Sure, it doesn't hurt to know some market fundamentals, but I'm with you, I think the average trader will get more from the charts.

Case in point, remember Hurricane Katrina? Well, if you knew that there are a ton-o-refineries around the gulf coast you would have known to buy Oil/Gas futures when the hurricane wiped out the coast. Ditto for the huge forest fires in Oregon a few years back that sent lumber prices soaring and there are many more examples to be had, but those are the basic "fundamentals" and I agree that those are good to know.

Erich