Friday, January 31, 2014

Will History Repeat In The Market? [Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR), GT Advanced Technologies Inc, Plug Power Inc, Cimatron Ltd.] - Seeking Alpha

Will History Repeat In The Market? [Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR), GT Advanced Technologies Inc, Plug Power Inc, Cimatron Ltd.] - Seeking Alpha



Here is a great article on four worthwhile stocks.  I own Plug Power, and I highly recommend it.  Himax is also interesting.  Study the charts for both stocks for good entry points because I think these two stocks in particular will be big future winners.


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Why We Cut Stocks, Added Bonds Thursday And Friday [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust] - Seeking Alpha

Why We Cut Stocks, Added Bonds Thursday And Friday [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust] - Seeking Alpha



Here is another great article by Chris Ciovacco about how to handle changing stock market conditions.  A lot of people were probably shocked and bewildered by the -318 point drop for the Dow on Friday.  However, we had a couple of -100+ days before the big drop, and investors should have already changed portfolio allocations. Chris presented an excellent chart of the S&P 500 compared to bonds ($SPX:AGG), and if you look closely at the chart, you will see early warning indicators for moving partly into bonds.

For example, the chart shows a downtrend beginning on December 23 and continuing for a month into January 2014.  Also, the 3 day and 5 day EMA lines have both recently been broken.  It is time to move to safe stocks or short-related stocks until the chart direction reverses.  You could also buy VXX or TVIX since volatility has returned to the stock market.  Just be sure to sell your bear stocks when the market turns bullish again.

  

Perspectives On Friday's Sell Off [SPDR Gold Trust (ETF), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, iShares Silver Trust (ETF), SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

Perspectives On Friday's Sell Off [SPDR Gold Trust (ETF), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, iShares Silver Trust (ETF), SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha



This is an outstanding article which tries to make sense of a big -318 point down day on the Dow which was already preceded by two -100+ days over the last two weeks.  Has a bear market started?  The author does a good job of drawing rational conclusions.  For example, not all asset classes are going down.  MDY and IWM, mid-caps and small-caps held their 50 day lines.  The S&P is still above its 100 day line which served as recent support during minor recent pullbacks. So, we are probably just experiencing a correction, but we must still keep monitoring the market in various ways to know when to head for the hills.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Stag Industrial Inc (STAG): STAG May Soon Be The Next 'Monthly Dividend Machine' - Seeking Alpha

Stag Industrial Inc (STAG): STAG May Soon Be The Next 'Monthly Dividend Machine' - Seeking Alpha



This is an outstanding article about Stag Industrial (STAG), a rental REIT like Realty Income (O).  Stag pays a monthly dividend just like Realty Income, and they both pay almost 6% annually.  I have been a fan of Realty Income for a long time, but this is my first exposure to Stag.  I am very impressed with the author's coverage of the company, and I plan to buy shares in the near future.  Moreover, Stag is growing more than Realty Income currently, and this translates into a stock price gain as well.  This is definitely a good stock to buy as part of a diversified portfolio.


Electric Cars by the Numbers

Electric Cars by the Numbers



Here is an excellent article about the exponential rise of electric cars and hybrid vehicles.  Not only are we gushing with oil in America now, but we are also adopting electric vehicles which will certainly make us energy independent in the future.  Tesla, of course, is the most popular electric car, but several other car makers are churning out electric vehicles also.  The author lists the car makers and approximate prices and mileage ranges of the cars.  So, this is a great article to update yourself about dramatic changes in our country and the world.


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Global Economic Intersection

Global Economic Intersection



This is an outstanding article about the booming solar industry.  The author lists many leading solar contractors.  Solar City (SCTY) has been a fantastic stock this past year.  Then, if you want to own an ETF which contains a lot of solar stocks for great diversification, TAN is the stock you want to buy.   I currently own TAN, and I plan to buy SCTY when it cools off a little.


Golar LNG Stock: Another Way to Play the Energy Revolution Today

Golar LNG Stock: Another Way to Play the Energy Revolution Today



Here is a great article about why Golar LNG is a great buy.  I have owned Golar in the past, and I am planning on buying the company again.  This time, though, I plan to hold onto my shares.  The natural gas shipping business has been slow in developing, but we are now almost there with export facilities being built  for widespread shipping.  Since a lot of the world has turned its back on nuclear energy, natural gas is the next cleanest energy source other than wind and solar. Moreover, natural gas trumps wind and solar because of 24-hour availability and greater potential power.  Golar shipping needs to be bought before the stock really takes off.


Monday, January 20, 2014

Market Timing: 3 Indicators That Work [PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1 (ETF), ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF), ProShares Short QQQ (ETF), ProShares Short Dow30 (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

Market Timing: 3 Indicators That Work [PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1 (ETF), ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF), ProShares Short QQQ (ETF), ProShares Short Dow30 (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha



Here is a great article by Fred Piard about three indicators that really work and how to apply them to the stock market.  Right now, the unemployment indicator is indicating a continuing uptrend in the market although I believe we will have significant pullbacks this year. One reason for the pullbacks will be poor earnings.  It will be difficult to exceed the 2013 record.  Currently, the simple moving average lines are in bullish mode.  So, we have two out of three indicators pointing upward.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Bonds Can Help Stock Investors Monitor Correction Risk - Seeking Alpha

Bonds Can Help Stock Investors Monitor Correction Risk - Seeking Alpha

Here is another outstanding article by Chris Ciovacco about stock market risk.  He compares bonds to stocks through the AGG:$SPX chart and proves that this method works by showing charts of 2011 and 2007 declines.  This is a great way to monitor whether we should be in or out of stocks.

Chris went on to explain that his model called for reduced exposure to stocks, and his company sold their position in XLE, the energy ETF. He sold XLE because it was his weakest holding, and that is how he exits the stock market incrementally.  This is a great article and excellent plan to follow during uncertain times in the market.


InvenSense Inc (INVN): InvenSense: The Best Chip Stock Of The Future? - Seeking Alpha

InvenSense Inc (INVN): InvenSense: The Best Chip Stock Of The Future? - Seeking Alpha

This is a very good article about InvenSense (INVN) along with the comments after the article.  I own shares of the company, and I plan to buy more.  In spite of all the bright prospects for the company, owning the stock is not for the faint of heart.  Something seems to be holding the stock back, but I don't know what it is.  I still think INVN is a good buy, though, as part of a diversified portfolio.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Imetelstat Sodium in Treating Patients With Primary or Secondary Myelofibrosis - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Imetelstat Sodium in Treating Patients With Primary or Secondary Myelofibrosis - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Here is a link to ongoing clinical trials involving the drug Imetelstat discovered by Geron (GERN).  It is being sponsored by the Mayo Clinic.  This drug may become one of the best against cancer.  While you are visiting the ClinicalTrials.gov website, you could also do research about other drugs in the testing stages.  In this way, you could buy stocks of promising drug companies before the news becomes widespread.

Geron: Home

Geron: Home

This is a link to Geron's website, an anti-cancer drug company.  The website is very easy to use.  Their telomerase inhibitor drug may become the greatest medical discovery against cancer.  The stock is volatile, but it will be well worth holding because there is no telling how high the stock price can go.  You can stay up with the news about the company by visiting the website often.  Take a look at how the clinical trials are going and read about the conferences where the company has presented data.  In an uncertain stock market where drug stocks are often hit hard, going to the main source of information about a company is a wise thing to do.

Geron Corporation (GERN): All Signs Point To Geron's Imetelstat Being The Holy Grail Of Myeloproliferative Drugs - Seeking Alpha

Geron Corporation (GERN): All Signs Point To Geron's Imetelstat Being The Holy Grail Of Myeloproliferative Drugs - Seeking Alpha

Here is a great article on Geron (GERN) and its anti-cancer drug that is currently in trials.  I have followed Geron for years, and I own the stock.  I am also planning to buy more shares.  GERN could very easily be a multi-bagger stock.

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA): Arena Pharmaceuticals - Why I Believe It Is The Next Major Biotech - Seeking Alpha

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA): Arena Pharmaceuticals - Why I Believe It Is The Next Major Biotech - Seeking Alpha

Here is an outstanding article about Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA). I own shares of the company, and I have followed the stock for years. As the author mentioned, a successful biotech stock can become a multi-bagger in a short amount of time once people realize its tremendous value.  I read recently in the comments section of another ARNA article about someone losing significant weight through Belviq, Arena's weight loss drug.  In addition to Belviq's prospects, the author talks about other drug prospects for the company.  So, ARNA is definitely a stock to own in a diversified portfolio.

4 Stocks To Double In 2014 [Glu Mobile Inc., Origin Agritech Ltd., Oplink Communications, Inc, Vision-Sciences, Inc.] - Seeking Alpha

4 Stocks To Double In 2014 [Glu Mobile Inc., Origin Agritech Ltd., Oplink Communications, Inc, Vision-Sciences, Inc.] - Seeking Alpha

This is an excellent article about four stocks that could double in 2014.  I especially like SEED, a Chinese agricultural stock.  Agriculture is a very big deal in China with all of the people they have to feed.  I plan to buy shares of the company in the near future.

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power Offers Patient Investors More Than 100% Upside, Part II - Seeking Alpha

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power Offers Patient Investors More Than 100% Upside, Part II - Seeking Alpha

Here is another very good article by Charles Fox about Plug Power (PLUG).  I own shares of the company, and I plan to buy more shares at some time in the future.  Currently, the stock price is very volatile, but I believe this is a multi-bagger stock over the next several years.  As Charles mentioned in his article, Plug Power is on the verge of profitability this year through its fuel cell forklift sales and recurring hydrogen supply revenue.  Then, they are also working on fuel cell range extenders with a DOE grant of $3 million.  The range extenders nearly double the range that FedEx electric trucks can drive in a day's time.  Thirdly, Plug Power is planning to design and build truck refrigeration units in the near future.  So, great expectations are in store for PLUG.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Great Speculative Stock

XsunX 2013

As you may have noticed, solar stocks were booming in 2013, and I believe they will continue to rise in 2014.  The U.S. is currently installing more solar panels than Germany, the previous solar king.  XSunX, ticker XSNX, has nearly doubled since the December 30, 2013 low.  I own shares in the company, and I plan to increase my position in XSunX.  They are a low cost installer of CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, selenide) solar panels, and solar is now competing in price with other forms of electricity.

If you want to invest in the solar industry in a diversified way rather than in just one company, you should buy TAN, a solar ETF that holds many winning solar companies.  I own TAN also.  It has gone from $35 per share on December 30, 2013 to $41 per share now.  I believe solar stocks will beat the S&P 500 in 2014.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Lockheed Martin And Northrop Grumman: Comparing The Contractors - Seeking Alpha

Lockheed Martin And Northrop Grumman: Comparing The Contractors - Seeking Alpha

Here is a good article comparing two defense contractors.  While Lockheed Martin has gained more than 50% in the past year, and they have gained big new contracts, the company is basically a slow grower.  The 4% dividend is nice, but the company is highly dependent on government spending as the author pointed out.  LMT would probably be okay in a diversified portfolio, but you should not expect another 50% return anytime soon.  If you want high returns, you will need to look elsewhere.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI): This Low-Cost ETF Outperforms The S&P 500 And The Dow - Seeking Alpha

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI): This Low-Cost ETF Outperforms The S&P 500 And The Dow - Seeking Alpha

This is an outstanding article about why you should own the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).  The stock gained more than 30% this past year, and double-digit gains are what you need every year to build a good retirement.  The expense ratio of .05 is incredibly inexpensive and beats other funds in that respect also. VTI should definitely be a significant part of a diversified portfolio.  The fund also owns popular big stocks like Apple, Google, Exxon, and Chevron in its top 10 holdings.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

No Dead-Cat Bounce - A Dead-Serious Warning From Uranium [Rio Tinto plc (ADR), New Gold Inc. (USA), Global X Funds, FISSION ENERGY CORP, UEX CORP, Global X Funds, AREVA - SOCIETE, iShares Inc., ZIMTU CAP CORP, LAKELAND RESOURCES] - Seeking Alpha

No Dead-Cat Bounce - A Dead-Serious Warning From Uranium [Rio Tinto plc (ADR), New Gold Inc. (USA), Global X Funds, FISSION ENERGY CORP, UEX CORP, Global X Funds, AREVA - SOCIETE, iShares Inc., ZIMTU CAP CORP, LAKELAND RESOURCES] - Seeking Alpha

This is a very good article about uranium companies in Canada and why you should invest in these companies.  I own shares of Denison Mines (DNN), and I plan to buy Lakeland Resources (LRESF) also.  In addition, the author presented research that the price of uranium is set to double in the next few years.  Now is the time to buy uranium stocks.

COMMERCE RES CORP (CMRZF): The Knock-Out Criteria For Rare Earth Element Deposits: Cutting The Wheat From The Chaff - Seeking Alpha

COMMERCE RES CORP (CMRZF): The Knock-Out Criteria For Rare Earth Element Deposits: Cutting The Wheat From The Chaff - Seeking Alpha

Here is an excellent article about the economics of mining rare earth elements.  The author also suggests that Commerce Resources (CMRZF) is the most economical pick in the rare earth space.  I plan to monitor Commerce Resources and may buy shares in the company in the near future.

LAKELAND RESOURCES (LRESF): Highest Uranium Values Ever Detected In The Athabasca Basin - Seeking Alpha

LAKELAND RESOURCES (LRESF): Highest Uranium Values Ever Detected In The Athabasca Basin - Seeking Alpha

This is a great article about Lakeland Resources (LRESF) and how they have discovered one of the highest value areas of uranium in Canada.  The stock is selling for around .17 per share and could easily move higher.  I plan to buy shares on Monday and hang on to them because the higher grade uranium companies are the ones to own.

Is It Time To Sell Stocks And Buy Bonds? [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), Financial Select Sector SPDR (ETF), iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF), Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, Energy Select Sector SPDR (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

Is It Time To Sell Stocks And Buy Bonds? [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), Financial Select Sector SPDR (ETF), iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF), Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, Energy Select Sector SPDR (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

Here is another outstanding article by Chris Ciovacco.  He correctly believes that stocks should be favored over bonds currently, and he presents three charts to prove it.  The first chart involves the S&P 500 and how its price remains above the 50-day and 200-day lines. The slopes of both lines are also positive.  The second chart is a comparison of the S&P 500 to AGG, the bond standard ETF.  It shows a bullish trend for stocks, too.  Thirdly, Chris showed a chart of the S&P 500 compared to SH, the S&P short ETF.  This chart illustrates that long positions are still favored.  So, we need to maintain a risk-on status in the stock market.

Precision Drilling Corp (USA) (PDS): Precision Drilling: A Bright Future Awaits For This Canadian Driller - Seeking Alpha

Precision Drilling Corp (USA) (PDS): Precision Drilling: A Bright Future Awaits For This Canadian Driller - Seeking Alpha

This is an excellent article about Precision Drilling, the largest Canadian oil and gas drilling company.  PDS also has extensive drilling operations in the U.S.  The main focus of the article is the expected upcoming rise in LNG exports from Canada, and drillers will need to get the natural gas out of the ground.  Precision Drilling will be a leader in the new drilling areas.  I estimate upside for the company of at least 20% in the next 18 months from $9 per share. This will probably be more than you will get from the S&P 500 after the huge run-up in 2013.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Chevron Corporation (CVX): Liquid Natural Gas The Future Of Energy With Chevron Leading The Charge - Seeking Alpha

Chevron Corporation (CVX): Liquid Natural Gas The Future Of Energy With Chevron Leading The Charge - Seeking Alpha

This is a good article about why Chevron is a good investment. Besides paying a 3% dividend, the company has a lot going for it in the LNG field.  The 50% stake in the Canada Kitimat LNG Project is huge. The natural gas can easily be shipped from Canada to Far East countries where LNG is in high demand.  The same goes for Chevron's Gorgon LNG Project in Australia.  Although the production cost is higher than our Marcellus natural gas, the shipping cost will be cheaper for selling it to Asian customers.  I believe that Chevron can beat the S&P 500 over the next several years because oil and LNG will remain as money makers while the S&P will have problems for increasing earnings above the record high levels achieved in 2013.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Plug Power to Develop Fuel Cell Range Extenders for FedEx Express Electric Delivery Trucks - WSJ.com

Plug Power to Develop Fuel Cell Range Extenders for FedEx Express Electric Delivery Trucks - WSJ.com

This is a link to a WSJ article about the fuel cell range extenders that Plug Power (PLUG) is developing for FedEx.  As the article mentioned, Plug Power has 90% of the lift truck fuel cell business, and the new range extenders will enable electric vehicles to have a realistic travel range.  This combination of fuel cells and electric battery power will revolutionize the future for alternative fuel vehicles.  The Department of Energy gave Plug Power three million dollars for this project.  The company still has plenty of growing room in fuel cell lift trucks, too.  These two types of equipment could easily double or triple the company's business over time.  Refrigeration fuel cell equipment is a third possibility for Plug Power.  I own shares in the company, and I will probably buy more shares on any major pullbacks.

What Is Relative Demand Telling Us About Stocks And The Economy? - Seeking Alpha

What Is Relative Demand Telling Us About Stocks And The Economy? - Seeking Alpha

Here is another great article by Chris Ciovacco about whether we should be in or out of the stock market.  After a great year in 2013, we may experience a more volatile year in 2014.  I don't think it will be as bad as 2011 because the economy is in better shape, but it is still very useful to monitor how the S&P 500 is doing in relation to the bond standard ETF, which is AGG.  As Chris pointed out in his article, we will probably have months of warning before we need to move to the sidelines.  I agree with his current bullish outlook.

 

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power: The Definition Of An Inflection Point - Seeking Alpha

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power: The Definition Of An Inflection Point - Seeking Alpha

This is another great article by Charles Fox about the tremendous rise of Plug Power (PLUG).  The company booked 80% of their 2013 revenues during the last three months which means their sales are exploding.  I estimate that their forklift business can grow 10-20 times from here, especially if you factor in European and Asian partners.  They also have recurring sales of hydrogen supplies.  In addition, they have new products such as fuel cell extenders and refrigeration units for trucks.  The refrigeration business could be massive.

This is a true multi-bagger stock.  I own shares of the company, and I will buy more on significant pullbacks in the stock price.  It will take several years to achieve greatness, though, and a person needs to be able to hold on through many ups and downs.  For example, Google sold for $85 per share at its IPO, and it has grown more than 10 times in less than 10 years.  I believe the same will become true for Plug Power.  You could use a charting technique such as a 200-day moving average to determine when the large pullbacks occur so that you can buy more shares.  However, in Plug's case while the stock is stabilizing, a shorter 34-day moving average might work well for buying more shares.  Anyway, I believe Plug is a rare chance to see a multi-bagger stock unfolding in such a way that you will be able to make a lot of money.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Why 2014 Should Be Another Bull Market For U.S. Equities - Seeking Alpha

Why 2014 Should Be Another Bull Market For U.S. Equities - Seeking Alpha

This is a very good article about why 2014 will be a good year for the stock market.  The author gives several reasons for a continued bull market, but his favorite indicator was the yield curve between the 10-year government bond and the 3-month treasury bill.  He presented an outstanding chart from the U.S. Treasury Department which shows how we have an inverted yield curve during recessions.  The short term yield becomes more than the long term yield.  We are nowhere near an inverted yield curve currently, and this means the economy will not drag down the stock market.  We may indeed have a pullback at some point in time, but I agree with the author that we are still in a bull market.

ETRACS Monthly Pay 2XLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MORL): MORL January Dividend Increases - Now Yielding 23.6% Compounded - Seeking Alpha

ETRACS Monthly Pay 2XLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (MORL): MORL January Dividend Increases - Now Yielding 23.6% Compounded - Seeking Alpha

Here is a great article about MORL, a leveraged mortgage REIT ETF that pays 21% annually and 23% each year compounded.  You also get a payment each month although the amount varies due to the underlying REIT stocks.  Anyway, this is a fantastic way to earn income money while the rest of the stock market will probably be volatile.  I bought shares of MORL today, and the stock will be an excellent addition to a diversified portfolio.
 

Epimedium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Epimedium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As I occasionally do, I will talk about health issues as well as the stock market.  The above link is for information about Epimedium, more widely known as horny goat weed.  It is absolutely true that Epimedium has a chemical called icariin which acts in the same way as Viagra to increase circulation.  On the downside, though, you would have to consume a lot of horny goat weed to achieve the same results as Viagra.  However, Epimedium can easily be made into a tea, and the result does increase circulation to a certain extent.  Also, horny goat weed is helpful for increasing your bone structure, and this is very important for older people.

As for making Epimedium tea, I have discovered that it can easily be made in a coffee maker.  Add about 7 cups of water to the coffee maker.  Place one regular black tea bag in a coffee filter.  Add 4 heaping teaspoons of dried horny goat weed, and turn on the coffee maker.  The resulting tea will not taste much different than regular tea and you will be getting the benefits of Epimedium through a hot water extract.  Drinking this tea has eliminated night-time discomfort in a couple of my toes that have poor circulation.  Horny goat weed can also be easily purchased in 1 pound bulk bags from Starwest Botanicals.  I highly recommend drinking Epimedium tea for good health.

The Best 2014 Investment Advice [SPDR Gold Trust (ETF), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1 (ETF), ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), Financial Select Sector SPDR (ETF), iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

The Best 2014 Investment Advice [SPDR Gold Trust (ETF), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1 (ETF), ProShares Short S&P500 (ETF), Financial Select Sector SPDR (ETF), iShares Russell 2000 Index (ETF)] - Seeking Alpha

Here is another excellent article by Chris Ciovacco.  He has a great charting system for making decisions based on what the stock market is doing "now" rather than guessing about what it might do in the future.  His charts on the S&P 500 are still bullish, and this means we should stay in the market until conditions change.  Good charting analysis like the author's will get you out of the stock market in time if things really deteriorate.

Plug Power - Home

Plug Power - Home

Here is a link to Plug Power (PLUG), another leading company in fuel cell technology.  The stock has gained over 100% in one month and over 900% in six months.  The easy gains have probably already been made, but I think the stock can still move higher, and I own shares in the company.  Plug Power is the leader in fuel cell material handling equipment such as lift trucks.  The company also worked with Honda on a home power generator.  Plug is also reportedly working on power for refrigerated trucks.  This is a great company to own for years to come.

Home - Fuel Cell Energy

Home - Fuel Cell Energy

This is a link to Fuel Cell's (FCEL) website.  The company is a leader in backup power for many applications such as grid power, data centers, hospitals, and universities.  I own shares in the company, and the stock is up 75% for the past year.

PEM Fuel Cell Technology | Fuel Cells | Clean Energy Solutions | Ballard Power Systems

PEM Fuel Cell Technology | Fuel Cells | Clean Energy Solutions | Ballard Power Systems

Here is a link to Ballard's (BLDP) website.  The stock is up 60% for one month and over 260% for the past year.  Ballard has been a stock that was left for dead, but their fuel cell technology has finally arrived. Ballard has fuel cell systems currently operating in buses, and they are involved in backup power for the telecom industry.  They make fuel cell stacks and complete fuel cell systems along with providing engineering services.  This is definitely a company worth owning as fuel cells become increasingly adopted.

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power: Hold On, The Sky Is The Limit - Seeking Alpha

Plug Power Inc (PLUG): Plug Power: Hold On, The Sky Is The Limit - Seeking Alpha

This is a great article by Charles Fox.  I have followed Plug Power for several years, and it looks like the company has finally turned the corner.  I bought shares again this morning after missing the recent rally, but I think PLUG is just getting started.  I also believe Fuel Cell (FCEL) and Ballard (BLDP) are good companies.  I have owned Fuel Cell for quite some time and recently bought more shares.  I also initiated a position in Ballard because fuel cell cars are on the way, and BLDP will be involved there.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Best of Benzinga | Benzinga

The Best of Benzinga | Benzinga

Here is a good website for a variety of stock market news.  Benzinga tries to explain what the market is doing and why in various articles. The website also has several interesting sections on different subjects. For example, the IPOs section gives important updates on many stocks.  The Movers section tells about high volume stocks and those companies that are hitting 52-week highs.  The Bonds page talks about bond interest rates and various treasury bond ETFs.  You can quickly find the news on many subjects because the website is organized very well.  I recommend checking the website often to get up-to-date important news.

North American Palladium Ltd (USA) (PAL): North American Palladium Likely A Multi-Bagger - Seeking Alpha

North American Palladium Ltd (USA) (PAL): North American Palladium Likely A Multi-Bagger - Seeking Alpha

This is an excellent article about North American Palladium (PAL).  I have followed the stock for many years.  The pros and cons have been thoroughly discussed in the article, and I currently own shares in the company.  I believe the upside outweighs the downside.  Palladium is used extensively in the auto industry, and I think the economy will continue to improve slowly but surely.  The St. Louis Federal Reserve website shows that we are making progress.  Scroll down the page at the St. Louis Fed website to see charts of current statistics.

U S RARE EARTHS INC (UREE): Senate Bill Sets Stage For Significant Upside In Molycorp And U.S. Rare Earths - Seeking Alpha

U S RARE EARTHS INC (UREE): Senate Bill Sets Stage For Significant Upside In Molycorp And U.S. Rare Earths - Seeking Alpha

Here is an interesting article about rare earth minerals and thorium. The comments at the end of the article are also very good.  The article talked about Molycorp (MCP) and U.S. Rare Earths (UREE).  I own Molycorp, but it is not for the faint of heart because it is taking a long time for the company to make a significant amount of money.  As for UREE, this is a highly controversial company.  First of all, the stock has a very low trading volume.  If you get in, will you be able to get out at a decent price if something goes wrong?  Secondly, even while I like the idea of thorium nuclear reactors, it will probably take several years for thorium to become popular, and your money will be dead in the meantime while you are waiting.

Market Commentary, Economics, Geopolitics, Politics, Market, Stocks | InvestorIntel

Market Commentary, Economics, Geopolitics, Politics, Market, Stocks | InvestorIntel

This is a link to a great website for news on rare earth minerals, graphite, potash, lithium, and other subjects.  Companies that are involved in producing these minerals are discussed in detail.  Links are also provided for further research about the companies.  The website will also keep you updated with statistics on which companies are gaining the most.  For example, in the graphite area, Mason Graphite has advanced the most in its stock price recently although it has fallen back some.  Zenyatta reportedly beat Mason for the year, though.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Rare Earths And The Future Success Of Junior Miners [UCORE RARE METALS] - Seeking Alpha

Rare Earths And The Future Success Of Junior Miners [UCORE RARE METALS] - Seeking Alpha

This is a very good article on rare earth companies and the greater value of those who have HREE deposits.  Some excellent comments were also made after the article.  I own Texas Rare Earth Resources (TRER), and I am planning to buy Rare Element Resources (REE) also. An insider bought 10,000 shares of REE on January 2, 2014. Although the cost of those shares was not a great amount of money, it still showed insider interest.  Thirdly, I am putting Ucore (UURAF) on my watchlist, and I may buy a small position in that company, too. We may never see these low prices again if the Chinese cut back on exports and if the future demand for HREE becomes as great as the author has suggested.

New Tactical Asset Allocation Strategy To Grow Retirement Savings At Reduced Risk - Seeking Alpha

New Tactical Asset Allocation Strategy To Grow Retirement Savings At Reduced Risk - Seeking Alpha

Here is a great article by Cliff Smith about a tactical asset allocation portfolio involving ETFs.  Some of his criteria points are that all years must be positive for portfolio, the average return should be 20% per year, and the maximum draw-down should not exceed -15%.  You will need to scroll down into the comments section to see his actual ETF picks, though.  Some of his ETFs that I like are CSD, IJR, PBE, and GURU.  All of these stocks had double-digit returns in the past year.

The Market Cap by Investors Alley

The Market Cap by Investors Alley

This is an outstanding website to visit often for stock market news and advice.  In an earlier blog today, I featured an article at www.investorsalley.com by Brett Eversole where he put a new definition on what constitutes a bear market.  He did extensive research for the stock market years between 1953 and today to determine how we should look at bear markets.  Brett believes a bear market is a decline of 15% rather than the usual 20%, and a bear market can be in a non-recession period.  This means the next stock market decline could be rather shallow, and the economy would not be in a recession.  See my previous blog for more information, or read the full article at the links above.

As for how to handle your investments during an uncertain period, I highly recommend Chris Ciovacco's website, www.ciovaccocapital.com where Chris often discusses market strategy in free articles where he usually backs up his arguments with stock market charts.  For example, he presented one article recently where he used a 20-day EMA line to tell you whether to be in or out of the market.  If the S&P 500 is above the 20-day EMA line and the slope of the line is positive, then you should be 100% invested in the stock market.  Visit this website often for good technical analysis and sound advice on stocks.

The Market Cap by Investors Alley - January 6, 2014

The Market Cap by Investors Alley - January 6, 2014

Here is an interesting article about bear markets.  The author decided to define a bear market as something different than the regular 20% decline condition.  For example, he used a 15% decline in his calculations, and this target allowed the inclusion of a -19% bear market that occurred in August of 2011 when Congress could not agree on how to handle the debt ceiling.

The author's study involved the years between 1953 and now, and he determined that we have had 16 bears markets over that time period. The average time between bear markets was four years.  This means that it has only been two years since our last bear market as opposed to five or six years by conventional reasoning.  Moreover, he classified bear markets as "recession" type and non-recession type.

The non-recession bear markets were only half the duration compared to recession declines, 9 months down compared to 18 months otherwise.  Since the economy is currently doing well although not perfect, the author believes that no recession is in sight. I also agree with him that Federal Reserve statistics show that we are in the clear.  Therefore, Brett Eversole believes the next bear market will be the non-recession type.  It will be like 2011 rather than 2008. It will be a small duration with a low double-digit decline before the market continues its climb higher.  Good charting techniques would enable you to get out of the market in time and back in at the proper time for maximum profits.


How to Find the Best Small-Cap "Sparks" (in 90 Seconds or Less)Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From

How to Find the Best Small-Cap "Sparks" (in 90 Seconds or Less)Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From

This is an excellent article about finding small cap stocks just as they start a meteoric rise.  First, you need to do a free search at Finviz.com looking for small caps between $300 million and $2 billion as a market cap.  The author said that $300 million is the lowest cap because anything lower is too risky.  Secondly, you want to look for stocks that have increased 20% in the past week since that could be the tip of the iceberg for 200% to 400% gains in the future.  Then, look for news stories to back up the fundamentals for the stock's rise.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Matt Badiali's Insider Tips From The Energy Fronts In Kurdistan And Tuscaloosa - Seeking Alpha

Matt Badiali's Insider Tips From The Energy Fronts In Kurdistan And Tuscaloosa - Seeking Alpha

Here is a great article about oil discoveries and about shale oil in particular.  The Kurds in Iraq have a lot of oil going into production. The Bakken area of North Dakota will continue to produce a lot of oil. We also now have large amounts of oil in Texas and neighboring states all the way to Alabama.  It will take a while to develop all the new areas.  Sanchez (SN) is one of the companies to watch in the southern states.  Cheap oil and gas is here to stay in the U.S. and it will benefit the economy enormously.

Bad Weather Effect On North Dakota

Continental Resources, Inc. Com Stock Chart | CLR Interactive Chart - Yahoo! Finance

Here is a link to the stock chart of Continental Resources (CLR).  The stock was over $110 per share just a few days ago, but it has quickly fallen for a couple of reasons.  First, the price of oil dropped $3, and this affects the price of CLR even though it is the largest land holder in the Bakken area.  It will probably eventually get back to its high of $121 and beyond, but it probably won't do it unless the price of oil also goes up.

Secondly, extreme cold weather and snow has hit the Midwest and the bad weather will affect a lot of states before things turn better.  This means that oil production will be lower for January and most likely bad for Q1 financial results.  The time to buy Continental will be whenever it finally finds a bottom.  A daily chart below shows how CLR fell on Friday when the bad weather became apparent.  Click on the chart to expand it.

My Income Portfolio Quarterly Update (Q4 2013) [General Electric Company, Intel Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo & Co, Chevron Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co, The Southern Company] - Seeking Alpha

My Income Portfolio Quarterly Update (Q4 2013) [General Electric Company, Intel Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo & Co, Chevron Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co, The Southern Company] - Seeking Alpha

This is a good article about investing in over a dozen dividend paying stocks.  The author has gained $16,000 for his initial $27,000 investment, and he is getting over $1,500 per year in dividends.  All of his stock picks are solid stable stocks although any stock can experience a downturn.  His stock picks are certainly worth considering for a balanced diversified portfolio.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Tired Of Missing Rallies? 4 Ways To Improve Your Game | Stock Market Blog - Financial Blog - Investment Blog - Technical Analysis Blog

Tired Of Missing Rallies? 4 Ways To Improve Your Game | Stock Market Blog - Financial Blog - Investment Blog - Technical Analysis Blog

This is a link to ciovaccocapital.com where you can get excellent stock market advice.  This particular link is focused on an article by Chris Ciovacco where he uses a 20-day EMA line to make decisions on whether to be in stocks and at what percent.  For example, if the S&P 500 price is above the 20-day EMA and the slope of the EMA line is positive, you should be 100% invested in stocks.  So, you won't miss rallies in this way.  You can also look at other blog articles by Chris as well as other information on his website.  Getting advice from Chris will be worthwhile for any investor.

You Need A Plan For Next Inevitable Bear Market [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust] - Seeking Alpha

You Need A Plan For Next Inevitable Bear Market [SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust] - Seeking Alpha

Here is another outstanding article by Chris Ciovacco.  He gives a very concise plan for knowing when to exit stocks in an organized fashion.  He presented charts to prove his point of paying attention to several moving averages for making decisions in a simple binary fashion.  He used 20-day and 40-day EMA lines along with 50-day and 200-day simple moving average lines along with the slope direction of the lines.  If they are all negative, you go to 100% bonds or cash.  The same rules also apply for coming off a bear market bottom.  This is a great plan to handle stock market tops and bottoms while protecting your principal and yet being in the market when gains can be made.

ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Trea (ETF) (TBT): 2013 Year Of Rotation Out Of Fixed Income Into Equities, How Much More In 2014? - Seeking Alpha

ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Trea (ETF) (TBT): 2013 Year Of Rotation Out Of Fixed Income Into Equities, How Much More In 2014? - Seeking Alpha

This is an interesting article about the relationship between the 30 year bond yield to the S&P earnings yield.  As most people know, many bond investors switched over to stocks in 2013.  This factor along with QE gave us 29% for the S&P 500 for the year.  Sooner or later, a stock market top will occur, though.  We are not close to that yet, but a 4% yield on the 10 year bond and 5% on the 30 year bond will probably cause a reversal to bond investing because of safety and a sufficient yield.

Clubmoss | Health Benefits of Clubmoss plant | Clubmoss Herb

Clubmoss | Health Benefits of Clubmoss plant | Clubmoss Herb

Here is another website with healthy information.  This particular page talks about the benefits of club moss.  LiveAndFeel.com gives a lot of advice about medicinal plants and different cures for various physical ailments.  For example, in the natural remedies section, you can read about actinic keratosis, a skin condition involving red, brown, or tan spots caused by sun exposure.  Virgin coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can reportedly help clear this skin condition in some cases.  Check with a doctor if you have suspicious skin lesions, though.

Bulk Herbs, Bulk Spices and Bulk Herbal Teas

Bulk Herbs, Bulk Spices and Bulk Herbal Teas

As I occasionally do, I will talk about health issues as well as the stock market.  The above link is for an herb and spice company.  I am a firm believer that herbs and spices can prolong a person's life and improve the quality of living.  Monterey Bay offers many herbs and teas in bulk quantities.  They also sell quality glass containers for storage.  I typically use a coffee maker to brew different types of tea and herbs together.  You just add the bulk ingredients to a coffee filter just like making coffee.  Then, you have a great tasting tea with health benefits for cold days or anytime.
 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Evidence Says Imminent Bear Market Not Likely - Seeking Alpha

Evidence Says Imminent Bear Market Not Likely - Seeking Alpha

Here is another great article by Chris Ciovacco about how we are not in danger of a bear market currently.  He presented excellent charts from 2000 and 2007 which showed what real danger signs look like. When the 200 day line has turned flat, and the 50 day line falls below it, that is the time to get out of stocks.  It is also known as the "death cross" in technical analysis.  Chris also pointed out that the economy is doing fine as well, and I agree that we don't have any bad economic indicators right now.  Finally, Chris noted that it will take months for the averages to roll over, and we will have plenty of time to get out during that period.

Gold climbs to 2-week high as risk aversion dampens stocks - Yahoo Finance

Gold climbs to 2-week high as risk aversion dampens stocks - Yahoo Finance

This is an interesting article about gold rising because stocks fell more than 135 points on the Dow on January 2, 2014.  Gold is still considered a safe haven by some people and institutions.  The article also said that Chinese gold buying helped the gold rally.  If you are able to buy a gold stock like Golden Star Resources (GSS) at the company's  low, you can sell the stock on gold rallies for 10% or more. It remains to be seen whether gold will continue to rise or if it will continue to make bounces off the bottom intermittently.  A 10% bounce cycle would be worth trading several times each year, and this scenario may happen in a more volatile 2014.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Daily Energy Bull 3x Shares | ERX | ETF | Direxion

Daily Energy Bull 3x Shares | ERX | ETF | Direxion

Here is a link to the Direxion Energy Bull 3x Shares ETF called ERX.  I don't know exactly how the 3x leverage works, but I do know that if the price of oil goes up or down, ERX will follow it to some degree. For example, oil was selling for around $98 per barrel at the end of December 2013, and ERX had a price of $89 and change.  Then, when trading resumed on the first trading day of 2014, January 2, oil dropped to $95 per barrel.  ERX traded down $3 and change also to $86.20.

My point here is that if you think you have a good idea about where the price of oil is headed, ERX will most likely follow it.  This means that ERX is a highly trade worthy stock, and the up/down cycles of oil and ERX will probably be repeated many times in 2014.  Therefore, money could be made each time ERX moves 4% or more if you buy a big enough position.  Assuming you only make 4% each cycle, and you get it right 15 times during the year, you have made 60% for your money.  This will be probably far more profitable than owning the S&P 500 in 2014 or overbought stocks.



2014 Stock Market Downturn

Yahoo Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News

2014 has started off on the wrong foot in the stock market after record gains in 2013.  The Dow is down more than 100 points while I am writing this blog.  One possible reason is tax gain selling.  If you made a huge profit in 2013, you can sell while you are still up in January and you don't have to pay capital gain taxes until 2015.  I have sold in January a number of times to put off tax issues.

Moreover, the market will probably not measure up to 2013 because of other issues like being overbought.  After the 29% gain for the S&P 500 in 2013, we will probably be lucky to see just 10% in 2014.  It will be a stock picker's year.  As volatile as Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) are, I believe they will outperform the S&P in 2014.  As for a good dividend stock, I recommend Prospect Capital (PSEC).  They are paying an annual dividend of around 12%, and you get part of the money each month.