[isatrader]

My question is this. Before I get started on the book can anyone tell me what to be aware of in the book as I am reading along that is done differently today than when the book was written?

I have read some things here and there about slight variations from when the book was written but with all the reading I have done from different sites I can't remember what they were.

Hi gptx, welcome to Stage Analysis, and I think you've made a wise decision to learn Weinstein's method from the outset, as it took me many years of experimenting with other methods before I found Weinstein's book and to started to improve.

To your question. The changes to the method are very minor, so the only thing in the book that's not really relevant anymore is the section in Chapter 3 on buy-stop orders, as these days Weinstein recommends buying a close above the target breakout level, and only using partial buy-stop orders with the trader method.

The other change to be aware of the Four Stages, now have sub stages also, which has further helped understand a stocks position in it's cycle. So there are 13 sub stages in total:

Definitions of the Stages and Sub-stages

Stage 1A Start of a base. Needs much more time.
Stage 1 Basing Phase. May begin accumulation.
Stage 1B Late in base-building phase. Watch for breakout.

Stage 2A Early in uptrend stage. Ideal time to buy aggressively.
Stage 2 Advancing Stage.
Stage 2B Getting late in uptrend.

Stage 3A Looks as if a top is starting to form. Be sure to protect holdings with a close stop.
Stage 3 The Top Area. Start to reduce positions.
Stage 3B Has become increasingly toppy. Use rallies for at least partial selling.

Stage 4A Stock has entered Downtrend Stage. Close out remaining positions.
Stage 4 The Declining Stage. Avoid on the long side.
Stage 4B Late in downtrend. Much too soon to consider buying.
Stage 4B- Although not yet “officially” in Stage 1A, stock has now seen its low for the cycle.

Additional ratings
(A) Early in that Stage.
(B) Late in that Stage.
(+) Outstanding pattern in that Stage.
(–) Unexciting pattern in that Stage.

Other than those, the method is the same today as it was when the book was published in 1988. So my advice would be to read the book, take notes so you can easily reference pages again. Then go through the old trade2win thread that I did, which will answer a lot of the questions, and then go though the newer stuff on here and start to learn to recognize the stages. As once you can instantly identify the Stage, you'll find looking through stock charts for potential trades a much easier process.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions on here and myself or one the other members should be able to help you.