I found the following article (posted on www.businessinsider.com on Dec. 31, 2009) by way of a tweet posted by @PairsTrades on www.twitter.com. I love reading these stories at the beginning and end of the year. The speculation is quite interesting. For example, Borders Group (NYSE: BGP) is on the list for next year, but it was also on a list of this nature last year. Hmmm....
http://www.businessinsider.com/brands-that-will-disappear-in-2010-2009-12#newsweek-1
Have a Happy New Year & Better Trades in the Year to Come!!!
Angie C.
Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/WTV_Angie
Here are a couple of interesting articles concerning Congress's proposed new trader tax. You can also read my thoughts on the issue, read my blog on Dec. 2, 2009 titled "Stop the Trader Tax!!!"
Steven Place, with InvestingwithOptions.com, had some interesting analysis on this topic at http://www.investingwithoptions.com/2009/12/my-comments-on-the-trader-tax/.
Chris Glorioso posted his insight on the Huffington Post online at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-glorioso/the-wall-street-trader-ta_b_400871.html.
To sign a petition against this Tax, click below.
http://www.rallycongress.com/greentradertax-traders-association1/
http://www.rallycongress.com/no2tradertax/1536/tell-congres-to-block-trader-tax/
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTV_Angie
Happy Holidays!
Looking at the charts, volume & the RSI charts today the simple truth is sometimes the answer is there isn't one. The things we look for in charts are not lining up like normal which just might mean there isn't a pattern & no reason to trade. One of the greatest value of the programs is to tell us just to leave it alone. Walk away from the computer!!!
Today's rally takes the NASDAQ to a new 52 wk high ($2,242.22). While this is incredibly bullish for today and other Indices also showing aggressive strength, it should be recognized that the Dow ($DJI) and the S&P 500 ($SPX) have not made new highs today. Both Indices on Friday were near the lowest end of the channel that the market has been caught in for over a month. To expect them to cover the full range of that movement back to the resistance levels in one day, while not impossible, is not likely to happen.
So where does this leave us for the rest of the week? As I've already mentioned, the market is in a channel. It's very important to realize this is a low volume time of year. I don't want to predict where the market is going from here, but I can say this- don't get ahead of yourself or the market. Small moves are key right now. Make sure to stick to your plan and do not risk more than you can tolerate. I've personally been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the new year. When volume returns to these markets we will likely see a breakout accompany it so be aware. In the meantime if you're trying to take advantage of the small range between our support and resistance, just remember- always trade your plan.
Angie C
Follow me on twitter: http://www.wizetradetv.com/?cid=07010
Technology is holding onto a reasonable lead in the markets today, with the Nasdaq Composite up about 25 points with all other indices moving back and forth around even on the day.
Some contributing stocks to this positive gain include:
Take Two Interactive Software, Inc (TTWO) is up a little more than 11% today; Research In Motion Limited (RIMM) up over 10%; and Celgene Corporation (CELG) up over 10 %.
Angie C.
Follow me on twitter: http://www.wizetradetv.com/?cid=07010
When you can identify three times in a day to trade AMZN for .50 cents per trade. Today we were able to see three possible trades for $.50 per share on AMZN. This in spite of the fact that it is December the week before Christmas & the market has been running between 10,250 & 10,500 on the Dow for several days now. We talk about this style dailey on Channel 2 from 8:30 to 10 AM CST & 2 to 3 PM CST. Come listen & to see what you might be able to pick up to help your trading.
FOMC decided to leave interest rates unchanged at 0.50% (big surprise). To read the official story, check out htttp://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20091216a.htm.
The market reacted by first running up, then pulling back enough to give up almost all of the day's gains. As of this writing, the DOW is down 18 points, the S& P is only up 1 point. Can anyone else see the evidence of the inability to break hi's?
Angie C.
I have been an In the Money option guy for years but recently I started looking at Out of the Money options in a different way. Lets say I was going to do a crazy thing and trade MA to the downside. That would require that I buy a Put option. If i were to follow the DEPOT method I would be looking for an option with a Delta somewhere between -.70 and -.85. This is typically known as the sweet spot. As I write this blog, one potential option is the MALMW (Jan 260 Put) for $16.60 X $17.00. The option has a delta of -.72 which works out nicely. The only problem is that the spread is $.40. This is a touch too high. Of course you could shave the spread to $.30 but that may even be a touch too high. But what if I took a look at the MALMU (Jan 240 Put) 5.50 X 5.60. This option is OTM since MA is currently trading for $245.80. You might say "I can't trade that, the delta is not between -.70 and -.85, that would be breaking the rules." I appreciate your discipline, but what if you bought two of these options. By doubling the number of contracts you are purchasing, you are essentially doubling the delta strength. For example, if I purchased one contract of the option with a -.72 delta I would expect that for every $1.00 the MA stock dropped, my put option would increase in value by $.72. If I chose instead to purchase two contracts of the -.32 delta option, I would expect to make $.72 for every $1.00 MA drops. It is the same. Here is the cool thing, If I purchase two contacts of the -.32 delta option is will cost me a total of $11.20 if my numbers are correct. That means I will be saving $5.80 per contact. and the spread when added together will be $.20 instead of $.40. It does not always work out that nicely but it may be worth doing some comparison shopping when you are hunting for options.
The FOMC tomorrow is likely to repeat its pledge to keep interest rates near zero for an “extended period,” economists say, because inflation is slowing and unemployment remains near a 26-year high.
By Scott Lanman and Steve Matthews, bloomberg.com, 12/15/09
The FOMC announcement for the December 15-16 FOMC policy meeting is expected to leave the fed funds target rate unchanged at a range of zero to 0.25 percent. However, traders will be watching to see if the "extended period" language is qualified with any additional wording regarding the future path of the fed funds rate. Traders also will look for updates on the Fed's view of the recovery and on the Fed's plan for unwinding balance sheet expansion.
nasdaq.com, 12/15/09, FOMC Meeting Announcement
Visa (ticker symbol: V) soared higer on an upgrade today breaking short term resistance ($83.40) to make gains of over 3%.
A takeover deal of XTO Energy (XTO) by Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) spiked XTO stock price by more than 14% & dropped XOM stock slightly more than 4%.
Citigroup (C) announced plans to repay the US government for their share of the TARP money dropping the stock more than 6%.
Angie C.
Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/WTV_Angie
