-Executive Summary-

• SNAP!  Finally, the markets broke the spell they had on investors as sellers emerged in the face of a once in a generation political shake-up in the Arab world.
• At the Stock Market Companion, we are glad to be on the sidelines with cold cash – ready to see at what prices we will hopefully be able to purchase excellent stocks that have guided higher on earnings this quarter.
  

  Please see our short (2 minute) website videos for more information.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.

– 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 –

Today, the equities markets were down hard before the open as increasing unrest in the Arab world roiled energy markets yesterday.  Crude oil shot higher yesterday and closed today at approx. $95.68/barrel – well above its roughly $92 price tag during the recent Egypt uprising.

The market attempted to BOUNCE higher as the opening selling pressure was modest, and the bounce picked up some steam.  BUT it could not advance as news emerged that Muammar Gaddafi confirmed that he would retain control of the country.   The markets then rolled over and Didn’t Look Back.

For those investors looking for an excuse to sell, the events happening in the Arab world are providing ample reasons.

On the quarterly earnings front, two retail bellwethers Home Depot and Wal-Mart issued earnings before the open and presented a striking contrast to one-another –

Home Depot (Ticker: HD) stock was UP +3.2% going into the open as they posted excellent earnings that handily beat consensus, AND guided HIGHER for the next quarter.  In fact, for us homeowners tired of grim news about falling home prices, Home Depot presented a different story -> One that is backed by real numbers:

“ATLANTA (AP) — Home Depot’s fourth-quarter net income rose 72 percent as more people started on home-improvement projects. The retailer also raised its earnings guidance and dividend.

Home Depot also posted its first yearly revenue increase since 2006, before the recession and housing crash hammered the home-improvement business.” (Bold emphasis is ours).

Wal-Mart (Ticker: WMT) on the other hand beat earnings expectations but missed on the top-line with revenue.  The WMT stock was DOWN -2.5% going into the open.

Wal-Mart is an excellent example of what we teach at the Stock Market Companion.  If there is no compelling reason to own the stock, and if the stock is NOT in an uptrend, then we don’t recommend holding the shares.

– Story-Stock Investing –

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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.