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Daily Report for Tuesday, Jan 6, 2009

January 6, 2009 by Bill Cara

[9:39am ET] The $USD has turned very strong this morning (and the Euro weak), with the expected result that gold and silver prices have dropped.

In Asia-Pacific equity markets today, Tokyo (+0.4% to 9080.8), Shanghai (+3.0% to 1937.2), India (+0.6% to 10335.9), and Australia (+1.38% to 3689.2) were higher, but Hong Kong dropped a bit (-0.35% to 15509.5). HK had gained +4.6% on Friday, and +3.5% yesterday, and needed a rest.

Earlier this morning (7:09am ET), the European bourses were stronger: French CAC +1.0%; German DAX +1.5%; and UK FTSE +1.4%.

Cara's Commentary & Community Chat, Tues., Jan. 6, 2009

January 6, 2009 by Bill Cara

[8:06am ET] For a second time in a couple days, I will be making a switch in the Cara 100 because of inspiration received from this community. Barrick (ABX) goes out and Kinross (KGC) goes in. I’ll continue to trade ABX (due to liquidity), and I like their projects, but I will not support their hedging or their practice of having big-name politicians on their board of directors and so-called advisory board.

Daily Report for Monday, Jan 5, 2009

January 5, 2009 by Bill Cara

[7:36am ET] The $USD has turned very strong this morning (and the Euro weak), with the expected result that gold and silver prices have dropped.

In Asia-Pacific equity markets today, Tokyo (+2.1% to 9043.1) and Shanghai (+3.3% to 1880.7) re-opened after a couple days break. Hong Kong (+3.5% to 15563.3) was soaring even after a gain of +4.6% on Friday. India was strong (+3.2% to 10275.6), but Australia dipped a bit (-0.5% to 3638.9).

Earlier this morning (7:00am ET), the European bourses were marginally higher: French CAC +0.1%; German DAX +0.4%; and UK FTSE +0.2%.

Cara's Commentary & Community Chat, Mon., Jan. 5, 2009

January 5, 2009 by Bill Cara

[6:30am ET] Stephen Greenspan, emeritus professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut and author of the 2009 "Annals of Gullibility: Why we get duped and how to avoid it," has written an essay of substance on financial gullibility that ought to be mandatory reading by all students of the market.
http://www.amazon.com/Annals-Gullibility-Why-Duped-Avoid/dp/0313362165

Week in Review #01, 2009

January 4, 2009 by Bill Cara

[5:37pm ET] The first week of the year includes many impressive gains. Among the DJIA components, all 30 were up this week, and all ten sectors were up as well. That happened exactly four weeks ago too, but the index levels have not changed much in the interim.

However, the psychology definitely has. At this point, traders are more confident. I expect to see trading volumes increase across the board now, rather than just in Oil (USO) and Treasury Bonds (TLT and the inverse TBT).

Changes to the Cara Global 100 list, Jan 3, 2009

January 3, 2009 by Bill Cara

Today I removed two integrated energy companies, Norway’s StatoilHydro (STO) and France’s TOTAL (TOT) and replaced them with Houston Texas-based independent energy company Apache Corporation (APA) and oilfield services giant Schlumberger (SLB).

I also replaced toolmaker Stanley Works (SWK) with computer network technology company Juniper Networks (JNPR).

The new companies, I believe, are growing faster, have higher margins and investment returns, with less debt. Besides, they are more active traders, particularly in put and call options.

Daily Report for Saturday, Jan 3, 2009

January 3, 2009 by Bill Cara

[9:21am ET] All traders needed was to open their presents under the tree and Santa Claus would make everything all right, apparently. Since Xmas Eve, the S&P 500 has put in gains of +0.58%, +0.54%, +2.44%, +1.42% and yesterday’s +3.16%, with only the small loss of -0.39% on Monday.

On Friday, the North American equity markets were all strong: DJIA +258.30 +2.94% to 9034.69; S&P 500 +28.55 +3.16% to 931.80; NASDAQ Composite +55.18 +3.50% to 1632.21; Toronto Composite +246.41 +2.74% to 9234.11; and Venture Board +49.67 +6.23% to 846.69.

Cara's Commentary & Community Chat, Fri., Jan. 2, 2009

January 2, 2009 by Bill Cara

[8:00am ET] I have planned for some time to publish the electronic business card or v-card of all financial advisers who send me internal research, which I have already stated will not be re-published here or anywhere the public has access.

I'll state on the directory page that these are people who I know or have communicated with, and who have given the Cara Community some degree of support, but who cannot comment on the blog (for regulatory reasons). So, I'd like to express my thanks by posting their v-cards.

Daily Report for Friday, Jan 2, 2009

January 2, 2009 by Bill Cara

[7:57am ET] Very few world markets were open on January 1, but today is a different story. It appears at this point that 2009 will get of to the start I have been predicting. The naysayers are so 2008!

Earlier today, the international equity markets were mostly open, and higher.

Cara's Commentary & Community Chat, Thurs., Jan. 1, 2009

January 1, 2009 by Bill Cara

[12:57pm ET]. Tough getting up today, but at least the sun is shining, the temperature about 80, and the ocean a combination of turquoise and emerald green. 2009 got off to a great start, so I can’t complain.

Last evening was an eight-hour party of excess next door at the Sandals resort.
See the attached flyer.

We did the pub and restaurant crawl – about six of them – where we had at least one glass of champagne each. Except for the shiraz for dinner, along with champagne of course, that was the drink of the night.

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