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Ha! I was going to Telenium each night and grabbing all the screens - but never parsed and chucked it all. Used teleport then I found wget and have used it ever since. The other is httrack. I found a LOT of tools you pay for cannot even read Yahoo properly because of the cookies - wget worked perfectly. I had problems getting HTTRACK working with Yahoo even though I was told it would.
The main reason to write my stuff is to aid with the tax side and portfolio management - top down - currency - I am sick sick sick (je suis malade!!!) of the bloody updating all over the place - Yahoo, Quicken against TD and not even having the proper picture US wise.
I was speaking with a woman at work the other day. She doesn't seem to even convert her losses/gains to Canadian currency - because she holds her stocks in her US account (as if that means anything).
SoB
Well exactly - I can always try the realtime feed at Stockwatch - but do I need that really? I am not day trading.
I have posted about this before - writing something that keeps track of my portfolio; my capital gains for taxes; and currency. That will improve my efficiency for keeping track of everything. But the extra (which is really just an addon) is the stock screener. Part of me is leaning toward spending more time with Stock Charts - but even with that - the free service is enough if I am doing only a few indicators anyways. The stock scan is limited - I figure if I play with Stockcharts Technical Scans (paid) I can learn more about what I need then code it (perhaps even following the same logic they use for creating the screeners) - you know the Bill Gates way.
If I am playing the US market - I have to know what effect my portfolio has wrt to currency - to be able to figure out the what ifs -- if someone is saying the dollar will decline over x months.. be able to forecast my gains/loses and decide if it is best to get out for a while.
Thanks again for the sites.. they all come in handy when looking for info. Hacking away at this stuff.. and using wget (http://www.gnu.org/software/wget/wget.html) to rip those sites to the bones.
cheers!
blake
PS: I have been free for two weeks - the trial ihub offered. the bloody spell check fails the url*tag stuff. Once you post it, it works but not during preview. Will let Matt know.
WGET
Louis, merci for the heads up.
I think in this case the summary and details are not the issue - but again more to what you are suggesting (a different last price and/or "term of" shares outstanding).
Yes I read the Nasdaq definition yesterday so I figured something was afoot. I suppose I shouldn't quibble over the nickels and dimes.....
I think I am floored by the mix though moreso - that Yahoo which uses Reuters is equal to NYSE which doesn't use Reuters AND Reuters is not the same as Yahoo!
But yes, I agree, its all about the shoes.
I am looking at ripping data from sites and just want to get a feel for what I am getting into. My goals include - a single source (Yahoo today); to understand what I am dealing with; determine the delta between the numbers; and be happy. At the same time to perhaps look at a package at Stockcharts for the fall.
Thanks for the Kiplinger site too.
Blake
Suncor - you are like all the rest..
iHUB is having problems -- cannot post this link
Bitumen production at Suncor Energy's Firebag operation impacted by maintenance
Wednesday August 11, 5:47 pm ET
FORT MCMURRAY, AB, Aug. 11 /CNW/ - Suncor Energy Inc. reported today that bitumen production from its Firebag in-situ operation will be shut down while the company conducts maintenance on steam generators at the facility.
Suncor estimates the unplanned maintenance will take approximately 4 weeks. The company plans to use the shutdown period to bring forward planned maintenance previously scheduled for early 2005. As a result of the shutdown, Suncor has reduced its targeted annual bitumen production from Firebag to an average 13,000 barrels per day from the previous target of 15,000 barrels per day. The shutdown will not impact the 220,000 barrel per day annual target for Suncor's base mining and upgrading operations.
Basically moving the planned shutdown from early 2005 to today.
Anyahoo.. they consolidate on me.. then crash on me.. they announce the unexpected. MR needed company I suppose... (have they got the bloody dynamite yet?)..
blasted wabbit
blake
Crap Data.COM (JUNK as FP would say)
I am trying to determine the marketcap for companies (amongst other data).
For: IBM
Yahoo (uses Reuters for data) - Marketcap = 140.20B
NYSE (uses SunGard PowerData)- Marketcap = 140.197B (=140.20B)
both shows same exact shares outstanding
I cannot pull up shares from Reuters but Reuters shows Marketcap as $142.375b.
Why the HECK is Yahoo the same as the NYSE yet Yahoo uses the Reuters feed and they differ?
FP - Cush said Stockcharts allows you to pull up marketcap in scans. I was wondering if you could post the marketcap for RRI; MSFT and IBM for me. I want to see how close they are. SC apparently uses "SpeedFeed". Thanks.
I have emailed Reuters to aid with my issues. Seriously, if you take the close and multiply by the outstanding, you get marketcap. If all three sites end with the price of $83.69 then it means the shares are out for Reuters.
(Unfortunately I just signed up and have to wait for the delicate geniuses to approve Sexton O. Blake - Profession - Investment Analyst.)
Crazy stuff...
blake
Actually that is a very interesting graph.
Explain to me what we are seeing - what is the "top" gold months?
If I look below I see how the 15/30yr peak appears to be at the end of Sept - for a few weeks - into Oct. What is the reason, AFAYK, for this?
Because of the gold sales for jewelry? My thinking is (flawed if someone cares to point it out), that manufacturers would order material 6mths prior - say Apr-Jun - manufacturer and ship Jul-Sep for the Christmas season which is from Oct-Dec. I can't see gold rising to "seasonal highs" in early October because of this.. that is just too late to do anything with before Christmas.
You are saying PoG starts its move late August - I am seeing it bottom out and not starting it's rise until mid-late Sept?
I can understand the logic with Heating Oil
... but not with the theory of jewelry for Christmas...
Am I missing something?
Thanks
bOs
Sorry - Need clarification.
I assume you mean "I can scan by Market cap in addition to other criteria" and not merely a "scan by market cap".
e.g. Yahoo - via Java allows you to scan - by market cap; that is within a market cap range of.. and has earnings of ..
.. But yahoo doesn't allow you to say "where last (last / current / close) price is above the 5DMA".
It is the combined that I want; not just market cap.
TIA!
SoB
ROB TV: John Embry
Was on yesterday at 10pm (repeated from 12:30pm Tuesday).
His top three picks are OZN-Orezone (he bot in the 20-40 range); SWG-Southwestern and NMC-Newmonticus.
What caught me ear:
- at lows similar to that of the end of 2002..
- figures the stocks are at a good value today (chance to pickup some good ones at a really good price)
- that it is crazy to sell them now (mentioned FP I think.. but not 100%)
- overall for the next 5 years you'll have lots of chances to get in (as it zig-zags up and down)
- his seriously madd low was around $360 but felt we could get into the 5 digit range (!)
---- of course this all depends on the PoG.
Anyahoo I didn't catch the whole show - 1hour - can watch it streaming..
(Thanks for the AGI Aug 24th reminder amarksp)
Anyways, hope is all I have left Obewan. Hopefully others fear will move gold much higher.
(Sorry FP here in the "T DOT" [whoever made that up should be "T SHOT"] weather has been shit - and that is the nice way of saying it. Just ugly with a chance of rain that is high enough to expect it but it just doesn't want to rain - so you sit waiting or go for that walk? Screw the raincoats... me like wet t's anyways.. Cannot even plan a few days off with beautiful days)
Time for workie..
blakie
Cush, I was wondering if StockCharts scans (the ones you build) allow you to choose criteria other than indicators and signals. E.g. give me every stock on the NYSE with a MARKET CAP of between X and Y.. and crossing the 200DMA. Same query but DO NOT PAY A DIVIDEND (or dividend within Y months) etc.
What I read on the site it appears no but if it is and documented I would appreciate the link.
Thanks
Sexton
Gold? Whats that for?
As I stated to Frankie many moons ago, I figure if gold is going to take off, we all have a chance to get on. I was in K.TO in upper $7s think there was a rally - but it fizzled I cut bait at about 5-8%. Today it is at $6.93. Whose convinced it will increase? Not me - not yet. I have so much gold junk already, that if I can just get even I would be the happiest man of the face of d oith.
As for crash, I suppose until you do see CRASH headlines, we haven't hit bottom.
Man did everyone hear about the new reality show:
(Sorry they did a number on the pics..)
No idea what that is about. I actually like Survivor and American Idol. Although those are not in the same class as the likes of Out Back Jack On; the Two Roving Hookers (something to do with good life and farms); or even the wife swapping shows (one in the US and apparently one coming to Canada as if the New Beachcombers isn't enough already).
Anyahoo, man I wish they were all investments (like the DOT BOMBS) - I would wait for Time et al to have them on the cover then sell them all short. You know it is getting to that level. I suppose our vehicles here are mostly either
or
I like American Idol mostly during the auditions - people truly convinced they have a tune.
Anyahoo, back to my reality TV at home and my 2year old watching Finding Leonard Nimoy.. who wants to sit on my lap as I type... (I probably have seen that a dozen or more along with Monsters, Toy Story 2 and Shrek - always a good laugh and never get bored with them).
cheers all!
blakette
MS Word <chuckle>
First, Kastelco mentioned Word. I said nothing of it. I use Excel every single day and have been for well over 10 years (not to mention Quattro Pro before that and of course the Gold Standard of its day - VisiCalc on the Apple ][+ in 82 and beyond).
Second, I use to work in a technical role with my computer company - the general norm in the computer industry I was involved with you either were more "Technical" and dealt with hardware and O/S, or more "non-technical" - and dealt with programming. I was involved with both and decided to stick with Programming - two fold reasons: (A) I can write code at home but have to be onsite at some customer in Shithole Ontario trying to recover botched tape backups until midnight and look forward to a 2 hour drive back home and paid no different for the hassle. (B) The techies are assholes generally - think they know everything and so full of themselves it makes me laugh each and everytime they fall down and sit there telling the customer stories. I always say look at them talk.. snowing in July
Anyahoo back to my story - I was involved in the technical side - went onsite to install hardware (drives) or updated the O/S etc. I remember the old Unix/Xenix Word Perfect. It started up with a Blue screen and a cursor at the top left. How bloody friendly is that? Since that day I have never cared for that product. I use Word today - ahhh, I typed stuff up for my wife when she was at UofT, and the odd note for my son for school. I am no expert in processors and Excel was a no brainer so it was logical. That is one of Corel's downfalls. Relying so heavily on the WP and missing the tie in with the spreadsheet - and competing with MS.
Anyahoo, back to the browsers. Like anything, using the "standard" is the easy way - but not often the best. In this case, I find Mozilla just so feature rich, that it wins over IE handsdown. (Actually a bit better than Netscape which is the same code since NS doesn't update theirs as often as Mozilla).
SP2 from MS is out late summer supposedly - and apparently IE will have the popup blocker finally. Once that is released - I will review again.
No gun to my head and will use the best. Mozilla is open source and great. I have tried several times to use Open Office. Yeah it probably is ok for free, but I am not sold. So Excel (office) it is. For email today I am using the Bat! even though I have Outlook.
SoB
Sorry for a second reply to this message.
Your term iconoclast I think is a little off base.
i·con·o·clast
n.
1. One who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions.
2. One who destroys sacred religious images
Don't want to throw this discussion into a big flame war (its Saturday so as long as we keep it within the weekend..) - just want to point out your term is without merit. We are not imposing anything on this board. We can't see the icons - whether it is beloved IE or Netscape or Opera or Mozilla. There is a problem that we haven't determined the solution.
You and anyone can use anything to read this board. Why it matters what browser any of us use is beyond me. It is not like we are General Motors and tell you - you want to park at the lot that is 5minutes from the door - you must drive a GM. Otherwise go park at the lot 30minutes away.
Anyways, I just think your statement is incorrect.
My goal is to hopefully post interesting articles or opinions and to help others where I can. To learn to be a better investor/trader. To post buys on stocks of which I think will do very well. The ultimate goal is - MAKING SERIOUS MONEY.
Blake
Big words for a small planet...
Why - I tell you why - and I am very much PRO Microsoft.
A) It is FULL of security holes - most people use it so it is prime for the attackers; the VB scripts and java holes all over the place - I had a situation that a popup came in saying something about outlook "YES" "NO". Almost looked real - except I don't run outlook and the hitting YES WOULD have tried to install a Trojan. (looked like a standard dialog-box)
B) IE has no popup blocker
C) IE has no tab (folder) system (exp for 3rd party apps) as with Netscape or Mozilla (the latter is the former's source)
D) If something screws up with IE it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to fix without a reinstall of windows. I have had so many blasted "443" errors - I cannot connect. I just gave up. With NS/Moz you can ERASE it and REINSTALL - because it is itself "separate". Whereas try doing that with IE. ** I have had this issue repeatedly.
E) You can go to stockcharts and RIGHT-CLICK copy IMAGE location. IE? Have to go properties then copy the url manually - JUNK!
F) I can create a "group" bookmark. In ONE click "Webbroker; Yahoo1; Yahoo2; Kitco; Investor's Hub; Stockcharts; Silicon Investor" all up and loaded. ONE CLICK. No 3rd party app to download and install over IE's backend.
Anyways, as long as there is freeware and open source, Mozilla works - and if you read things here - people do have access and probably at some point use BOTH. So it isn't either or. It is "preference" X and worse case Y.
Blake
I see myself in Féria by L'Oréal.
Why?
Because I am worth it.
I see #1
Using Mozilla 1.7.
Why? Because I am different.
If I "right-click view image" the image appears in the window.
I hit the back button and then I see a thumb nail of that image. I can repeat for all. But then when I hit "REFRESH" they all revert back to broken links.
I wonder - Frank, Kastelco and myself are Canucks.
You are an Freedom Fry Eatin Rage'n Cajun from Texas?
And the rest? (just a simple observation since we are simple people up here.. yes I know what you are thinking.. we put up with a lot of crap from Quebec.. but when the going gets tough, our miliary will clean snow from our streets, and if need be.. take out Buffalo...)
From "The Sesame Street Book and Record". 'Green' is (c)1970 Jonico Music, Inc.
It's not that easy being green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
or something much more colorful like that.
It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
SoB
Today's post brought to you by the letters W and I and by the numbers 1 and 80.
Kastelco: I had a crap day. But pat myself on the back for taking the profit and running with RRI and a bit of SU; and kicking myself for being stuck with (speaking of which -- if it isn't Scottish it is crap!) Crapstonia-going-downa-toa-newa-lowas. (.COM of course!)
Why 80?
Cuz I loves the ladies whose hair "Burns to set the night on fire. Golden, coppery and bright."
Don't worry Frank, I haven't gone insane.
I just want to understand how Toronto trades the stock... NYSE trades the stock.. and the prices manage to close very close based on the exchange. I just want to understand it better. If I see it is time to sell, I notice SU is at 46 down and SU.TO is only 32 down, then I know there is a big difference I can take advantage of. Conversely if SU is up 50 and SU.TO is up 20 I could sell my shares on NYSE (if I decided to sell) and get a better price.
Not really looking at "playing" the arbitrage as I am just interested in understanding the process and thinking about my trades - should the need arise.
Merci..
An Angst-Filled Blakey.. (whose a bit flakey)
Sold some SU at $37 (+6-7%)
Stochastics dropped the other day - so I am late out.
Was following along the 5DMA, quite nicely, til yesterday. -- sometime yesterday was the exit point. Anyahoo playing.... (and having fun -- but of course)... (no ADX yet - shortly)
BTW: Anyone have a URL to a great site that deals with the arbitrage? Suncor trades on both sides of the border - seeing the differences. Today I see SU.TO down 37 and SU down 46. So I figure that is a big enough spread.. sure enough movements later they are both down about 56 --- the spread was going away. Just want to learn more about it.
SoB
EDIT +7%
Thanks - No I don't have it because it is not part of the free package. They also don't list it as an improvement in the other packages.
Good to know it is there and that is what I am looking for.
Thanks Cush
SoB
SC: Can you view a chart based on a specific time period?
When I pull up a standard candlestick chart I can choose the duration - 1mth; 3mths; 6mths; 1yr etc.
What I want to know is, can I see the "exact same chart" but pick a time range - say I want Aug 2003 - for 6mths.
Basically I want the standard graph but with the ability to pick a range (akin to the slider option with the PerfChart).
I find it is hard to read the screen when you want a long range - and yes you can increase the width but that only helps so much. If I want to follow trends and see how a stock reacted (with various indicators) I want to see say a "6mth" snap shot at a time.
The simple answer to this problem is - an "end" date other than today. (Right now it starts as "TODAY" then goes back 6mths).
Doesn't appear to be there - unless it was aleady thought of and in future releases. To me this is a value add based on a rather small programming job. ("Time" might be a factor; but not initially)
Nothing fancy today such as being able to show three years with a rolling 6mths via a slider. That I know would be a big job.
(I never read that this feature is available for paid members)
Thanks
Blake
PS: Why does the "compare plans"; under technical show "Run Scans Against Intraday Data" as being NO for all three. Is that a misprint? (I am thinking why show it if all three are no?)
Capital Gains?
What are they?
Rarely a problem for me as either:
(A) I have a huge capital gain offseted with a bunch of dawgs
or
(B) I hold until I have no capital gains. Just capital losses.
(B), as you can see gets folded in (A).
Your (USA) rules are specific and different than Canada which has no rules.
But my focus has started to change - I would rather take the gain and worry about the tax implications another day. (RRI for example).
But a solid long term blue chip - that you intend to hold for years (like an AIG or something), yes you are better off in the long run to hold with perhaps a "put option against the market" when required.
I deemed RRI not a long term hold so it was an easy call.
Anyahoo... yes lets change the subject...
Total!
blake
Thanks, as always FP for your helpful direction. And yes that was the bit and the what you should expect is a non-trending sloppy market at least 70% of the time is what I need to focus on.
Sadly, only a few months ago did I really start watching volume. I have read books in the past (Zweig, Lynch etc), but I am starting NOW to actually review my entire way of investing. Recent books have been on overall investment techniques, candlesticks, and technical analysis. I have started to watch Stochastics (s/b out 100% a day or two sooner than I was on RRI) and MA's plus the candlesticks. Touched on ADX and Bollinger, but I need to read much more on those in order for myself to "get it". And yes I may be somewhat in the "well the book says" mode - but at least my eyes are open for the first time - ever. Like yourself over the years, I have to see what works and what doesn't. Follow trends instead of emotion. Get out with a 5-10% loss than to sit with a much larger loss.
I somehow have this anxiety that I must get in - now is the time otherwise I will miss out on another opportunity. But there is no basis for my entry other than I know others have (CUX is perfect example). I am too late. There are thousands of stocks - not all have great entry points at this moment but there are many that do. I have, over the years, tended to buy stocks based on what I know others are doing - instead of doing my own leg work and trying to find out what is really out there. That has to change as well.
I just want to start trading smarter. Not to beat others but to improve myself. I decided a few years ago to ditch all mutual funds - for various reasons. My kid's RESP is self-directed at TD - and actually is one of the few accounts that is actually doing very well (even with the F*ING stupid Nortel buy in the $50's!). About 1/2 is in the royalty trusts - I have to think seriously about Acclaim - I have it mostly in the 10s/11s - serious profit there - and are they really worth $14 today? Should I dump and reload on really bad days? And if I do sell today and am wrong? SO WHAT - I MADE MONEY!!
I said "forget CPST" - I was prepared at 210-215 to exit. I failed myself. It sat within 2-210 for a week and then the rock went straight down. I added to CPST on the trend reversal - it was not convincing enough and I should not have added then. There is always a next time. Always.
PMZ - I had every chance known to make serious money and I flubbed it. That was pure and simple F*ING stupid trading. Not knowing how to get a RT quote on the road was just the icing on the cake. (the laughter)
I am not giving myself a chance to succeed. I am not thinking about each and every trade being important. Until I get a better handle if I get whipsawed out of a stock - forget it and move on - there are others - and to learn from that - by fine tuning my parameters - give myself a little more room. I am buying on the "hope" the stock might rebound, instead of waiting for it to actually turn around - and to see if there is a strong upward trend as you pointed out. I have started looking at charts more - and yes I do see where there are definite trends - and the confirmation or lack therein of strength. And yes I agree totally with the statement * buy into strength and sell weakness, "buying the dips" is not trend following. Absolutely!
You are doing that - and well. But I am NOT DOING THAT - and not doing that well.
I definitely am not saying that in the end I should have all winners and I am stupid ass to have losers. The game is played the way it is - there are losing positions and winning. A guy selling produce cannot possibly believe he will never have losses - he is selling perishables - losing is a big part of his business. Buying smarter and managing the losers - and fast - is what makes him successful. That is what I have to do.
To me - a $1000 investment losing 40% does not have the same impact as a $10000 investment losing 40%. But both are equal (% wise), and should be treated the same way. I tend to have too many "smaller" positions (not that small), and the impact is not there. As such, there is no focus. It is hard for me to play the pennies without being hit with a very quick and large loss - I just need to avoid that until I can start to think smarter. Definitely there are pennies with potential - I know that and have seen it with my own eyes - I just have to watch the exposure and hone my skills. Pick and choose wisely.
And as you probably noticed - I have no fear in telling it like it is. I make dumb mistakes (like paying too much for car insurance). I ask questions and want to know what others think. I haven't been beaten enough to hang my hat up. I will fight to the bitter end and will do well.
"Get in, get the money and get out."
"Get in, get the money and get out."
"Get in, get the money and get out."
(I rarely get out....)
Merci!
sOb
Yes, as I say I was lost and still am, but I feel so much better! I know now where I need to go...
Way way OT: My father got me interested in stocks when I was around 19/20 - but I wish I was shown more earlier in my life - as I will do with my two sons (not to say they are forced or anything [which they will be]; but to introduce). My son, Sexton Jr (6yr) has been in Tae Kwon Do for a year. The work involved to get him to class has been enough to wipe me out. I took him to tennis - only a few times and already he can hit the ball over the net in a way that totally amazed me - and he appears to truly enjoy it - he is so young that I don't think he understands the reason for Tae Kwon Do. He can see himself improving with tennis - makes a huge difference.
Today I was looking at my 2yr old - he is a fighter and built that way (been a problem actually as he tends to attack his older brother). Anyways, some of my fears are coming to fruition. His hat doesn't fit. Yet that is the same hat Sexton Jr wore - and to this day, Sexton Jr can fit into it. I joked that they would flip car seats (Sexton Jr back to his baby seat) But today I really fear the 2yr old will need different clothes than the 6yr old and that the 6yr old will fit into the 2yr old's clothes down the road. Crazy shit!
(tackler - that was good.. btw: Loved the first few seasons of All in the Family - they made Archie gentler as time went on and that took away a lot from the show (akin to Margaret on MASH). His role in Kelly's Heros, mind you, was bang on the money and priceless. That movie had so many stars. Yup, they don't make them like that anymore - I tell you what)
Thanks (I won't say anything about the glasses...)
Nickels and Dimes..
I have been investing since I was 20. I am doing ok but definitely could have done far better (esp with the 2000 highs). Ah well.
I have been playing pennies for quite a while. Definitely addictive. But for me getting in and out has been a problem - plus the inability to find a stock that rides a repetitive cycle. I have had success but nothing that would keep me wanting more. If you said you traded 60K for a 4cent spread thats $2400 in gains - which is nice. I am almost 100% I would have not done that and would probably lose my gain and worse - generate a loss --- unless it "popped" to above 50 or 60. (hence why I fail so much with these).
John pointed out about "40-45". Heck. Lady Luck must be shining on everyone but me. I have had zero luck with that methodology. Even PFE $40-45 (Dollars not cents) - when I bought at $40 broke and eventually hit lows in the $20's. By the time I see a "channel" pattern like that, it is too late.
As you and everyone can see - my entry and exit points are extremely poor (the word shit was used lately but not at me.. but I know that is what you are all thinking! I know.. you see.. you agree!!).
- CUX was minor;
- CPST has been brutal - and I want to ignore that one. (I added on what I thought was a an uptrend - which failed; but I chalk that up as experience). Lets ignore that I actually could have made serious money in the $3s.
- PMZ - a nightmare - get me outta here.
- I did buy SU on what I thought was a good entry point. (I will ignore the fact that it was good this time - only if I can post new picks that can do the same will it mean anything).
I am starting to change my evil ways - learning more about charting and trying to remove emotion and just get in and out - with the 5-10% losses and capitalize on the gains. My goal is to expand my horizon to be able to get out of one stock and into another at a moment's notice and not look back. Part of this includes ridding myself of the pennies until I can increase my portfolio size considerably. Actually to move into stocks that trade north of $10 is what I want to do. Reduced risk = reduced reward. But that is ok. Canadian if I can find them - but US (with currency fluctuations in the forefront) if I have to.
Some of the issues I have had with pennies have been:
(A) the large spreads (bid/ask) and thin trading;
- I see a pattern of say 24-28 and try to ride it - not successfully. A few times I have bot at 24 sold at 28 then re-bot at 24 - but then it goes to 22-23 to 25 (why sell with a penny profit?) but then back down below 22 and so the tale of the tape goes. Failure. Woulda shoulda coulda. Yet it is up 2 cents today - but can you sell it?
(B) they tend to meander down (slowly) and just sit there for months/years)
- BKB (IMI) did that but eventually did get re-promoted. But that is just foolish dead money. Buying at 10 cents might seem like a LOW.. but then it goes to 6 cents. You can't sell it - you are stuck. Do you buy more? Some are luckier than others.
(C) they sometimes consolidate - and that to me has been a serious death blow.
- Even though I lost money on Hemosol (HML) - when I heard consolidation, I ran for the hills. Sometimes they work, but for me, it is a crap shoot. (HML didn't work; just good money after bad if I continued with it).
- Acclaim Energy (AE) is one of the few that has done very well.
- I am still in a wait and see with Redback.
Consolidation should be foremost on most investors mind - but I think it is more of fleeting thing.
- BKB - I bot at 6 and 8 cents - thinking that was as low as it could go. And I had thousands - it consolidated (1 for 6) and then post consolidation - yup managed to meander down again to the 10s - before its epic climb into the DOT.BOMB stratosphere. (Gratefully I bot enough at 6/8 to still have thousands in post consolidation; but there was always the thought - should I have bot more when it fell to 10cents again?????)
- I have others that have consolidated - or are sitting so low that they probably will consolidate.
BKB (IMI) fell into the pattern my dad followed for years - 10 cents -> $1. They would sit at 10c for a year or two. Then move up slowly - to say 20-30 over months. Then over a week climb to 40 then pop to $1 then back down to 50.. then meander down to 10 again - slowly. This "promotion" cycle, is what my father loved. I rode it in 1990 - missed the next one, and then got in for the 6cent version before they took off again - the 3rd time I saw it though - it consolidated -- the party was over (excluding the net pop).
But then he wasn't heavy into them - and that is the point of this post - the over exposure.
My father had been buying Bell stock (employee) for years - getting the employee discount - and hoarding it. The pennies was the side bet. But for me it has been almost 30-40% and at times greater. And for someone that can't even get into/out of a large stock, this is definitely not a good thing.
Today I have junk in all accounts. Poor execution - all over the place. Likes of AQI; FCO; CPT .. and on and on it goes. Stars like SU; RRI happen - and seem to negate the other poor holdings - but I am stalled.
I have to move into the world of - limiting my exposure to these (less than 5%). To have one - at most two of them. Then if something else comes around FORCE myself into either ignoring or eliminating the existing FIRST then get into the new one. I can afford to lose a few thousand on these but that is all.
Also I have to refine and improve execution. RRI - I got out mid-10s - that was "so/so" ok. But the $9 trades - that was poor.
I have to convince my brain (the minor one north of my neck), that I have to GET OUT NOW - CAPTURE THAT PROFIT and NOT WORRY ABOUT THE GOOSE. There are others Sexton - you made a great profit. If it turns around - eat the few points and perhaps try again. But don't hold on as it drops "hoping" it will turn back up for the better.
This entire post has zero to do with the success of anyone with these things. I have been beaten and bruised - repeatedly - I must acknowledge that and move on. I will manage how I can to get out of the ones I have but I have to turn over a new leaf. I know I can be successful at investing. I just feel I would rather deal with stocks with real earnings; real growth and real volume. Where a stock pattern means something. Sure I own PM stocks which may pan out nicely - I can only hope. Less interested in the potential for giant gains with a 30cent stock cracking $1. (And I do not wish to debate the meaning of "real this or real that"; secondly - CPST does not fit into this category either; RRI might - as I posted on SI..)
I know what isn't working for me - that is step 1. I finally acknowledge that.
Hopefully I can contribute to this great forum (the only thing I read at all outside Business Week and investment books) - with some interesting buy candidates in the future.
Finally, "It's not good bye, just good night."
Cheers all!!!!!!!!
Sextonian
Nana Mouskouri
I used to stand on the corner when I was a child
And I would play my guitar and sing as the people went by
The sidewalks were crowded, but I'd just sing louder 'cause I didn't mind
Spending my time, spending my rhymes, and singing for nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes, a song at a time for nickels and dimes
I'd brighten their day as they'd go on their way and they'd brighten mine
A sidewalk rehearsal for dreams that I held in my mind
I knew that someday, in my own special way, I'd repay all their nickels and dimes
I recall the sidewalks each night as I stand on the stage
As I play my guitar and sing for the people who pay
'Cause finally, I made it to what they all call the Big Time
But I still remember I still owe some nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes, a song at a time for nickels and dimes
A sidewalk rehearsal for dreams that I held in my mind
So, if you remember a child on the corner of time,
You'll know that I wrote this to repay your nickels and dimes
(repeat and fade out)
(PS: Stupid me for posting Ontario has a holiday - as if it is the only place that matters (ahem) - I think most provinces have a day off Monday. I meant to say the TSX is closed and that Monday hopefully can be a good day for CPST).
Yes Frank enjoy. Ontario has civic holiday Monday. Hopefully CPST can continue it's upward journey on that day - a critical day in my books.
Cheers yourself et al!
Blake
Coolbrands International - Scammers
IMO: They have always done slight of hand tricks.. well here is a doozie..
..
and the regulators rolled back trades made yesterday!! -- read me!
Dumped remainder of RRI (955-980).
Not exactly an elegant exit.. a great holding nonetheless.
sob
Test: "Oh the red red robin is bob bob bobbin along.." -- is "sung" by a woman (of a popular dual female sitcom) - in what movie?
(name the movie and the name of the character on the sitcom).
BTW - is that Larry's escape plane from ORCL?
At $10.10.. and dropping still further.. me thinks it may come in handy soon.. (JUNK!)
(Ah yes.. the true SoB has spoken...)
SoB
With IE it is harder since right click only copies the LINK not the picture.
To get the picture you need to:
RIGHT-CLICK over picture
Properties
Then "copy" the Address (URL)
And paste that:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/itemimages/lg-51359-0-3329.jpg
.... Netscape/Mozilla is infinitely better.
Not only can you do this stuff easier/faster with NS/Moz, you can have a "GROUP" bookmark - then click that - and it opens TABS automatically.
I have that for myself and opens my Trading site, Yahoo - portfolio 1, Yahoo - Portfolio 2, Stock Charts; iHUB; Kitco gold price etc
-- One button
-- Opening MULTIPLE sites
-- within ONE browser
-- with multiple TABS
-- and built in popup blocker.
And co-exists with IE no problem.
(sold yet? go here)
What browser you using?
Netscape/Mozilla - right-click gives you two:
COPY LINK LOCATION.
That is what you posted:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/largeimage.cfm?itemID=/market/itemimages/51359-0-3329.jpg&dummy....
COPY IMAGE LOCATION:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/itemimages/lg-51359-0-3329.jpg
(*TRIM HTTP AND POST THE IMAGE NOT THE LINK*)
[*chart]no http.. jpg/gif[*/chart]
(remove the *)
(AND YOU MUST REMOVE THE *HTTP://* before posting)
test <- yes a test!
Bob: So Sexton O. Blake -- what did you do for fun this weekend?
SOB: Well Bart - BTW thanks for asking, and I love your tie - but not as much as I love your wife..
Dave: Whoops folks.. that was a slip.. anyways.. Sexton what did you do for fun....
SOB: Well I spent all my free time posting on the TEST board.. and.. (mic abruptly cut off)
Dave: Man that's gotta hurt... but not half as much as it will when I'm finished with you..
Bob: Reeeeeejected!!!
Anyahoo ONEBGG - Not sure about the size - but the real estate required is not worth it (unless I don't want to waste time saving and manipulating the size myself -- of external pics - comes in handy). With the SIG I could make mine smaller (I thought the size was "reasonable" - but I may cut it down - it is in Photodraw (.MIX) so I can easily reduce proportionally and then update. That way I don't need to mess with numbers and keep my quotes.
Tried size=50 and size=50% to no avail (didn't fail but didn't adjust the size either) -- to me that is more valuable a feature than width/height - you need to know the original and then play with the numbers - as your example is shown the 2nd plane is horizontally squished too much.
Thanks for the help..
Yeah.. YOU TRY!!.. TRY IS RIGHT!!
HA! Thanks. I will play with that.. can you use "SIZE" though? (WIDTH & HEIGHT - you need to play around.. but with SIZE it is a change in both directions automatically)...
Let me tell you a story of a man name Ted, a poor mountaineer who never owned a thread, then won day when he was watching the big tube.. up poor a crock and made him swear real rude.. AOL that is.. taking out Time Warner..
Test again. The last time. LAST I TELL YOU.. LAST.
(until_next_time.COM)
SOOOOOB
URL in SIG - got it working.. but..
The problem is (A) the boxes that you enter the sig and quotes are not big enough (B) the boxes do not say "maximum xx chars".
So I had too much in the box and it just kept being truncated.
I suppose a novelette shouldn't be in the sig.. thats all.
Anyahoo.. as Judy Garland would say.. this can't be home.. I can't find my valium...
Oh well.. for now my quote from "DJ Tiësto" is more important than a URL. But still should be increased. (any known list of "wishes"?)
SoB
We represent the test league, the test league, the test league, and in the name of the test leagggggggue.. we want to you give you options in our very own test leagggggguueee...
We welcome you to our test league.. fa la la la la la, la la la, la la la... we welcome you to our test leaggggue..
You will go bust, go bust, go bust.. you will go bust.. in the hall of shame..
(TESTING.COM) again..
Tuco would call you a filthy pig.. a son of a ***** and spit on you.. then kill you.
(.COM)
but a test nonetheless.
Test.
Once again I must say that it was a beautiful morning.
Thanks Mr. Rogers. Oh, and BTW, love the sweater...
blake!
(too bad you can't have *URL*TAG* in the signature....)
Test.
Testing 1-2-3.. simpletons.. 1-2-3..
I AM TIRED OF EVERY FRIGGING PERSON IN HERE THAT POSTS A SUBJECT TEST. SICK AND TIRED.
(But yes.. this is merely a test...)
Sir Blakith Sexith of Not Enoughith.
All Hands on Deck... Queig has taken over and we are going down!
(You are a tackler.. but not a lurker!)
As Donny never ages - impregnated with Dick Clark genes - I am sure that is a promo picture of him for $100,000 Pyramid right? (yes a Dick Clark production..nykk nykk)
Anyahoo TD has fixed my account - but intead of 69 + CIL (Cash for the fraction shares) they just show 69 shares. I have to review the deal and see if I am to get money or not and also await. Well I have two 69s so I at least am a little horny.
Everything in the dumper for me except SU.. whoops spoke too soon that is sucking wind too.. (wind created by perhaps a maximus exodus of goldicus investors..)
Probably abandon the RRI train today..
Blakicus Nasticus. Me so hornicus.
How to turn $5K into $12K with TD!!!
I had a small position of CQL left. 500 shares. (whatever!).
Today I see in my account:
695 shares Cyries (CYS) ~ $6/shr
347 Progress Energy Trust (PGX.UN) ~$12.75/shr
695 shares ProEx Energy (PXE) ~ $6/shr
CQL was at $10.50 when it closed
Do the math!!! A $5000 investment turned into $12750! HA!!
They f'ed up (first time for me) on the shares. I should have had only 69.5 (me thinks they do not round up and I end up with 69 shrs and 0.5 is paid in cash).
Anyahoo.. I am depressed with having to sell my winning RRI ... and even worse at CPST's lackluster start this AM...
(is anyone listening? Lurkers come hither and zither!!)
Sexy..
Anyways love those 69's friends.. and me got two!!...