-Executive Summary-

• UP Nicely! The markets got a breather as OPEC and Saudi Arabia said that they can and will pump more oil. See more below.
• The Stock Market Companion purchased shares in Ford Motor Co. (F $14.48) this early morning at $14.12/share and immediately sent out an SMC Intra-Day Alert.  We said this morning that we thought that – for us at the SMC – the stock would be “buy-able” up to $14.39/share.  In light of today’s favorable action in the stock, we may give that a bit of wiggle room now, but if we were going to start a position or add-to our existing one, we wouldn’t chase the stock much above $14.60/share.  We placed our stop at approx. $13.40/share.  Please see more information and a chart of the stock below.  Our entry points and stops are based on our own risk tolerance.  Yours may be different.  For new Stock Market Companion subscribers who aren’t completely up to speed with our disclaimer policy …. please see our disclaimer below.
• Bank of America (Ticker: BAC $14.67) announced good things today.  We may invest some in BAC tomorrow.  Please see more below.
• When you can, check out this new Stock Market Companion Video Update – Make Money and Reduce Risk (3 Steps for investing successfully in a turnaround) which we posted on YouTube.  These three steps have made us a lot of money in stock investing over the years.
  

– Stock Market Companion – Current Holdings –

If the above “Current Holdings” table is empty it means that we are not holding ANY stocks at this time and that we are therefore 100% in cash.

– 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 –

Here are the two key catalysts driving the market strongly higher today –

1. OPEC (By the way, OPEC stands for “Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries”) announced that it will INCREASE oil production AND today the Saudi Arabian Oil Minister announced that Saudi Arabia alone has an additional 3.5 million barrels of oil that it can pump PER DAY!  That took some of the pressure off oil prices, but only somewhat.  It was however enough to get what felt like the Sumo wrestler off our equities market long enough for the markets to breathe a little.
2. Bank of America (Ticker: BAC $14.64/share) held its first analyst day meeting in four years and announced favorable expectations and introduced again the idea that they will pay a dividend as soon as possible.  Click here for a brief overview of what was said today by BAC CEO, Mr. Moynihan.This news from Bank of America propelled the financial stocks higher.  Good.

– 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.