From Efficiency and Job Destruction to Innovation and Job Creation at Hertz

This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 13, 2011. Click here to read the entire piece.) In a healthy economy, job creation often accompanies job destruction. Resources freed in one economic activity get redirected to new sources of economic growth. This can happen when consumers take the … Read more

“There Is No Risk of Inflation in Switzerland”

This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 15, 2011. Click here to read the entire piece.) In its latest monetary policy assessment, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) “reaffirmed its commitment to the minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20 per euro.” The SNB also gave its sternest warning … Read more

T2108 Update – December 13, 2011 (Yo-Yo’s Bearish Bouncing)

(T2108 measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages [DMAs]. 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 trades are posted on twitter using the #120trade hashtag) T2108 Status: 35% VIX Status: 26 … Read more

Pairs Trade Triggered As Cisco Soars to 17-Month Highs Versus Juniper

This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 9, 2011. Click here to read the entire piece.) Juniper Networks (JNPR) is suddenly plunging again. In three days, JNPR has lost 17% and is retesting November’s lows. Source: FreeStockCharts.com Over this same period, rival Cisco Systems (CSCO) has essentially … Read more

T2108 Update – December 9, 2011 (Back to Waiting)

(T2108 measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages [DMAs]. 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 trades are posted on twitter using the #120trade hashtag) T2108 Status: 59% VIX Status: 26 … Read more

Chart Review: Molycorp’s Downtrend Persists

2011 has turned in to a tough year for rare earth producer Molycorp (MCP). After increasing almost 4 times in 2010 from its opening price, MCP has suffered a slow and steady decline since hitting all-time highs in early May. MCP is now down 44% for the year. Source: FreeStockCharts.com Molycorp’s weakness comes on the … Read more

T2108 Update – December 8, 2011 (Waiting No Longer – Plunge!)

(T2108 measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages [DMAs]. 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 trades are posted on twitter using the #120trade hashtag) T2108 Status: 44% VIX Status: 31 … Read more

AMR’s Bankruptcy Turns the Cost Spotlight on Southwest

On December 5, Southwest Airlines (LUV) CEO Gary Kelly distributed a memo to employees describing the cost challenge ahead for the company (for example, see Bloomberg article “Southwest Fights ‘Cost Enemy’ After AMR Bankruptcy Filing“). With American Airlines (AMR) declaring bankruptcy as a way to cut its costs, Southwest became the last major carrier yet … Read more

T2108 Update – December 7, 2011 (Still Waiting)

(T2108 measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages [DMAs]. 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 trades are posted on twitter using the #120trade hashtag) T2108 Status: 67% VIX Status: 29 … Read more

How to Play the Devaluation of the Swiss Franc

This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on December 5, 2011. Click here to read the entire piece.) The Swiss are getting impatient with their stubbornly strong currency. Ever since establishing a peg to the euro and a floor at 1.20 for EUR/CHF two months ago, the euro has … Read more