The Analyst is a state of the art stock market price tracking, analysis and portfolio management system. This demonstration is a full working copy of the program. It comes complete with up-to-date price data for 2,700 companies, currencies and indices and will run for 30 days from the day it is loaded onto you computer. To help you to familiarise yourself with the program, this manual outlines the basic features. A full help file is included with the program and is accessed by pressing any help button on the screen.
All updating functions are active and you may update the program during the trial period by teletext or by email. To update by teletext you will need a Microtext or WinTV card in your computer. To update by email, simply call us on 01962 715557 or drop a note to us at winstock@compuserve.com. Let us know your email address and we will send you a price update file each evening. This service is free of charge during your trial period and remains free of charge even after you buy the program.
When you purchase The Analyst, your price histories will be extended to between 3 and 12 years and any portfolio or transaction details you have entered will remain valid. The full package is supplied with a comprehensive user guide.
The Analyst is a complete investment system. It will help you to invest and trade more effectively. It provides full and unrestricted charting, analysis, portfolio management and data acquisition for a one-off price.
Our after-sales support is an important feature of The Analyst system. We are always available by phone or e-mail to answer your queries or guide you through the program.
I hope you will agree with our many customers that The Analyst is an excellent investment. To purchase the program simply fill in the order form (from the help menu select "Order the full program") or call us on 01962 715557. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
2. Register for FREE daily e-mail updates during your trial period
All updating functions are active during your trial of The Analyst. You may update the program during the trial period by teletext or by email. To update by email, simply drop a note to us at:
winstock@compuserve.com
or call us on:
01962 715557
Let us know your email address and we will send you a price update file each evening. This service is free of charge during your trial period and remains free of charge even after you buy the program.
3. Setting Up
Follow the instructions below to install The Analyst on your computer. The Setup program installs The Analyst, the help system and other product components from the distribution disks to your hard disk. The demonstration program includes sample data sets and portfolios.
Hardware and System Requirements
Any IBM-compatible PC with a 386 processor or higher.
Windows version 3.1 or later.
8 MB or more of RAM, a hard disk and a mouse.
Allow at least 8MB of hard disk space for installation.
Any monitor and printer supported by Windows.
To start setup:
For Windows 3.1, 3.11 and Windows NT
From Program Manager choose File/Run.
For Windows 95
Click on Start and then Run.
Type setup and follow the instructions on the screen.
A program group or folder will be created. To activate the program, double click on the Analyst icon.
4. Navigation
The Analyst conforms to all normal windows conventions. It is Microsoft Office compatible, and follows the same rules as applications such as Word for Windows and Excel. The Analyst is mouse driven and uses the following commands extensively.
Click and pick
To avoid the need to continually hunt for the correct commands, menus are built into the screen objects. Click the right mouse button on a chart to change the font, for example, or on a trend line to change its colour.
Portfolio lists can be manipulated or converted to valuation summaries, transactions can be added, cash accounts maintained etc. by clicking the right mouse button over a share list.
Drag and Drop
The Analyst is an object oriented program. Every item on the screen is an object that can be moved, manipulated or clicked on. To compare two price plots in the same chart, simply drag a title from any listing onto a chart and drop. The two plots will appear together. Drag and drop works the same way for building portfolios, moving trend lines, zooming in on a chart and so on.
To drag an object, position the mouse pointer over the object. Press and hold down the left mouse button. Move the object to its destination and release.
Point and Click
To examine a chart in detail, position the mouse pointer and click. The date and price at that point are instantly displayed in the lower status bar.
Double-Click
A graph of any share may be drawn by double-clicking on the share name itself.
5. Drawing a Chart
Several methods may be used to produce a price chart. The easiest is simply to double-click on a share name. To display share names use either of the following procedures:
a. The Archive Browser
Activate the archive browser using the toolbar button pictured above or select file/chart from the menu. A dialog box will be displayed. Type in the first few letters of a share name. The program will search the archives and display all matching entries. Select the correct name from the browse list and press OK to view the chart.
b. The Portfolio Manager
Load the portfolio manager by pressing the toolbar icon shown above or by choosing file/portfolio from the menu. Select any portfolio listed in the dialog box which is now displayed. Press OK to list the portfolio contents. Finally double-click on any share in the list to see its graph.
Changing the time scale - Zooming in and out
To zoom in on the graph, drag one of the long yellow sliders from the edge of the chart to a new start or end date and release. The graph will be re-drawn using the new time scale.
To zoom out, drag one of the small yellow sliders on the x-axis to the new start or end date and release. When either small slider is selected, the complete time scale available is temporarily displayed.
The left and right sliders control the start and end dates respectively.
6. Working with graphs
Trend Lines
Draw any number of free form lines on a chart. Click on the free form line icon in the toolbar. Click on the chart where the line is to start, drag the pointer to draw the line. If the line needs to be moved, drag it from its centre. To rotate the line pick it up from either end. You can change the colour or style of the line, or delete it, by clicking on the line with the right mouse button and selecting from the popup menu.
Best Fit Lines
Regression or best fit lines are drawn by clicking the best fit line icon and dragging a box from the start to the end position of the line. The line is calculated and drawn inside a one standard deviation channel.
Fibonacci Fan Lines
Fan lines act as support and resistance for stock trends. Select Analysis/Fan Lines and draw the base line along an exiting trend. The fan lines will be drawn at set angles from the base line.
Stop-Loss
Click on the stop-loss icon and select the percentage stop-loss you require. Click on the chart to indicate where the stop-loss is to start.
Stop-loss lines indicate that a price reversal of a given percentage has occurred when it is crossed by the price line.
Linear/logarithmic
Toggle between linear and logarithmic price axis using the lin/log icon. Logarithmic displays show percentage movements directly.
Moving Average
The MA icon loads the moving average dialog box. Moving averages smooth out price variations and show trends more clearly. Choose any period and select from centred, lagged, simple or exponential. You may add percentage bands or bollinger (standard deviation) bands.
High/Low
Display the daily highs and lows on any linear chart
Candlesticks
Candlesticks show open/close information as a box (blue for rising, red for falling) with the day's high/low as a line extending above and below.
Saving Charts
Before unloading a chart, you will be prompted to save any changes.
7. Analysis Techniques
Price plots for different companies may be displayed together on one chart to make a direct comparison. Select a share from a portfolio or the archive browser. Drag it to an active chart and drop it in. Choose the display format (Rebased, Relative and Absolute - see help file) and the two curves will immediately appear together in the same chart.
Any number of overlays, moving averages, stoploss, lines etc. may be drawn on a chart. To delete an object from a chart, select the object with the right mouse button and choose delete from the popup menu.
Any number of charts may be drawn and arranged on the screen. To delete all charts, select "Close All Charts" from the window menu.
The Analyst supports a variety of analytical techniques. Select a graph and choose an analysis type from the analysis selector (shown below). A dialog box will be displayed. Fill in the details and press OK.
Indicators, such as MACD, Meisels, Momentum, OBOS, RSI or Stochastic, can be displayed either on a new analysis chart or overlaid on an existing one. The analysis chart will be drawn below the price chart. Both charts will rescale and resize together.
Templates
Any combination of indicators, trend lines, time scales, stop-losses etc. can be stored as a template to be applied to another security. Use File/Templates/Save to store an analysis type. To apply this to any other share, load the share chart and select File/Templates/Load.
8. Portfolios
The Analyst will maintain any number of portfolios.
Portfolios may be displayed as simple share listings showing, for example, the latest price or the high or low for the day.
By pressing the portfolio toggle button on the toolbar, the listing will expand to show a full portfolio summary detailing holdings, values, gains and totals. Transaction and dividend details may now be entered and valuations will be continuously updated as prices are received.
Viewing a portfolio
Select the portfolio manager icon from the toolbar or, from the File menu, choose Portfolio. A dialog box will be displayed.
Select a portfolio.
Press OK and the simple portfolio listing will be loaded.
Viewing a full transaction summary
Activate your portfolio. Press the portfolio toggle button on the toolbar or choose View Portfolio from the Display menu, to switch between the simple listing and a full transaction summary.
Creating a new portfolio
Select the portfolio manager icon from the toolbar or, from the File menu, choose Portfolio. A dialog box will be displayed. Select New and type in the name of the new portfolio. Press OK and the new portfolio list box will be loaded.
Adding shares to a portfolio
Activate your portfolio. Load the archive browser by choosing Browse from the File menu. A dialog box will be displayed. Type in the first few letters of the share name. The program will search the archives and display all matching entries. Select the correct name from the browse list.
Using the left mouse button, drag the share name from the archive browser and drop it into your portfolio.
Share names may be dragged in the same way from other portfolio groups and dropped into your portfolio.
Buying or selling a share; dividends and script dividends
Activate your portfolio. Click the right mouse button over the share in question to display the popup menu. Select Transaction Details.
The Transaction Detail Sheet, listing all transactions to date in this share (in this portfolio), will be loaded. Press the New Transaction button.
Click on the transaction type (buy, sell, dividend or script dividend). Fill in the details requested on the form (price, date, quantity etc.). Press OK.
Editing or deleting existing transactions
Activate the Transaction Detail Sheet as in the previous section.
Click the mouse on the appropriate transaction.
Choose edit or delete from the popup menu.
9. Cash Account
A cash account is automatically maintained for each portfolio. It keeps a running balance of cash deposited and withdrawn as well as receipts from dividends and the sale of shares, and cash used for purchases.
To view the cash account, activate your portfolio.
Click the right mouse button over any share to display the popup menu. Select Cash Account. The cash account for this portfolio is now loaded.
To enter cash deposits and withdrawals, press the New Credit/Debit button.
To edit or delete cash transactions, click the mouse on the appropriate deposit or withdrawal. Choose edit or delete from the popup menu.
10. Colour Data Imaging TM
What is imaging?
Imaging is a method of displaying a large amount of data on screen quickly and in a way that is easy to understand. Share price movement is transformed into a colour picture and displayed as a strip across the screen. Like a graph, time increases to the right. Unlike a graph, however, the y-axis is replaced by colour with shades of blue and red representing price movement up and down, (green is no change). Many share images can be displayed together on the screen or rapidly scrolled through.
Why use imaging?
Your system can hold price histories for several thousand shares. Hunting through graphs for a steady mover or a breakout situation can be a slow process. Colour images give you a feel for what is happening and an immediate comparison between shares. Double clicking on any price strip produces a chart and gives you access to all the traditional analysis techniques.
Producing an Image
To produce an image, a portfolio listing must first be active.
Select one or more share names from the portfolio listing. (To select a group of shares, click on the first name and shift-click on the last name. The selected shares will be highlighted).
Click on the image icon in the toolbar. A dialog box will be displayed. Select the Period and Averaging to use. The image will start to build. You are now able to perform any normal system function as well as special tasks relating to the image:
Double-click on any row of the image to see a chart.
Drag any name from the image into a portfolio list.
Scroll through the image.
Image plots are "resource intensive". The number that can be drawn depends upon the power of your computer.
Interpreting the Image
Colour images of price movements are similar to relief maps. Once the colours are associated with price change, a third dimension becomes apparent. (see Help File for examples and further details).
11. Price Alarms
The Analyst allows you to set high and low price alarms on any number of shares in order to alert you to buying or selling opportunities. Whenever an alarm is crossed the system displays the alarm icon (above), sounds an audible warning and writes to an alarm report. You may view the alarm report by pressing the alarm icon.
Setting Alarms:
Alarms may be set for any share in any custom portfolio.
Open your portfolio and click the right mouse button over the chosen share name.
From the popup menu select Alarms then Set Alarms.
Key in the high and low alarm values.
To force the system to check all alarms immediately, select Alarms/Check All from the Analysis menu. To check all alarms continuously, select Auto Alarm Checking from the Options menu.
12. Exporting Data
The Analyst permits the exporting of up to five years of price data in several formats to a file of your choice. To export price data :
From the file menu select DataSets / Export DataSet and choose the required format (ASCII, comma separated, Excel or Lotus).
Type in the first few letters of the share name to be exported. The program will search the archives and display all matching entries. Select the correct name from the browse list and press OK.
A file save dialog box will be displayed. Either accept the suggested file name and destination or enter your own. Press OK.
13. Price Updating
Prices histories may be kept up to date in a number of ways. Internet, teletext and diskette updating are all compatible and maintain closing prices, with highs and lows where available, for about 2,600 shares, currencies, indices, commodities and gilts. Updating from Prestel Citiservice provides Open, Close, High, Low and Volume figures for all 3,500 shares quoted on the London stock exchange. Portfolio valuations and graphs will reflect the latest data available to your system.
Before updating for the first time ensure that the Update Method in the Option menu is set to whichever method you are using.
a. Internet Feed.
The internet feed consists of closing prices for all shares, with highs and lows where available. The file will be sent to your E-Mail address each evening, free of charge. Once you have received the file The Analyst will quickly add its contents to your archives. Select File / Update and press OK.
b. Teletext Operation.
To use this option you will need a teletext adaptor card installed in your PC. The Analyst works with Microtext, Optimum and the full range of Hauppauge WinTV cards including the WinTV-PCI card.
Data for over 2,600 companies, currencies, indices etc. will be captured automatically. If a new company is encountered, a new data set will be started without user intervention. Price data is first captured and then, at the end of the day's trading, added to the archives.
Microtext or Optimum teletext adaptor cards.
If you have a Microtext or Optimum card you will need to tune it from the Analyst before using it with the program for the first time. Open the Analyst, select Teletext / Tune and follow the instructions.
If you have a WinTV card you will need to tune the channels in order (BBC1, BBC2, ITV and CH4). Do this from the Hauppauge TV program by selecting Configure / Channels.
DO NOT use Hauppauge's teletext program in the same session as using the Analyst UNLESS you are not using the WinTV PCI card model 406.
If you are using the WinTV PCI 406 card, the system should be set up as follows:
a. Open the VTPlus program that is provided with the wintv card. From the Options menu select "Change TV Stations / Setup". Each channel in the dialogue box should have the "use in VTPlus" selection ticked.
b. Open the Analyst program and from the Options menu set Teletext Card to WinTV 406.
c. From the Teletext menu choose Select Page List and choose "Daily" to capture all data. The end of day update can be performed manually (File / Update) or by timer (Options / Time of Final Save).
d. Do not close the VTPlus program when collecting data with the Analyst.
Teletext Data Capture
*Select Teletext/Capture to switch capture on or off. Data Capture is controlled by Page Lists in the teletext menu.
*Adding data to the archives is automatic. A timer located in the options menu will ensure that updating is not forgotten.
c. Data Service Diskette
If you choose this method, let us know how often you wish to receive an update. The diskette will contain daily closing prices for all shares, with highs and lows where available, covering the period since your last update. The process of updating several thousand data sets is fast and simple. Insert the diskette and select File / Update.
d. Prestel Citiservice
Prestel supplies closing or open, close, high, low and volume (OCHLV) data for 3,500 shares, gilts etc. available from 6.30 pm each evening. Up to 20 days of zipped up back data can be downloaded in one session from Prestel's dial in bulletin board. Downloading and unzipping is controlled by the Analyst program. The Analyst will process any number of days of back data with a single command. The Prestel version of The Analyst will record all OCHLV information, displaying volume pips on price charts, OCHLV histories etc. Prestel can be contacted on 0171-5919008.
e. Manual Input
Current Data : Activate your portfolio and click the right mouse button over the share in question. Select Manual Input from the popup menu and key in the share prices. Use the next/last buttons to enter prices for other shares in the portfolio. When you have finished entering data
select File/Update to bring your archives up to date.
Historic Data : Position the mouse pointer over the share in question and press the right mouse button. Select Price History from the popup menu and key in the share prices.
14. Ordering the program.
To order a copy of the Analyst for Windows, open the demonstration program and from the Help menu, select "order the full program".
Or contact us at the following address:
WinStock Software
10 Jewry Street
Winchester
SO23 8RZ
Tel : 01962 715557
EMail : winstock@compuserve.com
Cheques, Visa, Mastercard, Access and Switch are accepted.
