Candlestick technical trading strategies : can they create value for investors? : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract We conduct the first robust study of the oldest known form of technical analysis, candlestick charting. Candlestick technical analysis is a short-term timing technique that generates signals based on the relationship between open, high, low, and close prices. Using an extension of the bootstrap methodology, which allows for the generation of random open, high, low and close prices, we find that candlestick trading strategies do not have value for Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) stocks. This is further evidence that this market is informationally efficient.

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