I have spent the better part of two decades involved with the stock, financial and commodity futures markets. I was a financial journalist with FWN for many years.

I cut my teeth as a reporter on the rough-and-tumble commodity futures trading floors in Chicago and New York, covering every futures market traded in the U.S., at one time or another. I also covered many international markets, as well.

It didn't take me long to realize the successful traders in every market—be it pork bellies, Treasury bonds or stock index futures—had a common thread among them: Nearly all relied on technical analysis to give them a trading edge.

Not long after I began my career in financial journalism, I began studying technical analysis. I found it fascinating. By studying chart patterns and other technical indicators, I realized the playing field could be leveled between the "professional insiders" in the markets, and myself. How can this be? This is how: Market (or stock) price activity and price history, including volume, is a composite reflection of every news event and (or) other fundamental factor known to all traders. Price activity also factors in ideas and speculation about the future prospects, and future news, for the market (or stock).

If a trader tried to study and learn all there is to learn about a futures market or an individual stock—including knowing all the fundamentals that impact, or could impact the market or stock—it would be nearly a full-time job. And even if a trader did spend all his time studying a market, he or she still would not know as much, as soon, as the professional insiders. This is why successful traders employ technical analysis.

I also believe traders who have been involved with commodity and financial or stock futures markets have a trading advantage in today's stock market environment. This is because the more volatile stock market environment of today is just like the volatile commodity and financial futures markets that have been around for many years. Being a successful trader in volatile markets requires specialized entry and exit strategies, in order to maximize profits. Successful futures traders have been forced to deal with volatility on a routine basis.

Following are two of my most important market analysis and trading tenets:

· Like success at any other job, successful market analysis and trading require hard work. There are no short-cuts. Traders, do your homework before initiating any trade.

· Basic technical and market analysis and trading strategies work the best. I have read the classic technical analysis books and talked face to face with the best trading professionals in the world. Most agree that, as my friend Stewart Taylor says, "Simple is Simply Better" when it comes to employing successful trading strategies. All the neural networks and powerful computer trading programs in the world won't compare to a good, basic and well-researched trading plan. Don't confuse simple strategies with easy trading. Simple trading methodologies still require a lot of preparation and work.

On the personal front, I was born and raised in Iowa, where I now reside. I have a wonderful wife and two great children: a son in high school and a daughter in college. I work very hard on the job, but also play hard after work, as I love adventures. From driving a Jeep across one of the highest mountain passes in the continental U.S., to extreme winter camping in the Boundary Waters, to hiking in the jungles of South America, I'm always up for a new challenge.

Feel free to email me with your questions and comments. My email address is jim@jimwyckoff.com.