And one of these guys is Jack Ablin (who I’ve personally never heard of) that simply uses a 200 day MA strategy. Not that it isn’t a decent strategy to use (though far from perfect, especially in a secular bear market where you’re liable to be whiplashed all to hell), but why is this guy notable for simply using this very basic strategy?

Haven’t seen one of your posts in at least a year.

Idling ships clog up Singapore shores:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8142838.stm

Distillate distress continuing for now:
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/11/03/81136/distillate-distress-continuing-for-now/

I closed all my shorts today.

Today I bought some Goldman and tomorrow morning I will be coming after the $150 Dec call that has no apparent premium right now. I actually like Goldman to continue going up in the next 3-5 months. I think they can sustain $5 a quarter earnings, especially if people are buying worthless puts for high $. I plan on aquiring GS and selling call options against it going forward.

I’m not sure about most every other thing in the market. most cos can’t sustain the earnings so they are cutting employees. It’s definately not good for the economy as a whole. If the fed makes the market rocket tomorrow some 2-3% up I will buy deep in the money no premium IWM puts.

Retailers scramble to adapt to new realities

“The recession has dramatically changed many Americans’ shopaholic habits, at least temporarily and perhaps forever.

Now the question is whether the nation’s retailers have kept up.

“The answer is no,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with NPD Group.

He’s not alone in that assessment.

Although it’s still early days of the holiday shopping season, some analysts are already worried that too many merchants are taking a business-as-usual approach to an era that is anything but usual. Any miscalculation could be disastrous for retailers, who typically expect up to 20 percent of annual sales and a bigger share of annual profits during the critical holiday season.

“Retailers still don’t have a full grasp of reality,” said Burt P. Flickinger III, managing director of Strategic Resource Group, a consulting firm. ”

…Barry, I would be interested on your take on the retail until Xmas thinking…I see where the CFC temporarily lowered the increased savings rate, but I wonder what your firm sees for Xmas sales over the next 6 weeks…..

IMF: global rates may need to rise 2%

WASHINGTON – Global interest rates may need to rise by as much as two percentage points to rein in increasing debt levels in major advanced economies, the International Monetary Fund said.

In its latest edition of “Cross-Country Fiscal Monitor” the IMF said government debt in the major economies is projected to reach 118 per cent of gross domestic product in 2014.

……Liquidity and equities….just thinking out loud………………….If the Scandanavians and the Australians are serious about raising rates……hmmmmmmmm….