ChipSeal

2009 Dogs of the Dow

I seem to recall that the dogs of the Dow could be improved by investing in the "dogs" two through four. Casting out the bottom dog avoided the the likeliest to be in real trouble and cut their dividends, or to be de-listed and such, and thus improved overall performance of the theory.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

Dear Rachael,

You have repeated the same mistake again. To wit:

"The ISM report indicated that the non-manufacturing sector improved slightly from the previous month. However, a sub-50% reading indicates sector contraction. So, a slower rate of contraction in December brought activity to 40.6%."

The sector did not "improve slightly" as you insist. It got worse. It simply got worse at a slower rate than the month before.

In my portfolio I lost 20% in one month and then lost 18% the next. My losses are not as great, but my portfolio is still shrinking. It will "improve slightly" when it has actual growth. For example +.05%!

Improvement indeed!

I am still a fan! Thanks for your reply.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

"Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector increased by 3.3% in December to 40.6%, according to ISM, better than the 37.0% consensus."

Whoo Hoo! A counter trend move! The sector is GROWING... right? But the very next sentence in your "news" is:

"This marked the third month in a row of sector contraction, though the rate slowed slightly."

So it is growing and contracting at the same time? Are you just making this stuff up? Do you even read what you write?

Please do better, Mrs. Granby.