Sunday, December 21, 2008

How to Trade Forex Tips

When most people think of FOREX trading, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to than just the basics.

FOREX ( Foreign Exchange Market )

The foreign exchange market is also declared as FX or it is also found to be referred to as the FOREX. All three of these have the equivalent meaning, which is the biz of trading between different companies, banks, businesses, and governments that are located in different countries. The financial market is one that is always changing leaving transactions required to be completed through brokers, and banks. Many scams have been emerging esteem the FOREX business, as foreign companies and people are setting up online to take advantage of people who don't realize that foreign trade must take place nailed down a broker or a company with direct trial involved in foreign exchanges.

Cash, stocks, and currency is traded through the foreign exchange markets. The FOREX market will be present and exist when one currency is traded due to another. Think about a animation you may take to a foreign country. Site are you going to be able to 'trade your money' for the equivalent of the money that is in that other country? This is FOREX trading basis, and it is not available in all banks, and indubitable is not available in all cash centers. FOREX is a specialized trading circumstance.

Small work and individuals often times looking to make big money, are the victims of scams when it comes to learning about FOREX and the foreign trade markets. As FOREX is seen as how to make a quick buck or two, people don't question their participation in such an event, but if you are not investing resources wrapped up a broker power the FOREX market, you could easily end up losing everything that you have invested in the transaction.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Scams to equal wary of

A FOREX scam is one that involves trading but will turn out to be a fraud; you have no chance of getting your money back once you have invested it. If you were to invest money with a company stating they are multiplex in FOREX trading you want read closely to learn if they are permitted to do business in your country. Many companies are not permitted in the FOREX market, as they have defrauded investors before.

In the last five years, with the assist of the Internet, FOREX trading and the awareness of FOREX trading has become all the rage. Banks are the number one source for FOREX trading to take place, where a trained and licensed broker is going to complete transactions and requirements you set forth. Commissions are paid on the transaction and this is the natural.

Another mood of scam that is prevalent in the FOREX markets is software that will aid you in making trades, in learning about the foreign markets and in practicing so you can prepare yourself for following and making trades. You want to be valid to rely on a program or software that is really going to make a difference. Consult with your financial broker or your bank to improve mind more about FOREX trading, the FX markets and how you can avoid being the victim occasion investing in these markets.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about .

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

What Are The Best Investment Strategies Today?

The Wall Street financial jackals extract their “take” from investors just like you. They perpetuate the myth, “Buy into good companies and hold on for the long term.” Sure, sometimes these stocks go up, but they also go down. In the meantime, these greedy insiders make money either way. They can do it because they’re playing with a whole different set of rules.

My universe is what you might call “new growth” – everything from IPOs and secondary issues to highly liquid companies that have been around a few years but are still full of vim and vigor.

This distinction lets me follow all kinds of interesting new companies, investing and trading in them over the full extent of the “life cycle” – from the big IPO debut, to the 12 to 18 month run-up for 300% to 500% gains, and then to the “shooting star” period where the high flyers flame out like comets and come crashing back to earth.

It’s almost like you’re a wildlife biologist, putting radio tags on these newborn companies and then following them through their most rapid stages of growth.

And a key thing is you can go long and short these high flyers at various points in the cycle.
Those were some pretty good plays. And there will be plenty more too. I look forward to having both an investing and trading service so we can split out the longer-term ideas with the potential to provide excellent investment returns, and the high octane stuff that can deliver big gains in a matter of days to weeks.

Posted: November 12, 2008

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Is Forex Trading The Most Profitable In Today’s Market?

Forex securities industries are boasted as the most fascinating trading market. Forex volatility and everyday price changes in the financial marketplace allows for both, a skilled Forex trader and a newcomer trader to gain few hundred dollars per day every day of trading.

But the reversible nature of Forex securities industry warrants that Forex traders have to stick to tested online trading schemes. This is essential to realize benefits as well as to avoid losing money as hesitation and injudiciousness can result in heavy losses.

One of the most usable online Forex trading schemes is that you try your best to limit your losses while making gains at the same time. It means that online Forex trading scheme implies that you need to take profit orders simultaneously with stop loss calls.

Some Forex traders use coming in and exiting trades countless times a day, thus making a small amount of benefits with each entry and exit. This way these small gains add up to form a large sum of earnings. However, Forex trades require remarkable work to accomplish this, sitting in front of their trading terminal. An amateur Forex trader cannot do this.

There are various online trading strategies that you can pursue when trading forex. You have to trade on breakouts, which entails that when the price moves whether up or downwards from a market consolidation, you can gain lucrative earnings. You can place an order to buy pertinent stocks and follow your day-to-day routine.

Supplemental online trading strategies that you have to follow is to make exercise of certain risk or reward proportion. It requires choosing the amount of money you to make on your Forex trade upfront and the amount picked out must be higher than or equal to the amount that you can afford to lose. Such Forex trading scheme is important if you want to trade Forex successfully.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Trading With TD Ameritrade Just Got Easier

TD AMERITRADE's new Message Center is a new way for TD Ameritrade to communicate with its clients and to send important alerts.

TD AMERITRADE Message Center is a new, secure way for you to communicate with TD AMERITRADE. TD AMERITRADE created this area of TD AMERITRADE Web site to enable TD AMERITRADE clients to receive, reply to and send secure online messages to TD AMERITRADE. It also lets their clients maintain a complete record of all their communications with TD AMERITRADE. The Message Center provides a more efficient way for TD AMERITRADE clients to get answers to their questions, and for TD AMERITRADE to send them information about their respective account from time to time.

How to use the new Message Center

At logon, a TD AMERITRADE client will find the Message Center module in the middle of the home page (Amerivest clients: go to the "Message Center" under Amerivest), and will also see a quick link to it in the navigation at the top of the page. In both locations, the clients can see at a glance how many messages they have and their priority.

Message priority:

An orange triangle with an exclamation point means "Urgent." When it has an "Urgent" message for a client, TD AMERITRADE sends a notice to the client’s personal email that directs him to log on to the TD AMERITRADE account and read the message. Once logged on, TD AMERITRADE immediately shows the "Urgent" message so the client can take action.

The green "i" icon means "Important." TD AMERITRADE also sends a notice to their clients’ personal email when they have an "Important" message. Then the client can simply go to the Message Center and read the message.

The envelope icon indicates normal priority. Again, to view the email, simply go to the Message Center and read the message.

Note: Not all communications are delivered through the Message Center, so please continue to check your personal email for communications from TD AMERITRADE.

Friday, November 7, 2008

How To Trade Options

If you're considering options as part of your investment strategy, begin by applying for options trading in your account. Get an overview of basic options strategies, such as how to generate income with covered calls, or reduce risk with protective puts.

More and more investors are looking for trading strategies that can help generate additional income and protect against downside risk. That's why many are utilizing options as part of their investment strategy.

The covered call strategy may generate some income, however the strategy can limit the investor's participation in any appreciation of the underlying security and does little to limit downside risk.

The protective put strategy may help reduce risk, but there is a possibility of losing your entire investment in the option.

Please note: Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Investors must consider all relevant risk factors including their own personal financial situation before trading options.

Buy a Foreclosure in November 2008

How to buy a property in default? Where can I find homes in to purchase? Are there any easy foreclosed real estate deals? Does today's market mean there are many satisfactory deals? How can I bargain a property cheap in down industry? Can I purchase a house for a half price or a fraction of its price?

If I are looking to bargain homes in foreclosure as your primary residency or to invest in foreclosed properties, I will need to see a company that specializes in homes in, homes that are in default, whose owners have encountered a notice of default AKA NOD. Notice of default is a notice whereas the owner of the home couldn't make one or more, usually more than one mortgage payment and is currently in default, meaning the bank is foreclosing on the house and is selling the real estate at the trustee's sale. A trustee's sale is a sale when a house in homes in foreclosure is sold at an auction.

The best way to find a foreclosure to buy is to go to an action. Before the foreclosure, or notice of default action the real estate that are being foreclosed on will be listed for those interested in buying and investing in foreclosure. Oftentimes a home that's being foreclosed on has other debts recorded against the property, so it is best to check with a title company and run a preliminary title search to get out all other liens recorded against the property. One of the most common liens found recorded against a real estate property in foreclosed real estate is mechanics lien. A mechanics lien is an unpaid debt ordered and registered against the owner of the home who failed to pay for home repairs. Common cases of a mechanics lien is unpaid contractor's bills. Home improvement, roof repair, pool repair, and any other work that was done on the real estate and that the owner of the house has not paid for to the contractor can be a cause for a mechanics lien. Mechanics lien is usually not a huge deal. It must be foreclosed on within three months to get a judgment and to convert the mechanics lien into a judgment lien. If not foreclosed on the mechanics lien within three months (in California, other states may vary), a mechanics lien expires.

Other lies recorded against a owner of the home in default may include a child support general lien, that's usually recorded in each county the child support obligor resides and has any property in; and tax lien. When shopping around to buy foreclosed homes, those are the things to look out for. If not taken with caution I may end up with a foreclose that seemed like a satisfactory deal only to check out that I inherited other debts I were not aware of.

In addition to the foreclosing lender, there may also be a second mortgage, which in many cases is a junior lien and a home equity loan, which is also a lien against the property. Another thing to remember when buying a foreclosed homes is that in some cases the owner of the house will make payments to the senior lien holder but will default on the second (junior) lien. In this case often the second (junior) lien holder will foreclose on the homeowner. However, if you purchase a home with cash amount that satisfies the foreclosing lender (the junior lien holder), you will still owe the full amount to the senior lien holder. The thing that can really screw I is that once the title is transferred, the senior lien holder is not obligated to continue taking mortgage payments from the new homeowner and it is up to his discretion whether he will agree to put I on the deed or immediately foreclose on I. This happens a lot is that a new owner unaware of the first lien holder will take possession only to check out a few days later that the senior lien holder has initiated foreclosed properties proceeding against the new owner.

When looking for a foreclosed homes to buy, be very careful. All foreclosures are sold as is and it is up to you do run a title report. If you pay a title company for a complete title report, the title company guarantees that the disclosed information is everything that is recorded on the title. If I later get out undisclosed facts, the title company that sold I the title report is liable to you for the full amount of damages. A title report may not be the cheapest but it is well worth the money and the potential headache. For more information of finding a foreclosure to buy visit Mortgage Refinance Loans

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Stock Market News Update From NYSE October 30, 2008

US CONSUMERS CUT SPENDING, GDP FALLS 0.3%
Gross domestic product in the 3Q slumps to 0.3%, the sharpest drop since 2001 and starting what experts say is a recession. Analysts expect a deeper drop in the final months of 2008, and a further decline in 2009. On a brighter note, new claims for unemployment benefits hold steady at a seasonally adjusted 479,000.

US STOCKS ADVANCE BUT REMAIN OFF HIGHS

Stocks retreat from early-session highs after a round of gloomy economic data but hold on to gains on hopes the Fed's rate cut will be supported by similar moves from other central banks. The CBOE market volatility index declines 6.2% to 65.66, a sign that expectations of market swings are subsiding.
AMERICAN EXPRESS CUTTING 10% OF STAFF

American Express will cut nearly 7,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting effort the credit-card company hopes will generate $1.8 billion in savings next year. The work force reduction will result in 4Q restructuring charges of $370 million to $440 million. Shares rise 4%.
EXXON MOBIL NET SURGES ON PRICE GAINS

Exxon Mobil reports a 58% increase in third-quarter net income, smashing its own record for quarterly profits, amid a $1.62 billion gain and high oil prices. The oil company posted a net income of $14.83 billion, or $2.86 a share. Shares edge down.
GMAC SEEKS BANK-HOLDING STATUS

GMAC confirms that it's seeking to convert to bank-holding company status and may raise capital via a private offering in a move that would allow it to gain access to the government's $700 billion financial rescue plan.
RATES STILL FALLING IN COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKET

Momentum is gathering in the $1.45 trillion commercial paper market, with rates still falling and investors buying debt that matures past one day, spurred by the Federal Reserve's rate cut and its program to support the commercial paper market.
KANSAS CITY FED SEES MANUFACTURING HIT RECORD LOW

Index of manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's district drops to -23 in October, from -9 in September, for the worst reading in the survey's 14-year history. New orders also fall to record low.
LAZEAR SEES GROWTH EARLY IN NEXT PRESIDENT'S TERM

"We think it is realistic to think some time early in the term of the next president we can start to see solid growth," Edward Lazear, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, says, declining to say whether U.S. is now in a recession.
ALCATEL CEO REASSURES ON FINANCES; SHARES LEAP

Telecommunications equipment maker's new chief executive, Ben Verwaayen, soothes investor concerns over its financial stability and says he is carrying out a strategic review of Alcatel-Lucent's activities, pushing shares up 16%. Adjusted 3Q operating profit falls 43%.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER NET FALLS ON HIGHER COSTS

International Paper's 3Q net drops 31% as higher prices fail to offset rising costs. Paper products company earns $149 million, or 35c a share. Revenue up 23% on its purchase of Weyerhaeuser.
TOYOTA TO EXPORT US-BUILT SEQUOIAS, TUNDRAS

Toyota Motor says it will export its U.S.-built Sequoia and Tundra vehicles to Latin America and the Middle East, the first time the auto maker is shipping them overseas as the company looks to offset slumping U.S. demand.
EXPEDIA NET DOWN 4.8% AMID FOREX LOSS

The online travel agency says it will cut costs in light of slumping travel spending in the past two months. It reports net income of $94.8 million, or 33 cents a share, as revenue rises 9.7% to $833.3 million. Shares slip 1%.
CBS POSTS HUGE LOSS ON LICENSE WRITE-DOWN

CBS swings to a huge third-quarter loss as it records $14.12 billion in goodwill write-downs related to the value of federal broadcasting licenses. The media company posted a net loss of $12.5 billion, or $18.58 a share. Revenue grew 2.9% to $3.38 billion. Shares rise 6%.
EASTMAN KODAK CUTS OUTLOOK, NET JUMPS

Photography giant's 3Q net nearly triples to $96 million, or 34c a share, following restructuring charges a year ago, but company cuts its 2008 outlook, expecting revenue to fall 3%-5% for the year.
MOTOROLA POSTS LOSS, CUTS FULL-YEAR VIEW

Motorola posts a 3Q net loss of $397 million, or 18c a share, compared with year-earlier net income of $60 million, or 3c a share. Restructuring changes expected to save $600 million next year, when losses are expected to narrow. Shares down 5%.
ICE SAYS BANKS' CDS CAPITAL NEEDS TO INCREASE

IntercontinentalExchange forecasts a huge shakeup in the credit-default swap market, with banks and dealers likely to pledge more capital to support the $55 trillion business. Shares of the exchange rise 21%.
BROWN SAYS IMF MUST PLAY ROLE IN HELPING E EUROPE

U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls on the International Monetary Fund to play a key role in tackling economic problems in Eastern Europe. Brown has called on oil-rich nations and those with large reserves to top up the IMF's resources.
SAUDI, TWO OTHER ARAB GULF STATES CUT RATES

Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's biggest economy, and two other Arab Gulf states, Kuwait and Bahrain, adopt the U.S. Federal Reserve's key interest rate cut to support their banking systems amid the ongoing world financial crisis.
CIGNA NET SLUMPS 53%, CUTS OUTLOOK

Managed-care firm's 3Q net income drops 53% to $171 million, or 62c a share, amid losses in run-off reinsurance segment. Revenue grows 9.9% to $4.85 billion. Company lowers its full-year earnings outlook. Shares fall 14%.
OIL FALLS $2 IN CHOPPY TRADING

Crude oil futures fall $2 a barrel as traders searched for a short-term bottom in prices. December delivery was recently down $2.01, or 3%, to $65.49 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
PHILLIES OUTLAST RAYS, CAPTURE WORLD SERIES

Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz each drove in a run in the resumption of Game Five to lift the Phillies to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, clinching their first World Series title since 1980 and the second in franchise history.



======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES =======

BROKER'S WORLD
BofA Gets Stingy With Brokers' Stay Bonuses
Bank of America is being pretty frugal when it comes to Merrill Lynch's renowned brokerage force, which is used to getting star treatment from Mother Merrill, Annie Gasparro writes.

HEARD ON THE STREET
After Market Rout, Pension Pain Looms
Corporate pension plans dug themselves out of a deep hole between 2002 and 2007. Now, they're back in it. That presents yet another worry, shortfalls will likely result next year in all-round hits, David Reilly writes.

============ U.S. MARKETS ACTION ===========
DJIA up 79.97 points to 9070.93
NASDAQ up 17.13 points to 1674.34
S&P 500 up 9.40 points to 939.49
10-year T-note 100 20/32 at 3.922 yield dn .040
NYMEX Crude down $1.80 at $ 65.70/bbl
Euro/Dollar down 0.0130 at 1.2830

Market Moves October 30, 2008

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Yellow pages directories publisher Idearc Inc. (IAR) announced Thursday it has drawn on most of its $250 million revolving credit facility to shore up liqudity after a dismal third quarter. The company said it tapped $247 million under the facility about a week ago and intends to use to proceeds for general corporate purposes.

The news comes as Idearc posted a worse-than-expected drop in quarterly profit and said it retained Merrill Lynch & Co. and Moelis & Co. to review alternatives related to its capital structure.

Idearc's 8% bonds due 2016 slumped over three points on the news to 18 cents on the dollar to over 50%, according to levels from MarketAxess. Idearc, which was spun off from Verizon Communications Inc. (vZ) in 2006, revealed third-quarter earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation or EBITDA - a key measure of cash flow - slumped 21.6%. Net income for the quarter meanwhile slumped 37.6%, while total revenue fell 7.1%. Idearc joins a long list of speculative grade companies buttressing their liquidity positions by turning to their revolving credit lines amid concern they may not be able to gain access to funds in the capital markets.

Dallas-based television station operator Belo Corp., for instance, said Thursday that it drew $364 million on its revolving credit facility to retire $350 million of 8% senior notes due Nov. 3, plus accrued interest.

While, Freescale Semiconductor drew $460 million under its $750 million revolving loan and IT-outsourcing company Computer Sciences (CSC) fully drew its $1.5 billion commercial-paper backstop facility last week.

Others include Calpine Corp. (CPN), Dana Corp. (DAN), Pinnacle Foods Group Inc., American Airlines, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT), General Motors Corp. (GM), and FairPoint Communications (FRP).

By Kate Haywood, Dow Jones Newswires;
Dow Jones NewswiresOctober 30, 2008 10:17 ET (14:17 GMT)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Types Of Orders On NY Stock Exchange

What is market order? What is a limit order? What is a stop order? What is a stop market order? What is a stop limit order? What is a trailing stop order? This article explains how different types of orders work on NYSE.

Orders are accepted subject to the rules and policies of the various exchanges and execution points. Marketplace rules also differ for normal and Extended-Hours Trading sessions.

Order Types

Select the order type from the following choices:

Market Order – Choosing “Market” for the order type indicates that you wish to seek an immediate execution for your order at the next available market price.

Limit – Choosing “Limit” for the order type indicates that you wish to seek the purchase or sale of a stock at a specific price or better. Please remember that stocks and options can trade on multiple exchanges, but an order can only be placed with one exchange, market maker or electronic communications network (ECN). Therefore, your order is entitled to be filled in the marketplace with which it was placed. Be careful not to assume your order has been executed simply because the stock or options trades at the price specified in your limit order. If the security trades through your price, contact a TD AMERITRADE representative for a possible confirmation.

Stop – When placing a Stop order to buy, enter a stop price above the ask price. When placing a Stop order to sell, enter a price below the current bid price. Sell-Stop orders for NYSE, NASDAQ and OTCBB securities are activated by the bid price, and Buy-Stop orders by the ask price. An options Sell-Stop is activated by the print (trade) price or ask/offer price. An options Buy-Stop is activated by the bid price, or a print (trade). Stop orders are accepted on listed stocks, NASDAQ (NMS) stocks and most options.

With Stop orders, there is no guarantee that the execution price of your order will be at or near the activation price. Execution at a price different than the activation price is more likely to occur in conditions such as a fast-moving market, at market open or market close, or when trading has been halted on a security.

Stop market – Choosing “Stop market” for the order type indicates that you want your Stop order to become a market order once a specific price has been reached. There is no guarantee that the execution price will be equal to or near the activation price. Stop orders are accepted on listed stocks, NASDAQ (NMS) stocks and most options.

Stop limit – Choosing “Stop limit” for the order type indicates that you want this order to seek an execution at a specific limit price or better once the activation price is reached. Enter an activation price as well as a limit price for these orders. Depending on your strategy, the limit price and activation price may be the same. The order becomes a limit order once the activation price has been reached.

Stop limit orders are accepted on listed stocks, NASDAQ (NMS) stocks and most options.

Trailing Stop – Trailing Stops are orders entered with a stop parameter that creates a moving or “trailing” activation price. Sell Trailing Stop orders may help you control risk on open positions by allowing you to enter a stop order with an activation price that changes with the market. The Stop order works with a ratchet effect, trailing price movements, in a positive direction only. For Sell Trailing Stops, the activation price only moves upward. For Buy Trailing Stops, the activation price only moves downward. If the price reverses direction, the Stop remains at its previous level and will be activated if the price reverses by more than the number of points or percent specified.

How To Trade Stocks On Stock Exchange Online

You can place trades for stocks, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and bonds.

Stocks

You can trade nearly any stock on any domestic exchange – blue chips on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), technology stocks on the NASDAQ, Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) securities, and pink sheet securities. When trading stock, it is your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient cash or available funds before placing a Buy order. You are also responsible for having the necessary shares in your account before placing a Sell order. Stock trades are settled within three business days after the transaction.

Bulletin Board Stocks

To Trade on OTCBB, place orders on OTCBB and pink sheet stock orders on the online stock trading ticket. The types of orders that can be placed for these securities are outlined in the OTCBB Securities Trading Rules, which are available on your trading platform. Orders on these types of securities may represent a greater investment risk as these securities represent low-priced shares that do not qualify to be traded on a national stock exchange or on NASDAQ for various reasons. Instead, dealers trade these securities on a manual basis and are not required to make a market in the security or hold shares in inventory. Because these securities are not always traded through automated or electronically linked execution systems, accurate quotes and immediate executions may not be available. It is not uncommon for the manual execution process to take several minutes.

Exchange Traded Funds

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are registered investment companies that trade on an exchange like a stock. ETF orders can be placed on the stock trading ticket. These funds track established market indexes, yet trade like a single stock. Commission fees apply. Those who practice frequent dollar-cost averaging and active traders may generate trading costs that outweigh any cost benefit. Trading prices may not reflect the actual net asset value (NAV) of the underlying securities.

Be sure to carefully consider the particular ETF’s investing objectives, risks, charges and expenses involved before investing in an ETF. To learn how to obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please visit the Research & Ideas section on our Web site or call a TD AMERITRADE representative. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Options

Due to the inherent risks involved and the complexities of certain options transactions, options are not suitable for all investors. Industry regulations require certain conditions be met before

Investment strategies that include options trading expose investors to additional costs, increased risks and potentially rapid and substantial losses. Please review Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before incorporating options trading into your investment strategy. This booklet, published by the Options Clearing Corporation, contains important information on standardized options and options markets.

Mutual Funds

Before investing in a mutual fund, be sure to carefully consider the particular fund’s investing objectives, risks, charges and expenses involved.

Bonds

Fixed-income securities play a role in many portfolio strategies. Chose from a large number of bond selections, including U.S. Treasury, corporate, government, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO) and municipal bonds.

When To Place and Execute Trades On NYSE

Market Sessions

Regular Trading

Trades are executed during normal market hours (currently 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET). If an order is placed after market hours, it will be sent to the marketplace for the next business day’s trading session. Options market hours are generally 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET. Most equity and narrow-based index options stop trading at 4 p.m., and broad-based index options stop trading at 4:15 p.m. Mutual fund orders placed after a specific fund’s cut-off time will usually receive the following business day’s NAV.

Extended-Hours Trading

Pre-market and after-hours trading sessions. The A.M. session is from 8 a.m. through 9:15 a.m. ET, Monday through Friday. The P.M. session is from 4:15 p.m. through 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday (excluding market holidays). This service allows clients to trade more than 8,000 equity securities outside of normal market hours.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Stock Recommendations Fridays October 24 2008

From Standard & Poor's Equity Research. Western Digital Corp. Needham upgrades to strong buy from buy Western Digital (WDC) posted fiscal first quarter results. Needham analyst Richard Kugele says the company's $2.1 billion in revenue and 93 cents non-GAAP EPS compare to his $2.08 billion and 84 cents estimates. He says Western Digital conservatively forecasted muted demand; he takes it further and assumes no material improvement through fiscal 2009 (June), with an even weaker fiscal 2010. Kugele says he's now comfortable with his estimates for first time in six months; nevertheless, Western Digital was trading (pre-open Oct. 24) at book value, $1 above tangible book, and materially below historical trough valuations of 0.5x sales, at a whopping 4.2x even his lowered $3.10 (from $3.29) fiscal 2009 EPS estimate. He has a $22 12-month price target on the stock.

Netgear, Inc. Wedbush Morgan cuts target Wedbush Morgan analyst Rohit Chopra says Netgear Netgear (NTGR) posted mixed third quarter results and issued lower-than-expected guidance as economy takes its toll on business. He notes the company's 19 cents third quarter EPS missed his 24 cents estimate, due to a revenue shortfall, forex losses from a stronger U.S. dollar, and higher taxes. Chopra says weak retail and service provider channels caused the revenue shortfall. He cut his 2008 estimates to $1.18 EPS on $739.2 million in revenue from $1.41 and $770.4 million, respectively. Chopra sees some support for the stock coming from a 6 million-share buyback. He kept his hold rating on the stock, but lowered his $13 price target to $12, based on P/E analysis.

Juniper Networks, Inc. Stifel cuts target Stifel analyst Sanjiv Wadhwani says Juniper Networks (JNPR) posted solid third quarter results but gave cautious fourth quarter guidance due to the macro environment. He notes that Juniper's $947 million in revenue and 32 cents non-GAAP EPS beat his $930 million and 29 cents estimates. Wadhwani says Juniper management is emphatic that they haven't seen slowdown in business but rather the overall macro environment, and its desire to get the right cost structure for the company in case customers slow purchases was a factor that led to its lower guidance. Wadhwani says fourth quarter revenues are expected at $921-$971 million; the low end assumes a material slowdown in the company's business. EPS is seen at 30-33 cents. The analyst cut his $25 price target to $23, but kept his buy rating on the shares.

STANDARD & POOR’S The Outlook October 29, 2008

Even though the drop in oil prices over the past month has quieted some of the buzz over energy issues, the surge in gasoline prices to more than $4 a gallon this summer means that energy costs are still a major “pocketbook” issue for voters.

Amid growing worries over the volatility of oil and natural gas prices and the environmental effects of burning coal, many electric utilities are turning to nuclear power for its history of stable fuel costs and lack of carbon dioxide emissions. A massive expansion of the global nuclear power industry is now taking shape, with plans being laid or construction already underway for more than 200 new reactors around the world — about a 50% increase from today’s total. But a possible shortage of nuclear fuel has some companies building or planning to build uranium enrichment plants.

Underlying this shift is the belief that fuel for nuclear power plants — most plants use the uranium 235 isotope enriched to a concentration of between 3% and 5% — will be readily available at stable prices.

According to the World Nuclear Association, “uranium’s worldwide availability at economically viable cost is a key factor that would allow a sharp expansion in nuclear power.”

Whether, in fact, a shortage will be the case a few years down the road is a matter of growing unease for utility executives and industry regulators, due to an expected shortage not of uranium itself — which is found in relative abundance around the world — but of the capacity to enrich “natural” uranium to the concentrations needed by the world’s current and future fleet of commercial reactors. A shortage could materialize as soon as 2010, according to the Euratom Supply Agency — the body tasked by the European Commission with ensuring “the regular and equitable supply of nuclear fuels.”

“The period from 2010 to 2013 could be very sensitive regarding the balance between enrichment services demand and offer,” the Agency said in an April 2008 communique, adding it is also “concerned about the situation from 2013 onwards,” and countries receiving enriched uranium from a single supplier “may face serious problems.”

Source: STANDARD & POOR’S THE OUTLOOK OCTOBER 29, 2008

Is the flight to safety creating bond buyer opportunities?

Fear and panic are equally well at work in both the fixed income markets and the equity markets. According to fund-tracker AMG Data, investors pulled more than $1 billion out of junk-bond funds since September, worried that default rates could spike from their current low of 3% for the first nine months of the year. But what about the nearly $6 billion they have pulled from investment grade Corporate bond funds? It looks like a lot of high-quality non-financial corporate debt is being thrown out with the bathwater. On average, investment grade debt is selling for 87 cents on the dollar to yield 8.5% vs 69 cents for potentially toxic junk yielding 17%, according to Merrill Lynch.

Overall, the $2.5 trillion market for investment grade Corporates has fallen 11% since the start of September 2008 and 11.5% since the start of the year—as compared to a loss of 3.3% in 1994, its worst year ever. Junk has fallen 17% since September and 19% since the start of the year. Its worse annual loss ever was 5% in 2000, when tech stocks cratered. Meanwhile the
spread between investment grade Corporates and Treasuries is at an unprecedented 5.35 percentage points while the junk spread versus Treasuries is a huge 14 percentage points. The flight-to-safety has made Treasuries the only positive fixed-income performer year-to-date.

The Corporate bond market appears to be forecasting a recession as bad as the Great Depression. And while we expect non-financial sectors to feel the effects of recession, we also see the Fed and the Treasury working to relieve the financial crisis and limit the degree of slow down. High quality Corporates with stable underlying cash flow streams, low debt levels and operating in low-default defensive sectors such as consumer staples, utilities and health care could prove to be attractive buying opportunities for long-term investors.

What Are Conditional Orders?

Creating a conditional order allows you to establish an "either/or" relationship between your orders, as is possible with OCA (one cancels another) orders. Conditional orders can also enable you to establish an "if/then" relationship between your orders, as is possible with an OTA (one triggers another) order. You can also combine "either/or" and "if /then" relationships within your orders, as is possible with OT/OCA (One triggers an OCA order) orders.

Conditional orders let you combine two or three individual orders that will, if filled, either cancel or trigger additional orders. Conditional orders are available for both stocks and single-leg option orders (in option-approved accounts).

When trading stocks online, go to your trading platform and place conditional trade orders. Here is an example of how to place conditional orders in TD Ameritrade

1. To create a conditional order, go to Stocks or Options (under Trade) and enter an order as you normally would - specify the action (buy, sell), quantity, symbol, and order type (e.g. limit, stop limit, stop market).

2. To indicate that you want your order to be conditional, select the checkbox next to Make this a conditional order.

3. Next, select the type of conditional order you want to place and enter the order details for the second and (if applicable) third legs of your conditional order.

4. When your order details are complete, select Review order to confirm and place your conditional order. (Express trading is not available for conditional orders).

5. Review your conditional order on the order confirmation page, then select Place Order, Change Order, or Do Not Place Order.

The following types of conditional orders are available:

Once Cancels Another (OCA)

One Triggers Another (OTA)

One Triggers Two (OTT)

One Triggers an OCA (OT/OCA)

One Triggers an OTA (OT/OTA)

Conditional Order Strategies:

Conditional orders allow you combine individual orders into an automated entry and exit strategy.

Want to submit a Bracket Order?

These orders allow you to establish a protective exit point (with a stop order) and a target exit point (with a limit order) for an existing position.

Want to submit your entry and exit as one conditional order?

These orders allow you to submit an entry order and include both a protective exit point (with a stop order) and a target exit point (with a limit order).

Protecting your gains and limiting your losses

Part of a sound trading strategy is clearly defining your entry and exit points, and placing the right orders to put your ideas to work.

Looking to protect your gains and limit losses?

These order types can help you limit your risk by activating if the market moves against you.

Looking to protect your gains and limit losses?

These order types can help you limit your risk by activating if the market moves against you.

Be responsive to market conditions

Want to let market conditions determine what to buy or sell?

If you are deciding between two securities, you can enter a limit order for both and let market conditions dictate which one is executed and which one is canceled.

Want to place orders based on the movement of other securities or indices?

If you want certain market conditions or stock/index movements to establish your entry and exit strategies, this order entry tool may be for you.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Stock Trading Tips October 21, 2008

The Dow has dropped 20% over the last few months. The S&P 500 is down 20.8% and the NASDAQ is off 21.7%. But the worst isn't over. In fact, it's just beginning. Many experts believe that the Dow could shed another 20% by next spring.

Bottom line: If you're trying to make money using a traditional "Buy and Hold" strategy, you are going to experience a financial bloodletting of severe proportions.
That's because in a falling market, even good stocks drop. Buying stocks and hoping they will go up in a bad market is like trying to swim against a rip tide.

You simply aren't going to make it. Period. At the same time, keeping all your money in cash exposes you to the risks of inflation. You can't stop building wealth just because the market is falling. If you wait for the markets to reverse, you are going to be waiting for a very long time.

Smart stock investors can generate winning picks regardless of market direction as their strategies are ideal for today's market because they make money when stocks fall. In fact, they show big triple-digit gains in a falling market with very limited risk. While the bulk of their portfolio is tucked away in cash, they are still able to seize opportunity and build a nest egg.

Smart investors are able to predict the short-term market movements with an uncanny level of timing and pricing accuracy. More importantly, they generate simple, specific plays individual investors can use to nail massive profits. Here's how it works:

As you know, stocks constantly move up and down. And, as a stock moves, a trend line is established. The trend line shows where the stock has been, and where it is likely to go next.

And here's the thing: The trend line is like a magnet.
In the short-term, a stock can move away from the trend line. But over time, it always moves back to the trend line.

Crisis breeds opportunity. The bigger the crisis, the bigger the opportunity if you know where to look.

To make money in the market in today’s economy you can still keep 95% of your portfolio in cash or other rock-solid safe investments while using the remaining 5% of your portfolio to exploit the ongoing market weakness for big gains.

In a sense, it's liking putting your money in an Iron-Clad mattress out of harm's way and still being able to take advantage of the incredible money making opportunity at hand.

This is important because it allows you to build wealth, even as most people are suffering irreparable financial damage.

As the U.S. financial markets crumble, some smart folks are turning the crisis into a phenomenal wealth-building opportunity.