Level: Beginner 
Reading time 4 min Technical and fundamental analysis are indispensable for traders to analyze a stock and make trading decisions. However, it is difficult for beginners in the stock market to understand their differences. The article will correct this situation and explain the difference between technical and fundamental analysis.
What is fundamental analysis?
Fundamental analysis is the process of evaluating stocks to determine their intrinsic value. In fundamental analysis, various factors are studied, from the state of the industry to the management of individual companies. Fundamental analysts examine a company’s returns, assets, expenditures, and liabilities. All this will ultimately allow for predicting the price action in the market.
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What is technical analysis?
Technical analysis, unlike fundamental analysis, examines statistical trends such as movements in a stock’s price and volume. Technical analysts assume that all known fundamental factors are already considered in a stock’s price, so there is no need to examine them separately. They do not measure the stock’s intrinsic value but use charts to identify trends and patterns. It allows them to understand how the stock price will act in the future.
What is the difference between technical analysis and fundamental analysis?
Technical and fundamental analysis are two ways to evaluate investments and make trading decisions. Both are used to form an investment strategy.
It estimates the approximate value of a company’s stocks by analyzing its financial statements and business prospects. Technical analysis studies the market’s action and how the stock price will react to it. Both methods have pros and cons, but traders more widely use technical analysis as it applies to a broader range of markets. Fundamental analysis takes more time and effort, but it can be more accurate in the long run.
After explaining the terms, it’s time to find out what the difference between fundamental analysis and technical analysis is and what traders should choose to trade in Forex or another platform.
- Focus
Fundamental analysis focuses on the fundamental principles of a company’s business, such as its financial health, management team, competitive advantage, etc. Technical analysis focuses on market data such as price charts and volume indicators.
- Target
Fundamental analysis is used to determine the intrinsic value of a security, that is, its value based on its underlying fundamentals. Technical analysis predicts future price movements based on past market data.
- Time frame
Fundamental analysts usually have a long-term outlook, while technical analysts focus on short-term trends.
- Analysis
Fundamental analysis is objective, while technical analysis is subjective because it involves the interpretation of chart patterns.
Which is better?
The method to choose for trading and investment decisions depends on your goals and time frame. Fundamental analysis is the way to go if you want to invest in the long term. But technical analysis is more acceptable if you want to make quick profits through intraday or swing trading.
It turns out that your goals and objectives determine the choice. If you want to buy undervalued stocks with the potential for long-term capital gains, choose fundamental analysis. If you think the market is now efficient and prices reflect all the necessary information, use technical analysis to make decisions.
Difference between fundamental and technical analysis in the tabular form
Below, in the tabular form, are the main differences between fundamental analysis and technical analysis:
| Basis of comparison | Technical analysis | Fundamental analysis |
| Definition | Technical analysis is used to understand patterns in the company’s stock price. It focuses on data relating to the price and volume of a stock. | Fundamental analysis helps identify and understand the company’s financial performance. It is used to examine the basics of a company. |
| Data source | Chart analysis | News items, economic reports, industry statistics, brokerage analysis, etc. |
| Time frame | Suitable for short-term investments. | Suitable for long-term investments. |
| Data | Focuses only on previous data. | Focuses on previous and current data. |
| Goal | Determine the perfect time to invest or withdraw funds from the market. | Determine the intrinsic value of a particular stock. |
| Trader Types | Traders take on longer-term positions. | Swing traders and day traders trade briefly. |
| Indicators | Studies expenses, revenues, assets, debt-equity ratio, liabilities, return on equity ratio, etc. | Uses charts with EMA, RSI, MACD, SMA, and other technical indicators. |
| Impact of external news | Does not depend on external news. | It can be affected by external news. |
The bottom line
Traders use both methods to research and predict future stock price trends. But there is a significant difference between fundamental and technical analysis of stocks. Fundamental analysis evaluates a company’s stock to determine its intrinsic value. Technical analysis examines patterns and trends in the price and volume of a stock. Some prefer one method over the other, while others use a combination of both. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which method is best for you.
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