Author Topic: 2015 Thread  (Read 22400 times)

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
2015 Thread
« on: January 09, 2015, 08:35:32 am »
Hi all,

I used to post under forward curve (and previously contango, which is a shape of a forward curve) but thought I would start the year with this name. I've traded most physical commodities for banks and trading companies in London but now I run Thebe Ventures and am trying to create jobs here in SA. So if anyone has any great business ideas that need backing then get in touch.

Anyway, back to topic. From time to time I'll try and post some thoughts on the markets and give some insight into commodities etc. Right now it looks like equities are getting ready to break out to the upside (see Dow daily chart below). This should get everyone yakking on about how bullish the year is going to be and that maybe QE will extend forever. At least in Europe we know they have to do QE unless the Germans are somehow able to block it.

But, I'm sure that the Fed will end QE mid year and the Dollar will then weaken, yes weaken. Right now FX traders are "buying the rumour" that QE will end and interest rates will rise (meaning they are buying and strengthening the USD i.e. markets are always forward looking). When QE actually does end then traders will "sell the fact" and the Dollar will weaken and thus commodities will rise and equities will fall.

For now however, expect equities to have a nice little run and commodity prices to remain subdued. Although I do expect crude oil to return to a marginal production cost of around US$60 to US$70 quite quickly, possibly by end Jan / mid Feb.

Enjoy and good luck. And remember that the bull walks up the stairs whilst the bear jumps out the window. Study Pythagorus, Gann and the Masonic liberal arts for more insights. So being long around 90% is probably the right position, just try to avoid being "caught and short" for that crucial 10%.

P.S. Thanks to Patrick for creating this space and running the competition. Great work sir.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2015, 08:37:37 am by The Trader »

jaDEB

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4553
  • Karma: +31/-3
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2015, 11:08:16 am »
Nice, we (at least I do) need input from knowledgeable people like yourself. Thus please keep posting I am sure we all can learn from you.
jaDEB

If it scares you, it's a sign you need to do it

gcr

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1008
  • Karma: +28/-1
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2015, 11:23:50 am »
Hi all,

I used to post under forward curve (and previously contango, which is a shape of a forward curve) but thought I would start the year with this name. I've traded most physical commodities for banks and trading companies in London but now I run Thebe Ventures and am trying to create jobs here in SA. So if anyone has any great business ideas that need backing then get in touch.

Anyway, back to topic. From time to time I'll try and post some thoughts on the markets and give some insight into commodities etc. Right now it looks like equities are getting ready to break out to the upside (see Dow daily chart below). This should get everyone yakking on about how bullish the year is going to be and that maybe QE will extend forever. At least in Europe we know they have to do QE unless the Germans are somehow able to block it.

But, I'm sure that the Fed will end QE mid year and the Dollar will then weaken, yes weaken. Right now FX traders are "buying the rumour" that QE will end and interest rates will rise (meaning they are buying and strengthening the USD i.e. markets are always forward looking). When QE actually does end then traders will "sell the fact" and the Dollar will weaken and thus commodities will rise and equities will fall.

For now however, expect equities to have a nice little run and commodity prices to remain subdued. Although I do expect crude oil to return to a marginal production cost of around US$60 to US$70 quite quickly, possibly by end Jan / mid Feb.

Enjoy and good luck. And remember that the bull walks up the stairs whilst the bear jumps out the window. Study Pythagorus, Gann and the Masonic liberal arts for more insights. So being long around 90% is probably the right position, just try to avoid being "caught and short" for that crucial 10%.

P.S. Thanks to Patrick for creating this space and running the competition. Great work sir.
Is this Keith returning to the fold
Not everything that counts, can be counted, and, not everything that can be counted counts - Albert Einstein

Orca

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2280
  • Karma: +54/-3
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2015, 03:37:40 pm »
I wondered what happened to Contango.
I started here with nothing and still have most of it left.

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2015, 10:43:56 am »

Is this Keith returning to the fold

Not sure who Keith is. My public profile is http://za.linkedin.com/in/coaltrader


The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2015, 10:47:28 am »
So unfortunately Friday saw some profit taking in the US and worries about Greece, Euro etc. However, this week we are still looking poised for a nice run up, just got stalled by a day or so.

Moneypenny

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1891
  • Karma: +37/-0
    • View Profile
    • Bu Valiere
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2015, 11:14:46 am »
Nice to have a pro on board, looking forward to your thoughts, The Trader.

Orca

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2280
  • Karma: +54/-3
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2015, 12:25:24 pm »
Well, so Santova was the top performer for 2014 and looks set to repeat this for 2015. Looking at selling my OMN for SNV to get some alpha for my portfolio.
I started here with nothing and still have most of it left.

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2015, 05:07:18 pm »
Nice to have a pro on board, looking forward to your thoughts, The Trader.

I'm hardly a pro when it comes to equities but I can help out with commodity trading, technical analysis and options, delta hedging etc.

Looks like my prediction of a rally is a bit premature with the US market getting knocked on the open... Not sure why but this is ruining the technical picture. I made the classic mistake of biting too early in anticipation instead of waiting for technical confirmation. I'm going to follow my own advice on this thread and trade accordingly in the Investor Challenge so am currently down quite badly. As I said, not a pro when it comes to equities.... :)

Orca

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2280
  • Karma: +54/-3
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2015, 07:20:39 pm »
The year has just begun so your position in the competition at this early stage means nothing.
I started here with nothing and still have most of it left.

Moneypenny

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1891
  • Karma: +37/-0
    • View Profile
    • Bu Valiere
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2015, 07:54:05 am »
Nice to have a pro on board, looking forward to your thoughts, The Trader.
As I said, not a pro when it comes to equities.... :)

Good, no pressure then, still interested in new opinions though. ;) 

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2015, 02:22:59 pm »
Market trying to break up again today.... I'm always a little early on my technical signals... If we get the confirmation move up today then should be in for a nice ride up.

Moneypenny

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1891
  • Karma: +37/-0
    • View Profile
    • Bu Valiere
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2015, 04:41:38 pm »
I assume you're talking Alsi daily?

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2015, 04:53:05 pm »
I assume you're talking Alsi daily?

No, I always refer to DOW as the market. ALSI will follow tomorrow. Market making its move now, breaking up finally. Whew, was worried there for awhile.

The Trader

  • I've just arrived
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
Re: 2015 Thread
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2015, 09:57:51 pm »
And flipped again.... Dow decided to turn around and close down. Wow, really not having much luck with what was supposed to be an upside break out. Time to get out and go to sidelines. But if I had been disciplined enough I would have waited for confirmation with a positive momentum upside breakout i.e. blue line breaking above red line in bottom MACD graph. That never happened and instead Mr. Market decided to toy with my greed anticipation levels.

Going to be a crappy day on the ALSI tomorrow. Big gap down on the open.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2015, 10:04:01 pm by The Trader »