Stock market day trading thread

**clovis** · #**221** 03/30/11, 04:52 PM

Decisions, decisions...

Last week, or when the market was down, I bought T (ATT). It is up $3 a share already!!!

I've been super solid on my buy and hold strategy for accumulating dividend stocks. There is a dividend bubble occurring right now, for the ex-date is coming up. I'm not sure whether to clip off a nice profit right now, and forget the dividend, or to just hold it out with my original strategy, not caring about the up and downs of the stock.

mrpink · #**222** 03/30/11, 05:55 PM

the good thing about investing\trading stocks is that there is so many ways to do it. no way is really wrong as long as your making a profit.
clovis my thinking is A) 43 cents a share dividend compared to B) $3 per share profit.

my question here would be would it be wise place a sell trailing stop order in this case at say $1 or $2 below the current price? If my understanding is correct that would still allow you to sell at a profit if the price went down while allowing you to hold onto the stock as long as it was going up.

willow_girl · #**223** 03/30/11, 11:08 PM

Way to go Clove!!!

devittjl · #**224** 03/31/11, 01:20 PM

So I decided to get back into the fray. Earlier this year I sold all my non-retirement investments to become debt-free (except for the house) and set up my emerency fund.

I now have added money back to my brokerage to start option trading again.

This week I bought/sold APA May 135 Calls for a 14.7% profit and INFA may 52.5 calls for a 4.1% profit. I am up $216 this week (actualy in 2 days). I sold a little early, but I am always reminded of this quote "I have never lost money selling at a profit"

I also have a SPY put I am sitting on as a hedge. I think the market is ready to turn for a couple of days as volume has been light and with the market up a lot of people are ready to capture profits or cover shorts.

#**225** 03/31/11, 01:43 PM

Since today is the last day of the quarter, I considered buying a couple RUT puts at the close tomorrow, or earlier if there is a clear rollover top. I'm thinking April 845 puts. Remember, historically the first of the month, and especially the first of the quarter is up. Largely because thats when many retirement funds buy in. In the Russell2000, over the past 12 months, the index has moved up a combined total of 60 points on the firsts of the month, and only 6 on the seconds of the months. So, statistically, a put would be 10 times more likely to pay off by buying at the close on the first of the month. The S&P, underlying for the SPY would likely have responded in the same manner as the Russell, I merely posted the Russell results because I have them on hand.

willow_girl · #**226** 03/31/11, 03:05 PM

Quote:

"I have never lost money selling at a profit"

I gotta remember that line!

Well, I dumped my CGC today. Made $100 (on a $5 stock!) after holding it for three months. The board of directors is going to vote on a merger tomorrow; it may pay off, but I decided to grab my profits and run. DH bought into it, so I'll keep an eye on what it's doing (and if it goes sky-high, he'll surely let me know. LOL!)

mrpink · #**227** 04/01/11, 12:15 AM

willowgirl how does pds look to you? how would it fit into your trading style?

willow_girl · #**228** 04/01/11, 07:32 AM

Greg, I took a quick look and I really like the looks of that company. It's profitable, and I think that's a good sector to get into right now. The only hitch I see is that it's already trading at the top of its 52-week price range (or very close to it) ... so the gamble is on whether it will go higher! But I'd think it has a very good chance.

Good luck!

mrpink · #**229** 04/01/11, 10:30 AM

its true that it is at its 52 week high. closed at it yesterday and up another 2% so far today.earnings are scheduled to be released 18th according to scottrades earnings calender. I find that odd because its quarter just ended yesterday. I'm gonna watch it a bit I think

mrpink · #**230** 04/03/11, 01:25 PM

any picks for the upcoming week?

willow_girl · #**231** 04/03/11, 09:48 PM

I like GPC.

mrpink · #**232** 04/08/11, 01:58 AM

last week I got my scottrade account set up and funded. jumped in a bought some stock today ( well I guess yesterday since its nearly 2 am now). guess we will see how long I last now. was up $19 at market close. maybe with a little luck I'll do ok

willow_girl · #**233** 04/08/11, 07:48 AM

What did you buy???

I have been getting smacked around by the market lately. Can't seem to catch a break! Made $170 last week, but the big goose egg thus far this week ... I'd be happy just to be in the black!

**clovis** · #**234** 04/08/11, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpink

last week I got my scottrade account set up and funded. jumped in a bought some stock today ( well I guess yesterday since its nearly 2 am now). guess we will see how long I last now. was up $19 at market close. maybe with a little luck I'll do ok

WTG, Pink!!! Hope you make a million!!!!!

mrpink · #**235** 04/08/11, 12:30 PM

I bought fsin I've been watching it lately. as of now it is up 4% from my buy in price. at one point this morning it was only 3 cents from my 5% goal

mrpink · #**236** 04/10/11, 02:10 PM

after I posted my last post the market took it all away except for $7.20. oh well tomorrow is a new week. new quarterly earnings season is about to open. I am trying to look about 6 weeks in advance to give me time to watch the stocks and mull over my thoughts on them. my list for the next two weeks is pretty slim. I'll be watching pds for a chance to buy. its done well since the 1st when I started watching it.

willow_girl · #**237** 04/10/11, 10:46 PM

The market giveth and the market taketh away ...

I will be living vicariously through you for the next week as I have other money-making fish to fry at the momemt (my annual plant/antique/book sale is coming up next Saturday!). I have my sells set so if (by some miracle) any of my stock goes in the black next week, eTrade will dump it for me ... I can only hope!

mrpink · #**238** 04/11/11, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

The market giveth and the market taketh away ...

I will be living vicariously through you for the next week as I have other money-making fish to fry at the momemt (my annual plant/antique/book sale is coming up next Saturday!). I have my sells set so if (by some miracle) any of my stock goes in the black next week, eTrade will dump it for me ... I can only hope!

if the rest of the week goes like today you'll be better off frying those other fish. out of 14 stocks on my watch list 11 of them are negative today. one of the three is up 8% the other two around 1%. my stock is about $40 in the hole today.maybe things will be better tomorrow

tarbe · #**239** 04/11/11, 08:05 PM

You guys must have strong stomachs!

I have what amounts to 1.5% of my savings in a particular Roth IRA. That is the only money I can let myself play with in this manner....I am such a risk averse guy it is sad.

Must have something to do with that Lehman Brothers and GM stock I used to own.

I have been holding some Positron Corp (POSC) since mid December, waiting on a "big run". Bought at 4 cents, it went to 5, dropped back below 4 and now is back up just above 4. I could have sold at 5 cents and made 25%....except the gain happened right at the holidays (Christmas and New Years) and by the time I got back in the game....too late!

Rule number 1: Never go to sleep on your stocks...or at least put sell orders in!

My other play right now is WHX, Whiting USA Trust, an REIT with a nearly 16% dividend payout. I bought it with the thought that I would just sit on it and collect the dividends....but trading is too much fun! I might put a sell order in at a 10% gain...if it goes up and sells, I'll have to buy something else!

Be careful out there, all.

Tim

mrpink · #**240** 04/11/11, 09:52 PM

I'm only down $33 and I don't believe i'll have to sell at a loss so no worries yet, though I would feel much better if I was still ahead.