Barack Obama, "Yes We Can"

I owe "Trader N" a song. Luckily, I believe he's an Obama supporter.

The RO Report, "Election Day!" Edition

*sloppy, rushed and unedited post warning

I've been cautiously optimistic about this whole Obama thing since January 2nd, when I first declared him the victor of the Democratic Primary by way of Hillary Clinton blowing up.

Since that time I've gotten hundreds of comments here on the blog asking why I support Obama if he's going to raise taxes? I mean, I'm a trader, I make money, why do I want to give my money to the government?

I understand that thinking, but it's very limited and short-sighted. If all I cared about was money, and if all anyone cared about was money, wouldn't this country really really suck?

Aren't we a billion times better than that?

I've always been an idealist. It's painful. You expect the best and often you see the worst. I was downtown on 9/11 and saw the second plane fly 100 feet over my head and go directly into the WTC. I ran like a motherfucker, scared for my life (and for Judy's who also was downtown) thinking a third plane would be arriving soon. But I remember very well, in the midst of the panic, worrying to myself about the way the country would react. I feared we'd move in a very negative direction when we had a great opportunity to make huge positive changes. A once in a generation type opportunity.

In the weeks after 9/11, it was hard not to support Bush. But things quickly went south. He told people to shop else the terrorists would win, he alienated moderates everywhere, and he more or less turned the world into an awful black and white painting... you were with us, or against us.

Unfortunately, the world isn't as simple as he is.

He took an event that could have reaped us positive worldwide change and instead used it to turn Americans against each other. Patriot versus non-patriot, red versus blue, Joe the Plumber versus the elitists. For that, he will be remembered as the worst President we have ever had.

John McCain isn't President Bush, true, but in the last few years, he's done all he could to cater to the Bush supporters. I liked McCain in 2000. Had he won the Republican primary, I may have voted for him in the general election. However, his move towards the religious wing of the Republican party is scary. The Republicans should get back to fiscal conservatism and forget about the evangelical fringe... that's when they're at their best.

And God knows, we need some fiscal conservatism right now...

Anyway, this post is already way too long. Suffice it to say, I'm not only voting for Obama for the leader I think he will be, but also because I think our country is far worse off now than it was 8 years ago when the Republicans took over. Trust me, if the Democrats fuck this up, you'll hear it from me, I'm an Independent through and through. You've been reading this blog through the ass-end of a Republican administration that I hated.

I feel the 300 point rally today means the market thinks the election will be over by tomorrow morning. If the market was worried about a 2000 or 2004 type "nailbiter" situation, it wouldn't have had the conviction to rally so strongly.

In short, the market just predicted a convincing Obama win tonight. Hopefully it will be the first of many "Obama rallies."

Let's get to the numbers.... out of 23 traders today, 16 were gross positive, or 70%. The top 9 traders were up over $1,000 gross while the bottom 5 were down over $1,000 gross. I was #6 of 23, or happy with a solid low volume performance. Still, the Manservants took it to the Bosses today, due to a "Trader D" swan dive.

Here are today's Manservants:

"Chambermaid" - Trader D, -$15,383 on 153k shares traded.

2. Trader F, -$3,765 on 32,200 shares traded.
3. Trader A, -$2,262 on 42,904 shares traded.
4. Trader C, -$1,813 on 71,000 shares traded.
5. Trader P, -$1,215 on 118k shares traded.

And the Bosses:

"Lucky Pierre" - Trader N, $3,036 on 63,400 shares traded.

2. Trader 6*, $2,993 on 100 shares traded.
3. Trader J, $2,407 on 33,000 shares traded.
4. Trader Z, $1,882 on 45,400 shares traded.
5. Trader M*, $1,571 on 0 shares traded.

*denotes swing account.

Off To Vote!

UPDATE: Never have I felt so good about casting a vote.

I had my daughter in my arms when I went into the booth. She pulled down the proper switches.

I pulled the lever over and the curtains opened. We turned around and my daughter, unbelievably enough, shouted "YES WE CAN!" and the whole room erupted into laughter and applause. It was nuts.

Okay, that didn't happen. But still, it felt great.

Looking forward to the results later this evening.

DT Projects Obama As Winner!

-Barack Obama

I know it's early, but see, I ran a very scientific poll for the last couple of months. Due to the accurate nature of my polling, I can say without a doubt that Barack Obama will emerge victorious this evening in the race for the White House. Still, don't get complacent... go vote for him.

Anyway, here's how you voted:

Out of 632 total votes casted,

Obama 332 or 52%
McCain 238 or 37%
Nader 62 or 9%

Now, I tend to doubt that 9% of the electorate will vote for Nader, I just have a very independent-minded readership. So I'm going to chop that number a few percentage points. However, I also think that a fair number of my readers are Republicans, so I think the McCain number is probably fairly accurate.

Here is my final vote tally prediction. This is just the popular vote percentages.

Obama 56%
McCain 39%
Nader/Third-party candidates 5%

Whoever you choose to vote for today, go vote. I know there is a lot of cynicism about the system, but the fact remains that just sitting and watching TV will change absolutely nothing. More participation will make our democracy stronger.

And speaking of which... find your polling station here.

Wassup? Change.

(h/t "Trader O")

NOTE: If you know the old commercial well, you can skip to the 1:00 mark.

The Beatles, "Julia"

Dedicated from "Trader Z" to his late mother, for her birthday.

The RO Report, "Election Jitters" Edition

People ignored the stock market today, as they awaited the outcome of tomorrow's Presidential election. The market did shit, on shit volume, and if you traded it, chances are, you made shit.

It's funny, in the room today, early on, I said "Today feels like the kind of day where you can either make $600 or lose $3,000" and apparently, taking a look at our sad office stats, I wasn't too far off.

We just got over 1 billion shares traded on the NYSE. It was the lowest volume day since August.

Tomorrow should be more of the same. Preserve your trading capital. Take tomorrow off, go vote, hug your loved ones and be happy you're here.

The RO had a crappy day. Out of 24 traders today, 10 finished gross positive, or 42%. One trader made over $1,000 gross, while 5 traders lost over $1,000 gross. I was #4 of 24, or, bossy (kind of).

The Manservants get top billing, since they beat down the RO with their bad trades.

"Chambermaid" - Trader A, -$6,540 on 159k shares traded.

2. Trader I, -$2,016 on 23,400 shares traded.
3. Trader N, -$1,814 on 31,400 shares traded.
4. Trader B, -$1,092 on 215k shares traded.
5. Trader E, -$1,088 on 24,400 shares traded.

And here are the Bosses:

"Lucky Pierre" - Trader Z, $1,036 on 18,800 shares traded.

2. Trader C, $936 on 17,700 shares traded.
3. Trader J, $741 on 22,000 shares traded.
4. Trader S, $280 on 8,200 shares traded.
5. Trader R, $251 on 6,421 shares traded.

NOTE: Only 10 hours left to vote in the DT Presidential Poll!!!

Sarah Pailin Pranked

Issues With McCain's Site

There are always some last minute shenanigans and "irregularities" but this is different.

RO Cumulative Performance In October

Thanks to "Shortbus" we have this wonderful chart that really demonstrates the difference between the "Lucky Pierres" and the "Manservants."



Look at "Trader B" and "Trader D" practically holding hands and skipping their way to riches, while the hordes of the RO suffer their upper-middle class existences far below.

Of course, "Shortbus" produced these charts with only limited information, but still, I bet even with all the data added in, the results would be similar. Thanks again, "Shortbus."

I'm Like, So Tough.

I have a head cold. Actually, I've had it for 4 or 5 days.

But check this out... I can hardly breathe through my nose right now. Nonetheless, I am breathing through my nose.

It makes a thin whistling sound inside my head, and if I suck in really hard, a sliver of air seems to reach my brain.

Last night, while I lay in bed in the dark, receiving only trace amounts of oxygen, I imagined that I was a rubble-covered earthquake victim. In fact, I was an 8 year old named "Weisheng" and my school had just collapsed due to a 6.8 magnitude earthquake and poor local construction standards.

Anyway, I imagined that my mouth was smushed shut by a concrete cinder block and that my arms and legs were trapped, preventing me from moving. All I had, was an air-pocket created by the space under my desk and the barely existent nasal passage in my left nostril. The right nostril was completely blocked. Sometimes, (because I wasn't receiving enough oxygen) I'd get a little panicky, and think about opening my mouth to gasp for air, but then I'd remember that I couldn't, because of the cinder block.

I thought to myself, imagine this was it, and I had to remain calm and breathe like this while waiting for the authorities to dig me out. I couldn't move at all, and the only thing that separated me from life and death, was that thin little air passage through the thick mucus in my nasal passage.

The point is, I do little "exercises" like this all the time. They make me tougher. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of all these little "exercises" is victory in the stock market, because I can handle the pain, far better than you can.

Pussy.

Art

I've decided to take "the Fly's" advice and just not give a damn about my readership anymore.

That's right. Fuck you. Right there, you.

How does that feel? Know what? I don't care, mostly because I'm being artistic right now.

I don't care about you. In fact, if you were here, standing next to me, I'd probably freak out and throw this laptop at you and then run upstairs to protect my daughter. Why? Because Internet people are scary and also, because I don't give a fuck about you.

Another thing, you fucking idiot... on Tuesday, I want you to vote for John McCain.

Furthermore, go and pick up the latest album by the Rolling Stones, I bet it's great.

Off to masturbate.

NOTE: Since my newest tool to gain more traffic is to not care about my readership, (the irony doesn't bother me... shut up) I'm going to ignore the comment section forever.

TV On The Radio, "Wolf Like Me"

"Trader C" suggested I post Michael Jackson's "Thriller" tonight. But I couldn't find an embeddable copy. After a somewhat disturbing conversation I had with "Trader L," I nearly posted "I Am The Walrus." In the end, I've decided on a very creepy video to a great song. Have a safe Halloween and a "bangin'" weekend.

The RO Report, "Monsters Are Gay" Edition

I have to go fill a fire extinguisher with urine and spray old ladies. The RO post will be up later. The office did well.

UPDATE: Okay, back from hordes of screaming children and I'm still alive. My daughter has already worked out which piece of candy she'll be eating each day from here until Christams. Not a bad take...

Anyway, it was kind of a crappy trading day early on. We muddled around on little volume and melted higher. But the last 20 minutes were insane. We traded nearly a third of the entire day's volume in the last 20 and were treated to a nearly 200 point tank, followed by a 150 point rip.

Many traders were down before that last 20 and managed to finish the day significantly higher. "Trader P," while not on the boss list, made back a 6k loss. "Trader Z," made back a 5k loss and worked his way high onto the boss list.

It proves a lesson of trading... you gotta stick with it. You should never go on tilt and overtrade, but lately, the market normally gives you a chance to get it right. This isn't a market to give up on.

Anyway, out of 25 traders, 19 were gross positive or, 76%. The top 10 traders all made over $1,000 gross, while the bottom 3 all lost over $1,000 gross. That's a pretty solid way to finish the week. I was #10 of 25, or very happy considering my lame morning.

Here are today's Bosses:

"Lucky Pierre" - Trader B, $19,985 on 408k shares traded.

2. Trader C, $14,282 on 119k shares traded.
3. Trader Z, $14,276 on 117k shares traded.
4. Trader F, $11,120 on 123k shares traded.
5. Trader E, $8,922 on 176k shares traded.

And the Manservants:

"Chambermaid" - Trader T, -$1,313 on 4,100 shares traded.

2. Trader D, -$1,107 on 164k shares traded.
3. Trader X, -$1,097 on 26,000 shares traded.
4. Trader 3, -$616 on 6,800 shares traded.
5. Trader R, -$68 on 0 shares traded.

Bill Kristol Eviscerated On The Daily Show

If only other talking heads on Fox would smack him down so effortlessly. Great interview.

Deus Ex Machina

That means your computer is fucked by a ghost or some shit... I learned it in the second grade.

Anyway, today, my computer was indeed, fucked by a ghost. Fitting, since it's Halloween.

As one would expect, I hate Halloween, mostly because I hate crazy screaming children and their annoying "sugar highs." I also hate "emo teenagers" throwing eggs and playing with shaving cream.

But the real reason I hate Halloween today, is that my computer got fucked by a ghost and I wasn't able to trade the open. When I can't trade the open, I lose my entire feel for the day. Now, I'm sitting here watching the market "rip higher, yo" (according to Trader B) with no positions and I'm more bitter than usual.

So I guess I'll have to wait until the close.

My Halloween Costume

That's me walking by the smoldering remains of our economy dressed as a homeless Jim Cramer. Pretty scary, eh?

Blitzen Trapper, "Furr"

From their new album. This is a live version, but the quality is pretty good. Enjoy.

The RO Report, "Relatively Quiet" Edition

Well, two trends continued today... The last hour of trading continues to be for crack-addicts, professional gamblers, and idiot savants. Also, while some traders are making money in the RO, an equal number are losing.

There is loads of volatility, but something has changed which has made it more difficult to be on the right side of the trade. I mean, take a look at a chart of the Industrials today... we had a solid 200 point range, up and down, but in the middle, we also had 100 point shakeouts. So we're trending, and making big moves, but the counter-trend rallies are deadly.

In other words, if you're not getting good entries, you're getting shaken-out or taking lots of pain.

Also, volume was a little lame today, under 1.4 billion.

I've got loads of shit to do, so I'm cutting to the chase. Out of 25 traders today, 14 were gross positive, or 56%. 11 traders finished up over $1,000 gross, but 7 finished below $1,000 gross. I was #5 of 25, or bossy.

Again, these numbers aren't great. Perhaps the "go-go" days of late September and early October are officially behind us and we're moving solidly into the holiday season.

I will be taking it easy until after the election now unless we get some interesting market news.

Here are today's Bosses:

"Lucky Pierre" - Trader B, $10,474 on 487k shares traded.

2. Trader C, $5,942 on 76,800 shares traded.
3. Trader T, $3,739 on 3,700 shares traded.
4. Trader E, $3,645 on 89,800 shares traded.
5. Trader S, $2,397 on 27,000 shares traded.

And the Manservants:

"Chambermaid" - Trader D, -$15,065 on 326k shares traded.

2. Trader A, -$3,527 on 471k shares traded.
3. Trader I, -$3,124 on 20,600 shares traded.
4. Trader Z, -$3,123 on 92,000 shares traded.
5. Trader H*, -$2,217 on 8,800 shares traded.

A Couple Of Trades, Some Squiggly Lines

Like I said in an earlier post today, I miss speaking directly to you, cherished reader, about the actual trades I've been making. Largely, I've been pressed for time, as I haven't had any time intraday, to work on posts since the market has been on crack.

However, after my nasty loss yesterday, I find myself up a little this morning, and not looking to press my luck, I'll discuss a trade or two that I made, and also talk about some squiggly lines that I find helpful of late.

I didn't have any strong feel about direction today, after yesterday's extremely fucked up close, so I decided to simply watch my most up and most down filters, and just take the opposite sides of extreme moves with small share size. I used small size because I assumed I'd go out of the money a bit before the stocks turned in my direction.

My best short of the day, came in WLL.



My best long, was in WFR. However, I really screwed this one up a bit...



I liked this strategy today, because I didn't have a feel for the market move. I kept my size small so I wouldn't get "tilty." I had no idea why the stocks were making the moves they were making... it wasn't really important. It's more like playing a mechanical move... things can't go up or down at that pace forever, so start small and just look for a counter move to take back your shares.

Now, about the squiggly lines... a few months ago you may recall that I was trading the HCPG way. This is breakout trading, mostly, as you're looking at a specific level and hoping the stock trades it and never looks back. This market hasn't really been rewarding classic breakout trading.

Anyway, a few months ago, "Trader B" told me to watch the Bollinger Bands "to get good prices, yo." This has helped me immensely because I have taken to a recent strategy of scaling into positions instead of buying a chunk at a certain level. I think, though maybe it's just because the market has been working this way recently, that this strategy makes far more sense in a Hybrid environment.

I will delve into that idea deeper in a later post. It deserves more attention from me since this blog originally began due to my consternation with the Hybrid system.