What's this? BA is still riding that wave?

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Good show. . .Dow passed 10,000 today. However, I notice the Dow is up 1% and REZ is up 2%. . .who knows. . .maybe my wave is better.

I do like the lesser downside risk on my end. (IMO)

(I am not trying to bait you. . .I just tend to be "competitive" and like to chew the fat on this stuff)

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I had suspected that 10,000 was going to be a technical resistance, and I've already sold some of my trading position since then. I also figured it would have no problem "peaking" through since, well, momentums tend to be like that.

But um, it does disprove one of your earlier articles where someone claimed we will not be seeing 10,000 for quite a while.

What would be really interesting is to calculate the entire trading portfolio's overall returns, rather than just certain positions. And if you really want to compete, match that overall trading return to the market.

If we focus only on certain positions and not others, then that's not really a fair comparison either.

Personally, I don't compete against any specific individuals. Just the market. But I assure you the market is a tough enough opponent as it is.

And while I'm here, why is this competitive in the first place? And against me specifically? Why is it that when Steve or Jim says anything, you'll listen, but whatever I say, you'll basically glaze right over it? Have I offended you somehow in the past? If so, please let me know. I know I can be sharp-tongued and even blunt, but I really don't mean anything personal. I apologize if I have done something wrong, but I really don't understand why you feel the need to compete against me on anything.

Besides, isn't it better to simply make money against the market rather than spar against each other for... no apparent gains?

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Oh, gosh no. . .not at all BA. I just like a good debate/spar and if this makes you uncomfortable, I'll back down.

DS and JimOhio are more just conversational in their posts and maybe because of your bluntness, I take you to task, that's all.

To answer your last question, I have realized being in business (which in a way you are when you are in investor - you have risks and losses) that you can be colleagues and competitors and that works well mutually.

In other words, you inspire each other to do better and make better decisions and if one wins, you tip your hat. Like a chess partner or something.

I have a good relationship with a "competitor" down the road. He's more a colleague but let's face it, we are competitors too. He's only a 1/4 mile away and there are plenty of chiropractors to choose from in my town. He outcompetes me on some fronts and me on him on some fronts but we are friends and actually cover each other's office (and would never steal business when that happens - a couple of patients ahve asked to switch to me and I simply decline - it's breaking a code, esp. when he's on vacation ).

I am kind of strange that way. Probably not the sexiest attribute I have, lol. I'll be the one in the relationship playing monopoly to win, executing 3 way deals, loans to keep people in business so I gain a strategic advantage. And then I stil lose. . .LOL @ myself. Yeah, I guess my stb-x didn't always have it easy.

PS: I am listening more than you know and I respect all of your positions, BA.

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OH! So you're THAT Monopoly guy. I am that "snob" that normally sits out and don't play because, right or wrong, he thinks he has the game figured out. Knowing the basic mechanics behind it, he therefore loses interest. But I doubt I'll ever figure out the stock market, so there's no risk of that here.

Thank you for the explanation.

I tell you, if you are feeling competitive, there's really nothing better than putting your portfolio of positions against the market index. Seriously, only a minority of professional fund managers ever beat the index each year, and fewer still can make the same claim the year after that.

For what it's worth, I really hope that both of our portfolio rises as well. In a normal market, we really would be opposites, but in this extraordinary downturn, we are actually bobbing along about the same.

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Oh, you dont have Monopoly figured out until you play with me, BA, LOL. Cartels rise. Cartels fall. Complicated loan structures. Yes, I will give you a property monopoly (like let's say States Avenue) but sometimes actually teh cash is worth it (get the other person overleveraged).

It can go on for weeks if you want, lol.