This morning, with nobody to call because they are all on vacation, I spent an hour doing some original research. I looked at the period from U.S. Thanksgiving until Year-end, and because there is always a significant decline in volume in the days leading up to New Year's, I also looked at the period from the close Nov-24 through pre-Christmas, Dec-22.

For the period from Nov-24 through Dec-29, I found the S&P 500 index had risen +1.24 pct But, the up volume as a pct of total volume across all U.S. listed stocks was just +49.56 pct. So we have a rising index on distribution, which is a warning signal.

From Nov-24 through Dec-22, the S&P 500 gained +0.70 pct, but the up volume was just +49.08 pct.

Typically, when the index is rising, the volume on the upside is above +50 pct.

In any case, this is no big deal, I can tell you that I see signs of distribution elsewhere, such as in the Relative Strength Index indicators for the Cara 100 stocks. What is continuing to occur is what technical analysts call divergence between the indicators and the price series data.

Within RSI, I see falling values, but I also see increasingly fewer RSI-7 values over 70, and increasingly more under 30 for the Daily data series.

To many of you, this technical mumbo-jumbo is nothing more than tea leaf reading. But, I disagree. I believe that traders must analyze in detail the market price action along with corporate fundamental and quantitative data and macro-economic data in order to make an overall assessment of where this market is going. After all, we are trading prices.

As you know, the important macro-economic data we receive to help us in our trading comes from both the private and public sectors. But, it is the public sector that is letting us down badly, and under the present U.S. Administration the situation is getting worse, not better.

I believe it is crucially important for traders to receive data from governments and central bankers that is accurate, unbiased and fully disclosed. Unfortunately, We The People are not receiving it.

As long as we fail to get such data on a timely and material basis on, for example, the amount of the nation's money being printed (or removed) and the amount of its gold holdings, purchases and sales, which are primary drivers of market prices, then markets are by definition unfair. So, as a blogger who cares about people, I say it is our right, and our obligation to one another, to be cynical and to complain.

Don't say that Messrs Bernanke and Paulson and their peers are doing a good job for the People. They and the others who preceded them and who will follow them are holding us in check.

I say let's stop this nonsense -- we are not children. We are a sophisticated, value-creating, adult society, with an obligation to ourselves and our families and a right in a fair society to protect our wealth, which we cannot do effectively if the people who run governments and central banks have other agendas.

And with that criticism out of the way, I'll now start on this year-ending WIR#52.

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Global Market Summary

International Equities: Russia was down, but China very strong again. Shanghai and Hong Kong markets are now just too hot to handle unless you are day trading.

U.S. Equities : All of the four major market indexes had gains, although nothing like the prior week's losses (SP500 +0.5 pct; DJIA +1.0 pct; Nasdaq +0.6 pct; and Russell 2000 +0.9 pct). The action seems to have moved to China.

Dow 30 : There were 17 Dow stocks up and 13 down W/W, but on Friday it was 23 of 30 down. Interesting that the prior Friday was 30/30 down. Are traders nervous with all these record high prices, and little to sustain them? Negative money flow out of stocks and mutual funds continues, and may be setting the broad market up for a January pull-back.

U.S. Sector ETFs: There were 7 ETF's up and 3 down, but with Friday's loss it was almost 3 up and 7 down W/W. Three day week next, and it ought to start with a bang if the ammo loading in Friday's last half hour means much. It's best to enjoy the holidays, and not over-think a quiet market.

First segment: most influenced by global commodities, forex and capex spending
10: Energy (XLE): #10 (-0.9 pct); $WTIC down -2.2 pct; Fri. weak
15: Basic Materials (XLB): #3 (+0.8 pct); Metals strengthened
20: Industrials (XLI): #9 (-0.6 pct); GE, BA & MMM all down
Second segment: most influenced by U.S. consumer spending and economic growth
25: Cons. Discretionary (XLY): #4 (+0.3 pct); Quiet
30: Cons. Staples (XLP): #6 (+0.1 pct); Quiet
35: Healthcare (IYH): #8 (-0.4 pct); Weaker
Third segment: most influenced by U.S. interest rates and general economic health
40: Financial (XLF): #5 (+0.1 pct); Friday was -0.6 pct
45: Tech (SMH chips): #2 (+1.0 pct); Rebound off earlier bad week
50: Telecom Service (IYZ): #1 (+1.4 pct); T and VZ cranked (for now)
55: Utilities (XLU): #6 (+0.1 pct); Quiet

Bonds: U.S. Bonds had a bad week this week as the yields on the 30-year, 10-year and 5-year Treasuries ran up +10, +12 and +14 basis points (bp) respectively. The 3-Month Treasury Bill yield rallied +6.5 bp.

Commodities: $CRB dropped -0.5 pct to 307.26 because of weakness in energy. The commodities I like best at present are the precious metals.

Oil & Gas: $WTIC futures were down sharply -2.2 pct (-$1.36) to 61.05. A week earlier $WTIC dropped -$1.68/bbl and -2.6 pct. U.S. truckers sitting idle. Warm weather in the East.

Gold: $GOLD, $SILVER, $PLAT and $PALL all had solid gains (+2.5 pct, +2.4 pct, +1.3 pct and +3.9 pct respectively, along with a small loss in the $USD. Friday was very strong for platinum and palladium. Gold had a $9 rn up in a few hours after I wrote in the Daily Report "Watch gold".

Goldminers: $XAU, GDX and XGD (TSX) were up +2.7 pct, +3.1 pct, and +3.9 pct respectively W/W, which followed three straight losing weeks.

Forex: This week, the $USD lost -0.2 pct and the Euro gained +0.6 pct to 83.67 and 131.92 respectively.

Economic calendar for next week. With a three-day week next, owing to the Tuesday tribute to the late President Ford, there will be plenty of econ news, including Friday's Jobs Report.

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Cara Stock Watch

The Cara 100 RSI Highs and Lows c/o "David" and "Charles"

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Interactive link to Friday RSI Highs in Cara 100 (no smoothing)

Interactive link to Friday RSI Lows in Cara 100 (no smoothing)

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Here are the top 25 gainers on Friday.

Interactive chart of the top 12 Watch List gainers

Interactive chart of the next 12 Watch List gainers

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Here are the top losers for Friday.

Interactive chart of the top 12 Watch List losers (Interactive link)

Interactive chart of the next 12 Watch List losers (Interactive link)

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Sector ETF Review

Seven of the ten sector ETF's I follow here were up this week, but had Friday's closing action continued for another 20 minutes, it could have been 7 down and 3 up. I wouldn't pay much attention to the numbers this week as many traders were on holidays and the volume was exceptionally light.

For the U.S. equity market, as you know, I study it top down by sector. Here is the weekly performance of my favorite ten Sector Index Funds (ETF's). The following table is sorted by price performance Week over Week (W/W), i.e. 1W%N.

Table 1: Cara ETF List

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
IYZ	29.65	0.07	0.24%	1.44%	0.54%	3.96%	29.08%	7.12%	17.15%	28.91%
SMH	33.70	-0.06	-0.18%	0.96%	-1.35%	-2.46%	-11.13%	-1.72%	1.91%	-8.72%
XLB	34.90	-0.18	-0.51%	0.78%	-1.66%	-0.29%	12.87%	10.30%	9.23%	14.28%
XLY	38.36	-0.20	-0.52%	0.26%	-1.01%	1.80%	16.24%	9.76%	14.95%	16.77%
XLF	36.74	-0.23	-0.62%	0.08%	0.05%	3.00%	14.10%	6.12%	13.29%	15.39%
XLP	26.11	-0.14	-0.53%	0.08%	-0.15%	1.95%	11.39%	2.88%	7.45%	11.20%
XLU	36.72	-0.01	-0.03%	0.05%	-1.58%	-0.05%	14.75%	8.03%	14.04%	16.35%
IYH	66.41	-0.28	-0.42%	-0.35%	0.23%	0.62%	4.37%	1.36%	10.68%	4.83%
XLI	35.01	-0.23	-0.65%	-0.62%	-0.79%	-0.31%	10.69%	5.01%	3.46%	10.65%
XLE	58.63	-0.59	-1.00%	-0.90%	-5.05%	-3.11%	11.25%	9.69%	3.66%	17.03%

You can do this table yourself by entering the following string into the Summary window at Investertech.com and then clicking on the link for Performance. XLE XLB XLI XLY XLP IYH XLF SMH IYZ XLU . You can also add more ETF's " up to 30 in total.

For a list of components to any ETF, simply go to the AMEX.com web site, and click on ETF's. I do that frequently.

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10 (energy: XLE)

15 (basic materials: XLB)

20 (industrial: XLI)

25 (consumer discretionary: XLY)

30 (consumer staples: XLP)

35 (healthcare: IYH)

40 (financial: XLF)

45 (technology, semiconductor: SMH)

50 (telecom: IYZ)

55 (utilities: XLU)

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Sector 10 (energy: XLE, IYE, VDE, OIH, PBW and IXC)

After XLE plunged -4.0 pct the previous week, it was down over five sessions, including one the previous week, by -0.9 pct (including -1.0 pct Friday) to close at 58.63.

A week ago XLE was the worst performer too.

$WTIC dropped a further -$1.36 this week after dropping $1.68/bbl the previous week.

As I said a week ago: "Traders seem nervous, and I think rightly so. The slowing U.S. econ is clearly showing in the data. Canada's economy is now believed to have outright contracted in September and stayed unchanged in October."

Trucking has slowed a lot due to the economic pull-back.

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Here's the XLE Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLE Monthly data:

XLE Weekly data:

XLE Daily data:

XLE Hourly data:

Table 2: Senior oil & gas equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
CEO	94.63	2.14	2.31%	6.82%	5.73%	6.51%	36.77%	13.62%	17.13%	39.06%
PBR	102.99	1.25	1.23%	4.86%	5.72%	9.39%	37.83%	22.86%	17.18%	45.43%
IMO	36.83	-0.01	-0.03%	2.16%	-4.36%	-1.97%	-64.59%	9.78%	2.85%	-62.85%
STO	26.32	-0.15	-0.57%	1.43%	-5.90%	-5.66%	9.08%	10.50%	-8.99%	16.00%
XOM	76.63	-0.70	-0.91%	1.00%	-2.67%	-0.23%	31.06%	14.20%	22.86%	36.26%
CVX	73.53	-0.75	-1.01%	0.41%	-3.21%	1.67%	24.46%	13.37%	17.74%	30.21%
SU	78.91	-0.18	-0.23%	0.31%	-3.33%	-0.14%	20.42%	9.52%	-1.71%	25.04%
TOT	71.92	0.01	0.01%	0.06%	-1.32%	0.64%	-44.71%	9.07%	12.11%	-43.23%
ECA	45.95	-0.96	-2.05%	-3.41%	-12.23%	-11.99%	-1.61%	-1.58%	-13.24%	2.41%

Of the ten oil stocks I monitor, Petro Brazil stayed strong this week (ie, past five sessions). PBR gained +4.9 pct, including +1.2 pct on Friday.

The big oil play this week was the China National Offshore (CEO), which climbed +6.8 pct over 5 sessions, including +2.3 pct on Friday.

All in all, not a bad week except for EnCana (ECA), which took a hit (-3.4 pct over 5 days) especially Friday, where it was down -2.1 pct. One too many downgrades.

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Integrated Oil & Gas - Canada

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production -Canada

A week ago, ECA plunged -6.3 pct, IMO -5.2 pct and SU -3.7 pct. This week, it was just ECA down in the Cdn oil sands, but the writing is on the wall if the price of oil continues to head south into the mid-50's, and nat gas prices stay depressed.

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Sector 15 (basic materials: IYM, XLB, IGE and VAW)

The Basic Materials ETF (XLB), led by the metals, had a good week, up +1.5 pct W/W to end up #3 performer of 10, closing Friday at 34.90. Copper futures gained.

Here's the XLB Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLB Monthly data:

XLB Weekly data:

XLB Daily data:

XLB Hourly data:

Table 3: Senior metals and steel equities:

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
TCK	75.35	0.60	0.80%	3.65%	-6.80%	0.53%	26.09%	20.58%	27.71%	0.00%
AA	30.01	-0.01	-0.03%	2.42%	-2.44%	-3.72%	0.37%	7.03%	-5.92%	1.21%
RTP	212.49	-1.50	-0.70%	2.31%	-4.88%	-0.98%	12.54%	12.06%	1.09%	16.24%
GGB	16.00	-0.29	-1.78%	2.04%	-1.23%	1.59%	-8.10%	18.08%	7.53%	-4.19%
BHP	39.75	-0.05	-0.13%	1.95%	-2.33%	-4.06%	13.57%	4.94%	-6.12%	18.23%
RIO	29.74	-0.20	-0.67%	1.92%	-0.97%	7.13%	38.33%	37.94%	26.02%	43.81%
MT	42.18	-0.08	-0.19%	0.67%	1.57%	2.35%	57.21%	21.42%	30.51%	58.27%
TS	49.89	0.45	0.91%	-1.01%	0.71%	6.13%	101.90%	41.01%	24.76%	117.20%
PKX	82.67	-0.43	-0.52%	-1.40%	0.56%	4.83%	64.52%	27.32%	22.38%	65.64%
NUE	54.66	-0.62	-1.12%	-1.78%	-6.29%	-8.67%	57.61%	10.45%	-0.36%	61.62%

The steel stocks I follow were down this week, and Teck Cominco made a comeback of sorts after being down -8.5 pct the previous week.

Cameco (CCJ) had some good news.

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Sector 20 (industrial: IYJ, XLI, VIS, and IYT)

The Industrials and Transport sector ETF (XLI), aka capital goods producers, was flat this week, closing at 35.01, but down -0.6 pct over 5 trading sessions.

In the last WIR I wrote: "This Friday, DJT closed at 4510.50. The Transports are sputtering." Well, actually the Dow Transports were up +1 pct this week. I should have said, the U.S. trucking transports are sputtering.

The DJ Trucking Index has dropped (-6.5 pct) in December and (-22.2 pct) since early July. And the -8.7 pct Y/Y decline in truck tonnage for November, normally the second best month of the year according to AG Edwards, which was worse than the consensus forecast of a -4.8 pct decline.

Maybe you can recall me writing these words a week ago: "You can say the U.S. economy is the greatest story never told, which may fool some of the people some of the time, but if there is no freight to carry, you won't fool them long."

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Here's the XLI Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLI Monthly data:

XLI Weekly data:

XLI Daily data:

XLI Hourly data:

Table 4 Senior capital goods makers and transportation:

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
ABB	17.98	0.19	1.07%	2.22%	5.21%	10.44%	76.45%	36.42%	42.47%	83.66%
ERJ	41.43	0.27	0.66%	2.04%	-4.63%	-0.50%	5.53%	5.50%	16.05%	4.81%
HON	45.24	-0.22	-0.48%	1.07%	5.97%	5.26%	20.77%	10.61%	13.21%	20.35%
CAT	61.33	0.02	0.03%	0.86%	-1.27%	-1.13%	6.11%	-6.79%	-17.57%	5.49%
FDX	108.62	0.67	0.62%	0.07%	-5.52%	-5.90%	5.13%	-0.06%	-7.16%	4.71%
UTX	62.52	-0.29	-0.46%	-0.38%	0.74%	-3.11%	10.60%	-1.31%	-1.22%	10.99%
MMM	77.93	-0.23	-0.29%	-1.12%	-1.07%	-4.33%	-1.49%	4.72%	-3.97%	-0.46%
BA	88.84	-0.16	-0.18%	-1.22%	-1.21%	0.35%	26.30%	12.67%	7.04%	24.81%
GE	37.21	-0.27	-0.72%	-1.48%	2.76%	5.47%	5.20%	5.41%	11.84%	5.74%

Things were looking down for the Dow Big Four of the Military-Industrial Complex (GE, BA, MMM, UTX) " well I'm presuming that at least one of 3M's 50,000 products (duct tape maybe?) goes to the military.

This one I can't figure out. After the New Year, the Dems are going to try to cut the budget, but I am hearing rumblings that the President is going to send another 25,000 soldiers to Iraq in the 1Q. Could it be?

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Sector 25 (consumer discretionary: XLY, IYC and VCR)

The Consumer Discretionary sector ETF (XLY) was up +0.3 pct W/W to close at 38.36, which has been side-tracking for a few weeks now. The Bulls must be hoping for a late shoppers rush. Apparently the retailers didn't do as well as the Hype TV people told us.

Speaking of shopping; my 25-y.o. daughter is in NYC for New Years at Times Square. Just phoned this minute -- says it's kinda creepy with all the Saddam post-execution security, but she enjoyed the Statue of Liberty, and got to meet a VIP or two, she says. Who knows, maybe she'll decide to stay; she likes the place that much.

Kids seem to get what they go looking for. My son at age 9 told me he was "a Hilton kind of guy". Then he went into Hotel Management and has been at Accor for about 7 years since.

The hotels, btw, have enjoyed a terrific 2006, although the stocks this week were not so hot. The hospitality sub-sector may be a good indicator of how fast the money printing presses are working. People are spending and the hotels are raising the revpar (revenue per available room) while the restaurants, casinos, cruiseship and airlines are also doing well.

But the big tickets, like homes, furniture, automobiles, and so forth are suffering.

Here's the XLY Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLY Monthly data:

XLY Weekly data:

XLY Daily data:

XLY Hourly data:

Table 5: Senior consumer discretionary equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
TM	134.31	0.05	0.04%	3.26%	6.85%	11.88%	25.70%	23.33%	31.38%	29.59%
WHR	83.02	0.01	0.01%	1.49%	-3.32%	-2.67%	0.42%	-1.30%	0.74%	-1.41%
BC	31.90	-0.06	-0.19%	0.82%	-1.42%	-1.45%	-21.85%	2.28%	-1.39%	-21.33%
CCL	49.05	-0.61	-1.23%	-0.02%	2.62%	0.12%	-10.12%	4.30%	19.43%	-8.35%
DIS	34.27	-0.25	-0.72%	-0.78%	-1.30%	3.69%	40.45%	10.87%	14.69%	41.79%
NKE	99.03	-0.17	-0.17%	-1.26%	2.09%	0.08%	15.22%	13.02%	22.29%	13.31%
JCP	77.36	-0.28	-0.36%	-1.28%	-4.01%	0.03%	37.04%	13.12%	14.29%	39.54%
EBAY	30.07	-0.24	-0.79%	-2.62%	-7.68%	-7.11%	-32.37%	6.03%	2.77%	-31.27%
SBUX	35.42	-0.30	-0.84%	-2.67%	-3.22%	0.37%	14.74%	4.15%	-6.72%	16.09%

Toyota Motor had a good week and a good year. And, an outstanding six months.

Disney and JC Penny also treated their shareholders well this year.

I truly believe in the notion that Mom & Dad Trader out to be buying and selling stocks of companies where they spend their money. They know the products, the quality of management, and so on. I mean why would a Boston secretary want to trade pork bellies against some mid-west farmers? I could never figure that one out.

And why would they trade JCP against that Boston secretary?

It's a tough world out there. Everybody needs a leg up.

Well, CEO's like Bob Nardelli just takes his leg up, so shoppers like Bill Cara get back theirs by shopping elsewhere. I'd go to IKEA or Cdn Tire 99 times before I went back to Home Depot.

Anyway, next Friday Value Line is reporting on Home Depot, and they are likely to forecast an Annual Total Return on the stock at something like a nosebleed level. For whatever reason, the VL analyst is going to tell you that HD deserves a PE multiple up in the mid-20's. I don't get it.

Under Nardelli, they'd rather use cash to buy back shares than pay down debt. Makes the metrics look better I suppose, but somehow I think Disney is doing a better job with its financial picture by not buying back shares. DIS, to me, deserves a higher PE multiple than HD.

I mean if, as and when Disney releases Pirates of Shanghai or Desperate Bombay Housewives can you imagine where Mr. Iger could take this stock?

With just +22 pct foreign revenues, I'm wondering why that couldn't expand to +44 pct.

For example, does Brazil or Portugal have Disney/ABC hit "Dança com Famosos" yet? Maybe. But you get my point that Disney owns content that people enjoy world wide. What does Home Depot own? Apparently nothing I need.

I was a mite late (for 2004) and early (for 2005) with my Trader Wizard E-zine recommendation for Disney, but the stock ($34.27) has done well recently. Now it's quite over-bought, and needs to rest (ie, come down so I can buy it under $30).

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Sector 30 (consumer staples: XLP, VDC, RTH and IYK)

The Consumer Staples sector ETF (XLP) closed at 26.11, which is a gain of four cents (+0.08 pct) over the four sessions this week.

Here's the XLP Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLP Monthly data:

XLP Weekly data:

XLP Daily data:

XLP Hourly data:

Table 6: Senior consumer staples equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
DEO	79.31	-0.57	-0.71%	2.26%	1.20%	2.61%	33.16%	11.64%	18.13%	35.34%
WMT	46.18	0.17	0.37%	1.03%	-0.73%	0.17%	-0.11%	-6.37%	-5.19%	-2.74%
BUD	49.20	-0.18	-0.36%	0.51%	1.61%	3.56%	12.66%	3.56%	7.59%	13.60%
ABV	48.80	-0.34	-0.69%	0.37%	0.14%	5.83%	26.62%	7.54%	20.29%	28.32%
PG	64.27	-0.21	-0.33%	0.34%	1.45%	2.36%	9.34%	3.69%	12.77%	10.01%
MO	85.82	-0.41	-0.48%	0.12%	1.00%	1.91%	14.46%	12.11%	16.15%	14.27%
WAG	45.89	-0.18	-0.39%	-0.15%	2.89%	13.34%	1.10%	3.38%	1.37%	4.08%
KO	48.25	-0.29	-0.60%	-0.84%	-1.53%	3.03%	17.97%	7.99%	12.05%	18.84%
PEP	62.55	-0.70	-1.11%	-1.33%	0.08%	0.94%	4.67%	-4.15%	5.13%	5.06%
WFMI	46.93	-0.02	-0.04%	-2.51%	-4.61%	-3.83%	-39.13%	-21.03%	-27.04%	-40.02%

Guinness from DEO was a popular wine or beer exchange gift in our family at Christmas. I got a nice Greg Norman Estates 2003 Limestone Coast Cabernet/Merlot, which tastes better than his Maxfli, and my wife told me her New Zealand Mother Clucker Chardonnay was also quite pleasant. Neither are made by Diageo, but I thought I'd tell you anyway.

WMT had a good week; could even be turning around the media. Who knows? For those flamers who screamed at me for suggesting the Wal-Mart management and purchasing/delivery system is excellent (a Cara 100), I'm happy to see that in a national survey in Canada of Best Companies to Work For, Wal-Mart ranked pretty high. No company is perfect " unless it's your own (haha) " and Wal-Mart could do a whole lot better, but I for one have talked to the staff, and asked them about their jobs yada yada (just like an auditor), and trust me, I came away impressed. The place is nothing like certain vested interests make them out to be, as I see it.

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Sector 35 (healthcare: IYH, XLV, VHT, IXJ, and IBB)

The IYH healthcare ETF gained 21 cents this week to close Friday at 66.41.

Here's the IYH Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

IYH Monthly data:

IYH Weekly data:

IYH Daily data:

IYH Hourly data:

Table 7: Senior healthcare equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
GSK	52.76	0.22	0.42%	1.19%	0.00%	-0.70%	3.53%	-0.88%	-4.00%	3.65%
BMY	26.32	0.01	0.04%	1.04%	2.85%	6.00%	13.25%	5.62%	2.41%	13.79%
DNA	81.13	0.02	0.02%	0.82%	-0.28%	-0.76%	-13.69%	-1.90%	1.25%	-11.87%
BMET	41.27	0.04	0.10%	0.51%	-1.34%	9.15%	11.90%	28.21%	29.45%	12.67%
JNJ	66.02	-0.40	-0.60%	0.03%	-0.35%	0.17%	7.12%	1.66%	10.24%	9.58%
UNH	53.73	0.07	0.13%	-0.37%	8.11%	9.47%	-12.96%	9.21%	19.37%	-14.58%
PFE	25.90	-0.17	-0.65%	-0.65%	1.33%	-5.78%	8.92%	-8.67%	11.45%	10.45%
NVS	57.44	-0.29	-0.50%	-0.73%	-2.06%	-1.66%	7.42%	-1.71%	7.55%	9.18%
AET	43.18	-0.25	-0.58%	-0.74%	1.36%	4.53%	-8.19%	9.18%	10.04%	-9.76%
AMGN	68.31	-0.23	-0.34%	-1.27%	-2.48%	-3.79%	-15.00%	-4.50%	4.93%	-13.55%

(Cara 100) GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) had a good week. Since my healthcare list is getting pretty small, maybe I ought to be looking deeper. I see that analysts from Baird and Thomas Weisel mentioned a couple of them this week.

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Sector 40 (financial: IYG, IYF, XLF, VFH, IXG, VNQ, RWR, IYR, and ICF)

The Financials ETF (XLF) gained 19 cents this week to close at 36.74, but the loss on Friday (-0.62 pct) hurt the week.

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Here's the XLF Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLF Monthly data:

XLF Weekly data:

XLF Daily data:

XLF Hourly data:

Table 8: Senior financial company equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
CSR	59.15	-0.11	-0.19%	2.76%	6.25%	7.66%	10.87%	15.73%	-1.00%	40.13%
MER	93.10	-0.46	-0.49%	2.30%	2.71%	6.49%	35.99%	19.02%	32.85%	37.01%
C	55.70	-0.18	-0.32%	1.72%	4.88%	12.32%	13.00%	12.14%	14.00%	14.66%
LEH	78.12	0.12	0.15%	1.05%	2.68%	6.04%	20.30%	5.77%	20.97%	22.10%
MS	81.43	-0.16	-0.20%	0.79%	2.30%	6.92%	39.32%	11.69%	30.20%	0.00%
HBC	91.65	-0.16	-0.17%	0.75%	0.37%	-1.45%	12.21%	0.13%	4.68%	13.75%
GS	199.35	-1.45	-0.72%	0.63%	-0.39%	2.34%	54.69%	17.84%	30.98%	55.72%
UBS	60.33	-0.09	-0.15%	0.40%	-2.39%	0.18%	22.25%	1.72%	11.33%	25.84%
DB	133.24	-0.76	-0.57%	-0.10%	0.28%	3.00%	33.96%	10.39%	20.36%	36.70%
JPM	48.30	-0.62	-1.27%	-0.72%	0.73%	4.36%	20.18%	2.85%	13.17%	21.17%

Citigroup and UBS are cleaning up in China and India with superb results in their investment banking operations.

Citi is also winning the U.S. fixed-income battles.

Several months ago, I had some detractors when I opined that Citi was coming on strong. UBS, of course, is always a powerhouse.

Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch stocks had a good week.

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Sector 45 (technology: IGM, IGV, IGW, XLK, VGT, IYW, IGN, IXN, MTK and SMH)

The semi-conductor ETF (SMH) had a solid week, gaining 41 cents to close Friday at 33.70.

That was good for #1 out of 10 sector ETF's.

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Here's the SMH Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

SMH Monthly data:

SMH Weekly data:

SMH Daily data:

SMH Hourly data:

Table 9: Senior technology equities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
INFY	54.56	-0.35	-0.64%	1.94%	-1.16%	1.92%	35.65%	14.31%	45.53%	35.86%
SNDK	43.03	0.54	1.27%	1.37%	0.87%	-3.09%	-36.44%	-19.63%	-17.83%	-31.34%
SAP	53.10	-0.02	-0.04%	0.91%	3.29%	1.69%	15.56%	7.27%	1.47%	16.60%
ADSK	40.51	-0.03	-0.07%	0.30%	-2.01%	-1.63%	-5.24%	16.47%	17.52%	-8.45%
ORCL	17.14	-0.06	-0.35%	0.23%	-4.88%	-9.93%	36.03%	-3.38%	16.28%	39.46%
CSCO	27.33	-0.09	-0.33%	0.15%	0.04%	1.67%	56.62%	18.83%	37.27%	58.53%
CTSH	77.06	-0.81	-1.04%	-0.50%	-4.46%	-5.52%	52.02%	4.09%	14.32%	51.93%
INTC	20.25	-0.17	-0.83%	-0.59%	-2.46%	-5.15%	-20.81%	-1.65%	4.81%	-19.23%
ADBE	41.10	-0.43	-1.04%	-0.63%	0.83%	2.42%	6.70%	9.75%	35.20%	11.32%
QCOM	37.79	0.11	0.29%	-1.97%	-4.16%	3.28%	-14.11%	3.96%	-6.78%	-13.21%

SanDisk rallied on Friday. From mid-morning through the lunch hour, SNDK jumped up about +1.5 pct. Don't ask me why. This stock seems to like $1 moves (that's about +/- 2 pct) from nowhere. It's a great day trader.

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Sector 50 (telecom: IYZ, VOX and IXP)

The U.S. telco sector ETF (IYZ) gained 57 cents (+2.0 pct W/W) to close at 29.65.

AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) were smoking. When does the candle dim?

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Here's the IYZ Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

IYZ Monthly data:

IYZ Weekly data:

IYZ Daily data:

IYZ Hourly data:

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Sector 55 (utilities: IDU, XLU, and VPU)

The Utilities ETF (XLU) were up 15 cents to close at 36.72.

The 4Q06 has had an amazing run to the upside, which I do not believe is sustainable unless the U.S. economy kicks back into high gear.

I think excess money is driving the prices of the utilities higher, just like the telco services sector. I don't see a significant improvement in the operating or financial summary metrics to warrant such high market prices.

But I have been saying that for some time!

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Here's the XLU Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

XLU Monthly data:

XLU Weekly data:

XLU Daily data:

XLU Hourly data:

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Bond & Interest Rate Review

This was another tough week for U.S. Treasury bonds as the yields lifted by +10basis points (bp) on the 30-year, and +12 bp and +14 bp on the 10-year and 5-year Notes. The T-Bill yield rallied +6.5 bp from 482 to 488.5, so you might say the curve inverted a little less.

The weekly price charts quite clearly show the destruction to the bond market in December.

The news that central banks like United Arab Emirates are switching out of Dollar holdings into Euro might be having an impact. The more foreign central banks that do this, the worse off will be the USD. That will force the Fed to raise rates just to attract capital back to America.

Somebody has to pay the bills you know.

And with the truckers and home builders and auto manufacturers and retailers and (on and on) telling us that the economy is on A SLIPPERY SLOPE, then you have to figure that the Treasury tax income is not going to be so hot.

Maybe it's time to put on the squeeze play and drive share prices down, and cause traders to realize their gains, ie, run up their taxable gains? Do you think?

Somebody, I say, has to pay those bills.

Another factor, of course, is the year end distributions, which are knocking the prices down, so be careful not to overlook that when you see the prices rally in the first couple days of 2007.

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Interest rates and bond yields.

Weekly data charts:

Interactive Daily data charts:

Interactive Hourly data charts:

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US Treasury Bonds

Maturity	Yield	Yesterday	Last Week	Last Month
3 Month	4.82	4.79	4.79	4.93
6 Month	4.87	4.87	4.84	4.93
2 Year	4.71	4.71	4.60	4.76
3 Year	4.61	4.61	4.49	4.66
5 Year	4.56	4.55	4.44	4.59
10 Year	4.59	4.58	4.48	4.60
30 Year	4.72	4.70	4.60	4.68

Municipal Bonds

Maturity	Yield	Yesterday	Last Week	Last Month
2yr AA	3.53	3.52	3.52	3.53
2yr AAA	3.52	3.50	3.50	3.52
2yr A	3.50	3.51	3.51	3.50
5yr AAA	3.57	3.55	3.54	3.56
5yr AA	3.58	3.57	3.56	3.56
5yr A	3.61	3.61	3.60	3.60
10yr AAA	3.67	3.67	3.72	3.67
10yr AA	3.66	3.64	3.74	3.64
10yr A	3.79	3.79	3.85	3.67
20yr AAA	4.09	4.09	4.18	4.07
20yr AA	4.07	4.06	4.08	4.09
20yr A	4.08	4.08	4.08	4.09

Corporate Bonds

Maturity	Yield	Yesterday	Last Week	Last Month
2yr AA	5.03	5.03	4.94	5.10
2yr A	5.13	5.13	5.02	5.15
5yr AAA	5.08	5.12	5.02	5.19
5yr AA	5.08	5.07	4.97	5.15
5yr A	5.17	5.17	5.05	5.21
10yr AAA	5.42	5.50	5.39	5.58
10yr AA	5.35	5.34	5.26	5.36
10yr A	5.41	5.38	5.28	5.42
20yr AAA	5.77	5.75	5.71	5.81
20yr AA	6.02	6.01	5.95	5.99
20yr A	5.91	5.89	5.79	5.87

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Interactive Chart of Interest rates and bond yields.

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The TLT certainly got whacked this week. Wednesday and Thursday after the open was a bad time to be long the TLT. It dropped about -2 pct in the span of what, 7 trading hours over two sessions? Did you see how gold moved at that point!

US Bond Funds -- Interactive Monthly Data Charts

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SHY Monthly data series chart:

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IEF Monthly data series chart:

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TLT Monthly data series chart:

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AGG Monthly data series chart:

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LQD Monthly data series chart:

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TIP Monthly data series chart:

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Notes:

1. The Lehman Brothers US Aggregate Index covers the total fixed-rate, nonconvertible US investment-grade bond market, excluding municipals. It is market-cap weighted and includes over 6,500 issues. The Treasury components of this index are broken down into several sub-indexes including the 1-3 Year Treasury, 7-10 Year Treasury and 20+ Year Treasury Indexes.

2. The Lehman Brothers US Treasury Inflation Notes Index is not included in the Aggregate Index. The indexes rebalance monthly to help maintain maturity range targets.

3. The data used in these inserts is as of Sept 30.

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US Bond Funds -- Interactive Weekly Data Charts

SHY Weekly data series chart:

IEF Weekly data series chart:

TLT Weekly data series chart:

AGG Weekly data series chart:

LQD Weekly data series chart:

TIP Weekly data series chart:

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US Bond Funds -- Interactive Daily Data Charts

SHY Daily data series chart:

IEF Daily data series chart:

TLT Daily data series chart:

AGG Daily data series chart:

LQD Daily data series chart:

TIP Daily data series chart:

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US Bond Funds -- Interactive Hourly Data Charts

SHY Hourly data series chart:

IEF Hourly data series chart:

TLT Hourly data series chart:

AGG Hourly data series chart:

LQD Hourly data series chart:

TIP Hourly data series chart:

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Table 11: Interest-sensitive securities

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance.

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
CFC	42.45	-0.40	-0.93%	3.28%	3.49%	6.87%	21.42%	21.15%	11.51%	24.63%
SHY	79.96	0.02	0.03%	-0.40%	-0.22%	-0.60%	-0.45%	-0.47%	0.43%	-0.35%
FRE	67.90	-0.47	-0.69%	-0.70%	-1.52%	1.10%	3.98%	2.37%	18.91%	4.14%
AGG	99.70	-0.01	-0.01%	-0.89%	-0.63%	-1.36%	-0.93%	-0.46%	2.31%	-0.77%
TIP	98.80	0.00	0.00%	-0.96%	-1.55%	-2.30%	-4.11%	-2.32%	-0.24%	-3.94%
IEF	82.44	-0.04	-0.05%	-1.20%	-0.78%	-1.92%	-1.74%	-0.77%	2.96%	-1.72%
FNM	59.39	-0.71	-1.18%	-1.61%	-1.38%	4.14%	21.85%	6.22%	23.06%	23.78%
TLT	88.43	-0.03	-0.03%	-1.83%	-1.39%	-3.39%	-3.65%	-1.07%	5.80%	-3.96%

Countrywide Financial (CFC) must have seen something under the Christmas trees of enough home buyers because the stock realy rocketed north on Tuesday through Thursday.

Consumer Finance -USA -- Interactive Weekly Data Charts

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Consumer Finance -USA -- Interactive Daily Data Charts

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Consumer Finance -USA -- Interactive Hourly Data Charts

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Commodities Review

The $CRB index dropped -0.52 pct W/W to close at 307.26, which is a loss of -1.60 only.

The index is now below the 50-day Moving Average (310.72), and well below the more important 200-d MA (328.94).

A couple weeks ago I noted, "As long as the current price is below the 200d MA, I think the Fed will not tighten " they'll just use their bully pulpit to talk you into worrying about inflation."

That bully pulpit is the biggest problem a trader faces today. As one part of the Administration, the Fed, tells us that inflation is a major concern, they and another part of the Administration, the Treasury, are causing that inflation by printing money. We The People are not the ones causing inflation.

At times we do; but not this present time.

In any case, with the $CRB below the 200-d MA, there are calls for a loosening of monetary policy. The problem is that money is presently being printed at the fastest rate in our history, and all that a tighter credit policy will accomplish is to cut the general public's access to that capital, while leaving it available to the closest friends of the Administration and investment banks.

This week the $CRB index lost a bit because of falling Crude Oil prices. That may continue to happen as supply outstrips demand, as the U.S. economy heads toward recession.

Interactive Chart of Weekly CRB Commodities Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily CRB Commodities Index:

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Oil:

$WTIC had a loss of -$1.36/bbl (-2.2 pct W/W) to close at 61.05. That is a two week loss of $3.04/bbl (-4.8 pct).

With the $WTIC a week ago at 62.41, I wrote: "The new 50-Day Moving Average is 60.84, while the 200-Day MA is 67.52. It appears the current price will soon test the support at 60.84." So, how close is Friday's close of 61.05, with an intra-week low of 59.90?.

The 50-Day Moving Average is now 60.86, while the 200-Day MA is 67.44.

Interactive Chart of Weekly Crude Oil:

Interactive Chart of Daily Crude Oil:

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Gold:

$GOLD lifted a lot (15.70 or +2.52 pct W/W) to $638.00. The 50d MA is at 625.84 and the more important 200d MA is at 619.33, which now represent technical support levels.

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Interactive Chart of Weekly Gold EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Gold EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of recent trading for the Gold Bullion index.

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$SILVER had a good week, gaining +$0.30 (+2.37 pct W/W) to close at $12.94.

The 50-day MA $SILVER is now 13.00 and the 200-day MA is 12.15, so the current price (12.94) is still slightly below the 50-day MA.

Interactive 60-minute data

Interactive Chart of Weekly Silver EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Silver EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Silver Bullion index.

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$PLAT gained +$14.90 (+1.32 pct W/W) to 1142.70.

The 50-Day MA for $PLAT is now 1140.35 and the 200-Day MA is 1173.59, so the current price (1142.70), is now just a bit above the 50-day MA, but still below the more important 200-day MA.

Interactive Chart of Weekly Platinum EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Platinum EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Platinum metal index.

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$PALL had a big week, gaining +12.59 (+3.86 pct W/W) to close Friday at 338.55.

The 50-day and 200-day Moving Averages for $PALL are 329.35 and 334.37 respectively, so $PALL (338.55) is now ABOVE both the 50-day MA and 200-day MA.

Interactive Chart of Weekly Palladium EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Palladium EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Palladium metal index.

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A week ago, $COPPER plunged -16.25 on the 2,000 lb contracts (-5.39 pct W/W) to close at 285.40. These contracts had dropped -$31.80 in three weeks.

This week, $COPPER eked out a gain of +1.70 (+0.60 pct W/W) to close at 287.10.

The 50-day MA is 316.63, and the 200-Day MA is 327.45, so, in spite of a small gain this week, $COPPER (287.10) is still technically quite bearish.

Early in the month I pointed out: "Point & Figure charts have been indicating a bearish objective at $268.00, after a Dec 6 chart breakdown occurred. From a Dow Theory perspective, there has been a series of lower highs and lower lows in the copper price cycle for six months."

Yes, the writing has been on the wall. I don't see $COPPER returning to a bullish trend ie, above the 200-d MA until the U.S. economy (housing and durables manufacturing) gets healthy again.

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Interactive Chart of Weekly Copper EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily Copper EOD Continuous Contract Index:

Interactive chart of the Copper metal index.

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Table 12: Senior gold equities

This week, the group had many winners, which reflects the increase of 18.90 in $GOLD over two weeks. Prices were mixed on Friday though, as the $USD gained some strength. Yamana Gold and Goldcorp had solid moves.

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
AUY	13.18	0.06	0.46%	7.33%	3.70%	2.65%	84.34%	42.49%	38.88%	96.13%
GG	28.44	-0.19	-0.66%	5.49%	-1.56%	-8.76%	17.52%	20.51%	-3.36%	26.01%
BVN	28.06	0.15	0.54%	4.86%	1.93%	-1.68%	-5.07%	3.93%	6.37%	-3.27%
KGC	11.88	-0.11	-0.92%	3.30%	-1.90%	-5.19%	20.12%	-5.11%	15.00%	26.65%
AEM	41.24	-0.47	-1.13%	3.28%	-2.27%	-6.12%	87.11%	32.48%	29.52%	108.60%
MDG	27.79	0.02	0.07%	3.19%	-4.14%	-9.77%	15.98%	11.79%	-11.72%	26.55%
GFI	18.88	-0.05	-0.26%	2.55%	3.45%	-1.31%	-2.02%	5.83%	-16.09%	6.13%
ABX	30.70	-0.27	-0.87%	2.30%	-0.45%	-2.35%	6.52%	-0.07%	4.85%	8.48%
LIHRY	40.75	0.34	0.84%	0.02%	-10.54%	-7.20%	17.50%	0.59%	-13.85%	70.64%
NEM	45.15	-0.32	-0.70%	-0.04%	-5.09%	-3.75%	-20.98%	5.61%	-13.49%	-15.91%

To watch the moves in precious metal miners, you will have to monitor the individual stock charts, preferably in real-time, as follows:

NEM ABX AU GFI GG HMY AUY KGC BVN
Interactive 15-minute data
Interactive 60-minute data
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data

MDG LIHRY AEM BGO IAG EGO PAAS GOLD CDE GRS
Interactive 15-minute data
Interactive 60-minute data
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data

CBJ SSRI RGLD SIL NG KRY HL TSE_HRG TSE_GUY TSE_AGI
Interactive 15-minute data
Interactive 60-minute data
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data

NXG GSS MNG DROOY MFN RNO RANGY MRB CLG GRZ
Interactive 15-minute data
Interactive 60-minute data
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data

Here are the key Silver miners and the SLV ETF:

SLV SIL CDE HL PAAS SSRI SLW MGN

Interactive 15-minute data
Interactive 60-minute data
Interactive Daily data
Interactive Weekly data

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The goldminer indexes and ETF's all gained this week. Last week, these indexes got "creamed" as $XAU, GDX and (TSE's) XGD were down on the week -3.11 pct, -2.86 pct, and -2.55 pct respectively for a string of three bad weeks.

This week, however, $XAU, GDX and (TSE's) XGD were up +2.71 pct, +3.10 pct, and +3.93 pct respectively.

The $XAU index, currently at 142.25, is now above both the 50d-MA (139.63) and 200d-MA (140.05). That's bullish.

Here are the Weekly and Daily Data charts of the indexes:

Weekly U.S. Goldminers Index:

Interactive Chart of Weekly U.S. Goldminers Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily U.S. Goldminers Index:

The U.S. goldminer share trust ETF trades under the ticker symbol GDX.

Here are the U.S. Goldminer ETF (GDX) index Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

GDX Weekly data:

GDX Daily data:

GDX Hourly data:

The Toronto Exchange-listed goldminer iUnits S&P/TSX Capped Gold Index ETF trades under the ticker symbol TSE:XGD.

Here are the Weekly and Daily data charts for the TSX Goldshares (XGD) index:

Interactive Chart of XGD Weekly data:

Interactive Chart of XGD Daily data:

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Forex Review

The $USD closed at 83.67, a small loss of -0.13 (-0.16 pct W/W).

This may be repetitive, but as a Dollar Bear, I believe:

(i) the U.S. economy is presently weakening faster than Europe, Japan, BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China), and Southeast Asia, which happen to total more than half the world's population,

(ii) U.S. consumers that are increasingly falling below the poverty line, hence more likely to buy less expensive foreign made goods, which is having an increasing burden on the U.S. economy,

(iii) long-term investment capital is rapidly flowing from the U.S. into BRIC, which is the reason for relatively faster economic growth there in the past, present and future,

(iv) the Muslim world is flowing its long-term investment capital into UAE and Dubai in particular,

(v) global commodities, like oil and iron ore, are increasingly being transacted not in USD, causing a general shift out of USD, and

(vi) a health and social cost burden of the U.S. that threatens to overwhelm the economy with money demands, requiring in future an enormous printing of money that if it doesn't happen will lead to civil strife.

Money is currently being printed at an excessive rate in the U.S., but for the wrong reasons. Money growth needs to create wealth faster, otherwise the economy has problems.

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The following data requires your attention M3 update as of 12/29/2006. Please do not gloss over the information it contains.

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I have opined in many blogs that the pressures on the $USD will not abate until the U.S. Administration decides to direct the resources of its military-industrial complex inward for matters like homeland security, renewable energy, space science, education of its own citizens, highways, bridges, ports, Internet, and so forth.

In this respect, the U.S. Administration has been abrogating its responsibility to its citizens in favor of imperialist policy, which is borne out by increasing dissatisfaction in the political polls, and the result of the November elections.

This week, there are rumblings that the U.S. armed forces intends to increase, not decrease, its troop strength in Iraq, apparently by about +20 pct. If true, and taxes are not raised to pay these added costs, then the $USD trend will fall at a faster rate, and inflation in the U.S. will worsen, I believe.

The $USD 50-Day MA is 84.49, and the 200-Day MA is 85.79, so the current price (83.67) is technically bearish.

To reiterate, I believe there is a small measure of technical support at 82.35, and more in the 80-81 range. Should there be a $USD breakdown into the 70's in the next six months, there would be upward pressure on gold, taking it into new cycle highs, eg, the 750 level or probably much higher.

I expect to see that, after the U.S. Congress returns following the holidays, the Democrats will begin to address social, healthcare and infrastructure issues facing the nation. If there are no new taxes levied, and if there are more resources poured into Iraq and Afghanistan, then I see the $USD breaking down in the 1H07.

Let no one believe that, just because stock prices are at record levels, there is a healthy economic situation in the U.S.

To the contrary; stock prices are being inflated by excessive money printing, which is going to the banking system, and from there into stocks and bonds, at an approximate 15 times multiplier based on fractional reserve rates. The more the Fed intervenes like this in so-called free markets, the more the $USD will fall.

Interactive Chart of Weekly U.S. Dollar Index:

Interactive Chart of Daily U.S. U.S. Dollar Index:

---

The Euro (priced in USD) gained on the week +0.57 pct W/W, closing at 131.92. The test of 130, which had been expected, is now complete. As indicated in earlier WIR's, the Euro is going to test technical resistance at 132.18, which is the prior Daily price data cycle high (see stockcharts.com chart).

The British Pound was quiet, gaining +0.02 pct W/W to close at 195.70.

The JPY had another losing week, which at 15 session days and counting has dropped the Yen to 83.99. The decline in the Yen is really helping the Japanese exporters and auto makers like Toyota (TM).

I don't think the falling Yen or the rising Toyota share price is sustainable, at least nowhere near this rate.

The CAD dropped -0.60 pct W/W to close down at 85.81.

The CAD has been dropping mostly because the U.S.-sensitive economy has suddenly hit the wall, close to recession numbers, because of the earlier run-up well past 90, which, along with econ problems in the U.S., damaged inbound tourism and export manufacturing, especially in Ontario. Let other nations watch closely because they will be next.

Interactive Chart of Weekly Euro Dollar Index, priced in USD:

Interactive Chart of Daily Euro Dollar Index, priced in USD:

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Weekly British Pound Index:

Daily British Pound Index:

---

Weekly Japanese Yen Index:

Daily Japanese Yen Index:

---

Weekly Canadian Dollar Index:

Daily Canadian Dollar Index:

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International Equities Review

This week, the Templeton Russia Fund (TRF), which a week ago was up +9.9 pct, was down -3.8 pct. As a reader reminded me, the TRF drop is also due to a large year end distribution (ex-div 12/27).

The NYSE-listed closed end FXI fund for China jumped +8.7 pct W/W after being up +2.4 pct a week ago.

These extreme moves on the upside, particularly in the China market, are unlikely to continue should there be any central bank tightening, either in Beijing or Washington. I believe that if there are moves higher in the BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China) like seen in 4Q06, then Gold will soar because these moves are mostly due to credit expansion.

Asia-Pacific indices (Interactive link)
European indices (Interactive link)

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Table 13: International equities perspective

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
FXI	111.45	-0.95	-0.85%	8.70%	11.01%	17.01%	76.93%	37.00%	44.37%	78.95%
EWZ	46.85	0.09	0.19%	3.33%	1.17%	5.61%	34.51%	21.78%	21.37%	39.93%
EWU	23.41	-0.18	-0.76%	1.04%	-3.50%	-0.59%	22.18%	6.94%	12.17%	25.52%
EWJ	14.21	0.02	0.14%	0.92%	0.42%	2.90%	1.86%	4.95%	5.03%	4.41%
IEV	104.97	0.10	0.10%	0.86%	-1.55%	0.98%	25.76%	8.68%	16.19%	29.26%
EWC	25.32	-0.08	-0.31%	0.84%	-2.54%	-1.75%	12.78%	5.50%	7.52%	15.20%
SPY	141.62	-0.59	-0.41%	0.00%	-1.05%	0.78%	11.78%	6.02%	11.28%	13.12%
IFN	45.90	-0.25	-0.54%	-0.11%	-2.69%	-2.86%	11.22%	3.96%	-3.81%	14.75%
QQQQ	43.16	0.04	0.09%	-0.51%	-2.73%	-2.00%	4.48%	6.17%	10.78%	5.99%
TRF	87.30	0.08	0.09%	-3.82%	8.25%	13.08%	61.67%	28.55%	27.82%	59.74%

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Japanese equity market ETF: EWJ

Japan's EWJ (which is a USD-denominated NYSE-traded ETF) gained +0.57 W/W to 14.21.

Here is the Japanese (EWJ) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

Interactive EWJ Monthly data:

Interactive EWJ Weekly data:

Interactive EWJ Daily data:

Interactive EWJ Hourly data:

---

U.K. equity market ETF: EWU

EWU (priced in USD) had a sharp gain of +1.25 pct W/W to close Friday at 23.41.

For all the ETF's, you can go to the Yahoo Finance site to look into the highest weighted component issues to see the stocks and sectors that moved the worst.

Here is the United Kingdom (EWU) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

Interactive EWU Monthly data:

Interactive EWU Weekly data:

Interactive EWU Daily data:

EWU Daily data:

Interactive EWU Hourly data:

---

Canadian equity market ETF: EWC

The EWC of Canada gained +1.16 pct to close at 25.32.

Here is the Canadian (EWC) equity market ETF Monthly, Weekly, Daily and Hourly data charts:

Interactive EWC Monthly data:

Interactive EWC Weekly data:

Interactive EWC Daily data:

Interactive EWC Hourly data:

(Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore)

(U.K., Germany, France, Italy)

(Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia).

---

U.S. Equities Review

All the broad market indexes in the U.S. were up on very light trading this week, although as I pointed out there is ongoing distribution as seen by upside volume that is less than 50 pct of the total trading volume.

The S&P500, DJIA, NASDAQ Composite, and Russell 2000 small cap index were up +0.53 pct, +0.97 pct, +0.59 pct and +0.88 pct respectively. On Friday, there were losses of about this magnitude, particularly as traders sold off positions in the final quarter hour.

A week ago, I wrote: "The losses on Friday were mostly due to pro day traders clearing their net long positions in the final ten minutes of the day as the following chart shows. These same traders will likely hop right back into those stocks after the holiday."

Then I showed the end of the day trading on Friday the 22nd:

That happened as you can see by the opening minutes of the next day for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, trading on the 26th:

I expect that precisely the same strong open will happen to start the New Year because of the end of the day trading this past Friday.

But, the start of 2007 is a critical time. Traders have to be watching for a break-down right after a strong open. Of course, what I refer to is the free market at work and what we have, courtesy of the interventionist Fed is a pimped market.

Yes, pimped as in brothel.

Speaking for the private sector, I continue to believe that: "Big money is sending sell orders into the market. The timing for when the plug (ie, the supporting bids) gets pulled is pretty soon."

The Cara mantra: Remember, we trade prices. Watch the tape. Watch the technical support.

---

Here is the Monthly data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.

Here is the Weekly data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.

Here is the Daily data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.

Here is the Hourly data chart of the Interactive Chart of Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow30, and Russell 2000 (small cap) indexes.

Table 14: Dow 30 List

Sorted by 1-Week Price Performance

Symbol	Close	1Day Change	1Day %Change	1W %Change	2W %Change	4W %Change	YTD %Change	3M %Change	6M %Change	12M %Change
GM	30.72	0.10	0.33%	3.96%	3.19%	5.10%	62.54%	-7.64%	11.95%	61.60%
HD	40.16	0.43	1.08%	3.21%	0.48%	5.77%	-2.62%	10.73%	10.15%	-1.42%
AA	30.01	-0.01	-0.03%	2.42%	-2.44%	-3.72%	0.37%	7.03%	-5.92%	1.21%
C	55.70	-0.18	-0.32%	1.72%	4.88%	12.32%	13.00%	12.14%	14.00%	14.66%
T	35.75	0.25	0.70%	1.65%	0.25%	5.43%	44.68%	9.80%	29.06%	45.21%
VZ	37.24	-0.08	-0.21%	1.53%	3.19%	6.58%	22.58%	0.30%	11.83%	23.03%
IBM	97.15	0.18	0.19%	1.29%	1.88%	5.69%	18.39%	18.56%	25.21%	17.90%
HON	45.24	-0.22	-0.48%	1.07%	5.97%	5.26%	20.77%	10.61%	13.21%	20.35%
MCD	44.33	-0.03	-0.07%	1.05%	1.46%	5.62%	32.25%	13.32%	32.09%	29.85%
WMT	46.18	0.17	0.37%	1.03%	-0.73%	0.17%	-0.11%	-6.37%	-5.19%	-2.74%
XOM	76.63	-0.70	-0.91%	1.00%	-2.67%	-0.23%	31.06%	14.20%	22.86%	36.26%
HPQ	41.19	-0.17	-0.41%	0.96%	3.21%	4.38%	43.17%	12.26%	28.60%	43.32%
CAT	61.33	0.02	0.03%	0.86%	-1.27%	-1.13%	6.11%	-6.79%	-17.57%	5.49%
MRK	43.60	0.05	0.11%	0.76%	0.00%	-2.04%	33.13%	4.06%	21.48%	34.78%
PG	64.27	-0.21	-0.33%	0.34%	1.45%	2.36%	9.34%	3.69%	12.77%	10.01%
MO	85.82	-0.41	-0.48%	0.12%	1.00%	1.91%	14.46%	12.11%	16.15%	14.27%
JNJ	66.02	-0.40	-0.60%	0.03%	-0.35%	0.17%	7.12%	1.66%	10.24%	9.58%
AXP	60.67	-0.47	-0.77%	-0.31%	-1.99%	3.32%	15.39%	8.18%	12.58%	18.70%
UTX	62.52	-0.29	-0.46%	-0.38%	0.74%	-3.11%	10.60%	-1.31%	-1.22%	10.99%
MSFT	29.86	-0.12	-0.40%	-0.40%	-0.70%	1.81%	11.25%	9.26%	27.23%	13.67%
AIG	71.66	-0.22	-0.31%	-0.40%	-0.51%	1.91%	2.93%	8.15%	20.90%	3.70%
DD	48.71	-0.32	-0.65%	-0.55%	0.64%	3.79%	13.12%	13.70%	17.29%	13.23%
INTC	20.25	-0.17	-0.83%	-0.59%	-2.46%	-5.15%	-20.81%	-1.65%	4.81%	-19.23%
PFE	25.90	-0.17	-0.65%	-0.65%	1.33%	-5.78%	8.92%	-8.67%	11.45%	10.45%
JPM	48.30	-0.62	-1.27%	-0.72%	0.73%	4.36%	20.18%	2.85%	13.17%	21.17%
DIS	34.27	-0.25	-0.72%	-0.78%	-1.30%	3.69%	40.45%	10.87%	14.69%	41.79%
KO	48.25	-0.29	-0.60%	-0.84%	-1.53%	3.03%	17.97%	7.99%	12.05%	18.84%
MMM	77.93	-0.23	-0.29%	-1.12%	-1.07%	-4.33%	-1.49%	4.72%	-3.97%	-0.46%
BA	88.84	-0.16	-0.18%	-1.22%	-1.21%	0.35%	26.30%	12.67%	7.04%	24.81%
GE	37.21	-0.27	-0.72%	-1.48%	2.76%	5.47%	5.20%	5.41%	11.84%	5.74%

You can do this table yourself by entering the following string into the Summaries window at www.investertech.com and then clicking on the link for Performance.

AA AIG AXP BA C CAT DD DIS GE GM HD HON HPQ IBM INTC JNJ JPM KO MCD MMM MO MRK MSFT PFE PG T UTX VZ WMT XOM

Here are the links to interactive Dow charts from Investertech.com that I broke into groups of ten, which you can add technical indicators for as well. (list one) (list two) (list three)

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Dow 30 comments:

Earlier today, I reviewed the Value Line reports of AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ). There is a big difference between these two companies that I'm not so sure readers would pick up by reading the two separate analyst reports.

Comparatively speaking, although it has a superb Return on Shareholder Equity of +17.0 pct in 2006 and a dividend yield of +4.4 pct, Verizon is a dog. Comparatively, I said.

(VZ: Value Line Report Dec. 29)

Full-year earnings per share of VZ for this year (3Q actual) and next year (VL estimate) as well as the past three years (actual) is: $2.62, $2.59, $2.56, $2.55 and $2.55, starting with 2003. In the past five years, revenue and cash flow have increased at an annual rate of just +3.0 pct and +1.5 pct respectively, and earnings as you can see have dropped -2.0 pct. This is not spectacular operating performance.

Furthermore, the balance sheet changes from Dec-30/04 until Sep 30/06 also look like a dog's breakfast. Current assets have grown modestly +$2.1 billion (+10.8 pct) while current liabilities have skyrocketed +$12.2 billion (+52.7 pct).

Sure the company has been reducing debt and raising cash by selling off assets, but those assets represent lost earnings power.

The plain vanilla truth here is that the wireless and broadband business is being set up for the future, but the company is not in the best shape today, and the current stock price discounts a lot of that rosy future. So, all in all, I'm not impressed.

I'm thinking that the recent run-up through December is not sustainable and that the recent October high of $38.95 will not be beaten. If I have to continue holding it as a core position in a client portfolio, then after the weekend, I would expect (due to the sling-shot effect caused by the late Friday market pull-back) higher price that when they appear to peak during the day to write covered calls with a $40 strike. At the least I'd like to earn some options premium to reduce my cost base. Hopefully I' have the stock taken away from me at $40, so I could get back to AT&T because that one, comparatively speaking, is the superior play.

As for AT&T, full-year earnings per share of T for this year (3Q actual) and next year (VL estimate) as well as the past three years (actual) is: $1.52, $1.47, $1.72, $2.33 and $2.55, starting with 2003. Note the improvement after AT&T canned ex-CEO Michael Armstrong " you know the guy who was a frequent guest on the financial talk shows " and got down to business. In the past five years, revenue, earnings and cash flow have increased at a much faster annual rate than Verizon, after you factor out the sell-off of assets like Bell Labs, which became Lucent, which in turn grew into Alcatel-Lucent, which is now a better tasting dog's breakfast. :-)

(T: Value Line Report Dec. 29)

AT&T, which had the post Bell split-up long distance business, now also comprises the old Southwest Bell, PacTel and Ameritech, and has this month been approved to assimilate the Bell South company (an $82 billion deal), making it a giant once again.

Even without Bell South, the balance sheet changes from Dec-30/04 until Sep 30/06 are superior to Verizon's. Current assets have grown +$5.0 billion (+58.2 pct) while current liabilities also have increased +$5.0 billion, but the increase is only +26.3 pct.

Value Line likes T and (since June 30) has ranked it a "1" for Timeliness. Considering how far T has come since June 30, I'd wait for the pull-back. A six-month Total Return of +33.5 pct is more than anyone should expect from the original Ma Bell. The TR, btw, is a price gain of $8.47 on top of the June 30 base of $27.28 plus the two subsequent quarterly dividends of $0.333 per share.

I'm very cautious here with T because of the run-up. My same advice for VZ applies to T. And, judging by the extreme RSI's for T, maybe more so.

Some of you, I know, have been with me since the original Trader Wizard in 2004 when I used to write up a weekly E-zine Buy or Sell recommendation on mostly Dow 30 stocks, so just for fun, let's review what I had to say about AT&T back on October 14, 2004.

And some of you actually doubted I was the Trader Wizard??? Just see the two-year Total Return on that recommendation.

Now here, for those who doubt me, is the coup de grâce. Take a read of my Sep 5 2004 E-zine recommendation for Verizon.

Man, with a hedge fund, shorting VZ against a long position in T, I might even be up there in performance like the Cramer Trust. (LOL).

Actually, I had my share of losers, so don't look too close. Hahaha.

After looking this material over, I'll have to call Aaron to see if I can get the Trader Wizard gig going again in 2007, now that I have made a decision to go part commercial (banner ads and some premium subscriber reports). Aaron, my former webhost had stuck all that commercial stuff on the site, which I avoided by switching to BillCara.com, which is 100-pct under my control, unlike TW.

No promises, but I'll see what I can do.

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Alcoa [GICS 15, Dow 30]
(AA: Yahoo Finance file)
(AA: StockChart chart)
(AA: Investertech chart)
(AA: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AA: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AA: Value Line Report Oct. 20: next one is due Jan. 19)

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Altria Group Inc [GICS 30, Dow 30]
(MO: Yahoo Finance file)
(MO: StockChart chart)
(MO: Investertech chart)
(MO: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MO: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MO: Value Line Report Nov. 3: next one is due Feb. 2)

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American International Group [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(AIG: Yahoo Finance file)
(AIG: StockChart chart)
(AIG: Investertech chart)
(AIG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AIG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AIG: Value Line Report Nov. 24: next one is due Feb. 23)

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American Express [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(AXP: Yahoo Finance file)
(AXP: StockChart chart)
(AXP: Investertech chart)
(AXP: ADVFN Financial Data)(AXP: ADVFN Financial Data)
(AXP: Value Line Report Nov. 24: next one is due Feb. 23)

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AT&T [GICS 50, Dow 30]
(T: Yahoo Finance file)
(T: StockChart chart)
(T: Investertech chart)
(T: ADVFN Financial Data)
(T: ADVFN Financial Data)
(T: Value Line Report Dec. 29: next one is due Mar. 30)

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Boeing Co [GICS 20, Dow 30. Cara 100]
(BA: Yahoo Finance file)
(BA: StockChart chart)
(BA: Investertech chart)
(BA: ADVFN Financial Data)(BA: ADVFN Financial Data)
(BA: Value Line Report Dec. 22: next one is due Mar. 23)

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Caterpillar [GICS 20, Dow 30]
(CAT: Yahoo Finance file)
(CAT: StockChart chart)
(CAT: Investertech chart)
(CAT: ADVFN Financial Data)(CAT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(CAT: Value Line Report Oct. 27: next one is due Jan. 26)

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Citigroup [GICS 40, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(C: Yahoo Finance file)
(C: StockChart chart)
(C: Investertech chart)
(C: ADVFN Financial Data)(C: ADVFN Financial Data)
(C: Value Line Report Nov. 24: next one is due Feb. 23)

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Coca Cola [GICS 30, Dow 30]
(KO: Yahoo Finance file)
(KO: StockChart chart)
(KO: Investertech chart)
(KO: ADVFN Financial Data)
(KO: ADVFN Financial Data)
(KO: Value Line Report Nov. 3: next one is due Feb. 2)

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Disney [GICS 25, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(DIS: Yahoo Finance file)
(DIS: StockChart chart)
(DIS: Investertech chart)
(DIS: ADVFN Financial Data)(DIS: ADVFN Financial Data)
(DIS: Value Line Report Nov 17: next one is due Feb. 16)

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Dupont [GICS 15, Dow 30]
(DD: Yahoo Finance file)
(DD: StockChart chart)
(DD: Investertech chart)
(DD: ADVFN Financial Data)(DD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(DD: Value Line Report Oct. 20: next one is due Jan. 19)

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ExxonMobil [GICS 10, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(XOM: Yahoo Finance file)
(XOM: StockChart chart)
(XOM: Investertech chart)
(XOM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(XOM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(XOM: Value Line Report Dec. 15: next one is due Mar. 16)

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General Electric [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(GE: Yahoo Finance file)
(GE: StockChart chart)
(GE: Investertech chart)
(GE: ADVFN Financial Data)(GE: ADVFN Financial Data)
(GE: Value Line Report Oct. 13: next one is due Jan. 12)

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General Motors [GICS 25, Dow 30]
(GM: Yahoo Finance file)
(GM: StockChart chart)
(GM: Investertech chart)
(GM: ADVFN Financial Data)(GM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(GM: Value Line Report Dec. 1: next one is due Mar. 2)

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Hewlett-Packard [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(HPQ: Yahoo Finance file)
(HPQ: StockChart chart)
(HPQ: Investertech chart)
(HPQ: ADVFN Financial Data)(HPQ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(HPQ: Value Line Report Oct. 13: next one is due Jan. 12)

---

Home Depot [GICS 25, Dow 30]
(HD: Yahoo Finance file)
(HD: StockChart chart)
(HD: Investertech chart)
(HD: ADVFN Financial Data) (HD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(HD: Value Line Report Oct. 6: next one is due Jan. 5)

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Honeywell [GICS 20, Dow 30]
(HON: Yahoo Finance file)
(HON: StockChart chart)
(HON: Investertech chart)
(HON: ADVFN Financial Data)(HON: ADVFN Financial Data)
(HON: Value Line Report Oct. 27: next one is due Jan. 26)

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IBM [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(IBM: Yahoo Finance file)
(IBM: StockChart chart)
(IBM: Investertech chart)
(IBM: ADVFN Financial Data)(IBM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(IBM: Value Line Report Oct. 13: next one is due Jan. 12)

---

Intel [GICS 45, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(INTC: Yahoo Finance file)
(INTC: StockChart chart)
(INTC: Investertech chart)
(INTC: ADVFN Financial Data)
(INTC: ADVFN Financial Data)
(INTC: Value Line Report Oct. 13: next one is due Jan. 12)

---

Johnson & Johnson [GICS 35, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(JNJ: Yahoo Finance file)
(JNJ: StockChart chart)
(JNJ: Investertech chart)
(JNJ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JNJ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JNJ: Value Line Report Dec. 1: next one is due Mar. 2)

---

JP Morgan [GICS 40, Dow 30]
(JPM: Yahoo Finance file)
(JPM: StockChart chart)
(JPM: Investertech chart)
(JPM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JPM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(JPM: Value Line Report Nov. 24: next one is due Feb. 23)

---

McDonalds [GICS 30, Dow 30]
(MCD: Yahoo Finance file)
(MCD: StockChart chart)
(MCD: Investertech chart)
(MCD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MCD: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MCD: Value Line Report Dec. 8: next one is due Mar. 9)

---

3M Company [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara 250 June 25-06]
(MMM: Yahoo Finance file)
(MMM: StockChart chart)
(MMM: Investertech chart)
(MMM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MMM: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MMM: Value Line Report Nov 17: next one is due Feb. 16)

---

Merck [GICS 35, Dow 30]
(MRK: Yahoo Finance file)
(MRK: StockChart chart)
(MRK: Investertech chart)
(MRK: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MRK: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MRK: Value Line Report Oct. 20: next one is due Jan. 19)

---

Microsoft [GICS 45, Dow 30]
(MSFT: Yahoo Finance file)
(MSFT: StockChart chart)
(MSFT: Investertech chart)
(MSFT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MSFT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(MSFT: Value Line Report Nov. 24: next one is due Feb. 23)

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Pfizer [GICS 35, Dow 30]
(PFE: Yahoo Finance file)
(PFE: StockChart chart)
(PFE: Investertech chart)
(PFE: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PFE: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PFE: Value Line Report Oct. 20: next one is due Jan. 19)

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Procter & Gamble Co. [GICS 30, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(PG: Yahoo Finance file)
(PG: StockChart chart)
(PG: Investertech chart)
(PG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PG: ADVFN Financial Data)
(PG: Value Line Report Oct. 6: next one is due Jan. 5)

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United Technologies [GICS 20, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(UTX: Yahoo Finance file)
(UTX: StockChart chart)
(UTX: Investertech chart)
(UTX: ADVFN Financial Data)
(UTX: ADVFN Financial Data)
(UTX: Value Line Report Oct. 27: next one is due Jan. 26)

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Verizon [GICS 50, Dow 30]
(VZ: Yahoo Finance file)
(VZ: StockChart chart)
(VZ: Investertech chart)
(VZ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(VZ: ADVFN Financial Data)
(VZ: Value Line Report Dec. 29: next one is due Mar. 30)

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Wal-Mart [GICS 30, Dow 30, Cara 100]
(WMT: Yahoo Finance file)
(WMT: StockChart chart)
(WMT: Investertech chart)
(WMT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(WMT: ADVFN Financial Data)
(WMT: Value Line Report Nov. 10: next one is due Feb. 9)

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Wrap up:

It was an interesting close to the year. Tell me, if two-thirds of NYSE trading volume is black-box generated, why did trading volumes fall so low this week? Is it true that when the human masters of these algorithmic trading machines go on vacation, they turn the things off?

Just wondering.

Another thing I wondered about this week. CNBC has this new media thing going on that they actually call a debate where they put multiple Talking Heads in boxes like television's Hollywood Squares. It still looks to me like it's nothing more than the usual cheerleading, maybe more so.

I'm still waiting to see an objective discussion of market prices by independent thinkers, moderated by an independent and objective host. But, I guess that's too much to ask of sell-side TV.

Whenever a Bear gets involved in these discussions, the angst of the Bull crew becomes discernible. So I was wondering if advertisers would ever support a Bear TV to go along with Bull TV. Just so we'd see both sides.

Do you think? Hahaha.

All in all, it was a pretty good 2006. My horoscope is saying that 2007 will be even better. I can't wait.

Have a great year everybody, and thank you for reading and participating. I continue to learn from you.

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ADDENDUM

My daughter phoned from Times Square just before midnight. She said: "Met up with (...) who invited us to a rooftop right beside the ball. I'm looking directly down on the stage. The view is incredible. I have never have seen anything like this in my life."

So, I start my year with envy. A billion people are home watching on TV, but Miss Party Girl goes to the Show and gets front row balcony. Oh to be 25 again.

BCara@BillCara.com