-Executive Summary-

• Hitachi!  The Hitachi Co. in Japan announced that they are planing to be at full production levels by the end of April.  The markets in Japan, Europe, and America liked this news.  See more below.
• Stock Market Companion stock holding Nvidia (Ticker: NVDA) took two negative news hits today.  See more below.
• SMC holding China Shen Zhou Mining (Ticker: SHZ) performed with all the other “rare earth” stocks (although some disagree with this category for a fluorite mining co.).  Tonight, it too received a downgrade.  See our plan below.
• Here’s our SECOND Stock Market Companion Customer Testimony video.
  

– 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 –

Overnight, Japan’s Hitachi company announced that they would be producing at full capacity by the end of April.  Friends, this is a herculean result of people that are committed to getting the job done.  This news strengthened the markets in Europe and then here in the USA.  China did not participate in the enthusiasm.

On our screens are a mixture of green and red, with few stocks showing much gains.  Telecom stock are an obvious exception, but there is no safe entry for the SMC.

– Story-Stock Investing –

When we powered up our machines this early morning, Nvidia (Ticker: NVDA) was pricing at over $19.40/share, enjoying some initial enthusiasm due to market strength in Japan and Europe.  Quickly however, after the market opened the stock sank hard on earnings estimate cuts from a stock analyst, related to concerns of “PC Sluggishness”.  NVDA took a second bullet this morning on a rumour that an important Motorola smart-phone may be delayed to the market.  NVDA shares sank to $18.21/share, before recovering to $18.45/share, erasing all gains from the last week.  It’s not pleasant to see good profits get eaten quickly, particularly when the stock chart and other upgrades were indicating opportunities for strong upside.  We’re still holding.

China Shen Zhou Mining (SHZ) is a very speculative holding and also was coming out of the gate strongly today.  It was UP +8%, but gave almost all of that back, closing about a dime over our entry from yesterday.

When a stock has 60% short interest and is a micro-float (7 million shares available to the public) and the shares are not able to push higher on a good early push – or at least hold onto those gains – then we start getting very cautious.  We would have liked the stock to close nicely above yesterday’s close – at least at around $5.25/share.  Tonight at 6 PM, a downgrade has been issued also on SHZ from The Street.  Here’s the article from tonight describing the downgrade.

When it rains it pours.  If SHZ holds up tomorrow, then those +60% shorts better look out.  If the shares of this stock can take a bullet in the chest and stay standing, THEN WE MAY ADD TO OUR POSITION on a MOVE ABOVE $5.25/share.   If the stock starts showing strong weakness – let’s say below $4.40/share, we will probably sell.  One consolation we had – before tonight’s downgrade – was other stocks in the “rare earth” group – like China Gengsheng Minerals (CHGS) performed almost identically today.  There was profit-taking taking place all-around.

Dell, Inc. also performed poorly today – as did essentially the entire PC and semi-conductor space … “PC Sluggishness” we do understand… But smart-phone and tablet sales are torrid.  Apple, Inc. stock was also down today.

We don’t buy shares of stocks on price alone.  We look for the story that is going to bring and continue to bring investors.  Michael Dell’s $150 million investment a little over a week ago is a part of the story at Dell, Inc.  Additional elements include the understanding that Michael Dell has long ago jettisoned his McKinnsey trained CEO (who he co-managed the DELL company with for years).  Michael Dell has been at the helm a few years now – long enough to start seeing the fruit of his attention.

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 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 council of a broker or other licensed investment professional for accurate pricing and concerning the suitability of all investments that you may be considering. Disclosure : 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.

– 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.