2008 Archive: Day Traders Diary

December 31, 2008

U.S. stocks open slightly higher today, the final trading session of 2008. No mixing words, it was a terrible year for stock markets around the world. Year to date, the Dow Industrials is down nearly 35%, the S&P 500 has lost 40%, and the Nasdaq Composite is off almost 42%.... Read More

December 30, 2008

The major averages open higher after the government extends aid to GMAC to the tune of $5 billion now that it’s a bank holding company. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 62 points to 8,547. GM is up 7% on the GMAC news. The S&P 500... Read More

December 29, 2008

With three days to go, thee major averages open mostly higher lifted by oil and other commodities stocks due to tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5 points to 8,520 led by Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Alcoa. The S&P 500 index opened unchanged at 872.... Read More

December 26, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday even though the statistics say it was the worst holiday season in decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 46 points to 8,469. General Motors is performing well, rising 11% after the Federal Reserve cleared the way for GMAC to become a... Read More

December 24, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher once again on light pre-holiday volume. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 38 points to 8,456. The S&P 500 rose a point to 864, while the Nasdaq Composite fell a point to 1,519. Economic news isn’t getting any better. Jobless claims hit a 26 year high.... Read More

December 23, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher once again on light pre-holiday volume. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 38 points to 8,456. The S&P 500 rose a point to 864, while the Nasdaq Composite fell a point to 1,519. Economic news isn’t getting any better. Jobless claims hit a 26... Read More

December 22, 2008

U.S. stocks opened pretty much unchanged to start a quiet week ahead of Christmas. China cut its key lending rates following like moves by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, and other governments around the globe in the last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell... Read More

December 19, 2008

The major averages received a jolt before the open after the White House agreed to loan the ailing auto industry $17.4 billion in loans to get them into the new year and to the next administration. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 106 points to 8,711. The S&P... Read More

December 18, 2008

U.S. stocks open slightly higher thanks to a modest fall in weekly jobless claims. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 38 points to 8,861. The S&P 500 index gained 3 points to 907, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3 points to 1,582. The financials are modestly higher even though Citigroup... Read More

December 17, 2008

Stocks opened lower on Wednesday after the market’s best day yet this month. Unfortunately, the exhilaration from yesterday is fading following more dismal earnings from the likes of Morgan Stanley. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 103 points to 8,820. The S&P 500 declined 10 points to 902, while... Read More

December 16, 2008

The market averages are set to open higher thanks to better than expected earnings from Goldman Sachs and Best Buy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 77 points to 8,642. The S&P 500 rose 12 points to 880. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 21 points to 1,529. So far so... Read More

December 15, 2008

The averages are set to open modestly higher ahead of a big week. The Fed has a two day meeting and is expected to cut rates tomorrow. We will learn more about the financials and techs this week as Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Adobe, and Oracle report earnings. The autos are... Read More

December 12, 2008

The bad news keeps flooding in. Today’s weakness is due in part to the Senate voting down the auto bailout last night. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 189 points to 8,375. The S&P 500 declined 19 points to 853, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 19 points to 1,488.... Read More

December 11, 2008

A common theme keeps reoccurring every day. The news just keeps getting worse. Today the Labor Department reported jobless claims jumped to a 26-year high in the last week. Great. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 144 points to 8,622. GM is down 5% as their bailout... Read More

December 10, 2008

The bad economic news keeps flowing in, but Wallstreet isn’t listening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 82 points to 8,773. GM is higher on hopes of a bailout. The S&P 500 Index is up 7 points to 896 while the Nasdaq Composite inched up 9 points... Read More

December 9, 2008

Following a nice rally, the markets are set to open lower on more bad economic and corporate news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 120 points to 8,813. The S&P 500 shed 13 points to 896, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 22 points to 1,549. The dog of... Read More

December 8, 2008

U.S. stocks on Monday started higher, extending the prior session’s rally, thanks to overseas strength and more talks of economic stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 169 points to 8,804. 3M is one of the few Dow components trading lower after lowering guidance. The S&P 500 climbed... Read More

December 8, 2008

U.S. stocks on Monday started higher, extending the prior session’s rally, thanks to overseas strength and more talks of economic stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 169 points to 8,804. 3M is one of the few Dow components trading lower after lowering guidance. The S&P 500 climbed... Read More

December 5, 2008

The bad news keeps coming. The November unemployment number jumps to 533,000, a 34 year low. This is only the fourth time in 58 years that the U.S. lost half a million jobs in one month. Unemployment jumped to 6.7%. No more sugar-coating the economic data. It’s bad. The... Read More

December 4, 2008

The markets are set to open lower once again following more dismal economic news. Today we received weak, weak, weak November retail sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 63 points to 8,528. Two Dow components, AT&T & DuPont are slashing thousands of jobs. Both opened lower. The... Read More

December 3, 2008

One big down day on Monday. A nice rebound yesterday and more weakness today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 173 points to 8,245. The S&P 500 declined 19 points to 828 while the Nasdaq Composite shed 33 points to 1,416. Plenty of bad news with a few bright... Read More

December 2, 2008

The averages are set for a little bounce a day after the Dow saw its fourth-biggest point drop on record. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 59 points to 8,210. GE is up 3% after lowering fourth-quarter earnings to the low end of range. The company continues to... Read More

December 1, 2008

Last week was great. The major averages sprinted to the end, racking up 10% gains to end an ugly month. Today, back to reality. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a quick 249 points, or 2.8%, to 8,582. The S&P 500 index fell 27 points, or 3%, to 867, while... Read More

December 1, 2008

Last week was great. The major averages sprinted to the end. racking up 10% gains to end an ugly month. Today, back to reality. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a quick 249 points, or 2.8%, to 8,582. The S&P 500 index fell 27 points, or 3%, to 867, while... Read More

November 28, 2008

After a four day, 20% rally in the broader averages, the markets are set to open lower this morning. After resting up yesterday, shoppers are hitting the malls looking for bargains. Today is officially Black Friday when many retailers move into the black for the year regarding profits.... Read More

November 28, 2008

After a four day, 20% rally in the broader averages, the markets are set to open lower this morning. After resting up yesterday, shoppers are hitting the malls looking for bargains. Today is officially Black Friday when many retailers move into the black for the year regarding profits. But... Read More

November 26, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday, looking to snap a three-day winning streak, after weak durable goods orders from October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 158 points to 8,320. The S&P 500 shed 15 points to 842, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 13 points to 1,451. The economic... Read More

November 25, 2008

U.S. stocks open higher once again, extending the market’s biggest two-day jump in two decades. Today’s rally is getting help from the Federal Reserve initiating two new programs to help resurrect dormant consumer loans and hopefully revive the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 106 points to 8,550. The... Read More

November 24, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher on Monday, extending the prior session’s solid gains, with bank shares in particular bolstered by Citigroup’s 11th-hour rescue package from the government. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 134 points to 8,180. The S&P 500 rose 15 points to 815, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed... Read More

November 24, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher on Monday, extending the prior session’s solid gains, with bank shares in particular bolstered by Citigroup’s 11th-hour rescue package from the government. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 134 points to 8,180. The S&P 500 rose 15 points to 815, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed... Read More

November 21, 2008

U.S. stocks bounce on the open after a sharp sell-off that had equities sinking to a 11-year low yesterday. All eyes remained on Citigroup as that stock sinks lower. Management is considering all their options to get the stock higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 128... Read More

November 20, 2008

U.S. stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday, with concerns about the economy and the ailing financial and auto sectors leading the market to fresh five-year lows. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 160 points, or 2%, to 7,837. The S&P 500 index fell 19 points to... Read More

November 19, 2008

U.S. stocks set to open lower once again following more weak economic news. No inflation anymore as consumer prices continue to drop. The housing starts hit a record low. Plus the big three automakers need money from Congress to stay alive. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell... Read More

November 18, 2008

The markets were headed toward another hasty open when technology titan Hewlett-Packard surprised Wall street by preannouncing upside guidance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 26 points to 8,300. The S&P 500 rose 3 points to 845, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 11 points to 1,493. Well,... Read More

November 17, 2008

U.S. stocks open lower once again as now Japan has slipped into a recession. The summit of world leaders over the weekend produced little news to bolster the global economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 134 points to 8,363. The S&P 500 declined 15 points to 857, while the... Read More

November 14, 2008

U.S. stocks set to give back some of the 550 points rally from yesterday. Unfortunately, the economic data continues to move from bad to worse. The European Euro Zone is officially in a recession. U.S. retail sales dropped a record 2.8% in October. JC Penney lowered guidance this morning. The... Read More

November 14, 2008

U.S. stocks set to give back some of the 550 points rally from yesterday. Unfortunately, the economic data continues to move from bad to worse. The European Euro Zone is officially in a recession. U.S. retail sales dropped a record 2.8% in October. JC Penney lowered guidance this morning. The... Read More

November 13, 2008

U.S. stocks open higher even as the economic news gets worse. Germany declared they are in a recession. The Russian market was halted for the third straight day. Unemployment claims keep rising here in the U.S. while tech blue chip Intel lowered guidance last night. The Dow... Read More

November 12, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower for a third straight day, as investors worry about the ailing financials, the auto sector, and Best Buy which lowered its outlook this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 168 points to 8,525. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 882, while the Nasdaq Composite... Read More

November 12, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower for a third straight day, as investors worry about the ailing financials, the auto sector, and Best Buy which lowered its outlook this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 168 points to 8,525. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 882, while the Nasdaq... Read More

November 12, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower for a third straight day, as investors worry about the ailing financials, the auto sector, and Best Buy which lowered its outlook this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 168 points to 8,525. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 882, while the Nasdaq Composite... Read More

November 12, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower for a third straight day, as investors worry about the ailing financials, the auto sector, and Best Buy which lowered its outlook this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 168 points to 8,525. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 882, while the Nasdaq Composite... Read More

November 11, 2008

The markets are set to open lower as the news only gets worse. The Russian market was halted overnight as their averages collapsed. The Argentina government is running out of money. In the U.S., Toll Brothers and Starbucks had bad earnings, plus more depressing downgrades. The Dow Jones... Read More

November 11, 2008

The markets are set to open lower as the news only gets worse. The Russian market was halted overnight as their averages collapsed. The Argentina government is running out of money. In the U.S., Toll Brothers and Starbucks had bad earnings, plus more depressing downgrades. The Dow Jones... Read More

November 11, 2008

The markets are set to open lower as the news only gets worse. The Russian market was halted overnight as their averages collapsed. The Argentina government is running out of money. In the U.S., Toll Brothers and Starbucks had bad earnings, plus more depressing downgrades. The Dow Jones... Read More

November 10, 2008

U.S. stocks get a shot in the arm thanks to the announcement of a Chinese stimulus package worth more than $500 billion. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 204 points to 9,148. The S&P 500 rose 19 points to 950, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 26 points... Read More

November 7, 2008

U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday after two days of steep losses. We knew the economic news would get worse and now we’re finding out some of the numbers. The October unemployment rate jumped to a 14-year high of 6.5% with nearly a quarter million jobs lost. As... Read More

November 6, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower following grim October retail sales reports, a rise in jobless claims, and less than stellar earnings from Cisco Systems. Rate cuts over seas did little to improve investors sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 54 points to 9,084. The S&P 500 declined 8 points... Read More

November 6, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower following grim October retail sales reports, a rise in jobless claims, and less than stellar earnings from Cisco Systems. Rate cuts over seas did little to improve investors sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 54 points to 9,084. The S&P 500 declined 8 points... Read More

November 5, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday following the largest Election Day rally in more than two decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 147 points to 9,478. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 989, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 27 points to 1,752. A little profit taking... Read More

November 5, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday following the largest Election Day rally in more than two decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 147 points to 9,478. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 989, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 27 points to 1,752. A little profit taking is... Read More

November 5, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday following the largest Election Day rally in more than two decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 147 points to 9,478. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 989, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 27 points to 1,752. A little profit taking... Read More

November 5, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday following the largest Election Day rally in more than two decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 147 points to 9,478. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 989, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 27 points to 1,752. A little profit taking... Read More

November 4, 2008

U.S. stocks opened solidly higher ahead of the results for today’s election. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 189 points to 9,509. The S&P 500 gained 18 points to 984, while the Nasdaq Composite added 27 points to 1,754. More earnings today than yesterday. Mastercard had the best results. The... Read More

October 28, 2008

U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday following the largest Election Day rally in more than two decades. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 147 points to 9,478. The S&P 500 declined 16 points to 989, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 27 points to 1,752. A little profit taking is... Read More

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