exploiting beta

Into JC Penney ($40.15)

2012-01-26T13:38:00.001-05:00

Admittedly in too late and overpaying but I need a spec. stake now after watching for so long. I fully expect it to pull back but...had to do it.

US Steel (X $31.05)

2012-01-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

Back into US Steel. Looking for the short squeeze.

Caterpillar (CAT $112.99) blew away their numbers. Netflix ($117.86) is killing the shorts again up $22.82.

Sears (SHLD $49.80)

2012-01-20T13:55:00.001-05:00

Until the recent activity in Sears I haven't paid much attention to it since 2007 and 2008. It's up almost 50% in the last week but down 50% since I'd looked at it. Perhaps 4 years is long enough for a turnaround. Let's see what happens.

Blast from the Past

2012-01-19T13:59:00.003-05:00

My first 10-bagger as a young broker was Broadvision (BVSN). I haven't looked at this stock for a long time, maybe years, and it's in the news because of the spike in volume over the last couple of days. The stock was a highflier during bubble 1.0, crashed, did a 1:25 split and has now doubled since October 2011.

I had discovered the company reading some tech rags like Red Herring, made some calls, established a line of communication with them and started to build a position. I still remember the day that their PR kits came in a box shoddily taped together as if to say "we've got better things to do than send these to this guy". That's when I knew that I had a good one and I still have one of those kits today.

Ahh, good times. As for the stock today? I wouldn't touch it, momentum or not, 'cause the fundamentals are shit but it still captivates me every time I see that name.

Cramer Pounding the Table for BRCM

2012-01-19T09:28:00.001-05:00

I'm not much of a bottom fisher but I did mention that Broadcom was one that I'd make an exception for. Cramer highlighted Broadcom (BRCM $33.35) during his show's "Bottom Fishing for Semiconductor Stocks" segment.

Sandisk (SNDK $51.99)

2012-01-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

When I see a chart like this pop up on the screen I immediately think, "Oh yeah, this could get good."

Auto Plants Adding Third Shift

2012-01-18T12:07:00.002-05:00

Bloomberg reports that auto plants are at capacity and have added a third shift translating to 24-hour-a-day production for the first time since 2009.
Bloomberg states, "US light-vehicle sales rose by at least 10% for two straight years for the first time since 1984 and grew at a faster rate than China, the world's biggest auto market, for the first time in at least 13 years."
Not only is this obviously good for dealers but also those that are affected upstream like US Steel. This is good news and will help make the decision to buy X even easier when it breaks 29 1/4.

Read the rest of the article

Questcor's PR Engine Revved Up

2012-01-17T08:27:00.002-05:00

A number of Questcor news releases have come to light since the falloff in the stock.
In a detailed press release Questcor refutes the claims by TheStreetSweeper.org, took the criticism head on and answered questions by participating "in a telephone conversation with Melissa Davis, who identified herself as a "reporter" for StreetSweeper".
All sorts of QCOR write-ups have been penned in Seeking Alpha includuing a story by David White, an investor with a significant background in biochemistry who writes that Questcor's is quickly building a multi-billion dollar business and that "MS Scripts have grown consistently from 78 in Q1 2009 to 935-950 MS Scripts in Q4 2011".
Brian Lazorishak highlights QCOR on TheStreet.com as one of three non-household names for 2012.

US Markets Keep Moving

2012-01-17T07:51:00.001-05:00

US Markets are poised to move higher at the open after good news from a Spanish debt auction and relatively good news out of China reporting that GDP grew 8.9% in the fourth quarter.
Since my bullish note on November 30th the S&P had signaled a triple top breakout January 3rd and with today's action looking to cement itself above 1292. Things are looking pretty good. Keep snacking on long positions.

Agrium on Friday the 13th

2012-01-16T10:01:00.002-05:00

AGU ($77.31) got hot at around 2:30 PM EST Friday the 13th and volume spiked resulting in a day with 2X volume. Took a spec stake January 4th at $71.66 after a double top breakout 1/3/12.
It was one of the best performing large cap stocks during the week of January 9th returning 10.47% for the week and 15.20% YTD.
I've not found any significant news.
January 19th: CIBC Whistler Institutional Investor Conference
February 8th: Earnings Release

More on Questcor

2012-01-11T11:57:00.000-05:00

Apparently, QCOR is cratering because of an unfavorable mention in The Street Sweeper, an organization dedicated to exposing corporate fraud. I can find nothing on the blog thus far. Out of this one for now.

Questcor (QCOR $36.32)

2012-01-11T11:25:00.001-05:00

Great. Questcor just got punched in the stomach at 10:45ish. Cratered 5 in 45 minutes. Somebody know something? That's institutional movement. Interesting. Throw that news on the scripts out there to garner some strength in preparation for other news. Perhaps that "other news" fell into somebody's lap.
There goes the gains from NFLX.

US Steel Has 24% Short Interest

2012-01-10T21:43:00.002-05:00

The Netflix trade worked out so well due to its 18% short interest before it ran up. Terranova and Seymour, during Fast Money tonight, mentioned that US Steel could be another that will set up if auto sales continue to look good and the housing market rebounds.
Back up the truck if it breaks 29.25.

NFLX Down 4 Today

2012-01-10T11:19:00.003-05:00

Netflix is back down to 94 and change after almost hitting a hundo yesterday. Will it bounce back? Will it fall back? I don't care. 20% is 20% and you book that...all day, every day.

Questcor (QCOR $42.60)

2012-01-09T12:35:00.001-05:00

Into spec stake on strong scripts. Twice the daily volume in the morning session alone.

Netflix (NFLX $88.89)

2012-01-09T11:07:00.001-05:00

Surging on good volume. I'll ride this thing for awhile and ratchet up stops.

I think that JC Penney (JCP $34.64) gets worse before it gets better but I like the potential story.

JC Penney (JCP 34.96 +1.19)

2012-01-06T16:28:00.001-05:00

JCP up nice today on 2X volume. I've been eyeing an entry point ever since Apple and Target star Ron Johnson joined JCP.

He officially took the reins as CEO Nov. 1 2011 and wasting no time in making moves:
@BusinessInsider articles: Ron may institute a Genius Bar-like atmosphere in JC Penney and he's bringing in talent.
Ron says in this Businessweek Article,"I'm not here to improve, I'm here to transform."
"But you don't need to stock iPads to create an irresistible retail environment. You have to create a store that's more than a store to people." as written in Harvard Business Review.

D & D

2012-01-04T15:22:00.001-05:00

Snacking a little more Deere (80.50) and Disney (38.73).

S&P 1276
DOW 12407
NAZ 2648

Spec stakes in AGU (71.66) and NFLX (79.92) too. Sold half of BWX.

Market Rally

2011-12-20T10:12:00.001-05:00

The US markets are rallying on November housing starts as they smashed expectations jumping 9.3% to 685k.

S&P 1231 +26 (2.15%)

S&P 3 Year Chart

2011-12-14T11:51:00.003-05:00

Out of X $25.83

2011-12-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

9% loss. No questions, no looking back.

S&P Action

2011-12-08T09:28:00.001-05:00

S&P is having trouble with the 200 dma and look at the action at around 1245. Which way are we gonna' go? Don't forget about the summit.

US Steel (X - $28.88)

2011-12-05T11:05:00.001-05:00

Double Top Breakout. Into spec stake.
I'd look at some STLD with a break above $13.90

S&P 1220

2011-12-01T16:10:00.001-05:00

With the exception of some DE I haven't done much buying yet. With the S&P currently at around 1240 I'd like to see the S&P settle back to 1220 before staging a rally.

Shopping List

2011-11-30T10:33:00.001-05:00

X: nothing going
F: three year chart no good
JCP: w/ a break above 34.50, maybe
BRCM: looking very bearish but against every disciplined, technical fiber in my body I may consider bottom-fishing at 30.
EMC: w/ a break above 25, maybe
QCOR: breaking above 44.50 on average volume
DE: double top breakout. In w/ a spec stake today, $79.12.
CSCO: w/ a break above 19 I'm in.
RSU: into 1/2 stake in the 38s

S&P Move Above 1220

2011-11-30T10:30:00.001-05:00

This move above 1220 looks significant enough to get bullish for the near term. I have a laundry list and will go through each of the charts and stories over the next 48 hours. It's time to snack on some positions.

Market Looking to Rally Big

2011-11-30T09:04:00.001-05:00

In a surprise move China's central bank cut the reserve requirement ratio for its commercial lenders for the first time in nearly three years. "It's a surprising move - the market was not expecting the central bank to (cut RRR) so fast," said Shi Chenyu, an economist with the investment banking unit of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Also, the World's major central banks made it easier for banks to get dollars if they need them, a coordinated move to ease the strains on the global financial system. The ECB said in a statement the central banks were making it cheaper for banks to get U.S. dollar liquidity when they need it, starting next Monday.

My intention was to get out of RSW if the S&P broke back above 1205. Sadly it will gap up and give me a poor shot of getting out good. Glad I took some off the table a week ago.

Corning (GLW $13.09)

2011-11-29T11:13:00.001-05:00

GLW is down over 10% today one day after I'd mentioned getting some. They've cut their fourth-quarter sales forecast for its Gorilla Glass. This type of action is precisely why it's pivotal to buy breakouts on strength. I was willing to miss 5% of upside to buy over 15.50 in order to avoid a 10% pitfall today. I'll reset my expectations now. I'm not sure that I'll buy any down here in the 13s but for now I'm just glad to have avoided a big loss.

Corning (GLW $14.92)

2011-11-28T13:33:00.001-05:00

Good 'ole Corning, NY. We go through this great little town every time we drive to upstate New York. Great countryside, great museum and great products. Looking to get into some GLW with a break above $15.50.

What's Next?

2011-11-28T09:41:00.001-05:00

Markets are rallying today on strong, preliminary Black Friday results.
There is also December 9th to keep in mind when a European Union summit will take place to tackle the euro zone debt crisis.
El-Erian's "3 Things to Watch".

Fed's Black Sky Scenario

2011-11-23T14:37:00.001-05:00

Found this interesting in Business Insider.
Fed's Black Sky Scenario is revealed as having some ugly numbers. An unemployment rate of over 13% and a DOW of 5600 for starts. Thirty one banks must complete a stress test against this scenario and the list is right here.

RSW

2011-11-22T15:53:00.001-05:00

Selling some RSW at a profit before the long, feel-good weekend. I'm hanging on to the rest unless 1205 gets taken out.

S&P & the 1225

2011-11-17T10:38:00.001-05:00

If the S&P breaks down below 1225 and I'm in for another bite of bear:

S&P @ 1260

2011-11-15T14:23:00.001-05:00

I just feel that this thing is gonna' roll over and I'm willing to roll the dice. Despite what Buffet says there is too much uncertainty out there and it smells.

More FAZ & RSW

2011-11-15T10:28:00.001-05:00

Yes, retail numbers were pretty good & inflation seems tame but my gut doesn't like the chart on the S&P, here, at 1250 and I still don't like financials.

Italian German Spread

2011-11-15T10:17:00.001-05:00

The Monti honeymoon is over. Italy 10 - Germany 10 Spread is up over 6% today and above 5 again. PPI numbers were OK today so I'm waffling on staying short or going shorter; a terrible position to be in.

Chart: Spread between German and Italian 10 Year Bonds

2011-11-01T11:36:00.001-04:00

I'm still negatively biased so I'm thankful for Joe Corzine, MF Global and this chart thanks to Joe Weisenthanl @TheStalwart.

Steve Jobs

2011-10-07T17:08:00.000-04:00

StanfordCommencement Speech

Transcriptof my reminiscence of working for Steve Jobs by Guy Kawasaki

Steve'sOwn Words from his last Earning's Call

Steve'sInfluence on Hubspot

Rainbowover Pixar October 5, 2011

Flowersfor Steve Jobs

TheSteve Jobs I Knew by Walter Mossberg

WelcomeIBM. Seriously.

SteveJobs: Timeline of the Entrepreneur

TheCrazy Ones - Never Before Aired 1997

Guy Kawasaki talks aboutSteve Job death October 5, 2011

Steve Jobs Documentaryaired in 2010

SteveJob's impact on the Automobile

Why SteveJobs Matters - Inc. Magazine

Do the Opposite

2011-10-05T11:44:00.002-04:00

Posted this 10/4 @ 3:26 PM. The markets took off like a shot at 3:27 PM. Still holding FAZ & RSW so look for another surge today. Haha. Interesting to note that FAZ is currently up in a positive market.

DOW 10,846 +37
S&P 1,130 +6
NAZ 2,433 +28

Holding RSW & FAZ

2011-10-04T15:26:00.004-04:00

Bernanke. Greece. Wall Street protests.

DOW 10,490 -165

S&P 1,089 -10

NAZ 2,325 -11

Looking for the Door

2011-10-03T15:44:00.002-04:00

So...holding RSW & FAZ has turned out OK thus far BUT far too long. Looking to turn a profit in these two but where? I know that breaking 1,100 is the lowest since August 2010 and that the P&F target could be the June 2010 low of 1010. Hold on.

DOW 10,703 -209

S&P 1,104 -25

NAZ 2,348 -66

Watching 1210

2011-09-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Sadly still holding RSW & FAZ. I'll keep holding unless 1210 is taken out.

DOW 11,295
S&P 1,188
NAZ 2,565

Gold

2011-09-26T06:45:00.003-04:00

Marc Faber says that support @ $1,500 doesn't hold we could see $1,100. I don't know if 1,100 is real or not nor do I care since I don't hold gold but I do know that people get caught up in fear and greed and like oil before it gold must've suckered a lot of individual investors. If you hold gold, look for an exit point.

Holding RSW & FAZ

2011-09-22T15:30:00.001-04:00

Any close below 1119 on the S&P will be the lowest close since September of last year. Point & Figure charts suggest 1010 as the objective. I'm not so sure but I'm hanging onto RSW & FAZ for now.

FAZ & RSW

2011-09-22T09:02:00.003-04:00

I was beginning to really question hanging onto FAZ & RSW but so long as the S&P stayed below 1230 I felt relatively comfortable. Both are starting to pay now and I'm going to hold until we see what happens to financials. The markets are gonna' get their ass handed to them at the open but will this be capitulation and a sign of better things to come?

9/21 closes:
DOW: 11,124.84 futures indicating -300
S&P: 1,166.76 futures indicating -35
NAZ: 2,258.30 futures indicating -59

Gold is down over 3.5% @ 1,741. Hope you didn't get suckered.
Has the dollar bottomed? It's showing a lot of strength over the last couple of months and sits at ~78.

Gold Spiking Again

2011-08-19T07:35:00.003-04:00

At $1,850 gold is up another 2.5% this morning. This looks like the speculation in oil we'd seen in 2008. Don't get suckered.

Markets are gonna' start off rough again today so I'll try to unload the RSWs at better than 44 since they didn't go yesterday. Hanging on to FAZ though. US banks don't look any better and FAZ may turn out to be a score.

Markets Getting Crushed

2011-08-18T10:24:00.007-04:00

Geez, I'm not doing too bad today:

DOW 10,960 -450

S&P 1,145 -49

NAZ 2,398 -113

Reuters: US stocks tumbled after data showed factory activity in the US Mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly fell to the lowest level since March 2009.

There also concerns that the European debt crisis might spread to the US banking sector. This is why I'm in FAZ. Gonna' try to unload RSW @ $43.45

Producer Prices Surge in July

2011-08-17T09:08:00.003-04:00

U.S. core producer prices rose at their fastest pace in six months in July, pushed up by higher tobacco and light truck costs...

Tobacco and light truck costs? I doubt that there is enough here to worry about inflation.

DOW 11,405.93

S&P 1,192.76

NAZ 2,523.45

Markets Rolling Over?

2011-08-12T15:54:00.001-04:00

Holding FAZ and adding a little RSW @ $40

Markets Up Today

2011-08-11T12:31:00.004-04:00

DOW 10,979 +259
S&P 1,151 +30
NAZ 2,451 +70

I'm looking for the markets to weaken through the afternoon. Probably worth grabbing a little more FAZ @ $65.

3:50 PM UPDATE: oops. DOW +441, S&P +61, NAZ +127

CSCO $15.25 +$1.52

2011-08-11T07:03:00.002-04:00

Thinking of a little Cisco this morning but there's really no rush. Stock will pop up about 11% on good results but there's no reason to buy until the stock breaks through $16.50.

RSU

2011-08-10T13:24:00.001-04:00

Out of RSU @ $33.38

Watching Financials...again...again.

2011-08-10T11:35:00.004-04:00

US financial crisis looming again? You know these positions have not done anything in a year and a half?! In fact they're down for the most part. Snacking on another position in FAZ right here @ $70.

WFR $5.93

2011-08-10T08:07:00.002-04:00

Watching MEMC Electronic Materials. I don't ordinarily look for bottom-feeders but this stock has been on the radar for 2 years while it's slid about 65%. Revenues are up Y/Y but margins and cash flow have come under pressure. Decent cash value (~$600 MM) but can it support the neg. cash flows the company has been runnin'? Watching closely.

Market Turmoil

2011-08-08T13:56:00.002-04:00

S&P support @ 1140, then 1120.

3 PM UPDATE: gonna snatch a little RSU at $33

Articles on the Dubai "crisis"

2009-11-28T14:43:00.011-05:00

Sampling of articles picked up in the Twittersphere:

Distress Over Dubai is Overblown by James Altucher (@jaltucher)
Will the debt crisis in Dubai mean another downturn? (@vaidynath)
Pimco's El-Erian: Dubai triggers "overdue correction" in stocks (@edwardnh)
What to Read on the Financial Crisis by Timothy Taylor (@HamzeiAnalytics)

Intriguing Market Action

2009-11-27T10:09:00.010-05:00

DOW: 10309 -154

S&P 500: 1091 -19

NAZ: 2138 -37

The overall markets reacted yesterday to news of Dubai's financial crisis. Read a Dubai Q&A

Perhaps RSW & FAZ will start to cooperate with us but we're adding to neither yet. We're continuing to hold BWX, TIP, DIS, SHY, BIL, SHV, TBT, RSW, XLP, & FAZ.

Fari Hamzei (@hamzeianalytics) posted a Bloomberg article written Wednesday, November 25th describing a shakeup in Dubai.
Read more on the current state of affairs on @abnormalreturns Friday links.

Fib. from October 2007 high of 1576 and March 2009 low of 666 on the S&P gives me a 50% level of 1021. The index peaked recently at 1113. The 38.2% level is 1014 but a lot of damage would be done long before 1014 is even tempted. Pivotal levels of 1080, 1073, 1041, and the recent lows of 1029, and 1019 would be fuel adding to negative sentiment. Despite the action would a dip to 1014 be considered a buying opportunity?

I've got to believe that once 1029 and more importantly 1019 is taken out that we're in bad shape but, hell, we're only talking about giving up the last 3 months of gains, that's all. So do you buy these levels?

CPI Fairly Tame

2009-11-18T13:27:00.004-05:00

Released this morning the CPI-U, on a seasonally adjusted basis, rose 0.3 percent in October and now stands at -0.2 percent over the last 12 months on a not seasonally adjusted basis.

Next release date is December 16.

Watching Financials...Again

2009-11-17T10:49:00.006-05:00

We're watching for the slightest chink in the armor of some of the largest financial institutions before loading more FAZ. Quite a few are on the ropes right now.

HSBC 62.82
JP Morgan 42.75 (Watching 41.52)
Bank of America 15.66 (Hittin' its head on 50 dma)
Wells Fargo 28.16 (Watching 28)
Citi 4.18 (Having trouble with 4.25)
Goldman 176.51 (170ish?)
Visa 79.51 (Trouble @ 78)
Morgan Stanley 33.38 (32 along w/ 50 dma)
U.S. Bancorp 23.53 (23 and 50 dma)

GDP Numbers

2009-10-29T15:47:00.004-04:00

GDP data:

Q3 2009: 2.8%

Q2 2009: -0.7

Q1 2009: -6.4

Q4 2008: -5.4

Q3 2008: -2.7

Q2 2008: 1.5

Q1 2008: -0.7

Next release dates are November 24th & December 22nd.

No Inflation...Yet.

2009-10-15T13:52:00.001-04:00

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent in September. The index has decreased 1.3 percent over the last 12 months on a not seasonally adjusted basis.

Read more on the CPI release October 15, 2009 http://www.bls.gov/cpi/

The next release date is November 18, 2009

Recession is Over?

2009-09-16T07:33:00.011-04:00

September 15, 2009 Bernanke declared recession over. Technically speaking it is.

Cautious on stocks or a double dip recession:

Nouriel Roubini has staked his claim repeatedly.

Here are some others that state their case on CNBC

Doug Kass is bearish on stocks via Seeking Alpha & Edward Harrison.

Dr. Faber is worried on the long term.

Buffet, however, is "very much against" another significant downturn for the overall economy in the near term.

Be Very Cautious

2009-09-14T23:17:00.008-04:00

Caution signs are flashing. Fundamentally, Doug Kass has chronicled his commonition while tweets are surfacing with technical warnings such as those mentioned by @marketfolly finding the S&P's down-trending MACD and its short interest, the lowest level since February 2007, reason for concern.

Historically, investors have been the most leery of September and October. The S&P 500 has registered a -.85% return on 34 down years and 25 up years between 1950 and 2008 in the month of September.

The S&P 500 is currently up 57% from its March 2009 low. Is a pullback impossible to predict? Is it a crapshoot? Perhaps. But when glancing at October '92, October '97, September '98, October '99, October 2000, September 2001, October 2002, October 2004 and October 2005 I like my chances.

Caution is King.

DIS

2009-09-10T08:20:00.003-04:00

Disney with a break above 27.30

Look at their acquisition of Marvel

Earnings on November 12

Buffett: U.S. in fiscally "unchartered territory".

2009-08-20T08:38:00.003-04:00

Buffett goes on to warn of the growing risk of inflation and that the dollar is in the hands of Congress.

Todd Sullivan has included the full op-ed piece and a Fox Business video.

I like the fact that we started going into TIP last week in the $100 neighborhood.

Urban & Ford

2009-08-06T11:03:00.004-04:00

After posting our interests June 2nd Urban Outfitters (URBN) and Ford (F) go on to have a good summer. Too bad we didn't jump in. Another missed opportunity. What is going on?

Catching up on GDP

2009-08-03T10:17:00.016-04:00

GDP data:

Q1 2008: -0.7
Q2 2008: 1.5
Q3 2008: -2.7
Q4 2008: -5.4
Q1 2009: -6.4
Q2 2009: -0.7

Wells Fargo U.S. Economic Forecast

From my post October 16, 2008:

"I doubt we'll see terrible GDP numbers for the 3rd qtr. (2008) but certainly for Q4 and Q1 2009. With that said we'll likely set up quite nicely for the 2008 Santa Claus Rally, January Effect and ensuing run into April. Lighten up on equities thereafter and cash coast through the Summer 2009 doldrums. Is a double dip possible?"

The Prognosis on GDP was fair but the equities call was awful. The S&P 500 is up 10% from October 16 but not before hitting the dramatic low of 666 in March. Contrary to rallying in the spring and resting in the summer the markets cratered in the Spring and is now crushing the Summer.

What a Joke of a July

2009-08-03T09:36:00.001-04:00

I've missed 6% during this rally. Am I too upset? Nah.

S&P 500: 997

Roubini: Double-Dip Recession Still Possible

2009-08-03T08:33:00.003-04:00

I've been discussing the possibility of a double-dip recession with colleagues for some time. Nouriel Roubini is still juggling the notion. A short read and video on CNBC.

Follow Roubini on Twitter: @Nouriel

Back in No Man's Land

2009-07-15T09:33:00.001-04:00

880 - 920.

S&P 500: 917.30

Imagine that

2009-07-09T09:26:00.003-04:00

S&P closed yesterday at 879.56.

That's probably close enough to 880 to say that 880 is a pivotal level to monitor.

The 850 didn't materialize from the double bottom breakdown of June 22 but perhaps the 805 will from the double bottom breakdown signalled two days ago.

We'll see.

Support Levels

2009-07-06T08:23:00.001-04:00

DOW 8260

S&P 880

NAZ 1770ish

Hedges still in place.

How Low Are We Going?

2009-06-23T09:55:00.004-04:00

Question:

How low are we going? Is it too late for BGZ?

Answer:

Can't say but we did get a double bottom breakdown signal yesterday with a price target of 850 on the S&P 500. Since we're already into RSW and FAZ with spec. positions, I'll hold until 880 is broken. If 880 goes down then I'll ratchet up into a larger stake.

Could you get in now? You are in the no-man's land of 880 - 920. The index could bounce back up to 920 and you'd be upside down in a hurry.

You should likely wait until a break of 880 before doing anything.

Healthcare Reform?

2009-06-18T09:09:00.004-04:00

With shrinking margins and the US government having it in its crosshairs as the next industry in which to destroy the free market healthcare seems to be a good place to short. Research time.

Granted the stocks have rebounded lately because of the "clarity" coming from Washington so, near term, who knows? In the long view I don't like the prospects of a well run industry.

Semiconductor HOLDRs (SMH 21.05)

2009-06-16T14:33:00.001-04:00

Stop is $21

S&P and Financials Breaking Down?

2009-06-16T12:58:00.001-04:00

Into spec stakes:

Direxion Financial Bear 3X (FAZ 4.82)
Rydex Inverse 2X S&P 500 (RSW 90.33)

Quiksilver (ZQK 2.98 -18%)

2009-06-09T11:07:00.005-04:00

Quik getting crushed on near-term worries. The new financing arranged by the company is at 15% and gives rights to the lender to buy 20% of the company at $1.86, a very dilutive proposition. We're holding, now, but contemplating it's future. Read more on MSN Money

Broadcom (BRCM 25.91)

2009-06-08T07:39:00.001-04:00

Cramer highlighted Broadcom on Friday's Mad Money.

Watching

2009-06-05T12:51:00.008-04:00

Chesapeake Energy (CHK 23.71)Watching for a break above 25 on good volume (25 mm shares).
Fluor (FLR 53.04) Sitting on resistance. Look for a pullback to 50ish, reset and hope to make a run back through 53 on good volume. Ascending triple top breakout signalled today.

Penske Will Buy Saturn

2009-06-05T12:35:00.001-04:00

Penske Automotive Group, owned by racecar legend Roger Penske, will buy GM's castoff brand. Read CNN Money.com

All news sources for Penske via Google

Jimmy Says, "Don't short the market!"

2009-06-05T07:24:00.001-04:00

Jim Rogers on CNBC's stock blog says we're embarking on such a currency crisis that he's pulled all of his short positions. The last time he did that was 1987.

Per GM Letter Delivered Today

2009-06-04T12:59:00.001-04:00

First sentence reads:

"As you may know, GM is using an expedited, court-supervised process to accelerate the reinvention of our company."

What the hell does that mean?

Stops on Positions

2009-06-04T11:24:00.002-04:00

Quiksilver (ZQK) $3.00
Urban Outfitters (URBN) $21.00

Dollar Tumbling, Inflation Forecasted: What to do?

2009-06-04T09:03:00.003-04:00

You must have some level of inflation protection going forward, yes?

Read CNBC piece.

Reviewing our stategies in commodities, US Dollar & Gold.

The Markets are taking a breather

2009-06-03T13:27:00.003-04:00

DOW 8619 -122

S&P 926 -19

NAZ 1811 -25

Gonna' continue to add to positions on this pullback unless S&P 500 920 is broken.

Semiconductor HOLDRs

2009-06-03T10:27:00.001-04:00

Into more @ 21.07 for an equal weight position now.

S&P 500 Support

2009-06-03T10:05:00.002-04:00

Support for S&P @ 920

S&P 500: 930.84

Semiconductor HOLDRs

2009-06-02T10:24:00.001-04:00

Into SMH, spec stake, @ $22.01, yesterday. Will try to get more @ $21.10 today.

Watching DIS & URBN

2009-06-02T10:23:00.003-04:00

Into Disney with a break above 26. I'll be delivering a hands on report in about 3 weeks, July 4 week.

URBN, ascending Triple Top Breakout signalled yesterday. Looking to add to our underweight position.

You know that Ford is going to go through $6.50, don't you?

Quiksilver (ZQK $3.11)

2009-06-02T10:00:00.003-04:00

Trying to bring Quik up to equal weighted position with limit @ 3.05 but only a partial fill this AM @ average $3.04.

Ford (F $5.99)

2009-06-01T09:51:00.004-04:00

It's a certainty that Ford will chase GM's market share. A break through 6.50 and we'll be into a spec. stake.

Art Cashin: This is a very, very dangerous period.

2009-06-01T09:34:00.003-04:00

Art Cashin is very concerned about the dollar as it's fallen to a five month low among other metrics.

Quiksilver (ZQK 3.03)

2009-05-29T15:34:00.001-04:00

Double Top Breakout signalled today with a p.o. of $7.25

Mark Cuban: The Internet is a Utility

2009-05-29T09:42:00.002-04:00

Media Money with Julia Boorstin

Q1 GDP Revised to -5.7%

2009-05-29T09:14:00.004-04:00

New Stop for CAT (34.17)

2009-05-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

Caterpillar will be let go if $34 is breached.

Quiksilver (ZQK $2.53)

2009-05-27T09:48:00.005-04:00

We'll be into a spec. stake today if the volume is there.

1:25 PM UPDATE: In at $2.61, stop $2.20.

News Catching My Eye

2009-05-27T07:56:00.005-04:00

GM Speeding Towards Bankruptcy

Bottom of US Recession Hassn't Arrived: Roubini

Twitter's All Things Digital Conference

Support Levels

2009-05-26T10:16:00.001-04:00

DJIA 8200

NAZ 1664

S&P 875

GameStop @ 22.90

2009-05-22T09:14:00.004-04:00

We were stopped out of GME up around $28 and now it trades under $23. Another example of discipline and sticking to it.