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Must Read Stock Market Blogs

February 23, 2007 by 14 Comments

I wrote a post late last year highlighting my Top 10 Financial Blogs on the web.

I must say that my list has grown to about 25 excellent blogs that I visit on a daily and/or weekly basis. I no longer consider it a “top 10” list or a “top” list at all because every blog in my blogroll is better than most in my opinion. I am sure I am missing or have not found some of the best stock market blogs on the web but I will in the future and will add them as must reads where warranted. Until that time comes, here are the newest additions to my daily must reads!

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Trading Goddess
A great daily stock market blog with even better pictures!

Bill Rempel, a.k.a NO DooDahs
Some of the best stock market insight on the web.

WallStreetFighter
Come here for a laugh and some great pictures and links.

HighChartPatterns
A similar trading style to me with emphasis on charts.

Random Roger’s Big Picture
Nice insight into foreign markets and ETF’s

Value Blog Review
Want a review of a market blog or book – come here!

Digital Breakfast
Investing in stocks and Real Estate (I have been following his foreclosure posts)

Stock Trading 101
The official blog of the Falkin Investing Organization run by Blain

Stock Market at Stockforlife
Daily updates on personal trades in the market.

Stockbee
A CANSLIM approach to trading.

Alpha Trends
Excellent video blog of the market

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to take a look at my original list – all still excellent blogs to visit on a daily basis!

Filed Under: Misc.

What is MSW?

February 17, 2007 by Leave a Comment

I run this blog as an extension from my equity research business that resides at MarketStockWatch.com. The business originates from my own personal research and also provides an additional stream of income for me and my family. It’s not my sole source of income or the largest income but it does well and I love every second of teaching. Believe it or not, teaching and running a real-time portfolio actually makes me a better investor as I must be completely honest with myself and my rules. I am not shy to admit that I run the site as a profitable business as I don’t trade for a living at this time. I aspire to trade for a living as some point in my life but for now, I trade for capital appreciation. In other words: to build wealth (my net worth).

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I have been (trend) trading for ten years and love every second of the challenge and don’t mind if I don’t ever do it for a living. I am an entrepreneur at heart with interests in business, trading, real estate and education and I understand and prefer multiple streams of income to support my family. Trading for a living would need my undivided attention and I not ready to do that at this time. My main focus and goal in life is to stay out of the “rat race” or the so-called 9-to-5 job that I can’t stand. Time is more valuable to me than money and a job exchanges time for money so I understand that this path limits my freedom and monetary success. Therefore, I invest to increase my net worth, I run a profitable business that I started from nothing, I consult full time within the big builder industry and I own some real estate. I am by no means a real estate investor but I also have some aspirations to run a small business that buys distressed properties and hires a crew to restore the structure and sell it for a profit (that’s the architect in me speaking). I won’t get my hands dirty because that would just be another job; I envision myself as the business brains behind the operation.

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Anyway (I’m getting off on a rant)…

I wanted to share with all the readers of this blog what I do over at MarketStockWatch.com. Yes, this is a plug so stop reading if you are not interested!

My research breaks down into several categories and sections throughout the week.

The MSW Index is the official “Watch List” of MarketStockWatch and serves as the main list to select buying and selling opportunities. Daily screens are the tool that gathers stocks during the week in order to add the best candidates to the MSW Index. From there, all stocks with potential money making opportunities will be purchased into the MSW portfolio. The MSW portfolio will highlight several key factors that all investors should be tracking when buying and/or sell securities.

An example MSW Index is located through this PDF link.

An example Weekly Analysis is located through this PDF link.

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A sample MSW Portfolio Spreadsheet is located through this link. It’s a fully interactive spreadsheet that incorporates my position sizing calculator, sell stops, target prices, R-calculations that help determine the risk-to-reward ratio and other key factors. Download it for free and modify it to use for your own trading portfolio.

The most viewed page from this blog is the position sizing spreadsheet and I would be willing to bet that this will be the second most downloaded spreadsheet heading into the future.

The Daily Screens:
This screen looks for new stocks making strong moves during the trading week with the types of characteristics that are explained on the Buying Strategy Page. A stock can be purchased from the daily screen but the MSW strategy is to look at these stocks further and allow them to prove their strength by watching them form patterns and entry opportunities on the MSW Index. These screens will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of each week. General market analysis on the major market indexes may be given during daily screens along with major emphasis on the strongest industries and sectors of the day.

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The Weekly Screens:
The weekly screens will highlight the action among the major market indexes, the top performing sectors and/or industry groups from the previous week and the underlying trends in the market. The New High – New Low Ratio will also be highlighted during the weekly screen with key 52-week highs and lows. Changes to the MSW Index and the MSW Portfolio will be highlighted on the weekly screen. Links to the MSW Index and the MSW Portfolio will be located at the bottom of the screen. This screen will take place one time per week and will be uploaded no later than Sunday of each week.

The MSW Index:
This tool will be presented in PDF format and will focus on the strongest stocks from the daily screens; the stocks that make it onto the MSW Index will be analyzed deeper on both a fundamental and technical basis. This Index will look at things such as current price, support, resistance, buy-hold-sell ratings, target entry areas, stop loss areas, target gain and percentage gain on the MSW Index (general idea of trend). The MSW Index will also be the central place for detailed analysis on each stock that makes it to this level. The MSW Index will be offered each week at the same time as the weekly screen.

The MSW Portfolio:
The MSW Portfolio is a list of stocks that have been virtually bought and sold by MSW in 2007. Each stock has been bought or sold using the basic rules stated on the buying strategy page and employ the position sizing and risk techniques explained on this blog. This portfolio will give the community an idea of how I actually buy and sell stocks myself and how I perform against the major market averages and similar equity research services on the web. The MSW Portfolio includes key areas such as ticker, date bought, share price, portfolio size, percentage of portfolio risked, total dollars risked, stop loss in percent, position size, number of shares bought, 1-R risk, actual stop loss in price, target price, risk ratio, date sold, percentage gain/loss and notes on the entire transaction. (please view the upload example images in this post).

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MSW Charts Page:
This page will house annotated stocks that are located on the MSW Index and the MSW Portfolio. This page can and will be updated on a weekly basis with key information located directly on the charts. The charts page will also have additional charts for the major market indexes, commodities, sector performances and other important technical screen shots.

The chrisperruna.com Blog:
The blog will serve as my platform to explain in further detail how I trade. It will cover the rules, the systems and learning experiences during my trading career. The blog will cover topics related to the stock market, success in life and anything I feel is important to talk about. I will highlight “stocks of the day” every week and will perform case studies that will focus on what I did right or wrong after a transaction has been closed on the MSW portfolio. The blog will be filled with colorful charts that will help everyone become a better trader – it’s the ultimate real time teaching and learning tool.

So that’s it. Enjoy the example MSW Index from earlier this year and the latest portfolio spreadsheet!

Filed Under: Education, Misc.

Can you TRUST Talking Heads, I mean analysts?

January 17, 2007 by 2 Comments

I mention the phrase “Talking Heads” on this blog from time to time and I am serious. Most large investment houses get it wrong when it comes to timely stock selections (at least outside of their institutional research departments). When using the phrase “talking heads”, I am referring to analysts and firms on the retail side of the fence.

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I have preached that these firms are only looking out for their best interests, not yours. They don’t care about anything but your money; they never look out for the small investor (in my opinion of course)! I wrote a post on my old blog about the coverage of Enron and thought it would be great to update the entry and focus on the “Talking Heads”.

Look below to see how multiple major firms kept sending out buy signals for Enron based purely on fundamental analysis. If they looked at the charts, they would have noticed several breakdowns among every type of chart available (intraday, daily, weekly, monthly, etc…). It didn’t matter what chart you viewed, they all had red flags at every corner and even a novice could have located the correction coming. I am not saying that anyone saw the collapse but simple sell rules should have taken all technical investors out of the stock (I never owned Enron and I am glad).

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I have included a condensed summary of the case study based from the Dorsey Wright analysis of the Enron collapse (all research was performed by Dorsey Wright – www.dorseywright.com)
I have no affiliation with Dorsey Wright:

View the entire breakdown through this PDF:
Anatomy of a Collapse – Enron

CBS Market Watch Also provides an excellent long term chart though this Timeline

ENE – Enron

Merrill Lynch:
March 21, 2001: $55.89 Reiterated Near-term “Buy” at Merrill
April 17, 2001: $60.00 Reiterated Near-Term “Buy” at Merrill
August 15, 2001: $40.25 Cut to Near-Term “Neutral” at Merrill
Oct 9, 2001: $33.39 Raised to Long-term “Buy” at Merrill Lynch
Oct 16, 2001: $32.84 Raised to Near-term “Accumulate” at Merrill Lynch
Nov 1, 2001: $11.99 Cut to Near-Term “Neutral” at Merrill
(finally cut after 79% loss – not cut to sell)

Banc of America:
August 15, 2001: $40.25 Reiterated “Strong Buy” at Banc of America
August 28, 2001: $38.16 Reiterated “Strong Buy” at Banc of America
Oct 25, 2001: $16.35 Cut to “Market Perform” at Banc of America
(finally cut after 59% loss – still market perform)

Commerzbank:
March 14, 2001: $62.75 Raised to “Accumulate” at Commerzbank
March 22, 2001: $55.02 Reiterated “Accumulate” at Commerzbank Capital
April 18, 2001: $61.62 Reiterated “Accumulate” at Commerzbank Capital
Nov 9, 2001: $ 8.63 Cut to “Hold” at Commerzbank
Nov 28, 2001: $ .61 Cut to “Sell” at Commerzbank Capital
(finally cut to “SELL” after 99% loss)

Lehman:
March 12, 2001: $61.27 Reiterated “Strong Buy” at Lehman
Oct 24, 2001: $16.41 Reiterated “Strong Buy” at Lehman; “the stock is attractively priced)
(still a strong buy after 73% loss)

**Click to Enlarge Point and Figure Chart of ENE**
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The Lesson: Use both Fundamental and Technical Analysis!
And always cut your losers, no matter what anybody says, especially the broker making money from your commissions!

Filed Under: Education, Fundamental Analysis, Misc.

The Holy Grail of Weight Loss

January 1, 2007 by 7 Comments

Amazing New Weight Loss System!
Breakthrough Fat Pill will burn calories while you Sleep!

Sound familiar?

It’s January so the gym will be packed with a bunch of lazy hopefuls that will be gone by mid-February. I can’t find parking, dumbbells are scattered all over the place, machines have lines and these lazy bastards think they own the joint. That is why I will concentrate in my home gym and the school field near my house performing HIIT, High Intense Interval Training (as long as it stays warm, I can sprint outside). For the 2% of gym-goers that actually stay at their New Year’s Resolution – good for you!

For the other 98%, continue to support the diet fads and magic weight loss pills!

More so than the stock market, the weight loss industry preys on individual’s emotions and promises magic systems, formulas and pills that will evaporate the fat off you ass! Excuse the language but I am so tired of watching bull-shit fat loss commercials all day today (New Year’s Resolution Day – not a coincidence), especially the NutriSystem Nourish commercial. If I stay up long enough tonight, these fat loss commercials will quickly turn into get-rich quick commercials with many promising stock market riches with red and green arrows. It’s such a joke but the world is full of so many suckers they continue to sell this crap. Judging by the number of NutirSystem (NTRI) commercials on television, the company must be swimming in the dough. The stock has been listed on the MSW Index in the past and the company many be one step higher than it’s competitors but I still consider it bogus.

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Is the world really filled with suckers or just lazy sheep that can’t put in the required work and dedication to reach their goals?

I trade, study, research and “try” to stay fit. I am a lifetime member at Bally’s and I recently purchased my own home dumbbell gym. I prefer free-weights (dumbbells) over machine weights due to the natural range of movements and muscle building advantages. Heavy weights aren’t required to maintain a healthy body but you and I do need to take the time to exercise and eat smart. The same way successful traders study and employ their systems, people must be accountable for their diet and exercise programs. We don’t need to go overboard and plan a two hour workout six days a week but we do need to be active at least three times per week and watch how much we eat.

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Notice how I said “HOW MUCH WE EAT” not “what we eat”. Although “what we eat” is critical to success; the most important aspect of losing or maintaining weight is how many calories we intake and eventually burn. Atop my favorite foods list is a bacon cheese burger from most local diners (10oz beef) and French fries and I eat this at least once per month if not more. Outside of a good old American burger, I love Italian food and grew up in my dad’s restaurant eating penne vodka, chicken marsala, lasagna, calamari, etc…

Do I gain weight? Not usually because I watch what I eat and HOW MUCH I eat at every meal which allows me to indulge now and then.

We don’t need magic pills or systems to lose weight. Lazy people pay for pills that won’t do a damn thing as long as they continue to pound 5,000 calories down their throat every day. You must learn to eat several small meals throughout the day while keeping the calorie intake low to maintain weight levels. By doing this, you will not gain weight. The formula is so simple yet 95% of people can’t comprehend or follow the plan so they get fat. If you want to lose weight; follow the plan and exercise. I exercise because it makes me feel better and allows me to indulge more frequently than most without adding the flab!

Calories! This is the only formula you need to know in order to maintain, lose or gain weight. The holy grail of weight loss is CALORIES – not magic pills and formulas!

If you are too lazy to understand the holy grail of weight loss, then travel on over to these sites and let me know how you do:

Welcome to NutriSystem Nourish!
You’ve discovered the revolutionary weight loss program that’s rich in good carbohydrates, while still low in fat. You get the Glycemic Advantage™ and enjoy delicious food while you lose weight.

Hydroxycut® Hardcore
Decrease Bodyfat By 7.9%
Increase Norepinephrine by 40%
Maximum-Strength Thermogenesis
Liquitech™ – Rapid ReleaseLiquid Micro-Dispersion Technology
Based on Research Conducted at The University of Laval

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The Atkins Diet Plan
The way in which the Atkins diet works is through changing the body’s metabolism. The body burns fats and carbohydrates in order to provide the energy to function normally. Carbohydrates are turned into glucose and are used before fats in our bodies. According to Atkins, if we reduce the amount of carbohydrate intake, our body will burn our fat as fuel, cause weight loss. Through this burning of fat, we also affect our body’s insulin production which, according to Atkins, will prevent more fat from being formed.

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smartburn™with Hoodia
RAPID WEIGHT LOSS as seen on TV
Total-body weight-loss solution
Controls appetite
Helps support relaxation and manage everyday stress
Supports mental well-being

SmartBurn™ is the first patent-pending advanced weight-loss supplement for women that also helps manage stress.

Whether you’re concerned about your belly, thighs, or buttocks, SmartBurn is
your total-body weight-loss solution.

Xenical
Xenical is a weight loss medication based on Orlistat, which acts as a lipase inhibitor by letting part of the fat consumed pass through the intestine without being absorbed. Xenical has proven to be effective and especially suitable for patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, as it is not affecting the patients metabolic rate.

Cortisol
Some of the benefits of the cortisol weight loss pill are many powerful antioxidants. Such as catechin polyphenols, these compounds work with other chemicals to increase levels of fat oxidation. The cortisol weight loss pill can help to stop the body from accumulating fat as well. The cortisol weight loss pills will raise your metabolic rates safely. As you can see the cortisol weight loss pills can be used alone or as a tool in a weight loss program.

You get the point so let’s see if you can follow a simple concept, the holy grail of weight loss and weight gain: calories!

I am 5’-8”, 175lbs. I am considered overweight according to the government but the majority of my body is muscle, not fat! Remember, it’s not how much you weigh; it’s how good you feel and look! Most athletes are considered overweight if you just look at the raw body numbers but they are the most fit individuals on the planet because their bodies consist of muscle, not fat.

Have a Great New Year and drop the Bogus New Year’s Resolution!

Filed Under: Health, Misc.

Happy New Year!

December 30, 2006 by Leave a Comment

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and I look forward to heating up this blog in 2007. Thank you for reading!

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Filed Under: Misc.
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