Technical vs. fundamental analysis

What's the big deal? On one side you've got the Tech guys claiming that fundamental guys are stodgy, outdated, boring and unreliable. On the other side the "fundies" are calling technical analysis, voodoo, myopic, self-fulllingly prophetic and, you guessed it, unreliable.
The only universal truth on either side, and I'm sure you guessed it again, is that any analysis is unreliable.
As soon as an investor becomes convinced that they have discovered an infallible method of stock picking, get as far away from them as possible because they are about to self destruct.

First of all what are technical and fundamental analysis?
The fundamentals of a company are simply the documented business statistics, structure, market and plan. It's a numbers game of value. Is the company worth what it's stock price says it's worth?
Technical analysis is centered on price action. The graphical evaluation of market psychology based on historical patterns. These patterns are revealed by the extensive use of charts. Indeed many technical analysts don't particularly care what a company does for a living, apart from what market sector they are in and how that sector is performing.
These definitions are an over simplification of what each camp actually does, with a combination of elements shared by both sides more often the case. As in other areas of life, most people usually reside somewhere in the middle.
I think the techies, share more methods with the fundamentalists than the other way around. but there are always extremists on both sides.
As you broaden your financial literacy, you would be well advised to become proficient in all areas of analysis. Indeed many an excellent company has wallowed in poor price performance for years. While other companies that have no revenues are selling at outrageous prices. Dismiss the reality that both techniques have their strengths and weaknesses and you are setting yourself up for financial pain. Embrace them both and you'll see the financial gain.
The use of fundamentals will make you money and the use of charts will maximise that money.
Furthermore the use of fundamentals will protect your money. Add in chart analysis and you've built a fortress around your portfolio.

JT