Omar Bassal - Swing Trading For Dummies

Swing Trading For Dummies

by Omar Bassal, CFA

Swing Trading For Dummies

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Copyright 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008933744

ISBN: 9780470445983

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Omar Bassal, CFA is the head of Asset Management at NBK Capital, the investment arm of the largest and highest rated bank in the Middle East. There, he oversees all asset management activities for institutional and high net worth individuals investing in the equity markets of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Prior to joining NBK Capital, Mr. Bassal was a portfolio manager at Azzad Asset Management, where he managed mutual funds and separately managed accounts. Mr. Bassal also worked as an analyst at Profit Investment Management and launched a socially responsible hedge fund in 2002. He holds an MBA with honors in finance, management, and statistics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Science degree in Economics, also from the Wharton School. He has appeared on CNBC and has contributed articles to Barrons and Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities.

Dedication

To my mother, my mother, and my mother Maha Al-Hiraki Bassal. To my father, Dr. Aly Bassal. And my sisters, Suzie and Sarah. To my loving wife, Salma, and my brother-in-law, Hisham. And to my beloved nephew, Mostafa. They have always supported me in easy and difficult times.

Authors Acknowledgments

I dont believe any experience could possibly have prepared me for the rigorous schedule required to write a book. I cant tell you how many weekends, evenings, and holidays were required to write Swing Trading For Dummies. The effort was, of course, worth it. But I did miss several episodes of Lost, The Office, and other shows. Alas, the cost of writing books isnt measured in time alone.

Before I turn this section into an autobiography (which I should pitch to Wiley as my second book, come to think of it: Omar Bassal For Dummies!), let me thank those who deserve thanks (give credit where credit is due, Im told, is the way the kids are putting it these days). I first learned of this opportunity through Susan Weiner, CFA a skilled and professional investment writer. Susan told me about a search Wiley was conducting to find an author for this book. Marilyn Allen, my agent, pitched me to Wiley. Im honored Wiley offered me the opportunity to write this book. Thank you, Stacy Kennedy, for your confidence in me and your buy-in.

Writing the book, as you may have gleaned from my previous comments, was a grueling, tough process, and Kristin DeMint was an invaluable resource. She was my project editor and made sure the book progressed. She often joked that she knew nothing about swing trading. But her weakness was in reality a strength. Not being an expert in the subject meant Kristin could offer helpful comments on what might confuse a novice when I made assumptions or didnt properly explain ideas. Kristin also kept a watchful eye when deadlines approached. Oh how I didnt want to draw her ire. (Im half joking. Shes actually a very sweet person... as long as I didnt miss my deadline!)

As my trading mentor, Ian Woodward, once said: Many hands make light work. In addition to Kristin, many Wiley staff members worked behind the scenes. Russell Rhoads, the technical editor, ensured I wasnt making things up, and other editors Todd Lothery, Jennifer Tucci, and Elizabeth Rea made sure my grammar made cents. (They mustve missed this part!)

Though not involved directly in my project, per se, my family supported me throughout. That meant a lot. Its not something I can put into words even as a writer.

Publishers Acknowledgments

Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at http://dummies.custhelp.com. For other comments, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax 317-572-4002.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Kristin DeMint

Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy