Technical Trading Strategies : And the effect of trigger indicators

Abstract: This thesis investigates whether technical trading rules, such as simple moving averages and trigger indicators, have a significant effect and can generate excess return against a simple buy and hold strategy. The rules will be applied on the OMX Stockholm 30 from the beginning of 2000 until the end of 2011. We also examine if the introduction of trigger indicators have a significant contribution to a dual simple moving average, in terms of return. The findings of the study were confirmed by an out of sample test. Results conclude that no statistically significant excess return was generated from the use of technical trading strategies, when compared against a simple buy and hold strategy. The findings also submit that there are no statistically significant evidence, that the trigger indicators used would have a positive effect to the performance of the dual simple moving average.