Weekend Thoughts 3/30/14

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I haven’t updated my blog in a while but I have been really busy in my other two money streams (EBay and Website Design), but that is another story. The good news is I have a new infusion of cash ready and I think the market is in a good buying position. Most of the headlines in the news lately have been about how we are pointed down. On a chart level I can see that, but I am feeling a bit contrarian these days and I think the short interest lately has been a bit over played. I have been tracking unemployment numbers and they are starting to look good. Also, I see strong housing numbers which tell me people are starting to build. I think the cold might have slowed the eastern seaboard a bit, but now as we turn to Spring I am feeling not just a turn in the weather but a bit in the markets.

This weeks plays:

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.33 Current Price: $6.90

What can I say this stock is all over the place! It’s up, it’s down, it’s anything but boring. I am a bit down in my current position, but I don’t really care because I got a feeling this is going to get good really soon. Lots of speculation on Marsh’s “news”. It is really anyone’s guess at this point. My GUESS is Azure for Asia news (noticed today the RSS feed was down) and Hyundai for automotive, but again that is just a guess. My current sell order is at 11.15, just in case a short needs to cover (I am here for you).

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.07 Current Price: $.0055

I got stopped out of this stock recently at .08 and then rebought some more between .06-.07. After making 500% on that last trade I just couldn’t resist trying again.

$CNSL (Consolidated Communications) Cost Per Share: $20.76 Current Price: $19.65

Just slowly accumulating this stock. I love the idea of receiving a dividend off this stock. I have this crazy idea that I am going to get enough dividend so I can spin the profits into small cap investments.

$FREE (Freeseas INC.) Cost Per Share: $1.87 Current Price: $1.61

Buying this stock must be a physical manifestation of my masochistic side. Why else would I for the second time buy a company that has 2 of 7 ships in operation?! Lost money at this point

$IDN (Intelli-Check Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.07 Current Price: $.9035

I just recently got a ready pass card for my passport. Every time I go south to the border I notice that there are more ID checks. Every government building I go to has more ID card machines. This sector is getting hot and this is a great entry price. I will be buying all the way to $1.25.

$PAL (North America Palladium Ltd.) Cost Per Share: $.48 Current Price: $.4680

I wasn’t sure about this stock. I was pretty much set on it going down to .42 a share. So I tested it by putting in some really low orders, but it didn’t budge. I thought for sure it would go to .41 on Friday, but it didn’t. Showing such strong support at .45 was key to my decision in buying. TP for me is .75 (do I dare attempt a $1??)

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.31 Current Price: $1.14

I will be buying more this week. Short interest is high right now due to speculation of a reverse stock split. I don’t think it is going to happen, but I will be more than happy to take the temporary discount to average down my shares. I am still holding out till June on expected trial updates.

$UQM (UQM Technologies Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.11 Current Price: $2.52

What can I say, lost money. Luckily I have very few shares at this point and I don’t need the cash soon. Maybe if some big automotive news comes out we could see some life here, but not likely.

 

Weekend Thoughts 3/7/14

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When I was a freshman at UCSB I was an electrical engineering major. Seeing as I graduated with a MBA it is obvious that the engineering thing was not for me. It was an interesting period during my life. One project I did was do some design work for a prototype vehicle. This was back in 1995 and the idea was that you could fuel a car with bio products. My professor liked the project and I was lucky enough to meet some engineers from the Mobil company. They took me out on this boat and we went about a mile off the coast and I saw this amazing site. The water was churning with bubbles. It was quite the site, it looked like the entire sea was boiling. The water wasn’t hot, what I was seeing was natural gas. Apparently off the Santa Barbara coast line there is a vast supply of energy just bubbling up out of the ocean. It got me interested in the idea of energy and how and where it could be supplied.

Fast forward to today and it looks like hydrogen fuel cells are going to finally see it’s day. I have seriously repositioned (ie. sold) my stocks so that I can concentrate more on this sector. I think we are seeing it in it’s beginning stages, not many people know about hydrogen fuel cells but I think by the end of year they will. So the question is what do I have left…

Last Week’s Plays:

$GALE (Galena Biopharma Inc.) Cost Per Share: $4.30 Current Price: $3.36

Bought again into this stock at $4.14 and it almost immediately went down. I am overall 22% down on this stock. I am trying to stay strong on this stock but it is getting harder to do. My plan is just to hold, if it goes down I might actually add some more stocks just to cost average down a big, but I am still confident if I can just hold the line I should be ok.

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.44 Current Price: $1.32

Shorts have quite the hold on this one. Couple that with some negative articles by Adam Feuerstein and some bad timing on my part you get what we currently have. I am calm however because I feel as though we will be ok, just to got to keep calm and stay the course. The medicine has great potential.

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.51 Current Price: $8.37

This stock flagged out soo many weeks in the $4 and then it started to go up again dramatically. CEO Marsh was on CNBC and gave an intriguing interview in which he stated that he is in the process of contructing 45 new fuel cell stations (click here for video). Considering there are currently only 14 stations worldwide this is big news. The stock is reacting accordingly as the stock is up 77% currently for the week. The pattern suggests a pull back on Monday and Tuesday, my guess is support is at about $7.07, then we gain again to close the week at $10.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.0330

I started buying this stock at .0045, just as speculation and I continue to do the same today. I wonder if it will ever hit a $1. If it can do that then I  will probably be able to retire. Imagine that.

Weekend Thoughts 2/23/14

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Always remember who the real players are.

Always remember who the real players are.

The stock market in my opinion is trying to make up it’s mind if it is going to break up into new highs or sink very low. Overall I see a slow grind upwards. I have an optimistic view in that we are about to see new highs. I really like the trends for bio techs and metals right now and will be concentrating my trades in those sectors.

 

 

Last Week’s Plays:

$GALE (Galena Biopharma Inc.) Cost Per Share: $4.00 Current Price: $3.91

Started buying this stock at $3.72 and I think I did rather well in my timing. ER will be crucial for this stock but I think $6 is a reasonable TP.

Coming Plays:

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.12 Current Price: $1.08

Still very bumpy with this stock. Kind of makes me nervous. I am not sure how much longer I will stay with this stock.

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.23 Current Price: $2.70

This stock is turning out to be a DTs dream come true. I have seen this stock cycle so many times it is crazy. It tells me two things. 1) I am losing some opportunities to cycle and 2) it is still a strong stock (all we need is a new test study to come out).

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.41 Current Price: $3.63

Look at CNDO.

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.83 Current Price: $8.87
Lot of chatter on this stock but I can’t see anything of substance. The good news is the stock is slowly grinding its way up which is good.

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.03 Current Price: $11.28

I am really not sure what is going on but options activity on this stock have increased significantly. I think a breakout may be imminent but I still don’t see the catalyst.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.0049

Still nothing to report.

$CNSL (Consolidated Communications) Cost Per Share: $18.95 Current Price: $19.20

Nothing to really report here. Going well. My strategy here is to just let it sit.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.) Cost Per Share: $9.19 Current Price: $8.83

The stock is starting to trend. I could see $10.00 coming this week.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio) Cost Per Share: $3.19 Current Price: $3.61

Still watching the paint dry on this one.

Weekend Thoughts 2/15/14

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Just stick an extra ad on there regarding slinging birds with slingshots and I think we would be good.

Just stick an extra ad on there regarding slinging birds with slingshots and I think we would be good.

I missed posting something last week but just like the creators of Flappy Birds I have been a bit overwhelmed this week and did not quite have the mental acumen to post last week. I really should have though because February is turning out to be a very exciting week in regards to the stock market. A LOT of volatility in the market. Most investors would see that as a bad thing, but lets face it, volatility is what makes an investor money. If we didn’t believe money was moving no one would ever buy. Like I always say, it doesn’t matter which way the money is moving, you just need to know the direction.

Last Week’s Plays:

$HXM (Desarrolladora Homex ADR) Cost Per Share: $1.68, Current Price: $2.00, Sold 2.01

Ay-yi-yi! It was a nice setup, but the crazy pumpers came in hard with this one and then came the pumpers. That over course attracted shorts which is something this stock couldn’t take. I still think this stock is a good stock, but you must always be disciplined and protect your gains. I will be looking for a re-entry, if possible under $2 if possible.

$CNSL (Consolidated Communications) Cost Per Share: $18.95 Current Price: $19.20

I have had my eye on this stock for a while now. A few months ago I was running some screens for high dividend stocks and I saw this stock. It ran away from me and I missed my entry as it went to $20. I kept my eye on it and selling off $HXM I saw that it was under $20, which I know is good for this stock. Combine that which the fact that telecommunications is trending right now I could see that I had a winner. I will keep my eye on it, but I believe $21 is a good TP.

Coming Plays:

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.12 Current Price: $1.10

$RNN is a bit bumpy right now. Short interest has increased, but I still have high confidence in the development line for this stock. Bears can run amok for a bit, but give a good PR and they are going to be about as vibrant as the California Grizzly.

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.23 Current Price: $2.70

Another patent secured and still this stock goes down! Smells like manipulation to me. I think more people see this as a $4 stock and want in. Luckily, I still have lots of room to play.

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.41 Current Price: $3.78

CEO Andy Marsh’s is playing some crazy games with that mystery PR regarding a new retailer announcement. Although with now over 1500 units announced the company is already over the halfway mark for it’s 2014 projection. I like that the company is investor savvy, should hit $6 soon.

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.83 Current Price: $8.65

Yay, once again we kicked out the British invasion and we are back on a normal track. Iclusig is all this company needs. Get it out to as many markets as it can and there will be plenty of money to spare. Although I will cycle the stock if I hear about another buy out rumor (not leaving money on the table twice).

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.03 Current Price: $10.20

Not much to report here. I did notice gas prices rising which is probably stifling short term growth, but the numbers are still good. Still very long term with this stock.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.0049

Keep playing solitaire, nothing to report here.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.) Cost Per Share: $9.19 Current Price: $8.49

Never bet against insiders, never. On 2/13/14 $OPK announced successful test results (CLICK HERE TO READ). Dr. Frost is still buying up stock like crazy. Luckily I don’t have prostrate cancer, but if I was worried about it I much rather have a simple blood test than have to do a biopsy, think about it.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio) Cost Per Share: $3.19 Current Price: $3.56

Still watching the paint dry on this one. I wish Liberty Mutual would just go ahead and raise their offer and get this over with already. BORING!

$GALE (Galena Biopharma Inc.) Current Price: $3.73

Not sure if I am going to buy this stock but it is really peaking my curiosity. It just recently took a nose dive, but the $7.77 52 week high is really intriguing. I have some money that will clear on Weds. Not sure if I will be able to get in on time with this stock, but I will be watching. Even so if I don’t I still have some other options.

Weekend Thoughts 2/1/14

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Slap a 2013 on that ship and off we go...

Slap a 2013 on that ship and off we go…

January was not the greatest month as far as the stock market went. All major indices were down and finding really good breakout plays has been really hard. I am still constantly scanning for new stocks to play, but for right now I am mostly just hunkering down and trying to play with what I know. I am trying to play the “save the capital” game with my stocks and did some selling and buying based off that. I may make some re-entries into some of my dividend stocks. Dividend stocks tend to be safer, but they sure as heck are not as fun when it comes to cycling profits.

Last Week’s Plays:

$KOOL (Thermogenesis Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.05 Current Price: $2.20, Sold $2.25

Talk about riding the wave. On 1/21/14 the company announced positive trial results and the stock soared like an eagle to over $3 a share. I quickly sold some at $2.99, but held the rest for the ride. Unfortunately, on 1/27 they announced 6.67 Million in new shares, which quickly diluted the stock. Crashing down I set my stock to lock in a gain of 110% (not too shabby). The stock is still fading right now, but it will come back. Under $2 is still a buy in my opinion, if I see $1.75 I will load up again for the cycle.

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.12 Current Price: $1.15

Used some extra money I had to add to this stock. I recently went as high as $1.30. More test results should be coming soon with this stock. I still have my eye on $2, I think it will be a bit bumpy, but I still see it coming for March.

$HXM (Desarrolladora Homex ADR) Cost Per Share: $1.68 Current Price: $1.54

This Mexican home construction company I think might see some spicy action soon. My research shows it’s recent fall was due to some troubled financing, but I heard on Mexican TV (knowing Spanish really helps) that Banorte (a Mexican bank) is going to finance them and that they will be building more homes soon. $3.00 PPS is my current target for this share.

Coming Plays:

 

 

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.23 Current Price: $2.72

The chart on this stock is poised for a breakout any second. If it wasn’t for the market I believe we would already be in the mid 3’s, as it is the stock is just in a holding pattern. All it needs is a catalyst (can those CNDO201 test results come out now?!) and BOOM we go right to $4.

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.41 Current Price: $3.02

I am holding on for dear life with this stock. I know the CEO can’t just go releasing PR’s every week, but the market is really killing this stock. The only thing that keeps me in this stock is the tantalizing Facebook pictures of CEO Andy Marsh’s visit to China. New deal soon I hope?

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.83 Current Price: $7.39

Stupid British tabloids!! I think they should be arrested for spreading such a stupid buyout rumor. No one is buying out Ariad. Yes, their leukemia medicine is unique, and yes, it is on the market, but they don’t need a buyout. The stock is worth $10 PPS on it’s own. All the buyout rumor did was delay the natural cycle and hurt a lot of retail buyers. Well, I guess all those new retailers will just have to sit and wait with me until we go back NATURALLY up to $10 PPS. LESSON: Don’t get your stock advise from tabloids.

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.03 Current Price: $10.16

Several rating agencies upgraded this stock to $13 PPS but the market has kept it down. I am ok though. I am way above the base for this stock and super-long. Not really even thinking of selling this stock till 2015.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.0057

Again no news, just minor ups and down. Might as well play another round of solitaire than pay attention to this stock.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.) Cost Per Share: $9.19 Current Price: $7.93

Guess I am super long on this stock too. I see a lot of insider buying, but it doesn’t move much. I guess you don’t have a loss until you actually sell. I have no reason to sell, I just wish I wasn’t so behind on this stock. Good lesson in patience.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio) Cost Per Share: $3.19 Current Price: $3.58

Speaking of patience my last stock is Sirius XM. Liberty Radio has basically put a cap on this stock. Despite growing customer base, excellent numbers, and increasing number of interesting shows this stock keeps fading. At this point I say if Liberty Radio is going to buyout the stock then they should do that already. I am tired of waiting for paint to dry. $4.25 is my TP on this stock.

Weekend Thoughts 1/18/14

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We all want to be something different.

We all want to be something different.

I slightly gained again this week. Had some good wins but also took some losses. I figure as long as the transactions stay green your still doing ok…

Last Week’s Plays:

$ASTI (Ascent Solar Technologies Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.78 Sell Price: $.71

I was trying to be patient with this stock but the fact of the matter is it was just stagnate. I sold at a 10% loss on this stock but I wanted to accumulate other stocks I felt would be more worthwhile.

$RNN (Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.12 Current Price: $1.10

Another bio stock. I liked this stock because it has a lot of catalysts in the making. It should be choppy for awhile but I think if I give it time I can get out at $2.00.

$BLDP (Ballard Power Systems Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.07 Sell Price: $2.39

$PLUG had a recent conference call that I thought was good, but apparently it was not good enough for investors and $PLUG went down. $BLDP being the supplier for $PLUG started to go down with it and so I sold out on this stock. Was very happy with the gains I made on this stock. I still think the stock and fuel cell concept is good, but I am going to just stay with $PLUG.

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.23 Current Price: $2.89

Something is up with this stock. On Friday it started to surge and was briefly up over $3 but then came back down. Looking at transcript records it looks like insiders are taking up options to buy. My main catalyst for this stock was to be the IND disclosure which I still haven’t seen, but seeing how big money is adding I decided to do the same.

Coming Plays:

 

 

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.41 Current Price: $3.48

As I mentioned last week they had a Conference call this week. The conference call in my opinion was good. The CEO said some really good things. Two new contracts, expansion into Asia, and that they were still expected to meet their sales goals. Apparently it was not good enough for stock holders because after a brief rise to $4.20 people started to short the stock. My guess is it was just day traders. As soon as the day trader interest subsides a bit this stock should be back to regular business. Until then we will have to deal with volatility. Next major news for this stock comes in March, so it will probably be stagnate until then.

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.83 Current Price: $6.90

The stock is still being kept down, mostly by shorts, which was very evident on Friday when many had to cover. The stock briefly went into the $7 dollar range but day traders let them off easy when they started to sell. It is all good though because as these weaker hands get shook out of their profits the stock will shoot up.

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.03 Current Price: $10.83

This stock is still doing well. I have a sell order set in the $14 dollar range. I didn’t think it would get there until next November but at this rate who knows how fast it could get there. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see this company get bought out soon.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.0058

No news here just steady. Some minor ups and downs but nothing ever to get excited about.

$KOOL (Thermogenesis Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.05 Current Price: $1.09

A lot of short selling showing up. Nothing in the stock in my opinion merits it. I will stay the course on this stock. Everything looks fine.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.) Cost Per Share: $9.19 Current Price: $8.72

Slowly moving up. People are getting tired of playing with this stock, but that is ok with me.  As short interest decreased I think there will be potential here.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio) Cost Per Share: $3.19 Current Price: $3.72

Sirius recently declared some great subscriber numbers but the stock stayed at the same level. Liberty Radio I guess is intentionally keeping this stock flat. If they are going to buy out the company I wish they would just go ahead and do it. They can already vote out the stock holders, I rather get my class C shares, get my target $4.25, and get out. It was an exciting stock but now it is kind of boring. At least I am still ahead.

Weekend Stock Thoughts 1/11/13

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The stock market in general was a Bear (went down) market. I played mostly in the small cap funds (as usual). Took some losses, but overall I have been hitting some really big wins…

Last Week’s Plays:

$ACHN (Achillon Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.96 Current Price: $3.82

Was hoping for a breakout over $4, but after several attempts up in that range I just don’t see enough conviction at this time. Seeing as how I was already up over my cost per share I decided it was time to cash in on this stock at $3.85. Not the gain I wanted, but 30% is a big gain by anyone’s measure. I may revisit this stock if I see strong conviction over $4 with momentum to $5.

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.) Cost Per Share: $3.41 Current Price: $3.65

Not really a past play because I am still moving fast and furious on this stock, but I did cycle this week at $4.  I have been cycling this stock for big gains (you buy it low, sell high, then buy again low). I first invested with these guys when the stock was .70 a share. It is crazy, I have already made 300% profit in this stock and people are saying it could go to $5. The company put out 30 million dollars worth of new shares this week which should have diluted the price to $3 per share, but they all got bought out by one buyer! Alternative fuel is big and these guys have been drawing in some big customers. Tuesday they have a conference call, hopefully it will provide new insights.

$URG (UR Energy Corp.) Cost Per Share: $1.50 Current Price: $1.32

Sold out my share in these guys at $1.38. Small loss, but I just didn’t see trend line moving in my favor. Uranium might still be big, but the bigger trend seems to be with less dangerous energy sources.

 

Coming Plays:

$BLDP (Ballard Power Systems Inc.) Cost Per Share: $2.07 Current Price:

I spun some of my $PLUG gains into this company. Basically I wanted my money to stay close to Fuel Cell Technology, but diversify a bit. Ballard Power Systems is the main supplier for power generators to $PLUG. The company’s financial officer is due to speak next week. I think it will be a big boost and I hope to see PPS (price per share) over $3. Factors aside I will look for exits at about $3.50.

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.) Cost Per Share: $6.83 Current Price: $6.73

This stock is currently experiencing heavy short interest. I also see a lot of institutional buying in this stock. Those are divergent issues when it comes to a stock. My gut tells me that someone is artificially keeping this stock down. I am staying with this stock at least until $8.

$ASTI (Ascent Solar Technologies Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.78 Current Price: $.73

Trying to be patient with this stock. It was supposed to debut some new solar iPhone cases at CES but I haven’t heard any news on that come out. I am still targeting $1.20 for this stock.

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.69 Current Price: $2.74

Still waiting for this stock to move up. There is a medical conference this week so I am hoping that will give this stock some momentum. If I am really lucky they will talk about their IND application for their January studies.

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.) Cost Per Share: $7.03 Current Price: $10.61

All news has been positive for this stock. The new China lines are going well, customer satisfaction is high, and costs are in check. I continue to go long (holding for over a year) in this stock.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.) Cost Per Share: $.01 Current Price: $.006

No real news here. Sometimes I see a brief jump due to PLUG or BLDP, but without new research news it is still for all intents and purposes flat.

$KOOL (Thermogenesis Inc.) Cost Per Share: $1.05 Current Price: $1.28

Technical chart patterns for this stock look good. There was a bit of profit taking at $1.30, but that is healthy as it scales up.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.) Cost Per Share: $9.19 Current Price: $8.63

Still behind on this stock, but I see hope as the CFO seems to be accumulating shares.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio) Cost Per Share: $3.19 Current Price: $3.70

The Liberty Radio news is starting to take effect, price is going up, but not much about that $3.68 offer. The $3.68 is really a low ball offer in my opinion, but I still have hope that Apple or Google might take some interest in the company. Otherwise I guess I am going to get some Class C Liberty shares (which isn’t that bad either).

 

Never Will Be Perfect

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“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual than indecision.” – William James

This is what modern day Monopoly cards should look like.

This is what modern day Monopoly cards should look like.

I read an interesting article on MSN Money. It was about how no one knows what the stock market will do (you can read it HERE). Funny thing is the author is obviously a Bear (someone who thinks the market will go down) and I am a Bull (someone who thinks the market is going up), but I still agree with the point of the article.

My basically philosophy with the stock market is “Just Do It!” (no I am not copying Nike, search Kimball and you’ll find out who really wrote that slogan). If you got a plan and you have done your homework, then you need to believe in yourself and execute. Your not going to be perfect, but neither is the other guy on the other side of the trade. In fact to make a trade is to believe the other guy has made a mistake.

Not many people like to talk to me about stocks (money being taboo and all), but when I do mention to them that I have been playing in the stock market they immediately ask “Well, isn’t that risky?” I usually just respond with a simple yes (most people don’t really want to hear more than that), but in my head I have bit longer answer. Basically, it comes down to risk vs. reward, and you can’t get anything if you don’t risk anything. Multiply zero by anything and you still get zero!

So yes, I might lose a bit, but I just might gain a bit too. At the end of the day I am fortunate in my trades that I only have to answer to myself and right now I am pretty happy with what I am what I am seeing. Of course this means the stock market is going to tank on Monday, JUST KIDDING!!!

 

Weekend Stock Thoughts

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The stock market is always changing. Every day there are new plays and ways to make and/or lose money. When the stock market is going there is not much time but to do research and monitor the play. On the weekend however the stock market is closed (well one can argue the stock market these days never really closes) and so there is more time to reflect. What I want to do is see if I can make a weekly posting on my current stock picks so I can look back and reflect. Maybe if I am lucky I will get some random comments and some people will give me some ideas for new stocks. Probably not, but I can always hope. Anyhow, here are my stock picks for the week starting 1/6/14:

$ACHN (Achillon Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $2.96
Current Price: $3.47

I am holding this stock for a play somewhere in the $4-$5. They do research in Hep-C drugs. They were close to getting some drugs out there, but the FDA gave them some bad news. The stock sunk, but the insider buys have been huge. I think investors forgot that these guys have a lot of other drugs in the pipeline, but apparently the insiders didn’t.

$ARIA (Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $6.83
Current Price: $7.15

First the FDA said no to their Lukemia drug, but then they said yes and the momentum is now back in their favor. Question is if the momentum is enough to bring it back to where it was.

$ASTI (Ascent Solar Technologies Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $.78
Current Price: $.72

Alternative energy stocks have momentum right now. This stock is a bit of diversification for me in the energy sector. I think the stock could go back into the $1.20 range.

$CNDO (Coronado Biosciences Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $1.69
Current Price: $2.78

I got interested in this stock after reading a study on prosasis. They want to start a new study Jan. 14, but to do that they need a IND application. As soon as that gets announced this stock should skyrocket.

$HA (Hawaiian Holdings Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $7.03
Current Price: $10.31

Budget airlines are the wave of the future. This company has lots of new routes opening up. I see their China routes opening a big market for them.

$HYSR (Hypersolar Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $.01
Current Price: $.006

They are researching new ways on how to make hydrogen fuel cells. If they are successful it would be a big breakthrough on the cost of producing fuel cells. It is a long shot, but the price is worth the long shot.

$KOOL (Thermogenesis Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $1.05
Current Price: $1.05

Stem cell research is interesting to me. These guys make the equipment to store stem cells and have a new partnership lined up. It could be interesting.

$PLUG (Plug Power Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $1.75
Current Price: $2.61

I first invested with these guys when the stock was .70 a share. I have already made 150% profit in this stock and people are saying it could go to $5. Alternative fuel is big and these guys have been drawing in some big customers.

$OPK (OPKO Health Inc.)
Cost Per Share: $9.19
Current Price: $8.58

I am a bit behind the eight ball right now on this stock. Not really sure why I am still in it but I see some big buys coming in which make me believe the institutions are seeing something I don’t see.

$SIRI (Sirius XM Radio)
Cost Per Share: $3.19
Current Price: $3.57

Big news this week as Liberty Radio announced a buyout offer at 3.68 a share. Not sure if I like the offer, but it does show that this company is worth something. I see 4+ in the very near future.

$URG (UR Energy Corp.)
Cost Per Share: $1.50
Current Price: $1.41

These guys are uranium miners. I don’t know much about uranium, but they just made their first sale and the fundamentals look good. I am betting as Japan and China turn back on some more reactors this stock could start to heat up.

How to lose $50 bucks in 6 Months

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Needless to say it was a humble beginning...

Needless to say it was a humble beginning…

In June of 2011 I was able to scrap together an extra $200 in personal money. By December of 2011 I had already had paper losses of over $50 dollars (hence the headline). At the time the stock market was experiencing some real lows. People were convinced (I think they still are convinced) that everything was going to come crashing down. I remember gold and silver were at a all time high. The real estate market was still crashing. People (including ourselves) were walking away from their homes as they realized their houses were never going to be worth the mortgages they had on them. Companies were also still crashing but the big ones were being bought out by the government.

I must be the ultimate contrarian, but for some unknown reason I decided that was the environment I was going to stake my claim into the world of stock investing. Any investment advisor with half an ounce of respect would have STRONGLY encouraged me not even bother with such a little amount of capital.

I mean what was I even going to buy? Nothing big, that was for sure! Being the crazy person I am I decided the best thing to do was to buy not one, but three stocks…

The first stock I bought Ford ($F). I figured it was large stock. Unlike other companies, it did not have to rely on bailouts by the government. It also had good sales numbers. Unfortunately, what I learned was that because it was not bailed out by the government, the government had good reason to push down the price of the stock. I wouldn’t call it a conspiracy, but it seems extremely odd to me that despite way better sales numbers by Ford, GM stock rose and Ford stock didn’t. I got out lucky however, because I did end up selling later for 15.75. With dividends I think I ended up with a $25 dollar gain. Lesson learned: don’t fight the trend or the government.

The second stock I bought was Forward Industries ($FORD). For those not familiar with the company (just about everyone except for me), what it does is it makes the kits that diabetics put their medicine in. I thought it would be a good stock because I could see that the medical profession was going to boom. I bought 10 shares at a cost of $39.55. At the time I bought the stock it was going for $1.60 a share. Problem was my broker fee was $20 dollars a transaction. Factoring in that to the mix my cost per share was $3.96. Let’s just cut to the chase and say that stock never got remotely that high. I ended up selling at $1.78 and with another transaction fee got about $8.00 back. Lesson learned: always watch the numbers.

Then there was CalAmp ($CAMP). I heard about CalAmp because they were in the news because they were facing bankruptcy. Right there it should have been a red flag, but it was technology and like a fly heading toward the light I had to learn more about the company. Everything I read about it was bad. The numbers were bad, the management was bad, the product was bad, not one analyst I read had anything good to say about it. I don’t know why but for some reason I was fascinated by this company. Then buried in some research report I read about this patent they had. The patent had to do with satellites talking to each other, networking. I know about networking, I knew at that point the company wasn’t going under. I initiated my buy at $4.24 a share and started accumulating from there. Long story short I sold my shares at a little over $16 (currently the stock is worth $27, so I guess I still sold short). 400% gain, it was unbelievable. Lesson learned: research is gold.

Well, that was then and this is now. Now is going well. I have learned a lot more about stocks since that first $200. I will not say how much I have in stocks now, but let’s just say it is ALOT more than $200 dollars. I don’t have enough to even consider quitting my day job right now, but at my current rate it could happen sooner than most people think. Then again it could all crash down into a big ball of nothing. That is the way stocks go, but the difference is I am doing something while most people I know are doing nothing.