Investing (Online Trading)

A word of caution to new readers....

The invention of the Internet has brought about many changes in the way that we conduct our lives and our personal business. We can pay our bills online, shop online, bank online, and even date online!

We can even buy and sell stocks online. Traders love having the ability to look at their accounts whenever they want to, and brokers like having the ability to take orders over the Internet, as opposed to the telephone.

Most brokers and brokerage houses now offer online trading to their clients. Another great thing about trading online is that fees and commissions are often lower. While online trading is great, there are some drawbacks.

If you are new to investing, having the ability to actually speak with a broker can be quite beneficial. If you aren’t stock market savvy, online trading may be a dangerous thing for you. If this is the case, make sure that you learn as much as you can about trading stocks before you start trading online.

You should also be aware that you don’t have a computer with Internet access attached to you. You won’t always have the ability to get online to make a trade. You need to be sure that you can call and speak with a broker if this is the case, using the online broker. This is true whether you are an advanced trader or a beginner.

It is also a good idea to go with an online brokerage company that has been around for a while. You won’t find one that has been in business for fifty years of course, but you can find a company that has been in business that long and now offers online trading.

Again, online trading is a beautiful thing – but it isn’t for everyone. Think carefully before you decide to do your trading online, and make sure that you really know what you are doing!

Bullish

The market has been in the green for the past few days, I will give you my detailed take on this tomorrow after close. Overall I would say that I am bullish this market again.

Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX)

Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX) up 3% today, many are starting to claim it is overbought citing its overbought, however I will say that it has a very lucrative dividend and it is showing growth lately, especially today. However I would say that I would hold off on any purchases until their is more certainty if you are looking for a good long term play with dividends. If you are looking for a quick short term play I would buy it and then sell it at the first sign of weakness, then short on the way down in order to increase profit.

JCP

Traded up on double its normal average volume, and a lot of call volume with a increase in sales due to the christmas season, it might be a good January options play

LODE

A recent increase in LODE's stock price can be attributed to a increased density of gold being discovered in the Comstock Lode, an increase of 57% more than initially though this caused a 50 cent increase on the stock price for the month of September. Those of you that have been reading my blog for a while know that I have been a long time investor in GSPG, now known as LODE, after a 200:1 reverse split back in July. What do you guys think? Is Lode starting off, or is this the top? personally I believe this is just the bottom, a company that has yet to even enter a production stage, and is still just in exploration. We will see but I am calling a buy anything below $1.30.

HIMX

A small-cap tech stock I have been following titled Himax Technologies paid dividends last month entitling me to more share, though since my purchase they have dropped 8% I have faith that the 10% dividend will stay strong and the companies dealings will ensure long term growth. They manufacture semi-conductors for many television manufacturers.

Crocs (CROX) & Sketchers (SKX)

Despite seeing shape ups and crocs everywhere, footwear stocks were trampled today and seem to be showing a downward turn.

Wow

Ugly Day......I'll post more later

After Close Re-cap

DRIV, Digital River my very speculative play...after losing a contract with Symantec worth roughly 30% of their revenue the stock fell 34%. Falling more today, however I purchased JAN 25&30 calls (as noted before) yesterday in the midst of its large drop. This position is currently up.
AIG, American International Group...another speculative play. I purchased NOV 25 Puts despite the bullish triangle forming on AIG...I believe AIG is heavily overvalued. I am hoping for another downward movement like we saw in the beginning of September. Though as to hit both sides of the trade, if I was a bull on this trade my target would be 48...AIG has been steadily increasing since its last downturn.
VIX, Volatility Index Yesterday I and a number of other traders have noticed a double topping pattern on the S&P500 causing some to go short. Well in order to better weigh my portfolio I have bought NOV VIX calls. At the 25, 27.5 levels.
C, Citigroup starting to show some life with earnings coming up, it is beginning to push torward the $5 level. My target for Citi is 4.99 if earnings are good we could push over the $5 resistance.
ENER, Energy Conversion Devices, I have yet to purchase anything on this, however the chart is looking very good my target for ENER is $14, however I have yet to make a move on it. I will continue to watch it but maybe we will see some serious movement soon...an analyst upgrade (currently all holds) could help push this up.

Bought VIX, DRIV, RAD. Sold GE, AA

Haven't written anything in a while, update: Sold GE, bought DRIV Jan 25&30 Calls(after 33% drop yesterday) careful stop on that position. Sold my Alcola vertical spread (that I bought before earnings). Bought VIX NOV Calls at the 25 and 27.5 Level...double top on the S&P500 called for a bearish position...Also working on beta weighting my portfolio. Will write more later....just a quick update.