Earnings - so far so good

So far I think earnings have fared better than expected. There has still been mixed economic data, but the markets seem to be finding ground.

I am just about ready to start my project. More to come in the next couple of days.

Analyst upgrades Goldman Sachs

Markets made a move up today based on a banking upgrade. Overall the sideways trend continues as the markets will look to earnings for direction.

No changes to current positions.

Will be starting 20k project in several weeks and sharing on the blog. More info to come.

Today markets were flat. Good news: AA earnings came in better than expected and initial claims data came in lower than expected. Market is no longer jumping on anything for reasons to buy. Put/Call ratios remain in bearish territory.

NYX is sitting right on resistance at 24. If closes below 24 I will look to add PP.

DRYS up a few cents. Keeping Sep PP in place for now.

Stocks I am also watching: RIMM, NTES, IBM. I will be looking into getting in some positions with some of these stocks.

Also, I am working on a project where I will track a portfolio - trades and value. Hopefully I will be able to start the project in less than a month.

Markets moved lower again ahead of AA earnings tomorrow. Put/Call ratio is bullish and VIX is rising. Looks like rally is fading. No adjustments to current positions, but might consider adding PP to NYX.

Last Thursday the Nonfarm payrolls report came out. It was expected to come in bad, but came in worse than expected. Drove the markets much lower.

Today, markets started off lower and ended mixed. The sideways trend continues as the market tries to decide which direction it wants to head.

Earnings season soon begins and I would expect it to help the market find its direction. Chevron releases its report tomorrow, and I would expect to see a decent report. Oil has found some traction since its last report and there has been significant cost cutting. Also all contractors have been let go cutting down more costs.

No changes to NYX or my DRYS positions. My short call is OTM for NYX and I will probably continue to hold.

DRYS shares lost about 8% today based on data showing that shipping rates are declining. Increased volume suggests I should keep my protective puts in place.

Slight Gain

Markets were up today. Seems like the markets are picking and choosing data. Today the markets seemed to rise on pending home sales numbers being better than expected and ignoring ADP numbers, which came in lower than expected.

Stocks are trending sideways and should be traded as such.

No change to current positions, although I will be looking to do something with my DRYS long put...either converting to a calendar trade or closing it to capture remaining premium.

I am planning on starting a portfolio that I will track on this blog. I will be actively trading and keeping track of my ROI. Let's see if I can turn my portfolio around and start making some money! I still have some thinking to do and will probably try and start with 20K.