Optik Options took a negative hit on our alert for COP. The downgrade was insane given rising oil prices but it forced our stop loss to be triggered. It was a terrible downgrade and a market overreaction. Why? Well, just days before the downgrade, on December 12th, ConocoPhillips (COP) Initiated at Neutral by Credit Suisse. In addition, COP was raised to Buy From Neutral by Goldman Sachs on December 14th. Two very reputable financial firms with a very positive outlook. But, Holly Frontier cut COP from a "Focus Stock" to a "Sector Outperform." And then the stock fell. It makes no sense as all the fundamentals say that COP is undervalued and going up. We will continue to monitor COP and

The S&P 500 gained 0.30% last week, with the Russell 3000 rising 0.41%, Growth stocks trailed for a change in the relative performance race. The Russell 3000 Value index climbed 0.70%, compared to a 0.12% advance for the Russell 3000 Growth index. Apple (AAPL) and its suppliers are taking a hit this morning following rumors that iPhone sales are going to fall far short of expectations – 25m v. 50m units projected. Sources are citing two reasons for the lack luster sales – the price point and lack of innovation on the new phones. We have an open alert on the SPY that should de very well but we have had to remove the stop loss because of AAPL falling about 3% premarket and dragging the markets

We had a great alert on INTC (Intel) today with a return of 20%. Shares of Intel, along with other chip makers, perked up and rallied nicely last Friday. If the tax bill gets passed we should see a spike up in the markets as this bull continues to run. But at sometime we will see markets pullback a little as people sell for tax purposes – if the tax bill gets approved.

Optik made a very nice 40% on its recent alert on Visa (V) - in just five (5) days. Congratulations! Bitcoin has enjoyed a lot of publicity lately as well as astonishing gains. In the past twelve months it has moved from about $776 to $17,700, a mere 2,180% gain. But who can use it to buy or sell anything with confidence? No one! Both buyers an sellers face the craziness of Bitcoin and the fear of losing thousands of dollars on any transaction. For example, suppose you want to buy a new 70” LED television valued at $2,000, or about .12 Bitcoins at a coin valuation of about $17,000

Markets are in flux and there’s low volume. If history holds true we should experience the so called Santa Claus Rally. But nothing is for certain. We have geopolitical tensions, threats of government shutdown and fears that the tax bill will have a massive negative impact on the housing markets. Federal government operations are funded through Friday, and unless there is a deal to extend funding, services would partially shut down.We are watching very closely for the right opportunity but it is hard to identify in this market.