Fundamental and Technical Analysis: What is the Difference?

Fundamental and Technical Analysis

The differences between fundamental and technical analysis are large. Most investors, if they understand the differences, believe they are one or the other. In reality, most investors use a combination of the two types of analysis. Personally, I consider myself an 80% fundamental and 20% technical investor.

Fundamental Stock Analysis

Fundamental stock analysis is the process of analyzing company financial statements, products, management, competitors, markets, and economic environment to determine the value of its’ stock. Both historical and present data can be used, with the goal being to forecast how the stock will perform in the future.

The most common data used in fundamental research and analysis would be revenues, expenses, profits, earnings per share, assets, liabilities, book value, dividends, cash flow, and projected earnings growth rates. Key ratios would include price/earnings ratio (P/E), dividend yield, dividend payout ratio, return on equity, price to sale, and price to book value.

An analyst would evaluate the data and ratios in comparison to the universe of stocks available. The goal of the investor is to invest in those companies with the best prospects given the current price.

Technical Analysis

Technical analysis is the forecasting of the future price of a financial asset using primarily historical price and volume data. Technical analysts believe that all information is reflected in the price; making fundamental analysis unnecessary. Information from the analysis of price is used to predict what the future price will be.

There are several different popular schools of technical analysis, including Elliott Wave Theory, Dow Theory, and Candlestick Charting. All attempt to use price patterns and price trends to make forecasts of future prices. The central idea is to estimate the likelihood of price movements and make trades based on those with the best risk/reward ratio.

When evaluating price, technicians frequently use overall trend, areas of support and resistance on the charts, price momentum, volume to determine buy/sell pressure, and relative strength compared to the market. They would also look for price patterns, study moving averages, and examine indicators such as put/call ratios.

Fundamental or Technical Analysis?

Personally, I favor fundamental analysis if I had to choose just one. But using both makes the most sense. Both fundamental and technical analysis provide information that adds insight to investing analysis. I don’t believe technical analysis alone can provide the information needed to make investing decisions. 

I always use fundamental analysis first; then I use technical analysis to confirm my fundamental findings. If both analyses give the same answer, then I have a higher level of probability for my investment decision. If fundamental and technical analyses offer different answers then I might be more patient and wait to execute my order.

Remember, you don’t have to invest in an asset until the odds are heavily in your favor. Using both fundamental and technical analysis can increase your probability of making wise investment decisions.