Oil Closes Over $100 – A New Record

FEBRUARY 19, 2008: Oil closed above $100 for the first time today sending inflation fears rippling through the markets. The Bank of England may not be cutting rates soon due to inflation worries as well. It was also announced over the weekend that the U.K. will be nationalizing the failed lender Northern Rock, essentially taking on it’s massive sub-prime losses. The Nasdaq fell 0.7% on below average volume.Precious metals, steel, and oil related stocks were strong. These are typically seen as inflation hedges. Retail and finance stocks were among the weakest groups. Mechel Oao Steel was up 10%, fertilizer maker Mosaic advanced 6%, and leading gold miner broke out of a triangle formation and shot up 6%. Chinese solar Yingli Green Energy lost 8%, and Bidu.com lost 5% and fell further below its 200-day line. The Nasdaq is now almost 20% off it’s October highs. Stimulus packages, multiple rate cuts, bail-outs, etc. may have brought us a ‘counter-trend’ rally but have failed to change the direction of the markets, which is decidedly down. Counter-trend rallies during corrections are by no means a signal to jump back in the markets. Bear market rallies can be sharp to the upside and come back down even faster. It’s best to wait for a ‘follow-through’ day and see top-rated stocks breaking out of proper bases before committing money to the long side of stocks. Don’t forget that the banking system is in serious trouble, the housing sector is in ‘melt-down’ mode and the consumer feeling the pinch of higher inflation and less access to credit. More info at http://www.goldenticker.com INFLATION CAN BE FUN!

Nasdaq Down 2-Days In a Row

HERE COMES ANOTHER BUBBLE (music video-comedy)

FEBRUARY 15, 2008: Stocks and volume were mixed today on this fairly quiet options expirations day. Monday’s holiday may have contained things a bit. The Nasdaq fell 0.5% and was down for the second day in a row after IBD called a ‘confirmed rally.’ They have since changed to ‘rally under pressure.’

International Oil producers, food, and medical stocks were strong. Biotechs, solars, home builders, and semicondutors were weak. Priceline.com roared up 21% after beating earnings estimates. Yinglee Green Energy fell 13% after missing views. Chipotle Mexican Grill continues to fall hard.

The Nasdaq is now over 19% off it’s October highs. Stimulus packages, multiple rate cuts, bail-outs, etc. may have brought us a ‘counter-trend’ rally but have failed to change the direction of the markets, which is decidedly down. Counter-trend rallies during corrections are by no means a signal to jump back in the markets. Bear market rallies can be sharp to the upside and come back down even faster. It’s best to wait for a ‘follow-through’ day and see top-rated stocks breaking out of proper bases before committing money to the long side of stocks. Don’t forget that the banking system is in serious trouble, the housing sector is in ‘melt-down’ mode and the consumer feeling the pinch of higher inflation and less access to credit. More info at http://www.goldenticker.com

Stocks & Oil Rise

FEBRUARY 11, 2008: The Nasdaq was up 0.7% but it continued its trend of lighter volume on up days and heavier trade on down days. This is opposite of what you want to see if you’re bullish. Alternative energy, steel, farm machinery, and agriculture related stocks were strong today. Russian steel maker MTL was up 11%. Suntech and Sunpower were both up 11% as well. Oil was up another $2 on tensions with Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. Finance and insurance companies were weak. The Nasdaq is now 19% off it’s October highs. Stimulus packages, multiple rate cuts, bail-outs, etc. may have brought us a ‘counter-trend’ rally but have failed to change the direction of the markets, which is decidedly down. Counter-trend rallies during corrections are by no means a signal to jump back in the markets. Bear market rallies can be sharp to the upside and come back down even faster. It’s best to wait for a ‘follow-through’ day before committing money to the long side of stocks. Don’t forget that the banking system is in serious trouble, the housing sector is in ‘melt-down’ mode and the consumer feeling the pinch of higher inflation and less access to credit. More info at http://www.goldenticker.com

STARBUCKS: The “Kid From Brookly” goes to Starbucks. Warning: Foul Language

Nasdaq Off 4.5% for the Week

FEBRUARY 8, 2008: Stocks were mixed today and ended the week down as the ‘bear’ continues to slowly maul the ‘bulls.’ For the week the Nasdaq was off 4.5% and the S&P 500 lost 4.6% wiping out last weeks gains. Energy stocks did well as oil shot up $4. Mining and steel stocks also did well. MTL was up 7%. Transports, financials, and retail stocks were weak. The Nasdaq is now 19.5% off it’s October highs. Stimulus packages, multiple rate cuts, bail-outs, etc. may have brought us a ‘counter-trend’ rally but have failed to change the direction of the markets, which is decidedly down. Counter-trend rallies during corrections are by no means a signal to jump back in the markets. Bear market rallies can be sharp to the upside and come back down even faster. It’s best to wait for a ‘follow-through’ day before committing money to the long side of stocks. Don’t forget that the banking system is in serious trouble, the housing sector is in ‘melt-down’ mode and the consumer feeling the pinch of higher inflation and less access to credit. More info at http://www.goldenticker.com  The E-Trade baby – evidence that the markets can make you puke lately.

Market Falls on Light Post Super-Bowl Trade

FEBRUARY 4, 2008: The Nasdaq fell 1.3% on light post super-bowl volume. The move down was led by last week’s leaders like financials and retail. Google fell another $20 today and closed below $500 for the first time in 6 months. Stimulus packages, multiple rate cuts, bail-outs, etc. have brought us a ‘counter-trend’ rally but have failed to change the direction of the markets, which is decidedly down. Counter-trend rallies during corrections are by no means a signal to jump back in the markets. Bear market rallies can be sharp to the upside and come back down even faster. It’s best to wait for a ‘follow-through’ day before committing money to the long side of stocks. Don’t forget that the banking system is in serious trouble, the housing sector is in ‘melt-down’ mode and the consumer feeling the pinch of higher inflation and less access to credit. More info at http://www.goldenticker.com

HOW TO GET RICH THE DONALD TRUMP WAY (Frank TV) Funny!