Hin Sing, Hang Sung
Research for Online Investors

by John Dalt

10/21/09

After trading and investing full time for four years, I feel like a novice.  It seems that when I zig the market zags. My hen sing is out of wack with the hang sung.

Have you ever awoke with clarity?  Have you ever been in a stupor?  Trading the stock market can confuse the prior with the latter.  Of late, it seems we are bold when we should be careful and cautious when we should be aggressive.  Every trader goes through it, it just isn’t any fun.

Earnings are generally positive, but the market feels overbought, with buyers reluctant to open new positions.  Maybe others are like me, after your fingers are burned a few times, you learn not to touch hot objects!

We will follow the same advice we would give to you.  Step back, clear your head, and stay in the game with small positions and close stops.

Boeing reported a loss of over $1.5 billion this morning before the market opened.  The 787 is now 18 months later than originally promised, and is taking a toll on the global aircraft builder.  The Financial Times has the story, “Boeing loses $1.5bn as delays take toll.”

Reviewing other news sites for information away from the stock market is one of my favorite ways to ‘clear my head.’  Asia Times has an interesting article on the Middle East, “When the cat’s away the mice kill each other.”  Iran is blaming the U.S. for a suicide bombing on Sunday that killed 43 people.  The U.S. did not commit this bombing, but Iran is blaming us for it.  On the surface it is ludicrous, Oh! Bama can’t decide what to do in Afghanistan, apologizes for the U.S. and generally adheres to the Rodney King school of international relations, “Can’t we all just get along?”

Oh! Bama is responsible though, when the U.S. withdraws from forcing order in a world that is governed by whoever is the biggest bully, “the mice kill each other.”  The author, By Spengler, makes a strong argument that Oh! Bama wants to withdraw the U.S. from leadership in the world.  What will be left?  Saudi Arabia is concerned about Iran, the Russians are helping the Iranians, China wants to do business with Iraq, it is truly a tangled web.

One of the most surprising thoughts the author voices is that Russia is negotiating with Israel over technology for a new stealth fighter that will be superior to the U.S. fleet.  Russia is playing chess with Israel, Iran is a pawn, willing to sacrifice them only when the Russians get something important in exchange.

Spengler closes with, “Those who wish to reduce American power may get what they wish for, but they might not like it.”  It is a good article, I encourage you to take five minutes to read, “When the cat’s away the mice kill each other.”

Humor helps, thanks to subscriber T.W.

Here is a great idea for a costume if you have a dog.

The information presented in this newsletter is based on generally available news releases, corporate filings, current events, interviews and the editor’s opinions.  It may contain errors and you should not make investment decisions based solely on what you believe you have read here.  Do your own research, it is your money.  If you lose it, it is your responsibility, not ours or your grandmothers!  The editor may or may not have a position in any securities discussed.  The editor may have held a position in a security earlier, or in the future.

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