As I write I am debating whether to trade RIMM or GS. GS is in play because of the news that the bailout may not happen. RIMM reported last night and showed unusual weakness. SMB traded RIMM in afterhours yesterday and chopped it up. So I have a feel for what to look for this AM from RIMM. But we … Read More
Fading Financials and Gold
During the range bound market we experienced from 04-06 I learned how to fade stocks. Today I used that technique to make some good money in MS and JPM. As a trader you want as many arrows in your quiver as possible. This is one skill you should develop to become a well rounded trader. We can’t short the financials … Read More
Comfort Zone
In this market you must get outside of your comfort zone. We preach this at this time to the traders on our prop desk. And anecdotally, Steve and I were at dinner the other night and one of the best day traders from another firm made this same point. You must get into the financials if you do not regularly … Read More
Capitalize
One of our new traders asked me whether yesterday was like trading “Back in the Day” (think Internet boom). I quickly said no and explained that spreads were wider and programs were unborn. But I thought about his question some more that night and recognized that yesterday did offer the trading opportunities that we often saw during the late 1990s. … Read More
Movie Premiere Market Talk
Last night a few of us from our desk went to a movie short premiere, “$ Game,” written by Maureen Holohan and directed by Tom Cavanaugh. Great time and excellent short. At the after party many who I did not know but who either found out what I did or recognized me from “Wall Street Warriors” approached me to talk … Read More
Super Bowl of Trading
Tomorrow is our Super Bowl. LEH may file for bankputcy. MER may be bought. Oil is below $100. AIG is seeking capital. We not gonna get all those funny commercials, chips, pizza and cheap beer. But we are gonna get some serious price action tomorrow. Can we just go to the office and start trading now? OK so what do … Read More
MER and Oil
MER’s price action is very bearish. Yesterday there was a huge intraday battle in MER at 20. The sellers were in control into the Close as MER traded weakly to 18.65. MER found temporary support there. I started a short position at 19.74 into the close. I covered some at 19 and was holding the rest. And then a rumor … Read More
May You Live in Interesting Times
My partner has been highlighting the weakness in LEH for weeks. And a few days ago this blog suggested to watch for weakness in LEH when it was 17. As I write LEH is 4.24 bid. LEH did have trouble trading below 4 premarket. It is time to start wondering if LEH will receive a bid. Make sure your are … Read More