-Executive Summary-

• The markets closed MIXED today.  Alcoa, Inc. (Ticker: AA) reported earnings after the close that were reasonable, but the stock is down -3% in after hours trading on profit taking after a multi-month rally.  Earnings season is a good opportunity to get a read on what companies are seeing in the marketplace – away from all the news hype.   Alcoa announced that demand is strong.
• THERE ARE NO ACTIONS that we have taken today.  Please see our observations, below.
• Automotive stocks were weak today across the board – including Stock Market Companion holding Ford Motor Co. (F)
• Commodities and Oil were all DOWN strongly today.  On Friday, we wrote – “Oil and other commodities like gold, silver, and corn are all moving strongly higher in price.  It’s too late at this time to run-after these commodities.  It rarely pays to run after the market.“
• Here’s our SECOND Stock Market Companion Customer Testimony video.
  

– Stock Market Companion – Current Holdings –

Nr.	Co.	Ticker	Action	Entry Date	Current Gain (Loss)
1	Nexxus Lighting	NEXS	Holding	3/18/2011	-25%
2	Dell Inc.	DELL	Holding	3/21/2011	-3%
3	Cisco Inc.	CSCO	Holding	4/6/2011	-2%
4	Ford Motor Co.	F	Holding	4/1/2011	-3%
5	China Shen Zhou Mining	SHZ	Holding	4/7/2011	+20%

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	Price (Today’s Close)	Unit of Measure	Today’s Direction
SP-500	1,324.46	Index	Down = -3.71 points
DOW-30	12,381.11	Index	FLAT = +1.06 points
NASDAQ	2,771.51	Index	Down = -8.91 points
NASDAQ 100	2,314.50	Index	Down = -6.68 points

– Market Trends –

Trend	SP-500	DJ-30	NASDAQ	NASDAQ 100
Short Term	Flat	Flat	Flat	Flat
Intermediate	UP	UP	UP	UP
Long Term	Lateral	Lateral	Lateral	Lateral

*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 markets have reached what appears to be an impasse.  Investors were uninterested in pushing the broader markets higher last week as we now reflect on what’s before us in terms of corporate earnings.  Tonight, Alcoa, Inc. (Ticker: AA) kicked-off earnings season by reporting their results for last quarter after today’s closing bell.

Alcoa beat earnings expectations by a penny, resulting in quarterly earnings of $0.28/share.  Revenues are up +21.9%  … Due to price increases … but also GROWING DEMAND.

As often is the case going into earnings, the Alcoa stock was halted going into the earnings call.  Trading has since resumed in the stock and it is DOWN approx. -3%.  At this time it appears that this knee-jerk reaction to earnings is more in line with today’s profit taking in the raw materials space, than anything company specific.

Across the spectrum, raw materials fell today.  Silver finally put-in a reversal day – as did crude oil and other commodities.  The DOW (DJ-30) held break-even.

– Story-Stock Investing –

Automotive manufacturers across the board took it in the chin today on selling.  Stock Market Companion holding Ford Motor Co. (Ticker: F) was no exception.

Stock Market Companion Watchlist stock – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (LVLT) moved strongly higher today on news of its desire to acquire Global Crossing Inc.  The LVLT stock is so indebted that it is difficult to get really excited about it and this acquisition simply adds to the debt load.  That said, there is a transformation taking place in its market place and it appears that they are re-inventing themselves.  During the Japan earthquake softness in the market, the LVLT shares dropped down below $1.30/share.  Today they closed at $1.70/share.

We continue to like China Automotive Systems, Inc. (CAAS).  We also like –

1. Dendreon (Ticker: DNDN)

2. Impax Labs (Ticker: IPXL)

3.  HH Gregg (Ticker: HGG) – Beaten down electronics retailer that may have a bounce up its sleeve.  It is in an expansion mode, after Circuit City failed.

4.  Others…

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” –

US Dollar	1.4405 USD = 1 Euro	USD / EUR	Dollar = FLAT.
Gold	$1,459.00	Ounce	Gold = Down some.
Oil	$108.38	Barrel (West Texas Crude)	Oil = DOWN HARD
30 Yr. Fixed Mortgage	4.8%	Percent	Flat
10 Yr. Bond Yield	3.57	Percent	Flat
1 Yr. CD	1.16	Percent	Flat

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.