Three stocks in the Agricultural
Chemicals business reached new highs on Wednesday, Potash Corp. (POT), Mosaic
Co. (MOS), and CF Industries (CF).
|
|
|
This stock is a
little expensive at this time but the industry has been strong with Warren
Buffet purchasing shares of Burlington Northern around $80 according to reports
and Carl Icahn purchasing shares of American Railcar (ARII), Greenbrier (GBX)
and a 9.5% stake in CSX Corp (CSX).
|
|
|
Genetech Inc. (DNA) March options in the 70, 75,
and 80 calls are being purchased with high volume today ahead of a FDA
decision.
|
|
|
This is a difficult market. Agricultural Chemicals work some days, Mosaic (MOS) is the one I have
mentioned before but can't see getting into until the market breaks to the
upside. Gold works some weeks, with Barrick Gold (ABX) and Newmont Mining (NEM)
being my favorites. Banks move on certain days, State Street (STT) and Northern
Trust (NTRS) I have recommended before. But overall this is a really tough
market with next to nothing working on a continued basis.
|
|
|
Crude oil peaked at 100 in
January, dipped into a trading range of 86 to 94 for about a month, and has now
broken out to the upside reaching 98 this morning. This has allowed a number of
oil drilling/exploration and oil equipment/services companies to rally and they
are doing quite well today.
|
|
|
When the market is in a down trend it makes
sense to balance not only your stocks by sector, but the amount of cash you
have and the amount of hedging in your account.
|
|
|
This market is still not out of the woods and stocks will struggle as we go forward for some time. I still like the banks with the Fed continuing to lower rates another 1% over the next 4 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not too much selection in stocks lately but I have found several categories that I like in addition to two banks that are growing and make sense even when stocks in general aren't going up.
|