Stock Talk Today : IBIT and Devon (DVN) Energy

 

Market Talk

Keeping in mind yesterday's post that touched on both the opportunity and perils of  "notions", the things we traders and investors do are often based on just that - our notions.

 

 

Stock Talk

 

Stock watchers may have noticed that Bitcoin has fairly well sustained ranges above $60,000 and is now establishing a base in the $70K's.  Some think its headed higher, some say its not.  Some countries have been buying bitcoin as well.  One "notion" here is it "looks like" both bitcoin and Ethereum want to go higher.

Watch notes: 

IBIT  This bitcoin etf has been rising steadily since mentioned here.

some Crypto here n' there BTC and ETH.

Other notes:

Devon Energy (DVN) - some big whales are being reported to be buying the dip in Devon and nat gas prices. It's starting a move up a buck at this note, over $47.  

Watching:

INTC

RTX 

etf -  URA ?  (nah . maybe that notion wasn't so hot)

More stock notions:

Ramaco, METC has had a great run on basis of pretty solid earnings and dividends. It has more than doubled and the spinoff was a bonus since highlighted here. BUT at same time, the harsh drop after METC hitting the 20 mark seems overly sold (or shorted). Some may buy more with dry powder and others may take the gain and watch it later, some will just hold. This is the market - nobody rings a bell when its time to make a trading move.  Sometimes - its better to bail and take a gain when a stock suddenly whipsaws lower.

Bitcoin miners are volatile scary:  As a last notion to mention, the bitcoin miners are way too volatile to try to comment on here.   Dangerously volatile.  If trying to "trade" a bitcoin miner be careful not too much because the downside action could be quite hurtful if too much. The miners are a gamble on bitcoin moving higher. And then there are other factors that can waylay a run.  The key word is gamble.  yikes! 

If one like the potential prospects of bitcoin in a fiat currency world without limits , perhaps an etf like IBIT may be a way to get involved but only in a some here or there mode. It has moved a lot since mentioned here. It depends if bitcoin extends into the 80 and 90 k ranges with some pundits say possible after the halving.  Notice the word "some".

___

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

Notions about "notions" - and Uranium for micro -reactors ?

 

Market Talk

 

Today's post has a philosophical flavor based on "notions".  More specifically about how our notions can affect us.  When we invest and trade "the markets", a hard lesson can occur when "things happen"  that disrupt our present "notions".

In the market it takes intuition to analyze a particular sector and project into the future. Analysts do this all the time by projecting a stock's performance in terms of demand and prospects for earnings growth.  The market is always "trying" to look ahead to the future and share prices can reflect "notions" about future earnings growth.

 

Often times, our intuition is based on notions that may be correct.  In contrast, sometimes our notions may be correct at the time BUT then "disrupters" can happen before we even know it.

 

On top of it all, the market is full of unseen events such as institutional trading, dilution and insider feather bedding, market maker shenanigans, shorts putting out FUD and many other unseen factors to the small  retail investor. These can and will affect our stock positions and share values. Let's face it - the market is a dicey game.  Awareness is important if we want to see gains instead of losses. Nobody gets it right all the time.  More greens than reds and conserving dry powder is the goal. What is dry powder anyway?  It used to be cash in US dollars.  As of recent, perhaps we can't even be so sure about cash with the morons devaluing our fiat by policies against Americans. Is this a notion that makes Bitcoin more attractive? Gold? how about Uranium?  

 

When we form a notion and then analyze a sector and take a position it is based on a notion of present and future value.

We should also be aware of disrupters to our notions that can waylay perceived value.  One way to acknowledge that projecting "notions" into the future - is to not be too arrogant by investing "too much" in any one notion.  But "some" to test a notion may be a better way.   

Now traders also have to gauge their own mental factor called "conviction".  The bullish sentiment on any position should be tempered in reality.  Chasing a conviction that may not play out can be a dangerous game. When tests of conviction happen, sometimes take a walk and think about things. Be circumspect. The Aussies call such walks - walkabouts.

 

In closing, the retail small investor taking a position in our notions have some advantages in that we can pull the trigger anytime and take a gain or cut a loss.  And disadvantages as well.  We need to try to not be the last to know that a disruptive event has changed the success notion to failure or to a lackluster performance.

As a final note, nobody rings a bell when it's time to take some profit or cut a loss.  ONLY you can judge what is right for you. fear and greed are cousins to be aware of.  But if you find yourself running low on dry powder, your portfolio may indicate a sell of a portion to take a gain here and there.

Is this confusing?  If so, welcome to the market! With the above preamble and cautionary note let's us proceed to a sector on watch, if you dare.

 

Stock Talk

 

Notion:  A micro-reactor is a small "plug and play" nuclear reactor easily transported that can be used with up to 20 Mega-Watts of thermal energy that can be used for heat or electric power.  As example, it can provide power for TEN thousand homes for  TEN years without stopping .

Watch: Watching the Uranium sector.  One ETF that has exposure to the Uranium sector is -  URA.  

Looking at the chart, URA has backed off from the previous high, but is catching recent market buying interest.  This article is three months old but still  seems relevant.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uranium-etf-ura-hits-52-120000233.html

 

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

Some Stocks of America to Watch

 

Market Talk

The day after a selloff, we find that the markets are rebounding.  But not all golden boy stocks are. Apple is lackluster on the notion that China is now making knock-off I phones and issuing bans on Apple phones in government buildings.  Years of manufacturing I phones in China and that's the thanks. Yep.

 

Stock Talk

 

Watch stocks:

IBIT - ETF on spot Bitcoin. It soared since suggesting here.  Still seems good as a some buy and hold ETF. Very dependent on bitcoin prices. pick your poison in an uncertain world .

Devon Energy (DVN) - buying back shares, good oil and natural gas reserves in America. Let go of the previous one and got into some DVN with earnings AND a dividend.

Ramaco Resources (METC) -  a REAL miner with real eps and dividend of Metallurgical coal for high quality steel - and potential rare earth elements in Wyoming. watching METC and METCB to see an update tomorrow.  Suggested Ramaco  here when it was less than half what it is today - and so far -  been performing well.  

Back Burner stocks:

Intel (INTC)

Raytheon (RTX) 

Watching a pure $1 "speculation "some" stock for an update tomorrow.  ONCY is a pure spec stock on some hope and evidence that lead drug Pelareorep activates T fighter cells to target and kill cancer cells. It remains to be seen what's up or down with ONCY. It hasn't been an easy hold and thank goodness our strategy of just some no more than we can afford to lose is in effect here.

maybe some Crypto:  Perhaps these are a store of value in an inflationary world without limits. Some BTC and ETH -  but "here n' there" averaging on dips.

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

Humprey-Hawkins and China spook the markets - take a walk and think about things

 

Market Talk

The Humprey-Hawkins series of meetings between the Federal Reserve and congress kicks off tomorrow with the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Congress. He's slated to appear before lawmakers again for three days this week to discuss the central bank's activities and a range of economic issues.  The pundits debate on interest rate cuts coming sooner or later with many thinking June time for some type of rate cut. Or perhaps the Fed may decide to leave rates alone ? 

 

Today was a slight blood letting by the overall markets, the Nasdaq was down over 2 % even Apple stock is down over 5 points.  The Chinese are advocating buy China and I-phone sales there are plunging. At same time, China has basically duplicated the I phone in  their own manufacturers.  But hey - That is What they do ! I am no fan of buying stocks with China. (Suggest to go on Kindle and download the sample of the book "Blood Money" by Peter Schweizer to survey an investigated look at how the CCP is waging a silent war on America using our very own politicians in government - against us. yikes!). On top of it, China is experiencing a slow down and a commercial real estate crisis as well.

 

So today, the pundits ponder if the bull market run has some cracks or if today's pullback is a knee jerk reaction to fear of how J. Powell's testimony may affect the market.  Will a rush of buyers come in and buy dips? Perhaps but some will pull back further. At same time, after a run higher, it is normal to have a 5 to 10% entrancement in stocks and overall markets as well.

 

Crypto in terms of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) has been soaring but today we see a pullback off all time highs.  After touching an all time intraday high, bitcoin then traded harshly down about. Whipsaws are more likely in crypto but at same time, bullish buying has been fueled with the new spot ETF's like IBIT and the coming "halving" set estimated to take place on April 19th, 2024 and will reduce the block reward to 3.125 BTC. This date is based on current estimates that change with every new block.

 

There seems to be underlying reasons that bitcoin has soared. We will watch how the markets react in coming days to come.

One longer-term theme may persist beyond near term knee jerk moves. As traders and investors watch current events in the country and the world, certain macro-economic trends seem to be playing out. America is being invaded by illegal immigrants from all over the world and our tax dollars are funding unsustainable economic policies. It is possible that such trends could cascade into serious repercussions on the future ways of America.  Add to the notion that confidence in fiat currencies around the world is waning.,

Before proceeding to Stock Talk let's acknowledge that sell offs in a position have a way of testing our conviction. Sometimes the tests call for circumspection before making the next move -- and sometimes we just want to pull the trigger and bust a move like the words -  in or out - or add more or cut and RUN.

 

Stay tuned, I will have more to touch upon in Stock Talk.  Since the day's market is now closed,  it calls for a walkabout before commenting further.

Stock Talk

 

Let's take a walk-about and think about things.

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

Stock notes as Bitcoin and Ethereum carry on.

 

Market Talk

The pundits debate on interest rate cuts coming sooner or later. all the while inflation seems to be more stubborn especially in food and housing sectors, where people have needs.

 

Meanwhile as troubling world events, strife and wars continue on - the major markets float at all time highs. Its like an ocean tide that doesn't retreat but only a few stocks in AI and Nivida (for their chips) capture enough interest (on earnings) to make huge gains from here.

Nividia market cap has surpassed the entire value of the Chinese stock market.

But there is another area - Crypto-  that is suddenly surging higher with astonishing movements in stocks related to Crypto.  The volatility is high with whipsaws in prices and traders can be like a group of fickle jokers - BUT ...

 

There seems to be underlying reasons that bitcoin is surging. One is the "halving" event planned in April.  The bitcoin protocol will make it twice as hard to "mine" a share of a bitcoin.   The protocol puzzles that drive the creation of  a bitcoin get more difficult requiring bitcoin miners to ramp up more specialized processors on their racks and requiring them to expand and procure more energy using facilities.  It could be that as investors watch the policies in world government's various fiat currency - that the appeal of a value store that has a limit like bitcoin is in demand.  Indeed, the spot etf's like IBIT have solidified the notion as long term crypto enthusiasts practice their mantra : "HODL - hold on for dear life".  This saying is only as good as the next group of whales that starts unloading big lots , so take such sayings as just that - sayings.  With that all said Bitcoin and Ethereum seem to have an air of conviction amoung some pundits that may lead to higher values.

 

As traders and investors watch current events in the country and the world, certain macro-economic trends seem to be playing out. America is being invaded by illegal immigrants from all over the world and our tax dollars are funding unsustainable economic policies. It is possible that such trends could cascade into serious repercussions on the future ways of America.  Add to the notion that confidence in fiat currencies around the world is waning.

 

Let us proceed to stock talk.

Stock Talk

 

As the value of the dollar dwindles, more people are becoming aware of having "perceived' stores of value that may better inflation.  Stores of value such as Gold, silver and another area becoming quite noticeable to both us retail market watchers and big "whales" and institutions alike. This area is "crypto".  The two most prominent crypto's are Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  Bitcoin is seen as a store of value by crypto enthusiasts largely because there is finite number of total coins that can be "mined" going forward into the future. The protocol has events called "halving" where it becomes twice as hard for mining computers to solve the crypto puzzles that result in gaining even a fraction of a bitcoin. The more powerful machines the miner has, the bigger the share of bitcoin.

 Trading Notes:

Both bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have been having nice runs higher lately. Have you noticed?

Shhhhh. don't tell anybody .  The halving event in April of bitcoin has a feel about it to some and some say - let it fly and it may just fly.

Due to volatility of bitcoin miners, subject to the whims and foibles of management -  it may be safer or less stomach turmoil to just hold some shares in an etf like IBIT . 

One caveat on "perception" and stocks is that the market can be a fickle two headed beast -- so take anything with risk in a cautionary "some or none" mode and not "too much" mindset with dry powder for sure.  Anything can happen and it will indeed.

 Watch areas:

IBIT - new Ishares spot bitcoin etf, recently approved.  After "the halving"  or as it approaches in April, theoretically bitcoin could move higher. It remains to be seen about theory vs reality. Update - That was true a week ago. Since then, Bitcoin and Ethereum are taking off. see the byline header.

Crypto Itself : Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  watch these as April approaches.  some crypto "gurus" are touting ETH as "Crypto 2.0" and "next gen crypto".  Rumors of some big investors accumulating ETH.  These are also volatile and should be treated with risk awareness.  Bitcoin and ETH are not "stocks" but a form of alternative "store of value" as crypto nerds like to say.  But they can be bought and traded like stocks. Just be aware to keep track for tax reporting loss and gains to Uncle Sam. This does not seem to be something to put it all in - but crypto followers dollar cost average here and there in case the fiat suffers too much in true value. 

The one thing to remember is that after April, it becomes twice as difficult to mine bitcoin. That is why the miners are scurrying to buy more mining rigs or "ASIC's"  which stands for Application-Specific integrated circuit miners that use specialized chips.   Still, some IBIT etf shares here and there may be a way to get involved as a way to take part in bitcoin.

INTC - watching Intel chip maker in America. With a large workforce being employed remotely at home, the PC is still an essential part of the game.  Intel also has AI chips in process and made in America investments and funding are making INTC seem undervalued as compared to other chip stocks at this juncture.

Oil and Gas industry stocks and ETF's - 

The oil and gas industry is a volatile sector.  It has proponents and opponents. But the world currently needs oil and gas for energy.  The turmoil in the middle east and the threat to shipping  is a reminder of the important role of America's oil and gas reserves.  There are ETFs that manage oil and gas stocks in the energy sector.  This motley article highlights some ETFS.

https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/energy/oil-stocks/oil-etf-stocks/

Then there are individual stocks like OXY,  COP and DVN that stocker's  follow.  Devon Energy DVN has faded down into the 40's and pays a dividend.  Is it time to try a bottom fish on DVN ?  We saw that Vital Energy did not hold the venture into the 50's and is a tough hold. It had an ok 40's run , but failed to get over the 50 hump.  On the other hand stock for stock - DVN has a dividend and is a larger cap issue with lots of resources to expand without share dilution.

Another area of watch is the Uranium sector.  Watching to see if it's an overcrowded  crowded sector for awhile before commenting further.

Let's close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

Bitcoin moves UP the current value of TWO Gold coins in ONE DAY ! what's next?

 

Market Talk

As America and some troubling world events continue on - the major markets float at all time highs. Its like an ocean tide that doesn't retreat but only a few stocks in AI and Nivida (for their chips) capture enough interest (on earnings) to make huge gains from here.

Nividia market cap has surpassed the entire value of the Chinese stock market.

But there is another area - Crypto-  that is suddenly surging higher with astonishing movements in stocks related to Crypto.  The volatility is high with whipsaws in prices and traders can be like a group of fickle jokers - BUT ...

 

There may be some underlying reasons that bitcoin is surging. One is the "halving" event planned in April.  The bitcoin protocol will make it twice as hard to "mine" a share of a bitcoin.   The protocol puzzles that drive the creation of  a bitcoin get more difficult requiring bitcoin miners to ramp up more specialized processors on their racks and requiring them to expand and procure more energy using facilities.

 

As traders and investors watch current events in the country and the world, certain macro-economic trends seem to be playing out. America is being invaded by illegal immigrants from all over the world and our tax dollars are funding unsustainable economic policies. It is possible that such trends could cascade into serious repercussions on the future ways of America.  Add to the notion that confidence in fiat currencies around the world is waning.

 

Let us proceed to stock talk.

Stock Talk

 

As the value of the dollar dwindles, more people are becoming aware of having "perceived' stores of value that may better inflation.  Stores of value such as Gold, silver and another area becoming quite noticeable to both us retail market watchers and big "whales" and institutions alike. This area is "crypto".  The two most prominent crypto's are Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  Bitcoin is seen as a store of value by crypto enthusiasts largely because there is finite number of total coins that can be "mined" going forward into the future. The protocol has events called "halving" where it becomes twice as hard for mining computers to solve the crypto puzzles that result in gaining even a fraction of a bitcoin. The more powerful machines the miner has, the bigger the share of bitcoin.

 Trading Notes:

Has anybody noticed that a bitcoin increase exceeded the value of not just one, but TWO ounces of PURE GOLD in just ONE day? ! Some unknown investors, whales and institutions have been putting BILLIONS into both bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Due to volatility of bitcoin miners, subject to the whims and foibles of management -  it may be safer or less stomach turmoil to just hold some shares in an etf like IBIT .  However, yesterday traders (and covering shorts ) took bitcoin miners up about 20% in just ONE day.  A previous post lists three bitcoin miners on the watch list.

One caveat on "perception" and stocks is that the market can be a fickle two headed beast -- so take anything with risk in a cautionary "some or none" mode and not "too much" mindset with dry powder for sure.  Anything can happen and it will indeed.

 Watch areas:

IBIT - new Ishares spot bitcoin etf, recently approved.  After "the halving"  or as it approaches in April, theoretically bitcoin could move higher. It remains to be seen about theory vs reality. Update - That was true a week ago. Since then, Bitcoin and Ethereum are taking off. see the byline header.

Crypto Itself : Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  watch these as April approaches.  some crypto "gurus" are touting ETH as "Crypto 2.0" and "next gen crypto".  Rumors of some big investors accumulating ETH.  These are also volatile and should be treated with risk awareness.  Bitcoin and ETH are not "stocks" but a form of alternative "store of value" as crypto nerds like to say.  But they can be bought and traded like stocks. Just be aware to keep track for tax reporting loss and gains to Uncle Sam. This does not seem to be something to put it all in - but crypto followers dollar cost average here and there in case the fiat suffers too much in true value. 

Bitcoin miners are presently very volatile.   This is not an endorsement of crypto miners, however there may be a window to try (or not) to "trade" with a small amount of risk money. The one thing to remember is that after April, it becomes twice as difficult to mine bitcoin. That is why the miners are scurrying to buy more mining rigs or "ASIC's"  which stands for Application-Specific integrated circuit miners that use specialized chips.   Some IBIT etf shares here and there may be a way to get involved as a way to take part in bitcoin.

RTX - Raytheon, moving higher since last Jones report. Don't underestimate the huge need for defense in a dangerous world full of threatening adversaries, if not enemies.

INTC - watch Intel chip maker in America. With a large workforce being employed remotely at home, the PC is still an essential part of the game.  Intel also has AI chips in process and made in America investments and funding are making INTC seem undervalued as compared to other chip stocks at this juncture.

METC  - Ramaco Resources - on metallurgical coal, essential for the production of high quality steel. Ramaco is  a REAL miner with impressive earnings and regular dividends that have been increasing. Rare earth discoveries in their Wyoming mine is also a wild card factor.

Oil and Gas industry stocks and ETF's - 

The oil and gas industry is a volatile sector.  It has proponents and opponents. But the world currently needs oil and gas for energy.  The turmoil in the middle east and the threat to shipping  is a reminder of the important role of America's oil and gas reserves.  There are ETFs that manage oil and gas stocks in the energy sector.  This motley article highlights some ETFS.

https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/energy/oil-stocks/oil-etf-stocks/

Then there are individual stocks like OXY,  COP and DVN that stocker's  follow.  One small cap oil that is a growth stock with growing assets and earnings in the Permian basin is Vital Energy (VTLE).

The oil industry stocks can be a tough sector to try to trade.  But some stocks seem undervalued.  VTLE, a growth stock with oil well  assets here in America can be a tough one to hold due to volatility.  But watching it pick upward steam makes one wonder if VTLE  is ready to climb back to the 60's. wondering, watching and pondering is a question NOT and answer.  Only the future knows.

I will close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
_____________

More Stock to Watch notions: February 21, 2024 .

 

Market Talk

As we are now past the mid February point in 2024, so much is happening on the world's fronts that it can feel overwhelming to the average person.  In America, we are being confronted with the results of hidden agendas and socialist manifestos.  For example, go buy and install a shower head and turn it on.  Stand naked in your shower and when you expect a nice refreshing stream of warm water, see what happens.  Thank the hidden agenda when your water flow is dwindled down to  a weak piddle - due to a "constrictor". Unless you take it apart and pull out that constrictor, your new shower head you just bought will bring forward a measly weak drip lacking the force to soothe your aching back from working harder to try to keep up with inflation.  This is just the TIP of the iceberg to constrain freedom.  Your personal privilege and right to have a vehicle is under siege by policies that foster "road diets" that cut back a two lane road in your town to a traffic jamming mess on a summer day.  "They" are trying to ram ev's down our throats by subsidies that when lifted could make owning a car unsustainable not to mention the strain on the electric grid driving electricity costs sky high. "They" fostered  sponsoring billions of tax dollars into windmills the size the empire state building just off the coast with blades as wide as football field.  The proper solution of using cleaner natural gas in local turbines remains ignored.  The failed wind project killed whales and dolphins and is not sustainable due to the high maintenance required out in the ocean.  After cost overruns and development delays, detrimental sea life impact, the failed project was thankfully cancelled. Where did the money go?  poofters.

On the economy, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report did not fall as the federal reserve expected.  The interest rate cuts that the markets have been anticipating are more likely to be forestalled into the summer. 

 

As traders and investors watch current events in the country and the world, certain macro-economic trends seem to be playing out. America is being invaded by illegal immigrants from all over the world and our tax dollars are funding unsustainable economic policies. It is possible that such trends could cascade into serious repercussions on the future ways of America.

 

Let us proceed to stock talk.

Stock Talk

 

As the value of the dollar dwindles, more people are becoming aware of having "perceived' stores of value that may better inflation.  Stores of value such as Gold, silver and another area becoming quite noticeable to both us retail market watchers and big "whales" and institutions alike. This area is "crypto".  The two most prominent crypto's are Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  Bitcoin is seen as a store of value by crypto enthusiasts largely because there is finite number of total coins that can be "mined" going forward into the future. The protocol has events called "halving" where it becomes twice as hard for mining computers to solve the crypto puzzles that result in gaining even a fraction of a bitcoin. The more powerful machines the miner has, the bigger the share of bitcoin. Due to volatility of miners, subject to the whims and foibles of management -  it seems safer or less stomach turmoil to just hold some shares in an etf like IBIT .

In a short time Bitcoin had risen to cross the $50K threshold and Ethereum is up and approaching the $3K .  There are stocks around these crypto coins that are volatile but by the by have been soaring higher.  The frustrating thing is they can be scary and volatile on the downside as well if trying to "trade" these stocks enduring the whipsaws.

One caveat on "perception" and stocks is that the market can be a fickle two headed beast -- so take anything with risk in a cautionary "some or none" mode and not "too much" mindset with dry powder for sure.  Anything can happen and it will indeed.

 Watch areas:

IBIT - new Ishares spot bitcoin etf, recently approved.  After "the halving"  or as it approaches in April, theoretically bitcoin could move higher. It remains to be seen about theory vs reality.

Crypto Itself : Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).  watch these as April approaches.  some crypto "gurus" are touting ETH as "Crypto 2.0" and "next gen crypto".  Rumors of some big investors accumulating ETH.  These are also volatile and should be treated with risk awareness.  Bitcoin and ETH are not "stocks" but a form of alternative "store of value" as crypto nerds like to say.  But they can be bought and traded like stocks. Just be aware to keep track for tax reporting loss and gains to Uncle Sam. This does not seem to be something to put it all in - but crypto followers dollar cost average here and there in case the fiat suffers too much in true value. 

Bitcoin miners are presently very volatile and dangerous to try to "trade".  This is not an endorsement of crypto miners. The one thing to remember is that after April, it becomes twice as difficult to mine bitcoin. That is why the miners are scurrying to buy more mining rigs or "ASIC's"  which stands for Application-Specific integrated circuit miners that use specialized chips.   Some IBIT etf shares here and there may be a way to get involved as a way to take part in bitcoin.

RTX - Raytheon, moving higher since last Jones report. Don't underestimate the huge need for defense in a dangerous world full of threatening adversaries, if not enemies.

INTC - watch Intel chip maker in America. With a large workforce being employed remotely at home, the PC is still an essential part of the game.  Intel also has AI chips in process and made in America investments and funding are making INTC seem undervalued as compared to other chip stocks at this juncture.

METC  - Ramaco Resources - on metallurgical coal, essential for the production of high quality steel. Ramaco is  a REAL miner with impressive earnings and regular dividends that have been increasing. Rare earth discoveries in their Wyoming mine is also a wild card factor.

Oil and Gas industry stocks and ETF's - 

The oil and gas industry can is a volatile sector.  It has proponents and opponents. But the world currently needs oil and gas for energy.  The turmoil in the middle east and the threat to shipping  is a reminder of the important role of America's oil and gas reserves.  There are ETFs that manage oil and gas stocks in the energy sector.  This motley article highlights some ETFS.

https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/energy/oil-stocks/oil-etf-stocks/

Then there are individual stocks like OXY,  COP and DVN that stocker's  follow.  One small cap oil that is a growth stock with growing assets and earnings in the Permian basin is Vital Energy (VTLE).

The oil industry stocks can be a tough sector to try to trade.  But some stocks seem undervalued.  VTLE, a growth stock with oil well  assets here in America can be a tough one to hold due to volatility.  But watching it pick upward steam makes one wonder if VTLE  is ready to climb back to the 60's. wondering, watching and pondering is a question NOT and answer.  Only the future knows.

I will close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the future days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with the reality of the time.  But trying to look ahead a few months into the future may be a way to do things.  If you think too deep about world events and the recent alliances forming, projecting ahead can be a dicey endeavor. With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. 

Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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