20121221 Weekend

Dow 13,190.84 -120.88
SP500 1,430.15 -13.54
Nasdaq 3,021.01 -29.38
10-Year Bond 1.754 -0.046
Gold 1,658.30 +12.40
Oil 88.96 -1.17

USLV 25.21 -0.01.  Sold at 25.38 for a small gain.  Downdraft was taking everything lower, so sold out to avoid holding over long weekend.

20121220 Silver

Dow 13,284.30 +32.33
SP500 1,441.52 +5.71
Nasdaq 3,050.24 +5.88
10-Year Bond 1.80 -0.00
Gold 1,647.70 -20.00
Oil 90.09 +0.11 Note oil is up while metals are down.

While metals could have more downside, seasonally this is the time to buy and the price is right.  Today going into silver for the volatility.  Looking to buy into gold tomorrow, for a medium term hold.

USLV 24.97 -3.49 -12.26%.  Bought at 24.97.

20121214 Weekend

Dow 13,135.01 -35.71
Nasdaq 2,971.33 -20.83
SP500 1,413.58 -5.87
10-YrBond 1.7080% -0.02

GLD 164.13 -0.24
SLV 31.17 -0.36
PTM 18.98 +0.11
XLE 71.22 -0.27
XLF 16.00 -0.06
VXX 30.33 +0.21

Bernanke announced the private cartel Federal Reserve will begin to use the unemployment rate as a factor for setting interest rates.  This is bizarre.  Like the Bank of Japan two decades ago, the Fed is trapped.

20121213 PM

DJIA 13,171 -74.73
SP500 1,419 -9.03
10 YR.NOTE 1.728% +0.31

Sold a college savings plan after holding for about a year.  Up 16.4% for the year.  Being able to trade only once per year, I want to be able to buy next year after a market pull back.

Monday went short SP500 with a small position that will likely close tomorrow. 

Am nearly all in cash.  Christmas & holidays will have lighter volume that could make scalping opportunities.  May sit out until next year.

20121205 PM

Dow 13,034.49 +82.71
Nasdaq 2,973.70 -22.99
SP500 1,409.28 +2.23
30-yrBond 2.78% 0.00

GLD 164.12 -0.30
SLV 31.82 -0.08
PTM 18.67 -0.17
XLE 70.90 +0.49
XLF 15.85 +0.19
VXX 30.16 -0.51

Last Friday the SP500 did close higher, though barely.  Monday it was higher, and that was the sell.  I was out of the office on last minute personal items.  Returning today, closed the SP500 trade and the silver trade.  While SP500 has a chance the high from Monday within the next week, the risk is too high right now.

AGQ 52.07 -0.28.  Sold at 51.30.
UPRO 84.76 +0.45.  Sold at 83.37 for about $2 per share loss.  Monday was the day to sell, but I was out of pocket.  Didn't want to have a trailing stop taken out, so had not stop because planned to be watching.  Closed it out without regrets.


AAPL 538.79 -37.05.  With the massive institutional involvement, get out of the way of this selling.
TIBX 20.00 -4.72

20121129 PM

SP500 1,415.95 +6.02
Nasdaq 3,012.03 +20.25
Dow 13,021.82 +36.71
EUR/USD 1.2975 0.00
10-Year Bond 1.62% 0.00
Gold 1,739.80 +23.30
Oil 87.84 +1.35

GLD 167.18 +0.63
SLV 33.13 +0.51
PTM 19.35 -0.06
XLE 71.12 +0.16
XLF 15.78 +0.08
VXX 29.10 -0.34

Silver is acting stronger than gold.

Friday is end of month, so anticipating a higher index close.

UPRO .  ProShares UltraPro S&P500.  Half hour before close, bought at 85.51.  Intend to sell tomorrow.  SPXL is a similar trading vehicle.

20121123 Weekend

SP500 1,409.15 +18.12
Nasdaq 2,966.85 +40.30
Dow 13,009.68 +172.79
EUR/USD 1.2975 +0.0095
10-Year Bond 1.693 +0.006
Gold 1,751.40 +23.20.  If price holds Monday, time to get long gold bullion for run to 1800.
Oil 86.67 +1.22

GLD 169.61 +2.05
SLV 32.98 +0.69
PTM 19.08 +0.13
XLE 71.61 +1.00
XLF 15.84 +0.19
VXX 30.00 -1.34

This week was Thanksgiving, with less trading.  Friday was risk on, with widespread green.  Light volume makes the moves tentative.

International:
ECH 60.23 -0.20.  iShares MSCI Chile Investable Mkt Idx.  52 week range 55.85 - 69.60.
TEO 9.41  0.04.  Telecom Argentina S.A.  52 week range 9.12 - 22.33.  9.4% dividend.  Keep on watch list for reversal, and be careful with bottom-fishing.  Argentina lost court battle concerning debt.

20121102 Weekend

Dow 13,093.16 -139.46
Nasdaq 2,982.13 -37.93
SP500 1,414.20 -13.39
30-yrBond 2.92% +0.02

GLD 162.60 -3.47
SLV 29.95 -1.27
PTM 18.44 -0.09
XLE 71.06 -1.19
XLF 16.00 -0.09
VXX 34.92 +0.88

Friday had non-farm payroll report with sell-off of precious metals, copper, and grains.  Crude went below 85/barrel.

On Wednesday NYC said their 47,000 participant marathon would be held this weekend, then cancelled it due to hurricane aftermath.  The entire NJ/NYC area will have a consumer spending contraction for at least a week due to people staying home from work and cancelled conventions.  This will hurt the next GDP report.  Time to consider selling any long term broad market longs?

Elections Tuesday.  Whichever of the two big (bankster approved) candidates wins the Presidential election, look for a equity sell-off when the public realizes neither can easily work through the looming fiscal/spending/war issues.

20121101 PM

Dow    13,232.62     136.16 (1.04%)
Nasdaq    3,020.06     42.83 (1.44%)
S&P 500    1,427.59     15.43 (1.09%)
30-yr Bond    2.90%      0.05

Indices had early morning melt up to close at daily highs.
Still looking for fear in the metals market to flush price lower to go long.

GLD 166.07 -0.76
SLV 31.22 -0.05
PTM 18.54 +0.13
XLE 72.25 +0.31
XLF 16.09 +0.20
VXX 34.05 -2.96

BOIL 52.15 -0.56.  ProShares Ultra DJ UBS Natural.  Sold off from anticipated reduction in electricity generation demand.  That play is likely over, so should change direction.  Would be eager to buy around 49.  Has intraday volatility.

20120819 Weekend

Dow 13,343.51 -205.43
Nasdaq 3,005.62 -67.24
SP500 1,433.19 -24.15
10-YrBond 1.7680% -0.0580

Metals sold off and didn't bounce at the end of the day.  Look for a short-term buy Monday afternoon.  Long-term buy may still be a couple weeks away.

GLD 166.97 -1.82
SLV 31.094 -0.64
PTM 19.22 -0.20
XLE 73.83 -1.18
XLF 16.11 -0.22
VXX 34.99 +2.12

S 5.65 -0.13.  Sprint Nextel Corp. asked shareholders to accept a large cash infusion from Japanese Softbank.  Look at Feb/March 2013 calls at strike price of 6, particularly if underlying price slides with overall market.

20120818 PM

Dow 13,548.94 -8.06
Nasdaq 3,072.87 -31.26
SP500 1,457.34 -3.57
30-yrBond 3.0070% +0.0190

GLD 168.79 -0.75.  Looking to buy more within next couple weeks.  We could be near a low in the next few days.
SLV 31.73 -0.39
PTM 19.42 -0.63
XLE 75.01 -0.01
XLF 16.33 +0.03
VXX 32.88 -0.10

20120511 Weekend

Dow 12,820.60 -34.44
Nasdaq 2,933.82 +0.18
SP500 1,353.39 -4.60
30-yrBond 3.02% -0.04

10 year USA debt sold at record low of 1.75%.  The Federal Reserve is working overtime buying debt through their primary dealers.
Thursday evening JPMorgan Chase revealed a $2 billion trading loss.  The bears had a huge opportunity Friday, but the market was stable.  The bears may be out of fire power.

GLD 153.56 -1.21
SLV 28.08 -0.17
PTM 17.79 -0.02
XLE 67.34 -0.50
XLF 14.81 -0.17
VXX 17.48 +0.27   

BOX 18.40 -0.14.  SeaCube Container Leasing Ltd.  6% dividend.  52 week range 10.26 - 19.08.
IPG 11.60 -0.04.  Owns a stake in the over-reported upcoming Facebook IPO.
JPM 36.96 -3.78 (9.28%).  Thursday evening reported a $2 billion proprietary trading loss on supposed hedges.  The sell-off may be overdone in the short term.  In the medium term, this is a warning sign of impending cracks in the system.

20120427 Weekend

Dow 13,228.31 +23.69
Nasdaq 3,069.20 +18.59
SP500 1,403.36 +3.38
10-YrBond 1.9330% -0.0260

GLD 161.40 +0.37
SLV 30.39 +0.21
PTM 19.17 +0.40
XLE 70.77 -0.06
XLF 15.52 +0.01
VXX 16.20 -0.03

AGQ 50.79 -0.71

GPL 2.09 -0.02.  Great Panther Silver Ltd.  Buy pullback to 1.90.

20120425 PM

Dow 13,090.72 +89.16
Nasdaq 3,029.63 +68.03
SP500 1,390.69 +18.72
30-yrBond 3.1460% +0.0320

Metals could have put in a bottom today.  Sometimes there is a change in trend during the Money Show, which will be May 14 - 17, so a bottom may take a couple more weeks.
Gold rejected intraday low with a V-shaped spike lower to 1626 that immediately rebounded and went on to close higher.  Wants to run to 1681.
Silver tested below 30.50 and closed above important 30.50.

GLD 159.62 +0.32
SLV 29.86 -0.07
PTM 18.90 +0.16
XLE 70.09 +0.69
XLF 15.38 +0.13
VXX 16.82 -1.09


AGQ 48.97 -0.20.  Added at 48.98.  Now have full position. 

AAPL 610.00 +49.72 8.87%.  Gapped higher.
AEM 34.41 +1.59 4.84%.  Nearly ready to run higher.

20120404 PM

Dow 13,074.75 -124.80
Nasdaq 3,068.09 -45.48
SP500 1,398.96 -14.42
30-yrBond 3.38% -0.03

Commodities sold off.

GLD 157.21 -2.68 (1.68%)
SLV 30.325 -1.32 (4.19%)
PTM 19.65 -0.55
XLE 70.90 -0.92
XLF 15.5799 -0.25
VXX 17.482 +0.38

Mining shares were pummeled.
GBG 0.66 -0.01 (1.49%).  Great Basin Gold Ltd.
GDXJ 22.83 -1.00 (4.20%).  Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF.  New 52 week low.  52 week range 22.58 - 42.97.

HUI/gold chart from Trader Dan.  Near 2008 lows.

IPG 10.97 -0.12.  The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.  Into high volume up day from late February, and needs to hold here or will drop lower.

20120327 PM GDXJ, NKY

Dow 13,197.73 -43.90
Nasdaq 3,120.35 -2.22
SP500 1,412.52 -3.99
10-Yr Bond 2.1870% -0.0570

Indices closed near lows of day.  Considerable nervousness about potential sell-off.

GLD 163.24 -1.16
SLV 31.58 -0.35
PTM 20.94 +0.35
XLE 72.07 -0.73
XLF 15.83 -0.15
VXX 17.20 +1.53 (9.77%)

AGQ 55.28 -1.30.  Day range 55.17 - 57.39.  Went long 1/2 position before close at 55.32.  On a weekly basis, silver has been down for several weeks.  It could be higher this week, so was looking for an entry.  Gap higher on Monday did not allow entry.  Looking to hold for few days to a week.

GDXJ 24.89 -0.82.  Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF.  Put on watch list to buy at 22.74.

NKY 14.67 +0.07.  Nikkei 225 Index Fund ETF.  52 week range 12.58 - 15.43.  Put on watch list to buy a pull back.

20120314 1131

DJIA 13,183.43 +5.75
NASDAQ  3,038.44 -1.44
SP500  1,393.61 -2.34

After new highs yesterday on news of bank stress tests, market is feeling choppy and due for a rest.

IPG 11.85 -0.12.  Closed February 7 long at 11.85 for 1.24 per share gain.
SSO 57.268 -0.22.  Closed March 1 long at 57.29 for 2.42 per share loss.  A quick look shows this leveraged product had a loss while the straight product would have had a gain.

20120227 PM

Dow 12,981.51 -1.44
Nasdaq 2,966.16 +2.41
SP500 1,367.59 +1.85
10-YrBond 1.9220% -0.0550

Indices opened lower and recovered.
Silver looks strong.

GLD 171.70 -0.53
SLV 34.36 -0.01
PTM 21.44 -0.39
XLE 75.99 -0.24
XLF 14.78 +0.11
VXX 25.31 +0.26

Closed a SP500 short and went long the SDS (SP500 double long).

20120224 Weekend

Dow 12,982.95 -1.74
Nasdaq 2,963.75 +6.77
SP500 1,365.74 +2.28
10-YrBond 1.98% -0.01

GLD 172.231 -0.79
SLV 34.37 -0.03
PTM 21.83 +0.00
XLE 76.23 +0.30
XLF 14.67 -0.05
VXX 25.05 +0.92

Dollar lower. Crude oil higher. Precious metals higher.
Look for gold resistance and selling at $1800. Silver lease rate is continuing to trend lower, so be aware of a potential price smash.
If gold and silver can put in a strong weekly close, get long. If the price meanders, expect more weeks of consolidation.

20120221 PM

Dow 12,965.69 +15.82
Nasdaq 2,948.57 -3.21
SP500 1,362.21 +0.98
30-yrBond 3.19% +0.03

Stock indices higher on open, then went red. Past 3+ weeks markets have been unable to make higher highs with volume. Question is WHEN there will be a sharp downdraft.

GLD 171.02 +3.67
SLV 33.38 +1.10
PTM 21.00 +0.57
XLE 75.38 +0.51
XLF 14.77 -0.02
VXX 26.56 -0.03

Wanted to be short over the long weekend. This morning Greece's rescue plan was confirmed, putting the risk on trade back into play. If Greeks are as smart as the Icelandics, the Greeks will bail. Or they will pass laws which will keep them in debt:

Greece will also have to pass within the next two months a new law that gives paying off the debt legal priority over funding government services.

Silver lease rates stopped declining.

DSLV 29.30 -3.43 (-10.48%). Sold at 30.19 for 2.02 per share loss.

20120215 PM

Dow 12,780.95 +97.33
Nasdaq 2,915.83 +16.00
SP500 1,343.23+7.27
10-YrBond 1.93% -0.01

Stock indices turned down intraday.

Euro-Area Economy Shrinks

Gross domestic product in the 17-nation euro area fell 0.3 percent from the prior three months, the first drop since the second quarter of 2009 ...

GLD 168.108 +0.99
SLV 32.45 -0.09
PTM 20.28 +0.29
XLE 73.63 -0.12
XLF 14.47 -0.09
VXX 28.02 +1.50 (+5.66%)

AAPL 497.67 -11.79 (-2.31%)
GBG 0.89 -0.03 (-3.26%). Watch .86.

20120214 PM

Dow 12,878.28 +4.24
Nasdaq 2,931.83 +0.44
SP500 1,350.50 -1.27
30-yrBond 3.07% -0.08

GLD 167.12 -0.39
SLV 32.54 -0.21
PTM 20.00 -1.46
XLE 73.75 +0.13
XLF 14.56 -0.14
VXX 26.52 +0.76

Intraday precious metals, in particular silver, turned lower. Stock indices also turned sharply lower. Stock indices jammed higher in last few minutes.
Dollar looking higher to 82.

DSLV 31.88 +0.57. Long triple short silver at 32.21.
GBG 0.92 -0.02. Sold tiny position at .92 for loss of .09 per share.
SDS 16.59 -0.04. When indices broke lower during day, went long double short SP500 at 16.75. Could have had better entry earlier in day.

20120210 Weekend

Dow 12,801.23 -89.23
Nasdaq 2,903.88 -23.35
SP500 1,342.64 -9.31
10-YrBond 1.97% -0.08

Downside volume was not too big, so bulls may consider this a constructive pullback.

GLD 167.14 -0.88 (-0.52%)
SLV 32.51 -0.39 (-1.19%)
PTM 21.26 -1.81 (-7.83%)
XLE 73.04 -0.74
XLF 14.565 -0.15
VXX 27.872 +2.20 (+8.58%)

TVIX 19.05 +2.77 (+17.04%). VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX.

20120208 PM, Canada US$ Bonds

Dow 12,883.95 +5.75
Nasdaq 2,915.86 +11.78
SP500 1,349.96 +2.91
30-yrBond 3.1410% +0.00

GLD 168.50 -1.20
SLV 33.04 -0.22
PTM 23.36 +1.04
XLE 73.77 -0.25
XLF 14.77 +0.11
VXX 24.48 +0.53

Last weekend, Barron's had an article on buying Fannie Mae's properties at auction. For the larger auctions, there are income requirements and property management requirements. For the smaller sales, there will be restrictions such as requiring the property continue to be rented and renters may not be evicted. Single-sale site.

New product of binary options.

Article in WSJ says this fund invests in small companies overseas and from "late 2008 to July 2011 ... turned at $10,000 investment in $23,500 ...". Company website.

Canada auctioned bonds denominated in US dollars. Fundamentally this will put demand into the US currency, while exposing Canada to currency risk.

CZR 15.39 +6.39. Does anyone wonder why the investing public thinks the markets are fraudulent and a rip-off?

Caesar's, formerly known as Harrah's Entertainment, sold a little more than 1% of its outstanding shares for $9 apiece late Tuesday. The company raised just $16 million, a minute amount compared to its $22 billion debt burden.

GBG 1.00 -0.06. Day range 0.94 - 1.06. Monday sold off to 1.04s after earnings. Tiny buy order at 1.01 was filled today.

Great Basin announced preliminary fourth-quarter results this morning that showed a 20% decline in gold recoverable ounces, and, even worse, an 18% increase in the cost to recover those precious metals.
... results may wind up being a lot closer to breaking even in 2012 than many realize. I'd wait for the company's actual numbers in March before you make up your mind ...

20120103 Weekend, FTR FXY UNG

Dow 12,862.23 +156.82
Nasdaq 2,905.66 +45.98
SP500 1,344.90 +19.36
10-YrBond 1.95% +0.12

GLD 167.64 -3.41
SLV 32.69 -0.67
PTM 21.28 -0.23
XLE 72.77 +1.26
XLF 14.735 +0.38
VXX 23.9869 -1.35

Indices gapped higher on well-received jobs number and closed near/at highs of day. Will watch for a shortable opening gap up on Monday.

Oil is failing. If it gets into 96, consider shorting down to 85. If dollar rebounds, oil will be under pressure.

Silver & gold sold off while copper was higher. If silver/gold sell off into Monday, consider a buy Monday on the close - silver ~33, gold ~ 1715.

AMZN 187.68 +5.96. Sell price at 183.44 was hit for 3.85 per share gain. Closed near high of day.

FTR 4.51 +0.15. Frontier Communications Company. 52 week range 3.81 - 9.55. 17% dividend. If markets continue higher, this can make a nice percentage move higher.
GBG 1.18 -0.04. Waiting to buy at 1.01.

FXY 128.56 -0.56. Rydex CurrencyShares Japanese Yen. Failing to get through 52 week high of 130.22. Possible short on retest and fail of 129s.
UNG 5.33 -0.08. United States Natural Gas Fund. After recent short-covering, this has turned down. Short any bounce.

20120102 PM

Dow 12,707.08 -9.38
Nasdaq 2,859.68 +11.41
SP500 1,325.54 +1.45
30-yrBond 3.0110% -0.0040

GLD 171.05 +1.49. Gold closed over 1750, a positive close.
SLV 33.36 +0.59
PTM 21.51 +0.77
XLE 71.51 +0.54
XLF 14.35 +0.07
VXX 25.33 -0.80

IPG 10.59 +0.01. Interpublic Group of Companies. Went long at 10.61. IPG owns a tiny piece of Facebook.
USLV 50.79 +2.60. In the morning, took a tiny gain on silver overnight. Got scared out of holding for larger gains during the day.
After a pullback into the lunch hour, price recovered. Got back long at 49.56 and sold for .94 per share gain.

AMZN 181.72 +2.26. Closed near high of day. Can easily go a couple points higher.

20120102 1012

DJIA 12,728.69 +12.23
NASDAQ 2,860.65 +12.38
SP500 1,327.60 +3.51

USLV 48.75 +0.55. Sold at 48.66 for overnight .46 per share gain.

20120201 PM

Dow 12,716.46 +83.55
Nasdaq 2,848.27 +34.43
SP500 1,324.09 +11.68
30-yrBond 3.02% +0.08

GLD 169.56 +0.25
SLV 32.77 +0.49
PTM 20.74 +0.18
XLE 70.97 +0.28
XLF 14.28 +0.22
VXX 26.13 -0.73

Indices opened higher and closed with strength. Relatively positive action for the bulls, though needs volume to come in for higher prices.

AMZN 179.46 -14.98 (7.70%). Gap down on big volume with trend up from opening low of day. Was looking to wait to buy this until end of day to watch if indices close strong, but the trend was relentlessly higher so started 1/2 long position at 179.59. Stop at day low of 172.00. Looking to sell in the morning.
USLV 48.20 +2.19. VelocityShares 3x Long Silver. Bought at 48.20. Looking to sell in the morning.

20120130 PM

Dow 12,653.72 -6.74
Nasdaq 2,811.94 -4.61
SP500 1,313.01 -3.32
30-yrBond 2.9830% -0.0810

For those will bullish bias on the stock indices, this was a positive day in that there was no big breakdown and indices closed at highs of day.

GLD 168.03 -0.94
SLV 32.53 -0.43
PTM 21.03 +0.45
XLE 71.14 -0.34
XLF 14.00 -0.13
VXX 26.85 +0.78

SDS 17.58 +0.07. Sold at 17.70 for .39 per share gain.

GBG 1.28 +0.04. Positive action.

20120127 Weekend, Gold $2111, Rail Cars

Dow 12,660.46 -74.17
Nasdaq 2,816.55 +11.27
SP500 1,316.33 -2.10
30-yrBond 3.0640% -0.0260

With the Fed extending ZIRP and markets not zooming higher, they are giving a feeling of heaviness. Am biased toward downside on the indices.

Jim Sinclair wrote that $2111 will be the next temporary wall for the price of gold.

GLD 168.97 +1.70
SLV 32.96 +0.53
PTM 20.58 +0.59
XLE 71.48 -0.15
XLF 14.13 +0.05
VXX 26.07 -0.57

SBSA 6.15 +0.01. Spanish Broadcasting System. Big moves this week. 52 week range 0.95 - 12.10.
UNG 5.88 +0.26 (4.63%). United States Natural Gas Fund. 52 week range 4.98 - 12.64. May be off the bottom (at least temporarily).

This article Buffett's Burlington Northern Among Pipeline Winners (the original disappeared at Bloomberg) discusses rail traffic and oil pipelines.

Tanker Car Bottleneck
Investors such as John Stephenson, who helps manage $2.7 billion for First Asset Management Inc. in Toronto said he anticipated the project would move forward next year. Pipeline shipping costs remain lower than rail, and a lack of readily available tanker cars may create a bottleneck.

The availability of tank cars may create a temporary "hiccup" in transport capacity, according to Tony Hatch, an independent railroad analyst in New York. Rail cars are "a pretty hot commodity," as a result of demand from oil producers in North Dakota, he said.

Rail car production is already at a three-year high as manufacturers such as Greenbrier Cos Inc. and American Railcar Industries Inc. expand to meet demand for sand used in oil and gas exploration, according to Steve Barger, an analyst at Keybanc Capital Markets Inc. in Cleveland, citing Railway Supply Institute statistics.

ARII 26.60 +1.22(4.81%). American Railcar Industries. May be making run for 52 week high. 52 week range 13.68 - 29.48.
GBX 22.93 +0.04. Greenbrier Companies. 52 week range 10.38 - 30.38.

EEP 33.33 +0. Enbridge Energy, L.P. Class A C. 52 week range 24.66 - 34.58. 6% dividend. Enbridge bought a stake in the Seaway Pipeline from Gulf Coast to Cushing, Oklahoma. They will reverse oil flow to send oil to the Gulf.

20120126 1059

DJIA 12,779.02 +22.06
NASDAQ 2,812.38 -5.93
SP500 1,323.49 -2.57

Dollar lower. Commodities and precious metals higher.
Stock market bulls had better get moving or the indices can drift lower today.

GBG 1.21 +0.05. Reached target sell price. Sold at 1.21 for .27 per share gain.
SDS 17.36 +0.07. Bought at 17.31 for scalp.

20120125 PM, FOMC

Dow 12,756.96 +81.21
Nasdaq 2,818.31 +31.67
SP500 1,326.06 +11.41
30-yrBond 3.15% -0.01

FOMC meeting during which the private cartel Federal Reserve announced they would maintain the cost of borrowing money at near-zero into 2014. Risk on!
Jim Sinclair interview about today's Fed action and global QE.

GLD 166.42 +4.41 (2.72%)
SLV 32.37 +1.29 (4.15%)
PTM 19.38 +0.52 (2.78%)
XLE 72.62 +0.88
XLF 14.20 +0.03
VXX 26.65 -1.17 (4.21%)

GBG 1.16 +0.13 (12.62%)
HMY 12.02 +0.59 (5.16%)

20120120 Weekend

Dow 12,720.48 +96.50
Nasdaq 2,786.70 -1.63
SP500 1,315.38 +0.88
10-YrBond 2.0280% +0.0560. Trader Dan says metals (silver in particular) will benefit from "risk on" when the yield goes above 2.25%.

GLD 162.07 +0.85
SLV 31.22 +1.48 +4.98%. This week 7% gain. Thursday bought more physical silver for delivery. Resistance at 32.50.
PTM 18.89 +0.09
XLE 71.38 +0.01
XLF 14.14 +0.09
VXX 28.42 -0.89

Baltic Dry Index (rates for dry goods in container ships) is plunging.

COF 46.03 -2.74. Capital One Financial.
GOOG 585.99 -53.58.

20120118 PM

Dow 12,578.95 +96.88
Nasdaq 2,769.71 +41.63
SP500 1,308.04 +14.37. Closed above 1300.
10-YrBond 1.8970% +0.0470

GLD 161.60 +1.10
SLV 29.65 +0.46
PTM 20.95 +0.55
XLE 71.08 +1.15
XLF 13.92 +0.21
VXX 30.14 -1.08

DGP 53.50 +0.69. Sold at 53.34 for .48 per share gain overnight.

MEOH 27.54 +1.03. Methanex Corporation. Good volume on higher price the past week. News the firm will move a processing plant from Chile to Louisiana due to declining nat gas prices in USA. Has been running higher the past few weeks... who traded on unpublished news?

TBT 18.38 +0.42. ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20+. 52 week range 17.48 - 41.54. Looking for strength (~19) before considering going into a treasury short position.

GLD prior 160.50 open 159.94 close 161.60

Citigroup fined for talking it's customer book.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or Finra, said it fined the capital markets unit of Citigroup Inc. (C) $725,000, alleging that it failed to disclose some conflicts of interest in research reports and public appearances by its research analysts.

20120117 PM

Dow 12,482.07 +60.01
Nasdaq 2,728.08 +17.41
SP500 1,293.67 +4.58. Am looking to lighten up the longs.
30-yrBond 2.89% -0.01

GLD 160.48 +1.22
SLV 29.19 +0.37
PTM 20.40 +1.67
XLE 69.93 +0.49
XLF 13.71 -0.10
VXX 31.22 -0.27

DGP 52.81 +0.77. Bought 100 at 52.86, near end of day. Intend to sell in the morning.

Overnight gold movement:
GLD open/close 161.17 160.50
DGP open/close 53.27 52.81

20120113 Weekend, AEHI AEM PDS POT

Dow 12,422.06 -48.96
Nasdaq 2,710.67 -14.03
SP500 1,289.09 -6.41
10-YrBond 1.85% -0.08

US stock exchanges will be closed Monday.
Commodities lower. Natural gas near multi-year lows.
With close at/near highs of day, stock bulls are still in control.

GLD 159.26 -1.12
SLV 28.82 -0.49
PTM 18.70 +0.12
XLE 69.44 -0.35
XLF 13.81 -0.11
VXX 31.49 +0.83

SSO 48.96 -0.32. Closed at high of day. Sold long at 48.73 for 1.58 per share gain. Just raising cash for future opportunities.
GBG 1.02 -0.02

Commodity:
AEM 37.01 -0.44. Agnico Eagle Mines.
POT 44.74 +1.29. Potash Corp Of Saskatchewan. Looking at year chart, POT is trending up nicely. Clear resistance around 50.

AEHI 0.07 +0.03. Alternate Energy Holdings. Speculative over-the-counter with very little volume. All outstanding stock could (theoretically) be bought for $22 million. Maybe consider a speculative buy at .4.
IRC 7.84 -0.10. Inland Real Estate Corporation. 7.2% dividend.
PDS 9.69 -0.17. Precision Drilling Corporation. 2+ dollar range this week. Below 9.25, this is a short down to 8.