This is a very good question.


Trends are, in general,are misunderstood. Markets trend appx. 15% of the time, and trade (T/R) within a range 85% of the time.


Since markets can be viewed on many different time frames, minutes, daily, weekly, monthly and longer, each chart needs to be viewed in its own context.


You can not look at a 15 mim. chart and use it to project a daily chart. This is not to say one will not offer hints as to what the other MIGHT do. IE: a day trader may get an idea as to direction from the weekly, daily chart but should focus on trading the 15 min. chart.


While there is no way to know when a trend will start or end, volume does offer one of the better indicators, this along with higher highs/higher lows can be seen just by looking at a market in an uptrend


You can see this in the DOW chart here: http://chart.bigcharts.com/custom/fo...&compidx=aaaaa%7E0&ma=0&maval=60&uf=0&lf=1&type=4&mocktick=1&cou ntry=US&doChartIV=0&style=1452&size=1&symb=vlccf&r and=3101


Notice the volume level at the tops and bottoms.


But this is only the beginning of technical analysis.


If you would like more information on the subject try this link. It offers an excellent explanation of most of the tools available to traders.