...and the beat goes on

Yesterday, we experienced a tremendous beating of most of the markets and individual stocks. This morning, we expect that the downtrend to continue in a significant manner, at least for the early part of the trading day.

If the S&P 500 Index closes today below the 50 day moving average at 1087, then the downward momentum will continue with the next support level at 1023, that would represent an additional 6% drop in the index.

Should the index retreat reach near the 1050 level and bounce back in the next two weeks, then we can view the chart as having formed a reverse "head and shoulders pattern". In that case, it may be a good time to go bottom fishing for some bargains. These are the times when we position our funds for future profits.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - July '10"

A bit late with the results but here they go:

For the part of the month of July, this was our watch list and outcome:


Stock Symbol-------7/11/10---------------7/31/10

NLY-----------------18.15-----------------17.40 (down 4.31%)
NVS-----------------49.55-----------------48.74 (down 1.66%)

The outcome was not good, our average loss for this period was 2.99% while the S&P 500 gained about 2.19% from 7/11/10 thru 7/31/10.
Back to the drawing board.
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Stocks to Watch - July '10

Watch list for July '10

NLY--------18.15
NVS--------49.55

We issued this list a bit late this month, still like NLY and included a foreign drug company. We'll be checking the performance of these picks by the end of July.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - June '10"

For the month of June, this was our watch list and outcome:


Stock Symbol-------6/1/10---------------6/30/10

NLY-----------------16.96-----------------17.15 (up 1.12%)
QSFT----------------19.35----------------18.04 (down 9.32%)

The outcome was dismal, our average loss for this month was 4.10% while the S&P 500 declined about 5.39% in June, thus closing a painful Q2.
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Searching for a Safe Haven in DUK

Our stock holdings have been taking a serious beating as of late. We wonder when the markets will find a consolidation base and reverse the present course. We have experienced the worst Q2 in a while.

For those of us that are trying to weather the storm, and have kept some cash on the sidelines, this may be a good time to look at a relatively safer investment in Duke Energy Corp. (DUK).

DUK is selling this morning at 16.10, dividend yield is at 6.0%, heavy average daily volume of near 10 million shares.

This utility company could be a good place to park funds and get a return that is more attractive than cd's and savings accounts. I don't expect DUK to appreciate greatly since the stock price fluctuations are limited and slow.
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Stocks to Watch - June '10

Watch list for June '10

NLY--------16.96
QSFT------19.35

This month we have a financial and a technology company. We'll be checking the performance of these picks by the end of June.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - May '10"

For the month of May, this was our watch list and outcome:


Stock Symbol-------5/1/10---------------5/31/10

AYR-----------------12.01-----------------9.85 (down 17.99%)
NOC-----------------67.83----------------60.49 (down 10.82%)

Results were not memorable, our average loss for this month was 14.40% compared to the S&P 500 which declined about 9.18% in May, not a good show for those of us who remained long in the market.
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Stocks to Watch - May '10

Watch list for May '10

AYR-------12.01
NOC-------67.83

This month we have an aircraft leasing and an aerospace/defense company. We'll be checking the performance of these picks by the end of May.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - April '10"

For the month of April, this was our watch list and outcome:


Stock Symbol-------4/1/10---------------4/30/10

AAN----------------22.53----------------22.57 (up .16%)
AIZ-----------------34.89----------------36.43 (up 4.41%)
RCII----------------23.87----------------25.82 (up 8.17%)


Our average gain for this month was 4.25% compared to the S&P 500 which saw a 1.48% increase in April.
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BINGO! AKAM Gives Us Something to Smile About

On good earnings report, Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM) has gained about 15% in today's early trades.
Back on 2/25/09 I liked AKAM at 18.23, today we see a huge pop and trading at 38.25 (a 110% return in 14 months).
My rule is: too high + too fast = cash-in.
I say take profits and look for other oportunities.
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USU on the Upswing

Increasing my long position on USU.
Chart and future prospects look promising, trading this morning at 6.43.
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Stocks to Watch - April '10

Watch list for April '10

AAN------22.53 (after 3/2 split on 4/16/10)
AIZ-------34.89
RCII------23.87

This month we have a retailer, an insurance company and a rental company. We'll be checking the performance of these picks by the end of April.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - March '10"

For the month of March, this was our watch list and outcome:


Stock Symbol-------3/1/10---------------3/31/10

DECK----------------120.20--------------138.00 (up 14.81%)
ENDP----------------22.75----------------23.69 (up 4.13%)
RTN-----------------56.24----------------57.12 (up 1.56%)


Our average gain for this month was 6.83% compared to the S&P 500 which saw a 5.88% increase in March.
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Stocks to Watch - March '10

Watch list for March '10

DECK----120.20
ENDP-----22.75
RTN------56.24

We have chosen a mix of sectors for this month. We'll be checking the performance of these picks by the end of March.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - February '10"

For the month of February, we chose to follow these stocks :


Stock Symbol-------2/2/10---------------2/26/10

AMGN----------------58.72----------------56.61 (down 3.59%)
CEPH----------------64.80----------------68.67 (up 5.97%)
GENZ----------------54.19----------------57.20 (up 5.55%)


Our average gain for this month was 2.64% compared to the S&P 500 which saw a 2.85% increase in February.
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Stocks to Watch - February '10

Watch list for February '10

AMGN----58.72
CEPH----64.80
GENZ----54.19

It appears that biotech may be the flavor of the month. We'll check the performance of these companies in about four weeks.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - January '10"

For the month of January, we chose to follow these stocks :


Stock Symbol-------1/1/10---------------1/31/10

BCE-----------------27.61----------------25.75 (down 7.22%)
CEPH----------------62.42----------------63.84 (up 2.27%)
NLY-----------------17.35----------------17.38 (up .17%)


The average loss for this month was 1.59% compared to the S&P 500 which deteriorated 3.84% for January.
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Stocks to Watch - January '10

Watch list for January '10

BCE-----27.61
CEPH---62.42
NLY-----17.35

We'll check the performance of these companies at the end of the month.
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Results for "Stocks to Watch - December '09"

For the month of December, we chose to follow these stocks :


Stock Symbol------12/1/09--------------12/31/09

BCE-----------------26.50----------------27.61 (up 4.19%)
DUK-----------------16.68----------------17.21 (up 3.18%)
RTN-----------------51.53----------------51.52 (down .02%)


The average return for this month was 2.45% compared to the S&P 500 which gained 1.78% for December. Happy with the results.
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A Dividend Play: NLY

Having kept an eye on NLY for about four years, I think this may be a good time to seriously consider owning this security.

Annaly Capital Management, Inc.(NLY), is a real estate investment trust, which owns, manages, and finances a portfolio of investment securities.

Positives are:

•Nice chart pattern.
•Consistent uptrend and rebound from the lows of early March '09.
•Excellent average daily volume of over 8.2 million shares.
•Exceptional dividend yield of 15.2%.
•Forward P/E ratio is at about 7.


Trading this morning at 18.52, I look for a continuation of the uptrend.
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