links for 2011-07-31

Are the Declines in Solar and Wind Stocks Structural, or Cyclical? | Alternative Energy Stocks I think it's fairly safe to conclude that both structural and cyclical factors have been at work in the recent declines of solar, wind, LED, and geothermal stocks. For the investor, the question should be, "Have the structural factors and … Read more

T2108 Update – July 29, 2011

(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.) T2108 Status: 32%. VIX Status: 25.3 General (Short-term) Trading Call: Cover a few bearish positions. Continue identifying fresh bullish positions. Commentary T2108 barely changed although it was at least as low … Read more

Seagate Is Not Likely to Find “Ruthenium-Like” Relief from Soaring Rare Earth Prices

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha. Click here to read the entire piece.) Last week (July 22) I summarized Seagate’s earnings commentary partially blaming a “bubble” in rare earth prices for causing a margin squeeze for the company. Seagate management claimed that the soaring prices of rare earth … Read more

T2108 Update – July 28, 2011 (Forecast Hit)

(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.) T2108 Status: 33%. VIX Status: 24.0 General (Short-term) Trading Call: Hold. Continue identifying potential bullish positions. Start closing bearish positions on next market sell-off from current levels. Commentary T2108 dropped slightly … Read more

AK Steel Suffers Largest One-Day Loss In Three Years on Poor Earnings

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha. Click here to read the entire piece.) The shorts finally nailed AK Steel (AKS) (shorts are about 17% of AKS’s float). On July 26, AKS reported it will be squeezed by lower steel prices and higher input costs – especially iron ore. … Read more