Market Notes
It seemed as if trader’s took the day off to do some early trick or treating as the SPX remained rangebound. Again. But the other indexes were sending mixed messages.

Leader of the pack, the Dow Transports (DTX), ended the day in positive territory as did the Dow Industrials. That was the market treat. On the trick side was party pooper Nazzie which ended the day on a downer note signaling a potential stall in the tech advance.

Traders are expecting a lackluster pre-election Monday, and I’m certainly not about to argue that one. It’s the post-election action that is being contested—some believe the results are already priced in and some say that the market will advance anyway (assuming a Republican victory in the House). You can waste your time debating this point or you can do the prudent thing and buy some protective puts on Monday. You know Dr. Kris is wagging her finger at you!

Have a happy and safe Halloween. Whatever you do, don’t read the labels on the candy wrappers—the calorie information is just too scary.

New Long Portfolio
This is the last daily portfolio that will be initiated. The existing daily portfolios will be closed out over the next eleven trading days culminating with an analysis of fund performance.

Today’s portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (6), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (2), and Breaking Out (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/14 portfolio was closed out for a 0.7% gain. The 10/15 portfolio will be closed out on Monday.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
Okay, so we didn’t get that push over the top but as cruddy as this market appears on the surface, underneath it’s bubbling with investing possibilities. Every day it’s something different: several weeks ago investors were piling into rare earths; yesterday the darling was Argentinian stocks and today it was auto parts.  Everyday is a surprise.

Leading internals are still marching into the bull’s camp. As I’ve been repeating, the market would love to go higher but it needs more participation, both from the alternative investment community and the retail investor. Perhaps Wall Street should hire a PR firm to change its image from “greedy, self-serving money-grubbers” that has framed the Main Street point of view..?

Just sayin’…

Note: Dr. Kris has absolutely no personal opinion on this subject.

New Long Portfolio
Since the market is experiencing pre-Halloween jitters, I decided to take the conservative route and chose the steady eddies instead of the high-flyers. We’ll see if this strategy pays off.

Today’s portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (4), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (3), and Darlings of the Day (2).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/13 portfolio was closed out for a marginal 0.44% gain.

The 10/14 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
After a nasty early morning tumble, the market chugged right back and rallied into the close. The Nasdaq was the only major average that was able to cross into the black which means that we finally have tech leading the rest of the pack. Good. Maybe tomorrow we’ll get that push we need to put the other indexes over their recent tops.

New Long Portfolio
Today’s portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (5), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume (2), Low-Priced Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (2).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/12 portfolio was closed out for a 1.3% loss. This time I did the right thing and closed out Hyperdynamicx (HDY) before it broke down any further. Casual Male (CMRG), the other big loser, was doing okay until today when it took a nose dive. Nothing to be done about that.

The 10/13 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
The bulls and bears are locking horns and it’s unclear who is going to win this battle. The major averages are stalling with the DTX and the Nasdaq unable to close above 480 and 2500 resistance, respectively. The VIX has been on a stealth rise and is now hovering over 20. 

What does this mean?  It could be that the Street is coming down with a case of pre-election jitters.  Maybe the expectation of good third quarter earnings have already been priced in. Or…

…perhaps it’s just a halloween prank. We’ll know soon if there are any skeletons dangling in the closet.

New Long Portfolio
Today’s portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (5), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (2), Breaking out (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/11 portfolio was closed out for a 1.1% gain. Great Basin Gold (GBG) was exited early because it broke near-term support. The loss would have been minimized had we kept it. Ah, well.

The 10/12 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
When the major averages peak right after the open generally bodes ill for the rest of the day. Although the averages attempted a late day rally, they failed to even come close to their early morning highs and sunk going into the close. The SPX and the Nasdaq managed to stay above their intraday support levels but the Dow indexes, the DTX and the DJIA, closed below their respective support levels.

The market is sending a mixed message, and where it’s headed in the short-term is anyone’s guess. My view is that it would have no problem going higher if more of the bench warmers (i.e., the retail investor and hedge funds) could be enticed to join the party. Hey, coach! Are you listening?

New Long Portfolio
Today’s portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (4), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (3), Speculative Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/8 portfolio was closed out for a 3.1% gain, almost negating Friday’s loss. The biggest gainer was IXIA (XXIA) which popped last Friday on good earnings and an analyst upgrade.

The 10/11 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
Dr. Kris’ charting service went down on Friday much to my extreme dismay (a small understatement). I didn’t think I could put out a *Blue Plate Special* but about six hours later I was able to cobble together an abbreviated version. Today (Sunday), I’m apoplectic with ecstasy to find that my charting service is now up and running at full capacity enabling me to put out a *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

Market-wise, Friday closed on a positive note with most of the major averages closing near their intra-day highs and the VIX closing at its intraday low (and also near its recent low). I do believe the market is poised to move higher but I have two concerns. First and foremost, the major averages need to push through the tops of their recent trading range—and they’re close to doing so. Of less importance is that mom, pop, and Uncle Fred (aka the “retail investor”) are still not participating in this market as volume is still on the light side.

Some feel that when the retail investor finally makes a market commitment is exactly the time to head for the exit and that could well be the case here. Not to worry, though. Considering how badly retirement accounts have gotten beaten up in the last ten years, I think you won’t see mom and dad breaking their piggy banks any time soon. But if they don’t eventually show up, the rally will run out of fuel (buyers) marking the end of this herky-jerky post-recessionary party.

New Long Portfolio
Since I was unable to select my candidates during market hours, the following ten long positions are initiated at Friday’s closing price. Portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (5), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume(1), Low-Priced Leaders (2), Speculative Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/7 portfolio was exited on Friday for a 3.7% loss. There was nothing we could have done about the drop in Alkermes (ALKS) as it was the subject of headline risk (the FDA needs more info on one of its jointly-developed drugs), and I’m glad I held onto it because it has recovered some. But I could have done something about the drop in Renesola (SOL) when it formed a perfect topping tail on 10/14. That was my cue to book profits and I don’t know why I ignored it…Perhaps I forgot to check it which, as you can see, can be detrimental to portfolio health. My bad.

The 10/08 portfolio will be closed out Monday.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
A return to sanity was something I asked Santa for in yesterday’s blog but obviously Santa was busy building teeter-totters because that’s what today’s price movement looked like—first up, then down, then back up. Ay-yi-yi! My head, Lucy, she is spinning!

CNBC is attributing this phenomenon as a reactionary action to the movement in the greenback. Being a natural skeptic, I compared the charts of the US dollar index with that of the S&P 500 on a weekly basis and found that yes, there are periods when the two are inversely correlated but there are also periods when they are not.

For example, in the eight months following the recent recession (from 3/09 – 11/09), the dollar index fell 17% while the S&P gained 60%. Compare that with the period from this past June until now. The dollar fell 14% but the S&P gained only 10%.

It does appear as if there is some sort of negative correlation but I don’t think it’s right to say that it’s the dollar that’s affecting the stock market. Rather, the forces that are affecting the US currency are also partly responsible for the inverse effect on US stocks. It’s also possible that these forces can be decoupled from either market at any time. What these forces are I shall leave to the economists to figure out, but if they are in the process of decoupling then it’s entirely possible that the US dollar does not have to drop more for the stock market to move up.

New Long Portfolio
Today’s ten portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (5), Breaking out to new highs on Lower Volume(1), Low-Priced Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
We booked a meager profit in the 10/6 portfolio, but a profit is always better than a loss. Most of the portfolio constituents were getting a little long in the tooth and it is no surprise that they are consolidating along with the overall market. Had today been as bullish as yesterday, this portfolio would have done much better.

The 10/07 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

Portfolio Notes
The mixed market today shook out a few portfolio members. The following positions were exited because the stocks broke near-term support and I don’t think they’ll have time to recover lost ground by the time their respective portfolios are closed out: GBG (10/11) for $2.50, HDY (10/12) for $3.00, and NTWK (10/18) for $1.78. The latter rebounded, closing above $1.80 strong support so I may have acted in haste on that one.

In the woulda-shoulda department: When I closed out SHZ for a massive gain yesterday I should have also closed out REE which had posted a 24% gain but I felt that positive momentum was still on its side. Of course, the gods struck me down and the stock tumbled today closing under the entry price. Wah.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
Well, yesterday’s correction was sure short-lived. I was hoping to be able to put on a couple of long positions this morning but the market never gave me a chance! I can’t cry, though, over today’s stellar recovery. Although there’s little indication that the market should reverse tomorrow, that didn’t stop it from acting contrary to indications yesterday. Maybe we need a little luck thrown into the mix so let’s keep our fingers crossed that sanity will return to the trading floor and the bull will keep charging along.

New Long Portfolio
Boy, am I glad I initiated a long portfolio yesterday as it turned out to be a stellar performer today. China miner SHZ blasted off into outer space, ending the day up 88% and up 135% from yesterday’s cost basis. It was helped along by Rare Earth Resources (REE) which closed up 24% from yesterday’s buy price. See? There was a silver lining in yesterday’s storm clouds!

Let’s hope our lucky streak will continue. Today’s ten portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (4), Low-Priced Leaders (4), Speculative Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/5 portfolio was exited today for a 1.4% profit. I’m rather sorry I closed out BCPC on 10/8 because it never pierced its support level.  Instead, it reversed course ending its run down only 2.6% instead of 8.4%. Ah well.  Next time.

The 10/06 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

Portfolio Notes
Due to the massive one-day advance in SHZ, a member of yesterday’s portfolio mentioned above, I decided to book profits and closed out the position at $4.00 for a 127% gain. Remember that old saw about pigs getting slaughtered…

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
That put protection I mentioned yesterday sure would have come in handy today. The market sold off a little earlier than I anticipated (the best laid plans of mice, men, and Dr. Kris, etc.) and although the media attributed the decline to headline news (BofA turd buyback, Apple’s inability to exceed the Street’s outlandish expectations, etc.), today’s fast and furious decline had the distinct odor of pre-calculated program trading that could very well extend into tomorrow’s open.

I believe this just a round of profit-taking in the middle of a bull run, not the beginning of a leg down. So take advantage of the this short-term correction to add to your long positions.

New Long Portfolio
Do you want to know how bad today was? Of the 110 stocks comprising the *Blue Plate Specials* Fund (11 portfolios of 10 stocks each), only FOUR (4) were in the green. Glad you weren’t here to see the carnage.

That being said, Dr. Kris initiated another long portfolio. Hey, if these stocks can do well today, think of what they’ll do when the market turns around.

Today’s ten portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (5), Breaking out to new highs on lower volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (2), and Breaking Out (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/4 portfolio was exited today for a 1.9% profit. Today, any gain was a good gain. The 10/05 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]

Market Notes
The market continued into positive territory led again by tech. The financials (represented by the XLF) finally woke up and lurched ahead of tech to post a nice 2.26% gain for the day. The last nail in the bear coffin will be when the XLF, currently at $14.67, finally breaks strong overhead resistance at $15.

The internet stocks are looking a tad tired and a roll-over in this sector could put the general upward movement on temporary hold. But if any pull-back is in the offing, it will be short and shallow (like some of my blind dates). If a major pull-back is in the cards, it won’t happen until the S&P gets to the 1200 area at the earliest which, judging from its chart, could be later this week. If you are fully invested on the long side, you might want to consider buying some put protection. Just in case.

New Long Portfolio
Today’s ten portfolio selections come from the following *Blue Plate Specials* lists: Breaking out to new highs (4), Breaking out to new highs on lower volume (1), Low-Priced Leaders (3), Speculative Leaders (1), and Darlings of the Day (1).

Today’s portfolio close-out
The 10/1 portfolio was exited today for a 2.5% gain. The 10/04 portfolio will be closed out tomorrow.

*Important FYI*
Dr. Kris began these portfolios to illustrate how the stocks given in the daily *Blue Plate Specials*can be used to create or enhance your own stock portfolio. This was meant as a short-term exercise only and frankly Dr. Kris is looking forward to doing other things besides spending several hours a day managing portfolios. In particular, this website will shortly have an entirely new, streamlined look and a companion website focused mainly on investing strategies will be also be unveiled. I’m very excited about this and so I’ve decided that October 29 will be the last *Blue Plate Specials* portfolio.

[See 4/21/10 blog for further details on how these portfolios are constructed.]