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Software
for Stock Trading
Trading and Analysis software varies widely
in capability, price, flexibility and speed of data. Some software
the professionals use can cost upwards of $20-30,000. The programs
I have reviewed are all well below that price, and none are more
than $2,500. Some are actually free and you only pay for data updates.
Your own choice will depend on experience, need for use and price.
Leading
Stock Trading and Analysis Software
TC2000
by Worden Brothers A software package
and CD-ROM databank which scans the entire NYSE, NASDAQ & AMEX
for stocks that fit your investing style, and lets you chart, analyze
and organize the results. Highly recommended.
VectorVest
Combines the insight of fundamental valuation with the power of
technical analysis. Analyzes and ranks over 6000 stocks each day
for value, safety and timing.
Equis' MetaStock Professional.
$350. A very popular charting and system testing program. Very good
for technical analysis. They also offer books, data, and other educational
products.
Telescan Investor's Platform.
$200. Fundamental and technical analysis. No portfolio management
capabilities.
Microstar Research
& Trading Easy-to-use software for stocks, bonds, mutual
funds and futures.
Quotes Plus Charting software
loaded with fundamental information. $70.
MarketArts Window on Wall Street Deluxe ($130) and Professional
Investor ($300). Good for technical analysis. Not intended for beginners.
Good graphing capabilities and market indicator alerts. Links to
Quicken for portfolio management. A beginner's version is also available
for $50.
Alpha Chart Java-based
technical analysis charting.
Omega Research's Wall
Street Analyst $50. Automated information retrieval, charts, trendlines,
and historical data. Intended for those who already know how to
perform technical analysis. They also offer a Deluxe version for
$100, and an introductory version for free.
Omega Research's Super
Charts. $300. Provides automation and testing of most technical
indicators.
Mutual Funds
The real battle in mutual fund software is
between Morningstar and Value Line. Each has a higher-end and a
lower-end offering. All four are great for screening, and all allow
updated data feeds, but they all assume you've already got a basic
understanding of mutual funds. Software company Cognos is
offering a free mutual fund tool, called PowerPlay
SE for Mutual Funds. It enables you to run powerful "what
if" analyses quickly and easily, going well beyond the functionality
of most mutual fund tools.
Morningstar Principia
($300) and Ascent ($45).
Value Line Mutual Fund Survey
($395) and No-Load Analyzer ($145 for monthly updates, $95 for quarterly
updates).
Steele Systems Mutual Fund Expert ($300). Very good.
AAII's quarterly Low-Load Fund
Update. 900 funds. $50/year.
Intuit's Quicken Deluxe has a Mutual Fund Finder. Updates cost $40/year.
Portfolio management software for the individual investor.
Winnav Mutual fund performance analysis program and data. Shareware,
$20 registration.
Mutual Fund Tracker $35 shareware.
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