A technical analyst, also known as a market technician , is a securities researcher or trader who analyzes investments based on past market prices and technical indicators. Technicians believe that short-term price movements are the result of supply and demand forces in the market for given security. Thus, for technicians, the fundamentals of security are less relevant than the current balance of buyers and sellers. Based on the careful interpretation of past trading patterns, technical analysts try to discern this balance with the aim of predicting future price movements. KEY TAKEAWAYS Technical analysis looks for price patterns and trends based on historical performance to identify signals based on market sentiment and psychology. Technical analysts, also known as chartists or technicians, employ technical analysis in their trading and research. Technical analysts may augment their training and education through earning the chartered market technician (CMT) designation. Understand