yogatrader

Note to Nassim Taleb: You Can't Kill Off Black Swans

like most of wall street, author read a synopsis on the cliff notes of Taleb.

but was able to buckle down and read the entire 10 things list.

cnbc is hiring.

keep trading, genius.

Attention Locusts: The Party Is Moving to Merrill and AIG

Baby, if you are near retirement, and you're "losing money fast" dump your broker. Only reason you're down a lot is bc you have to much in stock (mutual funds), which only benefits you broker via exorbitant fees. Roll your IRA to a discounter like Schwab or Vanguard if possible. Believe me, I know brokers, and while I'm sure your's means no harm, (s)he is caught up in an awful ibank model that is unwinding very fast. Best of luck.

Attention Locusts: The Party Is Moving to Merrill and AIG

As has been pointed out a million times, it's way harder to rumor monger good fundamentals down, than the inverse.

These firms levered up 40x and got long housing at the top. It's not panic, just proper greed from the short side. Market discipline and free market Capitalism, indeed.

The over-all market seems to be saying these failures will no longer touch us -"contained". hmmm, heard that one before. . . .

Where Are the Bank Failures in This Financial Crisis?

LA Times print edition: just starting full page foreclosure adverts, 250+ bank-owned properties in one ad, bidding starts at < 100k on inland empire mansions. prime LA neighborhoods just beginning to roll over -West Hollywood condo @ 102K bid.

yes, all clear, captain! full rudder toward the massive icy land mass!

Chart of the Day: Palin on InTrade

I think what most of us enjoy about these markets is that they are much better and less annoying than polls, or the "expert" opinion that dominate the 24-7 mainstream misinformation media. I would agree with billb, as these markets become more liquid, they improve as odds-makers. Finally, the chaotic trading of today, in many ways, does in fact represent the irrational human, real time odds, amid a black swan-like event.

News Flash: Major Market Turns Aren't Announced In Advance

wow. just wow.

More on Technical Analysis

fascinating comments.

my question is: if you have a successful process such as TA, why be so eager to defend and explain it's merits, instead of quietly trading against conventional wisdom?

For example, I trade against Black-Scholes users, and I'm ecstatic when I see it advocated.

Cheers. Happy Trading.

Adventures in Technical Analysis, Jim Cramer Edition

uh, "the solution" is to admit you don't know and discuss the things where you have more clarity, or speak in probabilities, not certainties.

the need for 24-7 content/ commentary fuels such nonsense/ noise, but provides entertainment and distraction for the process of trading that takes maybe 2 hours a week, tops.

good piece. cheers,
yt

What's Up With Apple's Downturn?

yeah, how long have you been following this stock??

AAPL whips around. That's just what it does. No real reason, but here's one if you need it: It's widely held by hedge funds in lieu of cash, and on capitulation days it gets woodshedded. I see it at 250, just maybe 160 first.

Strategy: Buy way the f-ck out of the money calls in 09', read the Black Swan/ Fooled by Randomness and tune out for a bit.

Cheers,
yt