Since this is my first entry I'll put a little about myself toward the bottom. First I'll start with my some stocks I'm currently looking into, then short holds (which I'll update on Mondays and Fridays) and then my one current long hold (I'll update that one on Fridays but since this is the first entry it'll be mentioned twice this week). Format will go in the order of stocks I'm watching and why, then new stocks purchased (going to be rather rare), Short term holds (you should only see these on here for about a month, maybe 3 weeks), then on Friday's you'll see my long term holds (currently only one will never be more than three).
From Tuesday through Thursday this blog will simply be stuff I'm looking at and reasons why. I'll try and update as much as possible, but I'm not making guarantees. I'd love comments (and constructive criticism) from other investors to help me along and strengthen my own portfolio.
As of now I only have about 700 dollars to invest. I have small holds in DAL (short term) and ORCL (long term) and a slightly larger (albeit not all that inpressive) in THOR (short term).
On my radar:Sybase (SY)- This one has been on my radar for about a week now. Toward the end of the month i'll be receiving a little bit more cash to play around with (probably around 300) and I plan on using it to invest in SY. The following is a description from my broker's quote page:
Sybase is a global enterprise Software Company exclusively focused on managing and mobilizing information from the data-center to the point of action.
I found out about this company through a CNBC interview with one of their managers. Not only do they seem well run but the way I understand it is that they're heavily involved in picture messaging, a technology that is heavily growing within the US as of the past 2 or so years. They were talking to the manager because of the current olympics and the amount of picture's expected to be sent during the course of the games.
SY was
+.48 today (+1.34%), opening at 35.70 and closing at 36.38. At one point during the day they reached a high of 36.50. Closing at 36.38 puts them at a new 52-week high. Look for them to continue to improve. Their chart is attached below...one other reason I like this stock is because they've had consistent upward trend minus a slight bump around June that they have, obviously, since recovered from.
SY is really the only company currently on my radar. Expect another one or two to pop up in the next few days as I'm going to do a little bit more research. (Click the chart to see it in readable size)
Short Holds:Delta (DAL)- DAL opened the day at 9.35 and closed at 9.24 for a loss of
.10 (-1.07%). I've owned this stock since about Tuesday, August 5 and this is the first day I've lost money with them. I don't have too much stake in this company (under 10 shares even) but at one point yesterday and one point today I had already pulled profits after commissions (roughly $20.00 after buy and sell fees). As long as oil continues its downtrend (I believe it does until mid next month) then this should continue to be a safe hold.
Reasons I like DAL: Merger with NWA has been approved in the EU and should be approved within the next 2 months in the US; Pilots reached a joint agreement today on contract for after the merger (today being 8-12-2008); Raised fees on checked baggage earlier in the month, due to this I cannot see them raising fees anywhere else for a while; They've been getting a lot of love from MER and JPM in regards to ratings as of late; as mentioned above Oil continues to trend downward.
Thoratec (THOR)- THOR opened at 24.95 and closed at 24.68 for a loss of
.32 (-1.28%). This is the first day I pulled losses for them as well. I don't think they'll do much this week (gain as much as they lose and lose as much as they gain) but next week should be another break out. Their gains were up 44% for the 2nd quarter so I'm not too worried about pulling losses. I feel as if I'll either break even or make a small profit. I do not believe I'll reinvest in them but we'll see. They have some relatively universal technology in regards to early heart failure including, essentially, an electronic heart:
The company also offers HeartMate XVE, an implantable device for mid to long-term cardiac support for those patients ineligible for heart transplantation; HeartMate II, an implantable device consisting of a miniature rotary blood pump to provide long-term support.
Upon selling off my shares late in the month I'll keep an eye on them and go from there. Between revolutionary technology and pulling profits with the economy being down I cannot see how they won't be a good investment for long term.
Long Hold:Oracle (ORCL)- ORCL has been a major technology company for years. You probably don't need too much information on them so I'll just give my reason they're my long term hold: They're stable. If you look at their charts you see no major down trends and no major raises. I plan on holding them for about 3-6 months and once go from there. Chart is included below. Overall in my time of holding them I'm about even, making as much as I've lost.
About Me: I'm a 20 year old Virginia Tech junior who's just gotten started in the market. I don't have TOO much money however I have/will invest around 1000 total and hope to build off that, it's just a matter of finding the right company to do so with.
Websites of companies mentioned in this entry:
Sybase (SY)Delta (DAL) (wikipedia)
Thoratec (THOR)
Oracle (ORCL)
