optionsXpress provides you with interactive charting as part of an arsenal of free online tools. With Java Charts, you have the freedom to apply a long list of technical studies, compare stocks vs. indices, draw trendlines, and more.
View Java Charts Manual (PDF)
Using Prophet Java Charts
Creating a Stock Chart
It's easy! Enter a stock symbol in the Symbol field and click Go (or press Return). You can choose from five different chart types using the menu next to the Go button; the default chart style is a Bar chart showing open, high, low, and close values.
Additional menus let you change the chart duration – from 1 to 20 days of intraday data, or from 1 month to over 30 years of daily stock data – as well as the chart frequency. (The chart frequency is the period of time is represented by a single bar, point, or candle on the graph. You can vary the frequency to control the "density" of the graph).
Making the Chart Bigger
Did you know that you can resize Prophet Java Charts to fill the entire screen? Java Charts starts "attached" to the browser page. Click the Detach button in the lower-left corner to "float" the applet.
Once the applet is detached, you can resize the charts and adjust the aspect ratio by dragging the lower-right corner of the applet. Or click the title bar to make the applet fill the entire screen.
Adding Lower Studies / Multiple Indicator Windows
You can add studies one-by-one by using the tree in the left panel. Additionally, you can show multiple studies by adding them via the Customize Studies dialog box.
From the Tools menu, choose Customize Studies. To select a study, click on the study name in the scrolling list and then click Add. Each lower study will be shown in a separate indicator window, unless Superimpose Lower Studies is checked.
Combining Lower Studies
Some technicians find it useful to superimpose two studies (or one study with two different sets of parameters) in a single indicator window. You can overlay the same study with different parameters, or combine two or more different studies. First choose Customize Studies from the Tools menu. Add the studies you wish to use, and then check the box labeled Superimpose Lower Studies.
Changing Study Parameters
Most studies include parameters – such as a percentage or a moving-average period – that can be varied to suit your particular trading style.
To customize the parameters of a study, first select Customize Studies from the Tools menu. When you select a study from the list, the parameters you can vary appear in editable fields. Once you've entered new numbers in the available fields, click Add to add the modified study to the chart.
Zooming In, Zooming Out
To zoom in on a portion of the main chart, click and drag your mouse from the starting price bar to the ending price bar. The chart will redraw with just the time period you are interested in, which makes it easier to see the details.
To unzoom, double-click the price graph or select Unzoom from the Tools menu at the top of the chart.
You can also zoom in and out using the magnifying glass icons at the bottom of the applet. Clicking each icon zooms in (or out) by half the chart duration. Once you've zoomed in, use the scroll bar to pan across the chart.
Adding and Deleting Trendlines
To draw a trendline on the chart, click on the starting point and then click again where you want the line to end. Or, you can select Add Trendline from the Tools menu and then drag the mouse from starting point to end point.
To delete a trendline, select Delete Last Trendline from the Tools menu. Repeat the process to delete additional trendlines. To delete all the trendlines drawn on a chart, select Delete All Trendlines from the Tools menu.
If you accidentally start a trendline (i.e., the trendline becomes anchored at a starting point that you do not wish to use), you can "drop" it by pressing the Escape key on the keyboard.
Adding Space at the Right Edge of the Chart
You can add space at the right edge of the chart by checking the box labeled Expand Chart. This feature is particularly useful for projecting trendlines. Simply draw the trendline to reach the right edge of the price graph.
Changing the Cursor Guide
Different cursors can help you draw accurate trendlines and read specific dates and prices more easily. You can toggle between a red vertical line, a red set of crosshairs, or a normal mouse arrow. Click the square button at the bottom of the chart.
Reading Market Data and Study Values
For historical price quotes, move the cursor over the price bar that you are interested in and read the data below the stock name. D shows the date for the bar that your mouse is currently over. O is the opening price, H is the high, L is the low, C is the close, and V is the volume. Y is the current position of cursor on the price axis.
Lower study values are shown in each indicator window. To read the value on an upper study, such as moving average or PSAR, hold the cursor over the point of interest and read the Y value from the data display.
Comparing Stocks and Indices
You can compare a stock to any number of indices and stocks. From the Tools menu, choose Compare To. Select an index from the list or enter a symbol in the field; then click Add until you're finished specifying the issues for comparison. When finished, click Close.
Looking Up a Stock Symbol
To lookup the symbol for a company or fund, click the word Symbol and use the Search box that appears.
Finding the Ratio for a Stock Split / Yellow Triangles
A yellow triangle on the price graph indicates that a split occurred on that date. To read the split ratio, hold the cursor over the yellow triangle.
Printing Charts
To print a chart, choose Print Chart from the Tools menu. You'll see a new browser window with a picture of your chart. Use the browser's Print command to print the chart.
For most printers, you will need to print the chart at a reduction. To do this, choose Print Preview (if available) from the File menu of the browser. Then look for a selection that allows the printed image to "Fit on One Page" or "Shrink Page to Fit."
Or choose Page Setup and enter a percent reduction. The reduction amount will depend on your printer and the size of chart you're working with. Depending on the aspect ratio of your chart, you may also wish to change the Page Setup to print the chart in landscape (vs. portrait) orientation.
If you use the crosshairs-style cursor when working with the chart, you may wish to change to an invisible cursor (no lines) when printing the chart.
Sending Charts Via Email
You can email a chart to a trading buddy, your broker, or a friend! Choose Mail Chart form the Tools menu. You can add a note with your chart, such as "Check out this great breakout!" or "Do you think I should buy this stock?"
Your email address is included in case your friend wants to write back. Rest assured that your privacy is protected; the information is not stored or re-used in any way.
If you have questions at any time, email us and we'll be happy to research your request.
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