5.1 Keeping track


What this topic covers:

  1. Why keep track?
  2. Keeping track and monitoring external market factors
  3. Tools to help you track market news
  4. How to identify trends with charts


Keeping track of your investments and being aware of external market impacts


Like any goal you’re aiming for, whether it’s learning a language or doing an online degree, you can’t know how you’re doing unless you’re tracking your progress. With a portfolio, this involves two elements: watching over your investments and staying abreast of wider influences. Here are some ways to help you keep track of your investments.


  • Write down how often you plan to review your portfolio
  • Put reminders in your diary for general monitoring
  • Perform a regular check-in to see if your portfolio needs rebalancing
  • Monitor the market
  • Put a plan in place to manage market volatility


  • “We think mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in.”

    - Arianna Huffington (Co-founder of The Huffington Post, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, and the author of fifteen books.)



    Watch the markets


    As an investor, it's important to keep an eye on what the markets are doing so you can respond to major or specific events that could impact your investments. That doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on the ASX or the Aussie dollar – CommSec Market Analysts do that for you! Just be aware of what is happening and have a plan in place. Here are some things to consider:

    • If the market rises or falls by a particular percentage, how does that affect your investment?
    • Will you sell certain investments?
    • Will you do nothing and just wait?

    Preparing for these events is like having a good fire escape plan. You might never need it, but if you do smell smoke one day, you’ll be more likely to keep a cool head as you’ll know what to do.





    Tools to help you keep on top of market news


    There are a range of resources for you to stay in touch with the markets, both from CommSec and external sources.


    As we showed you in topic 4.2, CommSec industry experts provide market commentary and economic news across a range of platforms, including a live Twitter feed for instant updates.

    There’s also CommSec TV, available on the CommSec platform and on YouTube. This provides regular session reports in the morning and afternoon – during the Australian trading days.

    Whichever way you prefer to get your financial news, these updates provide you with unrivalled insights into the wider economic world – all invaluable information in helping you make well informed investment decisions.

    Identifying trends in charts


    Many investors use charts to gain a better overall picture of the performance of a stock. Indeed, professional traders look out for patterns that could identify short-term trends in a share price direction. In topic 4.2 we showed you how charts are a useful way of monitoring the performance of a company. They can also help you identify trends which could contribute to your investment decision. Some of the trends our charts can help you identify, include:

    • Whether a stock is appreciating or depreciating in value over time
    • How can you use this to your advantage?


    • Whether investors are buying up or selling out
    • How does this affect your decision to invest or not?


    • If a stock is trading at unusually high volumes
    • Has the company made a significant announcement?


    • If a stock is suddenly heading up or heading down
    • Is this a potential turning point?


    • If a stock fluctuates within a certain range
    • Can you locate points of support (at the bottom) or resistance (at the top)?



    Snow


    Forest

    As you can see, charts are an incredibly useful, data-packed resource.

    For more on charts check out ‘Stock Charts Explained’.



    Next Topic: 5.2 Benchmarking your progress

    Disclaimer

    CommSec Learn is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. The information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regards to their objectives, financial situation or needs, and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. You can view the product Terms and Conditions, Product Disclosure Statement, Best Execution Statement, Financial Services Guide and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services. Any securities or prices used in the examples given are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation to buy, sell or hold. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited.

    By clicking on the "Download the CommSec App" buttons above, you will be directed to itunes.apple.com or play.google.com. These sites are not affiliated with CommSec and may offer a different Privacy Policy and level of security.

     

    Disclaimer

    © Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945. CommSec is a Market Participant of ASX Limited and Cboe Australia Pty Limited, a Clearing Participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a Settlement Participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited.

    The information on this page has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regards to their objectives, financial situation or needs, and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

    The content on this page may not be distributed or reproduced without prior consent and any unauthorised use of the content may breach copyright provisions. CommSec does not give any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any content on this page, including any third party sourced data, nor does it accept liability for any errors or omissions.

    This site is directed and available to and for the benefit of Australian residents only.

    Top