The RO Report

It's hard for me to look back on today with much clarity, so I'm not gonna try right now. I'll just get to the numbers, have a few drinks, and let this one settle in.

Out of 26 traders, 19 were positive, or 73%. I was #10 of 26. It was my best day in awhile.

Here's the top 3:

1. $23,456 on 308k shares traded.
2. $20, 568 on 337k shares traded.
3. $10,124 on 454k shares traded.

And the bottom:

1. -$2,602 on 37k shares traded.
2. -$940 on 71k shares traded.
3. -$829 on 0 shares traded (swing account).

NOTE: Part 2 of my Costco experience will be posted later this evening or early tomorrow morning. Please stop by to check it out.

A Nice Walk Through Some Fire

Who would have thought, that at 9:40am this morning, I would be looking at my worst day ever in over 9 years of trading?

Who would have thought, that at 9:40am this morning, I would have lost my rather impressive month of July, and blown out of all the funds I had remaining in my company?

Who would have thought, that at 9:40am this morning, I would have called Judy into the office, showed her my loss of over $10,000, showed her my heavy position (2500 shares) of CLF and said to her, "It's done now. I'm blowing up for good. If it trades $91, I'll be forced out and I'll have to find a new job."

And who would have thought that at 9:50 I would be up nicely on the day, Judy and I would be giving each other hugs and high-fives, and I'd be liquidating my position and getting ready to take the rest of the day off?

Surely, not me. But sometimes, funny things happen to stock traders.

At 10:45 I was walking hand and hand with my daughter through our CSA, picking flowers and placing them in a bucket. I was still somewhat shocked at the turn of events, and shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.

Indeed, I felt like one of those people who has looked directly at death, seen the light at the end of the tunnel, only to wake and live again.

Hudson City, Strength Amidst Weakness

Things still looking up for HCBK. I first mentioned this gem a year ago.

Elton John, "I'm Still Standing"

Elton John has some good songs... this isn't one of them. Worse, well, the video speaks for itself...

The RO Report

The RO had a mixed day, which is strange given the egregious moves in the commodity names. I mean, coal, ags, oils, all were ransacked. RANSACKED.

I blame the lame summer Monday volume. We traded just over 1.2 billion. I expect tomorrow to be a much better day.

Out of 26 traders, 14 were positive, or 53%. I was number 18 of 26, or, in other words, negative on the day.

Here are the top 3:

1. $9,520 on 239k shares traded.
2. $5,292 on 13k shares traded.
3. $4,142 on 328k shares traded.

And the bottom:

1. -$8,003 on 80k shares traded.
2. -$1,613 on 36k shares traded.
3. -$1,459 on 52k shares traded.

Nouriel Roubini's Interview In Barrons

I may have to give bloggerdotcom a raise if he continues to find such gems.


-Nouriel Roubini

This is a pretty chilling interview. However, despite Roubini's short-term bearishness, long term, he thinks things will be peachy again.

And You Thought Sub-Prime Loans Were Bad

According to this article, they were just the tip o' the iceberg. Alt-A delinquencies and even prime loans are faltering at quickening levels.

In related news, CNBC is on the search for synonyms for the word "crisis" that also begin with the letter "C" and any word that rhymes with "loan," "crisis," "prime," and "cluster fuck."

TD 5, Meet The Oil Rigs. Oil Rigs... Meet TD 5.

Looks like it's headed right for the oil rigs, shown below. Not sure what other storms those red lines represent... but not TD 5, which isn't that strong.

Et Tu, Obama?

Take a stand and stick to it.

The only way out of the energy mess we're in is, ironically, HIGHER gasoline prices.

Higher prices = less demand. Keep focusing on lowering the price of gasoline and we'll be dependent on it for another 30 years.

No thanks. Let's move on already.

UPDATE: Digging himself in even deeper...

Belle And Sebastian, "Jonathan David"

You gotta love the dude at the piano. Hilarious.

Quick Note

Fuck Brangelina and anyone who cares about their fucking baby.

The RO Report... Smokefest

The RO got killed today, and I can't even tell you why since I was out most of the day. Perhaps it was the drinking... or maybe it was the girls.

Anyway, hopefully this isn't a "tell" on what August has to offer.

Out of 26 traders, 9 were positive, or 34%. That's the lowest % I've reported since I began with the RO figures. I was # 4 of 26. Not bad, but unfortunately, it came on a day when everyone else sucked. Nothing to cheer about then.

Here's the top 3:

1. $997 on 18,900 shares traded.
2. $754 on 25,800 shares traded.
3. $618 on 4600 shares traded.

And the bottom:

1. -$16,154 on 640,500 shares traded.
2. -$11,795 on 318,400 shares traded.
3. -$10,502 on 105,100 shares traded.

Daily Show Points Out Media Hypocrisy

For all you right-wingers who think there's a "left wing slant" to the media, take note...



Listen to how all the major news players pick up on the McCain talking points.

Actually, the whole episode is great. Check out their new election promo...

Still Trouble With Site?

I still can't see the "recent comments" widget, despite the scaled down blog list. I think I'll just have to go back to regular blogroll... anyone else still having trouble with the sidebar?

Actually, it comes up sometimes...

Another Guy Who Shouldn't Be A Trader...

Aqua, "Barbie Girl"

20 million views on Youtube... seriously, what the fuck is wrong with people? This is pure awful. I need to go through a good streak, I can't take having to post this shit.

Construction

I'm still trying to get my sidebar right. I'll be moving stuff around the next couple of days until everything is operational over there again.

The RO Report

My day was way too wild for a last day of the month "light day." I mean... you work all month, scraping together money here and there from the market and then you go and give a big chunk back on the last day? Always feels shitty.

I was down $1500 early and managed to trim my loss to commissions only. But it's not the way I like things to go down anymore.

The RO, naturally, kicked ass. Out of 27 traders, 22 finished positive. I was number 20 of 27... remember, that's a gross number. So I lost money today (and hence will post awful music later) but I was gross positive.

Here's the top 3:

1. $14,167 on 375k shares traded.
2. $12,444 on 174k shares traded.
3. $7,307 on 119k shares traded.

And the bottom:

1. -$4,301 on 101k shares traded.
2. -$1,829 on 700 shares traded.
3. -$317 on 35k shares traded.

Sunburned Hand Of Man, "The Air Itself"

My day for you, in musical format. Yes, it's been that fucked up.



Go ahead, click play... I dare you.

Ben Wattenberg On "The Daily Show"

A decent discussion on terrorism and the neo-conservatives. Of course, it's frustrating as usual, as Wattenberg doesn't address any of Stewart's criticisms.