Work Space for Learning How to Research Stocks
01-17-2018
, 10:02 PM
Wound up buying more ripple!
Kind of strange though, that for the first time, wound up being charged something like 20 ripple in transaction fees ... usually it's only about 1?
Anyways, am already up over $1k, so am pretty pleased with my crypto overall - even Oprah hasn't been able to make me that much, this fast
Guess the rally isn't as strong as it could be - but it's pretty decent, considering a lot of people may have gotten a bit spooked by such a huge drop happening so fast? Although the quick gains can be so tempting - wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who got nervous and sold are tempted to come back and give things another try in the next couple of days, once they see that things may be turning around?
Kind of strange though, that for the first time, wound up being charged something like 20 ripple in transaction fees ... usually it's only about 1?
Anyways, am already up over $1k, so am pretty pleased with my crypto overall - even Oprah hasn't been able to make me that much, this fast
Guess the rally isn't as strong as it could be - but it's pretty decent, considering a lot of people may have gotten a bit spooked by such a huge drop happening so fast? Although the quick gains can be so tempting - wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who got nervous and sold are tempted to come back and give things another try in the next couple of days, once they see that things may be turning around?
01-17-2018
, 11:37 PM
Just sold my ripple and booked the profits, because it looked like bitcoin was about to take a turn - and when bitcoin takes a turn, it seems like so often everything else does too? My account was showing a total of $1.9k at the time had pressed the sell button - but it looks like only wound up with $1.5k in my account ... guess the price had started to take a turn, but were the rest fees??
Did it kind of seem like buying was a little more enthusiastic during the daytime in N. America today? Guess if there's been a lot of news in Asia possibly making people a little more nervous, then maybe it may take them a bit more time to warm up to things again?
Did it kind of seem like buying was a little more enthusiastic during the daytime in N. America today? Guess if there's been a lot of news in Asia possibly making people a little more nervous, then maybe it may take them a bit more time to warm up to things again?
01-18-2018
, 12:16 AM
Have some follow-up stuff for that value stock that the stock screener identified as one that may be poised for a turnaround?
There were a couple of articles listed on the stock's yahoo page that talked a bit more about why the company may do better this year than they did last year - and one of them was especially great, because was wondering if it mattered if the company wasn't turning a profit, and they talked about that in the article.
They were saying that if a company isn't turning a profit, then it's important for them to have enough cash to be able to cover their costs - and they feel that MDCO should be able to do that?
Guess they sold off a division that they weren't able to manage profitably, and the deal they made will still earn them royalties on any of the medications that get sold? So they were able to pocket some money from the sale, and now they'll be making money instead of losing money from that division - and they're operations will be streamlined to focus on developing a new cholesterol drug they hope to have ready for FDA approval by the end of this year?
Have been buying those short-term options, and then selling them before they expire. They also have longer-term options, where the holder can buy shares for a set price at the agreed-upon time - maybe that might be a neat way to give value investing a try ... buy buying an option to buy shares instead?
One option to buy 100 shares for $25 in a year's time would only cost $500 - and then here's some other ways an option would be different from buying 100 shares for $25 right now ...
The analysts are predicting that the share price could rise to as high as $49.50 by next year - but guess right now, the market only feels the company is worth $25.37? MDCA was down another 3% today at one point, before rebounding a little - so it feels like there's more risk involved in investing $2,500 in this company, than in something else like Amazon?
One nice thing about the option only costing $500 is that there'd still be $2k free to invest in something that feels safer, like Amazon?
Guess one not so nice thing about the option is that will need for the price of MDCO to go higher than $30 just to break even - and if the price of MDCO in a year's time is $24.99, will lose the entire $500?
Also, the only person willing to sell a $5 option (for 100 shares) actually wants $5.80 for it - guess $80 isn't so much of a difference in $, but was reading in a book that paying more for an option than 1/25 of the strike price of $25 is a super fish move? Guess the higher price will make it that much harder to turn a profit, if the company isn't able to meet analyst expectations?
Does $580 seems like a good enough deal?
Would people rather be the person selling the $580 option, given that MDCO is a bit of a train-wreck?
Quote:
Exploring Value Investing
So next, was hoping to maybe try buying some value stocks, of companies who have been struggling the last while, who appear to have possibly managed to turn things around? Guess stocks of such companies may sometimes have more room to grow because the price of the stocks may have become quite cheap?
Have been looking for ways to try and find potential value stocks, and found a stock screener over at Zacks.com that helped me find some.
And up popped this recommendation, for MDCO ...
With the following analyst estimates:
Maybe in addition to having the chance to possibly earn 100% gains, picking up a couple of shares of this stock may be a chance for me to work on improving my tendency to do the opposite of buying low and selling high?
One thing am not so sure about - have so far only bought stocks of companies who are already turning a profit, so have avoided companies like Tesla (TSLA). Not sure if it would be better to try to find a value stock that's already turning a profit, or maybe it doesn't matter?
Here's this company's earnings for last year:
Guess maybe tomorrow, can try to find out more about why analysts feel the company may be poised for a turnaround this year, and see if that helps?
So next, was hoping to maybe try buying some value stocks, of companies who have been struggling the last while, who appear to have possibly managed to turn things around? Guess stocks of such companies may sometimes have more room to grow because the price of the stocks may have become quite cheap?
Have been looking for ways to try and find potential value stocks, and found a stock screener over at Zacks.com that helped me find some.
And up popped this recommendation, for MDCO ...
With the following analyst estimates:
Maybe in addition to having the chance to possibly earn 100% gains, picking up a couple of shares of this stock may be a chance for me to work on improving my tendency to do the opposite of buying low and selling high?
One thing am not so sure about - have so far only bought stocks of companies who are already turning a profit, so have avoided companies like Tesla (TSLA). Not sure if it would be better to try to find a value stock that's already turning a profit, or maybe it doesn't matter?
Here's this company's earnings for last year:
Guess maybe tomorrow, can try to find out more about why analysts feel the company may be poised for a turnaround this year, and see if that helps?
There were a couple of articles listed on the stock's yahoo page that talked a bit more about why the company may do better this year than they did last year - and one of them was especially great, because was wondering if it mattered if the company wasn't turning a profit, and they talked about that in the article.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/medic...144712327.html
They were saying that if a company isn't turning a profit, then it's important for them to have enough cash to be able to cover their costs - and they feel that MDCO should be able to do that?
Guess they sold off a division that they weren't able to manage profitably, and the deal they made will still earn them royalties on any of the medications that get sold? So they were able to pocket some money from the sale, and now they'll be making money instead of losing money from that division - and they're operations will be streamlined to focus on developing a new cholesterol drug they hope to have ready for FDA approval by the end of this year?
Have been buying those short-term options, and then selling them before they expire. They also have longer-term options, where the holder can buy shares for a set price at the agreed-upon time - maybe that might be a neat way to give value investing a try ... buy buying an option to buy shares instead?
One option to buy 100 shares for $25 in a year's time would only cost $500 - and then here's some other ways an option would be different from buying 100 shares for $25 right now ...
The analysts are predicting that the share price could rise to as high as $49.50 by next year - but guess right now, the market only feels the company is worth $25.37? MDCA was down another 3% today at one point, before rebounding a little - so it feels like there's more risk involved in investing $2,500 in this company, than in something else like Amazon?
One nice thing about the option only costing $500 is that there'd still be $2k free to invest in something that feels safer, like Amazon?
Guess one not so nice thing about the option is that will need for the price of MDCO to go higher than $30 just to break even - and if the price of MDCO in a year's time is $24.99, will lose the entire $500?
Also, the only person willing to sell a $5 option (for 100 shares) actually wants $5.80 for it - guess $80 isn't so much of a difference in $, but was reading in a book that paying more for an option than 1/25 of the strike price of $25 is a super fish move? Guess the higher price will make it that much harder to turn a profit, if the company isn't able to meet analyst expectations?
Does $580 seems like a good enough deal?
Would people rather be the person selling the $580 option, given that MDCO is a bit of a train-wreck?
Last edited by TrustySam; 01-18-2018 at 12:30 AM.
01-18-2018
, 01:21 AM
Almost forgot - was able to find two other companies who will be reporting earnings next week, that seemed like they might be okay to try buying short-term options for, and was able to get a nice price on them?
These are the things that can have 90% swings in a day - so a week's a long ways away. Was lucky to have made something like a 70% return on my first one for Citigroup, and the super swingy one Morgan Stanley has their earnings report tomorrow - so hope that goes okay?
And hopefully crypto may pick up again tomorrow morning when everybody's up in N. America?
Night everybody
These are the things that can have 90% swings in a day - so a week's a long ways away. Was lucky to have made something like a 70% return on my first one for Citigroup, and the super swingy one Morgan Stanley has their earnings report tomorrow - so hope that goes okay?
And hopefully crypto may pick up again tomorrow morning when everybody's up in N. America?
Night everybody
01-18-2018
, 01:41 PM
Gosh, slow day in the markets - crypto market, regular market ... and no sunshine ... 
On blah days like today, will usually try to keep my eye out for something interesting and different to try and make the day a little more fun, and wound up stumbling upon this sweet little tweet ...
#WinnieThePoohDay
On blah days like today, will usually try to keep my eye out for something interesting and different to try and make the day a little more fun, and wound up stumbling upon this sweet little tweet ...
#WinnieThePoohDay
01-18-2018
, 05:42 PM
Such a slow day in the markets - maybe a good day to take a break from all the homework of looking over investing stuff, and do something else instead?
Was going to maybe go to the mall and get some exercise and look at cookbooks, but may just give into the urge to take a nap Can maybe look at recipes online later instead?
There's so many nice recipes online - and trying out new dishes can sometimes be a pretty easy way to keep life from getting too routine, which seems to happen so easily when it's cold and dark out in the wintertime?
This chicken looks so yummy!
Be back in a bit ...
Was going to maybe go to the mall and get some exercise and look at cookbooks, but may just give into the urge to take a nap
Can maybe look at recipes online later instead? There's so many nice recipes online - and trying out new dishes can sometimes be a pretty easy way to keep life from getting too routine, which seems to happen so easily when it's cold and dark out in the wintertime?
This chicken looks so yummy!
Be back in a bit ...
01-18-2018
, 09:29 PM
01-19-2018
, 01:10 AM
May have a fiesta week next week, and make some Chipotle at home, with like a fresh corn and avocado salsa, grilled chicken, roasted onions and peppers, tomatoes, rice and beans ...
Can make a burrito one day, and a bowl the next ... or maybe a quesadilla with a side salad? Mexican food's great, because it's an easy way to lean meats and lots of veggies in a way that's super healthy, and tasty too. So that should be a nice change from the soup and sandwiches have been eating lately, while trying to get my investing a little more organized
While was looking around the internet, also spotted this article about Vanessa Selbst and her move into trading. Have heard the name Ray Dalio a lot - is that mostly from investing stuff, or has he been in the news for being politically active?
Wonder how Vanessa's been finding investing - would be interesting to see her start posting in the Investing section, but probably she must be busy?
Can make a burrito one day, and a bowl the next ... or maybe a quesadilla with a side salad? Mexican food's great, because it's an easy way to lean meats and lots of veggies in a way that's super healthy, and tasty too. So that should be a nice change from the soup and sandwiches have been eating lately, while trying to get my investing a little more organized
While was looking around the internet, also spotted this article about Vanessa Selbst and her move into trading. Have heard the name Ray Dalio a lot - is that mostly from investing stuff, or has he been in the news for being politically active?
Wonder how Vanessa's been finding investing - would be interesting to see her start posting in the Investing section, but probably she must be busy?
01-19-2018
, 01:43 AM
Guess buying a call option would maybe be a bit like making a $500 sports bet that a stock that's currently $25 will be higher a year from now? So maybe a bet that (1) a company can improve their earnings, (2) and also that the market will continue to be robust?
And if the price is lower, the seller gets to pocket the money - although if it's higher, guess the size of the prize will depend on how high the stock is able to rise?
One of my options reported their earnings this morning, so the stock rose a little bit before the market opened and was able to sell my 1-week option with another really nice profit ...
Guess the profits with the short-term options have been super high because the market's been so hot this month? Today the market had a rare down day, and the other two options just bought yesterday wound up going down quite a bit, just from normal market variance ...
Yesterday ...
Today ...
These things are super swingy, but will hopefully be back in the plus by the time their earnings are reported next week? Guess one of these weeks it may be possible there's some Trump news that tanks the market, and could wind up takin my options down with it - would wind up losing the whole amount then, but guess with the market doing so well, hopefully most of the time these options will wind up in the plus and will wind up doing okay overall?
Am not very sleepy because of my nap, but should try to get some rest - night everybody
And if the price is lower, the seller gets to pocket the money - although if it's higher, guess the size of the prize will depend on how high the stock is able to rise?
One of my options reported their earnings this morning, so the stock rose a little bit before the market opened and was able to sell my 1-week option with another really nice profit ...
Guess the profits with the short-term options have been super high because the market's been so hot this month? Today the market had a rare down day, and the other two options just bought yesterday wound up going down quite a bit, just from normal market variance ...
Yesterday ...
Today ...
These things are super swingy, but will hopefully be back in the plus by the time their earnings are reported next week? Guess one of these weeks it may be possible there's some Trump news that tanks the market, and could wind up takin my options down with it - would wind up losing the whole amount then, but guess with the market doing so well, hopefully most of the time these options will wind up in the plus and will wind up doing okay overall?
Am not very sleepy because of my nap, but should try to get some rest - night everybody
01-19-2018
, 03:32 PM
This article was saying that S. Korea may have a decision about those regulations by next Thursday or so?
Wonder what do people feel the chances of a ban vs setting up a regulatory framework may be?
You know what have been noticing about my portfolio - last year, wasn't having very much success in shorting stocks. And then this year shorting SHLD seems to be the poorest performing of all my holdings, both in my real portfolio and my play money portfolio? 
Have been starting to wonder if maybe my 'cup half full' approach to life may be why longs have tended to go better for me than shorts? Like if seeing what's interesting and unique and promising about stuff comes more naturally to me, but am not very often focused on the other half of the cup very often?
Have been feeling as if maybe S. Korea may be unlikely to ban crypto - since they believe in free markets, and wouldn't want to do something authoritarian that would go against popular sentiment, and stuff? Seem to remember an article saying officials kind of balked at passing the regulatory framework that they were planning, because the market seemed to feel that they were enthusiastically embracing crypto the way Japan did last year - and they didn't want to send that message, because they're worried about people losing money on something that's so popular but quite volatile as well? So guess was wondering if maybe the talk of a ban was maybe more of a way to show everybody that they would like people to be cautious and use good bankroll management, and stuff like that?
Wonder if there's much of a chance S. Korea might feel a ban would be better??
Wonder what do people feel the chances of a ban vs setting up a regulatory framework may be?
You know what have been noticing about my portfolio - last year, wasn't having very much success in shorting stocks. And then this year shorting SHLD seems to be the poorest performing of all my holdings, both in my real portfolio and my play money portfolio?
Have been starting to wonder if maybe my 'cup half full' approach to life may be why longs have tended to go better for me than shorts? Like if seeing what's interesting and unique and promising about stuff comes more naturally to me, but am not very often focused on the other half of the cup very often?
Have been feeling as if maybe S. Korea may be unlikely to ban crypto - since they believe in free markets, and wouldn't want to do something authoritarian that would go against popular sentiment, and stuff? Seem to remember an article saying officials kind of balked at passing the regulatory framework that they were planning, because the market seemed to feel that they were enthusiastically embracing crypto the way Japan did last year - and they didn't want to send that message, because they're worried about people losing money on something that's so popular but quite volatile as well? So guess was wondering if maybe the talk of a ban was maybe more of a way to show everybody that they would like people to be cautious and use good bankroll management, and stuff like that?
Wonder if there's much of a chance S. Korea might feel a ban would be better??
01-19-2018
, 07:20 PM
The weather was sunny and above zero for the first time in weeks, so had a chance to go for a little walk in the park.
Was quite out of shape, and got a bit winded fairly quickly! Also, it looks like my iphone photography has gotten a bit rusty - tried taking some photos of all the little kids tobogganing in the winter wonderland, but didn't manage to catch quite the photos was hoping for ...
Will maybe have some more chances to try again on the weekend - it's supposed to be quite beautiful out again on Saturday and Sunday.
Hope everybody has a nice weekend!
Was quite out of shape, and got a bit winded fairly quickly!
Also, it looks like my iphone photography has gotten a bit rusty - tried taking some photos of all the little kids tobogganing in the winter wonderland, but didn't manage to catch quite the photos was hoping for ...
Will maybe have some more chances to try again on the weekend - it's supposed to be quite beautiful out again on Saturday and Sunday.
Hope everybody has a nice weekend!
01-27-2018
, 11:12 PM
01-29-2018
, 12:55 AM
Ahh, look at Sven helping himself to the cabbage leaf He's got quite a sophisticated palate there - our family dog used to get his daily vegetables from a little green bone
Also - look at him looking so dapper in that cozy brown sweater that's both warm and fashionable! The counter seems to have undercounted some of the views, because it says there's only been 3 views, but have personally already watched it at least 5 times lol ...
Pets are the best Hope the weather's been sunny and nice for biking, and you and Sven have been able to have the chance for lots of adventures!
Thanks for stopping by Hank
He's got quite a sophisticated palate there - our family dog used to get his daily vegetables from a little green bone 
Also - look at him looking so dapper in that cozy brown sweater that's both warm and fashionable!
The counter seems to have undercounted some of the views, because it says there's only been 3 views, but have personally already watched it at least 5 times lol ...Pets are the best
Hope the weather's been sunny and nice for biking, and you and Sven have been able to have the chance for lots of adventures!Thanks for stopping by Hank
02-01-2018
, 02:25 PM
Have been working on my year-end summary for last year for the last couple of weeks - was hoping to have it done by tonight, but since hadn't posted anything about posting it today just yet, was kind of feeling like maybe could just keep working on it for another week, or two ... or ten?
It's funny how it turned out - but have been working on it for a couple of weeks already, and it's actually almost done ...
Will have to what sort of shape it's in by tonight - was going to try to do a January summary for the trading contest as well, so guess finishing both might be a bit of a squeeze ...
Am not one to get super deep super often - which probably shows in my posts But maybe every once in a while it can be nice to take a moment to step back and assess how where we've been, and how far it is we've managed to travel?
It's funny how it turned out - but have been working on it for a couple of weeks already, and it's actually almost done ...
Will have to what sort of shape it's in by tonight - was going to try to do a January summary for the trading contest as well, so guess finishing both might be a bit of a squeeze ...
Am not one to get super deep super often - which probably shows in my posts
But maybe every once in a while it can be nice to take a moment to step back and assess how where we've been, and how far it is we've managed to travel?
02-01-2018
, 05:50 PM
Ahh ... was all set to take a nap this afternoon, but really wanted to finish up my year-end thingie - the biggest challenge is trying to fit everything in, while keeping it down to less than about 2ft long. Right now it's about 6ft long ... guess a lot can happen in a year lol
Okay, will get going on my year-end summary now
Okay, will get going on my year-end summary now
02-01-2018
, 06:14 PM
Hey Sam! Love the super bowl prop betting exotics and think your best bet is the Justin Timberlake performing with N’Sync. Kind of disappointed you played it safe with Pink’s hair color but you didn’t accrue such a nice portfolio by taking big risks so it’s okay I’m rooting for you on those two.
Regarding the game itself gotta come out and say I’m pulling for the underdogs having been raised an hour away from Philadelphia. The 2004 game between these teams was very exciting and to see Tom Brady facing them again 14 years later is just inspiring to me as a sportsman so either way I’ll be OK with the outcome.
Really enjoyed your photo of the kids toboggan ride a few posts ago, it captured the joy of sledding something as a lad I could do for hours on end. Looking forward to your wrap up, maybe in 2018 you can look at getting some of SRAM’s stock they make some of the worlds best components and cycling is for sure going to grow in the next few years. Bank on it!
I see they are not trading SRAM atm, but when it is available might be worth a look
Regarding the game itself gotta come out and say I’m pulling for the underdogs having been raised an hour away from Philadelphia. The 2004 game between these teams was very exciting and to see Tom Brady facing them again 14 years later is just inspiring to me as a sportsman so either way I’ll be OK with the outcome.
Really enjoyed your photo of the kids toboggan ride a few posts ago, it captured the joy of sledding something as a lad I could do for hours on end. Looking forward to your wrap up, maybe in 2018 you can look at getting some of SRAM’s stock they make some of the worlds best components and cycling is for sure going to grow in the next few years. Bank on it!
I see they are not trading SRAM atm, but when it is available might be worth a look
Last edited by HankTheBank; 02-01-2018 at 06:36 PM.
02-01-2018
, 07:50 PM
Quote:
Hey Sam! Love the super bowl prop betting exotics and think your best bet is the Justin Timberlake performing with N’Sync. Kind of disappointed you played it safe with Pink’s hair color but you didn’t accrue such a nice portfolio by taking big risks so it’s okay I’m rooting for you on those two.
Regarding the game itself gotta come out and say I’m pulling for the underdogs having been raised an hour away from Philadelphia. The 2004 game between these teams was very exciting and to see Tom Brady facing them again 14 years later is just inspiring to me as a sportsman so either way I’ll be OK with the outcome.
Really enjoyed your photo of the kids toboggan ride a few posts ago, it captured the joy of sledding something as a lad I could do for hours on end. Looking forward to your wrap up, maybe in 2018 you can look at getting some of SRAM’s stock they make some of the worlds best components and cycling is for sure going to grow in the next few years. Bank on it!
I see they are not trading SRAM atm, but when it is available might be worth a look
Regarding the game itself gotta come out and say I’m pulling for the underdogs having been raised an hour away from Philadelphia. The 2004 game between these teams was very exciting and to see Tom Brady facing them again 14 years later is just inspiring to me as a sportsman so either way I’ll be OK with the outcome.
Really enjoyed your photo of the kids toboggan ride a few posts ago, it captured the joy of sledding something as a lad I could do for hours on end. Looking forward to your wrap up, maybe in 2018 you can look at getting some of SRAM’s stock they make some of the worlds best components and cycling is for sure going to grow in the next few years. Bank on it!
I see they are not trading SRAM atm, but when it is available might be worth a look
Hey Hank!!
You know what, was totally wanting to put another $20 on a Lance Bass+ appearance at the half-time show - but started to worry that it was maybe wishful thinking on my part that was making it seem like such a sure thing lol?
Used to have their music on endless loop for hours at a time
A reunion at the Superbowl does feel like something they would do though - may just bet that extra $20 after all? Usually root for the underdog as well, but this year decided to give the favourite a try to see if helps change my luck - this may be my 3rd bet on the outcome of the Superbowl in as many years ... although maybe it may wind up being my 3rd loss in a row as well?
Don't really know very much about football
Guess football can be kind of interesting when things are very close, and there's surprises though - seem to remember with last year's game, everybody had given up on the team that was down by half-time because they were down by a lot. And then they went on to win, and lots of people were disappointed because they were anti-sweating the Patriots as well. But it was also kind of cool to see a team come back after everybody had counted them out, except themselves?And was it the year before that where everybody expected the team with the younger quarterback to do better than the one with the retiring one, but then it turned out to be the opposite?
Am looking forward to Sunday - it should be fun
02-02-2018
, 12:13 AM
Got distracted by SWAT And have been staring at this year-end summary for so long, can't tell any more if it even makes any sense
Oh well, will just post it, and then have a little snack, and get started on the trading contest review - although am starting to run out of steam ...
And have been staring at this year-end summary for so long, can't tell any more if it even makes any sense Oh well, will just post it, and then have a little snack, and get started on the trading contest review - although am starting to run out of steam ...