Friday Roundup: Commodities, Emerging Markets

<< Go to Page 1: Major Breakthrough

Maybe instead of having the tracked index for DBA broken into soybeans, wheat, corn and sugar they’ll add soybean oil, meal, oats, and other grains to the mix to make it work even better!





































I wrote subscribers early in the week that I was fearful of a downturn, based primarily on my intuition the US rally was tired and the sell-off underway in Shanghai occasioned by a crackdown by the Chinese government might hurt all markets. But, I told them then that I would stick with our positions because waiting the week out is generally the best approach. Remaining systematic then worked — at least this week.

The markets are in full rally mode caused by peer performance pressure and the ongoing liquidity poured on markets by the Fed and Treasury. But this remains a jobless recovery thus far, and when the Fed is forced to take away the punchbowl by raising interest rates may cause the rally to end.

Have a great weekend!

Disclosure: Among other issues the ETF Digest maintains positions in: SPY, SSO, MDY, IWM, VTI, QQQQ, QLD, SMH, IGN, IGV, FDN, IGM, XLB, XLI, XLY, IYR, XHB, UDN, GLD, DBC, DBB, XME, MOO, EFA, EEM, EWJ, EWY, EWA, EWC, EWZ, RSX, IFN and FXI.

The charts and comments are only the author’s view of market activity and aren’t recommendations to buy or sell any security. Market sectors and related ETFs are selected based on his opinion as to their importance in providing the viewer a comprehensive summary of market conditions for the featured period. Chart annotations aren’t predictive of any future market action rather they only demonstrate the author’s opinion as to a range of possibilities going forward. More detailed information, including actionable alerts, are available to subscribers at www.etfdigest.com.

Comments

[basehitz:]

I would be surprised to see Bernanke raise interest rates soon enough to head off inflation because the govt and consumer debt loads are helped by higher inflation. And next year is an election year. Recall what Congress did to FASB to help banks falsify their balance sheets. So as you point out, dollar down = commodities up. Though hurtful to still over-leveraged consumers, WS will ignore this and try to sell a consumer recovery based on the Fed buying anything not nailed down and the govt handing out money for everything, damn the exploding debt. Obviously self-defeating, but all will be ignored as long as they can pump up stock prices.

It appears that is the only end game they have now given the structural damage to our job based and balance sheets, and the unwillingness from the govt to do the hard things to restore real prosperity. Bernanke said “I will not be the Fed Chairman of the 2nd Great Depression”. So who’s interest is he watching out for?

Aug 22 07:59 AM

[Pauly B:]

This moonshot could still go quite away's but boy am I protecting my longs right now. With all buyers and no sellers that is concerning to me.

Even the bulls have to be friends with the bears sometimes. The bears help to keep equilibrium. A good 5% pullback or a consolidation for a few weeks would be very healthy for my longs right now.

Your right, the fundamentals of the market are not on Wall Street but in Washington right now. When the printing press stops the punch-bowel will be taken away.

Aug 22 08:47 AM

[basehitz:]

I want to alert SA readers of a virus attack I've gotten here. Yesterday, I sent them an email as follows:

A pattern of virus threats has developed in recent weeks that only happens on SA. My system is Vista OS with Norton security. All SW is regularly updated and system scanned for viruses.

The presumed virus attack begins with a screen pop-up type display alerting that my system IS infected and that I should activate some program that presumes to be anti-virus scanning SW. As you are aware, Windows requests user permission before the program is allowed to run. I have read about this type of threat hackers use and didn’t take the bait. But it is persistent and has tried many times over the recent weeks.

My practice each time is to shutdown all internet operations and unplug the internet connection. Then I have Norton quick scan the system, update SW, and rescan. Then I check Windows Defender. Often, it is found disabled when this happens. So I reactivate and scan. Several times since this has happened I do a complete system scan both with Norton and Windows Defender. If any risk is detected, it has always been determined by Norton as “low risk” and “resolved”. So as far as I can tell, my system is OK.

Yesterday I read several other posters comment about similar problems. That confirmed my suspicion that this only happened when accessing SA’s website. My perception is that this event occurs when accessing SA articles both directly off your home page as well as thru emails from you. It is not limited to one author. So it appears this threat may have spread through your system.

Naturally, I have curtailed my use of your website. I trust you will get this resolved or I am sure you will lose many readers. That would be unfortunate, because you provide a worthwhile service to fill the void of the agenda-driven financial media.

Note, as I accessed your website this morning, the moment I hit “Contact Us” I got another attack. My curtailment of your service will become more so as a result. Please email me for updates on the status/resolution of this issue. Thanks.

Aug 22 08:52 AM

[basehitz:]

SA feedback on the virus attack reported above was received today:

Thank you for your email and the time you have put in it.
We are ware of the issue and doing our best to resolve it as soon as possible.

We think that malware is appearing via an ad, possibly via Google AdSense, and are working to track down the corrupt ad. In the meantime, if you don't click on any links in the window that opens, the malware does no harm to your computer.

We'd greatly appreciate if you could help us to track down the problematic ad by answering the following:
When you look at your browsing history, what were the last 5 last pages (URLs) you visited before the malware occurred (including the virus scanner URL)?
Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing the malware?
Can you send us a screenshot of the malware?

If you need any help with these requests please don't hesitate to ask -- and a big "thank you" for helping us with this.

Many thanks,
Elinor Dreamer.

Aug 22 08:52 AM

[basehitz:]

My feedback to SA inquiry above as follows:

Q: Last 5 pages visited B4 malware occurred:
A: I have a daily routine with market following. Given repeated (>10) attempts of malware trying to get in, I expect a typical rendering would serve your purpose. The following are what is in my current browser history:
1. yahoo finance.com
2. bigcharts.com
3. stockcharts.com
4. futuresource.com
5. Clearstation.com
6. SA

Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing the malware?
A: I read many of the authors. I have not detected a pattern of any author(s) in particular. Often I access articles off your website while logged in from the right hand column listing. Sometimes I access a highlighted article in the center column. (It may be coincidence, but it appears more frequent attacks from highlighted articles.) Other times I access stories thru emails you send. It has happened on all 3.

Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing the malware?
A: It’s happened many times. I don’t recall a particular sequence involving other websites. What may be a clue in diagnostics is that the sequence goes like this:
• My browser is configured with multiple tabs open as described above
• I’m on the SA page and access an article
• Within a few seconds (at most) a pop-up alerts me of a virus attack. Another pop-up appears that shows various areas of the computer system, such as drive areas. It purportedly then shows rapidly accumulating viruses PRESENT in these different system areas. Now, that they’ve yelled fire in the theater, they give another pop-up offering to scan the system for the threats they just fabricated. They offer some scan SW that I never heard of. Note that my pop-up blocker is very effective. Somehow they get around that. What they can’t get around is Windows Vista (actually did something right) does not allow SW programs to launch without user OK. That’s it’s Achilles heel. I was familiar of this ruse hackers use so I kill everything without letting it launch.

I then go thru system scans using Norton and Windows defender. Nothing harmful has ever been detected by either, even with a full system scan. So the above shutdown sequence appears to be effective.

Q: Can you send us a screenshot of the malware?
A: When an attack happens, I immediately dump all internet functions and pull the connection. Whether or not it’s safe to try this I don’t know, and I’m not going to find out the hard way. Sorry I can’t help you on this one.

I think it’s important to note that it hasn’t happened even once if the SA page or an SA article is not open. My usual format is to use MS tabs feature, where one browser program is open but a string of tabs. What I can’t recall with absolute certainty but think is true is that if the SA website is one of those tabs but I’m working on another site, I haven’t had any attacks.

I am impressed with your quick response to these concerns. Given SA writers often cover material Tout TV and other conflicted outlets won’t touch, I am already suspicious as to why you were attacked.

If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Aug 22 08:57 AM

[Living4Divi...:]

Basehitz and others -

I too get this pop-up that mainly happens when accessing SA’s website.

I scanned my system with www. lavasoft. de free product called Adaware. It found and removed some type of malware ( I can't exactly recollect - but I think it was a BHO type malware )

Can't prove it's from SA - maybe it's from one of the ads on the SA pages, or from one of the many sites I visit.

On Aug 22 08:52 AM basehitz wrote:

> I want to alert SA readers of a virus attack I've gotten here. Yesterday,
> I sent them an email as follows:
>
> A pattern of virus threats has developed in recent weeks that only
> happens on SA. My system is Vista OS with Norton security. All SW
> is regularly updated and system scanned for viruses.
>
> The presumed virus attack begins with a screen pop-up type display
> alerting that my system IS infected and that I should activate some
> program that presumes to be anti-virus scanning SW. As you are aware,
> Windows requests user permission before the program is allowed to
> run. I have read about this type of threat hackers use and didn’t
> take the bait. But it is persistent and has tried many times over
> the recent weeks.
>
> My practice each time is to shutdown all internet operations and
> unplug the internet connection. Then I have Norton quick scan the
> system, update SW, and rescan. Then I check Windows Defender. Often,
> it is found disabled when this happens. So I reactivate and scan.
> Several times since this has happened I do a complete system scan
> both with Norton and Windows Defender. If any risk is detected, it
> has always been determined by Norton as “low risk” and “resolved”.
> So as far as I can tell, my system is OK.
>
> Yesterday I read several other posters comment about similar problems.
> That confirmed my suspicion that this only happened when accessing
> SA’s website. My perception is that this event occurs when accessing
> SA articles both directly off your home page as well as thru emails
> from you. It is not limited to one author. So it appears this threat
> may have spread through your system.
>
> Naturally, I have curtailed my use of your website. I trust you will
> get this resolved or I am sure you will lose many readers. That would
> be unfortunate, because you provide a worthwhile service to fill
> the void of the agenda-driven financial media.
>
> Note, as I accessed your website this morning, the moment I hit “Contact
> Us” I got another attack. My curtailment of your service will become
> more so as a result. Please email me for updates on the status/resolution
> of this issue. Thanks.

Aug 22 09:24 AM

[fatcat:]

I've had the same problem....3 times....but theres no pattern that I can discern....also picked the same thing up at Clusterstock...

Aug 22 09:29 AM

[cma:]

David refers to his use of TBT. But numerous commentators have said taht all the inverse and/or leveraged ETFs use swaps so that there is serious erosion against the benchmark over even a short time, i.e., like holding long out-of-the-money options (calls or puts).
I would appreciate David's comment on this with regard to TBT of periods in excess of a month.

Aug 22 10:22 AM

[Mark Bern:]

I also have had several attacks, but use the same preventative techniques as basehitz and others. I have noticed from other posts that the same virus has recently been hitting social networking sites, as well, not just SA (even Twitter). It appears to be coming from Ads, so this is probably a Google problem when it comes right down to it. I would think that they should have the resources to descover and fix the problem soon enough.

At any rate, most occurances tend to happen at either 10:30 - 10:40 a.m. or 2:00 - 2:10 p.m. on the SA site. Since I started closing my SA window during those time frames, I have no longer had a problem.

I hope this last bit will help. I'd be interested to know if anyone has been hit outside of those windows.

Aug 22 10:32 AM

[jeffgroove:]

In reference to david fry, i do not think policy will change until the federal government is put into the position that california is in where it has to cut spending or else.

Aug 22 10:35 AM

[BullnBear:]

Dave,

Just curious about what you think the outcome of all the intervention and political posturing will be with UNG, USO, etc.? How far do you think this will all go?

I think we are seeing an example of politics actually inciting a “speculation” of some sort as opposed to anything nefarious being found out.

Aug 22 11:01 AM

[leonb105:]

I am using a MacBook and have had the same problem . . . when it happens, the only way to bail out is a hard power down. The mouse still works, but nothing responds to selection. I downloaded a freeware virus scanner from Apple and ran a complete system scan with nothing detected. My internet provider is Verizon 3G, if that's of any consequence. I am relatively new to SA, i.e, ~ 4 months, but this has started happening to me within the last week.

You all have a great website and I hope that you're able to get this resolved quickly.


On Aug 22 08:57 AM basehitz wrote:

> My feedback to SA inquiry above as follows:
>
> Q: Last 5 pages visited B4 malware occurred:
> A: I have a daily routine with market following. Given repeated (>10)
> attempts of malware trying to get in, I expect a typical rendering
> would serve your purpose. The following are what is in my current
> browser history:
> 1. yahoo finance.com
> 2. bigcharts.com
> 3. stockcharts.com
> 4. futuresource.com
> 5. Clearstation.com
> 6. SA
>
> Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing
> the malware?
> A: I read many of the authors. I have not detected a pattern of any
> author(s) in particular. Often I access articles off your website
> while logged in from the right hand column listing. Sometimes I access
> a highlighted article in the center column. (It may be coincidence,
> but it appears more frequent attacks from highlighted articles.)
> Other times I access stories thru emails you send. It has happened
> on all 3.
>
> Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing
> the malware?
> A: It’s happened many times. I don’t recall a particular sequence
> involving other websites. What may be a clue in diagnostics is that
> the sequence goes like this:
> • My browser is configured with multiple tabs open as described above
>
> • I’m on the SA page and access an article
> • Within a few seconds (at most) a pop-up alerts me of a virus attack.
> Another pop-up appears that shows various areas of the computer system,
> such as drive areas. It purportedly then shows rapidly accumulating
> viruses PRESENT in these different system areas. Now, that they’ve
> yelled fire in the theater, they give another pop-up offering to
> scan the system for the threats they just fabricated. They offer
> some scan SW that I never heard of. Note that my pop-up blocker is
> very effective. Somehow they get around that. What they can’t get
> around is Windows Vista (actually did something right) does not allow
> SW programs to launch without user OK. That’s it’s Achilles heel.
> I was familiar of this ruse hackers use so I kill everything without
> letting it launch.
>
> I then go thru system scans using Norton and Windows defender. Nothing
> harmful has ever been detected by either, even with a full system
> scan. So the above shutdown sequence appears to be effective.
>
> Q: Can you send us a screenshot of the malware?
> A: When an attack happens, I immediately dump all internet functions
> and pull the connection. Whether or not it’s safe to try this I don’t
> know, and I’m not going to find out the hard way. Sorry I can’t help
> you on this one.
>
> I think it’s important to note that it hasn’t happened even once
> if the SA page or an SA article is not open. My usual format is to
> use MS tabs feature, where one browser program is open but a string
> of tabs. What I can’t recall with absolute certainty but think is
> true is that if the SA website is one of those tabs but I’m working
> on another site, I haven’t had any attacks.
>
> I am impressed with your quick response to these concerns. Given
> SA writers often cover material Tout TV and other conflicted outlets
> won’t touch, I am already suspicious as to why you were attacked.
>
>
> If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact
> me.

Aug 22 11:12 AM

[Mark Bern:]

I agree with your assessment. The Fed and Administration is trying its best to raise inflation a bit in order to devalue the US$ with the ensuing results that we will see higher prices for commodities that generally trade in US$ denominations. They hope to pay down the debt they are piling up with cheaper dollars. However, they do not seem concerned that the trade deficit could increase in the future as demand rises.

Perhaps they also believe that if gas prices go back up we will import less foreign oil. It doesn't seem to matter if the average American would like to not have to change their driving habits. Also, foreign made goods will become more costly and American goods will be cheaper when purchased in foreign currencies. Is that their plan? It could all backfire, IMHO, if the US$ looses too much value and an alternative currency, such as the Euro, is adopted as the new global reserve currency. Then the US$ will go into free fall and we could see hyperinflation because we don't manufacture anything anymore and our entire economic structure would necessarily have to go through a very difficult and painful transition that could last several decades.

How far will commodities go? It depends upon two things: world demand/supply relationships and how long the Administration continues its weak US$ policies.


On Aug 22 11:01 AM BullnBear wrote:

> Dave,
>
> Just curious about what you think the outcome of all the intervention
> and political posturing will be with UNG, USO, etc.? How far do you
> think this will all go?
>
> I think we are seeing an example of politics actually inciting a
> “speculation” of some sort as opposed to anything nefarious being
> found out.

Aug 22 11:50 AM

[nabit97:]

The same popup window has happened to me, it appears to scan for awhile, giving an array of errors, virus, and malware errors on my computer. While not 5 minutes prior I had made a complete scan for all these type items.
It majically appeared as though I had rolled over something with the cursor. I shut down everything disconnected and cleaned the computer again. Nothing found.



On Aug 22 08:52 AM basehitz wrote:

> I want to alert SA readers of a virus attack I've gotten here. Yesterday,
> I sent them an email as follows:
>
> A pattern of virus threats has developed in recent weeks that only
> happens on SA. My system is Vista OS with Norton security. All SW
> is regularly updated and system scanned for viruses.
>
> The presumed virus attack begins with a screen pop-up type display
> alerting that my system IS infected and that I should activate some
> program that presumes to be anti-virus scanning SW. As you are aware,
> Windows requests user permission before the program is allowed to
> run. I have read about this type of threat hackers use and didn’t
> take the bait. But it is persistent and has tried many times over
> the recent weeks.
>
> My practice each time is to shutdown all internet operations and
> unplug the internet connection. Then I have Norton quick scan the
> system, update SW, and rescan. Then I check Windows Defender. Often,
> it is found disabled when this happens. So I reactivate and scan.
> Several times since this has happened I do a complete system scan
> both with Norton and Windows Defender. If any risk is detected, it
> has always been determined by Norton as “low risk” and “resolved”.
> So as far as I can tell, my system is OK.
>
> Yesterday I read several other posters comment about similar problems.
> That confirmed my suspicion that this only happened when accessing
> SA’s website. My perception is that this event occurs when accessing
> SA articles both directly off your home page as well as thru emails
> from you. It is not limited to one author. So it appears this threat
> may have spread through your system.
>
> Naturally, I have curtailed my use of your website. I trust you will
> get this resolved or I am sure you will lose many readers. That would
> be unfortunate, because you provide a worthwhile service to fill
> the void of the agenda-driven financial media.
>
> Note, as I accessed your website this morning, the moment I hit “Contact
> Us” I got another attack. My curtailment of your service will become
> more so as a result. Please email me for updates on the status/resolution
> of this issue. Thanks.

Aug 22 12:12 PM

[Swashbuckler:]

I have probably read 100 reader posts on SA about the virus threats in the past week. SA has been informed dozens of times in the past week. At least one Top 20 commenter has permanently left SA as a result. Many more regulars are talking of leaving if the problem isn't fixed. So this comment stream is similar to MANY that have occurred on SA this week. Problem has yet to be handled.

Aug 22 01:22 PM

[NC Investor:]

I also encountered a similar virus first on 8/16 at about 9PM. I had just run a virus scan using Windows Live and found no errors. The indication was varied errors suggesting to download PersonalAV to check the virus. The error is actually caused by TROJAN.Win32.Agent.azsy. I contacted the Windows Live people on Monday and they helped me remove the virus. It was actually in my Vista Registry. After remving the virus on Tuesday and Wednesday I received recurring attacks but Windows Live detected and removed the virus with no damage. Since Wednesday I have not seen any recurrences of the virus. I suggest all should have an up to date anti Virus program and keep it up to date.
The good news is this Personal AV virus is not damaging but rather an attempt to sell their anti virus software, can you imagine the gaul.

Aug 22 03:39 PM

[Rydnek:]

I do not have this problem at all. I use Firefox, AVG anti-virus, AdBlocker Plus, as well as a good firewall. I still use the Legacy Windows 2000 OS (probably not much longer) on my trading computer. I also use Windows Update automatically and do not use the Google Toolbar. I quit using Windows Explorer several years ago, and also use Linux OS for some apps.

on Aug 22 10:32 AM Mark Bern wrote:

> I also have had several attacks, but use the same preventative techniques
> as basehitz and others. I have noticed from other posts that the
> same virus has recently been hitting social networking sites, as
> well, not just SA (even Twitter). It appears to be coming from Ads,
> so this is probably a Google problem when it comes right down to
> it. I would think that they should have the resources to descover
> and fix the problem soon enough.
>

Aug 22 03:41 PM

[IMHO:]

SA staff and editors,

While looking for the source of the virus(es) in question, perhaps it would help to filter and block spam artists like the post above (with the iamned url) which is still allowed by your team to wander and roam freely about adding to the irritation and nuisance level among your readers and authors.

Aug 22 05:24 PM

[Redpenny:]

Just to add to the virus posts.

I am on an iMac running Firefox with No Script and Adblock Plus (both running all of the latest filters) and I have not had a problem. I have both No Script and Adblock Plus in manual approval mode so that I have to white list all websites one by one. No problems yet, but I will be especially careful after reading the posts.

I occasionally run Safari and have not had a problem there either. I am on SA daily and all over the site when I visit, so this has me concerned.

Aug 23 01:39 AM

[Cricketsong...:]

Good heavens, what are you people doing? What are you thinking?

1. The pop-up ads are fake. There may or may not be malware/Trojans/viruse... on your computer, but the pop-ups don't really scan for them. They're lying. They're probably trying to install malware themselves. Ignore what they say.

2. This sort of thing happens all over the net, randomly. It's not SA's fault. This is the Wild West. Get used to it.

3. You don't have to reboot the computer, for heaven's sake. Just close the window. If it won't close, close your browser and re-start. If your browser won't close, bring up the administrator console or whatever Windows calls it, and force the browser to close.

4. I almost never see these ads. I see very few ads of any kind, and unwanted pop-ups only a couple times a year. I run Firefox, with AdBlock Plus and Flashblock. If you are running Explorer, God help you. You are riding in a Brinks truck made of Jello, armed with a squirt gun. The bad guys just love you.

I can smell the fear in these posts. And your fear is well-justified. Explorer sucks. Don't live in fear. Get Firefox or Opera. Do it NOW.

5. Strongly consider running Linux. Linux is a flavor of Unix, and any Unix is more secure than Windows, by design. Windows is masses of patchwork over design flaws.

Ubuntu is nice. I've been running it for 3.5 years, and never looked back. Download or P2P the bootable CD, and give it a whirl. But even if you don't, for the love of God, at least get yourself a safer browser than Explorer.

Aug 23 07:40 AM

[Daniel Herkes:]

It's not the browser, it's the OS that allows these "virus" attacks. Users of OS X (BSD Unix), or any of the Unices (Linux too) will not have this sort of problem. We stopped using M$ products 11 years ago and have never had any more of these virus related problems. My impression, and it could be wrong, is that the people writing the malware target the M$ OS because of its inherent flaws, not due to its ubiquity. Hence:

Herkes' Law: Ubiquity is not the same as permanence.


On Aug 23 01:39 AM Redpenny wrote:

> Just to add to the virus posts.
>
> I am on an iMac running Firefox with No Script and Adblock Plus (both
> running all of the latest filters) and I have not had a problem.
> I have both No Script and Adblock Plus in manual approval mode so
> that I have to white list all websites one by one. No problems yet,
> but I will be especially careful after reading the posts.
>
> I occasionally run Safari and have not had a problem there either.
> I am on SA daily and all over the site when I visit, so this has
> me concerned.

Aug 23 09:35 AM

[David Fry:]

They'll hit the swaps markets where GS and the others play.


On Aug 22 11:01 AM BullnBear wrote:

> Dave,
>
> Just curious about what you think the outcome of all the intervention
> and political posturing will be with UNG, USO, etc.? How far do you
> think this will all go?
>
> I think we are seeing an example of politics actually inciting a
> “speculation” of some sort as opposed to anything nefarious being
> found out.

Aug 23 11:08 AM

[Redpenny:]

Actually Daniel it is the browser that provides the entry point. The OS is only vulnerable if the malware is written for it. There are plenty of viruses for OSX just turn off all of your firewalls and you will see that. This one happens to be for Windows. The best thing you can do is block it at the first line of defense which is the browser.

And if you are using Windows do not merely close the pop-up window that appears. Use Control-Alt-Delete to close the window in the Task Manager. Reason: many of the people that write these things put activation in every button on the pop-up. Even the close window 'X' in the corner can activate download. Just C-A-D it and run Adaware and Spybot ( you DO have these do you not?) and you will be fine.

This IS the wild west but there are plenty of things to keep you safe on the sidewalk and out of shoot-outs, you just have to be aware and use them. And why anyone would use Internet Explorer these days is completely beyond me. Especially when something so vastly superior as Firefox is available for free.

See ya


On Aug 23 09:35 AM Daniel Herkes wrote:

> It's not the browser, it's the OS that allows these "virus" attacks.
> Users of OS X (BSD Unix), or any of the Unices (Linux too) will not
> have this sort of problem. We stopped using M$ products 11 years
> ago and have never had any more of these virus related problems.
> My impression, and it could be wrong, is that the people writing
> the malware target the M$ OS because of its inherent flaws, not due
> to its ubiquity. Hence:
>
> Herkes' Law: Ubiquity is not the same as permanence.

Aug 23 11:10 AM

[Macro_Man:]

David: question for you. Following the system is obviously working very well. What happens if all the fast money is doing the same with similar stop loss orders. Everyone heads for the exit at the same time and around the same level. No one is buying and the market gaps lower.

What could be even worse, if the machines are programmed to go short at lower levels. Now, the fast money longs are switching to short at the same time. Wont that bring about a market crash.

S&P 1100 seems to be a popular number that gets bandied about. So, if everyone is planning to stick around till then and sell. Who is the marginal buyer? Hope it is not the poor retail guy getting suckered in by Wall Street as the last buyer.

Aug 23 11:21 AM

[H. T. Love:]

I don't think it's related to what you were looking at before.

I've sent several posts to them vi e-mail to contributor coords and they just say we're working on it.

FYI: If you have a firewall that you can configure, I've captured this info so far;

For some info that *might* be useful, depending on your setup and expertise.

seekingalpha.com/insta...

Hope this helps someone.
HardToLove


On Aug 22 08:57 AM basehitz wrote:

> My feedback to SA inquiry above as follows:
>
> Q: Last 5 pages visited B4 malware occurred:
> A: I have a daily routine with market following. Given repeated (>10)
> attempts of malware trying to get in, I expect a typical rendering
> would serve your purpose. The following are what is in my current
> browser history:
> 1. yahoo finance.com
> 2. bigcharts.com
> 3. stockcharts.com
> 4. futuresource.com
> 5. Clearstation.com
> 6. SA
>
> Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing
> the malware?
> A: I read many of the authors. I have not detected a pattern of any
> author(s) in particular. Often I access articles off your website
> while logged in from the right hand column listing. Sometimes I access
> a highlighted article in the center column. (It may be coincidence,
> but it appears more frequent attacks from highlighted articles.)
> Other times I access stories thru emails you send. It has happened
> on all 3.
>
> Q: Do you know what page you were reading immediately before seeing
> the malware?
> A: It’s happened many times. I don’t recall a particular sequence
> involving other websites. What may be a clue in diagnostics is that
> the sequence goes like this:
> • My browser is configured with multiple tabs open as described above
>
> • I’m on the SA page and access an article
> • Within a few seconds (at most) a pop-up alerts me of a virus attack.
> Another pop-up appears that shows various areas of the computer system,
> such as drive areas. It purportedly then shows rapidly accumulating
> viruses PRESENT in these different system areas. Now, that they’ve
> yelled fire in the theater, they give another pop-up offering to
> scan the system for the threats they just fabricated. They offer
> some scan SW that I never heard of. Note that my pop-up blocker is
> very effective. Somehow they get around that. What they can’t get
> around is Windows Vista (actually did something right) does not allow
> SW programs to launch without user OK. That’s it’s Achilles heel.
> I was familiar of this ruse hackers use so I kill everything without
> letting it launch.
>
> I then go thru system scans using Norton and Windows defender. Nothing
> harmful has ever been detected by either, even with a full system
> scan. So the above shutdown sequence appears to be effective.
>
> Q: Can you send us a screenshot of the malware?
> A: When an attack happens, I immediately dump all internet functions
> and pull the connection. Whether or not it’s safe to try this I don’t
> know, and I’m not going to find out the hard way. Sorry I can’t help
> you on this one.
>
> I think it’s important to note that it hasn’t happened even once
> if the SA page or an SA article is not open. My usual format is to
> use MS tabs feature, where one browser program is open but a string
> of tabs. What I can’t recall with absolute certainty but think is
> true is that if the SA website is one of those tabs but I’m working
> on another site, I haven’t had any attacks.
>
> I am impressed with your quick response to these concerns. Given
> SA writers often cover material Tout TV and other conflicted outlets
> won’t touch, I am already suspicious as to why you were attacked.
>
>
> If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact
> me.

Aug 23 01:26 PM

[worldwary:]

Would you comment on Switzerland (see EWL) when you get the chance? It appears to me to have popped up further above resistance than other European markets. I'd like to hear your take on where the next level of resistance is.

Thanks!

Aug 23 08:03 PM

[RMG:]

I also experienced pop-up alerts with automatic virus scan while browsing SA articles. This happened once per day on three consecutive days, each time from a different external source originating from following web sites:

antispywarelivescanv5.com
check-your-pc-onlinev3...
safeonlinescannerv4.com

Each time I killed the program using Windows Task Manager's End Task. Not only the program gets terminated, the browser (I was using Safari) with all the Tabs also gets terminated and I had to restart the browser.

From Google search, I get the feeling that they are harmless, their virus scan is not real scan, but only they are trying to sell their antivirus software.

I was told by Live OneCare person that it is a spyware. When I scanned using Live OneCare virus scan (which took three hours), which is expected to detect both spyware and virus, it did not find any spyware or virus.

Aug 23 08:29 PM