AMD Case Study: Trend Phases, Earnings Risk, and the “Nothing Burger” Range

Ever stared at a stock chart and wondered, "Is this a breakout, or am I about to buy at the top?"

Using AMD as a real-world example, Dave Keller, CMT, walks through a simple but powerful idea: before making any decisions, you need to understand whether the stock is in an accumulation, distribution, or consolidation phase.

Rather than jumping to making bold forecasts, Dave takes a step-by-step approach that shows how these trend phases emerge through price structure, moving averages, momentum, and relative strength. He explains why defining the trend first can help you manage risk, stay patient, and avoid the emotional decisions that so often lead to buying too late or selling too early.

Dave also spends time explaining the consolidation phase, one that investors often struggle with. He explains why this phase is a neutral, "wait and see" phase. You'll also see how StockCharts alerts and scans can help you stay focused on higher probability opportunities without having to constantly watch the screen.

If you're looking for a practical, no-nonsense way to think about trends and want to see how a professional technician approaches charts in real-time, this is a video worth watching.

This video premiered on February 2, 2026. Watch on StockCharts' dedicated David Keller page!

Previously recorded videos from Dave are available at this link.