To June: Good Riddance?
Today was another mixed-session as the bulls and bears grappled all day.
posted: Tuesday July 1st - 10:07am
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Worst June Since The Great Depression!
Stocks finished the week sharply lower with surging oil prices and a resumption of falling financial & bank stocks amid heightened concerns about the sluggish economy. At one point on Friday the Dow had fallen 20% from the peak in 2007, marking an official entry into bear-market territory. The major indexes were all down more than 3% for the week.
posted: Monday June 30th - 10:37am
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Nice Day, +30.50 Points In The Virtual Trading Room!
posted: Friday June 27th - 10:43am
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A New Batch Of Bearish Data
Holy smokes! I don't know how this morning's news and economic data could have been worse, yet the markets made a mind-boggling advance from the low.
posted: Wednesday June 25th - 11:10am
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Congressional Madness
Congress held another circus today regarding oil and gasoline prices. Lawmakers brought before the House Energy and Commerce Committee four analysts that said exactly what they wanted to hear: speculators are to blame for increasing fuel costs. Gee-wiz, Congress found some analysts that agreed with what it wanted to hear, which isn't always right or even the truth. It's odd that there weren't dissenting opinions -- isn't it?
posted: Tuesday June 24th - 3:38pm
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Bear Market
If there were any doubts that equities are in a bear market, which of course was a rampant debate on Wall Street, last week's 465-point Dow decline should end the debate. However, since The Street is engorged with value buyers (read: panicked long-only money managers), the debate will surely continue regardless of the swift decline.
posted: Monday June 23rd - 11:47am
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Flood Waters and Food Prices on the Rise
posted: Monday June 16th - 11:02am
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Retail Sales
posted: Friday June 13th - 11:15am
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Fed-creativity
Slam-o-la! Friday reaction to the unemployment news and the latest spike in oil was just a tad shy of Armageddon-like. What will Monday bring?
posted: Monday June 9th - 10:42am
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Rally Time!
What a rally! The market was able to ignore an incredible amount of negative news today after the S&P refused to break below significant support of 1370.00 yesterday.
posted: Friday June 6th - 10:55am
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Comparing Apples to Aardvarks!
posted: Thursday June 5th - 10:35am
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Hot Potato
Today started off with light volume and no trades. The choppy up and down action reminded me traders playing "hot potato," or was it "catch the hand grenade?" Nobody wanted to holding that sucker when it off, so buyers and sellers kept flipping it like a now defunct "real estate mogul" in California. Alas, it was finally caught at 12:10pm CST by Lehman Bothers -- BOOM!
posted: Wednesday June 4th - 9:50am
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What to Expect When You're Expecting...
Wow, Friday's trade was probably the slowest I have seen in quite a while.
posted: Monday June 2nd - 11:06am
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Chicago: Why It's the Top City for Traders
Unlike so many of the other Johnny-come-lately trading towns, Chicago is the real deal.
posted: Monday June 2nd - 9:43am
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Uncertainty is the Only Certainty
Until late in the day, the market was once again directionless. Uncertainty is the only certainty.
posted: Thursday May 29th - 10:58am
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Oil Falls
Today was all about oil. There was other news to be sure, but the euphoria of a $3.34-barrel drop of the black goo was too much for the bears to overcome.
posted: Wednesday May 28th - 11:03am
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Oil and the Fed
posted: Thursday May 22nd - 11:12am
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A One-Two Punch
posted: Wednesday May 21st - 11:00am
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The Teflon-Don
The market was hit -- again -- with more bad news today in the form of new record high oil prices and a surprisingly bad consumer confidence report.
posted: Monday May 19th - 12:16pm
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The Inflation Con-Job
Dear Trader, Folks, if any of you thought that questioning the way the government calculates inflation data was odd, or just flat out silly, (after all, the government would never lie to us – right?) today’s report should make you rethink that conclusion. It was so blatantly absurd that it calls into question the government’s calculation of unemployment reports, GDP and everything else it reports.
posted: Thursday May 15th - 11:05am
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Another Slow Day
Although there was a little action at the open today, the majority of the day was a real snoozer. The June S&P barely had an 11-point range; and the vast majority of today's action traded within a 4.50-point range.
posted: Wednesday May 14th - 11:31am
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Interesting Reactions
There were no scheduled economic reports today; however, there was news of one degree or another. What was interesting was the reaction to these events.
posted: Tuesday May 13th - 10:31am
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It Finally Happened...$4-gasoline!
After two outsized trending days earlier in the week, traders ran into a buzz saw on Thursday and again last Friday. Friday was even more range bound than Thursday, putting in a diminutive 9.60 range in the S&P futures. The volume, however, was a fairly decent 1.43-million contracts and yet 70% of that volume traded within a slight 3.50-point range. This coiled spring could snap or pop early next week -- be ready.
posted: Monday May 12th - 10:45am
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Mixed Data
After two days of large and opposite trending days, traders ran into a buzz saw. Today was extremely range bound, putting in a small 13.30 range in the S&P futures, however; 70% of the entire day’s volume traded within a scant 5-point range.
posted: Friday May 9th - 10:17am
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Oil & Castor Oil
What a reversal, eh? The bears decided they had had enough of the bull’s Castor Oil Wednesday and really turned the tables around. Or was it just that the bulls can’t ignore the handwriting that’s on the wall? I say “who cares”…follow the trend.
posted: Thursday May 8th - 10:19am
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Losing Money is Bullish -- No Really!
Up is down and down is up. Minus 10 is actually +10. Good is bad, and really bad is not just good...it's great.
posted: Wednesday May 7th - 10:08am
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Blue Monday
There was more than one reason for yesterday's pullback on the major indices. Microsoft is walking away from the Yahoo merger. Bank of America may be walking away from the Countrywide purchase. Oil exploded to new highs and GM's share price was pummeled today following another strike.
posted: Tuesday May 6th - 9:52am
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Jobs Data
Friday's jobs data was surprising. It wasn't surprising because recession fears were turning into reality, but because the economy is apparently growing...the unemployment rate is dropping. The market didn't know how to react to it at first - was the unemployment rate actually falling or was the report wrong?
posted: Monday May 5th - 1:59pm
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Delayed Reaction?
What a rally! I guess it took traders a while to realize that whether the Fed is done cutting rates or not – everything is bullish right now. All of the markets exploded today, especially the NASDAQ and financials.
posted: Friday May 2nd - 10:20am
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Ben's Helicopter is Still Humming
Helicopter Ben is still throwing dollar bills from his helo. He probably has a nice view of us here in "fly over" country.
posted: Thursday May 1st - 12:07pm
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Bernanke's on Deck
Although today provided us better "action" than yesterday, it was still slow.
posted: Wednesday April 30th - 10:22am
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Waiting for Data
Yesterday's economic-data landscape was barren, not a single piece of news to spin. Therefore, the news of the day, even on financial shows, was the “racy” photo of Hanna Montana in Vanity Fair. Yawn!
posted: Tuesday April 29th - 10:32am
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Dollar Strength?
The US dollar was stronger today, especially against the Euro. The rallying US dollar is putting downward pressure on oil and gold, among other commodities.
posted: Friday April 25th - 10:14am
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Oil: Isn't It Priced In?
Yesterday was humming along just fine and dandy (rallying to new intra-day highs despite bad earnings) when traders looked at the price of oil. It was up again, this time just pennies shy of $120-barrel. It was at this time the markets fell.
posted: Wednesday April 23rd - 10:25am
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I Should Have Slept In Today
Today was another snoozer. For most of the day the S&P range from high to low was an anemic 8.00-points, while the majority of the volume traded within a smaller range of about 4.00-points. Given that, I should have slept in today.
posted: Tuesday April 22nd - 10:15am
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Mixed Data?
We must be beginning a bull market rally – bad is good and good is bad. Any poor economic data is ignored. If this continues the S&P could be at 1410.00 by next week. However, I wonder if it will last once earnings season is over?
posted: Friday April 18th - 10:06am
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Earnings
Today was all about earnings. The other news was like gnats at a picnic: mildly bothersome at worst. Crude oil is at ANOTHER new high? Hmmm, shelve that for another day. Inflation at the producer level is red hot? Hmmm, better shelve that for another day as well. After all, when earnings come in as expected and the market trades higher, the other problems will just go away…right?
posted: Wednesday April 16th - 10:39am
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Boring!
After a long day of trading in the pits, I must confess I enjoy the boob-tube’s IQ-challenged shows once in a while. Who can’t use a laugh form time to time, right? And the guy who has been making millions of people laugh for decades is Homer Simpson. Homer has many catchphrases and one of them is when he shouts – “BORING!” in his special way…usually at inappropriate times. And whether I was trading in the pit today or on the screen, the markets made me keep hearing Homer over and over again. Good grief, the total S&P range was a miniscule 10.00-points, “BORING!” indeed.
posted: Tuesday April 15th - 10:41am
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Earnings Season
Friday was a disaster for all who believed the bottom was in and the market could only go up. After all, the analysts said so. Never mind that none of these same analysts warned of a market top; they’re supposed to be excused for the lack of foresight at the top and praised for the “bottom is in” call. I’ll never understand why so much belief is put in these prognostications.
posted: Monday April 14th - 3:35pm
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New Highs!...for Oil
Ummm, I thought the analysts told us the high was in for oil when it dropped last month? Not so much – it made a new record high today when it traded over $112-barrel. I guess the high is in….wait for it….wait for it…now.
posted: Thursday April 10th - 9:42am
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Wake Me Up When Something Happens
Oh my goodness – today was a real snoozer. The S&P 500 total range for the day was not even 10-points! It seems that Mr. Market has put his cousin, Volatility, in the closet and won’t let him out.
posted: Wednesday April 9th - 12:17pm
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Earnings Season
There seems to be a sickness in the market lately: fairly low volume and two-sided trading. Today was nearly a replica of Friday - a mixed performance by the end of the day - with many investors apparently waiting on the sidelines for quarterly profit reports.
posted: Tuesday April 8th - 9:59am
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The FOMC Derby
posted: Monday April 7th - 10:06am
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Testimony Day #2
The market was mostly range bound again today but managed to close a little higher.
posted: Friday April 4th - 2:21pm
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Got Ya!
I’m guessing there were thousands of traders scratching their heads yesterday wondering when the financial news programs were going to say...
posted: Wednesday April 2nd - 10:08am
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End Of The Quarter
What happened? Today was the end of the month and the quarter – wasn’t it?
posted: Tuesday April 1st - 10:47am
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The Larry Levin File: A Shot Across the Bow
Last week a news flash came and went - practically unnoticed. The world's fifth-largest pension fund will no longer buy US Treasuries because yields are too low. The move signals what could be a big shift by financial institutions away from US government debt into higher-yielding assets.
posted: Monday March 31st - 10:10am
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More Bearish Data
posted: Thursday March 27th - 10:19am
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Consumer Confidence Day
Today’s economic data points were the Case-Shiller home price index and consumer confidence. Both were very weak.
posted: Wednesday March 26th - 10:25am
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Don’t Fight The Fed
There are many well-known phrases in the trading pits, and two of the most familiar are certainly “don’t fight the Fed,” and “never fight the tape.” Ignoring these warnings can be detrimental to one’s wealth. But what happens when the Fed fights the tape? That’s what is happening right now as the Fed pumps copious amounts of cash into the banking system and slashes rates in a bear market ... that may have just begun.
posted: Monday March 24th - 10:24am
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What Happened?
What happened? How did the Dow reverse 293-points lower today? I wonder because, according to yesterday’s hoopla on TV and in the press, it was all smooth sailing from here. It would forever again be sunshine & puppies on Wall Street…or sugar & spice if you like.
posted: Thursday March 20th - 11:36am
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Crony Capitalism: What Wall Street Wants, Wall Street Gets
Wall Street didn’t quite get the “shock & awe” 100-point interest-rate cut it had demanded, but it was close. The disappointment of a still-huge 75-basis point cut was short-lived -- the Dow exploded 420 points, replete with Dowgasms for everyone. After all, what Wall Street wants. Wall Street gets. Because Wall Street is addicted to Fed intervention ... Can more lending from the Fed actually improve the real economy? In fact, it makes it worse by propping up failing companies, increasing speculation, misallocating resources and adding to debts that will have to be paid -- eventually -- by somebody.
posted: Wednesday March 19th - 10:25am
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Banks Gone Wild!
The movie “Enron, The Smartest Guys in the Room,” was released in 2005, showing behind-the-scene illusions whipped up by Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling. If this has started a tradition, we’ll soon see a movie titled “Banks Gone Wild!” In the latter film we’ll get behind-the-scene glimpses of how to destroy a country’s real estate and banking systems.
posted: Monday March 17th - 10:15am
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Move Over Chavez, You've Got Company!
This morning's open was looking very bearish with the S&P (now June) futures quickly trading 25.00-points lower, while the Dow was slumping 235-points.
posted: Friday March 14th - 12:40pm
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Hangover day?
Many experts, TV personalities, and guests were hoping for follow through today. Much like the day after a night of too much “drinky drinky,” however, the market experienced a hangover.
posted: Thursday March 13th - 10:05am
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DowGasms
Something odd happened yesterday - each time I turned the channel from one financial station to the other, I thought I was watching a salacious XXX movie.
posted: Wednesday March 12th - 11:34am
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Another Teenager
The financials were hammered again today, bringing Citigroup into the realm of the teenager: it now trades with a 19-handle, closing down 5.83% at $19.69.
posted: Tuesday March 11th - 11:01am
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Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
The market took another one the chin Friday, closing below 11,900, the worst close since Oct. 11th 2006. The bull market clearly suffers from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) - Mad Cow Disease. And don't get too close or you'll surely catch the human form of BSE, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which "value buyers" suffer from in spades. The transmissible disease is said to be caused by prions; however, during this mad-cow market, the disease spreads between analysts and investors via "buy & hope" as well as desperation.
posted: Monday March 10th - 11:19am
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Financial Alchemists Need Not Apply
Why is the market going down? There are many reasons, but in a nutshell, Mr. Market has had enough of Wall Street alchemy. It is unwinding the whole process that drove the market up, which in essence was the belief that Wall Street could spin yarn into gold.
posted: Friday March 7th - 10:09am
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I Need More Cowbell!
For weeks now the market has been on pins and needles, waiting for Ambac to announce a package that will (somehow) keep it’s AAA-rating. When rumors (of nothing new) went through Wall Street, it created violent reversals higher.
posted: Thursday March 6th - 10:52am
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Blue Horseshoe LOVES Anacot Steel
“Blue Horseshoe loves Anacot Steel” was a stock tip from the 1987 film “Wall Street.” I thought of this memorable line during today’s massive reversal from the 2% sell-off because the rally was again started by a non-event “news flash” on television. For a second time Charlie Gasparino broke into regular programming to tell us nothing new: Ambac is working on a bailout and it’s almost a done deal. Well, we’ve heard that before…many times.
posted: Wednesday March 5th - 10:07am
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A Slow Day
The S&P 500 opened lower, then traded on both sides of the ledger throughout the day before eventually closing near unchanged. Although there wasn’t much action, we had another good day.
posted: Tuesday March 4th - 10:28am
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Beware the Ides of March
February’s market went out like a lion, but I doubt it will come in this month like a lamb. The trend is still down and economic data is bearish. Unless Friday’s employment report shows strong hiring gains, investors will need to “Beware the Ides of March” indeed.
posted: Monday March 3rd - 1:44pm
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The Bad Data Keeps Rolling
The bearish data keeps flowing into the market like a constant leak in a rowboat.
posted: Friday February 29th - 10:14am
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Who Ordered The Chop-Suey?
Before the CME’s version of S&P pugilism began in the pit, I sat down for a big breakfast, ordering an artery clogging steak and eggs. When my head was turned, however, a plate of cold chop-suey was plopped on the table. What the…?
posted: Thursday February 28th - 10:13am
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News Flash…Again!
Equities are on a hair trigger these days: even when seemingly old news hits the tape, it is read as new. The first time this happened was the Friday Gasparino-rally and the second time was today’s S&P-ratings-rally. Neither “news flash” contained news…that is to say, something new.
posted: Tuesday February 26th - 12:52pm
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What's Next?
In a file titled “The next shoe to drop,” we read on Forbes.com that banks are jacking up rates on credit card holders for no reason other than “periodic review.”
posted: Monday February 25th - 12:40pm
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Volatility!
Today was another wonderfully volatile day. The Dow experienced another 200+ point range, while the S&P futures logged in a 28-point array of trading opportunities.
posted: Wednesday February 20th - 6:22pm
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An Oily Day!
Dear Trader, The markets traded today like a greased anaconda: whenever you thought you had a good hold of the lil’ fella, it slipped right out of your grasp. With the HUGE move at the NYMEX, said anaconda was surely oily - not greasy.
posted: Wednesday February 20th - 10:56am
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Shortened Week
The markets will be closed Monday in observance of President’s Day. The shortened week, however, still gives us plenty of time to wade through more economic data. Much of last week’s data was disastrous; what will the coming week bring?
posted: Tuesday February 19th - 3:50pm
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Buffett- Day
I expected increased volatility yesterday and we sure got it. We saw a strong rally at the opening bell and a strong swoon in the afternoon. Monday I guessed it may have come from AIG spillover, but was wrong.
posted: Wednesday February 13th - 10:49am
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Inside Days
Yesterday was another fairly slow day. There was an attempted sell-off when the market opened, but managed to rally into the afternoon. However, from approximately 12pm (CST) through the close, the market took a siesta…basically trading within a 5-point range.
posted: Tuesday February 12th - 10:27am
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Watching Bonds
Dear Trader, As the weeks progress I believe the debate to cut interest rates further will become more heated. As my friend Rick Santelli likes to say, “Wall Street would like to see rates at zero…with a tightening bias”…but some Fed officials may not vote for further cuts.
posted: Monday February 11th - 11:41am
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Roller Coaster Ride!
Whoa…Thursday’s market action gave us more rallies and death defying plunges than your favorite roller coaster at a Six Flags amusement park. My neck is sore from whiplash!
posted: Friday February 8th - 10:06am
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Intra-day Reversal
Although the S&P and Dow were up nicely from yesterday’s body-slam, stocks staged a sharp reversal in late morning trading. March S&P futures reversed nearly 30-points, while the Dow swooned over 200-points from their respective highs.
posted: Thursday February 7th - 10:41am
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Slam!
Tuesday’s market was body slammed, driving the Dow 370-points and the S&P 35.50-points into the canvass. It was the Dow’s biggest percentage drop (-2.93) in almost a year.
posted: Wednesday February 6th - 11:09am
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Rally Week
posted: Monday February 4th - 11:10am
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"I’ll Be Back" and Other Phrases
I heard a comment on the way to the pit today that reminded me of a famous phrase from the movies: “I’ll be back.” Of course this is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line from The Terminator.
posted: Friday February 1st - 12:19pm
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The Bernanke Put
On the financial front, I have to say I was starting to believe the rhetoric that the low may be in. In time that may prove to be true, but today’s news gives me serious pause.
posted: Thursday January 31st - 10:33am
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Fuel Up The Chopper, Here Comes Ben!
Tomorrow is the big day – the day where the Fed cuts rates again, probably another stunning .50-points.
posted: Wednesday January 30th - 9:58am
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Come oooooon – SEVEN!
I could hear it all day today, “OK everybody, new shooter comin’ out.” Then the constant/jubilant call came across the table, “Come ooooon – SEVEN!”
posted: Tuesday January 29th - 3:27pm
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On Tap – the FOMC decision
This week’s economic calendar is full of important reports. Monday through Friday we’ll get data from: new home sales, consumer confidence, GDP, Chicago PMI, construction spending, ISM, and the monthly jobs report…just to name a few. And during this long list of data, the FOMC will meet to (surely) slash the fed funds rate again.
posted: Monday January 28th - 10:02am
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Nick Leeson…Who?
Nick Leeson, once the poster boy for moronic trading, has been replaced by Jerome Kerviel.
posted: Friday January 25th - 11:01am
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Rally Time
Today’s massive rally was surely due to a plethora of reasons; short covering, rumors, beefed up stimulus, and bottom picking in the financials. To be sure, it was not a single reason.
posted: Thursday January 24th - 10:11am
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Emergency!
Stocks fell for a fifth straight session, they recovered most of the early massive losses before the close.
posted: Wednesday January 23rd - 10:19am
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Never Fight The Tape
Instead of writing about today’s market action I thought I would tell you about some observations/experiences I have had recently that all have a common theme: Buy now, the low is in.
posted: Tuesday January 22nd - 11:23am
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The Worst Yet
For those of you who refuse to follow a trend and constantly try to pick tops and bottoms, this market action must be very frustrating. Today’s sell-off marks a new 10-month low and a new low for the year.
posted: Friday January 18th - 10:53am
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Ouch!
Yesterday I mentioned that this morning’s economic data should provide some fireworks. They sure did – OUCH!
posted: Wednesday January 16th - 10:59am
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Big Blue
posted: Tuesday January 15th - 10:22am
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The Worst Ever!
posted: Monday January 14th - 10:04am
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OK, I Get It!
Easy money all the time, now and forever...Amen.
posted: Friday January 11th - 10:43am
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Flip-Flop!
posted: Thursday January 10th - 11:15am
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How Do You Spell “BEAR?”
posted: Wednesday January 9th - 10:03am
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Up, down – repeat.
posted: Tuesday January 8th - 10:31am
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Jobs Report on Tap
The market waits on the monthly jobs data report because of the inherent link between employment and consumer spending.
posted: Friday January 4th - 1:23pm
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MBIA vs. ORCL
Up and down and up she goes, which way she stops - nobody knows.
posted: Friday December 21st - 11:39am
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China Rising
What might also be offensive to current shareholders is the new investor mentioned earlier: the communist government of China.
posted: Thursday December 20th - 9:58am
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MEGA-liquidity!
It looks like our friends across the pond have taken EZ-Credit-Al's playbook and are following it to a "T": when in doubt, add liquidity. What else needs to be done, they wonder? What else can be done? After all, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him borrow and lend.
posted: Wednesday December 19th - 10:39am
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Recession on, recession off, repeat.
Today's early tape resulted in some vicious reversals until the S&P finally chose a direction in the afternoon - lower.
posted: Tuesday December 18th - 10:23am
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Will an Inflation "Scare" Rock the Markets?
If the government were to report (nasty) inflation data the same way it reports (wholesome) GDP data, we might be shocked more than occasionally.
posted: Monday December 17th - 10:30am
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Roll over, Rover.
Today was roll over day, so I hope you were trading the correct contract.
posted: Friday December 14th - 10:57am
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Presto!
It seems to me that the problem is not "liquidity," but the willingness to lend.
posted: Thursday December 13th - 10:04am
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"Oh, the Humanity!"
posted: Wednesday December 12th - 11:14am
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The Calm Before the Storm
posted: Tuesday December 11th - 10:06am
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FED Week is Almost Here
Trade close to the vest, especially Tuesday afternoon.
posted: Monday December 10th - 10:35am
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Socialism to the Rescue!
The problem with politicians on both sides of the isle is that when they feel they "must do something," they end up making the problem worse.
posted: Friday December 7th - 2:42pm
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Waiting on the Fed-Part Two!
When the Fed makes the rare 50-basis point rate, traders on the floor take to it like Pavlov's dogs to the dinner bell.
posted: Thursday December 6th - 10:43am
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Waiting on the Fed!
I've even heard some traders talking about the (slight) possibility of a Fed cut of more than 50 cents.
posted: Wednesday December 5th - 10:29am
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A Lack of Volume
posted: Tuesday December 4th - 9:38am
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Very Strong Week!
Always remember that it's not the reality that moves these markets, but the perception.
posted: Monday December 3rd - 10:26am
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Watch That Data!
Ben Bernanke hid behind the same old song and dance last night! He spoke and a lot of market participants were looking for some kind of clue as to what he is going to do on December 11th (the next FOMC meeting).
posted: Friday November 30th - 10:34am
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Off to the Races
Well it didn't take much for the Fed to push these markets considerably higher. Ben Bernanke's right hand man decided he would buck the trend.
posted: Thursday November 29th - 10:36am
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New Lows Again
We tested some new lows again in the S&P 500. Did you see it? We went all the way down to 1410.
posted: Tuesday November 27th - 10:06am
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The Trend is Lower
On Wednesday and Friday we watched the S&P's and the other stock index rally quite nicely. But my guess is it's just a minor recovery.
posted: Monday November 26th - 10:00am
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The News is Not Looking Good!
Let's see: Higher oil prices, higher bond prices, a weak housing market, credit problems, a weak U.S. Dollar, possible bankruptcy rumor on Countrywide, and retailers reporting earning that are coming up short.
posted: Wednesday November 21st - 10:24am
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Citi Not Looking Good!
We may be coming up on a holiday, but the market wasn't taking a holiday as far as the selling was concerned.
posted: Tuesday November 20th - 11:42am
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This Week
This upcoming week should be very interesting as the S&P futures contract sits at the bottom of its recent range.
posted: Monday November 19th - 10:56am
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Massive Volatility
Although it's not always hard to find good trades in the market, it is, as of late, a little tougher to stay out of the bad ones.
posted: Friday November 16th - 9:49am
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Shaky Ground
I'll tell ya - this market is on some seriously shaky ground.
posted: Thursday November 15th - 9:51am
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WalMart Kicks the Market Up!
Big institutional buying took place and the only selling I could see was from independent traders like myself. The Merrill Lynch's of the world were all buyers today.
posted: Wednesday November 14th - 10:13am
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It's E-Trade's Turn!
Bargain hunters will start coming in this week looking to buy the bottom. We will see if it really is the bottom.
posted: Tuesday November 13th - 10:15am
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Just Write it Down!
Have you heard the term "Write Down" lately? It means: Reducing the book value of an asset because it is overvalued compared to the market value.
posted: Monday November 12th - 9:55am
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A Lot More to Come
It sure didn't take long did it? This market took one heck of a nosedive today on GM and a bunch of other headlines that were mostly bad news!
posted: Thursday November 8th - 11:16am
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No News Is Good News!
The big question has to be if we can keep going up.
posted: Wednesday November 7th - 11:25am
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Now It's Citi!
One day it's Merrill Lynch, the next day it's Citibank.
posted: Tuesday November 6th - 10:06am
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Ramp it Up!
The action is furious around the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The last couple of days have really ramped up the volatility.
posted: Monday November 5th - 11:20am
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No Real Big Surprise!
The volatility of an unexpected pause or even the longshot, a 1/2 point cut, would have really made these markets crazy. But that wasn't to be.
posted: Thursday November 1st - 2:52pm
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Erratic Action
But if you want a little bit slower action, you're in luck, because the first part of this week will really slow to a grind.
posted: Monday October 29th - 9:58am
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Real Whippy!
In other words, if it is late in the day, and you've just had a nice winning trade, maybe it's time to call it a day a little bit early.
posted: Friday October 26th - 10:46am
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Well, the Volatility is Back!
Well, there was no surprise rate cut today, and I don't know if there will be one tomorrow either. But, what the news did to the market is good and bad.
posted: Thursday October 25th - 11:36am
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Scrambling
We saw some very strong buying in the late afternoon. Most S&P traders had their hands facing inwards which means they are trying to buy the market.
posted: Wednesday October 24th - 10:08am
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Recovered, For Now!
I love markets that move lower!
posted: Tuesday October 23rd - 10:33am
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Falling Out of Bed!
Don't get caught up in the hype about Friday being 20 years after the 1987 crash.
posted: Monday October 22nd - 10:49am
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Oil is Above $90
Did you see how the S&P's stayed under 1550 again today?
posted: Friday October 19th - 9:50am
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Giving Back!
The thing to worry about the rest of this week is the earnings situation. If earnings continue to exceed expectations then we can move back up.
posted: Thursday October 18th - 10:22am
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Lower Prices?
This market is continuing to weaken and I expect lower prices to be tested this week.
posted: Wednesday October 17th - 10:21am
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Is it Time to Rotate Lower?
Do you know what pushed the market lower today? Well if you listen to the news they will tell you higher oil prices are to blame.
posted: Tuesday October 16th - 9:52am
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Buying
There was a big time sell off yesterday in the last couple of hours. I was glad to see it, but I will say one thing: There was still a lot of institutional buying going on all the way down.
posted: Friday October 12th - 11:57am
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A Little Bit of a Weak Start for Earnings
Keep an eye out for those earnings reports as they will have a large affect on the market over the next couple of weeks.
posted: Thursday October 11th - 9:57am
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Action!
Okay, let's get those earnings reports released and get some action back in this market. In particular I wouldn't mind seeing some of the companies fall BELOW expectations.
posted: Wednesday October 10th - 10:29am
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Swift Moves Ahead?
We are still trading above 1550, but don't be surprised to see a little bit of a lower rotation before we continue on the upside!
posted: Tuesday October 9th - 10:28am
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Your Maximum Loss
We get the start of earnings and this market has a lot of room on the downside to move lower and still not give much back.
posted: Monday October 8th - 9:49am
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Exiting a Position
The big thing this week will be the Jobs Report that comes out on Friday. Hopefully we will see some wild action that we can take advantage of and make some real money!
posted: Wednesday October 3rd - 9:58am
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A New Record, Now???
Dear Trader, If you want to know what keeps driving this market higher, it's really pretty simple. This market is continuing higher because people are afraid of missing out!
posted: Tuesday October 2nd - 9:56am
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The Market is Always Right
Sometimes things don't make sense, and then sometimes it just takes the market a little time to catch up, and then before you know it, the market has made that move you were looking for all along.
posted: Monday October 1st - 11:14am
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Worried?
The economy's in bad shape, but calm down, traders. So far, the market's weathering the storm.
posted: Friday September 28th - 4:10pm
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Going Up?
This week's economic data could push the market even higher.
posted: Monday September 24th - 4:24pm
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Let's Hope the Fed Gets It Right
A 1/4 point rate cut is in order -- but there's no guarantee that Bernanke won't go overboard.
posted: Tuesday September 18th - 11:11am
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What Will Bernanke Do?
Expect a movement in Tuesday's FOMC meeting -- but nothing too drastic.
posted: Monday September 17th - 11:31am
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Watch Out for Rollover
Fasten your seatbelts -- the market's rollover means jerky moves ahead.
posted: Friday September 14th - 1:03pm
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No News is Good News
Traders may be disappointed when Ben Bernanke has nothing new to say, but the market likes it just fine.
posted: Monday September 10th - 4:14pm
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Waiting for the Fed
Is a rate cut in the offing? The fate of the market may hang in the balance.
posted: Monday September 10th - 1:46pm
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The Beginning of the End
New traders, enjoy the slow times while they last. It could all be over by tomorrow.
posted: Thursday September 6th - 12:25pm
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Oil Creeping to a Comeback?
Hoping for an end-of-summer slump in oil prices? Don't count your chickens just yet.
posted: Wednesday September 5th - 10:00am
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What’s the Big Idea?
Was yesterday's sell-off the start of something? Or was it just another good old-fashioned buying opportunity?
posted: Wednesday August 29th - 12:23pm
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Friday Surprise?
Will a new housing report throw the market for a loop, or just bring us more of the same?
posted: Friday August 24th - 10:56am
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Not Done with the Downside
Don't let the rally fool you. Bad news could be coming soon.
posted: Thursday August 23rd - 1:04pm
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A Pre-Open Rally
The Fed finally intervenes. But it doesn't mean the market is out of the woods yet.
posted: Monday August 20th - 10:15am
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Will It Ever Stop?
In a word, no. The market's downward slide is a long-term trend.
posted: Thursday August 16th - 10:23am
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The Uptick/Downtick Rule
Do you know what the Uptick/Downtick Rule is? Or how it's affecting the market? Watch me explain it on CNBC!
posted: Wednesday August 15th - 11:56am
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Volatility's Here to Stay
Make sure you trade accordingly.
posted: Monday August 13th - 12:16pm
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It's a Jungle Out There
Rookie traders, beware.
posted: Sunday August 12th - 12:01pm
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Benny, Get With the Program!
Is our friend Mr. Bernanke asleep on the job?
posted: Wednesday August 8th - 12:59pm
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Bernanke Talks! (Maybe)
Will the chairman finally loosen his lips about his plans for interest rates? The fate of the market hangs in the balance.
posted: Tuesday August 7th - 10:53am
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Risky Business
Market volatility means better trading opportunities. But make sure to proceed with caution.
posted: Thursday August 2nd - 10:45am
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Turn-Around Tuesday
In this volatile market, small, cautious trading is the best strategy.
posted: Wednesday August 1st - 11:46am
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Watch Out Below!
Sorry bulls, but the market's downward slide shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
posted: Monday July 30th - 11:29am
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It's O.K. to Get Stopped Out Early
In this market, it's wrong not to go long.
posted: Tuesday July 17th - 10:47am
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Never Underestimate the Fed
The market took it on the chin Tuesday, and the news about sub-prime mortgages is to blame.
posted: Thursday July 12th - 10:53am
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Under-promise and Over-deliver
This earnings season, expect many companies to set the bar low so they can come out smelling like roses.
posted: Tuesday July 10th - 4:01pm
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Back to Work
After last week’s patriotic upswing, expect the market to pull back as volume surges again.
posted: Thursday July 5th - 11:49am
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Star-Spangled Trading?
This holiday week could bring more volatility to the already-explosive markets. Prepare for fireworks.
posted: Monday July 2nd - 12:40pm
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Awaiting the Fed
Regardless of Ben Bernanke’s forthcoming comments about inflation, market fluctuations will continue through the beginning of July.
posted: Thursday June 28th - 11:45am
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The Good, the Bad, and the Risky
Today’s volatile market presents ample opportunities for profit, but keeping risk low is the great challenge ahead.
posted: Wednesday June 27th - 11:39am
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Caution: Dips Ahead
The market took us on a wild ride Monday. My survival strategy: Practice patience.
posted: Tuesday June 26th - 10:37am
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A Soft Landing
Wednesday’s pullback is just what the Fed was working toward – a nice, soft landing for everyone… except homeowners.
posted: Thursday June 21st - 10:33am
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Yahoo! Aftershocks
With a more technically savvy CEO at the helm, Yahoo! saw its stock surge in after-hours trading. What’s the long-term impact?
posted: Tuesday June 19th - 11:39am
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Here to Stay?
Are yesterday’s gains just a passing trend? Will this rally come crashing down amid new and inflationary economic data?
posted: Thursday June 14th - 2:22pm
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Stock-Market See-Saw
As interest rates climb higher, we can expect the stock indexes to creep lower and lower. Let the teeter-tottering begin.
posted: Wednesday June 13th - 1:44pm
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How Low Can You Go?
Lighten up, bulls. I’m not convinced this week’s downturn will persist.
posted: Friday June 8th - 10:23am
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Inflate This!
Rumor has it that Ben Bernanke is gearing up to raise interest rates. Is it true?
posted: Wednesday June 6th - 12:55pm
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Slick Oil
Oil is starting to make its move above $66 per barrel. And I couldn’t be happier.
posted: Tuesday June 5th - 1:37pm
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June Blooms
An upswing in M&A activity, plus encouraging minutes from the Fed Chairman, will push the June markets even higher.
posted: Friday June 1st - 9:44am
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Is the Consumer Really Confident?
Today's answer to that question will impact the market for some time to come.
posted: Tuesday May 29th - 10:01am
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When Alan Speaks...
...markets tremble. Will the Dow bounce back after deflating comments from the former Fed chairman?
posted: Thursday May 24th - 11:27am
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Is This the Top?
As the S&P hits 1530, some doubters say the sky will start falling. But I've learned that predicting the market is futile; all we can do is analyze and react quickly.
posted: Monday May 21st - 11:16am
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Afternoon Delight?
Following yesterday's late-afternoon sell off, can we expect to buy low this morning and rally through the day?
posted: Friday May 18th - 10:48am
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Props for Ben
The new Fed chairman just might be proving his mettle as the markets continue to soar. Thanks, Ben!
posted: Thursday May 10th - 12:35pm
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It's a Small World
U.S. numbers no longer make a dent. Today, traders must closely watch the global economy to profit on even their domestic stocks.
posted: Monday May 7th - 12:04pm
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Dear Fellow Trader
posted: Friday May 4th - 11:33am
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Just Taking a Breather?
I predict a short-term market pullback before this amazing rally starts up again.
posted: Tuesday May 1st - 11:45am
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Achieving Another DOW-gasm
Can the DOW maintain its climax? Will housing, oil or durable goods send it crashing to Earth? And when will you sell?
posted: Thursday April 26th - 1:26pm
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Don't Blame China
As the markets shrug off one piece of bad news after another, can anyone make money with short positions?
posted: Monday April 23rd - 9:10am
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The Bar Has Been Set
Trader will keep their eyes on the S&P's 1450 level this week as more economic data hits the fan.
posted: Wednesday April 18th - 2:38pm
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The Secret is in the 1450 Level
posted: Friday April 13th - 8:45am
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Be Mindful in Earning Season
posted: Thursday April 12th - 5:32pm
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April Fools
The second quarter of 2007 is off to a rocky start. Does the upcoming earnings season offer any hope?
posted: Tuesday April 3rd - 12:33pm
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Is Crude Oil Ready to Spike?
The news out of Britain and Iran may create some profitable trading opportunities this week...
posted: Wednesday March 28th - 3:53pm
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A Week of Wild Swings?
News from Ben Bernanke could push the S&P futures down below the previous low of 1410, and spark a selling spree.
posted: Monday March 19th - 1:47pm
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Ear to the Ground
This week's economic data will help trader determine whether inflation is really a problem. What to look for...
posted: Monday March 12th - 2:49pm
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Hurt So Good
I predict the market will move lower in March. And smart traders will profit from the downslide in a big way.
posted: Friday March 2nd - 10:45am
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Good News for Traders Who Love Bad News
This week's housing reports and movement of the S&P 500 could open up some serious trading opportunities. Will you capitalize on the down slide?
posted: Tuesday February 27th - 11:18am
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Testing New Levels in the S&P Futures
Wow. All the way up to the 1457 level in the S&P futures yesterday! When will the bulls ever give up?
posted: Thursday February 8th - 10:48am
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How to Play the Short Side of the S&P 500 Futures
After months of careful observation, I predict that the S&P Futures market will experience a test and failure before moving upward to 1455. Here’s how you can profit.
posted: Friday January 26th - 9:54am
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Perception Vs. Reality
Why a recovery in the housing market is bad for the stock market.
posted: Tuesday January 9th - 10:18am
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The Maximum Defined Loss
This critical strategic component is perhaps the most overlooked part of a successful trading strategy.
posted: Friday December 8th - 12:53pm
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The Easiest Way to Gain Trading Experience
Paper trades won't cut it. To really earn their stripes, green traders need to move real money... just not too much.
posted: Wednesday November 8th - 3:53pm
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