If you are an active investor in the stock market, you might have concerns about market fluctuations and the ability to secure a profit.
Even if you understand that there are no guarantees when it comes to investing, knowing how to analyze changes in share value can help boost your confidence and lead to more consistent returns.
The first step to building that confidence is knowing how to analyze and predict market trends or movements.
What is Stock Market Analysis?
Stock market analysis is the process of examining changes in stock value. Whether you are monitoring your own portfolio or looking for an in-depth analysis of the market, there are many ways to go about this process.
For example, if you have been following a specific company and notice that share prices have been changing frequently based on news from the firm, using fundamental analysis can help you better understand these fluctuations.
This method thoroughly evaluates a company’s financial data to identify any strengths or weaknesses driving the price.
On the other hand, technical analysis involves examining patterns in share value to predict future changes in stock prices. This practice is based on the idea that all known information about a company is already built into its current market value.
Therefore, if a stock’s value goes up or down, it indicates the market recognizes a favourable change in the company.
Because there are many different types of charts and graphs involved in this analysis, it can be helpful to use charting software when you’re looking for specific information about a company.
What is a Market Trend?
Market trends are the general consensus of where a market or industry is moving and can be identified by looking at historical fluctuations in share price.
For example, you might notice that stock prices for your company have been rising steadily over the last few months because it’s expanding into new markets.
Or conversely, this type of analysis could show that stocks are declining because product demand is down.
These trends can help you predict whether your share prices will grow or fall in the future.
Although not always an accurate way to predict changes, understanding where a market is headed can help boost your confidence as an investor and lead you to make more consistent returns on your investments.
What Factors Can Affect Stock Prices?
While patterns and trends might help you identify how a market is moving, many variables can affect a specific company’s share price.
Some key factors include:
- News or announcements
- Market conditions
- Inflation
- Global economy
News or announcements
Any news or major announcements from a company about changes in strategy or personnel can immediately impact its share price.
For example, if your company is launching a new product line or entering into a new business partnership that could generate significant revenue, chances are the value of shares will increase.
Market conditions
One of the main factors affecting stock prices is market conditions. In other words, all known information about a company’s future prospects is based on current market conditions.
If the market as a whole is doing well, it leads to increased share prices for all companies involved. The opposite is true if the market feels that opportunities are limited or a company’s performance will not meet expectations.
Inflation
Like changes in stock value, inflation affects any money you have invested. If the prices of goods and services are increasing throughout the economy, your money might not buy as much in comparison.
Global economy
The success of a country’s economy is largely dependent on exports to other countries. Therefore, reforms or changes in trade policy could greatly impact the value of shares in companies that rely on foreign markets for growth.
Types of Analysis to Predict Stock Price Movement
There are several factors to consider when looking at financial analysis. While some people believe that you have to choose between fundamental and technical analysis, it is possible to use both methods.
That said, here are the different types of financial analysis you can use to predict price movements in the Kenyan stock market:
- Marketing analysis
- Fundamental Analysis
- Industry Analysis
- Technical Analysis
Marketing Analysis
This type of analysis identifies trends within a firm’s marketing activities over time. In addition to reviewing revenue-related numbers, it also includes research into what companies are being advertised, how much is spent on each product or service, and the change in market share.
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis focuses on what a company does best and how it can improve. For example, if you think that your company is undervalued, information about the industry could help you to determine whether this is true and the best time to buy or sell your shares.
Industry Analysis
If you’re looking for short-term gains, industry analysis can help identify companies that are likely to perform well in future months. By comparing your company with others within the industry, you might be able to predict which stocks will increase first.
Technical Analysis
Some investors believe that by using charts, graphs, and other information about how a share price changes over time, they can determine the best time to buy or sell. Although this type of analysis can help you identify trends in some cases, it will not always be accurate.
So, How Do You Predict Future Market Performance?
Because there are so many factors that can affect a company’s share price, it is not possible to accurately predict how the market will perform. Even if you think you have identified some of the major influences on stock prices, there are always new variables introduced into any investment equation.
There are, however, several strategies for assessing market performance and choosing stocks. You should start by monitoring the following signals:
- Market Sell-Off
- Market Recovery
- Political Situation
- Economic Situation
- Company Situation –
Market Sell-Off
If you believe stock prices will fall, this is a great time to buy shares. Not only are they cheap due to the current market conditions, but you can also take advantage of the falling price.
Market sell-offs are often prompted by major events such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or if Elon Musk tweets something negative about the company😂.
So, if there have been any events within the last 24 hours that could affect stock prices, you should prepare to buy.
Market Recovery
Similarly, if you believe that there will be an increase in stock prices, this provides you with the opportunity to sell at the highest price possible.
When people feel that opportunities are improving or that companies are performing better than expected, they often rush out to purchase shares, which can lead to a sharp increase in share prices.
Political Situation
If you believe that the government will implement a new trade or taxation policy, it might be a good time to buy shares. That is if the policy is beneficial to all businesses.
Not only will the company benefit from the change, but other companies within the industry are also likely to see an increase in stock prices.
Economic Situation
If companies within an industry are currently struggling, it might be a good time to buy shares.
For example, if firms have recently suffered poor sales due to extreme weather conditions or lack of demand for their products, this could lead to sales and stock price increases.
Financial analysts are often able to identify trends related to the economy, which makes it easy to know when to buy.
Company Situation
Companies performing well or that have recently made improvements might increase their share prices.
If you know that legislation has recently changed that benefits your company, it is worth checking how this will affect its future performance before deciding whether now is a good time to buy or sell shares.
The Bottomline
Predicting stock market performance allows you to make money by buying and selling stocks at the best time possible.
This requires significant knowledge of your industry, as well as an understanding of how particular circumstances can affect share prices.
If you think a company is undervalued and will perform well soon, it might be a good time to buy shares and wait for the price to rise.
By following relevant news sources and listening to financial experts, you can learn how to predict market performance and make money from your investments.