Yesterday was my best trading day for 2010…all thanks to SOMX. I caught the first spike for a good +$5K and the secondary breakout for another +$13K. SOMX could have been played by anyone that was alert and had the intra-day 1-min chart up. The first spike may have been elusive to 99% of people, but the secondary breakout is no excuse because you had every opportunity to buy the stock on the first spike out of it’s base, then it’s reach to the spike’s high, and beyond.

SOMX got halted prior to 12PM for reasons of news pending. It was also announced that the stock would re-open at 12:05PM. Normally, one does not have the luxury of being able to be ready for the spike. Like NUVA and my various AIG trades, the first 1-min spike bar held up and sustained itself. This first spike automatically broke above 4.80 (Nov 2009) and 4.88 (March 2010), alerting of a full-scale technical breakout. The secondary breakout was marked by a break from the neutral range as well as another breakout above $8.

This is another example of a trade where you either caught it or you didn’t. There is no in-between. If you were fast and on the right side, congrats. If you were slow and/or on the wrong side, there are lessons to be learned from the SOMX trade. Whenever the first spike holds up and immediately breaks through the nearest major resistance, it is a long trade. If it fails to penetrate major resistance, it will fade, for a short entry. Upon breaking out, it is a signal of further momentum, giving opportunities to scale-out of the position.

Looking back this year, I noticed that I had at least one intra-day spike play once every 1-2 weeks. I do miss some of them, but you only need one of these plays to make your day, week, or month. After a huge win, it is my standard protocol to take it easy the next day (t0day) and play with only 1/2 size positions and cut down on frequency. People say that you shouldn’t trade with emotions, but since we’re human, emotions are inevitable. After huge wins and losses, always remember to take a break, refresh, and then get back into the game.

Some charts with levels marked below. As each target is reached, you have to pull back to a longer time frame to find the next target. It is 4AM and I need some rest. Have a good one folks.

Earlie screenshots from the day and stuf f;:

I will be deploying casino positions in my long-term accounts. Charts on all timeframes are telling me that a longer-term holding is the best way to capture the majority of the upside. Take a look at the 10-month and 3-year charts of MGM, LVS, and WYNN.

When price rises, but volume falls, it is called a negative volume divergence and non-confirmation price action. This is bearish. In addition, we should see large bursts of volume accompany periods of declining volume (these are your optimal trading days). Traders should be cautious from this point on.

If you want long setups, then regional banks are a great way to go. I encourage you to explore other setups within the industry.

Markets formed double doji the past two days. This is setting up for a major move. There is more leaning towards the downside, so I drew out major support on the SPX and COMP. January resistance is most important for the RUT, also drawn out. The DJIA has support at the 50-day MA (10370). There is one big variable, which is this morning’s plethora of reports. In the event that we gap down below intraday support, expect continuation. Schedule from Briefing.com is below.