ATM: The Apple Trading Model Refined

For over two months, I have gained some valuable experience and lessons putting the formalized Apple Trading Model (ATM) into practice. I have experienced two main challenges: 1) balancing the sometimes conflicting messages of the ATM when using different amounts of historical data, and 2) plain old execution. For challenge #1, I have concluded that … Read more

T2108 Update (September 6, 2013) – A Market That Still Wants to Go Up

(T2108 measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages [DMAs]. It helps to identify extremes in market sentiment that are highly gap down to reverse. To learn more about it, see my T2108 Resource Page. You can follow real-time T2108 commentary on twitter using the #T2108 hashtag. T2108-related trades and other … Read more

Valuation Update: Internet High-Fliers Experience Large Mark-Ups

Many internet-related stocks have been on fire lately. In many ways, the run-up has been about mobile, so it may not even be technically accurate to call this feature a valuation update on internet-related stocks. Regardless, the most notable change since the last update in mid-June is that the internet high-fliers have experienced significant run-ups … Read more

Credit Conditions for Housing Continue to Tighten

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 27, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) In December of 2012, I provided a description of the housing recovery from the eyes of mortgage investors who could see the recovery but worried about tightening credit conditions. Six months … Read more

Trulia’s New “Bubble Watch” Nudges California and Texas Housing Into Overvalued Territory

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 15, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) {snip} In Bubble Watch, Trulia Chief Economist Jed Kolko, Ph.D. explains that housing is not back in bubble territory based on incomes (which determine how much people can pay), rents (which … Read more

For Marvell Technology, It Is Time for Share Replacement Therapy

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 7, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) Marvell Technology (MRVL) has enjoyed a tremendous run since hurtling downward after a legal setback in its patent dispute with Carnegie Mellon back in December. At the time, I thought it … Read more

TRI Pointe Homes Versus Whirlpool: A Disconnect In Response to Bullish Housing-Related Reports

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 15, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) TRI Pointe Homes (TPH) reported very strong earnings for the second quarter of 2013. {snip} Year-over-year results were strong, and TPH raised guidance for the year. {snip} Based on strong demand, … Read more

M.D.C Holdings Earnings Provide More Insight on Housing Market But Fail to Impress

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 9, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) In November of last year, I identified M.D.C Holdings, Inc (MDC) as my second favorite pick for homebuilders for 2013. The main attraction was the sharp drop in short interest in … Read more

Homebuilder Price Performance Diverges in 2013 As Shorts Continue An Uneven Retreat

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on May 5, 2013. Click here to read the entire piece.) In late November, 2012, I made a list of my homebuilder picks for 2013. I combined valuation, price changes, and short interest to build the list. Almost 6 months later, it … Read more