Jim Cramer Blog

Monday: Earnings After: HRB ; Economic News: Pending Home Sales ; Other News: TXN Mid-Q Update

Tuesday: Earnings Before: KR ; Economic News: FED DECISION*** ; Other News: HPQ ANALYST MEETING, AT&T ANALYST MEETING, GENERAL ELECTRIC OUTLOOK

Wednesday: Earnings After: CKE ; Economic News: Budget, Import Prices

Thursday: Earnings Before: COST, LEH, JOSB ; Economic News: Retail Sales, PPI ; Other News: AMD Analyst day, HON Outlook

Friday: Economic News: CPI

Labels: COST, CPI, GE, HPQ, HRB, Import Prices, JOSB, KR, LEH, Pending Home Sales, PPI, TXN

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Leap Wireless (NasdaqGS:LEAP - News). LEAP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - News). VLO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Riverbed Technologies (NasdaqGM:RVBD - News). RVBD's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Jos. A. Bank (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News). JOSB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ - News). JNJ's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Zimmer Holdings (NYSE:ZMH - News). ZMH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
2-Period RSI Above 98: These are stocks that have a 2-day RSI reading above 98 and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average with a 2-period RSI reading above 98 have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Sanofi Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News). SNY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: JNJ, JOSB, LEAP, RVBD, SNY, Stocks to Watch, VLO, ZMH

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday:
Brady (NYSE:BRC - News) should report $0.57 EPS before the bell on Wednesday morning. BRC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
When Gerber Scientific (NYSE:GRB - News) announces earnings on Wednesday before the bell, watch for $0.08 EPS. GRB does not have a PowerRating (for Traders) due to volume restraints.
Jos. A. Bank (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News) reports earnings on Wednesday morning; look for $0.42 EPS. JOSB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
General Motors (NYSE:GM - News) rose over 3% on Tuesday after the company said it needed fewer incentives to attract buying customers. GM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
McDonald's (NYSE:MCD - News) rose as much as 4% on Tuesday after reporting that same-store sales increased over 8% worldwide from last August. MCD's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
ImClone (NasdaqGS:IMCL - News) rose over 20% on Tuesday after announcing positive trial results for the company's new lung cancer drug. IMCL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC - News) announced on Tuesday it was brokering its second multi-billion bailout in the last month. CFC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BRC, CFC, GM, GRB, Hot Stocks, IMCL, JOSB, MCD

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
ADC Telecom (NasdaqGS:ADCT - News) beat earnings expectations on Wednesday, announcing $0.37 EPS over an expected $0.23 EPS. ADCT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.

J. Crew (NYSE:JCG - News) also beat earnings, with $0.32 EPS over a consensus of $0.29 EPS. JCG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB - News) announces earnings on Thursday before the market opens, with analysts looking for $0.18 EPS. CPB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
CDC Corporation (NasdaqGM:CHINA - News) should report $0.09 EPS on Thursday morning before the bell. CHINA's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Analysts are watching for Jackson Hewitt (NYSE:JTX - News) to report -$0.46 EPS on Thursday morning before the market opens. JTX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
When Jos. A. Bank (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News) announces its quarterly earnings report on Thursday morning, look for $0.44 EPS. JOSB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
UTI Worldwide (NasdaqGS:UTIW - News) is set to report $0.27 EPS on Thursday morning. UTIW's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ADCT, CHINA, CPB, Hot Stocks, JCG, JOSB, JTX, UTIW

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
Stocks Down 10% or More: These are stocks that have lost 10% or more over the past five days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that have lost 10% or more over the past five days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA - News). SA's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Toll Brothers (NYSE:TOL - News). TOL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Applebee's International (NasdaqGS:APPB - News) & Disney (NYSE:DIS - News). APPB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4, and DIS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Big Lots (NYSE:BIG - News) & Jos A Bank Clothiers (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News). BIG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2, and JOSB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
Stocks Up 10% or More: These are stocks that have gained 10% or more over the past five days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that have gained 10% or more over the past five days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Take-Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO - News). TTWO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: APPB, BIG, DIS, Hot Stocks, JOSB, SA, TOL, TTWO

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD) & Eastman Kodak (NYSE:EK). BYD's PowerRating is 7, and EK's PowerRating is 8.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC) & Bank of New York (NYSE:BK). BEC's PowerRating is 6, and BK's PowerRating is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (NasdaqGS:JOSB). JOSB's PowerRating is 8.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Progressive Gaming International (NasdaqGM:PGIC). PGIC's PowerRating is 2.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
DexCom (NasdaqGM:DXCM). DXCM's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BEC, BK, BYD, DXCM, EK, Hot Stocks, JOSB, PGIC

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Alcoa (NYSE:AA - News) beat earnings on Tuesday afternoon with $0।79 EPS over an expected $0.77 EPS. AA's PowerRating is 5.

Acergy (NasdaqGS:ACGY - News) announces earnings Wednesday before the open; watch for $0.33 EPS. ACGY's PowerRating is 5.
When Jos. A. Bank (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News) reports quarterly earnings before the bell Wednesday, look for $1.25 EPS. JOSB's PowerRating is 6.
Analysts are watching for Progressive (NYSE:PGR - News) to announce $0.46 EPS before the open on Wednesday. PGR's PowerRating is 4.
Genentech (NYSE:DNA - News), Research In Motion (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News) and Ruby Tuesday (NYSE:RI - News) all announce earnings after the bell on Wednesday; watch for heightened price action and volume ahead of the close. DNA's PowerRating is 6, RIMM's PowerRating is 4 and RI's PowerRating is 7.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AA, ACGY, DNA, Hot Stocks, JOSB, PGR, RI, RIMM

Aetna (NYSE:AET - News) said its fourth-quarter profit rose 4% on membership growth and higher premiums, and the health insurer raised its full-year profit forecast.
Air T (NasdaqCM:AIRT - News) shares dropped after the Maiden, N.C., provider of air cargo services posted third-quarter earnings of $304,000, or 11 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $675,000, or 25 cents a share. The company attributed the lower earnings to a decrease in international deicer sales and air cargo maintenance revenue.
Amvescap Plc (NYSE:AVZ - News) said preliminary month-end assets under management for January rose to $469 billion from $462.6 billion the previous month. The London-based company said long-term assets increased to $401.4 billion from $398.3 billion at the end of December. Meanwhile, money-market assets rose to $67.6 billion from $64.3 billion.
Beacon Roofing Supply (NasdaqGS:BECN - News) shares fell after the Peabody, Mass.-based company reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $8.81 million, or 20 cents a share, down from $12.9 million, or 31 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $380.2 million from $339.9 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had forecast a per-share profit of 27 cents on revenue of $385.9 million.
Central Garden & Pet Co. (NasdaqGS:CENT - News) reported first-quarter net earnings of $2.97 billion, or 12 cents a share. During the same quarter a year ago, the company posted net earnings of $2.56 million, or 12 cents a share. On a post-dividend basis, the per-share loss was 4 cents, compared with a per-share profit of 4 cents a year ago.
Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE:EK - News) increased its plans for job cuts and related charges, as it seeks to wind down a four-year restructuring program by year-end.
Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. (NasdaqGM:EBHI - News) said shareholders did not approve the company's proposed sale to a firm owned by affiliates of Sun Capital Partners Inc. and Golden Gate Capital for $9.25 a share. As a result, the Redmond, Wash.-based apparel retailer said it will continue to operate as a standalone publicly traded company.
Family Dollar Stores (NYSE:FDO - News) said same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose about 0.1% in January. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for same-store sales growth of 2.1%. Total sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 climbed 38.2% to $585.3 million compared with $423.4 million for the four week period ended Jan. 28, 2006. But total sales comparing the five weeks to the similar five weeks a year ago rose just 4%. The discount retailer said it now expects February same-store sales to be flat, although it still expects second-quarter earnings of 58 to 64 cents. Analysts polled by Thomson are expecting earnings of 62 cents a share.
Gottschalks Inc. (NYSE:GOT - News) said January same-store sales slipped 1%, while total sales rose 21% to $43.5 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a 3% same-store sales rise. "January was a clearance month for us as we deepened promotions in some soft line categories and, in particular, focused on selling through inventory in our home division as we continue to reposition our merchandise assortments in that category," the company said.
Gymboree (NasdaqGS:GYMB - News) shares fell after the San Francisco-based retailer said January same-store sales were flat compared with last year, while overall sales rose 24% to $62.5 million in the period. For the fourth-quarter, same-store sales rose 7% while overall sales rose 19% to $238.5 million. Gymboree expects fourth-quarter earnings of 64 to 66 cents a share, or 70 to 72 cents a share, excluding certain items. For 2007, the company forecast per-share earnings of $1.72 to $1.74, or $1.97 to $1.99 excluding items. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial are forecasting fourth-quarter earnings of 76 cents a share.
Hot Topic Inc. (NasdaqGS:HOTT - News) said its January sales at stores open at least a year fell 6.6% vs. a 0.7% fall in the same month last year. Analysts, on average, had expected the teen retailer to post a same-store-sales drop of 6.1%, according to Thomson Financial.
HSBC (NYSE:HBC - News) warned that bad-debt charges are set to exceed forecasts by about $1.76 billion, as higher interest rates and a lack of refinancing options in the slowing U.S. housing market leave customers unable to pay their mortgages.
Imperial Tobacco Group (NYSE:ITY - News) agreed to acquire Commonwealth Brands from closely held Houchens Industries Inc. for $1.9 billion (974 million pounds). Factoring in the net present value of tax benefits from the deal, the net cost is $1.5 billion. Commonwealth Brands, Bowling Green, Ky., is the No. 4 U.S. cigarette producer, with 3.7% of the American market, Imperial said.
Isilon Systems Inc. (NasdaqGM:ISLN - News) shares fell after the Seattle-based developer of clustered storage systems and software late Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $10.4 million, or 72 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $4.08 million, or 78 cents a share, last year. There were 14.55 million shares outstanding in the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with 5.25 million a year ago Excluding items, the company posted a loss of $3.3 million, or 6 cents a share, compared with a loss of $4.1 million, or 9 cents a share, last year. Revenue rose to $20.7 million from $8.7 million. Isilon expects first-quarter revenue of $21 million to $23 million. For the full year 2007, the company expects revenue of $115 million to $125 million.
J.C. Penney Co. (NYSE:JCP - News) said its January sales at department stores open at least a year increased 3.6%. Analysts, on average, expected it to post a same-store sales gain of 3.5%, according to Thomson Financial. Total department-store sales for the four weeks ended Jan. 27 rose 5.5%, the Plano, Texas, company said. For February, Penney forecast comparable department-store sales to increase in the low-single digits.
JoS A Bank Clothiers (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News) said annual earnings will be at least $2.25 a share, up 15% from last year, with total sales up 18% to $546 million. January same-store sales dropped 4.7%, while direct marketing sales improved 42%, the company said. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a 1% rise in January same-store sales, and annual earnings of $2.17 a share.
Level 3 Communications (NasdaqGS:LVLT - News) said its fourth-quarter loss widened to $237 million from $169 million a year earlier as it announced that it would reduce headcount in 2007 by about 1,000 employees. The company said the fourth-quarter loss included a loss of $54 million for the extinguishment of debt. Level 3 posted a loss of 20 cents a share for the quarter, compared with a loss of 24 cents a share a year earlier, when the company had fewer shares outstanding. The Broomfield, Colo., telecommunications and information-services company said Thursday that revenue rose to $846 million from $418 million a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected a loss of 14 cents a share on revenue of $831.8 million. Level 3 forecast total communications revenue of $1 billion to $1.05 billion for the first quarter and $4.03 billion to $4.31 billion for the full year. The company also said its financing unit would offer $500 million in senior notes.
Shares of New Century Financial (NYSE:NEW - News) tumbled as much as 30% Thursday, hitting their lowest in nearly four years at one point, as investors punished the mortgage services provider over its warning that loan production for 2007 would fall short of expectations.
New York & Co. (NYSE:NWY - News) said its January sales at stores open at least one year rose 2.3%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 2.9%, according to Thomson Financial. Net sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 rose 32.4% to $83.7 million. The retailer backed its fourth-quarter profit forecast of 37 cents to 46 cents a share. The company continues to expect to report an increase in gross margin for the fourth quarter due to improved merchandise margins and also still expects non-recurring litigation expenses of about 2 cents a share, which are included in its outlook.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: AET, AIRT, AVZ, BECN, CENT, EBHI, EK, FDO, GOT, GYMB, HBC, HOTT, ISLN, ITY, JCP, JOSB, LVLT, NEW, NWY

I stopped out of my Diamonds Trust Series 1 ETF (AMEX: DIA - News) $122 puts at .55 (up 57%), DIA $123 puts for $1 (up 67%) and NASDAQ 100 Trust Shares ETF (NASDAQ: QQQQ - News) $44 puts at .70 (up 133%) on the upturn (as I was enthusiastic). But then, as I was left unprotected, I let myself get shaken out of a some calls on the turn down.
We finished up the week with a bang, and we've had a streak of good calls, but I don't delude myself that I am either Lou Gehrig or Joe DiMaggio, and you never know when your luck will turn, so I took a lot off the table into the weekend (and I was very spooked by the mornings whiplash move!):
American Express Company (NYSE: AXP - News) Jan $60s hit our price and seemed safe on the way up at $1.30.
Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC - News) was a no-trade, opening too high.
Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY - News) Jan $52.50 was very tempting back at $3 today but I wasn't feeling that adventurous (we just sold them for $4.30 on Tues!). I regret not rebuying now since I went to one last night (Fri) and it was a zoo!
Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX - News) Jan '08 $17.50s still aren't moving (still $2.50) but I'm considering additional positions at this price and selling the Jan $17.50s for .50 as an income producer as 20% a month is a pretty good income! I should probably just do it with the ones I have but I really think this thing's going to bounce back at this point -- which is what I'm sure the 83,000 January callers are thinking too...
We added the Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK - News) Jan $32.50s for $1.05 (yes calls) as additional cover to protect profits over the weekend on our remaining oil puts.
I shorted more ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP - News) out of principal with the Jan $70 puts at $1.85, but a big spike scared me into selling the $70 puts for .65 as a small cover.
DALRQ (Delta Air Lines) Jan '08 $2.50s jumped up a dime to .20 (up 300%) so I took half off the table. As I said at the beginning, these could end up worthless so effectively the remainder is a free ride with a year to play out.
eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY - News) Dec $32.50s were taken off the table at .45 (down 25%) as it looked too weak to keep after the Cramer pump and yesterday's drop were just not worth holding with expiration looming. We still have the Jans and a hopeful attitude!
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW - News) Feb $22.50s came in at .80 but if they can't break $21 I'm out quick!
I don't know why Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR - News) went down all day, and I didn't stick around to find out -- so I gave up at $52 (up 25%).
It looks like I will get called away by those Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG - News) $370s I sold for $40 with a just a 21% profit (the other guy has a triple!) 8-(
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC - News) finally came off the watch list as I said at 10:01 (with the stock at $20.61) "Watch out for INTC -- they can save the SOX by themselves with a .25 gain." I grabbed the Jan $22.50s for .25 and the stock did go up to $20.85 but pulled back to finish at $20.68.
Jos. A Bank Clothiers Inc. (NASDAQ: JOSB - News) served it's purpose (getting a discount on the Jan $30s) and we took out our July $30 caller for $4.50 (up .10) and sold the stock for $30.50 for a $1.11 total gain, so I'm applying the $1 credit (allowing for commissions) to the Jan $30 puts (that were all I ever wanted in the first place) to lower the basis to a very nice $1! I was thrilled to be able to take out of the Julys after earnings got away from me. It is very important to remember why you took a position (one of the reasons I first started keeping a blog!), as I said on Monday, "the options are outrageous and I refuse to pay for them -- so I'm going to let someone else buy them for me: I take the stock for $29.69, sell the ridiculous July $30s for $4.40 and buy the Jan $30s for $1.75." Mission Accomplished!
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY - News) Apr $55s came in at $2, hopefully we didn't jump the gun on this but they were $2.50 on Tuesday...
Yes, I'm a MOToholic (Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - News))! I picked up the Jan $22.50s for .40, which they held despite a poor finish.
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT - News) took a huge jump at 2:30, I think because there was a court decision cracking down on software fraud that should net them a healthy profit boost right when Vista is coming out. A huge buy was made at the close for $20.40 so we may need to get on the Mo train on Monday!
got scared out of Netease.com Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES - News) Mar $17.50s at $2.15 (up 16%) on the morning drop.
We focused on the Oil Service HOLDRs ETF (AMEX: OIH - News) $145 puts right out of the gate and picked them up on the turn at $1.20, stopped half out quickly at $1.55, reducing the remaining basis to a comfortable .85, and took them off the table at $1.20 ( up 41%). We went back in about 90 minutes later for $1.20 again (what the heck, it worked once) and I kept half at close to reduce the remaining basis to $1.
optionsXpress Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OXPS - News) Jan $30s pushed me out in the morning for .90 (down .10) but rebounded very nicely once I was gone!
Research In Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM - News) bounced back up and triggered the sale of the other half of the Jan $130 puts for $9.80 for a $9 average sale and a $1 spread on the full trade!
Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE: SU - News) $80 puts were picked up for $1.40 but I got out even (too many puts for safety). They finished at $1.70 for those who stayed in.
I was stopped out of Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM - News) Jan $120s at $2.55 (up 34%).
We decided a double was too much to risk on the Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO - News) $55 puts, exited at .90 (up 100%).
At 9:53 I said, "If this is the best XOM can do on an .80 rise in crude it may be time to sell those calls already!" I was right, but I held on to them for the protection over the weekend, which allowed me to hold puts through the dips.
I cannot believe I'm saying this (after 2 months of rolling and doubling) but I took the rest of the XOM $75 puts off the table at .65, up 141% (because we applied the profit from the first half to the basis on the remainder)! Remind me never to do that again -- way too stressful... Interestingly, despite the drop, my protective Apr $80s went up .20 to $2.45, as I said when we bought them, "I think these will be slow to fall (look how many die hard oil bulls there are)."
In summary, we closed 30 positions this week (including 12/1 because of the month roll) for an average gain of 70% on a low average hold of 6 days as we've taken a lot of day trades in this choppy market.
The only losers were EBAY, Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS - News) and OXPS, and none of them hurt too bad, and we had 9 doubles out of our 27 winners.
Our open portfolio is in spectacular shape with 51 open positions that are already also up 70% after 17 days(average). This of course includes ridiculous gains by DALRQ (400%), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM - News) (631%) and Station Casinos Inc. (NYSE: STN - News) (1,375%), and eliminating those gains brings us down to 40%, but then I should eliminate my 3 wipeouts as well which would bring us back to a more realistic 45% -- but that's still pretty darn good!
-Phil Davis

Labels: AXP, BAC, BBY, BSX, CHK, COP, DIA, Ebay, GLW, GMCR, GOOG, INTC, JOSB, LLY, MOT, MSFT, QQQ, RIMM, stock options

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Veritas (NYSE:VTS - News) beat earnings on Wednesday afternoon with $0.68 EPS over an estimated $0.47 EPS. VTS's PowerRating is 4.
Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - News) barely missed earnings with $0.16 EPS vs an estimated $0.17 EPS. UTI's PowerRating is 3.
Liquidity Services (NASDAQ:LQDT - News) beat earnings, announcing $0.09 EPS over a consensus of $0.07 EPS.
Jos. A. Bank (NASDAQ:JOSB - News) announces earnings early Thursday morning; look for $0.29 EPS. JOSB's PowerRating is 4.
Movado (NYSE:MOV - News) is set to announce $0.61 EPS on Thursday before the open. MOV's PowerRating is 5.
When Toro (NYSE:TTC - News) reports earnings before the bell Thursday, look for $0.07 EPS. TTC's PowerRating is 5.
UTI Worldwide (NASDAQ:UTIW - News) is expected to announce $0.31 EPS on Thursday morning. UTI's PowerRating is 3.

Labels: Hot Stocks, JOSB, LQDT, MOV, TTC, UTI, UTIW, VTS