Hi rip07,
These are definitions from oxford dictionary :
Predict : Say or estimate that (a specified thing) will
happen in the future or will be a
consequence of something
Speculate : Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence --- one more definition --- Invest in stocks, property, or other ventures in the
hope of gain but with the risk of loss
Links are here :
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/predict
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/speculate
Not only Astrologers do prediction. Many professional guys do prediction in their field.
Engineers do predictions ( Aerodynamicist, Structural Analyst, Thermodynamicist,etc..,) For example : Engineers predict the failure of the material based on loads acting on it. It is just prediction not exact science. They use numerical methods to predict it.
If you see temperature in any sensor, it just predict the temperature on macroscopic scale based on statistical mathematics. Each and every molecule have different properties in microscopic and it is not possible to calculate properties of each and every molecule and then average it. So, we just use know mathematical models to approximate (predict) the value with some assumptions.
Even Facebook predicts what you like, what will you do based on your history of how you used it. They use some algorithm to understand it. If you want you can refer Machine learning.
I know both terms are different.
I'm repeating this : If you able to predict weather
( natural cycle), you should be able to predict market.
Every trader speculate each and every time they trade with calculated risk. I am also speculate ( with calculated risk ) based on my prediction + technical signal.
If you see technical indicators and speculate , automatically your mind predict something subconsciously without any data backed models so you speculate with the hope that it will happen.
Regards,
Nagappan