@lukestokes In the early days of computers, long before spreadsheets like Multiplan or Lotus123 existed, I spent five years of my life trying to mathematically and statistically prove that the chart patterns shown above actually work.

They do, about 33.33% of the time. In another 33.33% of the time I found the exact opposite of what was forecast happened. In the remaining 33.33% of the times, neither bull nor bear developed. It did nothing.

This was tested with gold, silver, stocks, indices, currencies and commodities. Statistically less than 50% of chart patterns evolved in the forecast way. I could not discover a way to guarantee profits based on the chart alone.

As far as I was concerned, I had disproved all the books ever writtten on chartism and chart theory.

However...... I have come to learn that after you have done your fundamental analysis, and found a promising investment, the chart patterns can be useful to help you time your entry point.

By the way, you made a great comment :
“I'm learning to separate out my investor side from my speculator/trader side.”

Yes, distinguish between safer long term savings, and fun investing.