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Think Technology
Think technology. Think about what John Chambers (Cisco CEO) told us the day before he announced the new, faster router Cisco is bringing to market. CEO Chambers told us the router would change the Internet as we know it. Hyperbole? Of course, but does hyperbole necessarily mean the underlying...
The Context of January’s Real-Estate Numbers
Given the myopic news coverage of the U.S. real-estate market (housing market), the constant focus on limited statistics, one might conclude the housing market is headed south, again. Is it? Putting the “numbers” in context will help answer the question. First off, understand that the housing...
Should We Run For Cover, or Go About as Usual?
“The sky is falling. The sky is falling,” cries Chicken Little, and everyone goes running because, after all, Chicken Little is a renowned expert on … on what, exactly? So goes the crying of those who are telling us this is the resumption of the bear rally that was so rudely interrupted in March...
So Much For the January Effect, and History For That Matter
January 2010 has rolled in, and all in the financial world is as it should be. Despite the sell-off on Friday the 15th, the major indices are up for the month, the economic recovery is inching forward, and uncertainty still rules. The so-called “January Effect” might or might not be in play...
The New Year Requires New Thinking
One might conclude the topic today is better suited for investors as opposed to pure traders, but I have evolved to the point where the only difference between the two is time. In other words, if you are “buying and holding” in today’s market, I think you are making a mistake. I believe you...
Stuff Your Portfolio Stocking with GE and Oil Stocks
Despite the market setback today, and despite what might happen through the end of this year with the markets, now is the time to stuff your portfolio stocking with some undervalued assets that will prove profitable in the next year What we are seeing in the markets this week is an irrational...
The Gold Trade, a Bubble Waiting To Pop
The price of gold topped $1200 per ounce this week. Should you jump on this bandwagon? Do you think you will miss the trade, and thus the profit? This trader will miss both the bandwagon and the trade. Gold is another bubble, one that is getting pretty inflated. Yes. I understand that some...
Gold Trick -- or Treat?
Traders got pretty excited about gold prices hitting new all-time highs Tuesday in terms of U.S. dollars and deservedly so. But take away the U.S. dollar pricing and you’ll find that gold is more than 30 percent below its highs in Australian dollars, 15 percent below its highs in Japanese yen...
Where is the fear?
The September/October period has gained a reputation for volatility and adverse stock market moves including some memorable market crashes. But that’s far from the case this year. In fact, recent activity seems downright dull. A year ago, in the wake of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac,...
Help the airlines?
Maybe you got the same plea I did recently from an airline I use fairly often. The airline wants me to support a movement to "Stop Oil Speculation Now", recalling last year's huge rise in oil prices that many blamed on "evil speculators." Now, I know the airlines in general are in trouble and I...
Bears may win short-term oil battle
Bull vs. bear has been an ongoing market battle forever, most recently manifested in equities: Is the U.S. stock market in a new bull market or just a bear market rally? A recent survey of more than 400 TraderPlanet.com members split almost exactly evenly on that question, and there’s no way to...
Another stock market 'evil'
Many people seem to be concerned about the "evils" of short selling and how it can drive down the prices of a stock. Various means to limit it or ban it altogether have been proposed. But what about analysts' "expectations"? How many times have you heard that a stock went down because a...
It seems to be all about the dollar
As the value of the U.S. dollar has bounced off support at a previous low, prices of a number of commodities have tumbled, reinforcing the value of including intermarket analysis in any analytical approach. At least we assume the reversal -- or at least a pause -- in the dollar downtrend has...
Not all 'gold' glitters
As the prospects for higher inflation and higher prices increase with the billions of U.S. dollars created out of thin air being pushed into the financial system in various government bailout and stimulus programs, one might expect that a traditional inflation favorite like gold would...
On the energy roller coaster
Traders in the energy markets have had more than their share of ups and downs in the last year, and it appears they may be in for another ride higher. After slumping to almost $45 a barrel in conjunction with the stock market skid last Monday, crude oil futures have bounced back above $50. Lower...
