All It Takes Is One TETSOB Trade A Year...

... to keep a woman in perpetual bankruptcy. Last year, I took two - namely, the HP Incident and the Too Legit To Quit Incident.

This year, I learned my lesson and thankfully implemented a little bit of self-restraint, which limited my losses for the day even though I made the most untimely buy on MFG on Friday, which despite having globally diversified operations, got the guilty by association treatment today. It hurt, although my monetary losses are nothing compared to the tragedy unfolding in Japan. FYI: Kathy Lien started a Forex Traders for Japan Earthquake fundraiser. Bless her chart!

I woke up early this morning and was so excited about being able to attend a Brian Dolan webinar for a change. I now need a tonne of coffee to stay awake and even worse... boy was I surprised when the presenter turned out to be none other than BFF forex broker. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed because I know BD is a JPY expert and with the $265 billion in emergency funding provided by the BOJ today, it would have been a very good learning experience to hear BD's insights during this critical juncture. BFF forex broker is very knowledgable, but BD is an industry veteran! I'm sure BFF could be the next BD somewhere down the road - especially if he works really hard.

Anyway, my portfolio underperformed the market by about three times today, but over the weekend, I took three seemingly productive courses of action:

1. researched 30+ potential five to six figure opportunities for my currently zero dollar business

2. researched some more balance sheets and noticed that P/E ratios on most financial sector stocks are healthy - contrary to reports about the market being overbought. Retail stocks are a different story though and AMZN has a shocking 66.86 P/E whilst SKS has a P/E of about 55.69.

3. applied for some more six figure jobs. It's grueling, but I know I have to keep at it because the moment I stop, the moment I totally kill my financial future if I haven't already.

I'm starting to think maybe something is wrong with me and that I've been on a drug called Charlie Sheen, especially after today's report card:

-1.89% SBA

-1.67% Roth IRA

-0.60% S&P

-0.43% DJIA

-0.54% Nasdaq

-6.18% Nikkei (wait... isn't that like a Fib number?)

I could almost beg Bernanke to give us some QE3, but the BOJ's massive liquidity injection today must count for something. And I'm not that desperate!

Am I Living In Sin?

Carl Icahn returning moola to investors...

I'm taking the weekend to think about this!

MFG: New Day, New Trade...

I wish I had better news to report. My six figure meeting turned into zero, which means I wasted two hours psycho-analysing this company's business. I did learn a lot from doing that analysis and it really is their loss. I'm a great person to work with, even if I have to say so myself - and darn it, I'll say it. LOL.

Anyway, today, I jumped into a new exciting trade. The newest addition to my portfolio is Mizuho Financial Group (MFG). I got in at $3.90 and it's in my Roth IRA.

So here's why they're bona fide Ministers of Finance:

1. If my news isn't old, MFG is one of Lehman's largest creditors. I've been looking to diversify my Lehman exit play since I don't know if my bond ladder is all that great. While I was doing my research, I was so flattered to learn that Mr. Paulson and I are once again in the same boat since he is one of the largest Lehman bondholders. I have such a schoolgirl crush on his glasses it's not even funny. I wonder if he'll also get into MFG - or if he's already in MFG.

2. Net Income as a percentage of revenues = 23.26% (higher than most major US banks and even higher than GS)

3. Quarterly earnings growth = 108.70% (in percentage terms, this is even higher than JPM)

4. 4.44% dividend yield

5. Strong bidding going on in today's action - which is why I jumped today.

6. 5-year chart... I'm watching horizontal price level just above $3.50 or so. The European Debt Crisis excuse caused a brief break below it. I think once Lehman exits from bankruptcy, MFG could wind up testing its 5-year high at $15. Even if the test is at the $10 level, the risk:reward could cause some throw your head back type trading plaisir.

5-Year Chart:

So I've got three hot pots on the stove for Lehman's exit from bankruptcy:

1. Lehman bonds

2. MFG

3. C

Now, if MFG or C will both increase their dividend...

Judging from C's dividend history, a quarterly dividend increase to $0.16 will equate to a 17% dividend yield on my Roth IRA partial position.

Do it, C!

Happy Weekend...

P.S. My portfolio is clearly in need of some more stimulation:

-0.36% SBA

+0.28% Roth IRA

+0.71% S&P

+0.50% DJIA

+0.54% Nasdaq

I Crossed My Trading Legs And Hoped to Sigh...

... but was it any surprise that I had one of the worst performances in a while today? What goes up must come down - eventually. I hope no one's holding it against me that I slipped up yesterday by forgetting my E*Trade login security thingy, but even if you do, I don't really care. I do know I'm going to have to be a little bit more responsible now.

Last night, I was doing my own homework and have a few new trading ideas. First, I'm going to start getting ready for Lehman's exit from bankruptcy! Since the oil drama's going on, this might actually be the best time to position myself. I have a target in mind already, but I'm going to spend time getting to know its balance sheet first before I jump.

Secondly, I liken today's trading environment to the HP Incident or BP oil spill that happened last year. Obviously, they're different - but fundamentally similar. I know my friend Tim made a really smart trade last year at the height of drama, so I'm going to spend some time going over what went on last year and seeing if I can find a similarly well-played setup.

Oooh... I've got a big meeting tomorrow and I'm hoping to walk out of there with six figures. I went to Sephora today and bought myself the cutest girly girl nail file. What? One must dress for success. I'm also going to do my own homework and prepare my presentation... wish me luck!

Speaking of luck, anything would be better than today's price action, I reckon:

-2.92% SBA

-1.61% Roth IRA

-1.89% S&P

-1.87% DJIA

-1.84% Nasdaq

I am far from discouraged though. Notice how the most recently rebalanced Roth IRA has fared better than my SBA and the major stock indices. This means that frequent rebalancing could be a very promising strategy.

Uh, That's Not A Footrest, ForexDiva...

I haven't been to church in the longest time since I'm really not all that Catholic anyway - just in the most important way. I noticed today that since my last visit, they've enhanced the church benches by installing some footrests. Good going! A bunch of people also somehow know I've been to church. I wonder why?

Can't reveal my report card today as I left my E*Trade login security thingy upstairs and don't want to lift a finger or my trading legs to retrieve it. So, you'll have to wait till tomorrow to see whether my portfolio remains scantily clad. I do reckon I did fine today as HWD and C didn't deviate with too much volatility.

I think the biggest news today, aside from my Oh, Pious Lady venture to church was the revelation that PIMCO has started selling Treasuries in a major way and Dynergy's spooky Bwahaha. If Dynergy really does file for bankruptcy, then GEN might indirectly benefit. So if GEN retraces in a big way due to the sector sell-off effect, I may add to it - especially if it goes for $2.99.

So is more good news on its way for the stock market faithful? I'm looking to the GOLs to lead the way. If GBP/USD and GBP/JPY start skyrocketing, I won't hold it against the GOLs for leaving me out of the ride, but will instead view it as further confirmation that it's now safe to buy. I am thinking of getting some more forex ed though as I am really out of practice.

On a personal note, I am determined to be a part of April's Non Farm Payroll additions! I blasted my resume out to another four or five companies yesterday after observing that a whole bunch of companies are suddenly looking for Marketing Directors. I also started my own marketing consultancy. I'm not boxing myself in! At lunch with my friend today, he mentioned that I should go both routes to maximise my possibilities! I agree. Who says I can't both get a new job as well as run my own business?

The greater the number of income streams, the faster the wallet gets filled...

This Is Rare...

... but I actually have nothing to say except to reveal my report card for the day:

+1.94% SBA

+1.45% Roth IRA

+0.89% S&P

+1.03% DJIA

+0.73% Nasdaq

The Powers That Be Are Working With Me...

Oh yes they are! In case nobody heard, Bulgari is being acquired by LVMH in the biggest OMG OMG OMG YES way. Sorry for Catholic schoolgirl crush screaming, but could it get any hotter than this? Recall my back-in-the-day musings about Bulgari potentially becoming a takeover target...

Last week, Harry took my temperature after the Crown Prince nearly gave me a chart attack. Today, Harry followed the luxury trend higher and gave my portfolio a little more TLC since people obviously are wondering... who's next, Monsieur Arnault?

Thursday's Report Card

+1.28% SBA

+1.4% Roth IRA

+1.72% S&P

+1.59% DJIA

+1.84% Nasdaq

Friday's Report Card

+0.87% SBA

-1.83% Roth IRA

-0.74% S&P

-0.72% DJIA

-0.5% Nasdaq

Today's Report Card

+2.95% SBA

+3.66% Roth IRA

-0.83% S&P

-0.66% DJIA

-1.40% Nasdaq

I am now going to look for undervalued + overlooked stocks in the Nasdaq and DJIA for potential trading opportunities. That does not mean I will really buy though. Balance sheet comes first. If I see no tempting trading opportunities, the trading legs will remain Catholic schoolgirl crossed.

P.S. BULIF was +$6.11 today, translating to a +57.53% yay! Tendering was started at 12.25 EUR, so if I can get a good premium over that, I'm selling...

P.P.S. HWD bucked the trend with a buck increase (+$1.00 or +7.60%)... I won't sell ya, Harry - not yet!

Shake Your Money Maker...

So they wrote a song for me, did they?

I'm starting to wonder if I should have sold more of C. When it touched $5, I thought it would touch $5 again - and again. It is also possible that C is just unbuttoning some price levels and getting ready for some more price action to the upside.

I am certain Soros and Paulson are probably using much more sophisticated profit taking techniques that the average investor like myself will never have access to. Perhaps they're the options players that I keep psycho-analysing? Am I spelling that right? In Europe, I would be. So I just may try to do my first options trade involving C. It's silly to have all this price action and not take advantage of it, right?

GEN retraced like mad today, going south with a -3.81% retracement.

My portfolio managed to stay in the green even if IDGG was a clear miss, but it left me wondering... is the moola even greener on the other side?

+0.46% on the SBA

+0.38% on the Roth IRA

Sold Partial Position in C...

... that was placed in my SBA during Extended Hours Trading for capital preservation purposes. C is too close to my entry level on that partial position and I don't want to get hit with a retracement on my way out. Hopefully I did not shoot myself in the financial foot by sabotaging my future profits, but I'm already quite well positioned with C in the Roth IRA - where my investment horizon is much longer term.

I'm also surprised to see that ZZ bid sizes are still quite high. I reckon any positive housing news could now drive up ZZ. When people need to move, mattress sales go up, potentially leading to price action on ZZ.

Plus, earnings announcement is later in the month.

Au revoir... adios... sayonara... joi geen... a happy salute to this partial position of C...

Sell Sell Cool J...

Oh, C... where does it hurt? Would you like Nurse ForexDiva to take your temperature?

You know you're making everyone's blood pressure rise...

After doing good by the Sultan by selling all my shares in BCS, I have yet to find another worthy investment that I can do some trend riding with and yet maintain my trading chastity. For now, my trading legs remain crossed and I have some cash in my Roth IRA that I can contemplate playing with.

GEN gave us an unforgettable session with a +3.70% advance, but C and ZZ left my portfolio in an awkward position with some mixed signals - not breaking support, yet making some seemingly contradictory price declines by rejecting the tops. This could just be an indication of some very smart buyers, especially since we are in a prevailing bull market. The two indications that I was looking for a year too early - namely the exodus from bonds and the exodus from gold into oil - could just be starting out now. And if that's happening, then that money has to go somewhere even smarter.

Most of the high dividend plays have now been arbitraged, so people have to start positioning themselves in stocks that will begin to increase their dividends. Could it be C?

I'm going to watch GEN now and see if it can break its 3-month high just above $4.20. If this level becomes support, then I can potentially put my newfound moola to work with this new trend by adding to GEN in my Roth IRA. Strangely, GEN is one of those utilities stocks that has no dividend. Could this be about to change? With the $50 million loss it posted for 2010, it's anyone's guess. Options analysis shows that price positioning for March is not yet evident.

Being the Wicked Witch that I am, I'm bracing myself for the possible scenario that some high beta stocks will test pre-Santa Rally 2010 levels.

I'm not the only one who's evil, though. The bears sold me with a Sell Sell Cool J move, leaving me with:

-0.65% on the SBA

-1.4% on the Roth IRA

Surprisingly, my portfolio rebalancing seems to have been well played since DJIA closed with -1.38%, Nasdaq with -1.61%, and S&P with -1.57%.

Gosh... Mr. Paulson's kind of dashing, isn't he? I had no idea he wears glasses...