Stock Market Analysis–08-10-2011
It’s been a hectic summer for me, but it’s probably a good thing that I’m not too active in this market. There’s not too much to be said that hasn’t already been repeated a million times. Limiting risk is the biggest thing to think about. There will be some huge bounces, but you really want to wait for those confirmations before you jump in too hard. Right now, that’s probably seeing the S&P 500 over $1200. We’ll see how much further this can go…
Stock Market Analysis–07-19-2011
Just when it looked like the market was ready to fall through some support levels, we get a day like today. Maybe the US is about to default, but don’t tell the tech industry. After GOOG got back on track last week, a slew of other tech giants hit homeruns on their earnings calls, including IBM, AAPL, and VMW. While all interesting stocks to own right now, make sure you play them objectively since it’s easy to fall in love with companies you know and to hold on to them too long after the bubble bursts.
I have no doubt we’re forming another tech bubble, but don’t get too conservative too early. It could go on for another year or 2 or 5 and you’d be leaving too much money on the table trying to guess crash beforehand. Just manage your risk and stay strong with your stops.
Stock Market Analysis–07-12-2011
After my last post the market continued running up a bit, but has since pulled back to nearly the exact same spot it was a couple weeks ago. More European weakness seems to be taking the blame for the latest breakdown. With QE3 potentially coming up, it sounds like commodities may start getting hot again. Time to start stashing those gold bars under your bed…
Stock Market Analysis–06-30-2011
A few strong days and the market is looking like a completely different beast now. Maybe it’s still not all that strong, but at least it’s back up to the original trend line from May. I’m still sporting the same cautious position though.
On a different note, I’m sure most people have heard about the Amazon tiff with California. Unfortunately, I live in California, so I got the wonderful notice telling me I can’t be an affiliate anymore:
Hello,
Unfortunately, Governor Brown has signed into law the bill that we emailed you about earlier today. As a result of this, contracts with all California residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program are terminated effective today, June 29, 2011. Those California residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned before today will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.
You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of California. If you are not currently a resident of California, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state in the near future please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.
To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to California residents and will not affect your ability to purchase from Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com.
We have enjoyed working with you and other California-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to California residents. As mentioned before, we are continuing to work on alternative ways to help California residents monetize their websites and we will be sure to contact you when these become available.
Regards,
The Amazon Associates Team
At least they let me know that I can still purchase things there. Thanks! It’s not like I was making much money there, maybe $30-40/month that was enough to support my reading habit, but I do feel bad for a lot of the companies that are based on affiliate revenue. Anyway, you can still use my www.pricedaemon.com thing, but I’m no longer getting money from there so you don’t have to buy things through it if you aren’t using the price notifications. I’ll let you know if anything changes. Thanks to everyone that supported it!
Stock Market Analysis–06-27-2011
The market weakness has drawn out for almost 2 months now. Given the lingering softness in the overall economy though, the pullback is a welcome thing. I’ll be pretty busy this summer, so don’t expect too much activity here. Maybe I’ll trail a few stops in to oversold stocks, but for the most part won’t be actively trading as much. The good thing about big corrections is that you don’t have to go beyond your list of usual suspects to find stocks that are at good buy points.
Stock Market Analysis–06-03-2011
Fortunately, the only investment I’ve made recently has been taking euros out of the ATM, and those have made a few percent. Maybe I should have brought a few more back to the US. The disappointing employment data scared the market on Friday and now we’re approaching the April low. There might be some stocks that are in a good position to play a potential bounce here, but I wouldn’t get too aggressive given the general state of the economy. $1250 offers a bit more support going back to 2010 if we make it that far down. Either way, it looks like it’s time to update the watch list this weekend.