Archive for 2009

Ten Things Most Exciting for 2010

Dec 31st, 2009 | By Bella | Category: General Comments, Mike Bellafiore's (Bella's) Blogs, Trading Ideas, Trading Psychology, Trading Theory

10. The SEC tax declining by about 35c per thousand shares traded.  2009 was a tough year made much tougher because of this tax being raised 400 percent last year.  This will mean a possible extra 17k for some of our traders.

9. Secret Project X.  SMB has developed a practice tool we are very proud to unveil to our in house traders.  Deliberate practice is how you become successful at anything.  This training innovation allows the developing trader the chance to practice.

8. The launch of our new SMB Training website.  We have been working on an improved site for many months.  Roy Davis, our coder and graphics designer are working hard to produce an amazing new product.  I have seen glimpses.  The site design will finally match the quality of the distance learning offered.

7. StockTwits TV 2010. Howard Lindzon and Phil Pearlman have started a killer trading community. The new and improved video for StockTwits TV is so exciting. Can we just fast forward to 1/4/2010 already and launch the new look?

6. SMB Trades2Hold of the Week.  Every Friday we will hold a new session where we discuss the best Trades2Hold intraday from the past week.  This will be an awesome learning session that leverages the trading talent from our desk.

5.  Dov Blogs.  One of our future star traders is starting to get stalkers.  I noticed some google searches directly for his name.  Dov thinks the searchers were his mother and possibly a new young lady seeking to learn if he is out on probation.  See he is very witty.  Much more to come from Dov.

4. The Shark Tank.  They are coming for you market players.  They are hungry.  They prepare for battle.  Stay tuned.

3. Tie: Me losing some weight.  Some jokester sent me an email the other day mocking how much weight I have gained since “Wall Street Warriors.”  I have gained 30 pounds since I started SMB Capital and SMB Training.  Time to take that weight off.

And continuing to exchange ideas with Dr. Steenbarger from TraderFeed on building a world class training program for developing traders.

2. I am about to be an uncle!

1. Watching how much our traders improve next year!

To all of us at SMB Blog thank you for reading.  We look forward to sharing our trading stories and education with you in 2010.

Happy New Year!

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SMB Morning Rundown

Dec 31st, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, Trading Ideas

Today, the Market appears set to open slightly higher. The levels we are watching in the SPY are 112.50(sup) and 113(res). Below 112.50, the next support level is 112. Above 113, we could see upside to 113.40.

Our best AM Idea for today, which we highlighted in our AM Meeting is to buy SEED close 12.10. Add to the long above 13.20. Tgt: 14.50.

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SEED money for the New Year

Dec 30th, 2009 | By Dov | Category: Dov Quint (Dov's) Blogs, Fundamental Plays, General Comments, Trading Ideas

There’s always something to trade. You just have to be where the volume is. It can take one good stock to make your week, and one good week to make your month. 90% of life is showing up, and for those who showed up today, there was money to be made.

We had a repeat offender today, our good old buddy Origin Agritech, ticker SEED. Maybe there’s a hedge fund out there that needs to save their entire year by driving up this stock. Maybe there are some new algorithmic programs being tested out to see how far they can take a small cap stock for a ride. Whatever it is, when a stock moves 30% on volume that is more than the entire float, there is going to be some money in it. Forget that it’s the day before New Year’s Eve.

I suppose one advantage of the rise in algorithmic trading programs is that even on a day like today when a lot of traders are off their desks, the programs can still do as much volume as they want. The computers aren’t taking away skiing or sailing, nor are they too hung-over from partying all night to trade . If they want to drive a stock up, it doesn’t matter how many other traders are on vacation, they will be able to drive it.

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SMB Morning Rundown

Dec 30th, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, Intraday Levels, Trading Ideas

Today, the Market appears set to open lower. The levels we are watching in the SPY are 112 (sup) and 112.60(res). Below 112, the next support level is 111.50-111.60.

Our best AM Idea for today, which we highlighted in our AM Meeting is to short AAPL into a pop close to 210. Tgts: 209, 208.

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SMB on CNBC HALFTIME REPORT

Dec 29th, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, Jeff Tomasulo's Blogs, SMB In The News, SMB on TV

Jeff Tomasulo, senior trader at SMB Capital, appeared earlier today on CNBC’s Fast Money Halftime Report. In the clip, Jeff discussed the effect of the stronger US dollar on the Market and the stocks he is looking to trade in this light volume holiday market.

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SMB Morning Rundown

Dec 29th, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, Intraday Levels, Trading Ideas

Today, the Market appears set to open higher. The levels we are watching in the SPY are 112.60 (sup) and 113.60(res). Below 112.60, the next support level is 112.

Our best AM Idea for today, which we highlighted in our AM Meeting is to short AAPL into a pop close to 212.85. Tgts: 211.30, 210.60.

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Adapt to Survive High-frequency Trading – SFO Magazine

Dec 28th, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, SMB In The News, Trading Psychology, Trading Theory

Mike Bellafiore, partner at SMB Capital, wrote an article for SFO Magazine, titled “Adapt to Survive High-frequency Trading”.  In the article, Mike discusses the effect High Frequency Trading (HFT) has had on the markets and the changes short-term traders need to make to adapt.  Read the full article here and feel free to leave your comments on this blog.

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Some Ideas on Light Holiday Trading

Dec 28th, 2009 | By Bella | Category: Mike Bellafiore's (Bella's) Blogs

Ok so the volume is light.  GMan barked on the Open, “Volume is down 1/2.”  Dovey said about the same just with some streets of Brooklyn color.  On a day like today we must observe this different trading.  But there were still some opportunities.

AJames made a great call in STEC as it made a new important technical high and rode it up a point.  AAPL offered an Open worth playing.  AIG above 32 finally worked, yet lacked the follow through needed for a huge chop.  There was some opportunity in RIMM and IBM as evidenced by our leaderboard.

As I write I am in ESPN/trading mode.  I will watch the markets as I brush up on my Yankee rumors.  AIG will get my interest above 32.50.  AAPL is worth watching above 113.50.  STEC above 17.25 is worth a look.  My alerts are set.  But I am not willing to take on much risk until I see an excellent risk/reward opportunity.

There has been money to be made today.  There might be some opportunities into the Close.  But right now I am in defense mode, attempting to keep my profits from the Open, and forcing the market to show me an excellent risk/reward opportunity.  Till then I will be reading about the Yankees LF situation.

Best of luck with your trading.

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SMB Morning Rundown

Dec 28th, 2009 | By smbcapital | Category: General Comments, Intraday Levels, Trading Ideas

Today, the Market appears set to open higher. The levels we are watching in the SPY are 112.40 (sup) and 113.60(res) Below 112.40, the next support levels are 112 and 111.50.

Our best AM Idea for today, which we highlighted in our AM Meeting is AAPL. Buy into a pullback between 209.30 and 210. Tgt: 214-215.

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SMB on CNBC HALFTIME REPORT

Dec 25th, 2009 | By ajames | Category: General Comments, Jeff Tomasulo's Blogs, SMB In The News, SMB on TV

Jeff Tomasulo, senior trader at SMB Capital, appeared yesterday on CNBC’s Fast Money Halftime Report. In the clip, Jeff discussed the stocks he is looking to trade in this Market. Jeff also gave his thoughts on what is necessary to make the “Santa Claus Rally” stick. Watch the clip below and leave your comments on this blog.

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