Richard Shinnick

Time to Get Serious About Utilizing Short ETFs

Fin,

Actually I did implement it at that time. I was ignorant though, I thought it would be a short term trade, didn't realize it would become a permanent fixture. I guess I was just too optimistic-stupid me.

Time to Get Serious About Utilizing Short ETFs

Tony,

Your are right, never would be too long. That was just me being facetious, I am even long a couple of stocks (gold miners, drillers and BAC-gulp).

Time to Get Serious About Utilizing Short ETFs

Ok, now if you got in when I wrote this, take some profits in the SKF and SRS at least, helluva run on this portfolio for just four days. We are down so far, I'm thinking "Emergency Fed Rate Cut" which seems to be the playbook these days.

Time to Get Serious About Utilizing Short ETFs

alexbakertech

Just my dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Don't make too much of it. The article was simply to lay out a short term portfolio, the interesting point is that there are many who view this type of portfolio as indeed a long term investment. Whether it is a hedge or a long term portfolio, it continues to work. Also, if you pick certain historical periods, there are indeed long periods of years where the market did indeed trend down, the question being, are we entering one of those long periods-a la the Japanese stock market. If so, then my portfolio will be a stellar performer. Just food for thought.

The AMBAC Bailout Plan is Really About Banks Saving Their Own AAAsses

drew111

The dividends have not been suspended because that would amount to an admission of sorts. Remember, these companies live in two worlds: perception and reality and both contribute to the "faith" that the market needs right now. You know what, I have absolutely no idea how these guys will eventually do, but the sad truth is that I don't think they do either. Too much clevernesss coming back to bite everyone in the... But, your point on the dividend is well taken.

New Models Show $700 Billion In Credit Losses

David B,

Yes, you are right, the submission form for Seeking Alpha does not let you break out short and long by position. That is why I mostly mention my positions in the article. SKF is basically a short on XLF.

Thanks.

New Models Show $700 Billion In Credit Losses

No problem on the rental units. Strategy: let bank foreclose, offer to rent it back for a year rather than make them "evict" you. Lots of negotiating power and it doesn't belong to the note holder. That is the key thing here, it is the old saying: lend a man 10 bucks, you own him, lend him a million, he owns you. Remember Trump in the 80's, he owed too much to let him fail, best that banks could do is to get him to do is to sell his yacht and limit himself to one mistress. I am not saying it is right or wrong, but it is what it is.