JT: RE:" SLIP/PPP "
The Win95 script tool is called DSCRIP.EXE (I think). I have downloaded it from Microsoft and used it before, Juri - but I have not set up any SLIP access for the Dial Up Networking module.
The box-builders look to me like they need to correct (down) from this level; IBM, DELL, CPQ and GTW all have little Dojis on their candlesticks, but I haven't reviewed my charts in detail yet - just got back to Paris a few hours ago. CCI and other banks may continue to fall after retracing up last week... for some reason, I'm not bullish right now, and I went flat the OEX.X FEB 450 CALLs and sold all my SPY stock at the high last Wednesday.
I'm long DAX:DAI after accumulating DAIBN FEB 70 CALLs from 2-1/8 down to 1-3/8 the last few days; I have a somewhat heavy trading position in OSLO:NHY stock @ 43 - looking for 3 points; wish me luck!
I feel your pain with the DELL CALLs - I had to decide to never let tax considerations influence my trading, as I refused to exit Techs in August for that very same reason and ended up losing 1 Porsche by doing so.
My latest bummer was this - before I left for the States (22-DEC), I bought CALLs on the OSX.X Oil Service Index (blind, I might add) and disposed of them 10 sessions later for a $6,500. profit. But I also bought CALLs on two OSX.X components, VRC and NBR.
For some reason, I went brain-dead, and did not close these CALLs at a small profit at the same time as I went flat the index. The sector then proceeded to go down again. Last week, I tried to salvage what was left of the CALLs by selling @ MKT. Quote was 1/16th on Wednesday. I had about 100 contracts. For three days, I tried to sell-to-close @ MKT. Nothing happened - they expired worthless. Net effect, up $6,500 from the index CALLs, down $12,000 from the worthless component CALLs = -$5,500.
Lesson learned - when I go flat on an index option, sell the bloody components too. DUH
My trading portfolio was even in December, and up $10,000 so far in January, so I feel like I've turned the corner. One reason may be that I have stayed away from TechStocks - long or short; another reason is that I have been looking at "turtles" that are moving 2-3 points in clearly-defined channels, and buying options to get the leverage effect... much safer; much more profitable.
Still, 80% of my capital (the part I don't use for trading) is just sitting there, earning {gasp!} interest income since last November. Like Berney, I cannot find any F/A reason to "invest", and I refuse to aggressively buy our beloved INTCW, preferring to "let it come (down) to me" rather than chase after it.
-Steve |
