Talking stocks, trading, and investing in general

[lamscott]

I didn't see a thread of this kind. I assume most of us dabble in the stock market and thought this would be a nice conversation thread.I thought it would be kind of neat to start a thread that would get all the investors together and share stock ideas.

I'm vested heavily in BAC right now.

[toph]

I understand your sentiment.
However if one is wishing to discuss stocks on a watch forum, or anywhere for that matter, then I'd recommend you keep your money.

[lamscott]

Originally Posted by toph

I understand your sentiment.
However if one is wishing to discuss stocks on a watch forum, or anywhere for that matter, then I'd recommend you keep your money.

Thats no fun. This is why I put it in the Open Discussion Forum.

[toph]

Originally Posted by lamscott

Thats no fun. This is why I put it in the Open Discussion Forum.

I don't mean to appear rude but I trade for a living. CFd's, options, stocks, currencies, indices etc
The reason some make money is when the general public jump in on: tips, news and media. If you heard it here or in a newspaper or TV the 99 times out of 100... It's too late.
But don't let me stop you

[Kingair]

If you want to discuss stock . . . . go ahead

But make sure you only give us the good tips so we can buy extra Rolex watches . . .

How long lose money I already know . . . . my bank helped me . . .

[lamscott]

Make more money to buy rolexes!

[locutus49]

I recommend Seeking Alpha website, which is specific to serious investors. There are a million ways to invest and no one way is right for everyone.

[Jbranda]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I recommend Seeking Alpha website, which is specific to serious investors. There are a million ways to invest and no one way is right for everyone.

The writers on seeking alpha are paid and usually biased reviews of stocks because they are shareholders

[lamscott]

You guys are pretty serious about this. I thought it would be just fun. We don't have to keep this moving.

[scottIN]

Read Flash Boys & you'll understand why WS traders are making millions in bonuses while your portfolio goes down.

[jhilly8982]

Originally Posted by scottIN

Read Flash Boys & you'll understand why WS traders are making millions in bonuses while your portfolio goes down.

Ok, you need to explain the logistics of your statement. I have read Flash boys, Dark Pools and more stuff about HFT and market structure than you would imagine. Although HFT steals money on a daily basis, unless you are long a triple short equities ETF, most american's portfolio's are up. The stock market is at record highs and all pensions, 401K's and institutions hold 50% in equities. I suggest digging deeper into what your portfolio contains. Any long term equity mutual fund should be positive.

[GB-man]

I'm out of the equities market for now. Sitting in cash possibly headed for real estate. Slow money but sure money in my market. (Property is cheap and was never over priced to being with). The game is rigged as far as I'm concerned. I have a small pile of degrees in finance to boot

[azguy]

You amateurs crack me up....I'm a professional trader and get paid to do it, I like BAC too but accumulated most of it between 6 and 12 and currently have 800,000 shares in my book

I write options against stocks like Apple, Facebook and GE nearly everyday and I love high dividend REITs like SNH, GOV, ARCP & UDF and some other high dividend plays like FGP, NMM, ERF.

Today 13 up, 3 down, 1 unchanged on a day the S&P 500 was flat, laughing all the way to the bank or Rolex AD..

20140827_134855_resized.jpg

[Jbranda]

Originally Posted by azguy

You amateurs crack me up....I'm a professional trader and get paid to do it, I like BAC too but accumulated most of it between 6 and 12 and currently have 800,000 shares in my book

I write options against stocks like Apple, Facebook and GE nearly everyday and I love high dividend REITs like SNH, GOV, ARCP & UDF and some other high dividend plays like FGP, NMM, ERF.

Today 13 up, 3 down, 1 unchanged on a day the S&P 500 was flat, laughing all the way to the bank or Rolex AD..

Attachment 528147

Thanks for these...been looking for some good dividend stocks

[srvrf]

I think this is a tough subject. While I think it is reasonable to assume that people here have generally done well with their investments, I'm not sure it translates into sound investment advice. An analogy is just because I'm pretty slim and fit at 5'10" and 160lbs doesn't mean I should be giving out diet advice to people. My decisions and habits may have very little to do with it.

My wife and I are self-managed and think we have a reasonable strategy with a mix of stocks in our 401k's, a mixture of index funds in our brokerage account and 529s, as well as cash. Gains have been nice and fairly stable over the years and we rebalance each year or so by purchasing what we feel we are deficient in, not by selling and then buying.

But that being said, a lot of our portfolio gains I think have come down to luck. I thought I was throwing away money by buying Apple stock in 2002 but I grew up loving the Apple II and even the Newton (anyone remember that?). How the Hell was I supposed to know that they had an iPhone up their sleeve? Why didn't I invest more?

But in the end, I am an ophthalmologist who can't follow the market more than once or twice a day. To me PE means pulmonary embolism, not price to earnings. So I love investments with long-term steady growth, preferably with a dividend, because I'm about 20-25 years away from needing any of that money (hopefully). So I've never been one to try too hard to buy the hot company or fund, but rather the stock/fund that I can see with potential for growth over the long haul. So I'm a big fan of Vanguard Index Admiral Share mutual funds.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by srvrf

I think this is a tough subject. While I think it is reasonable to assume that people here have generally done well with their investments, I'm not sure it translates into sound investment advice. An analogy is just because I'm pretty slim and fit at 5'10" and 160lbs doesn't mean I should be giving out diet advice to people. My decisions and habits may have very little to do with it.

My wife and I are self-managed and think we have a reasonable strategy with a mix of stocks in our 401k's, a mixture of index funds in our brokerage account and 529s, as well as cash. Gains have been nice and fairly stable over the years and we rebalance each year or so by purchasing what we feel we are deficient in, not by selling and then buying.

But that being said, a lot of our portfolio gains I think have come down to luck. I thought I was throwing away money by buying Apple stock in 2002 but I grew up loving the Apple II and even the Newton (anyone remember that?). How the Hell was I supposed to know that they had an iPhone up their sleeve? Why didn't I invest more?

But in the end, I am an ophthalmologist who can't follow the market more than once or twice a day. To me PE means pulmonary embolism, not price to earnings. So I love investments with long-term steady growth, preferably with a dividend, because I'm about 20-25 years away from needing any of that money (hopefully). So I've never been one to try too hard to buy the hot company or fund, but rather the stock/fund that I can see with potential for growth over the long haul. So I'm a big fan of Vanguard Index Admiral Share mutual funds.

I made a killing in real estate back in 2006 selling Condo's in North Scottsdale that I had bought in 2000 -2002 and retired at 48.... but I just got lucky and it does make me a real estate genius and would never give advice on buying up units ....because it probably wont work a second time around. Same with stocks.....my wife bought up WFC when she worked and I was buying up IBM when i worked and we did well very off both stocks but its hard to lose with IBM and Wells Fargo.

[azguy]

The OP wanted a friendly discussion about the markets and maybe a "tip" or two, can't we have fun doing this without the nay-sayers raining on his parade.... IDK, he wasn't looking for full fledge financial planning or serious investment advice in fact he said he "dabbled"..

Here's one to dabble in GoPro ticker: GPRO, trading at $45, I think you could get $55 to $60 out of it.

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by azguy

The OP wanted a friendly discussion about the markets and maybe a "tip" or two, can't we have fun doing this without the nay-sayers raining on his parade.... IDK, he wasn't looking for full fledge financial planning or serious investment advice in fact he said he "dabbled"..

Here's one to dabble in GoPro ticker: GPRO, trading at $45, I think you could get $55 to $60 out of it.

Right, but in all honesty, despite my love for all of you on TRF, if I have a hot tip, I'm keeping it to myself

[Ticknaway]

Originally Posted by srvrf

Right, but in all honesty, despite my love for all of you on TRF, if I have a hot tip, I'm keeping it to myself

Well at least until you've made your purchase right!

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by Ticknaway

Well at least until you've made your purchase right!

True. Then you guys with the really deep pockets can drive it up 😊


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[shnxx]

AAPL up today! lol

[yjfang]

Check out FireEye(Nasdaq: FEYE). One of the best cyber security software companies out there in a very relevant industry in today's modern hacker world.

[CCCSTYLE]

GMCR MO AAPL these 3 stocks did me very well

[bdex75]

If it is a dabble tip type question I say this. Buy stock in the companies whose products you use on a regular basis. Chances are if you use it, others do as well. And stock will perform well over time. Bond market is a bit spooky right now.


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[azguy]

Originally Posted by bdex75

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You own Apple then

[adamlea]

Just to throw these out there - maybe generate some discussion:

1) What's your approach? What types of info do you look at when opening/closing a position? I tend to rely on technicals (charts) and insider trades posted on public forums. I also keep a eye on IPOs.

2) Are there some technicals you look to more than others? (Bollinger, MACD, Parabolic SAR, etc.)

3) If you're a non-pro, like me, what brokerage firm do you use? I use Ameritrade.

4) For you pros/experienced traders, any books/sources you'd recommend? I've got Barron's and the WSJ.

I've been trading options (mostly selling puts) for several years but now trade stocks mostly. Personally, I'm not interested in what to buy/sell, but I would like to learn more about how others approach a trade, what others look at/for, etc.

[opticalserenity]

Excellent thread idea. My recommendation to anyone new to the world of stock trading would be to read, read, and then read some more. I'm always blown away when I come across someone dumping $75k into a single stock, without understanding the difference between a market, limit, or stop limit order.

Second tip: Learn about options. Using call and put options are an incredibly good way to hedge your positions. Also, they're mighty fun.

Seeking Alpha is a good website, also, I recommend the Motley Fool. They have excellent podcast / radio shows and a great YouTube channel.

Adamlea, learn the "greeks." When you look at a stock, learn how to quickly read the EPS, Alpha, Beta, and 52-week range. Those will give you some idea of health. They're much like a human's vital signs. Just because someone has a perfectly reasonable heart rate, blood pressure, and SpO2, doesn't mean that they're healthy. :)

[adamlea]

Originally Posted by opticalserenity

Excellent thread idea. My recommendation to anyone new to the world of stock trading would be to read, read, and then read some more. I'm always blown away when I come across someone dumping $75k into a single stock, without understanding the difference between a market, limit, or stop limit order.

Second tip: Learn about options. Using call and put options are an incredibly good way to hedge your positions. Also, they're mighty fun.

Seeking Alpha is a good website, also, I recommend the Motley Fool. They have excellent podcast / radio shows and a great YouTube channel.

Adamlea, learn the "greeks." When you look at a stock, learn how to quickly read the EPS, Alpha, Beta, and 52-week range. Those will give you some idea of health. They're much like a human's vital signs. Just because someone has a perfectly reasonable heart rate, blood pressure, and SpO2, doesn't mean that they're healthy. :)

Great advice - you've given me some things to think about. I appreciate it. I'm still trying to hone my approach.

I primarily sold naked puts last year. Plus some covered calls. Did very well with IOC, LINE, and some others. Got burned - badly - with IOC as well. I haven't learned how to do spreads yet, but I'm going to have to build my reserves back up before I can get back into options. I felt like I needed to file an order of protection from abuse and talk to a counselor after I got thoroughly violated by the tax man this year.

I used to read Seeking Alpha (SA) regularly, but now I only read it occasionally. Last year, SA posted an article about a CEO of a company I had sold puts on who, according to the post, was being indicted for sundry SEC violations. Predictably, the underlying tanked and my gains evaporated. I traced the source back to an unsubstantiated Tweet that had been posted on another financial blog. I haven't fully trusted SA since. The whole thing reminded me of that scene from Oliver Stone's Wall Street where Bud Fox calls a financial reporter from a pay-phone with the cryptic message: "Blue Horseshoe loves Andicott Steel"

It seems like so many secondary sources are susceptible to spin - a la The Wolfe of Wall Street. So, it seems to me that company financial data and technicals are the best things to look at.

What is a qualified account? What is a SIPP plan? And can you trade with these types of accounts? How do you avoid getting raped on capital gains? I pose these questions in the most general sense. I'm a self-employed civil rights attorney with LLC. Civil rights cases being what they are, my draws are irregular. As such, I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how to make smart trades and how to keep more of my income - that's why I'm curious about qualified accounts and SIPP plans.

[yjfang]

Shameless plug for my friend's online media company. www.rantsports.com Independent sporting news website that writes opinionated articles and encourages reader discussion. They are expecting to go public in 2015.

[Scot_3]

I love drug and entertainment companies, two things people want health and escape from their oh hum life