How to Make a Prediction From a Stock Chart

Use indicators. In addition to the price of a stock over a given time period, most charts include data on volume and price moving averages as well as various meta-indicators that help interpret this data. The Relative Strength Indicator and Moving Average Convergence/Divergence oscillator are common indicators that most chartists use to confirm the strength of a trend.
Identify support and resistance. Some of the most useful information to a trader or investor is support and resistance levels. These are the price at which a stock has tendencies to be widely bought and sold. Often, price will react predictably at these levels, consistent with past performance. If these levels are broken by prices moving beyond them, however, they are still useful as confirmation of a major change in behavior.
Look for trend lines. Trends are what most investors and traders want to spot. By connecting tops or bottoms, chartists can draw a trend line and evaluate whether it's used as support or resistance in continuation of the trend.
Count wave patterns. Elliott wave counting is a complex and highly specialized chart-reading technique that can make powerful predictions about a stock based on the relative size and duration of price movements.
Read candlesticks. One of the oldest chart-reading techniques is the interpretation of candlesticks. Most have Japanese names because the technique was invented by rice traders in Japan. The relative shape and size of a candlestick's body and wick and its shape in relation to the candlesticks adjacent to it are widely believed to have predictive value.

How to Learn to Read Stock Market Quotes (4 Steps)

Find a good financial site online such as Yahoo! Finance to assist in learning to read stock market quotes. Review glossary terms that can assist in helping you understand things like volume indicators, bid price, daily high, daily low, as well as all other stock quote numbers. Before you invest, you must understand what these numbers mean and where they are coming from. Until you grasp the concept of these terms, you won't be a successful trader.
Use technical charts in order to learn to read stock market quotes. There are several technical indicators that can signal a bullish or bearish event for short, medium, and long term periods. You should only use technical indicators in combination with other factors including fundamental analysis.
Research overall market trends that can help you learn to read stock market quotes. No matter how bullish or bearish an individual stock may appear, it is virtually impossible to move against the overall trend of the market. Understanding the moves in the entire economic landscape can help assist in your analysis.
Pay attention to annual shareholder meetings, quarterly financial reports, dividend announcements and other key news as part of your analysis. While this information may not immediately impact the movement of a stock price, overtime it will normally be reflected. Learning to read stock market quotes takes time and patience to be a successful trader and investor.