Pre-open 10-31-2006...

I'm back after a slight delay after the Halloween Weekend. The holiday is also my birthday, so the partying was insane and there was no way I was going to have time to post. But that's the past, I am back and posting with a new watchlist.

Currently, I am still in CNB and BBX. Both stocks are basically flat since I entered the trades last week. This is happening a little to regularly now, stocks just flatlining. I don't know exactly what is happening and I am not, not going to change my system, but I would like to figure out why stocks were popping in the past but are now just languishing. I am worried about BBX because I was up 1%, but have given that profit away. It is almost as if I need to start taking profits early, but, again, I am not going to change my method.

Watch list: CBSS, EAGL, JDAS, NOC, UFPI.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Post open 10-27-2006...

Again, running late with no time to catch up. I will post the CNB and BBX trades soon, I promise, not that you really need to see them, the chart should be obvious enough.

Watch List: FRX, MOLX, NTRS

A down day? Maybe? Is it possible?

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-26-2006

Real quick. I placed trades in BBX and CNB yesterday (against my preconcieved notions on trading on FED days, but...) and I'll post my notes some time today. The trades are okay so far.

Watch List: ELK, GGC, AEIS, AF, FCS, and MTG. I like FCS best but likely won't be trading today.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-25-2006...

Still shocking markets, but I'll take it. A couple of nice charts for tomorrow, but it will be very difficult to trade in the face of the FOMC decision in the afternoon. We will see.

Watch: BBX, CNB, FRX, LEG, and PHM. PHM is reporting earnings after the close on Wednesday so I won't be trading it, but I wanted to include in my list because it does have a nice engulfing and on any other day I'd be tempted to watch it.

A couple of my long term stocks are reporting as well, so tomorrow will be busy (BER, WBSN-after the close on Tuesday, was up).

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-24-2006...

A couple of things. I closed my KRC trade yesterday. The stock did not signal a sell due to reaching a stop loss, but it did have a 0.5% intraday gain and I cashed out. I bought the stock over 10 days ago and it was going nowhere. My goal is not to ride stocks for days and days, rather just catch a ride and get out.

Sold 1.025 shrs @ $75.493 for net of KRC: +$4.53 or +3.02%

As for a watch list, I found six charts I like (although my script download a whopping 325!!!). Obviously, the market and most stocks are short-term overbought, so finding only .5% good looking charts is not surprising.

Watch List: CBSS, EWBC, IART, DBD, AMAT, and YHOO. A couple of these stocks could use a basing day to reassure the appropriate indicators, but given the fact that the market looks to be lower, I will be surprised if I actually make a move.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Weekend Update and Watch List (10-22-2006)...

Two posts in one this Sunday morning. First, my commentary on the SPY is given, as short as it is. The market is just amazing right now. Still way overbought, still rising, but I am still calling for a minor retracement, now to $135.25 although I'd really like to see $131.00, just to shake out the mo-mo players. I did notice a volume pattern over the last 6 trading days starting with a high volume price decline followed by decreasing lower volume price increases. If the pattern follows through, Monday should be a down day on high volume (distribution days? maybe). Other than that, the chart is beautiful in both 3 month and 3 year timeframes. What a great time to be in the market!

My notes:

And for a Monday morning watch list: HD, KSE, BBX, and UHS. KSE is an interesting play as it is a takeover play that is below the buy price, I would likely not trade it.

A note: I was wondering why my current trades are so slow to move, ie small volatility. I believe it is because in July, when had good trades that boomed, the market was rising, but coming off a bottom. Whereas in October, the market is still rising, but may be tiring. I guess the VIX supports the volatility arguement. I don't know. It is just frustrating to have good winners this month, but not in the 3-5% range, now in the 1-2.5% range. Money is still money, I guess.

I did sell my MNT position as it twice dipped below my initial stop loss. The first time I acted subjectively and did not sell--never again. On Friday it did the same thing and I sold. Of course, the stock popped due to good news, but I am happy to be out. Back to the land of objectivity.

MNT: -$1.71 or -1.14%

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-20-2006...

Well, got lucky with the rule breaking yesterday. MNT recovered nicely and saved me some cash, so I'll take it. As for how to handle these issues in the past, we'll see. Today I just want to concentrate on my current positions and hope options expiration does not send the stocks wheeling. I also found 4 charts out of the 252 candidates yesterday.

Watch: PKG, SGMS, CMX, and PNC

Good luck all and happy Friday,
Aaron Zimmerman

Buying and Breaking Rules...

Late to post again, but what is new? Two trades entered yesterday, HCR (round 2) and MNT with marginal success, you can see my notes. Currently, both trades are still in play as is KRC. That stock won't move from 75, but I am trying to keep true to my rules. On the other hand, I did play some subjectivity this morning as MNT took out my lower stop, but it was tight and it rebounded nicely, as should happen based on a support level.

HCR 2:

MNT:

I had a watch on WOOF this morning, but it is up and running. I am already in positions, so I'll pass.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-18-2006...

I needed yesterday, a down day now and then really helps overextended markets like the current one. Sure, I lost a little on MCSS as it traded down before I could sell, but it was still up overall and I held it for over a week. I needed out! Also, it is important to remember that I am working on a system, and had I not been restricted by trading windows, I could've got out sooner based on my pre-determined stop loss. It would have save a percent or so...

I sold 3.95596 shrs at $19.747 for the following total profit:

MCSS: +$6.95 or +4.65%

As for tomorrow, I did find 8 charts out of 154 download that looked good. One thing I can say I am proud of is HCR. I am including it in my watch list although it took me for a loss last week. That was last week and this is now. I never play shoulda, woulda, coulda with the markets. Every day is new. Also, BPOP, also in the list, took me to the dump in my Roth IRA long-term holdings due to their earnings release. Still, if I can double up on the way back using my strategy, even better!

Watch List: MNT, PAS, BPOP, CL, HWAY, VECO, SFD, HCR.

Well, enough waxing poetic, let us see what the new day brings,

Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-17-2006...

Could the market actually have a down day? Futures are nicely lower this morning and I am planning on exiting my positions in MSCC and KRC if their trailing stops are hit. The bearish tone I am presenting is because I am waiting for a pullback in a few stocks so I can increase my position (in IRA long-term holdings). Also, I am having a hard time finding new charts that I like. Yesterday was 1 chart out of 95 and today is 2 out of 155! So, I am looking for a pullback or consolidation just for a few days then the uptrend is more than welcome to continue.

Stocks to watch: PEP and PHTN.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Next Week (10-16-2006)...

Again, I'll post my observations on the SPY daily and weekly charts, although I'm batting a nice goose egg so far. But, it is good practice for looking at individual stock charts during the week and reminding myself that the market is irrational and the charts may be just wrong. Therefore, money management is key, not going for it all on every trade.

Once again, the SPY's are well overbought, but still trending up. On the daily chart, the CCI is turing up and the slow stochastics are crossing, yet rising. The big volume day on Wednesday may be an sign and I would like to see at least a pullback to 135.30 or so. In reality, I'd like a pullback to 134 just to shake out some mo-mo players. On the weekly chart, it is just beautiful, who'd of known? The declining volume may be a sign, but it is nothing overly concerning. I am not a big volume player, I just watch the price and want it to go up on stocks I own--it's that simple.

Here are my notes:

As for trades on Monday, I'll be watching my MSCC and KRC trades. KRC exploded on Friday and I'm expecting a slight pullback or a hard push to $76.50. That would be spectacular! I am only watching YHOO for new trade. Given this stock's action, I will likely pass.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Taking profits...

Today I took some profits off the table, 1) KRC just exploded on high volume and hit my first target and 2) MSCC as it hit $20 and I've been holding it for over a week. On the flipside, I also close my HCR trade as it hit my stop loss. The stop loss was tight, but trading morning stars may not be best...

The details: Sold 1.025 shrs of KRC at $77.15 and 3.95595 shrs of MSCC @ $19.927. Also sold 3.02302 shrs of HCR @ $49.07.

HCR: -$1.67 or -1.11%

I'll post the other P/L data when I close the entire positions.

I'll be posting my take on the SPY charts later along with a watch list later this weekend.

For now,
Masterjaz out

HRC...

The flurry of trading has not calmed as the market just keeps giving me plenty of excuses to keep trading. I entered a half position in HRC this morning after it completed the 'morning star' although not of the stricted standard. Normall, I would not like the tail today to enter into yesterday's real body, but looked nice and the trade fit all my criteria.

My notes:

I was very tempted to take some profits in MSCC as it has seen a run and my targets are very aggressive, but I held pat. It turned out to be a good thing given the market's late day move. As always, I'll be monitoring my trades, posting a watch list, and trying to keep my head on!

For now,
Masterjaz out

Lots of Activity...

Today was crazy busy, trading left and right. Closed CBB after it hit a downside stop. Sold half HYDL after it hit my first target (although it retreated dramatically) and then sold the other half after it declined towards the end of the day. Finally, I bought into KRC (for the second time) after it printed a bottom doji and engulfing on Monday and Tuesday.

CBB: (not posted earlier) sold 16.09442 shrs @ $4.779, then sold 16.09442 shrs @ $4.85
HYDL: sold 1.4689 shrs @ $52.284, then sold 1.47642 shrs @ $51.303

Net trade info:

CBB: +$4.97 or +3.31%
HYDL: +$2.54 or +1.69%

As for my notes on KRC:

I still have MSCC still inplay and have these stocks to watch tomorrow: WLV, MCO, EXAR, JDSU, TXN, HCR, MCK.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-10-2006...

This market is amazing. I've been calling for a consolidation/pullback for a couple weeks now, but the indicies keep rising. I'll take it as both my trading portfolio and retirement portfolio are following the indicies nicely. On the flipside, it does make it hard to find trading candidates.
I flipped through >250 charts last night and only found two that I like. KRC and USPI were the only two charts that fit my trading criteria, although KRC burned me recently, so I am a little gunshy there. MSCC also formed a bullish engulfing yesterday, so hopefully it will work its way higher.
I'm nearly 100% invested and likely won't initiate any new positions today, but maybe the one of the stocks listed above will surprise me. It may also be that CBB hits a stop loss. Also, with oil down this morning, HYDL has me slightly worried. Boy has that stock been volatile.

For now,
Masterjaz out

HYDL...

I am actually on my game this morning and am posting my trade in HYDL practically in realtime. Stock looked good this morning and is forming a nice base here. I hope to get the gap filled plus some. I actually pulled up my 'trade rules' this morning and HYDL fit the bill. Sector up, oil up, good CCI and stochastic support, and the markets were flat. So, I positioned half a normal trade and expect the best.

My notes:

On a separate note, I am still very subjective and wishy-washy on how I trade stocks that have met their first target and are now bound by 1% target/stop loss. The question I have not answered is: do I take action if the target is met at anytime or do I wait to see what action to take near the trading window? For example, CBB hit my lower target of 4.73 early this morning and then advanced. Should I close my position or keep it open as it is well within its range near my 11am windows? I waited, but I don't know if this is best. If this were a true stop loss, the trade would've closed at that point, so maybe I should enjoy the few cents gained since the alert and close. I will have to argue this with myself for sometime before coming to a conclusion.

For now, happy trading,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-09-2006...

Another quick post with my Monday watch list and a quick check on the SPY chart. There were not too many good looking charts over the weekend as many were overbought. I keep thinking this market will consolidate soon, but it has not happened. In the meantime watch: HYDL, TSN, VTIV. Personally, the TSN chart looks great and a most stocks do not go down 7-8 days in a row without a small bounce.

As for the status of the markets. I have annotated the SPY daily and weekly charts once again and am amazed at how overbought the markets are. For two weeks now I've been calling for a pullback and have been dead wrong. I actually don't mind being wrong, but I am afraid the higher we go without a consolidation/pullback, the worse it will be.

Again, I like the 131 support level and would like to see a pullback there. A new support level at ~132.80 may also come into play. Even 134 looks like support based on the action last week. Both the CCI and Stochastics are rolling over and Friday's candle is not affirming, but maybe the market will continue. Check my notes:


For now,
Masterjaz out

MSCC...

Another post well after the fact, but I still wish to record the trade. I bought MSCC on a nice bottom reversal (or so it appears).

Notes:

Additionally, I took some profits on CBB after it hit my first upside target. It sure is nice to have a winning trade. Activity in CBB is now based on trailing stops.

Sold 16.09442 shares at $4.78.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Post-open 10-05-2006...

Of course I am running late--quick watch list: BOL, ARXX, AIN, MSCC, SNIC, FOE, OCR, AMD, ESRX.

See if you like any,
Masterjaz out

CBB...(Late)

I really want to keep my blog up-to-date, but I am having a hard time doing so. Not so much for the readers, but for myself, to keep me honest and interactive with my trading. I put half a position in an interesting play. CBB formed a bullish engulfing on Tuesday, but was promptly downgraded Wednesday morning before the open. The stock held strong for much of the morning and I bought that strength--actually, I bought near the high of the day, no surprise. Nonetheless, it remained strong to the close (and is actually looking okay this morning). So, it was an unusual play, but still satisfied my criteria.

Notes:

For now,
Masterjaz out

Oh, the agony, losing trades...

As I alluded to earlier, I had some losses to post today including September overall. This market is just not working for me, but I am not giving up. I'll be posting a trade in CBB I made this morning.

Sold 2.94358 shrs of NX at $29.644 and 1.98675 shrs of KRC at $73.733.

NX: -$2.74 or -3.04%

KRC: -$3.51 or -2.34%

September stats now that NX is closed: -$9.09 or -4.51%

By far my worst month, but, in retrospect, I think it is okay. I was going to say that I was away for the beginning of the uptrend, but not quite. I resumed trading on 9/11, when the new uptrend started, but my choices have not followed the trend. Oh well. October hopefully will be a good month.

For now,
Masterjaz out

At the open, 10-04-2006...

Once again I am well behind schedule, yet, nobody is looking at this blog, so I am sure nobody will be upset. This market is killing me, two more loses over the last two weeks and an overall loss for September. I don't know about you, but all this new high stuff sure is not helping my stocks (both my swing trades or my Roth IRA 'stable' stocks). I was tempted to stop trading for a while thinking that this market is impossible and still overbought, like I've been saying, but I think I will stick to my guns, find the setups and hope everything works out. I have not changed anything, as far as I can tell, and the method worked in the past. I know it will work again. Also, the losses have been relatively minor thanks to good money managment.

Watch List: CASY, SGR, SYNA, ADSK, SRZ, BOW, CBB, BSX, AVID

I'll be posting my latest trade results and a September summary very soon, hopefully.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-03-2006...

Quick post, running late in looking at charts and getting ready for the day. Again, most charts are significantly overbought and just don't look tradable.

Watch List: CEC, NLS, AMB, NPO, ETH

Good luck. I'll be watching KRC and NX to see how they are working this morning.

For now,
Masterjaz out

KRC...

A little late posting this, but oh well. I took a half position in KRC in the afternoon window. This is one of my first trades based on action after the usual morning trade window. This stock looked good in the morning, but the market and sector were not cooperating, and I am sticking to my rules. By the afternoon, everything was green and ready to go. The stock fell slightly into the close, but it should be ready to go. Check my notes to see the appropriate charts and trade data.

KRC:

The NX trade is just about stopped out. What a bear, but a small loss in both percentage and dollar terms. The overall markets are very overbought right now, one reason I only took a half position in KRC.

For now,
Masterjaz out

Pre-open 10-02-2006...

Like last week, I will attempt to provide my thoughts on the market based on the SPY 3-month daily and 3-year weekly charts. Basically, the markets are still overbought and now CCI and slow stochastics are rolling over. Thursday's doji and Friday's would be bearish engulfing support the view. The bulls can argue the weakening volume supports their cause. I expect a pullback to $131.05, the intraweek low. If the bears really have their way, I see $128.80 as the next stop based on the daily chart. The weekly chart is not too informative, just overbought.

My notes:

As for charts, only two stocks to watch Monday morning. KRC and PPDI are the only two stocks that look good at the moment as all the rest look well overbought and looking to correct. I also have the NX trade still in play.

For now,
Masterjaz out

A win and a loss...

After an exciting couple of days, I closed two positions as one hit my stop loss (PEG) and the other hit my first target and then declined to my 1% stop loss (PRGS). The two trades basically ended up being a wash, but provided insight into how to pick stocks. The interesting fact about these two trades is that I entered them on the same day, but with different position sizes. It stinks that I got them backwards, the smaller position on the winning stock and the larger on the loser. I am going to review my notes and thinking to see if I should have reversed the position sizes OR was there no real evidence to suggest each stock's behavior. To the data:

Sold 4.84712 shrs of PEG at $61.27 after it reached my $61.00 stop loss. Sold 2.93312 shrs of PRGS at $26.46 after it reached my first target of $26.30 and then sold the remaining 2.93313 shrs at $26.078 after it reached my 1% stop loss based on the $26.46 price.

PEG: net -$3.71 or -1.24%
PRGS: net +$4.10 or +2.73%

I cannot calculate my September and quarterly statistics yet as the NX trade is still open. Currently, I sit with a paper loss of $0.66.

For now,
Masterjaz out