Technically Speaking, January 2025

Mission
To empower investment professionals worldwide by establishing the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation as the global gold standard in technical analysis education and as a vital tool for advancing careers. We inspire professionals to leverage the CMT Program as a pathway to mastering market analysis, improving investment outcomes, and achieving professional excellence. 

Values 

1. Excellence in Education
   We are dedicated to providing the highest-quality curriculum and resources, rooted in unbiased, evidence-based market analysis practices that reflect the rigor and standards of the CMT Program. 
2. Global Accessibility
   We are committed to fostering accessibility across regions, welcoming diverse thought leadership from around the globe, and ensuring that the CMT Program serves a broad and inclusive audience of investment professionals. 
3. Professional Growth
   We value the transformative power of education to enhance careers, improve investment strategies, reduce risk, and strengthen industry credibility for both individuals and their employers. 
4. Integrity and Credibility
   Upholding the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and accuracy, we aim to maintain the trust of our members, the investing public, and regulators, reinforcing the CMT designation as a mark of excellence. 
5. Community and Connection
   We prioritize creating opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration to foster a vibrant community of investment professionals dedicated to advancing the discipline of technical analysis. 

Vision
To advance the discipline of technical analysis as an integral part of the investment decision-making process, fostering a global community of professionals who build better outcomes for investors by applying technical analysis principles with integrity and rigor. 

Goals 

1. Increase Enrollment
   CMT Association aims to increase candidate enrollment from the December 2024 all-time highs. Growth of candidates improves career opportunities, industry awareness and regulatory recognition of the discipline. Expansion will be driven by new geographies, professional demographics like commodities, FX, and crypto market professionals, and forging partnerships with financial organizations. 
2. Raise Awareness
   Position the CMT designation as an indispensable credential for professionals navigating today’s complex markets. Leverage digital campaigns, thought leadership content, and compelling testimonials from CMT charterholders to amplify the designation’s visibility. 
3. Enhance Candidate Support
   Streamline the enrollment and study experience through improved online tools, a rapid enrollment process, and expanded learning resources hosted on a state-of-the-art virtual LMS curriculum. 
4. Build Strategic Partnerships
   Collaborate with universities, financial firms, and industry organizations to integrate the CMT Program into professional development pipelines, strengthening its presence in academic and corporate environments. 
5. Foster Community Engagement
   Strengthen connections among candidates, charterholders, and industry leaders through dynamic webinars, robust mentorship programs, and exclusive events that emphasize the collaborative and inclusive culture of CMT Association. 

Welcome to the first edition of 2025 of Technically Speaking! New year, new you, right? Well, maybe not a new you, but perhaps a more engaged you. 

I first heard about the CMT designation 15 years ago from a well-tenured trader on Bay Street (the Wall Street of Canada for those of you who are unaware), shortly after graduating university. Back then, I was considering the CFA, but after doing my due diligence, I decided to pursue the CMT. It seemed like a niche designation that would give me an edge in the industry, especially in the career path I wanted to pursue. At the time, there were 5 CFAs in Toronto for every CMT charter holder globally! 

To immerse myself in the world of technical analysis and the community, I started attending the Toronto Chapter meetings and quickly became a regular. When the opportunity arose to volunteer and help organize the events, I jumped on it. That led me to become the Toronto Chapter Head, then VP of the CSTA (Canadian Society of Technical Analysts), and finally, the President of the organization. 

As you can imagine, my involvement in the CMT Association and the broader technical analysis community has been instrumental in my career growth. The network I built through the association opened doors and provided invaluable support at different stages of my journey. What started out as a CMT sponsorship by Larry Berman more than 12 years ago, turned into a mentorship and the ability to work with Larry side-by-side over the past 4 years. Most of the time you don’t know what a particular decision will result in the future to, but when you look back years from that decision, it all seems to make sense in the greater scheme of things.  

My point is this: get involved with the CMT Association! Start anywhere, in any capacity, and the rest will work itself out. 

As a board member, I’m involved in various committees dedicated to driving the CMT Association forward. One is the Chapter Development Committee, focused on growing and enhancing our local and regional chapters. We’re currently finalizing an updated format for how these chapters will operate, and we need your help! This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the CMT Association and connect with fellow technical analysts. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out – we’d love to hear from you! 

I encourage everyone, from those new to the field or the CMT Association to seasoned professionals, to become more engaged. Volunteer your time, give back to the community, and mentor newcomers. By working together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community of technical analysts, where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. 

Dear CMT Association Community, 

We are excited to introduce three outstanding professionals who have recently joined the CMT Association team in 2025. Each of them brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will strengthen our operations, enhance our curriculum, and ensure the continued excellence of the CMT Program. 

Heather Higgins has joined as our new Chief of Staff. With a strong background in organizational leadership, operations, and strategic planning, Heather will play a key role in overseeing human resources, financial planning support, and vendor management. Her leadership will help streamline our internal processes, fostering a more efficient and effective organization. Heather looks forward to engaging with our members and contributing to the continued growth of the CMT Association. Learn more about Heather by clicking HERE.

Louis Spector, CMT, has taken on the role of CMT Curriculum Director. Having served as Editor-in-Chief for the 2025 CMT Curriculum, Louis is now stepping into a permanent position where he will ensure that the candidate body of knowledge remains at the forefront of professional practice. His dedication and expertise will be instrumental in maintaining and advancing the high standards of our educational materials. Learn more about Louis by clicking HERE.

Michael Rickert has officially joined as our new Exam Manager. With extensive experience in assessment and test development at both the state and national levels, Mike has worked through all stages of test construction, including writing, reviewing, and editing more than 17,000 exam items. He will collaborate closely with our Subject Matter Experts and the Curriculum & Test Committee to refine our question banks and maintain the rigor and integrity of the CMT Exam. Learn more about Mike by clicking HERE.

Please join us in welcoming Heather, Louis, and Mike to the CMT Association. Their individual bios and contacts can be found by clicking here. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the valuable contributions they will bring to our community. 

Best regards,
Tyler 

In this episode of Fill the Gap: The Official Podcast of the CMT Association, we welcome John Kosar, CMT, President and Chief Market Strategist at Asbury Research. After spending most of the first half of his 40-year career on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange trading floor, he has spent much of the second half trying to take emotions out of the equation by becoming as data-driven as possible. John describes some of the indicators and models he and his son, Jack, combine into portfolios of varying risk/reward profiles to meet the needs of different types of investors.

Listen by clicking here!

Exclusive presentations, expert panels, and invaluable networking opportunities, all within a city renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit. With its rich history of innovation and proximity to Silicon Valley, San Francisco is the perfect location for exploring the future of finance. The summit will also feature a wine-tasting tour through one of California’s renowned vineyards.

Click HERE to register and view the agenda.

The Trouble with Trend Following

Dive into the intricate world of trend-following strategies with this insightful session led by Chad Karnes. Explore the evolution of trend-following methodologies, as Karnes sheds light on the technical nuances, inherent flaws, and pivotal changes that have shaped their approach. Gain a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making processes and analytical techniques that often remain hidden. This webinar is a must-watch for anyone looking to refine their understanding of trend-following, with practical insights and thought-provoking lessons straight from the field. Sometimes, understanding “how the sausage is made” is the key to mastering the craft.

Click HERE to watch the recording!

Trading Trends

John Salama, CMT, reviewed the top absolute (long and short) trades from the past year to assess trend persistence and identify potential setups for systematic and technical trading. Additionally, Salama covered tickers submitted in the chat, including both macro trends and individual securities.

Click HERE to watch the recording!

We are thrilled to announce the achievement of 16 individuals who have recently earned their Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation. This prestigious accomplishment signifies a remarkable dedication to the field of technical analysis and investment strategy.

The Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation is a globally recognized certification awarded by the CMT Association. It reflects a deep understanding of market dynamics, proficiency in technical analysis, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.

These newly certified individuals have demonstrated their expertise in interpreting market trends, identifying patterns, and making informed investment decisions based on rigorous analysis. Their attainment of the CMT designation underscores their commitment to excellence and distinguishes them as leaders in the financial industry.

In an ever-evolving market landscape, the expertise provided by Chartered Market Technicians is invaluable. Their proficiency in analyzing market data and identifying emerging trends equips them to navigate complex financial markets with confidence and precision.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these 16 individuals on their remarkable achievement. Their dedication, perseverance, and expertise serve as a testament to the significance of the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation in today’s financial world.

Please join us in celebrating their success and wishing them continued excellence in their careers as Chartered Market Technicians.

• Tsamis Athanasios
• Kin Bun Chan 
• Ryan Els 
• Connor Eustace
• Prasad (Paul) Ika
• Nicholas Khan-Roper
• Jonathan Kicinski
• Gregory Krupinski
• Jason Leach
• Eli Mou
• Rajesh Priyani
• Przemysław Skiba
• Will Steffe
• Igor Stojanac
• Chi Yuen (Vincent) Wong
• Linjun Zhang