-Executive Summary-

• The broader market continued AGAIN higher into multi-year high territory.   Gold moved significantly higher.  Silver remained quiet.
• The broader market is moving into levels not seen since the 3rd quarter of 2008, but still well below 2007 highs.  The Stock Market Companion did not take any further purchases or sales today with the market.  We are cautious, but also attentive for opportunities that may unfold.
• We are introducing our work at a conference.  Please excuse our delay in getting this edition out.  We wish you all a fine weekend.
• Here is a video interview of a father and son using the Stock Market Companion successfully together – as a teaching and investing tool.
  

– Stock Market Companion – Current Holdings –

Nr.	Co.	Ticker	Action	Entry Date	Current Gain (Loss)
1	Nexxus Lighting	NEXS	Miniscule Holding	3/18/2011	-24%
2	Dell Inc.	DELL	Holding	3/21/2011	+3%
3	Ford Motor Co.	F	Holding	4/1/2011	-2%
4	Cisco Systems, Inc.	CSCO	Holding	4/25/2011	+3%

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	1,363.61	Index	UP = +3.13 points
DOW-30	12,810.54	Index	UP = +47.23 points
NASDAQ	2,873.54	Index	UP =+1.01 points
NASDAQ 100	2,404.08	Index	UP = -5.02 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 (Wednesday’s) (Click to open helpful chart in a separate browser window).

– Today’s Highlights –

The markets moved again higher, with precious metals – particularly gold – moving higher still.

Strong earnings continue to underpin the market, exemplified by Caterpillar, Inc.’s (Ticker: CAT $115.41) strong performance today following earnings.  Other companies have posted exceptional earnings and gapping higher this week, for instance – 3M (Ticker: MMM $97.21) and Amazon.com (AMZN $195.81).

Other companies, like Research in Motion, Inc. (Ticker: RIMM $48.65) have been punished for poor earnings – or, more accurately – very good earnings, with the expectations of weaker future earnings.  Let’s explain, briefly –

Research in Motion (RIMM) manufactures the Blackberry – the smartphone – and competes head-to-head with Apple, Inc’s iPhone.  RIMM anticipates full year earnings of approx. $7.50/share.  Today’s closing share price of $48.65/$7.50 = 6.48.   RIMM’s forward looking 2011 P/E = 6.48.  The market average P/E is approx. 17.   RIMM is therefore – for 2011 – selling currently at an approx. 62% discount to the overall market.  Why?  Because no one knows how RIMM is going to hold-up in its competition against Apple and others.  Future earnings at this point are hard to predict for the company.  Even at a possible -62% discount to the market, RIMM is NOT A BARGAIN here.  The market is anticipating very strong earnings contraction at RIMM for 2012.

– Story-Stock Investing –

“Early adopter” shareholders of Amarin Corp. PLC (Ticker: AMRN $16.00) stock had another week to take their profits, after last weeks +90% surge.  The stock needs time for sellers to take their profits.  The longer it takes, the more strength the next possible leg higher may have, and the less likely the stock will knife back downward on itself on a move higher.

SMC holding Cisco Systems, Inc. (Ticker: CSCO $17.52) picked up a little more steam today on some very strong volume.  We like so far what we are seeing and may – at some point – add to our position.

We are cautious at this time.

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	1.4804 USD = 1 Euro	USD / EUR	Dollar = Almost unchanged … at multi-year lows.
Gold	$1,556.40	Ounce	Gold = Roaring Higher
Oil	$113.73	Barrel (West Texas Crude)	Oil = Higher
30 Yr. Fixed Mortgage	4.85%	Percent	Flat
10 Yr. Bond Yield	3.36	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.