Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) I & II Syllabus & Reading Material
(Last updated: 9 January 2025)
CFTe Level I
CORE READING MATERIAL
I. Edwards, Robert D. and Magee, John, Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, 9th (or current) Edition (2001-2008),
John Magee Inc., Chicago Illinois ©2001, ISBN 1-57444-292-9
Chapters:
1. The Technical Approach to Trading and Investing
2. Charts
3. The Dow Theory
4. The Dow Theory in Practice
5. The Dow Theory’s Defects
6. Important Reversal Patterns
7. Important Reversal Patterns – Continued
8. Important Reversal Patterns – The Triangles
9. Important Reversal Patterns – Continued
10. Other Reversal Phenomena
11. Consolidation Formations
12. Gaps
13. Support and Resistance
14. Trendlines and Channels
15. Major Trendlines
16. Technical Analysis of Commodity Charts
17. A Summary of Some Concluding Comments
17.2 Advancements in Investment Technology
18. The Tactical Problem
18.1 Strategies and Tactics for the Long-Term Investor
20. The Kind of Stocks we Want: The Speculator’s View Point
20.1 The Kind of Stocks we Want: The Long-Term Investor’s View Point
23. Choosing and Managing High-Risk Stocks: Tulip Stocks, Internet Sector and Speculative Frenzies
24. The Probable Moves of Your Stocks
25. Two Touchy Questions
27. Stop Orders
28. What is a Bottom - What is a Top?
29. Trendlines in Action
30. Use of Support and Resistance
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Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) I & II Syllabus & Reading Material
(Last updated: 9 January 2025)
CFTe Level I (Continued)
CORE READING MATERIAL
33. Tactical Review of Chart Action
34. A Quick Summation of Tactical Methods
36. Automated Trendlines: The Moving Average
38. Balanced and Diversified
39. Trial and Error
40. How Much Capital to Use in Trading
41. Application of Capital in Practice
42. Portfolio Risk Management
43. Stick to Your Guns
II. Murphy, John J.: Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets, New York Institute of Finance, New York, NY,
©1999, ISBN 0-7352-0066-1
Chapters:
1. Philosophy of Technical Analysis
2. Dow Theory
3. Chart Construction
4. Basic Concepts of Trend
7. Volume and Open Interest
14. Time Cycles
III. Pring, Martin J.: Technical Analysis Explained, 4th (or current) Edition, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York,
NY, ©2001, ISBN 0-07-138193-7
Chapters:
2. Financial Markets and the Business Cycle
4. Typical Parameters for Intermediate Trends
12. Individual Momentum Indicators II
16. The Concept of Relative Strength
18. Price: The Major Averages
20. Time: Longer-Term Cycles
22. General Principles
26. Sentiment Indicators
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Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) I & II Syllabus & Reading Material
(Last updated: 9 January 2025)
CFTe Level I (Continued)
CORE READING MATERIAL
IV. Le Beau Charles, Lucas David: Technical Traders Guide to Computer Analysis of the Futures Market
Chapters:
1. System Building
2. Technical Studies
4. Day Trading
V. Nison Steve: Candlestick Charting Techniques, Second Edition
Chapters:
1. Introduction
2. A historical background
3. Constructing the candlestick lines
4. Reversal patterns
5. Stars
6. More Reversal Patterns
7. Continuation Patterns
8. The Magic Doji
9. Putting it all Together
VI. Du Plessis Jeremy: The Definitive Guide to Point and Figure
Chapters:
1. Introduction to Point and Figure Charts
2. Characteristics and Construction
3. Understanding Point and Figure Charts
4. Projecting Price Targets
5. Analysing Point and Figure Charts
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Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) I & II Syllabus & Reading Material
(Last updated: 9 January 2025)
CFTe Level I (Continued)
CORE READING MATERIAL
VII. Constance M. Brown: Trading Markets Dynamics Using Technical Analysis (added: 1 February 2023)
Chapters:
1. Universe of Markets
2.1 Cycle Principles
Required additional IFTA reading material (see Appendices):
1. Elliott Wave Theory (Appendix A–Provided when candidate registers for CFTe I.)
2. Breadth Indicators (Appendix B– Provided when candidate registers for CFTe I.)
3. Time Cycles Analysis (Appendix C– Provided when candidate registers for CFTe I.):
Note: The questions on the exam for this topic will be pulled from Murphy, John J. recommended reading
listed above.
4. Point and Figure Techniques (Appendix D–Provided when candidate registers for CFTe I.)
RECOMMEDED (ADDITIONAL) READING:
VII: Elder, Alexander Dr.: Trading for a Living, Psychology, Trading Tactics, Money Management
Chapters:
1. Individual Psychology
2. Mass Psychology
3. Classical Chart Analysis
4. Computerized Technical Analysis
5. The Neglected Essentials
6. Stock Market Indicators
7. Psychological Indicators
10. Risk Management
