Influences of Twitter and StockTwits

As a Twitter and StockTwits member, I enjoy these social media outlets. However, when making decisions to buy or sell stocks, I encourage people to limit the influence of these communication channels.

I see three main reasons to join these networks. First is to learn from people you respect. If there is a trader consistently posting good ideas, trades, and profits, I encourage you to study this person. What are the common attributes about the stocks they like? When do they post ideas for buying? Where is the market at this time? I've developed many www.finviz.com/screener.ashx screens based on tweets and stocks from people I respect.

The second reason to join these networks is to create a journal for your thoughts. Every post represents hopefully your best stock ideas and stock-related actions at that time. At later dates, review your posts and see how your stocks performed. Even if you don't act on a great idea, remember why and when this stock was great. I recommend posting finviz links to charts, for example, http://finviz.com/screener.ashx?v=211&ta=0&o=-change&t=,RUBI,VWR Just edit the URL to include stock symbols of interest that day. Ideally, your journal chronicles your journey into trading or investing, and you can learn from reviewing it again and again.

The third reason to join a social network is to gain additional indicators on your stock ideas. Ideally, you like the stock where it is priced, how the chart looks, and the company's financial condition or prospects. Social network comments are another indicator. Do people you respect like this stock? Are too many people posting ideas about this stock? Aside from robots, are people not tweeting about this stock?

Ideally, I view Twitter and Stocktwits as news, commentary and entertainment, ultimately secondary to my stock ideas. Buying or selling a stock should be influenced more strongly by one's objective ideas alone. Good luck.

Stock ideas $GILD, $GPOR, and $CMGE

All of these stocks are high-growth. $GILD appears to be breaking a descending trendline. While the volume isn't huge, relatively speaking, the buying has been steady lately.

$GPOR has moved nicely for a few days. I can picture a small pullback within a week and an eventual move towards 54.

$CMGE is probably a dangerous stock - combining China and gaming. The chart is quite compelling, however. With no resistance since early December, this stock looks to move higher. Buyer beware.

Reviewing some recent breakouts $RMBS, $NWBO, $CYNO, $AKRX

$RMBS appears to be a failed breakout and needs to hold support. It had heavy selling but certainly didn't finish at the lows today.

$NWBO approaches near-term resistance at 8.60. This hated and heavily-shorted stock is probably due for a pullback.

$CYNO also looks vulnerable. It will be interesting if it can hold 31. Although, this high-growth stock could trend higher in a channel. Perhaps it will find buyers at the 50 day moving average.

$AKRX is testing resistance from early March. It has moved strong since early April, and seems this high-growth stock is ready to drop a few points. Perhaps it bases between 50 and 52 before doing anything significant.

April 14 2014

None of my ideas from yesterday panned out, but I did enjoy a nice move in $CLNE from a purchase on Friday. Here are some new ideas:

$KLIC is a high-growth stock looking to break this descending trendline. I see increasing volume on the daily chart. Resistance is roughly $16.50.

$HCLP is another high-growth stock. This stock has been basing for almost three months. I'm guessing this stock can clear $38.50 and continue higher. Time will tell.

$NTCT is likely basing here, but it could ready for new highs in 2015. The trend has been higher, except for the last 3 weeks or so. This is another high-growth stock that looks good to me.

$ULTA had nice buying volume today and appears to be ready. If it gets above $155, this could be the start of a steady move higher.

As with all my ideas, please know I am a regular guy on the Internet and not a pro. I learn from my mistakes, and many of my mistakes lost me money. Be responsible for your own trades, but try to learn from good stocks and good traders.

Stocks April 13, 2015

Here are some stocks I like. $ACAS is high-growth and basing above 15. The volume indicates this one could move significantly before testing any resistance.

$SRNE is another high-growth stock. This one seems to find support around 12. Biotechs are dangerous, so be prepared for big gains or losses. I like this setup but time will tell.

$ARTX is seemingly a financially sound and high-growth company based on current Finviz.com numbers. However, the price and size of the company make it super speculative. Maybe this is a good combination? I suggest seeing if this stock will hold 3 bucks. 

Upcoming Whitewater Canoe Trip

In June, the gang and I will paddle the East Branch of the Penobscot River in Maine. This waterway runs north to south, parallel and east of Baxter State Park -- a 200,000 acre park well known to me. We will paddle about 30 miles, portage a few sections, run some fun whitewater, and canoe the same trip done by Henry David Thoreau. I've explored a remote mountain tributary feeding this river. On the East Branch of the Penobscot, we should see lots of wildlife, ideally moose, deer, ducks, and eagles. Seeing a bear would be awesome. The fishing should be cool, too.

Keeping Up with Your Stock Ideas

While screening for stocks is part of the equation, an epic stock idea is nothing if not pursued. When you find stock setups, how can you know when to act, especially when you work a full-time job?

I recommend setting price alerts for stocks. When you identify a good setup, figure out where and when the move will happen. Ideally, when I receive this alert, I buy without questioning. However market conditions or work could shape my actions. But trust your instincts. If you identify stocks with compelling charts and positive financials - a price trigger confirms your thesis. 

If I could watch charts all day and bullshit with my friends, that would be cool. But, I have a day job with aspirations to make it - via stocks or with my company. Wish me luck. And good luck to you, too.

Hello again

I resurrected my stock trading blog again, after several years of neglect. While I've been trading all along, I've just been using Twitter to post my ideas since 2009. As with my Twitter posts, this blog is mostly for myself. I'm not recommending that anyone follow my ideas or think I am a professional. However, everyone can learn and I hope to add to the knowledge in some small way.

I've created the following pages:

Stock Trading Strategy

Buying Stocks

Selling Stocks