I'm aware of all the calls for stocks bottoming around current levels (1050 in the S&P 500). It might or might not turn out to be the short term low...

Another historic day and massive drop in the Dow. We had a 797 point range during the day! In the third primary leg of a bar market, I stated that this leg and any follow legs will exhibit the most erratic and volatile sessions of all. The reason is because we’re at a point where almost everyone just wants to liquidate, liquidate, liquidate.

Whew – what a wild week! World stock markets and commodities tumbled, whereas government bonds and the US dollar surged amid mounting fears that the ongoing turmoil in financial markets was foreshadowing a hard landing for the US and Europe.

Now that the bailout deed has been done, attention is shifting to whether the plan will work and break the logjam in the credit markets.

This post considers the likelihood of three possible outcomes of the bail-out plan and its effect on the global economy, financial markets and currencies.

While the Feds engineer this "bailout", which it is not, we've been well served staying liquid. This "bailout" is in truth, much more like a margin call that cannot be met by banks. The government then exploits the fear...

Sutor Technology Group Limited (SUTR), a manufacturer of steel finishing fabrication products and hot-dip galvanized steel in China, reported fourth quarter 2008 financial results last night. Revenues rose 14.5% year-over-year to $105.5 million. Net income rose 9.8% to $10.4 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, compared to $9.1 million, or 25 cents per share for the same period last year.

It's possible I get some very short term setups, but I am careful of what I trade. I'm more likely to get long JPY (yen futures), rather than mess with the constantly evolving game in US equities. I know several traders that scored...

I think I was 5 years old when I learned that actions speak louder than words. The lawmakers are making it so that anybody with a brain should back away from financial markets. A second lesson learned was to never fight a battle you cannot win. I simply refuse to participate...

These are the quick market stats for the past week: the MSCI World Index up by 0.3%, the S&P 500 Index up by 0.3%, the Reuters/Jeffries CRB Index down by 0.1%, the US Dollar Index down by 1.6% and the ten-year US Treasury Note yield up by 4 basis points.

Readers know I haven't been comfortable being long stocks for over a year. That said, I've managed to make money being long equities the last few days. It's important to note that success has nothing to do with what I traded, but how I traded...

Too often traders not only have an opinion, but become inflexible. Direction is never a definite, but rather a probability. It's easy after a good day to convince yourself you "know something". Don't get off track...

Rather than add to the confusion and re-hash the same stories, I'm writing this brief post to share how I'll handle the turmoil. First, current positions are hanging tough, so no action necessary unless stopped out of PGH...

Speaking of fear, stark naked fear has descended on stock markets everywhere. Wall Street is in a bloodbath and Asian markets are not having an easy time either. The Straits Times Index dropped over 30% from its zenith and Shanghai ‘A’ index tumbled over 65%. Seen from a positive lens, it is a sign that we are closer to bottoming out though.

China Precision Steel, Inc. (CPSL), a cold-rolled steel processing company in China, reported preliminary fiscal year 2008 financial results this afternoon after the close. The company expects to achieve $87.7 million in sales, an increase of 62.6% year-over-year from $54.0 million. Analysts expected 2008 revenues of $75.4 million.

Stocks are getting smashed again this morning. After reviewing my recent trades, I am comfortable that I executed properly and according to my system. However, I do have one regret. The one theme I have believed in most (lower equities) has been working...