How Do You Research Stocks?

When every single graph is completely busted?

Also, for you non-traders, this is what panic on Wall Street looks like. The Dow dropped 400 points in 5 minutes after the bailout failed.

Ministry, "Thieves"

No other song fits the feeling right now better than this... dedicated to the fine "leadership" in this country.

Thieves, thieves and liars, murderers
Hypocrites and bastards [in laughter]

Hey thanks for nothing!
Morals in the dust
Two-faced bastards and syncophants
No trust

Thieves! Liars!
Inside, outside, which side, you dont know
My side, your side, their side, we dont know
Which side are they? which side are they?
Which side of their mouth do you suppose that it came?
Which side are they? which side are they?
Which side of the grass is greener?
Inside, outside, which side, you dont know
My side, your side, their side, we dont know

Youre like a great big fucking gun,
Just waiting to get squeezed!

Breathe, forfeit erection!
Toxical injection
Geriatric fuck-fest
We still believe in lies

Thieves! Liars!
Inside, outside, which side, you dont know
My side, your side, their side, we dont know
Who started it? who started it?
Which side are they? which side are they?
Which side of their mouth do you suppose that it came?
Which side are they? which side are they?
Which side of the grass is greener?
Inside, outside, which side, you dont know
My side, your side, their side, no one knows

Youre like a great big hit of acid,
Waiting to be taken!

The RO Report, "Stock Market Crash" Edition

Well, not exactly. We were down 7% on the day, 777 points. Unlucky sevens.

For the RO, it was a bloodbath early, followed by good profits at the close.

This country has turned into a cartoon. You know, I respect all the "nay" votes today if those votes were speaking for their constituencies. However, I think it's posturing. If those fucking Congressmen really cared for their constituencies, this shit wouldn't have happened in the first place.

Voting for deregulation forever, this is what you get... so don't try to pretend suddenly that you're "saving" anything. There is nothing worse than hypocrisy.

I'm kind of speechless actually, so I'm gonna go get some dinner and clear my head.

Out of 20 traders, 17 finished positive. 16 traders finished up over $1,000 gross. I was #14 of 20.

Here are today's Bosses:

1. Trader Z, $85,146 on 378k shares traded.
2. Trader D, $81,178 on 902k shares traded.
3. Trader A, $55,406 on 732k shares traded.
4. Trader K, $22,995 on 130k shares traded.
5. Trader C, $22,727 on 210k shares traded.

And the Manservants:

1. Trader H, -$21,836 on 14,700 shares traded.
2. Trader 1, -$692 on 16,400 shares traded.
3. Trader T, -$252 on 5,700 shares traded.
4. Trader 3, $386 on 4,600 shares traded.
5. Trader O, $1,650 on 12,600 shares traded.

The Stock Market Crash Of 2008 (Game)

(BUMP) Since I was a few days early, I thought I'd revisit this post. Also, to clarify, we'll need a 10% drop intraday to meet the "crash criteria."

Okay, it's that time of year again...

All you have to do is name the date of this year's stock market crash.

Winner gets vodka with "Comrade Fly" at the Russian Tea Room, paid for (generously) by "Comrade Fly."

I'll start... September 24th.

HIGHLANDER IS VERY CLOSE TO "WINNING."

OMFG! The Market Is Crashing...

"Not a great time to make an ideological point."

Maybe the smartest thing Bob Pisani has ever said.

Art Cashin, September 29, 2008

"Never bet on the end of the world, it only happens once. But it may not be a bad idea to find a bomb shelter."

Short Sellers Ruin Wachovia

Or not... again, if they extend the short-selling ban past October 2nd, they're working with blinders on and just looking for scapegoats.

Another Problem For The Economy

(h/t Complacent Panda, now a member of the blogroll)

Pailin & Couric On SNL

Sorry about all the Palin posts... but this is great.

I'd almost feel sorry for her at this point, being the laughingstock of the world and all, if it weren't for the utter hubris that got her into this position in the first place. The more I listen to her, the more I'm offended that she feels ready to lead our country. We, and our children, deserve much, much more.

Still, my fear right now is that barring a complete meltdown in her debate with Joe Biden this Thursday night that she'll "win" it, if only because the bar of expectation has been set so low for her. But please, let's be smarter than that.



UPDATE: Back to stocks for a moment, if this tax is passed, it would be very bad. (h/t "Renaissance Man" Jake Gint)

UPDATE II: That "tax" on securities transactions didn't get into the bill. According to the NYT:

Among the last sticking points was an unexpected and bitter fight over how to pay for any losses that taxpayers may experience after distressed debt has been purchased and resold.

Democrats had pushed for a fee on securities transactions, essentially a tax on financial firms, saying it was fitting that they contribute to the cost.

In the end, lawmakers and the administration opted to leave the decision to the next president, who must present a proposal to Congress to pay for any losses.

Contestant # 8, Sarah Palin

It's a step up from being Client #9, but still...


Sarah Palin 1984 Beauty Pageant - Watch more free videos

Cumulative RO Trader Statistics

Reader Shortbus took the time to make a nice graph of the cumulative performance of the RO through September.

Of course, this doesn't tell the whole story, since I only publish the top 5 and bottom 5 each day, but it makes it very easy to see who the monthly "bosses" are, that's for sure.

Trader D, B, Z, A and F are leading the way and are all up over $200k for the month. Not too shabby, eh?

This may be a "third-tier" blog, but it's full of "first-tier" readers.

NOTE: R.I.P Paul Newman. We should all be so generous.

NOTE II: Oh, and here's your "left-wing media" at work again.

2008 Presidential Debate Open Thread

Barack Obama and John McCain duke it out in, what I'm calling, the "Thrississippi in Mississippi."


-John McCain, pictured here in a bathing "costume," circa 1907.



-Barack Obama. Not a smart guy; not an elitist. Just a regular guy who likes to bowl.

Here's one clip I found from the debate. I'll post more as they become available.

Belle & Sebastian, "The State I Am In"

The RO Report, "Fuck Politicians" Edition

Seriously... if something is so important... so necessary to rush through Congress with no oversight, etc. etc., you'd think the leaders we elect to represent us, could do better than bicker like little schoolchildren.

But they can't, because they suck.

Take them all to the woodshed the next chance you get. We need new blood in Washington.

Anyway, my time tonight is limited, so here's the stats. Out of 18 traders today, 13 were positive, or 72%. 9 traders finished over $1,000 gross. I was #4 of 18. In other words, I'm a boss.

Here are today's Bosses:

1. Trader B, $11,959 on 446k shares traded.
2. Trader P, $4,200 on 47,400 shares traded.
3. Trader F, $1,696 on 40,500 shares traded.
4. Trader S, $1,442 on 46,200 shares traded.
5. Trader J, $1,182 on 47,200 shares traded.

And the Manservants:

1. Trader H, -$4,683 on 3,100 shares traded.
2. Trader D, -$3,583 on 237k shares traded.
3. Trader T, -$1,575 on 4,200 shares traded.
4. Trader V, -$1,030 on 58,400 shares traded.
5. Trader N, -$503 on 57,600 shares traded.

Don't forget to drop by later to discuss the debate on the Open Thread. It'll be up by 8:30.

Have a good weekend.

Thank God They Banned Short Sellers

Otherwise they could take down fine upstanding American banks like Wachovia.

Oh, wait... it's getting slammed?

McCain Will Debate!

YAY! Now all we need is for Sarah Palin to speak with the "icky, non-deferential" media and they'll almost be a real ticket!


-John McCain, circa 256 B.C


-Sarah Palin, 9/26/2008

NOTE: I will have a debate open thread up this evening. The debate starts at 9pm. Please drop by and let everyone know why "your guy" is better than "the idiot."

FUNNY LINK: Chris Rock on Larry King.

Things To Do This Weekend

1. Buy a gun and a Bible.

2. Stock up on food and water.

3. Purchase bars of gold.

4. Stash wads of cash in safe deposit box.

The Daily Show- Clusterfuck To The Poor House

Cynicism Wins Again!

During the Great Depression, my grandfather walked 9 miles to shovel some snow to make money for a day.

That's when you know a bottom is near.

Meanwhile, speaking of depression, as you all know by now, the bailout plan is on the verge of collapse. Or, as our folksy but incredibly stupid president put it, "If money isn't loosened up, this sucker could go down."

Blame whomever you want. However, I do know that responsible parties to a negotiation do not get down on one knee and say something like, "Please don't let the Democrats blow it up."

This is theater. In fact, I thought things were very serious. Reading about the actions of the last few hours however makes me feel like it is all part of some lame political game.

Fuck every politician.

UPDATE: President Bush: "The legislative process is sometimes not very pretty, but we're going to get a package passed." (After we somehow make John McCain look like a hero for it.)

Wolf Parade, "I'll Believe In Anything"

One of my favorite songs from 2007 and one of my favorite vids ever. It's perverse in all the right ways. My favorite part is from 2:01 to 2:30. Not only does it mark the climax of the song, but you get the "crazy eyes."