-Executive Summary-

• The markets squeaked higher.  Uncertainty prevails.  Please see our comments below on what we are thinking.
• Ford Motor Co. (Ticker: F) stock was DOWN -20% this morning from its recent highs.  With the uncertainty in the Middle East, we had to temper our enthusiasm for a bounce investment.  See below.

This Stock Market Companion 15MinuteStocks Market Update is a powerful tool designed to help you make money in the stock market.  It’s web-based, therefore available wherever and whenever you are.  It is your essential link to the markets, delivers a broad to narrow summary of important market and company specific conditions and events, and prepares you to be ready for actionable ideas.  We show you when/where we put our own money to work… and when/where we take our profits/losses.  Please see our short (2 minute) website videos for more information.

– Markets “At a Glance” –

(Please scroll down to the end of the report to see your favorite benchmarks – Dollar, Oil, Gold … closing prices and daily direction.)

– Market Trends –

*Summary of terms from Trader Vic II-Principles of Professional Speculation (pg. 140-141)
*_________* Represents a change in trend rating.

– Market Perspectives –

For your added perspective, we’ve included this chart of the broader market (Successful stock investors develop and start with a minds-eye view of the broader market and keep it clear) –

1. SMC SP-500 ETF Daily Chart (Click to open helpful chart in a separate browser window).

– Today’s Highlights –

Unquestionably, this market FEELS like it wants to BURST HIGHER and roll-over the countless thousands who have recently shorted (shorting means – borrowing shares and selling them high, with the intent of purchasing them back at a lower price) the market.  BUT – we don’t have ANY IDEA how this crisis in Egypt is going to pan-out.

Of course, many of us could draw conclusions today, like –

1. Things are going to be fine.

2. No one appears to want to exert a strong hand and risk violence (Egyptian government, or army).

3. The market is going to move higher.

Let us tell you right now – We have NO idea what’s going to happen next- and neither does anyone else.  If someone in the Middle East becomes opportunistic overnight and does something ridiculous – which is entirely within the realm of possibility, we could wake up to a dramatically worse situation there and our markets here down over a -1,000 points and a broad swathe of stocks down -20% or more. The stock market is fluid and any number of things could happen that could INSTANTLY pull the plug on institutional interest in the market in a heartbeat – and have them sprinting for cash – in spite of the excellent earnings that corporations are putting up.

In fact, now is a great time to remind everyone – We aren’t here to be “active traders”.  The Stock Market Companion’s focus is to provide excellent ideas for investment, WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT and WHEN THE ODDS ARE STACKED IN OUR FAVOR.

Some of you may be thinking, “Where can I make money NOW? …”  BUT that’s not what leads to success in stock investing.  If you are sitting on the edge of your seat, hoping to make money now and you aren’t willing to simply let this market unfold and from time to time reveal very interesting and profitable opportunities – you are in the wrong place with the Stock Market Companion.  There are countless places on the web that promise steady income and riches from the market.  What they really often deliver is often advertising revenue for the provider.  If you have expectations for quick riches here with us, you will simply be disappointed.  We have designed the Stock Market Companion around our success engaging the stock market over many, many years – emphasizing good opportunities, not “daily trades” that keep you glued to your monitor and investment account balance.

What we hope that you and – for many of you – your children and grandchildren learn from us TODAY is to see the market the way we are seeing the market, to see cause and effect relationships the way we see cause and effect relationships that lead to strong investment gains, to be prepared for opportunities, and to AVOID unnecessary risks.

In 2010, we identified approximately 48 stock entries.  That’s more than “occasional” investing.   We take things as they come.  Our returns were approx. +46.8%.   This year may be quieter or maybe not.  It will certainly be different.  Past performance is absolutely no guarantee of future results. We are simply going to let the market show us where we can take appropriate risks.

Right now the market has marched steadily higher for many months.  It may keep going unabated, but the odds quietly speak against that.   Individual opportunities however will continue to emerge, just as they always have.

Today, retail sales for January were released and the results were impressive.  Click here for the details from a good Reuters article.

– Story-Stock Investing –

Ford Motor Co. (Ticker: F) stock was down at $15.10/share this morning.  That’s a -20% haircut in the stock price in a little over a week.   If we had any confidence that the situation in the Middle East was diminishing in intensity, we would have suggested an entry for a quick +10% or more return in the next week or two.  Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury at this time.

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Please remember – at the Stock Market Companion we do not and cannot give individual investment advice. According to the State of Washington RCW 21.20.005 the Stock Market Companion is not a Registered Financial Advisor and we do not render any advice on the basis of the specific investment situation of a particular individual. This information is for a wide readership and is not intended for any particular individual,  and under no circumstances should our SMC Intraday Update, SMC 15MinuteStocks Market Update or Watchlist be considered an investment recommendation or plan for any specific individual.  By accessing this material, you agree that the Stock Market Companion will not be held liable for any actions taken by a subscriber or other parties.  Please seek the counsel of a broker or other licensed investment professional for accurate pricing and concerning the suitability of all investments that you may be considering. Disclosure : Please understand that the Stock Market Companion may hold positions in the above mentioned securities.  Based on market related or personal events these positions may change without notice.

– Stock Market Companion – Current Holdings –

– Stock Market Companion – Performance –

Please click on this chart to see the Stock Market Companion 15MinuteStocks stock performance versus the SP-500.  It will open in a separate browser window.
* Gains (losses) do not include brokerage fees.   Our returns are very strong … BUT …  WE have to remind everyone just like all other financial sites in America – Past Performance is No Guarantee of Future Returns.  Unlike others however, our objective is to teach you to be able to make these types of strong returns On Your Own.

All of the investments – stocks, entries, and exits are listed on our Stock Market Companion Watchlist at the bottom of the spreadsheet, in the section labelled Former Holdings.

– Benchmarks “At a Glance” –

Data Source : Financial Visualizations Inc.

Signing-Off for Today,

Your -Stock Market Companion

** Stock Market Companion Disclaimer **

The Stock Market Companion (SMC) Market Update and Watchlist are published documents to subscribers that show how we (SMC) are viewing the markets and what we are watching, investing in or selling today.  This information is for a wide readership and is not intended for any particular individual,  and under no circumstances should this Market Update or Watchlist be considered an investment recommendation or plan for any specific individual.  By accessing this material, you agree that the Stock Market Companion will not be held liable for any actions taken by a subscriber or other parties.  You understand that the Stock Market Companion holds positions in the above mentioned securities.  Based on market related or personal events these positions may change without notice.

Furthermore, the Stock Market Companion, Inc. is a content provider and publisher and not a registered broker-dealer or licensed investment professional.  Our intent is to publish very accurate market information for an audience of subscribers (1000+ subscribers).  By accessing the Stock Market Companion website and/or using the Stock Market Companion products and services such as this Market Update and accompanying Watchlist, you understand and agree that the material provided in the Stock Market Companion products and services is for informational and educational purposes only, and that no mention of a particular security in a Stock Market Companion product or service constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that or any other security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.  To the extent any of the information contained in any Stock Market Companion product or service may be deemed to be investment advice, such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person.  Before selling or buying any stock or other investment you should consult with a qualified broker or other financial professional to verify pricing information and to solicit advice as to the appropriateness of a given transaction or investment.