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Stock Inspector Tips & Tricks -- fix bad "flash crash" data points

We haven't had another "flash crash" in a while but I still see crazy data points hanging around that can play havoc with stock charts.

When I go to a site like StockCharts.com, for example, and look at an ETF like IGW, the iShares Semiconductor ETF, there is a "flash crash" data point back in May that dips down below $15 on a day when the ETF was trading mostly in the mid-$40's. This data point makes the chart almost unreadable and tends to skew the technical analysis algorithms.

Did you know that if you are using Trade-Radar Stock Inspector, you can fix this wacky data point and get your technical analysis back on track?

You've probably noticed those fields on the right-hand side of the main screen in Stock Inspector. Those fields display the date, the open-high-low-close and volume data for the stock or ETF. Using the arrow buttons on the toolbar, you can sequence through that data and get to any date you choose.

Once you do find the wacky data point, you can click the Edit button on the toolbar and modify the data. To fix the flash crash situation, update Low value of the stock price to a value that is more reasonabke. Click the Save button on the toolbar and you're done.

The next time you look at the chart, it won't be thrown off by some data point out of left field.

One further piece of advice: when you load new data for that stock symbol you should choose a start date after May 2010 so you don't overwrite the data you just fixed.

If you're interested in trying Trade-Radar Stock Inspector, please go to our Download page and take advantage of the free 45-day trial.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Appreciate the tip

I wonder how this approach could be made to work when doing a batch download. I have txt file with my holdings in it, but I don't think there is an option to set date ranges when doing a batch download,

Thanks
August 27, 2010 at 7:38:00 AM EDT
Trade Radar Operator said…
Stay tuned! I'm working on a new version that will include an option to set default date ranges.
September 1, 2010 at 10:43:00 PM EDT

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