Third Week End Results

Newsworthy topics that may benefit my gains are on the rise. BioDelivery Sciences recently appointed Tom D'Alonzo to their Board of Directors. Tom has over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, so this could take BDSI in a new direction. Netflix may also see incoming growth, if the opinions expressed in this article come to fruition. Apple investment in Netflix could mean easy profit growth if iPad sales go up, assuming the company includes a Netflix app with the bundle. These additional funds could in turn be reinvested in more original programs and copyrights, therefoe drawing in more customers.

Totals for April 26:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $32.96 Close $30.97
• Total for 50 shares: $1,548.50 ($99.50 loss)

• BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI)- Open $5.46 Close $5.40
• Total for 230 shares: $1,242 ($16.10 loss)

• Netflix (NFLX)- Open $214.8 Close $215.55
• Total for 15 shares: $3,233.25 ($27 gain)
• Money earned from sale of 10 shares: $2,155.55
• Total holds (5 shares): $1,077.75

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.90 Close $11.89
• Total for 51 shares: $606.39 ($3.06 loss)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $6.43 Close $6.59
• Total for 150 shares: $988.50 ($36 gain)

AEM has been underperforming, but I will make a hold/sell decision based on the next 2-3 days and the results of its Kootenay Silver holds. I decided to sel 10 shares of Netflix because I feel the tide could turn against the company at any moment, a typical buy low, sell high move. Total losses were %55.66, but agian, this is negligible if the right moves are made on Monday.

Simple Numbers

April 25 Totals:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $33.75 Close $32.96
• Total for 50 shares: $1,648 ($14.50 loss)

• BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI)- Open $5.41 Close $5.47 
• Total for 230 shares: $1,258.10 ($13.80 gain)

• Netflix (NFLX)- Open $216.72 Close $213.75
• Total for 15 shares: $3,206.25 ($44.55 loss)

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.80 Close $11.95
• Total for 51 shares: $609.45 ($9.18 loss)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $6.10 Close $6.35
• Total for 150 shares: $952.50 ($27 gain)

Since any major loss was covered up by considerable gain in other sectors, holding on to stocks until week end results may be the best strategy at this point. Overall losses for Thursday were $27.43 so there doesn't seem to be much to worry about. I was unable to meet with my mentor this week to get his input and analysis on my performance, as he had a last-minute trip to New York so I have mainly online tools and reports to base my opinions on. According to insidermonkey.com's article, MetroPCS, although under performing, is one of the highest rated stocks by several investment groups, so it seems worth holding on to. As for Netflix, weekend results simply seem more useful to follow, as entertainment is most oft sought at the end of the work week. There has not been much more news to go on to my knowledge. 

In the News

As of Tuesday, April 23, one of my holds, Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) has become an investor in a developing company, Kootenay Silver Inc. which mines in Mexico and Canada. Due to this capital investment, the company now has access to new resources that could potentially increase their presence in the mining industry, leading to consistent/sustainable growth for both companies. More here. Meanwhile, MetroPCS shareholders held a vote that resulted in favor of a merger with the 4th largest phone carrier in the U.S., T-Mobile. Details

April 24 totals:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $32.57 Close $33.25
• Total for 50 shares: $1,662.50 ($34 gain)

• BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI)- Open $5.29 Close $5.41
• Total for 230 shares: $1,244.30 ($27.60 gain)

• Netflix (NFLX)- Open $216.99 Close $216.72
• Total for 15 shares: $3,250.80 ($4.05 loss)

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.69 Close $11.77
• Total for 51 shares: $600.27 ($4.08 gain)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $6.04 Close $6.17
• Total for 150 shares: $925.50 ($19.50 gain)

I believe the numbers speak for themselves as they gave me a $81.13 net gain on Wednesday. I decided however, that if Netflix value drops more than $2, it may be the sign of a downtrend, in which case I will sell 2/3 of my holds. Nothing left to say now as I await Thursday results.

Week 3, Day 2: "The House of Cards"

Netflix has been an amazing performed recently as its most recent earnings report revealed an 11% increase in subscriptions (about 3 million more) and now claims to have more subscribers than HBO as detailed in this article. The article suggests that the surge in customer activity is due to the company's increase in original programming, including their show, "House of Cards," for which they invested hefty sums of money to hire quality cast and crews. My opinion remains that people flocked in to see their old CartoonNetwork favorites. Nevertheless, this was a wise investment for the time being, but "House of Cards"does carry mmultiple meanings in this situation.

 April 23 totals:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $32.79 Close $32.03 After Hours: $32.57
• Total for 50 shares: $1,628.50 ($9 loss)

• BioDelivery Sciences International- Open $5.09 Close $5.29
• Total for 230 shares: $1,216.70 ($158.70 loss)

• Netflix (NFLX)- Open $214.03 Close $216.99 After Hours $217.65
• Total for 15 shares: $3,264.75 ($54.30 gain)

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.42 Close $11.69
• Total for 51 shares: $596.19 ($13.77 gain)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $5.98 Close $6.04
• Total for 150 shares: $906 ($9 gain)

Despite a net loss of $92.33, I feel confident that positive trends are on the way. Just like a house of cards, if I'm not careful, my entire system could collapse on me so if Netflix performs under expectations on Wednesday, I will sell a majority of the stock (not all, just in case there's another big growth) and still exit with a huge gain as it has already surpassed it's 52 week high by a long shot. At this point I only hope to break even with my other stocks as this project starts to wind down in the coming weeks. I will surely watch for moreaarticles indicating trends so that I can make the smoothest exit possible, if necessary.

Start Week 3

After "talking with my financial advisor," we concluded that Netflix was a good purchase after all. I "purchased" it at its closing price of $174.37 on April 22 and it saw after hours gain of just over 23%, now valued at $214.03. Of course this transaction will include financial advice costs, but a minimal loss if the stocks perform well. This surge in activity may be due to more incoming customers after having added a nostalgic CartoonNetwork lineup to the service.

April 22 totals:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $33.01 Close $32.79
• Total for 50 shares: $1,639.50 ($11 loss)

• BioDelivery Sciences International- Open $4.98 Close $5.98
• Total for 230 shares: $1,375.40 ($230 gain)

• Netflix (NFLX) Close $174.37 After hours $214.03
• Initial investment 15 shares: $2,615.55 After hours: Gain$3,210.45 ($594.90 Gain)

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.11 Close $11.42
• Total for 51 shares: $582.42 (15.81 Gain)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $6.06 Close $5.98
• Total for 150 shares: $897 ($12 loss)

Having purchased some stock in Netflix, my pocket money is now diminished from $2,898.78 to $283.23 and only $83.23 after advisor fees. As I said, after the worst week of 2013 last week, there really was nowhere to go but up as the first day of the week gave me a net gain of $817.71. A good investor knows to quit when they're ahead, so as long as I'm at least $200 above breaking even, I will hold on to all my current stock. It is probably for the best that I had few funds to begin the week because otherwise, I believe I would have taken an unnecessary risk with some purchases, including overindulgence in Netflix. However, the numbers are looking good and I'm making money, so there's nothing to complain about now.

2nd Week End Results: Bounce Back from Losses

Last Friday was a bit more generous to the market as a whole, as not many companies saw the amount of loss that had been witnessed earlier in the week. April 15 through April 19 has officially been deemed the worst week of 2013 in terms of stock performance. knowing this, I feel confident that the market as a whole, has nowhere to go but up. Hopefully, earnings reports from major corporations such as Haliburton will pull others out of the mud, as international earnings, such as China's, have caused market slumps as well. I now feel good enough to purchase some new stocks, although "buy low, sell high" is not a priority as long as positive trends are noticeable.

2nd week totals:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $32.31  Close $33.01
• Total for 50 shares: $1,650.50 ($35 gain)

• BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (BDSI)- Open $4.80 Close $4.98
• Total for 230 shares: $1,145.40 ($41.40 gain)

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.19 Close $11.11
• Total for 51 shares: $566.61 ($4.08 loss)

• Rambus (RMBS)- Open $6.75 Close $6.06
• Total for 150 shares: $909 ($103.50 loss)

April 19 saw an overall loss of $31.18 thanks to Rambus Inc which I will sell if prices fall below current levels. If that happens, I will sell approximately half of my holds in case performance improves later on. I am also thinking of purchasing stock in the entertainment sector such as Netflix which has a $30 range between its current price and 52 week high. Monday's close will give me all the information I need.

Knowing When to Run

Apparently, three of my email trading lessons had a delayed time of reception to my Gmail account. One lesson that I wish I had received earlier is the Average Directional Index. This tool, based on computer analysis and statistics is great indicator of the end of a trend, be it positive or negative. I will refer to this lesson on more than one occasion in the future.(Link here- ADX)

Although today's stocks did relatively well in comparison to the past two days, I am still wary of purchasing before a more positive trend in the general economy arises.

Totals for April 18, 2013:

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM)- Open $31.31 Close $32.31
• Total for 50 shares: $1,615.50 ($64.50 gain)

• BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (BDSI)- Open $4.86 Close $4.80
• Total for 230 shares: $1,104 ($4.60 loss) *sell if falls below $4.50

• MetroPCS (PCS)- Open $11.05 Close $11.19
• Total for 51 shares: $570.69 (8.67 gain)

• Rambus Inc. (RMBS)- Open $6.82 Close $6.75
• Total for 150 shares: $1,012.50 ($10.50 loss)

• Treasury Bond: $2,000 

April 18th saw a total gain of $58.07. My pocket money remains unchanged at $2,898.78, but any sign of positive movement in the coming days could easily change that. For the time being, all I have to do is be patient with my current holds and sell only if I am in danger of substantial loss such as with Walter Energy. Fortune favors those who wait, but I'd like to make my money back ASAP.