Larry Levin's Blog – December 2012 Archive (9)

Secret Trading Tip #7

Five Ways to Stay Focused In Scary Markets

In the fallout from the 2008 global financial crisis, there have been moments that have been driven by pure fear. These are the moments when it can be hard to maintain your composure and trade your plan. Unfortunately, these big days are the times when you need that composure the most. Here is a quick lesson in why it is important to keep focused in a scary market and how to achieve that…

Merry Cliffmas

boy-disappointed-with-gift

 With Friday’s down market, the reality has sunk it that it may very well be left to Santa to find a few trillion in spending cuts. Volume was high with triple witching expiration, but the markets headed south after Boehner’s failed plan B Thursday night and then Congress’ departure for the holiday.

They will return on December 27th but this means that they have four days after the Christmas…

Secret Trading Tip #30

Advanced Technical Indicators - Bollinger Bands

Let's take another look at a more advanced technical tool - Bollinger Bands. These were developed by John Bollinger in the 1980s. In simple terms, they use a simple moving average and standard deviations to give a different perspective on potential highs and lows.

Bollinger Bands have a middle band and two outer bands.

The middle band shown on this indicator is a moving average,…

No Deal

argument-cartoon



After the markets had closed last Friday, reports surfaced that House Speaker John Boehner went to the White House for a special meeting with president Obama.  Would a “fiscal cliff” deal be reached as Congress left for its Christmas break?



Over the weekend Congressional aides told reporters of the weekend meetings and what was said.  Mr. Boehner once again inched closer to what…

Secret Trading Tip #22

What is day trading?



Day trading is probably one of the most misunderstood labels in the industry. Some people might picture a random trader acting like a cowboy just buying and selling with pure abandon. Others might imagine a seasoned vet pouring over charts and analysis, looking for a chance to try to scoop up a few points here or there. Let’s set the record straight on what day trading does…

Worm in the Apple

apple worm

The financial wheel of misfortune landed on the Apple stock space Friday, even though the broad market ended up okay. Has the once sacred AAPL suddenly become the forbidden fruit?

After flirting with a closely watched area on the charts that analysts refer to as the "death cross," APPL has fallen from the tree as the stock's 50 day moving average is now below its 200 day moving average, and is off more than 23…

Secret Trading Tip #17

Good News and Bad News



One of the biggest moments for the markets can come when there is a key news release or fresh fundamental data. Buyers and sellers seem to wrestle with the potential outcome, and in the case of larger announcements, volatility goes through the roof. The problem that I see some traders struggle with is knowing what news to look for, and how to trade it.…

We're Nowhere

boehner

Over the weekend talk continued on the fiscal cliff negotiations. The Sunday political programs, like “This Week” led with it.

The best part of the prior video is the end when we’re reminded that Tax-Cheatin-Timmy will no longer be Treasury Secretary in 2013.

Last Friday, Speaker Boehner held another press conference in which he said about the…

Enforcer Tuesday

tuesday

From black Friday to cyber Monday to enforcer Tuesday, today’s news moves from the shopping mall to the regulatory milieu.

First, SAC Capital Advisors LP fund manager Mathew Martoma was released on $5 million bail on Monday after making his first appearance in a New York court on charges of making illegal trades that hedge fund titan Steven A. Cohen personally signed off on. Martoma was…