-Executive Summary-

• The markets closed a bit higher today.
• Gold moved into new high territory, while recent momentum stocks reversed downward.
• Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) reversed yesterday’s weakness following a milestone event at their company – and at the SMC we purchased shares immediately on seeing favorable movements in the shares this morning, sending out an SMC Intra-Day Alert.  See more below.
• Here is an article that identifies insatiable greed.  WSJ.com … “Insider Scheme Spanned 17 Years”.
• 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 (Yesterday’s) (Click to open helpful chart in a separate browser window).

– Today’s Highlights –

The fact that China raised its lending rates again yesterday to fight inflation, or the fact that Portugal is seeking foreign financial aid did not dampen modest enthusiasm in our markets.

We observed that Apple, Inc. (Ticker: AAPL) did NOT hold onto its gains after the NASDAQ 100 Index re-calculation hit that it took yesterday in share price.  Other momentum stocks were noticeably weak.

– Story-Stock Investing –

Yesterday afternoon we caught wind of Cisco Systems, Inc. (Ticker: CSCO) CEO Mr. John Chambers having sent out an inner-company memo identifying “changes to come” at the company.  We watched the shares of the stock yesterday afternoon bounce higher, and then SELL-OFF – in classic sell-the-news form.

Here is the text from Mr. Chambers memo. It is brief and an excellent read for those interested in corporate management and change.  It is also essential reading for those using the SMC 15MinuteStocks Market Update as a curriculum for your young investors at home.  It can fuel many interesting conversations around the table.

In spite of yesterday’s sell-off, the shares of CSCO lit up this morning and we got on board as soon as this was evident, sending out this SMC Intra-Day ALERT.  Cisco moved UP today on huge volume and we expect further share-price appreciation over time, barring unforeseen market events that can always emerge to trump individual stock movements.

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.