Stock Market Game Update - September 30, 2009

I have covered the short sale of AFFM. It has reached my profitable exit. I will not be able to provide updates for the rest of the week, so if you are following my trades, make sure you remember the exits. I'll be back next week and will update more frequently for you. Thank you for reading.

Stock Market Game Trades - September 25, 2009

Now that I've exited many of my open positions, I have a lot of new trades to get into. Below are the ticker symbols, and quick descriptions of why I will enter the trade.

DELL - I'll buy this stock because the Stochastic is now below 20, and the RSI has reached a point that the stock has always followed with a rally during its current uptrend. I expect to pay around 15.70 per share, and I intend to sell at about 16.70 for a profit, or 14.50 for a stop.

MFLX - I'll buy this stock because the Stochastic has dropped below 20 and the RSI has reached a previous valley during its recent uptrend. As long as this stock doesn't change its 9-month trend, it should move up. I expect to pay around 28.00 per share, and I intend to sell at about 30.00 for a profit, or 25.50 for a stop.

NRG - I'll buy this stock because both the RSI and Stochastic are reaching previous valleys after about a week of the stock dipping. I expect to pay around 27.00 per share, and I intend to sell at 29.00 for a profit, or 25.00 for a stop.

LCC - I'll buy this stock because it has broken into an uptrend. Both the RSI and Stochastic are forming valleys. And the stock is bouncing off the moving average floor. I expect to pay around 5.00 per share, and I intend to sell at 5.75 for a profit, or 4.00 for a stop.

AM - I'll short this stock because both the RSI and Stochastic are above 80 after huge recent gains. I expect many to take their profits soon and the stock will take a dip. I expect to sell short at around 19.60 per share, and I intend to cover at 18.60 for a profit, or 22.50 for a stop.

AFFM - I'll short this stock because both the RSI and Stochastic are above 80. The last time the RSI reached as high, the stock dipped shortly after. The stock has recently had a large gain, and I expect many to take their profits soon. I expect to sell short at around 5.10 per share, and I intend to cover at 4.60 for a profit or 6.00 for a stop.

HOGS - I'll short this stock because both the RSI and Stochastic are above 80. Huge recent gains means profits will soon be taken and the price will likely dip. I expect to sell short at around 14.50 per share, and I intend to cover at 13.75 for a profit or 16.00 for a stop.

Many of the stocks I plan to buy are based on the current trend. If the trend breaks and the stocks continue to fall, I'll sell at my stop points and take the losses, but will not ride a crash down. However, if the stocks continue their trends, then I should see some profits from the trades. We will see how it works out. Thank you for reading. I'll update immediately if I make any trades during the trading session.

Stock Market Game Update - September 24, 2009

I have covered BTU because the Stochastic and RSI look to be completing a valley and may rise again soon. The stock moved just like I had predicted and earned over 8% profit which is fine with me.
I have covered SWM for the same reason. However, the stock did hit my profitable exit and I did not have a sell order ready. I'll learn from this mistake and place limit orders for my exits to execute if I'm not watching the stock closely.

The next two did not net as much profit, but their indicators are about to valley, and the stocks are currently on an uptrend, so I did not want to be left behind when they take off again. That is why I changed my exits and took a little profit from them. I covered THC and GRMN for only about 3% profit on each.
I'll be doing some research and should post some trades to enter tonight for tomorrow's trading session. Thanks for reading.

September 24, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

The market surprised me today with its dip. I may have to re-evaluate new exits for some of my short sells. Many of them were sold short on peak points of stocks on an up trend. If they continue to climb, I'll have to take what profits I can rather than wait for the stock to continue to climb. If I exit any stocks tomorrow, I'll update you immediately with a quick explanation of why.

I do not have any new trades ready yet. I was planning to take advantage of the market as it continues to advance higher, but the loss today made me wait a little longer to see where the market is headed.

I believe that the weak dollar and unstable economy may eventually take its toll on the market, and we might see another bad crash. So far, the market has only increases proving me wrong, so I'll try to take advantage of the uptrend but will watch my trades closely with stops in place. Thanks for reading. I'll update you immediately if I made any trades during the trading session.

Stock Market Game Trades - September 22, 2009

Hello, and sorry for the delay. I had some computer problems recently and was unable to update for a few days. Therefore, I did not enter any new trades, nor exit any of my open positions to make sure I don't lose anyone who is following the trades.

I will not enter any new trades today, but will exit if some of my open positions near their exit points. Yesterday I was very tempted to cover a couple shorts and take a 7-8% profit, and today has proven it would have been a good idea.

No trades have been made though, and I will keep you updated immediately should I enter or exit a traded during the trading session. The picture looks a little different than normal. Wall Street Survivor has changed a few things on their website, but don't be confused. Its the same portfolio I've been using the entire time. Thank you for reading.

Stock Market Trade Update - September 18, 2009

I have covered my short of UAUA. Even though it has not quite reached 8.00, it has earned a 10% profit quickly so I'm going to take the profit and free the money up.


I have sold both CREE and INTC as I was suggesting earlier. Both of these stocks have surprised me, and I believe its always best to get out when a stock does something unexpected. I ended up with a small gain and a small loss that about evened each other out on these stocks.


I may be looking to enter a trade by the end of the trading session, but it is very likely that I will wait until next week. Thanks for reading.

Stock Market Game Trades - September 18, 2009

After a nice three day rally, the market has leveled off today. With all of my short open positions I, obviously, am hoping for the market to drop the next few trading sessions, but we'll see how that goes.

I will be watching both INTC and CREE closely and may sell them before they reach one of my previously determined exits. Both have broken the trend on which my initial decisions were concluded. I have sort of a personal rule where, if the stock does something I did not at all expect, be very cautious or get out entirely. I may enforce that rule on those two soon, but at the moment it is too early for me to decide.

As I posted earlier, I exited one trade today, and a few more are nearing exit points both profitable and stop loss exits. I will not enter new trades tomorrow, but will instead watch my open positions for opportunities to exit. Thank you for reading. I'll update immediately if I make any trades during the trading session.

September 17, 2009 Stock Market Game Updates

I have covered my short on F as the price has passed my profitable exit.


UAUA is up about 7.5%, and if it reaches 10% profit, I will likely cover it. I may have set the profitable exit for it too greedily.

September 17, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

Today was a great day for investors as many stocks soared. Why then, do I have so many short sells in my portfolio? I was told, a while ago by an experienced trader, that after a crash, like the market was experiencing early this year, many investors will watch their stock drop with hope that it will recover. They'll develop an emotional sell point at the price the stock first dropped to before it continued it's down trend. The idea is "If the stock rallies up to the point when I began hoping it wouldn't fall any lower, I'll sell it." Therefore, many stocks tend to peak right around that price and fall back down due to the huge amount of sales.

Well, many of the stocks that I have sold short fell, along with the market, during the latest crash. They are now nearing their value at the start of the crash. Along with the correct technical indicators, I'm hoping the stocks I've sold short will peak and fall as relieved investors get out of their stocks, and a selling frenzy begins.

As you can see in the picture above, my simulation portfolio is full and I do not intend to enter any new trades until I've exited some of my open positions. CREE seems to have taken a downward turn, and if it turns out to be a downtrend that lasts, I may try to exit it at a high point when the moving average is a ceiling. I am willing to change my exit strategy for that stock because the trend would no longer be the same as the trend I based the indicators on when entering the trade.

I'm excited to see if the market's rally will continue and we will see the DJIA reaching 10,000 soon, or if the market will lose its steam and repeat last October's results. Thank you for reading and, as always, I'll update you immediately with any trades I submit during the trading session.

September 16, 2009 Stock Market Game Updates

The surge today surprised me to say the least. I was expecting the market to turn downward and it did the opposite. I am betting on this surge running out of steam rather than rallying through the month like the July uptrend. Therefore, I've set up a few trades to take advantage if the market turns around when the buzz of the good economic news wears off.

I will short 300 shares of BTU at around 41.00 per share. I intend to cover the short when the stock reaches about 37.00 for a profit or 45.00 for a stop. The RSI is about to touch 80, which it has not reached all year. The stochastic is sitting way above 80, and the stock has been moving up for two weeks straight without a dip. I believe traders will be taking their profits from the latest rally and selling soon.

I will short 3000 shares of THC at around 5.80 per share. I intend to cover the short when the stock reaches about 5.30 for a profit or 6.50 for a stop. The RSI is sitting at 80, and the Stochastic has passed 80 and has begun its turn downward. The MACD is about to peak as well.

I will short 1000 shares of MTL at around 16.50 per share. I intend to cover the short when the stock reaches about 14.80 for a profit or 18.50 for a stop. The RSI is very near 80 and the other 2 times it reached as high this year, the price dropped shortly after. The Stochastic has peaked past 80 and looks to be turning down. Last, like the first stock, this has been moving up steadily for a couple weeks. I believe traders will soon take their profits and sell.

I will short 1200 shares of UAUA at around 9.30 per share. I intend to cover the short when the stock reaches about 8.00 for a profit or 10.50 for a stop. Both the RSI and the Stochastic have passed 80 and have begun to level off. The MACD is also approaching a peak.

F hit the profit exit point today, but I wasn't paying attention so I didn't take advantage. I'll have to wait until it falls back to 7.00, hopefully, in the near future. It seems like the majority of my open positions are now short sells. I'll explain the reason tonight with my overview and plans for trading tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

September 16, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

Here are Sept. 15th results on my simulation portfolio. It looks like many of the trades are headed in the right direction which is a good sign.

I will not enter any new trades at the start of the trading session on Sept. 16, but I will be watching a few stocks and will alert you immediately of any trades. I'll include the ticker symbols of the trades, and the reasons for entering the trade. Thank you for reading.

September 15, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

Today, the results of my simulation portfolio took a dive. Upon checking the indicators, I noticed that I could have waited a day to get into many of the trades. I was a little too anxious and therefore I cut into my profits. However, based on the indicators, I believe many of the trades will still end profitable and I have already learned another lesson about waiting for the indicators, rather than trying to predict them.

I will not enter any new trades tomorrow, but will closely follow my open positions. I will alert you of any new trades within the trading session immediately. Thank you for reading.

Sept. 8-11 Stock Market Trading Results

The first week of trading has finished. I have already learned a few new things, like waiting for a stock to get closer to my exits rather than selling when it's earned 'enough' profit for myself. My portfolio is full and I will not likely be entering new trades this Monday. Instead, I'll be watching my open positions.

So far, the stock market guide for beginners has proven itself working, but I will not base my opinion on one, possibly lucky, week. If the tips and strategies I learned there continue to work, then I'll give them more credit in the future.

I have to admit, I'm rather proud of myself. Some may not believe it, but before I found stockprep.com, I only made trades based on my brokers' or friends' advice, and it never ended well. Now, I've completed a lot of trades on my own in just one week, generating a 4.15% profit overall and ranking within the top 2% of about 110,000 simulation traders. It is far to early to brag of my accomplishments and I'm not trying to do it. I am just proud of myself because its my first real attempt at trading stocks on my own.

September 11, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades Updates

I have sold short 300 shares of SWM at around 55.00. I intend to cover the short when it reaches 52.00 for a profit, or 58.00 for a stop.

I have sold short 500 shares of T at around 26.50. I intend to cover the short when it reaches 25.50 for a profit, or 28.00 for a stop.

I could not short sell KOG because the stock market game doesn't allow short selling on stocks less than 3.00. Just for research sake, I'll be watching its movement to see if a short sell would have been a good choice. So the paper trade I planned to make was sell short KOG at 2.25 with intent to cover at 1.80 for a profit and 2.50 for a stop.

I have bought 350 shares of CREE at around $35.50. I intend to sell the shares when they reach 37.00 for a profit or 32.50 for a stop.

I have not yet purchased BIIB. I was hoping the stock would fall a little further, but at the moment it's about even with its last close.

September 11, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

After looking over some past trades, JAG and DELL, both reached my profitable exit. If I would have waited I could have come out with more profits, so in the future, I will try not to jump the gun. I'll do my best to hold onto my trades until they get closer to my intended exits.

Today's new trades have not moved much from the entry points, but we will see what the market has in store for them during tomorrow's trading session. The image shows the current open positions and value of my simulation portfolio.

Tomorrow, I'll be looking to short sell SWM. Both its RSI and Stochastic are near 80 and the MACD is nearing its last peak. I'll be looking to short sell T. Its RSI has reached the last 2 peaks and the Stochastic is approaching 80. Last, I'll be looking to short sell KOG. Its RSI and Stochastic have both reached 80 and its MACD looks about to peak.

As for buying, I do not have any sure options, but I will be watching both CREE and BIIB close. Both are about to reach the Moving Average as a floor and the RSI for both has peaked and is falling fast. The Stochastic still has room to fall and I will be looking to buy them if they fall for another day and the Stochastic is at a valley point.

As always I will update you immediately when I place a trade order during the trading session. Thank you for reading.

September 10, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades Updates

I have sold DELL because the stock has almost reached my selling exit, and the Stochastic is passing 80. I did not make 5% as I would like to earn from each trade, but it was close, and it didn't take long so I am satisfied.



I covered MVG because it has fallen enough that it looks to recover soon, and it has passed my 5% minimum, so that was also a successful trade.


I have bought 300 shares of ABX today at about 37.80 per share. The stock has turned up and looks like it has some room to grow. I intend to sell the shares when it nears 40.00 per share for a profit, or 35.00 for a stop. I really should have watched it closer today as I could have picked it up for about 37.00 per share in early trading.

I have sold short 500 shares of GRMN at about 36.00 per share. I described earlier that I wanted the stock to move up today, but it didn't. However, the RSI and Stochastic both look like they may be peaking and turning downward. I intend to cover the short when it nears 34.00 for a profit, or 38.00 for a stop.

I have sold short 3000 shares of F at about 7.40 per share. Ford looks to be on a downward trend, and the moving average is currently its ceiling. The RSI and Stochastic seem to be peaking as well. I believe this market run will turn negative soon, and Ford will likely follow the market down. I intend to cover the short when it nears 7.00 for a profit, or 8.00 for a stop

Later today I'll give an overview of the simulation portfolio and how all the trades are doing. This is just an update to let you know what I'm doing right now.

September 10, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

As you saw earlier today, I have already exited one of the trades for a profit. I am left with 3 open positions. So far there has not been much movement in all 3 but I think the market may be turning downward soon so I'm a little nervous about DELL and INTC. The image to the left shows my current simulation portfolio at the end of today's trading session.

I have researched a few stocks that I'll be watching tomorrow, but I have found none that I feel confident enough to act on yet. I will be watching both ABX and GG to possibly buy them. They have been falling, but the RSI, Stochastic, and MACD have not yet gone low enough and don't look to be turning up yet. I will be watching F to possibly sell short as it looks to have begun a down trend and the moving average is a ceiling for it. I will be watching GRMN, EBS and MTG to possibly sell short. Their RSI and Stochastic are approaching 80 and the stocks look to peak soon. I hope they will open and move higher than their current positions early tomorrow, and that is when I will look to sell short.

I'll keep you updated with any actions I perform tomorrow during the trading session. Thanks for reading. I hope you're enjoying it. If you have any suggestions to make your next visit more comfortable, feel free to comment.

I have just put in the order to cover my short sell of JAG. I am generally looking to make between 5-10% per trade, and this trade has passed that mark as shown by the picture.



This is one successful trade following the guide's indicators, I'll give an overview of the simulation portfolio tonight after the trading session ends along with new prospective trades.

After day one, it seems that the stocks I've chosen have followed the pattern suggested by the indicators. As you can see by this image of my Wall Street Survivor Game portfolio, we're off to a good start. The market may slide towards the end of the week so I hope both DELL and INTC reach acceptable sell prices before the negative turn. If not, I'll stick to the rules and hold the stock until it reaches one of my predetermined exits.

I do not plan to enter new buy orders tomorrow, but we'll see if some sell points are reached. I'll put an update here immediately at the time of sale in case anyone is already following my trades and want real time updates. Thanks for reading. I hope you're as excited as I am for tomorrow's results.

September 8, 2009 Stock Market Game Trades

Tomorrow, the market opens for the first day this week. I have some trades ready for my stock market simulation portfolio. Below I'll describe the trades, and the details of why I chose them based on the information I learned at the stock market guide for beginners.

The first trade I will make is to sell short Jaguar Mining Inc. stock.
I will sell short 2000 shares of JAG at about 11.40 per share.
I intend to buy back the shares when JAG reaches 10.20 for a profit or at 13.00 for a stop.
I chose this stock to sell short because the RSI is approaching 80, and the Stochastic is above 80.

The next trade I will make is to sell short MAG Silver Corp. stock.
I will sell short 4000 shares of MVG at about 5.12 per share.
I intend to buy back the shares when MVG reaches 4.70 for a profit or at 5.70 for a stop.
I chose this stock to sell short because the RSI is approaching 80, and the Stochastic is near 80.

The next trade I will make is to buy Intel Corp. stock.
I will buy 1100 shares of INTC at about 19.65 per share.
I intend to sell the shares when INTC reaches 21.00 for a profit or at 18.30 for a stop.
I chose this stock to buy because the Moving Average is a floor for this uptrend stock, the RSI has fallen and is turning up, and the Stochastic is near 20.

The last trade I will make is to buy Dell Inc. stock.
I will buy 1300 shares of DELL at about 15.70 per share
I intend to sell the shares when DELL reaches 16.50 for a profit or at 14.50 for a stop.
I chose this stock to buy because the Moving Average is a floor for this uptrend stock, the RSI has fallen and has turned up, and the Stochastic is near 20.

This coming week will be the firt where my trades will be made available publicly along with the reasons behind the trades. I'll keep you updated with any new trades that I make including exit trades for the ones I listed above. Right now the balance of the simulation portfolio is $100,000. As the game progresses and I make trades, I will provide screenshots of the account balance to show if the guide's instructions can lead a real beginner to success in the stock market.

Follow My Stock Market Trades

I'm very excited about having discovered a free guide that contained information I have been searching for. This Stock Market Investing For Beginners guide answered a lot of my stock market questions, and helped me understand concepts that were always way over my head. Its not as intimidating as some of the investing guides that give you 20-50 pages of information per topic. I enjoyed this specific guide because its precise, simple, and to the point. Now its time to put the info I learned at stockprep.com to the test.

I've got some experience buying and selling stocks, but almost all of my decisions have been based on my brokers' advice. After having lost about 10% overall, I'm fed up with following brokers who love to hear themselves talk technicals, but really don't know how to make money in the stock market. I tried mutual funds after that and lost about the same amount. So I have some basic knowledge of investing in the stock market, and I know enough to not believe all of the amazing returns and hot stocks advice. Now I'm going to try trading stocks my own way.

I've signed up for a Wall Street Survivor game account with $100,000 fake money to paper trade stocks and options. I'm going to explain why I make every trade and what I expect from it based on the information I learned in the Beginners Stock Market Trading guide. Follow my progress and see if the quick and easy guide really can help beginners earn income in the stock market. Feel free to comment any advice, critique, or suggestions you may have to make this case study more interesting to you.

DJIA Surging to 10,000, or Falling Back Down to 8,000?

       Hello everyone.  I'm sorry I haven't written for a while and I'll try to keep you posted at least weekly.  The hot news last week was the Dow breaking 9,000.  This was some great news for both new investors and for everyone who dreaded checking their 401k since last winter.  The test, of course, comes this week.  Will the Dow continue its bullish activity towards more gains, or will the recession's grip on the economy drag the market back down?

       To be honest, I really don't know, but later I'll explain what to watch for in this volatile state.  Telling you that I don't know doesn't really help, but here's why I can't make up my mind.  For the majority of this year, the market has been on the rise.  I've enjoyed the bullish surge as my investments did better than expected.  However,  the rising market almost seems manipulated.  

       We've watched as unemployment has risen intensely, the dollar has lost value around the world and the economy has been hit with one of the biggest recessions in history.  All of this is occurring right now.  It doesn't make sense that a market based on our economy should be rising.  In fact, I believe that the Stimulus, and other programs pumping money into Wall Street have artificially kept it as high as it is, rather than allowing it to follow the economy.  Therefore I do not know how high it will surge, but I do believe that another crash is on its way.  If another crash is coming, how can you be ready to avoid it?  

       Know how much profit/loss you're willing to take from each investment without involving emotion.  Decide how far the stock must rise before you're willing to sell it, and how far it can fall before you're willing to sell it.  I usually choose about 10% each way so I'll use those for examples.  This means, if my stock goes up 10%, I am willing to sell it and take my profits out without wondering how well I could have done had I stayed in long term.  Also, if it drops below 10%, then it probably didn't do what I had expected, and I cut my losses rather than fall with a sinking ship.  Cutting losses and selling when the stock dropped is no easy task, so bite your lip, hold your pride and do it.  You may lose 5-10% here and there, but you'll never lose big in a crash like last winter and what may return this winter.  

       Now, if you choose that you're willing to make 10% profit, this does not mean that you have to sell immediately when it reaches that number.  Watch the stock and stay in it as long as its rising.  When it turns and starts to move down, then sell it.  My figures of 10% may seem low to you, but most of my trades last between 1-4 weeks.  I'm no day trader, but I don't believe long term is the safest bet either.  So 10% profit in a month may not be incredible gains like you hear about in infomercials, but its adequate and realistic.  I hope you enjoyed the article, and if I hope that my advice will save some of you if the market does crash again soon.  Thanks for reading.

Stock Market News: Introduction

       I would like to welcome you to my blog.  I will be writing about the news that drives the US stock market and why the market reacts the way that it does.  With the current economic crisis, I thought, this seems like an odd time to begin writing about market news and activity.  On the contrary, with thousands left jobless and more looking for alternate forms of income to support their families, this is the perfect time to help inform the nation.  

       I am by no means an expert, and thus you will have access to what I have to say for free!  I suggest you read what I have to say and create your own conclusions based on the information.  I am writing this blog to help inform beginners in the market who want to try trading stocks as an alternate form of income.  I will not be suggesting hot stocks, but rather delivering the news the best that I can and giving some of my personal opinions on the market that may, or may not aid you in trading.

       I hope that you enjoy the blog and that it delivers the information that you're looking for to understand the market and its reactions to the news and economy.  Thank you for your time and best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors.