Thoughts

The tape feels a little better, but only marginally so from my vantage point. I do see some micro caps that probably have seen the lows. It is so critical to pay attention in this environment and work even harder rather than being gloomy.

Fresh Start

I have neglected this blog for quite some time as you can see. Much has changed in the roughly 18 months since I last wrote. Now is great time to start anew because we are in the midst of crisis and in these times often the greatest opportunity is born. Personally, these type of conditions help me learn about myself. You are welcome to join the ride.

BAD NEWS CONTINUES- IT'S OK!!!!

Ok. Let us proceed. Middle East Conflict growing worse. Rising Oil prices. Housing getting worse. Consumer spending slowdown ? Many companies missing earnings estimates or cutting guidance. Fears about inflation still loom. What will the Fed do next ? IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR THIS IS GREAT. LET THE MARKET GET CRUSHED - LOTS OF BARGAIN PRICES ARE STARTING TO SHOW UP. THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT. DON'T RUN TO DEFENSIVE FOOD STOCKS ETC., UNLESS THEY ARE INEXPENSIVE OR YOU ARE A VERY SHORT TERM NIMBLE TRADER. IT WOULD BE BETTER TO KEEP CASH AND FIND SOME CRUSHED STOCKS WITH GOOD BALANCE SHEETS AND INSIDER BUYING ETC. -THIS WILL BRING THE BEST PAYOFF.

OK

Inflation data wasn't great. But the market shrugged it off somewhat. Actually, the pain had been so severe I guess it had been discounted. More important, Ann Coulter and George Carlin are on Leno tonight. That could be funny.

Another Day of Blood on the Street

The tape was again horrible. It was difficult to find any strength in today's session. I reluctanly added to my BCSI position as it made a new low today. The company has lots of cash and a growing business - it has been crushed since reporting earnings a few weeks back. The list of crushed stocks is building rapidly, which gives me some hope that names will get oversold and washed out soon. Of course it's tough catching falling knives, but this is the business I have chosen. I expect lots more volatility with a triple witch coming on Friday and CPI tommorow. This should be fun. Let's say the Fed tightens again at the next meeting. Will that only make people worried that more are coming ? Will we return to the days when every piece of data kept investors focused very short term? I am trying my hardest to find stocks that represent value and will work when we come out of the vortex of worry.

The Inevitable

I didn't plan it this way, but my comments this evening must pertain to the stock market. The tape is horrible, I feel panic in the air, or at least a somewhat oversold condition. The proverbial "baby is being thrown out with the bathwater". That said, I have learned that conditions always seem to get worse before a bottom is put in.

I am considering closing out certain positions and even taking a loss and repositioning with better bargains that are emerging. When we have corrections, it's always important to remember what counts is what you own coming out of the correction. And, of course, be mindful of Ben Graham's voting machine versus weighing machine concept.

These are often great times to invest, when you can find stocks that get battered to a point where very low expectations are priced in. I love that.

Hurricane Season 2006

This blog will offer my thoughts from time to time on a wide variety of subjects including politics, current events, the stock market, music, encounters, etc.