MBIA Inc. (MBI) and Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (ABK) have been at the center of the credit and housing crisis as insurers of sub-prime, sub-A loans, and prime housing loans. Analysts continue to drop the earnings estimates and the stocks themselves fall to new lows weekly.

Not quite at a 52 week high, Hess Corporation is a New York based  explorer, purchaser, and developer of oil and natural gas. The company’s stock is a decent buy from the normal gauges that I study. The industry is a little weak with refining margins remaining tight. But the company could break out of a chart pattern at $130 and rally on its very bullish earnings expectations.

Hercules Offshore is a Houston based provider of services and equipment in the exploration and production of both oil and natural gas in shallow areas offshore. Deep off shore drilling are the buzzwords in politics but with energy the focus of investors and profits very tangible in oil production, HERO is at a 52 week high and positioned for more upward movement.

When I see other financial bloggers on sites like SeekingAlpha and StraightStocks I sometimes wonder who is tracking their picks and who is keeping them honest. Their picks don’t have a very good chance of paying off anytime in the next 6 months. And most investors will be selling an investment that has only lost them money over the last six months.

When a fad fades watch out below! Crocs has had an amazing crash from its high in November of last year to a new 52 week low today of $8.12 a share.

Eastman Kodak jumps 13% on buyback plan and investors buy up the Call options in hopes of more upward movement.

Circuit City tumbled to all new lows today, down 21.26% as the market got scared about an upcoming meeting and views that their earnings will be terrible. Goldman Sachs sent shivers through the spines of investors on Monday when they predicted that retailers selling non-essentials would have bad quarters due to the difficult and cash strapped times for consumers.

Today presented two opportunities to trade around a couple of positions that I have. I still believe strongly in both positions but in one case General Motors (GM) moved too much and in the other case Regions Financial (RF) moved against my position.

Research in Motion (RIMM) and Apple (APPL) seem to be dominating the handset space as both companies are at 52 week highs today while competing makers Nokia (NOK) and Motorola (MOT) are at new 52 week lows.

Carmax should have done alright when it reported earnings earlier today as the car dealership sells mainly used cars. The ones that are inexpensive compared to the auto dealers selling the straight from the factory more expensive versions.