tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63434254407212462032012-01-21T11:46:32.770-08:00The Tech FarmThe World of Trends, the Stock Market, and Technology.techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.comBlogger2331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-65759939717475688052011-11-26T21:34:00.001-08:002011-11-26T23:37:14.185-08:00College Major and Field Salary and Unemployment (2010)With tuition and higher education costs greatly outpacing inflation, choosing a Field and College Major becomes a more important decision.Based on the 2010 Census Data and the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, here are the unemployment rates and 25, 50, and 75th percentile incomes based on the Field of Study. Results Sorted by 50% Percentile Income Field Unemployment25%techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-61529988413416854452011-11-01T21:59:00.000-07:002011-11-02T00:14:53.884-07:00Profit from Population Growth: 7 Billion People on EarthYou may have seen the most recent headline that the World Population is now 7 Billion Human Individuals.Can we profit from this? Water Infrastructure:Water Infrastructure will be needed to support the growing population.You can play this with the PowerShares Global Water Portfolio ETF (PIO) or the Powershares Water Resources ETF (PHO). Individual company names can include companies such as techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-55615214908634783632011-10-04T00:56:00.000-07:002011-10-04T02:36:32.145-07:00Undervalued Stocks with Respect to Growth and Yield (PEG+Y Ratio)As the Stock Market including the U.S. S&P 500 Index goes down, experienced people say you should start creating a wish list of companies to buy at lower levels.One measure of valuation is the PEG+Y Ratio which is the Forward Price Earnings Ratio divided by the Five Year Estimated Growth Rate Plus Yield:PEG+Y = (Forward Price Earnings Ratio) / (5 Year Estimated Growth Rate + Yield)PEGY (simpler techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-6726838951948659222011-09-22T23:08:00.001-07:002011-09-22T23:33:41.798-07:00End of World Portfolio: Gold, Guns, and Spam: OutperformingSome people say that the End of the World Portfolio consists of "Gold, Guns, and Spam".To evaluate these, we will compare the S&P 500 compared to Gold (GLD), Guns (RGR: Sturm Ruger, maker of firearms), and Spam (HRL, Hormel, maker of Spam).(Dividends not taken into consideration):First Major Downturn: October 2007 to September 22, 2011: S&P 500: -27.83% GLD: +131.29% HRL: +57.62% RGR: +68.98%techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-62918337594441512592011-09-07T23:45:00.000-07:002011-09-08T00:07:13.467-07:00Idea #6: AEA: Cash Advance Centers: Profit from Bad Times and Living Paycheck to PaycheckSimple Idea #6: AEA: Advance America, Cash Advance Centers: Profit from Bad Times, Recession, Unemployment, and Living Paycheck to Paycheck TICKER: AEASECTOR: Financial Services, Loans, Credit Services GROWTH THEME: Bad times are with us with risks of recession, continued high unemployment and people continuing to live paycheck to paycheck. AEA, Advance America, Cash Advance America provides techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-36284273485525782872011-08-17T21:36:00.001-07:002011-08-18T21:47:37.493-07:00Idea #5: HANS: Hansen, Leading Energy Drink Maker, Monster brandSimple Investment Idea #5: HANS (Hansen): Leading Energy Drink Maker ('Monster' brand)
TICKER: HANS
SECTOR: Consumer Staples, Beverage, Energy Drink, Specialty Drinks
GROWTH THEME: Hansen (HANS) is a specialty drink maker, and their Monster Brand Energy Drink is a leader. Generation Y (a large group) and the Youth, and global growth will help propel stock and industry forward.
DEMOGRAPHICStechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-92194800150086863512011-08-08T23:51:00.000-07:002011-08-09T00:15:16.398-07:00Stock Market S&P 500 in Upper Range of 60 Year Mainstream Price ChannelThe S&P 500 (US Stock Market) has been going down for sometime, and the S&P 500 went down 6.7% on August 8, 2011, to 1119.46. From the long term view, where is this market headed?
If we look at the S&P 500 chart from 1950 to 2010 (We made this chart the middle of 2010), we see that the S&P 500 Stock Market is now solidly within the mainstream price channel between the years 1950 and 2010. The techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-17280361249716964772011-05-11T21:09:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:41:32.743-07:00Idea #4: SNDA: Profit from Millions of Online Chinese GamersSimple Investment Idea #4: SNDA: Profit from Millions of Online Chinese GamersTICKER: SNDACOMPANY: Shanda Interactive Entertainment LTD.SECTOR: Technology, Chinese Online GamingGROWTH THEME: Online Gaming in China is big business, with millions of players. There is also a great demographic shift in China, and there will be 24 million surplus bachelor marriage aged men, a key Chinese online techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-86304464761130928762011-04-04T22:27:00.001-07:002011-04-04T22:38:32.687-07:00Idea #3: QSII: Profit from Digitizing HealthCare SystemsSimple Investment Idea #3: QSII: Profit from Digitizing HealthCare SystemsTICKER: QSIICOMPANY: Quality SystemsSECTOR: HealthCare, TechnologyGROWTH THEME: There is a big need to modernize and digitize HealthCare Records and HealthCare Information Systems (IT).MARKET CAP: $2.51BFORWARD PE: 31.48ESTIMATED 5 YEAR GROWTH: 18.27%FORWARD YIELD: 1.70%PEG+Y GROWTH: 1.57PERCENT ABOVE 50 DAY MOVING AVERAGEtechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-8178760626541676352011-03-28T21:41:00.000-07:002011-03-28T21:56:48.023-07:00Idea #2: TDG: Profit from Aerospace BoomSimple Investment Idea #2: TDG: Profit From Aerospace Boom.TICKER: TDGCOMPANY: Transdigm GroupSECTOR: AerospaceGROWTH THEME: We are in the middle of an aerospace boom, including an era where we are replacing both commercial and military aircraft. Transdigm Group provides parts for commercial and military aircraftMARKET CAP: $4.08BFORWARD PE: 16.80ESTIMATED 5 YEAR GROWTH: 10.50%FORWARD YIELD: 0%techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-40210449348097629252011-03-24T22:08:00.001-07:002011-03-24T22:23:05.504-07:00Idea #1: HMSY: Profit From Government Healthcare Waste Simple Investment Idea #1: HMSY: Profit From Government Healthcare Waste TICKER: HMSY COMPANY: HMS HoldingsSECTOR: Healthcare, Financial RecoveryGROWTH THEME: If you believe that government is wasteful and will continue to be wasteful especially in areas such as Benefits and Medicaid, then you can profit by investing in HMSY, a company which recovers healthcare government waste.MARKET CAP: techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-83807560104651057972010-08-17T23:27:00.000-07:002010-08-18T00:18:53.017-07:00Scary Similarity: Charts 1929-1930, and 2008-2010; Big Drop or Crash Ahead?There are scary similiarities if you look at the charts today (2008-2010) and the Charts (1929-1930) around the time of the Great Depression.Here is the current chart from 2008 to 2010 of the S&P 500: Here is the chart from 1929 to 1930 of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) Comparison Points On each chart, there are labels. A label on one chart, should correspond (similarity) with the sametechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-88353756617738232622010-06-30T23:03:00.000-07:002010-07-01T00:07:54.370-07:00U.S. S&P 500 Stock Market to Stagnate for Five Years in Secular Bear MarketThe U.S. Stock Market, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, could stagnate for a long time period (such as five years). Long Term S&P 500 Price Channel Since 1950 Since 1950, the S&P 500 Stock Market has been in a consistent price channel, until the year 1995, when the S&P 500 starts the runup at an unsustainable rate, until the peak in 2000. During the time period starting in 1995, the S&P 500 techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-80606695800142936912010-06-28T21:03:00.000-07:002010-06-29T10:46:19.497-07:00Head and Shoulders Top? S&P 500 to Consolidate and find Lower Trading Range S&P 500 Market Top? The U.S Stock Market as represented by the S&P 500 has made a good run, from S&P 500 level of 666 to 1219.80 for a strong rally.However, based on the Chart Annotation above, the S&P 500 may have hit a Head and Shoulders Top, a Technical Pattern (analyzing patterns based on stock chart patterns) that suggests that a Top has been made and a downtrend could ensue. Consolidationtechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-23552696009997606592010-01-31T19:33:00.000-08:002010-01-31T19:45:52.106-08:0024 Million Chinese Bachelors: Violence or Opportunity for Chinese Online Gaming Companies?There is a big demographic shift in China: There will be a surplus of 24 million Chinese Men who will not be able to find a wife in China because of the large imbalance of bachelors to bachelorettes.Times Online (in the UK) has an article on this. What are the implications of this big Chinese demographic change? Violence? Revolution? War?Or could this be an opportunity for Chinese online techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-14855835387889139492009-09-03T22:52:00.000-07:002009-09-04T16:07:16.598-07:00Profit from Looming Shortage of Rare Earth Elements needed for Hybrids and Green TechnologyThe world is moving more towards hybrids and future Clean and Green Technology such as wind turbines.Honda and Toyota are dedicated to hitting and ramping their hybrid targets.But all this demand will cause a shortage in elements needed by hybrids, wind turbines, and future technology.According to a Reuters Article (By Steve Gorman), Hybrid cars are gobbling rare metals such as Lanthanum, techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-36559301272350124252009-09-01T00:20:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:34:44.743-07:00Profit from Those $1 Per Day (to Rent) Red DVD Kiosks?Have you ever seen those Red DVD Kiosks at your local supermarket? For $1 a day, you can automatically select any movie and rent the DVD. There are no late fees, and if you keep the movie after a certain number of days, the movie is yours to keep.In this economy, and in general, this is a very appealing option. Blockbuster (BBI), for example, offers rental of a DVD for around $4 per day. Other techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-10635077043896991472009-08-02T23:32:00.001-07:002009-08-03T00:00:32.356-07:00The Rise of Social GamingThe Rise of Social GamingSocial Gaming is the fastest growing game market.Social games are "built to be enjoyed and shared with friends through existing social networks and platforms like the iPhone." They are often free to play, and they heighten the sense of camaraderie and competition with other players. Full Article on "Social Networking is next big thing for gaming" One of the most popular techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-15010268501486010972009-06-01T20:14:00.000-07:002009-06-01T20:43:21.547-07:00Is it Time to Get Back in the Market? (S&P 500)After seeing the market go through a strong rally since early March 2009, and seeing today's action in the U.S. Markets, with the S&P 500 going up 2.58% to the $SPX Index level of 942.87, many people are asking whether it is time to get back in the stock market.That question requires more details. What are you going to do with money? If the money is in a retirement account (the one with tax techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-4286891760223728362009-05-13T22:05:00.000-07:002009-05-13T22:16:02.282-07:00Reversion to the Mean Trade on SRS: Double Short Real Estate ETF?In the Previous Post, this blog speculated how far this rally could go.The S&P 500 rally does appear to be stalling, after being severely underneath the 50 day and 200 day moving average. Over the last several months, the S&P 500 has broken above the 50 day moving average, and approached the 200 day moving average (200 Day Moving average was approximately 950, and the S&P 500 reached 930). Now techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-3890200110750598352009-03-11T02:28:00.000-07:002009-03-11T02:41:49.286-07:00How far can this (Bear Market) S&P 500 Stock Market Rally Go?On March 10, 2009, the S&P 500 went up 6.37%. Some pundits are calling for a bottom, but many see this as merely a Bear Market Rally.How far can this rally go?First major candidate is S&P 500 level of 740 to 760. This was the previous low held late in 2008, and is also the level that held in the Bear Market Bottom of 2000-2002. Another candidate is the breakout point off a symmetrical triangle techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-14163807410454276762009-03-05T22:36:00.000-08:002009-03-05T23:45:19.446-08:00Bull Market in Guns and Ammunition in this Bad Bear Market?Over the last few months, we've seen the next leg down in this terrible bear market. Since the US Election on November 2008 to March 5, 2009, we've seen the S&P 500 go down 28.6% and the Small Capitalization Russell 2000 index go down 34.4%.But yet, two stocks, SWHC (Smith and Wesson Holdings) and RGR (Sturm Ruger), two Gun and Ammunition companies, have gained 45.8% and 39.8% techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-13635039300508262672009-03-03T23:21:00.000-08:002009-03-03T23:56:10.186-08:00Profit from Current Bear Market with Inverse ETFsWe have recently broke down below the major support level of 741/768 on the S&P 500 which were held recently and during the great bear market bottom of 2002.This blog has set a target of 450 to 600 on the S&P 500 based on many factors.Excellent Chartist Louise Yamada, who has been right so far, agrees with this assessment.If you do believe that the market could go down from here (700 level) to techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-16929203994010513312009-03-01T23:46:00.000-08:002009-03-02T21:40:40.741-08:00Stock Market S&P 500 to Continue Large Drop If We Break Important Levels.S&P 500 Level of 741 is a very important technical support level. It is the major bottom in late 2008. It is also very close to the major bottom of the great bear market which ended in 2002.In the chart above, we notice the importance of the S&P 500 level of 740 to 760. We also notice that in 1995, the slope of the chart increases at an unsupportable rate. It was during this time, that the techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-75347143576239161502009-02-18T21:51:00.000-08:002009-02-18T22:16:55.601-08:00Stock Market (S&P 500) Breakdown to New Levels Has BegunFor the last three to four months, the Stock Market, as represented by the S&P 500 has been trading in a symmetrical triangle pattern. This blog has been saying that breakout would occur soon, sometime during February.On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, the S&P 500 has finally broken down from the symmetrical triangle and is starting a new downtrend.There is major resistance at around the 740 to 760 techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-48543521725469996582009-02-10T23:11:00.000-08:002009-02-10T23:26:38.205-08:00Stock Market (S&P 500) Breakout Soon! We are near end of Symmetric TriangleThe Stock Market, as represented by the S&P 500 ($SPX), is very near the end of a symmetrical triangle (see chart above).The Market has gone back and forth inside of this triangle, and the market is consolidating the move from the all time highs. The end of the triangle converges in March, and because there is often a breakout around 1/2 to 3/4s of the pattern, it is about time the market breaks techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-53136760566588117052009-02-05T00:40:00.001-08:002009-02-05T01:00:25.797-08:00HMSY 52 Week High; ATVI - DJ Hero Game; S&P 500 - Breakout Near HMSY (HMS Holdings) hit 52 week highHMS Holdings (HMSY), a small cap company that takes advantage of waste in Government Health care Benefits, has just hit a 52 week high gaining 3.5% on Wednesday, February 4 to $33.13. This stock is technically strong and has good fundamentals as well. ATVI (Activision-Blizzard) to release DJ Hero By End of Year Activision-Blizzard, Makers of the popular Guitartechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-71850614009195818332009-01-30T02:39:00.000-08:002009-01-30T03:09:51.111-08:00Stocks (S&P 500) Converging and is Breakout Near? Usually a Continuation Pattern (More Downside Ahead?)U.S. Stocks, as represented by the S&P 500, are converging towards a certain price, forming a wedge or symmetrical triangle pattern.Chartists and technicians often say that near the end of the triangle or wedge, a breakout could occur with good volume. While the breakout could occur in either direction (up or down), the pattern is often a continuation pattern of the previous trend:"While there techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-38816789777686090862009-01-20T22:18:00.000-08:002009-01-20T22:35:36.291-08:00Profit from Big Government Healthcare WasteThere is a trend towards Big Government and Big Government Health Care, especially with the traditionally Big Government and Big Health Care Democrats having control of both the Executive and Legislative Branch of the United States.With so much money being spent on Health care, Government sponsored Health care, there is a niche area to recover much of the waste and inefficiencies.HMS Holdings (techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-42813576094966680052009-01-14T20:49:00.000-08:002009-01-14T21:18:56.174-08:00Profit from Obama's Digital Health Care InitiativePresident Elect Obama has an initiative to modernize health care by making all health records standardized and electronic, within five years.The idea is that the quality of health care will get a big boost, and costs, over the long run, will decline. But this will come at a cost of around $75 billion to $100 billion over ten years according to studies from Harvard, RAND and the Commonwealth techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-71120366071194401072008-12-08T01:17:00.000-08:002008-12-08T01:26:11.614-08:00Will S&P 500 Stock Market Rally or Continue Downtrend? Market is at Resistance.The Market (as represented by the S&P 500) is at a decision point. Does the S&P 500 rally or continue the downtrend?Currently, on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, the S&P 500 is at 876, and is very near many resistance levels. Horizontal Resistance: Around 900 to 916 3 Month Downtrend Resistance: Around 879 50 Day Moving Average Resistance: 936If Stock Market breaks through these resistance areas with goodtechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-65701818482527749862008-12-01T00:55:00.001-08:002008-12-01T01:41:28.209-08:00Secular Bull and Bear Markets; Cyclical Bull and Bear MarketsAccording to Wikipedia, "A secular market trend is a long-term trend that usually lasts 5 to 25 years (but whose distribution is more or less bell shaped around 17 years, in the stock market), and consists of sequential 'primary' trends."A Cyclical Market trend is a shorter term trend lasting around two to four years.A Bull Market "tends to be associated with increasing investor confidence, techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-32383250541539310612008-11-23T22:49:00.000-08:002008-11-24T22:45:41.463-08:00Stock Market S&P 500 Long Term Bottom Target: 450 to 600, a Drop of 25% to 44% from HerePreviously, we offered analysis that the US Stock Market could be in trouble if the S&P 500 goes below 768. The S&P 500 recently went to an intraday level of 741 but successfully tested the major low of 768 set 6 years ago on October 10, 2002.It is still very possible that the S&P 500 could re-test (at least once) 741/768, and the S&P 500 could break below this level.At this point, where would a techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-37335909540926083812008-11-19T22:07:00.000-08:002008-11-20T23:27:43.705-08:00Stock Trading Ideas after Stock Market Drop TodayThe S&P 500 went down 52.54 points today, to close at 806.58, a drop of 6.12%.The S&P 500 broke below previous support of around 839 and 818.We previously wrote what could happen if the S&P 500 breaks below 839, or even if the S&P 500 breaks 768. This can be a very scary market, but for traders, this can be a great market. Traders like volatility. For many years, the US Stock Market had been techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-11540529398178744902008-11-17T21:48:00.000-08:002008-11-17T22:10:43.903-08:00Dire Consequences if Stock Market S&P 500 Breaks Below 768.Monday, November 17, 2008: The S&P 500 is at 850.The Stock Market as represented by the S&P 500 has been holding the support level of 839 successfully.Looking forward, what if we break below 839?The next major support is at 768, which was established 6 years ago on October 10, 2002, and the stock market is most likely going to bounce around this major support area.But can we think the unthinkabletechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-60003164605295386392008-11-12T22:51:00.000-08:002008-11-12T23:05:30.473-08:00What if S&P 500 Breaks Below 839? 60, 40 and 10 Year Chart ViewWednesday, November 12, 2008: The Stock Market as Represented by the S&P 500 Index went down 5.19% to close at 852.30.Many people are concerned.The most recent support area is 839.80 established on October 10, 2008. The S&P 500 could go down near this area and "test" support there.The S&P 500 could successfully test and then bounce up.Or, the S&P 500 could fail there, and go below 839.80. techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-50899396895799552462008-11-09T15:43:00.000-08:002008-11-09T21:08:47.580-08:00Possible Personal Finance PlanThe current times are very uncertain with talk of recession in the United States, and the stock market falling 40% since the peak late in 2007.What can we do now?Here is one possible suggestion. Of course, please consult your financial planner if you have one. Create a Safety Net Make sure you have at least a 6 month emergency cash reserve. You can find an FDIC insured high interest online techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-22331624231175937662008-10-29T03:48:00.000-07:002008-10-29T23:02:02.526-07:00Time for a Rally to the 50 Day Moving Average of 1130?On Tuesday, October 28, 2008 the S&P 500 had a very good day, going up 10.79% from an open of 848.92 to close at 940.51.In a previous blog, we also speculated the S&P would re-test the previous lows. On October 17, it appears as if we hit an intra-day low which is almost as low as the low on October 10. If we look at the SPY, the S&P 500 ETF, the SPY did successfully test the low on October 10.techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-46883794015130965492008-10-24T02:53:00.000-07:002008-10-24T03:02:51.074-07:00Stock Market Breakdown from Symmetrical Triangle?In our last blog entry, the S&P 500 appeared to be in a Wedge/Symmetrical Triangle.However, as with most patterns, we need confirmation (strong breakout with high volume above upper trend line), and the (ongoing) pattern did not turn out to be a bullish one.However, if we generically call the pattern a symmetrical triangle, the interpretation would be a triangle, that could break either way (up techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-46811805786069118702008-10-22T17:57:00.000-07:002008-10-22T18:08:13.214-07:00Possible Bullish Bottom Triangle Wedge Pattern on S&P 500 Stock Market?Looking at the S&P 500 Stock Chart, we noticed that the S&P 500 ($SPX) may be within a bullish Bottom Triangle Wedge Pattern.According to the Trending123 website, a Bottom Triangle/Wedge is a possible bullish reversal pattern."These patterns have two converging trend lines. The pattern will display two highs touching the upper trend line and two lows touching the lower trend line.This pattern is techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-83834392967223531962008-10-14T01:09:00.001-07:002008-10-14T01:34:36.842-07:00Enjoy the Rally But We Will Revisit the Stock Market LowsWe have had a very volatile three day period, and it does look like we have put in a bottom after a classic, stock market capitulation.Thursday, October 9, 2008: S&P 500 opens at 988.42, and falls to 909.92 for a loss of almost 8%, a major drop. After market, Thursday, October 9, Before Market on Friday, October 10: Great fear, and the sky seemed to be falling. Friday, October 10: Market opens techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-60424293064984554922008-10-10T02:01:00.001-07:002008-10-10T03:45:06.819-07:00Have We Capitulated Yet in the Stock Market? We may break Records. Stock Chart Included.The US Stock Market as represented by the S&P 500 index went down 78.5 points to 909.92 for a loss of about 7.9%. We Are Near Record Levels By almost any metric, we are extremely oversold and near historic levels.Even before today's big drop, by many technical (related to looking at charts, and price and volume movements and other patterns) standards, we were in extreme oversold conditions. We techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-28959084133942350312008-10-09T02:57:00.000-07:002008-10-09T03:21:06.879-07:00Time for a Stock Market Short Covering Rally?The Stock Market as represented by the S&P 500 has been going down for sometime and the S&P 500 is now at 970.97.Is it time for a (short covering) rally?The current levels appear to be low enough for some bargain hunters to step in, and the shorts to start covering, starting a rally.The S&P 500 (as of close of Wednesday, October 8) when displayed on a Point and Figure Chart , shows a Bullish techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-82665758860934056112008-10-08T00:59:00.000-07:002008-10-08T01:35:58.734-07:00One Year Forward Return on S&P 500 Stock Market Looks Historically Positive From HereThe Stock Market as represented by the S&P 500 Index had a bad day, going down 60.66 points to 996.23 for a loss of 5.74%.Historically, today is a unique day. Previously, this blog made a study of the S&P 500 from 1950 to March 2008 and looked at the one year forward annual return based on the S&P 500 index in relation to the 52 week high and 52 week low.We calculated a special value called HOLU techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-19085275969389510562008-09-29T23:10:00.001-07:002008-09-29T23:33:35.073-07:00Time to Start Accumulating? Where's the Bottom after Today's Massive DropToday was not a good day in the stock market, as the S&P 500 went down -8.8% from 1213.27 to 1106.42 (-106.85). The market broke below the previous low of around 1133.Where's the Bottom? Based on Previous Chart analysis, there could be a good chance that the bottom of 1070-1077 could hold. If the market easily breaks through this level, the market would truly be in trouble.But we believe that thetechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-30178958705462256482008-09-15T20:52:00.001-07:002008-09-16T01:12:40.157-07:00Where's S&P 500 Support after Today's Big Drop? What should we do? New Trading Range Today, the stock market as represented by the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 500 points for a loss of 4.41%. The S&P 500 dropped 59 points to 1192 for a 4.71% loss.This drop was not unexpected. Around July of 2008, the S&P 500 hit a new low of 1200. Often, these lows are re-tested, and this is what we had today. We re-tested the lows and broke below previous support techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-51654504169802096102008-09-08T23:14:00.000-07:002008-09-08T23:23:00.589-07:00Crude Oil and Natural Gas Chart, Support and TrendlinesThe Chart above shows Crude oil support levels at $100 a barrel and $87.71 a barrel. The 50% and 61.8% retracement from the three year lows matches horizontal resistance, which is good validation.The bottom chart shows the ratio of Crude Oil to Natural Gas. We see the trend line of this ratio. If the ratio of Crude Oil to Natural goes back to trendline (around 12:1), then that means either techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-70505841170230033582008-08-30T00:31:00.000-07:002008-08-30T00:40:56.513-07:00Pipelines from Alaska; Sarah Palin and Energy Independence; Profit from thisWhile reading a New York Times article on recent Republican VP Selection Sarah Palin of Alaska, I discover this:Her intense pursuit of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from the North Slope of Alaska to market in the Lower 48 led to what her administration has claimed as a major triumph: the Legislature this summer approved her plan to give a $500 million subsidy to TransCanada, a Canadian techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-73663829909531440062008-08-23T00:15:00.000-07:002008-08-23T01:11:26.475-07:00Chinese Demographic: Lonely Young Tech Savvy People Looking for Friends, Fun, and Games OnlinePearl Research Calls them the "Phoenix Generation". These people are China's 16 to 30 year olds who have $135 billion in spending power. These young people have grown up during China's economic boom, and they are very tech savvy.Many of these young people are also lonely. Because of China's one child per family policy, these people have no brothers and sisters and are looking for friends. Since techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-19378854956092746802008-08-12T22:13:00.001-07:002008-08-12T22:34:26.536-07:00Time for Healthcare Information System Stocks?For some time now, I have been watching Healthcare Information System stocks. All around the world, there is a trend towards digitizing medical and patient information. Healthcare Information System companies have a bright future.However over the last three years, the stock price of several of the companies I have been watching have gone nowhere.Over the last 6 days (August 5, 2008 to August 12, techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-12493119469883951692008-08-07T01:31:00.000-07:002008-08-07T01:39:59.028-07:00Two More Quality Growth Stocks from Screen (CELG, MR)I recently ran a Growth Screen and found two stocks at the top of the screen.Celgene (CELG): Biotech company has a forward PE of 33 and a 5 year estimated growth of 35.79%, for a low PEG of 0.92. Stock is near very near its 52 week high or has just broken above recent high. Mindray Medical (MR): Chinese Medical Device Company that operates in three segments: Patient Monitoring and Life Support,techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-69971973855339305832008-08-04T22:58:00.000-07:002008-08-04T23:39:13.111-07:00Two Stocks on My Screen in a Bad Market (OSIP, ISYS)I recently ran one of my stock screens, looking for new ideas.In this market, I managed to find two interesting companies. Integral Systems (ISYS) builds satellite ground systems and equipment for command and control, integration and test, data processing and simulation. The stock is near its 52 week high despite the bad market. The company has a forward PE of 19, and a 5 year estimated growth techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-26493300620813076112008-07-30T23:30:00.001-07:002008-07-30T23:50:17.743-07:00French Utility companies Suez and Gaz De France (GAZ.PA) Merge Creating Europe's 2nd Largest Electricity and Gas GroupFrench Utility Companies Suez (formerly SZEZY) and Gaz De France (GAZ.PA in France) have merged to form Europe's 2nd largest Electricity and Gas Group. French Nuclear Power Group EDF (EDF.PA) is the first.The new company is GDF Suez (GDFZY.pk is the United States ADR).Suez had been known as a good French Utility with good exposure to Water and Waste Management. However, the merger agreement techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-36416262259149513332008-07-21T20:25:00.000-07:002008-07-22T19:45:57.163-07:00Much Time is Needed Before Housing Can RecoverAccording to a recent Realtor.com survey, the top two obstacles to owning a home are (1) High Home Prices and (2) High Down Payments. High Home Prices Despite Home Prices continuing to fall, home prices are still too high.Here's the Standard and Poors (S&P) Case-Shiller 10 City Composite Index since 1987:Notice the dark blue line and the parabolic pattern reminiscent of the 2000-2002 Bubble.The techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-65869846518914098072008-07-16T00:12:00.001-07:002008-07-16T00:53:54.178-07:00Are Large Cap Consumer Staple and Health Care Stocks Really Recession Proof?A recent poster on this blog commented on the "Anti-Recession Stocks that can survive a US Slowdown" blog post. The poster said:Well you were most certainly wrong. Too bad folks like you can't get out of the mindset that just because a company is big and been around a while doesn't mean it's stock will do well.Let's evaluate the stocks chosen in the previous blog entry to see whether or not the techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-19818389815620001792008-07-10T17:03:00.000-07:002008-07-10T17:08:53.177-07:00Activision Blizzard Merger Completed (ATVID).The Merger between Game Software Maker Activision (formerly ATVI), maker of the very popular Guitar Hero and Call of Duty, and Blizzard, maker of the popular online role playing game World of Warcraft, has completed.The new ticker symbol for Activision Blizzard is now ATVID.The ATVID stock rose 5.44% to $31.77 per share.As we previously blogged, Activision-Blizzard has a bright future.techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-76828413971606408312008-07-07T20:59:00.000-07:002008-07-07T21:11:36.362-07:00Biotech Breakout?Over the past several trading days, we noticed that there is positive activity in the bio tech sector.Amgen (AMGN), over the past four trading days has gone from $47 to $50, a gain of around 6%. The stock has broken out above the 200 day moving average too.Celgene (CELG), over the past four days has gone from $64 to $69, a gain of around 8%. The stock has broken out above previous resistance techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-30923424574581834292008-07-03T00:11:00.000-07:002008-07-03T00:40:48.582-07:00Expected Stock Market S&P 500 Bottom using Long Term (8 year) View and 50% RetracementsMany people are saying that the Stock Market (as represented by the S&P 500 index) is in Bear Market territory, being down over 20% from it's recent high of 1576 (today, the S&P 500 is at 1261. The annotated chart above is from March 2008, but it still shows important levels).Where's the bottom?In technical analysis (analyzing the stock charts), there's a school of thinking that uses Fibonacci techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-23723750978932748662008-07-01T22:41:00.000-07:002008-07-01T22:51:55.574-07:00Should we Blame Speculators for High Gas Prices?Many politicians and people are blaming speculators for the High Gas Prices. Should we really blame the Speculators?In a previous episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer does not mention speculators as one of the reasons for high gas prices.In an interesting article by a Senior Writer (Jon Briger) at Fortune magazine, the writer makes a case for not blaming the speculators.Two of his points:If our techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-48612737534909829452008-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:002008-06-27T00:15:40.908-07:00S&P 500 Trendline, Support and Resistance after Big Drop TodayThe S&P 500 ($SPX) went down 38.82 points (-2.94%) to close at 1283.15.Next support levels are the important 1270 and 1219 levels. (See the horizontal blue lines in chart above). The stock market could bounce on these support levels, or else these support levels could break and then we find new support levels and resistance levels.Looking at the three year trend line (the blue diagonal trend techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-15042565785411916932008-06-22T01:17:00.000-07:002008-06-23T01:53:35.817-07:00Long Term Trends: Part 5: Consumer DebtHere are some current trends: Gas and Energy Prices remain expensive and may remain expensive in the future. Food Prices remain high and may remain high in the future. Consumer Income may not keep up. People can no longer use their houses as ATM machines.With consumers being squeezed, what will the consumer (the U.S. Consumer) do? Will they start saving more or will they continue to spend?This techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-73416954728165055182008-06-16T21:39:00.000-07:002008-06-16T22:09:33.333-07:00Long term Trends: Part 4: Cleanup and Waste ManagementWe expect these trends to continue:Global Industrialization produces more waste by-products.High Energy Prices encourages use of Nuclear Energy. Nuclear Waste is a by-product.Waste is an alternative energy resource. There is Waste to Energy conversion and even Methane Gas CaptureRecycling plays an important role as commodity prices (materials) continues to remain expensive.There are additional techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-12742660459025979422008-06-14T00:19:00.000-07:002008-07-04T11:56:11.906-07:00Oil in the Arctic and Ice Road TruckersGas prices are going through the roof. One of the reasons for this is the lack of supply.However, I was reminded recently after watching the Discovery Series "Ice Road Truckers" that there is a lot of untapped oil in the Arctic Region. Some claim that one quarter of the world's untapped oil and gas reserves lie there.Aside from investing in integrated oil companies such as Exxon-Mobil (XOM) or techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-64182589155423886142008-06-09T19:30:00.000-07:002008-06-09T19:42:37.865-07:00Don't Whine About Oil Prices, Profit from It (Or at least Hedge)In today's CNBC Show "Mad Money", Jim Cramer tells viewers to try to profit from increasing oil prices rather than "freak" out over the price of gasoline.Jim Cramer pointed out three reasons why oil prices are high: Oil Fields are Drying Up It is more difficult to find new oil and get it out of the ground. Demand for oil is growing very fast especially in China, India and the rest of the techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-66408783851189325962008-06-06T01:39:00.000-07:002008-06-06T02:09:02.389-07:00Home Entertainment Content Overload Will Keep You at HomeHow can we leave the living room?We can see that the Analog to Digital Living Room Long Term Trend is in place as people are upgrading to High Definition Digital Television, [Corning Glassware (GLW) is a play on this.] and installing Home Theater Systems [Dolby (DLB) is a play on this]. Content providers such as Comcast (CMCSA), DirectTV (DTV), and the Dish Network (DISH), also help keep people techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-60301158742064973192008-05-25T23:43:00.000-07:002008-05-26T00:03:33.106-07:00Long Term Trends: Part 3: Minerals, Metals, and MiningWith the Multi-Year Globalization Trend in place, minerals and metals are in high demand. Growing economies especially in the emerging markets need minerals and metals such as copper, driving up demand.Gold is often used as a hedge against inflation.Specialty metals are also in demand. For example, new generations of airplanes need lighter materials that specialty companies can provide.Companies techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-2734975198893024392008-05-21T22:21:00.000-07:002008-05-21T22:41:27.278-07:00Netflix (NFLX) Wants to Dominate the Digital Living Room with Roku PartnershipWe all know Netflix (NFLX) as the company that provides DVDs by postal mail. Some time ago, they added a feature where you can logon to their Netflix.com site, and watch selected movies through the internet browser without affecting the normal DVD by mail schedule.However, watching a full two hour movie in front of one's Computer will not be a good experience. People have invested much money in techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-81068893836916512512008-05-19T00:41:00.000-07:002008-05-19T00:56:44.471-07:00Cow Power (Methane) Can Help Save Our Environment and Save our FutureDo not underestimate the Power of the Cow in terms of saving the environment and providing us with energy.Cows (and a few other animals) can provide us with power and energy through their manure (the average dairy cow creates about 100 pounds of manure a day). Manure naturally releases methane gas into the atmosphere.Companies, such as Utility Company PG&E (PCG), can take this manure and flush ittechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-50328634698916198632008-05-15T22:16:00.000-07:002008-05-15T22:26:28.934-07:00High Gas Prices Effect on Society; Commentary through CartoonsWe are all feeling the effects of High Gas Prices.Many cartoonists are commenting about the effect of High Gas Prices on us.Enjoy the commentary.techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-86201377945412093732008-05-13T21:40:00.000-07:002008-05-13T22:14:41.871-07:00The Efficiency of Ethanol; Is it Worth Producing?We've all heard the comments that it takes almost as much energy to produce Ethanol as Ethanol provides. How true is this?An article in the October 2007 National Geographic Magazine provides a lot of interesting information.We will group ethanol into four categories: Corn Ethanol: "Nearly all the ethanol in the U.S. is brewed from yellow feed corn. Proliferating ethanol distilleries are already techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-22863794510664463182008-05-12T19:44:00.000-07:002008-05-12T19:57:42.002-07:00Long Term Trends: Part 2: AgricultureIn Part 1 of our Long Term Trends Series, we highlighted Energy, Oil, Oil services, Oil Sands, Natural Gas, Oil Pipelines, Refineries, Oil Shipping, Coal, Coal Services, Nuclear, Environment Cleanup and Alternative Energy.In Part 2, we highlight Agriculture. In a previous post, we highlighted reasons why there is a food crisis and food inflation, and why these are long term trends.This is a longtechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-41271498780623524802008-05-08T21:17:00.000-07:002008-05-08T22:47:57.021-07:00Long Term Trends: Part 1: Energy, Oil, Coal, Nuclear, Cleanup Forever Portfolio Series James Altucher, of TheStreet.com and Stockpickr.com, is writing a book: The Forever Portfolio: How to Pick Stocks That You Can Hold for the Long Run.James Altucher hopes to show investors how to build a strong, consistent long-term portfolio, diversified enough to withstand the various cycles of the market.Inspired by this, we will be starting a series over a period of techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-75427863952093696702008-05-07T00:08:00.000-07:002008-05-07T00:47:32.750-07:00Natural Gas Boom, Oil Sands, Rising Oil Prices, Breakout: Try CNQ, Canadian Natural ResourcesWhat company benefits from all the trends below?1. Crude oil is zooming. 2. Jim Cramer has proclaimed 2008 the Year of Natural Gas. In Jim Cramer's CNBC Show Mad Money, Jim Cramer expressed his optimism:Cramer extended his optimism to the entire natural gas sector. With the growth rates for a natural gas drillers averaging 15%, he said investors will be hard pressed to find such high growth in techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-24207889292922580572008-05-05T20:51:00.000-07:002008-05-06T20:34:59.980-07:00PE to Growth Ratio for International ETFsVlada, from the Czech Republic (stockweb.blogspot.com), posted a great link.Vlada looked at several international ETFs and calculated the PEG ratio (Price Earnings Ratio to Growth Ratio) based on a countries 2008 GDP growth and a countries P/E Ratio (the Economic PEG).The countries with the highest 2008 GDP growth include China (9.3%), India (7.9%) and Russia (6.8%).The countries with the lowest techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-42058335420211948202008-05-04T00:38:00.001-07:002008-05-05T01:28:38.469-07:00Jim Cramer Cameo on Iron Man MovieWhile watching the Iron Man Movie, I was surprised to see a hilarious cameo by CNBC Personality and host of the CNBC Show "Mad Money." Based on the audience reaction, looks like there were enough people who recognized Jim Cramer.The Iron Man Movie itself is worth going to the theatre for. WARNING: SPOILER ALERT COMING UP! In the movie, Tony Stark, weapons developer and the man behind Iron Man, techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-58891430928357558612008-04-27T22:32:00.000-07:002008-04-28T02:09:10.521-07:00Reasons for Global Food Crisis/Riots/Shortages. Can we Profit from Trend?In many parts of the world, there are food riots as the price of rice has gone up to painful levels. What are the reasons behind this and how can we profit and play this trend?According to Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System, there are five main reasons for the high food prices:Food production is heavily dependent on fossil fuel and oil prices techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-6925926558821400522008-04-24T21:30:00.000-07:002008-10-15T00:49:33.031-07:00Is the U.S. Penny Worth More as a Metal (Copper, Zinc) than as US Currency?With metal prices rising rapidly, people on television and radio often comment that a U.S. Penny is worth more as a metal than its value in the US as a unit of currency.How true is this?Many people notice that a penny is (mostly) copper and they see copper prices rising rapidly. Is the Penny mostly made out of copper? Material Composition of a Penny Each year, the composition of the U.S. Penny techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-62343678054552954092008-04-22T01:24:00.000-07:002008-04-22T02:21:37.179-07:00Books of Jim Cramer, Host of CNBC Show "Mad Money"Are confused about the Books of Jim Cramer, host of the popular finance CNBC show, "Mad Money"?Here's an overview of the books."Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World" is the book that Jim Cramer gave his hedge fund employees, when he was running a hedge fund. If you are a sophisticated investor and stock picker or wish to head towards that direction, this is the book for you. Jim Cramertechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-52358087410889001632008-04-17T22:57:00.000-07:002008-04-17T23:26:02.495-07:00Current (April 17, 2008) Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout Stocks. Hanes Brands (HBI) is on the List.Recently, we revisited the Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout Screen. We've looked at the results of several portfolios: September 12, 2007 to April 11, 2008 Results of Three Portfolios Checked on April 15, 2008.So what are the current stocks in the Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout Screen?Stocks are sorted from Highest to Lowest Market Capitalization: The Current Stocks in Cheap Growth Ready to techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-54167359626628517932008-04-15T21:47:00.000-07:002008-04-15T22:21:30.406-07:00Results of 3 Portfolios: Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout (April 15, 2008)In a previous article, we described the Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout Screen.In this post, we will continue to track the performance of three portfolios. We are taking the snapshot as of Tuesday, April 15, 2008. We previously had a snapshot on July 17, 2007.==============================Portfolio 1: February 23, 2007 ============================== # Symbol Start End Return1 AMX 46.89 techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-65930804046942480522008-04-13T23:31:00.000-07:002008-04-15T00:22:34.499-07:00Outperforming Portfolio Since September 2007 Using Cheap Growth to Breakout ScreenSometime back, we created a (buy and hold) portfolio on an online site using our Cheap Growth Ready to Breakout Screen. Many months later, after the S&P 500 declined 9.42% from September 12, 2007 to April 11, 2008, we checked the portfolio and discovered that the portfolio even during the market decline increased by 2.21% outperforming the S&P 500 and even posting a gain! The Portfolio Here is techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-79270890664788139072008-04-12T09:47:00.001-07:002008-04-12T10:02:13.441-07:00Results of Russian and Eastern Europe Mad Money TourLast week, on the CNBC hit show Mad Money, Jim Cramer, the host of the show went through one Russian or Eastern European Stock per week. The results:Michel Steel (MTL) Wimm Bill Dann Foods (WBD), a Russian Dairy, Juice, Water and Baby Products Producer. CTC Media (CTCM), a Russian Television Network Operator Central European Distribution (CEDC), best known for Polish Vodka. Central European techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-62031155160080887232008-04-09T00:24:00.000-07:002008-04-11T09:38:28.942-07:00Russian and Eastern European Stock Tour by Jim Cramer on CNBC Show "Mad Money"This week on the CNBC Show "Mad Money", ex-hedge fund manager Jim Cramer, host of the show, is recommending Eastern European or Russian Stocks, one stock each day of the week.On Monday, Jim Cramer recommended Michel Steel (MTL), a steel company.On Tuesday, Jim Cramer recommended Wimm Bill Dann (WBD) a dairy and juice producer.Can we guess the other three companies?There aren't that many Russian techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-70948432228998529922008-04-07T00:03:00.000-07:002008-04-07T00:25:32.909-07:00Historic S&P 500 PE Ratio, Dividend Yield and Total Return 1960 to 2007YearPE RatioDividend YieldS&P 500 ReturnTotal Return196018.733.41%-3%0.41%1961 21.23 2.85% 23.13% 25.98%1962 17.21 3.40% -11.81% -8.41%1963 18.15 3.13% 18.89% 22.02%1964 17.79 3.05% 12.97% 16.02%1965 17.45 3.06% 9.06% 12.12%1966 14.84 3.59% -13.09% -9.50%1967 17.67 3.09% 20.09% 23.18%1968 18.15 2.93% 7.66% 10.59%1969 15.08 3.52% -11.36% -7.84%1970 16.72 3.46% 0.10% 3.56%1971 18.32 3.10% 10.79% techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-30253307291680170072008-04-04T00:16:00.000-07:002008-04-04T00:29:47.724-07:00Forward Stock Market (S&P 500) Return Based on Distance from 52 Week HighWhat is the One Year Forward Return of the S&P 500 (from 1/1/1950 to 3/31/2008) when we are some distance away from the 52 Week High?If the S&P 500 is 10% or more below the 52 week high, the average return during the 1950 to 2008 period, is around 11.72%, compared to 8.30% if the S&P 500 is within 10% of the 52 week high.If we go further down to 20% or more below the 52 week high, the S&P 500 onetechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-73528647544899938972008-03-31T22:19:00.000-07:002008-04-01T00:06:04.842-07:00Stock Market and S&P 500 Bottom Indicator Based on Extension from 52 Week Low and 52 Week HighIs there a stock market (or S&P 500) bottom indicator based on the current (S&P 500)index value in relation to the 52 week high and 52 week low?After research, there appears to be a bottom indicator based on these values. The Equation The thesis we wanted to test involves this equation:HOLU Function = (% Below 52 Week High) - (% Above 52 Week Low)In order to find a bottom, we wish to maximize Thetechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-55041314800307723122008-03-31T00:47:00.000-07:002008-03-31T00:53:44.463-07:00S&P 500 Still in Trading RangeThe S&P 500 still appears to be in a trading range with 1270 on the S&P as support, and currently, resistance at the 50 day moving average of 1338. The S&P 500 is currently at 1315.If the S&P 500 breaks through the 50 day moving average with volume and with good follow through days, next resistance is around 1400.But until then, the US market is in a trading range (just right below the 50 day techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-9547382245203257272008-03-28T01:19:00.000-07:002008-04-02T23:46:09.360-07:00Former CNBC Fast Money Panelist Eric Bolling bids for Shopping Date with Ivanka TrumpFormer CNBC "Fast Money" Panelist Eric Bolling (and current Fox Business Network Financial Analyst) appeared on Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice Finale.Contestants Tabloid Editor Piers Morgan and Country music superstar Trace Adkins were in charge of setting up a charity event which included an auction.One of the auction items included a Shopping Date with Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump's techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-17534756798524092712008-03-27T00:56:00.000-07:002008-03-27T01:56:41.058-07:00How Many Blades Can Gillette and Schick Fit on a Razor? When will this growth end?Have you ever noticed that the number of blades on a safety razor have been increasing at an exponential pace? When will this growth end? How many blades will we have on a razor in the future? When will the arms race between Gillette and Schick end? The two main players in the Safety Razor market are Gillette (owned by Procter and Gamble (PG)) with the largest market share (70% as of 2003) oftechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-49327165389247565842008-03-24T22:40:00.000-07:002008-03-25T00:44:37.618-07:00Stock Market (S&P 500) Short Term Positive, Intermediate Term, Still BearishAfter today's S&P 500 breakout above the 50 day moving average and short term downtrend, the stock market should have some short term momentum. The S&P 500 is currently around 1350.Next resistance area is around 1400 on the S&P 500.Intermediate term, the S&P 500 is still on a downtrend. The S&P 500 is still below the 200 day moving average.But let us see how the market performs as the S&P 500 techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-89393648438149291862008-03-23T23:45:00.001-07:002008-03-25T00:07:39.433-07:00US Stock Market and S&P 500 near short term resistanceThis blog previously posted a breakdown scenario, and pointed out potential resistance areas.Right now, the S&P 500 has support at 1270, and resistance at around the 1330-1340 level (based on 50% retracement, as well as other resistance levels). The market, currently at 1329 on the S&P 500, is also very near the 50 day moving average, which is currently at 1345.If the S&P 500 tests resistance techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-37614905210463868142008-03-19T22:05:00.000-07:002008-03-19T23:20:47.245-07:00Historical Best Day of Month To Invest or Dollar Cost Average in the S&P 500 from 1950 to 2007Many people have adopted a Dollar Cost Averaging Strategy of regularly investing in a mutual fund, such as an S&P 500 Index Fund. Often, brokers could give the user an option when they automatically invest the money. Investors could choose which day of the month they can dollar cost average.Will an investors choice of day to invest on a regular basis affect overall return?In the Chart Above, wetechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-72618970182433626582008-03-16T23:26:00.000-07:002008-03-17T01:00:45.669-07:00Are you a Bull or a Bear? Is this Stock Market Broken? Where's the Bottom?The Battle Between the Bulls (those who think the stock market will go up) and the Bears (those who think the stock market will go down) continues.Are you a Bull or a Bear? The Bulls On March 11, 2008, Investors Intelligence released their latest Bull Bear Ratio.As of that date, there are 31.1% Bulls and 43.3% Bears. The Bull Percentage is very low (and even less than the Bear percentage) which techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-88795083413149880332008-03-15T00:10:00.000-07:002008-03-15T00:13:22.577-07:00Are the "Higher Ups" Trying to Tell us Something About Oracle (ORCL)?Are the "Higher Ups" Trying to Tell us Something About Oracle? (ORCL)(Photo taken by a friend of mine. Rights Reserved)techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-68559070518991856992008-03-11T21:23:00.001-07:002008-03-11T21:36:39.996-07:00Was that a Double Bottom on the S&P 500 or is this an Opportunity to Short?Today, the US Stock Market had one of the best rallies in years. The Dow went up over 416 points for a 3.55% gain. The S&P 500 bounced off the previous lows of around 1272 to make a 3.71% gain to 1320.65.Is this the double bottom we have been waiting for? This blog expected a re-test of the lows of 1270 on the S&P 500. We recently tested the bottom and successfully bounced. But does this techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-34014460505649614642008-03-11T20:54:00.000-07:002008-03-11T21:05:31.063-07:00Not Choosing Individual Stocks in This Market?For some time now, I noticed that I haven't been blogging about individual stocks. The market has been bad, and I didn't think the time was right to start going for stock home runs.Then yesterday, on the CNBC show Mad Money, Jim Cramer says something very similar, that he is not recommending many stocks in this market because the market is very bad.Thank you Jim Cramer for echoing my thoughts techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-80152868454182405312008-03-09T23:25:00.000-07:002008-03-09T23:34:20.778-07:00Possible Stock Market Breakdown Scenario on S&P 500In the chart of the S&P 500, we notice that the patterns from November 2007 to December 2007 compared with the pattern from January 2008 to March 2008 are very similar. If the pattern holds, we can expect a further breakdown below 1270 on the S&P 500.While not a guarantee, the S&P 500 could be forming a bearish formation, the inverted cup and handle pattern. The Drop to 1270 on January 2008 is techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-67071337126140098962008-03-06T20:40:00.000-08:002008-03-07T00:15:40.414-08:00Gold Chart Initial Price Target $1160Inflation and Gold have been making the news. Recently, on CNBC's show Fast Money, Chartist Louise Yamada showed a chart of gold and made some analysis. Inspired by her work, we charted GLD, the Gold ETF. GLD appears to have a price 1/10 of the true price of gold. (If GLD is $98, then the price of gold is around $980 per ounce.)In the chart above, we see a trading zone (triangle) from aroundtechfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-76173201917841413682008-03-06T00:10:00.001-08:002008-03-06T00:43:26.390-08:00No More Analog Over the Air Broadcasts 2009. Get Ready for Digital TV.According to the www.dtv2009.gov website:"At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders."In order to help consumers, the goverment is techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6343425440721246203.post-50623385077595154032008-03-03T21:04:00.000-08:002008-03-03T21:15:48.690-08:00Finally an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) focusing on IndiaWisdomTree now has an Exchanged Traded Fund (ETF) that focuses on Indian Investments. The ticker is "EPI"Expense Ratio is 0.88%Top Ten Holdings include (as of March 3, 2008) Reliance Industries (13.18%) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (6.39%) Infosys Technologies (5.43%) Bharti Airtel Limited (3.75%) Housing Development Finance (3.18%) ICICI Bank Ltd (3.14%) SAIL (2.40%) Sterlite Industries (techfarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11605788545688667371noreply@blogger.com0