Kara Crawford at kara@traderplanet.comadmin@traderplanet.comhttp://www.traderplanet.com/TraderPlanet.com offers its popular content for commercial syndication via RSS. The feeds include backlinks for the full articles and automatically assign author attribution, which is required. To syndicate these RSS feeds on a commercial Web site, TraderPlanet.com, LLC requires the execution of standard linking agreement. Contact Kara Crawford at kara@traderplanet.com for further details.en-ushttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/48444-it_is_time_to_draw_a_linehttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/48444-it_is_time_to_draw_a_line<p >Last Thursday, the high-frequency traders exposed themselves to the world outside of the trading community. Finally, I say. We have accepted this unfair tactic far too long. To have computers making tens-of-thousands of trades in seconds is an unfair advantage, and, as we saw, potentially damaging to all of us in the trading game. It is time to regulate this tactic, if not abolish it completely.</p> <p >The world of trading is a human endeavor, and, as such, it should flow according to human interven...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/48444-it_is_time_to_draw_a_line'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> Mon, 10 May 2010 18:49:07 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/46777-when_will_the_blathering_endhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/46777-when_will_the_blathering_end<p >Greece, U.S. corporate earnings, the price of oil, the affect of the manipulated Chinese yuan, and developing financial regulation all have something in common – movement in the global equity markets. Although broad market movement is bullish, it is sometimes difficult see why when the above are fodder for the talking heads. It is even more difficult when supposedly reputable analysts come out and predict the S&amp;P 500 will be at 400 or less by the end of the year.  </p> <p >Greece will kill the Euro, ...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/46777-when_will_the_blathering_end'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:13:29 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/44826-will_the_markets_move_even_higherhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/44826-will_the_markets_move_even_higher<p >I would describe this past week in the markets as interesting, or, at least, understandable.  The DIJA ended the week at 10,997, just three points shy of the big 11,000 mark.  All week long, the market struggled to get to the “magic” marker, but could not hold it.  Resistance is the power.</p> <p >So what is behind this resistance?  Greece, employment data, and a general uncertainty about the strength of the global economic recovery are the basis of it, for the most part. Add in deficit issues, infla...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/44826-will_the_markets_move_even_higher'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:35:41 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/42655-are_we_coming_to_the_crossroadhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/42655-are_we_coming_to_the_crossroad<p >In the latter part of 2007, the U.S. economy began shedding jobs. By the end of 2008, the number of jobs lost each month exceeded 700,000 per month. Although decreasing in total numbers, those losses have continued right through last month, February 2010. Given that 2/3 of our gross domestic output is dependent on consumer spending, it is hardly arguable that these job losses are the single reason we have remained in a recession. This Friday, this stubborn indicator might very well move to th...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/42655-are_we_coming_to_the_crossroad'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:52:10 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/39061-think_technologyhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/39061-think_technology<p >Think technology. Think about what John Chambers 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 facts are untrue?</p> <p >One thing for certain these days is that both the Internet and the wireless infrastructures are overburdened and strained. Consider the new applications arriving on the market – music, TV, and mov...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/39061-think_technology'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:22:18 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/36085-the_context_of_januaryhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/36085-the_context_of_january<p> </p> <p >Given the myopic news coverage of the U.S. real-estate 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.</p> <p >First off, understand that the housing market is a simple entity, despite the fact that we formulate conclusions based on mind-numbing statistics. Really, it is a simple system comprised of basic components and one fundamental economic principle.</p> <p >Three bas...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/36085-the_context_of_january'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:54:06 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/34636-should_we_run_for_cover_or_go_about_as_usualhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/34636-should_we_run_for_cover_or_go_about_as_usual<p >“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 of last year. Lord, help us all …</p> <p >One of the most frustrating things about working in the world of trading is having to listen to the “renowned” experts, especially in these times of economic, fiscal,...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/34636-should_we_run_for_cover_or_go_about_as_usual'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:42:48 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31765-so_much_for_the_january_effect_and_history_for_that_matterhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31765-so_much_for_the_january_effect_and_history_for_that_matter<p>January 2010 has rolled in, and all in the financial world is as it should be. Despite the sell-off on Friday the 15^th, the major indices are up for the month, the economic recovery is inching forward, and uncertainty still rules.</p> <p >The so-called “January Effect” might or might not be in play , but, who really cares. As traders and investors, we should be very careful about basing decisions on media labels derived from historical data. The market bucked the historical trends throughout 2009, as...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31765-so_much_for_the_january_effect_and_history_for_that_matter'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:04:40 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31467-the_new_year_requires_new_thinkinghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31467-the_new_year_requires_new_thinking<p >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 should be trading your long-term portfolio. You should not just “buy and hold” and hope for the best. You should assess market conditions and then adjust your portfolio as needed.</p> <p >Successful trading is com...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/31467-the_new_year_requires_new_thinking'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:44:09 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/29338-stuff_your_portfolio_stocking_with_ge_and_oil_stockshttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/29338-stuff_your_portfolio_stocking_with_ge_and_oil_stocks<p>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</p> <p>What we are seeing in the markets this week is an irrational response to a mixed bag of news about the U.S. economy and, specifically, bad news coming out of Europe. The result is a flight to the dollar, a flight from gold, oil, and U.S. equities. Although not a p...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/29338-stuff_your_portfolio_stocking_with_ge_and_oil_stocks'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:39:38 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/27749-the_gold_trade_a_bubble_waiting_to_pophttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/27749-the_gold_trade_a_bubble_waiting_to_pop<p>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.</p> <p>Gold is another bubble, one that is getting pretty inflated. Yes. I understand that some reputable analysts have projected gold to reach $2000, or even $5000 per ounce. May be it will, but one should look at this trade carefully because it reminds me closely of the same call from some of the sa...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/27749-the_gold_trade_a_bubble_waiting_to_pop'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:12:31 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/21898-gold_trick_or_treathttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/21898-gold_trick_or_treat<p >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 terms and even 6% below its highs in the British pound, another of the weaker currencies, according to Ashraf Laidi, chief market strategist for CMC Markets in London.</p> <p >Based on the prognosis for the U.S....</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/21898-gold_trick_or_treat'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/744/?a=1072><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/firman.gif border=0 /></a></p> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:29:39 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/19906-where_is_the_fearhttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/19906-where_is_the_fear<p >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.</p> <p >A year ago, in the wake of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG and others, the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s Volatility Index , a measure of investor fear and anxiety, was on its way to near 90 as many stocks were plummeting. To...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/19906-where_is_the_fear'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:17:18 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/742-help_the_airlineshttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/742-help_the_airlines<p>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 am no fan of someone trying to manipulate markets illegally. I'm not crazy about paying high prices at the gas pump either. But I do believe in free markets, supply-demand and keeping the government out...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/742-help_the_airlines'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:27:44 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/741-bears_may_win_short_term_oil_battlehttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/741-bears_may_win_short_term_oil_battle<p>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?</p><p>A recent survey of more than 400 TraderPlanet.com members split almost exactly evenly on that question, and there’s no way to conclude yet who will be correct. A potential head-and-shoulders top that appeared to be performing on VantagePoint stock index charts dissipated with the past week’s rally, and the Nasdaq 100 Index rea...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/741-bears_may_win_short_term_oil_battle'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/832/?a=1073><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/jobman.gif border=0 /></a></p> Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:15:51 +0000