do just that.
About this Manual This manual is designed to get you up and running with MetaStock as quickly as possible. So if you’re ready to start right now (and you’ve already installed MetaStock), jump to “The Basics” on page 9. This manual will walk you through the tasks that are at the heart of MetaStock. These step-by-step instructions leave out a lot of background information so you can get started using MetaStock right now. For the complete explanations, see the MetaStock User Guide.
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EoD Key concepts for this manual The table below provides a brief description of some of the more significant terms and concepts discussed in this manual. For more information on any of the items in this table or in this manual as a whole, see the MetaStock User Guide.
Term
Explanation
Chart
A graphical representation of security prices along with any accompanying indicators and line studies. This allows you to perform a visual interpretation of a security’s trading data. In MetaStock, a chart is contained within a single window. This main window is divided into one or more inner windows where the prices and indicators are plotted.
Data on demand Data that is stored remotely on your data vendor’s servers is called online data. (Online Data) Online data is accessed through MetaStock’s DataOnDemand™ technology. You choose a symbol from the online data vendor shortcut, or if you already have a chart open, just type the symbol. The data flows instantly from your data vendor through the Internet to your chart.
2 •
End-of-day data
Data that is delivered at the end of the trading day. Because this does not involve the overhead of real-time data, it is often less expensive to subscribe to.
Indicator
A mathematical calculation applied to a security’s price, volume or even to another indicator. This creates a value used to anticipate future changes in prices. In MetaStock indicators are overlaid in the base security’s inner window or plotted in a separate inner window.
Layouts
A graphical representation of one or more securities in one or more windows. This groups charts into one manageable unit containing price plots, line studies, text, and more.
Local data
Data that is stored on your hard drive is called local data. To view local data, you must first create a security file, then download the data through real-time collection with MetaStock Professional or end-of-day collection with The DownLoader. Some people refer to this type of data as “static” data, as it is not being updated in real time. Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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EoD Term
Explanation
Security files
Anything traded through an exchange. This includes stocks, bonds, futures, commodities and more. In MetaStock, each security is represented by a separate security file. This does not mean that each share of Apple has its own file, but rather there is one file that holds all the information on the trade price and volume of Apple stock.
Smart Chart
A special type of chart that uses a special template and is automatically saved linked to a security name or symbol.
Symbol database
A list of security names and ticker symbols MetaStock uses to identify the name and ticker symbol of securities
Templates
A template contains all the information in a chart or layout except the base security. You can apply a template to either an existing chart or when loading a chart.
The DownLoader A MetaStock utility used to collect data from an end-of-day data vendor, and for data maintenance such as editing, merging, deleting, and sorting security data files.
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EoD Usage conventions The following conventions are used in this and all the MetaStock manuals:
Use
Example
Menu Item / File> Open> New Selection Path
4 •
Explanation In the File menu, select the item labelled “Open”, and then the one labelled “New”.
Text on screen
The name of the The box labeled chart appears in the “Chart Name” displays the name of the chart. Chart Name box.
User Typed Text
Enter My_Chart in In the box labeled the Chart Name “Chart Name”, type the text “My_Chart”. box.
Button
Click OK.
Click the button labeled “OK”.
Click
Click OK.
Click the button labeled “OK”.
Double-click
Double-click on the In the list displayed on the MACD entry in the screen, click twice rapidly with the left mouse button. list.
Variable name
Clicking OK opens Clicking OK opens the the <Name> settings settings dialog for the feature specified. dialog. (This convention is used when the name may change but the function stays the same.)
Select
Select the security you want to add to the exploration.
Click once on the displayed name of the security to highlight it. (The background of the highlighted item will change color to show that it has been selected.)
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EoD
2
Installing MetaStock Installing MetaStock is a simple process that should only take a few minutes.
Installation Instructions To install MetaStock from a CD: 1. Insert the MetaStock Program CD into your drive. The setup should start automatically if the Windows “auto run” feature is enabled on your computer. Note: If the autorun feature of Windows is not enabled on your computer:
a. Click the Windows Start button and choose the Run command. b. Type “D:\SETUP.EXE” in the Open box and click OK. (“D” represents the letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive. If this drive has a different letter, use that letter instead of “D”.) 2. Follow the on-screen instructions. You will be prompted for a Setup key. Your Setup key is included on the order invoice form that was sent to you via email, as well as on the CD case.
To install MetaStock from a download: IMPORTANT: Instructions for downloading MetaStock, as well as your setup and activation key numbers were sent to you by email when you purchased or registered MetaStock. Once you have downloaded the MetaStock installation application, you will need to complete the following steps: 1. Use the Windows Explorer to locate the downloaded installation program. Here are the current version filenames (you should only have one of these files): MS##EOD.exe MS##EODSub.exe MSeSignal##Pro.exe Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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EoD MSQC##ProBundle.exe MSQC##ProSubBundle.exe MSQC##ProFXBundle.exe MSQC##ProFxSubBundle.exe Note: The ## will be the version number for your MetaStock release.
2. Double-click on the program name to run it. The setup will start automatically. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. 4. You will be prompted for a Setup Key. Your Setup key is included on the order invoice form that was sent to you via email and is also listed on the “My Downloads” web page that you can view by logging into your www.equis.com web account.
To activate your MetaStock license: 1. The first time you run MetaStock after you install it, you will be asked to activate your license. Although this process is self explanatory, the document “License Manager.pdf” located in the MetaStock installation directory, and the FAQ located at www.equis.com/activationfaq provide additional explanations if you require them. 2. To activate your MetaStock license, you will need the activation license number included on the order confirmation form that was sent to you via email.
IMPORTANT: While you can install the MetaStock software without activating it with your license number, if you do not activate MetaStock you will not be able to use it beyond the demonstration period. If you do not have your license activation number, call MetaStock Technical Support. See page 70 for the Support telephone numbers.
6 • Installing MetaStock
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EoD
MetaStock and Firewalls In order for you to reliably get data into MetaStock, you need to configure your firewall to permit that data to pass. While it is beyond the scope of this manual or Equis International to tell you how to configure your specific firewall, here are the ports and applications that need to be permissioned (granted safe passage) though your firewall. If you are uncertain how to configure your firewall, please contact the company who manufactured your firewall. Note: If you have more than one firewall operating (for example, a hardware firewall that is part of your DSL modem and a software firewall on the computer you are running MetaStock on), you will probably need to grant these permissions on both firewalls.
Reuters DataLink For Reuters DataLink you need to permit the following address and port to contact and receive information from the internet: quotes.reutersdatalink.com:7983 (or 7989) Depending on the configuration and nature of your firewall, you may also need to permission the following executables; they can all be found in the subdirectories under C:\Program Files\Equis\: • mswin.exe • dlwin.exe • qcenter.exe
QuoteCenter and MetaStock Professional For QuoteCenter and MetaStock Professional you need to permit the following address and port to contact and receive information from the internet: advanced.bridge.com:14000
Depending on the configuration and nature of your firewall, you may also need to permission the following executables; they can all be found in the subdirectories under C:\Program Files\Equis\: • mswin.exe • dlwin.exe • qcenter.exe • bfdaemon.exe • rbws.exe • eqdatsrv.exe • eqfilsrv.exe
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EoD
8 â&#x20AC;˘ Installing MetaStock
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3
The Basics
Key Concepts To begin using MetaStock, you only need to know two mouse techniques: Right-clicking. Clicking the right –or secondary– mouse button on almost anything in MetaStock opens a context menu that gives you access to commands and information about that object. Drag and drop. You can move or copy almost any object (line study, stock price display, etc.) from one window to a second window simply by selecting it and then dragging the selected object to the second window.
Before We Begin • Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet. • Make sure that you have entered your user ID and password for your data provider into MetaStock. See the instructions on page 10 for explicit directions. You will only need to do this once.
To run MetaStock: 1. Click the Windows Start button and select Programs. 2. Select the Equis International group. 3. Select MetaStock Professional or MetaStock. (The name displayed depends on the installed version.) Note: From here on, menu selections will be indicated by a “>”. As an example, the above instructions would be presented as: Start> Programs> Equis International> MetaStock. The first time you run MetaStock, you’ll see a “Tip of the Day” that advises you to read this manual. Just click Close to get it out of the way for now. After you close the Tip of the Day, you’ll see a message box asking you if you want to run through the MetaStock tutorials. 4. Click Later. You can always go back to the tutorials. A link to the tutorials is located in the MetaStock Help menu.
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EoD To enter your User ID and password into MetaStock: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Start MetaStock. Select Tools> Options. Click on the tab that has the name of your data vendor on it. Enter your User ID and password in the appropriate fields. Click Advanced. Enter the appropriate address and port in the matching fields. (See MetaStock and Firewalls on page 7 for this information.) 7. Click OK to close this dialog, and then click OK again to close the Options dialog.
Updating your Symbol Database Symbols available for real-time or end-of-day collection can be found in the Symbol Database. This database contains the most recent lists of security symbols used by MetaStock. At the start of every month, the Symbol Database is updated on the Equis International web site, so at least once a month you should update your symbol database. You should also update this before you run MetaStock for the first time.
To update your symbol database: 1. Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet. 2. Open MetaStock. 3. Select Tools> Update Symbol Database. A dialog will appear displaying the progress of the update. When the update is complete, the dialog will tell you 4. Click Close. Note: Although it does not hurt to do it more often, you should only need to update your symbol database once a month. Equis updates the symbol database at the start of each month. 5. Restart MetaStock. MetaStock reads the symbol database on startup, so you need to restart it in order to view the updated symbol lists.
10 â&#x20AC;˘ The Basics
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EoD Adding additional securities The MetaStock Symbol Database is as accurate as possible, but new symbols may be added after the monthly publication on the web site. If you are unable to find a specific symbol in the Symbol Database, you can create a local security by typing the symbol into the New Security dialog. You can also add the symbol to the Symbol Database by choosing New Symbol while the Symbol Database dialog is displayed. If you have a chart open and type a symbol that is not in the database, the New Symbol dialog will appear automatically. The next time you update the Symbol Database by using the Update Symbol Database command, any new symbols you have added will not be removed from the database. For more information on adding securities, refer to the chapter titled “The DownLoader Menu Commands” in the User Guide.
IMPORTANT: You will need to restart MetaStock (or The DownLoader) in order to view the updated symbol lists, as both only read the symbol database when they start.
Choosing Local, Online, or On-Demand Data Before you can look at a chart, you must have data. Security data can include Open, High, Low, Close, Volume, and Open Interest information for a specific security for a set time period. MetaStock can use price data that is stored on your local hard drive, or stored remotely on a computer at your data vendor.
Real-time Data MetaStock Professional (and MetaStock Professional FX) allows you to view intraday data that is collected and stored (cached) on your hard drive as the trades are recorded. End-of-day data is based on the high, low, open, close, and volume for an entire trading day. Intraday data (real-time) is based on trades as they occur throughout the day.
Local Data Data that is stored on your hard drive is called local data. To view local data, you must first create a security file, then collect the data through real-time collection with MetaStock Professional or end-of-day collection with The DownLoader. (See “The DownLoader” on page 55 for information on this utility.)
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EoD Online Data Data that is stored remotely at your data vendor is called online data, and is accessed through MetaStock’s DataOnDemand™ technology. DataOnDemand allows you to display a chart of intraday or end-of-day data that is stored in a database on a remote computer.
You simply choose a symbol from the online data vendor shortcut, or if you already have a chart open, just type the symbol. The data flows instantly from your data vendor through the Internet to your chart. This information is cached on your hard drive, but the main storage location is the remote computer at your data vendor.
Local Data button Click here to display a list of securities supplied with locally-stored data
Online Data Vendor button Click here to display a list of securities supplied with online data
12 • The Basics
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EoD
Opening a Chart Almost everything you will ever want to do in MetaStock you will do using a chart window.
To open a chart: 1. In MetaStock, select File> Open. The Open dialog appears. 2. In the list at the left of the dialog, click the Local Data button.
Local Data button
3. Click in the Look in: box, and select the C:\MetaStock Data\Sample folder. A list of securities appears, including stocks, indices, and mutual funds. There are also a folder at the top of the list. Ignore the folder for now. 4. Scroll down to find some common stocks (no $$ symbol before the name) and select one by clicking on it.
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EoD or Type a stock’s symbol in the Symbol box.
The Symbol box
5. Click Open.
Open button
6. The stock’s chart appears, with the most recent data available to you. That’s it. Now that we’ve got a chart open, let’s plot an indicator on it, and then draw a line study on it.
14 • The Basics
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EoD
Plotting an Indicator Indicators are explained in more detail in “Indicators” on page 29.
To plot an indicator: The following procedure explains how to apply an indicator to a chart. In this example, you will select Relative Strength Index, but the principle is the same for any indicator. 1. With a chart open, click the Indicator QuickList (centered at the top of the screen).
Click here
The list expands to show several indicators. Note: There are other methods you can use to select a line study; see the MetaStock User Guide for these methods. 2. Scroll down until you see the Relative Strength Index.
Scroll to the desired indicator
3. Hold the cursor over the QuickList; it changes from an arrow to a hand.
Cursor turns to hand
4. Now click and hold the left mouse button on the Relative Strength Index. The hand closes, like it is holding on to something.
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EoD 5. While holding the left mouse button down, drag the cursor over the title bar at the top of the chart (where the security’s name appears).
Cursor turns to “transfer” form
6. Release the mouse button. The Relative Strength Index Properties dialog appears.
7. Click OK. 8. The indicator appears in a new inner window directly above the existing chart.
Chart of new indicator in a new inner window
Indicators are explained in more detail in Chapter 5 - Indicators and Line Studies on page 29, and also in the MetaStock User Guide. 16 • The Basics
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Drawing a Line Study Lines studies are one of the most popular tools in MetaStock. They help you see trends and patterns in a chart, which can give you an edge when making trading decisions. The following example shows you how to draw a simple trendline.
To draw a line study: 1. Open a chart (if one isn’t already open). On the left side of your screen you’ll see a vertical row of buttons. Note: There are other methods you can use to select a line study; see the MetaStock User Guide for these methods. 2. Click the one that looks like a diagonal line. This is the Trendline tool.
Click this button
When you move the cursor back over the chart, you will see that it has changed; it now looks like a pencil. Every tool has its own cursor, so you know what tool you are working with.
Trendline cursor
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EoD 3. In the chart, click and hold the left mouse button down at a low point on the security graph.
Click here
Hint: When you see the yellow information box appear, you are over that point on the security graph. 4. While holding the mouse button down, move the cursor to the right. A line appears as you drag the cursor.
Draw line to here
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EoD 5. Release the mouse button; the line remains where you drew it.
Finished trendline
And that’s how you draw a line study. There are several other line studies you can use, see Chapter 5 - Indicators and Line Studies, or read the chapter titled “Working with Line Studies” in the MetaStock User Guide.
Deleting Line Studies and Indicators Sometimes you may want to remove a line study or an indicator from a chart. In MetaStock this is easy, as MetaStock uses standard windows conventions. There are three main ways to remove a line study or indicator: • Select the line study or indicator you want to delete, and press DELETE on your keyboard. • Select the line study or indicator you want to delete, and press CTRL+X on your keyboard. • Right-click on the line study or indicator you want to delete, and select Delete from the context menu.
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EoD To delete all line studies on a chart: What if you want to get rid of all the lines youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve drawn all over your chart? 1. Select Edit> Delete All. The Delete All dialog appears.
Mark this box
2. Mark the Line Studies checkbox. 3. Click OK. Your chart goes back to how it looked before you added any lines. Marking the Indicators checkbox would remove all the indicators as well.
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Backing up MetaStock As with any program, it is wise to back up the things you value in it. While the price data can be retrieved at any time, your charts, layouts, and custom indicators are stored only on your computer.
To make a complete backup of MetaStock: To make a complete backup, simply back up the following two directories and their subfolders: • C:/Program Files/Equis/ and • C:/MetaStock Data/ Note: If you have stored data elsewhere you will want to back that up as well!
Backing up only your personal files (Charts, Layouts, Formulas, Indicators, Experts, Explorations etc.)
If you want to back up only the files you have modified, follow these steps.
To back up only your charts and layouts: 1. Close MetaStock. 2. On your Windows Desktop, click My Computer. 3. Navigate down to the folder C:/Program Files/Equis/MetaStock/Charts. 4. Right-click on this folder and select Copy from the context menu. 5. Locate the folder you want to use for storing the backups. 6. Right-click on this folder and select Paste from the context menu. Note: If you are backing up to a removable drive, remember to insert the drive before attempting to paste the copied files.
To back up formulas, indicators, experts, explorations, and the like: 1. Open MetaStock. 2. Select Tools> Indicator Builder. 3. Click Organizer, and select Export. For each of the formula-based tools, select the items you want to be exported for backup. 4. Specify the location you wish to export the files to. Note: You can password protect them here if you want, but we advise you not to do so unless you are distributing them and want to keep the formulas private. Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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EoD 5. Click OK. This will create new files with the appropriate files in the folder you specified. 6. Once you have exported the files, you can then back up this location. Note: This procedure will not overwrite any existing files, so the folder specified should not have any other formula files in it.
To import exported files to a system: 1. Open MetaStock. 2. Select Tools> Indicator Builder. 3. Click Organizer, and select Import. For each of the formula-based tools, select the items you want to be imported. 4. Specify the location you wish to import the files from. All the formula files, experts, explorations, and system tests will be read from and added to the current location of MetaStock. If you already have formulas, experts, explorations, and system tests of the same name in MetaStock, you will be asked if you want to replace them. If you say yes, the import will finish, overwriting the formulas of the same name. If you say no, the import will be halted with nothing being added.
Backing up formulas without MetaStock In case MetaStock is not working, or you can only access the computer in DOS mode, copy the following files to a backup device: Ms##expl.dta, Ms##expt.dta, Ms##form.dta, and ST_DATA.MDB, as well as the folder titled Experts. These files are located in the MetaStock installation folder. By default this is C:\Program Files\Equis\MetaStock.
Note: For each version of MetaStock, you will need to change the ## to the version number for your release. You can then use the import steps to import the formulas back to your new system.
Learning More This is only the beginning of what MetaStock can help you with. As you use MetaStock, you’ll learn and develop new skills through trial and error, experimentation, and referring to the online help system, the User Guide, and this “Getting Started” manual. The help section titled Getting Help on page 69 provides pointers to other resources. 22 • The Basics
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4
Charts Charts are the most integral and visible components of MetaStock, and MetaStock’s charts come equipped with many useful tools. Indicators and Line Studies are two of the most popular tools people use with charts, and they have their own chapter (on page 29). This chapter covers some of the other things you can do.
Working with Charts By default, charts are divided into two main windows. The larger upper window displays the security’s price plot, and the smaller window beneath it displays the security’s trading volume.
Price plot
Volume plot
Changing the Price Plot style The price plot is the line formed on the chart by the security’s price information. You can change many aspects of the price plot’s appearance, including style (line, bar, candlestick, etc.), color, and line thickness.
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EoD To change the Price Plot style: 1. With a chart open in MetaStock, select Format> Prices. or Right-click on the price plot and select <security name> Properties from the context menu. The securityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Properties dialog appears.
2. Change the Price style, Colors, or line Weight settings to the values you want, and click OK.
Zooming in and out on a chart Sometimes you want to see a small section of a chart up close. There are several ways to zoom in.
To use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons: Click the Zoom In or Zoom Out buttons in the lower right corner of the chart to zoom the entire chart.
Zoom Buttons
Alternatively, you can hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and scroll your mouse wheel up or down.
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EoD To use the Zoom Box button: To zoom in on a particular section of the chart, 1. Click the Zoom Box button on the toolbar. Zoom Box button
2. Click and drag a rectangle around the area you want to zoom in on.
Selected area (indicated by dotted line)
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EoD 3. Release the mouse button; the chart will zoom in on the selected area.
Changing beginning or end dates Suppose you’re looking at a chart, and you want to see data from a date before the earliest date on the chart. The easiest way to do this is to right-click on the x-axis (the line of dates/times at the bottom of the chart), select X-axis Properties from the context menu, and then enter the desired dates.
Caution: Do not do this on a Layout, if the Retain scale option is selected, as this will lock in the dates and can produce unexpected results. The preferred way to do this in this case is to use the technique discussed on page 27. Alternatively, you can close the chart, then reopen it. You can give it a new start date in the Open dialog. Anything you’ve added to the chart (line studies, for example) will still be there when you re-open the chart.
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EoD To change the chart dates: 1. Close the chart youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working in. 2. Select File> Open. The Open dialog appears. Make sure either the local data or your data vendor button (on the left side of the dialog, below the Favorites button) is selected. This example uses local data.
Local Data button
Data Vendor button
3. In the Open dialog, click Options. Options button
4. Select Load Options.
Select this
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EoD The Load Options dialog appears.
5. 6. 7. 8.
The two controls you want to work with are the Load periods and Display periods controls. The Load periods control determines how many periods are loaded into memory when the chart is opened. The Display periods control determines how many periods are shown in the chart. For most daily data, 250 periods is approximately 1 year’s worth of trades. Increase the number in the display ___ periods box to 350. Click OK. This dialog closes and returns you to the Open dialog. Select the security from the list, or type the security’s symbol in the Symbol box. Click Open. The security’s chart opens with more periods displayed on the chart. (You may have to scroll left to see the new periods.)
Controlling the periods displayed Another approach is to tell MetaStock how many periods to show (or what start and end dates to use) each time you open a chart.
To set the number of periods displayed: 1. In the Load Options dialog, select Prompt for dates when chart is opened. If this control is active when you open a chart, you will get this prompting dialog:
This allows you to either enter a specific numbers of periods or specific first and last dates. 2. Click OK to accept your changes. The chart will open displaying the selected time range. 28 • Charts
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5
Indicators and Line Studies
Understanding Indicators and Line Studies Indicators An indicator is a mathematical formula that uses a security’s data to generate a numerical value, which you can then use to anticipate future changes in price. For example, the Average True Range indicator’s formula calculates the average of three values over a range of dates: • The distance from today’s high to today’s low. • The distance from yesterday’s close to today’s high. • The distance from yesterday’s close to today’s low. The result is just a number plotted on a graph. So what do you do with that graph once you’ve got it? You interpret it. You can find several books about technical analysis at your bookstore, and most of them will contain information about interpreting volatility indicators. (The Average True Range indicator is a volatility indicator.) Interpreting indicators is a mixture of art and science, and is too involved for this manual to cover. But MetaStock’s help system and User Guide includes help topics for each indicator provided, and some suggested reading materials to help you learn more. Note: There are two general classes of indicators — those that are plot-based (their value is tied directly to the security’s price), and those that are range- based (their value is not tied to the security’s price, but to some other metric). While MetaStock experts can place both on the same chart, we strongly recommend that you insert the range-based indicators into their own inner window in the chart window. See the section titled Inner Windows in the chapter titled “Customizing a Chart's Appearance” in the MetaStock User Guide for more information. For step-by-step instructions that show you how to plot an indicator, see Plotting an Indicator on page 15.
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EoD Line Studies Line studies are shapes and lines you draw on a chart to help identify patterns and interpret price or indicator movement. A simple example is the trendline, which we can use to identify a security’s resistance level. There are two types of line studies: those that are line-based and those that aren’t. Line studies that are line-based require you to click and drag a line between a starting and ending point to draw the line study. Those that are not line-based appear as soon as the mouse pointer is inside an inner window. A mouse click anchors the line study. Take a look at the following chart:
Horizontal Trendline
Where’s the support level? You can see it’s somewhere just below 10700.00, but a horizontal trendline makes it much easier to see.
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EoD You can also draw trendlines at an angle:
Angled Trendline
These are just two examples of line studies. There are dozens more, with dozens of ways to interpret them. Again, describing how to interpret line studies is beyond this manual, but MetaStockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online help is a great place to start. And there are lots of technical analysis books that will help, too. Several are listed in at the back of the MetaStock User Guide. For step-by-step instructions on how to draw a line study, see Drawing a Line Study on page 17.
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6
Power Tools
Overview MetaStock offers a set of Power Tools that make the most of MetaStock’s number-crunching power. The Power Tools are: • The Enhanced System Tester • The Explorer • The Expert Advisor • The Indicator Builder They’re called Power Tools for a reason. They do a lot of work for you and generate lots of information you can use to make more informed decisions. This chapter introduces you to the general idea and purpose behind each Power Tool, and walks you through a simple tutorial for each one. When you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get into some serious backtesting and writing your own formulas, consult the MetaStock User Guide and the online help system. These contain more detailed information to help you on your way.
The Enhanced System Tester System testing involves the development and testing of trading systems to determine the systems’ historical profitability. System testing helps to answer the question, “If I had traded this security using these trading rules, how successful would I have been?” The Enhanced System Tester also shows you which securities work well with which systems. MetaStock comes with dozens of ready-made systems you can use to backtest against securities. With the Enhanced System Tester, you can: • Test one system on one security • Test many systems on one security • Test one system on many securities • Test many systems on many securities The following tutorial shows you how to test many systems on many securities. It’s pretty easy once you know how, and the other scenarios described above are even easier by comparison.
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EoD To use the Enhanced System Tester:
Enhanced System Tester toolbar button
1. Select Tools> Enhanced System Tester or Click the Enhanced System Tester toolbar button. The Enhanced System Tester opens. Systems List
Summary
Simulation List
The Enhanced System Tester is divided into three main parts: the Systems list (on the left side), the Summary (upper right), and the Trading Simulations list (lower right). 2. In the Systems list, select Equis - Directional Movement Expert System.
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EoD 3. Press and hold the CTRL key and select Equis - MACD Expert System. You now have two systems selected.
Click here Click here
4. Click New Simulation. (Located at the bottom of the Enhanced System Tester dialog). 5. The Perform Trading Simulation wizard appears with Equis - Directional Movement - Expert System and Equis - MACD - Expert System already selected on the “Select Systems” screen.
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EoD 6. Click Next. The Select Securities screen appears.
7. Click Add Securities. The Add Securities dialog appears. It looks and works just like the Open dialog described on page 13. 8. Click Local Data, then select the MetaStock Data\Sample folder.
Select Sample here
Click here
9. Scroll down until you see symbols that do not start with “$$”.
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EoD 10. Highlight the next security in the list by clicking on it, then hold the SHIFT key and click the lowest security displayed in the list window. This selects approximately a dozen securities. (You can select more or fewer securities if you want to.)
11. Click Open. The securities are selected, and you are returned to the Perform Trading Simulation wizard.
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EoD 12. Click Start. (Clicking Next at this point opens a configuration window you do not need for this exercise.) The Enhanced System Tester disappears, and a small window appears in the lower right corner of the screen. This shows you some information about the test being performed: how long it has been running, the most recent result, and the latest “most profitable” result. When the test is complete, a View Results link appears in the window.
Click here
13. Click View Results. The Test View appears. The graph at the top shows each system’s average net profit.
In this example you can see that the Equis - MACD - Expert System had the highest average net profit.
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EoD 14. In the lower half of the screen, double-click on Equis - MACD - Expert System. The Test View for this simulation appears. The graph at the top shows the net profit for each security tested with the Equis - MACD - Expert System system.
In this example, you can see that #2 (AMR Corp) had the best net profit (the tallest green bar).
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EoD 15. Double-click the entry for it in the lower half of the screen. The Result Details View appears.
Note: Your results may be different than what is shown here. If so, pick the stock that had the best net profit, and double-click on it. The Result Details View contains five tabs, reporting detailed information about how the stock performed using the Equis - MACD -Expert System. To learn what all these reports mean, refer to the Enhanced System Tester section of the MetaStock User Guide or search MetaStock’s online help system for keyword Enhanced System Tester. 16. Close the Enhanced System Tester by clicking the “X” in the upper right corner.
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EoD
The Explorer The Explorer finds good matches between systems and securities. It actually does a lot more (this is explained in the MetaStock User Manual’s “Ranking and Screening Securities” chapter), but the following tutorial will get you started.
To use the Explorer: Explorer toolbar button
1. In MetaStock, select Tools> The Explorer, or click the Explorer toolbar button. The Explorer dialog appears.
You see a list of explorations, but how do you know what they’re supposed to do? 4
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EoD 2. Click Edit to find out more about an exploration. (If something asks you for a password, just click Cancel.)
3. Clicking Edit opens the Exploration Editor dialog, where a brief description of the exploration appears in the Notes section. 4. When you’re finished reading the description, click Cancel. 5. In The Explorer dialog, scroll down in the list, and select Equis - MACD - Expert System.
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EoD 6. Click Options. The Explorer Options dialog appears.
7. Select Load _____ Records and enter 1000. 8. Click OK. 9. Click Explore. The Select Securities dialog appears. By default it is empty — you will need to tell it what securities you want it to examine.
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EoD 10. Click Add Securities. The Add Securities dialog appears.
Select Sample here
Click here
11. Click Local Data, then select the MetaStock Data\Sample folder. 12. Scroll down until you see symbols that do not start with “$$”. 13. Select the next security in the list by clicking on it, then hold the SHIFT key and click the lowest security displayed in the list window. This selects approximately a dozen securities. (You can select more or fewer securities if you want to.)
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EoD 14. Click Open. You are returned to the Select Securities dialog, which now lists the securities you just selected.
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EoD 15. Click OK. The exploration begins, and you see the Exploration Status dialog. It shows you an estimate of how much time the exploration will take to complete, and lots of other information.
When the Exploration is complete, this dialog closes and a notification dialog appears.
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EoD 16. Click Reports. This displays the results of the exploration.
There are three tabs: Results (shown above) Rejects (which shows why each of the rejected securities was rejected), and Exploration, which shows the formula used to construct the system and any notes on the system that the system’s author chose to add. Each security that meets the search criteria is listed on the Results tab. The data for each of these “winners” is organized into columns. You can sort the winners by any of these values by clicking on that column’s heading. Clicking on the heading a second time reverses the sort order. 17. Select any security in the Results list, and click Open Chart. That security’s chart opens in the background. 18. Click Close and then click Close again to get to the chart. Note: The results you get may be different than the results shown here. If there are no results in the list, run the exploration again and include more securities. You could also increase the number of records loaded with the Explorer Options dialog (step 6 on page 43).
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The Expert Advisor The Expert Advisor offers advice, commentary, and suggestions when to buy or sell a stock. Most systems have a companion expert advisor that works well with the securities chosen by that system. For example, the previous section showed how to use the Equis MACD - Expert System exploration in the Explorer. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use the Equis MACD - Expert expert advisor on Delta, since our Equis MACD - Expert System exploration returned Delta as a result. Note: The following is just an example.
To use the Expert Advisor: 1. In MetaStock, open a chart for Delta Airlines (us;&DAL).
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Expert Advisor toolbar button
2. Select Tools> Expert Advisor, or click the Expert Advisor toolbar button. The Attach Expert dialog appears.
3. Scroll down and click Equis - MACD.
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EoD 4. Click OK.
The chart now has some red and green sections, red and green arrows labelled MACD Sell Signal and MACD Buy Signal, and a red and green crosshatched ribbon at the bottom. These markers are described at the end of this tutorial. For now, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move forward and see what else the Expert does.
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EoD 5. Right-click on the chart and select Expert Advisor> Commentary from the context menu.
The commentary window for this expert appears.
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EoD 6. To read the commentary, you can resize it, or scroll down. The commentary tells you if a buy or sell signal was generated today, or (if not) when the last signal was generated.
IMPORTANT: Expert Commentaries in MetaStock should not be taken as recommendations to buy or sell, but rather as guidelines for interpreting the related indicators. This information should only be used by investors who are aware of the risk inherent in securities trading. Equis accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of this expert or its contents.
Docking and undocking the Commentary window If you want to always view the commentary window, you can dock it to the edge of the MetaStock window.
To dock the Commentary window: To dock the Commentary window, either • Drag it to the side of the MetaStock window; (the Commentary window will automatically snap to the frame) or • Right-click on the upper portion of the Commentary window and select Dock View from the context menu.
To undock the Commentary window: To undock the Commentary window, right-click on the upper portion of the Commentary window and unselect Dock View from the context menu.
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EoD Viewing the commentaries for other bars You can see the commentary for any bar on the chart by clicking on that bar. You can also step bar-by-bar through the chart by clicking the left and right arrows at the top of the Commentary window. Click here to view the commentary for the previous bar Click here to view the commentary for the next bar Click here to view the commentary for the latest bar
Once you have the expert attached, view the chart daily to see if the expert has generated a buy or sell signal.
Understanding Chart Markers Here is a basic explanation of what the colored arrows, bars, and ribbon marks mean. Green Bars. The system shows that the security was oversold on these dates. At the end of this run, it suggested a buy. Green Arrow. This indicates a point where this Expert suggests buying the security. Red Bars. The system shows that the security was overbought on these dates. At the end of this run, it suggested a sell. Red Arrow. This indicates a point where this Expert suggests selling the security. The Ribbon sections indicate whether the Expert considers conditions Bullish, Bearish, or Neutral. For more information on reading the chart signals and ribbon, see the “Getting Expert Advice” chapter of the MetaStock User Guide. If you’ve tested the system with the security (see the section titled The Enhanced System Tester on page 33) and they work well Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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EoD together (the system produces a steadily-rising equity line), you may want to now buy or sell shares as the expert suggests.
IMPORTANT: Remember that buy and sell signals are just suggestions. These should not be taken as recommendations to buy or sell, but rather as guidelines for interpreting the related indicators. This information should only be used by investors who are aware of the risk inherent in securities trading. Equis accepts no liability whatsoever for any losses arising from any use of this expert or its contents.
The Indicator Builder In addition to the predefined indicators listed in the Indicator QuickList, MetaStock provides tools so that you can create your own indicators. As the Indicator Builder is considered an “expert-level power tool”, this entry is included only for completeness; there is an entire chapter of the User Guide devoted to explaining how to create and plot these custom indicators using the Indicator Builder. Please refer to it for instructions on using this tool.
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EoD
7
The DownLoader The DownLoader is a separate program included with MetaStock for the specific purpose of downloading security file data. IMPORTANT: Before you download data, you should make sure that you have the most recent symbol database downloaded to your computer. There is an option in The DownLoader that allows you to do this: Select Tools> Update Symbol Database. For more information on this task, see “Updating your Symbol Database” on page 10.
Entering Your Data Vendor User ID and Password If you didn’t enter your User ID and Password into The DownLoader when you installed MetaStock, here is how to enter them now.
To Enter Your Data Vendor User ID and Password: Click the Windows Start button and select Programs. Select the Equis International group. Select The DownLoader. In The DownLoader, select Tools> Vendor Options. You’ll see a dialog similar to the one below. 5. Click the tab that has your data vendor’s name on it.
1. 2. 3. 4.
6. Enter your User ID and Password in the appropriate boxes. 7. Click OK.
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Understanding Security Files Key concepts MetaStock uses two basic building blocks: security files and charts. You know what a file is; a Microsoft Word document is a file, the picture you use for your desktop wallpaper is a file. A security file is just a file that contains information about a security. For example, a security file for Reuters could contain the high, low, close, and volume information for RTRSY between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008. And you’re probably already familiar with charts. A chart in MetaStock is just a graph that shows all the information contained in a security file. So the chart for the Reuters security file described above would look like this:
Now that you understand what security files and charts are, here are two very important concepts: • The information you see on a chart comes from a security file. • The information in the security file comes from a data vendor. The rest of this chapter deals with security files, including how to create them and where to put them. For more information about charts, refer to Chapter 4.
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EoD Why use security files? In Chapter 3, you learned how to open a chart that used the data directly from your data vendor. But there’s another way to open a chart. You can: 1. Create a new security file. 2. Download data into the security file. 3. Open the security file to display it as a chart. So… why create a security and then download information into it, when you can just open the chart online? Here’s why: saving the security data on your local hard drive allows you to look at the data when you are not connected to the internet. In addition, one way MetaStock really shows its strength is by analyzing hundreds of securities, looking for patterns and applying tests and systems. Having all the data right on your computer allows this to happen in a matter of seconds. Alternatively, you could analyze all the charts you have open at a given moment, but that limits you to a relatively small number of securities. The best way to analyze hundreds of securities is to create security files for each of them, and then to analyze them without opening their charts. Fortunately you can easily create security files for hundreds of securities simultaneously.
IMPORTANT: Before you download data, you should make sure that you have the most recent symbol database downloaded to your computer. There is an option in The DownLoader that allows you to do this: Select Tools> Update Symbol Database. For more information on this task, see “Updating your Symbol Database” on page 10.
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Creating a New Security File The process of creating a new security file is divided into two parts: • Creating the file (naming it, deciding where to save it, and what its first date will be). • Downloading data into the file (connecting to a data vendor).
To create a new security file:
DownLoader toolbar button
1. Start MetaStock. 2. Select Tools> The DownLoader, or click the DownLoader toolbar button. This opens The DownLoader’s main window.
3. In The DownLoader, select File> New> Security. The New Security dialog appears.
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EoD 4. Create a new personal folder by typing \My Stocks (or whatever name you choose) after C:\MetaStock Data in the Folder box.
Enter path here
5. Click Look-up. The Symbol Database dialog appears.
6. In Type select: Stocks - North America.
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EoD 7. Scroll through the list of securities until you see 3M Company in the Name column. Select Type here
Select 3M here
8. Double-click the 3M Company entry to return to the New Security dialog. 9. In the First date box, change the date to an earlier date (for example, one year prior to the current day).
Change date here
10. Click OK. If the folder does not exist, you will be asked to confirm that you want to create the folder. 11. Click Yes. You just created an empty security file in that folder. You can now download data into the security file (this is explained on page 64), or read on in this chapter to learn how to create many security files at once.
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EoD Creating multiple security files What if you want to create more than one security file? To do this, you have a couple of options. You can repeat the process you just read above multiple times, or you can select multiple securities at the same time in step 7 above. To select a block of securities, hold down the SHIFT key and click the first and last securities you want selected. To select securities that are not next to each other, press the CTRL key, and then click on the securities you want to select. In either case, when you click OK, the New Security dialog will display the word “MULTIPLE” in the Name and Symbol boxes.
Saving security files in different folders So far, every security file we’ve created has been placed in the same folder: “C:\MetaStock Data\My Stocks” (or whichever drive you installed MetaStock on). But you can place security files in any existing folder on your computer, or you can create a new folder and place the security files there. Placing the security files for securities you look at often in their own folder enables you to see them faster and more easily. Note: If you use a different folder than the defaults, remember to add it to your “backup” list. Caution: Removable drives are not a good place to store this data.
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EoD To specify the folder for security files: MetaStock can store and read security files from anywhere on your computer (or local network). To do so: 1. Select File> New> Security to open the New Security dialog.
2. Click Browse. The Browse for Folder dialog appears.
3. Select the desired folder and click OK. That folderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is now shown in the Folder box.
Selected folder
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EoD in the Folder box. For example, you could add \My Commodity Stocks (or whatever name you choose) after C:\MetaStock Data. 4. Click Look-up. The Symbol Database dialog appears.
5. Double-click a security in the list (here 3M was selected). MetaStock returns you to the New Security dialog.
Security Name and Symbol
Notice that the security name and symbol have been added to the appropriate boxes. 6. In the First Date box, select the first date that you want MetaStock to retrieve trading data for this security. 7. Click OK. If the folder does not exist, you will be asked to confirm that you want to create the folder. 8. Click Yes. The folder will be created and the security file created in it. Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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Downloading Data Into a Security File In order to fill a security file with the most recent information, you must download that data. This is done using The DownLoader. You must have created the security file database before you try to download files to it. Note: Updating the symbol database has no effect on existing local data files.
To open The DownLoader: There are two ways to open The DownLoader: 1. Use the Windows Start menu. (Start> Program Files> Equis International> The DownLoader) or 2. You can open it from inside MetaStock by either • Selecting Tools> The DownLoader. or • Clicking on The DownLoader button in the toolbar. The DownLoader toolbar button
To download your data: 1. Make sure you’re connected to the Internet. 2. Open The DownLoader using one of the methods noted above. 3. In The DownLoader, select Tools> Download Prices. The Select Securities dialog appears.
Click here
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EoD 4. Click on the plus sign next to Local Disk (C:) in the Folders pane on the left-hand side of the dialog. The C: drive entry expands to reveal several folders. Note: Your disk may have a different name, but the disk you want is the one that you installed MetaStock on. 5. Scroll down (if necessary) until you see the folder named MetaStock Data, and click on the plus sign next to it.
Click here
6. Then select the Sample folder. Notice that the two buttons at the top center of the dialog (Add and Add All Subfolders) became active when you
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EoD selected this folder. This indicates that there are valid security files in the folder.
Select this
7. Click Add. The path to the Sample folder appears in the right window of the dialog.
Click here
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EoD 8. Click the Securities tab. Now you can see the securities contained in the Sample folder. Click here
9. Click OK. The Vendor Selection dialog appears.
10. Click the tab with your data vendorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name on it. For this example, the vendor is QuoteCenter. Notice that the current date appears in the Ending date box. That is the last date for which data will be collected.
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EoD 11. Click OK. The Data Vendor Download Progress message box appears (in this case for QuoteCenter) showing you the status and progress of the download.
When the download is complete, the message box closes and the Collection Report dialog opens.
12. Click Close. 13. In The DownLoader, select File> Exit.
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8
Getting Help There may be times when you want help with a MetaStock feature. Several sources are readily available. They include help from Equis over the Internet, instant chat, or email with MetaStock technical support, as well as traditional telephone support. MetaStock’s built-in help has answers to the most common user questions.
IMPORTANT: If you purchased MetaStock directly from a MetaStock Reseller, they will provide your first line of support. Please contact them for assistance before contacting Equis.
Accessing the built-in Help system Perhaps the quickest way to find an answer is with MetaStock’s built-in help system. Here are the ways you can access this system:
Use the Help menu in the main toolbar This menu gives you access to: The online help system PDF versions of the manuals Support via the Internet Context-sensitive Help Equis resources on the Internet The Tip of the Day window QuickStart Tutorials Information about MetaStock and your computer system
Press the F1 key Pressing the F1 key on your keyboard while in MetaStock displays the help for the current task, including menu items. Click the Help button Clicking any dialog Help button opens a help topic on that dialog. Right-click to display a context menu Right-clicking on a feature opens a context menu with a Help option.
Context-sensitive Help button
Click the toolbar context-sensitive Help button When the mouse pointer changes to a question mark, click on that item on your screen to quickly find information on a screen item.
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Contacting Technical Support Current Support Hours For current support hours, please visit www.equis.com and select About> Contact. Equis Technical Support is located in the Mountain time zone (GMT +7).
Equis Web Site You will also want to check out the resources we provide through our web site: www.equis.com. Not only does this site have information about our products, it also offers valuable free services and information.
Online Chat Selecting Help> Request Online Assistance from within MetaStock opens a chat window that connects you directly with Equis Technical Support during normal Technical Support hours. You can also connect to this chat service by clicking the chat link located on the MetaStock support web page.
Email and Telephone Necessary Information When you contact Equis Support, we will need your customer number or your name and address to enable us to locate and verify your account. MetaStock and QuoteCenter Product Support Phone: +1 (801) 265-9998 Fax:
+1 (801) 265-2114
Email:
support@equis.com
Mail:
Equis International, Technical Support Dept. 90 South 400 West Suite 620 Salt Lake City, UT USA 84101
Reuters DataLink Support Note: The following telephone number and email address only supports Reuters DataLink, not MetaStock. MetaStock questions should be sent to the MetaStock Product Support channel listed above.
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Phone:
+1 (801) 270-3298
Email:
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EoD Response times Our Support Team strives to respond to written responses (emails, faxes, and letters) within the first business day we receive them. Support queries are addressed during our normal support hours. Please note: • If you submit a request outside of the listed support hours, we will address your request on the following business day. • The volume of requests fluctuates and on occasion it may take longer to receive a response.
Additional resources In addition to the video tutorials included on your MetaStock Installation CD, Equis provides an ongoing series of training videos, webcasts, and FAQ’s in the Support area of www.equis.com.
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9
MetaStock Data Vendor Options Currently MetaStock provides support for two primary data vendors: QuoteCenter and Reuters DataLink.
QuoteCenter QuoteCenter is a real-time software and data feed from Equis International that brings professional-level real-time market data and news from Reuters, the world’s best-known and most reliable information provider directly to individual investors and active traders.
IMPORTANT: QuoteCenter can only be used by non-professional, individual investors as defined by the New York Stock Exchange. See www.equis.com for more information on this requirement.
Features QuoteCenter offers: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Market Depth Time & Sales Free Online Training Auto Data Correction Reuters News Display linking Real-time Gainer/Loser Lists Quick-load Symbol Lists 500 Quote-line Data fields 800 Contributing Banks for FX data 30 Days of Tick History 250 Days of Intraday History Up to 30 Years of Daily History (this depends on the security) Free, unlimited technical support.
Available Data • • • • • •
North American Stocks & U.S. Mutual Funds South American Stocks European, Middle Eastern, & African Stocks Asia/Pacific Stocks Global Futures FOREX (Foreign Exchange) Data
Contact Equis to learn more about any of these data packages. Getting Started with MetaStock 10.1-x
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Reuters DataLink Reuters DataLink is the first choice for a reliable and robust data feed, with unbeatable depth and breadth of End-of-Day data provided by Reuters, the world’s best-known and most reliable information source.
Features Here are some of the benefits and features of Reuters DataLink: • International data goes back at least 5 years. • North American equities, indices, & mutual funds data begins in 1980. • North American futures data begins in 1973. • Stock split information is automatically included in the historical data, producing smooth price charts and accurate analytics. • You can choose adjusted or non-adjusted mutual fund data provided by Lipper (a Reuters company). • Data is instantly accessible — simply type in the symbol you want to chart and its data appears on your screen. • No restrictions on the number of symbols you can download. • Free, unlimited technical support.
Available Data • • • • •
North American Stocks & U.S. Mutual Funds European Stocks Asian Stocks Global Futures Global Indices
Contact Equis to learn more about any of these data packages.
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