One hour until Thanksgiving

This is one of the years I'm staying home for the holiday. Almost back to 100% health and even got a flippy 1% trade thanks to the traditional pre-Thanksgiving day runup. Going back to our last post, on that Fri, Nov 20, options expiration, the Dow touched 11-year lows intraday, until in the final hour, the avg staged a massive 500 point rally. On the following Monday, we had a gap open and finished up another 473 points. Call it a bear trap or whatever, on Tuesday, we rose another 70 points and today another 240.

The biggest mover was the financials and if one had the foresight to play the UYG or the FAS you would have gains over 60% in three days. The oils did well through the DIG or ERX and the best performing average was the Russell 2000 through the TNA.

Originally, I was suppose to go shopping for Black Friday, but I decided to stay home at get fully recovered as I might have to trade on the 1pm shortened session for Friday followed by the normal Mon, Dec 1 401k contribution day. I should be through for 2008 by next week and then the work begins anew four weeks later for 2009.

Ironically I've been spending more time Xmas shopping as it seems I picking up habits from some of the ladies of the group. Since gift cards are a big faux pas this year as you never know if the store you get the card from will go bankrupt by the time the gift recepient cashes it in, I was leaning toward things like a quality "down blanket" or stuff for redecorating a bedroom or living room. Let us all be thankful for having a positive year in the markets given what all has occurred, in addition to our families both immediate and nearby, our health, and other commentary that I'll keep confidential. Enjoy Thanksgiving and be ready for work on Fri morning.

YTD +6.9%