Merry Xmas! – Singapore! Hong Kong! Thank You!

What better day than today to reach “back” out – and wish all of my wonderful readers / supporters the very best. Merry Christmas everyone! Where ever you are…and what ever it means to you. I wish you all the very best!

A snapshot of the top readers here at Forex Kong. The United States and Canada grabbing the top spots, with a “fantastic list of such wildly diverse cultures” rounding out the top 20/30.

I am absolutely thrilled to see / know that we’ve attracted such a global audience here over the past year. I wish you all the very best this holiday season and so look forward to trading with you in the years to come!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Forex_Kong_Global_Reach

Forex_Kong_Global_Reach

Obviously markets are flat/closed here today, but be sure to keep a watchful eye as – it “is” year end, and there are a number of factors (taxes , profit taking , etc..) that can / will move the needle.

I’m not getting too excited about much ( unfortunately ) until we get this year over with so…best to just play things safe – stay out of trouble and enjoy the holidays!

Graphene To Change World – Future Kong Series

In the new year I plan to start a series “future kong” where I will be highlighting new technologies and cutting edge concepts primed for future investment, as well as researching the companies involved.

If you haven’t already heard of “graphene” you’d better listen up.

What is graphene?

Graphene is a revolutionary carbon based material made of a single layer of carbon atoms that are bonded together in a repeating pattern of hexagons. Graphene is one million times thinner than paper. So thin in fact…….that it is actually considered two dimensional.

Paradoxically, Graphene is also said to be the strongest material every made. So strong in fact, that if we rolled out a single sheet ( less than the thickness of plastic wrap ) and  could balance an elephant on the head of a pencil – the tip could not break through.Yes…….that kind of strong.

Graphene’s special properties don’t stop there…not even close:

  • Conductive: Electrons are the particles that make up electricity. So when graphene allows electrons to move quickly, it is allowing electricity to move quickly. It is known to move electrons 200 times faster than silicon because they travel with such little interruption. It is also an excellent heat conductor. Graphene is conductive independent of temperature and works normally at room temperature.
  • Strong: As mentioned earlier, it would take an elephant with excellent balance to break through a sheet of graphene. It is very strong due to its unbroken pattern and the strong bonds between the carbon atoms. Even when patches of graphene are stitched together, it remains the strongest material out there.
  • Flexible: Those strong bonds between graphene’s carbon atoms are also very flexible. They can be twisted, pulled and curved to a certain extent without breaking, which means graphene is bendable and stretchable.
  • Transparent: Graphene absorbs 2.3 percent of the visible light that hits it, which means you can see through it without having to deal with any glare.

With only about 10 years of practical research thus far, the real world applications are endless, including production of solar cells “hundreds of thousands of times thinner and lighter” than those that rely on silicon, more efficient computer transistors, “bendable electronics”, applications in engineering/building as well space aeronautics – and the list goes on.

So far there are a few companies worth taking a look at as early adopters / movers in the space.

Graftech International Ltd. ( symbol GTI ) is on my radar, looking for a pullback since its recent break out. 

Calling Out Gary Savage – Shame On You Man

Enough is enough.

I seriously cannot let this one slide as….I could care less what this joker has to say about it.You “the reader” can make up your own mind.

This clown just recommended buying “2016 QQQ / SPY  put options” suggesting, and I quote:

“I think 2016 puts on the QQQ or SPY are going to pay off many thousands of percent over the next two years”.

The next two years??? An options trade?? With a 2 year profit horizon?? That’s your advice / suggestion to readers??

Man….just like the last time Gary Savage suggested buying options ( and I suggested to both he and his readship that his options would go directly to ZERO! ) Here he goes again! Unreal!

Gary_Savage_Clown_Forex_Kong

Gary_Savage_Clown_Forex_Kong

What is wrong with you man? The comment section is wide open / ready and waiting for “Mr. Gold Profit” ( who I believe lost literally everything during 2013 no? ) to back it on up…..

Now you’re an options pro?

You tried currencies for a week er two as well……how’d that work out?

This is an open invitation Gary……you’ve got the floor.

Please enlighten us. An options buy with a 2 year profit horizon? Even better a “bearish options buy” (from the guy that doesn’t believe you can make money on the “downside”).

Bunk. Crap. Bullshit.

How many times a day do you climb the same f#%)/king rock Gary?

 

Make Mistakes – Learn – Move On – Have Fun

Keep in mind markets are still open, all be it the “holiday season”.

We don’t generally expect to see fireworks during the coming week, or the following week for that matter but…….it doesn’t hurt to stay tuned as these days – you never really know.

To “remain vigilant” is a base requirement for shorter term traders, as periods of low volume often generate wider swings in price, and can easily “whipsaw the weak” ( if you know what I mean ). With fewer trades being placed, any “reasonably large trade” can have a much larger effect on price so…..it makes sense to keep an eye on things.

We’ve got 2013 winding down – wow. 2013 – over and done with yes!

On a personal level I can say with certainty – I won’t miss it.

Since the “dawn of the Internet” I’ve found solace in ( and perhaps coined ) an analogy that more or less describes/outlines/ defines the way I’ve lived my entire life.

“I don’t have a back button”.

Like a web browser, or perhaps an “edit function” in one of the programs we all use daily (there for you at the push of a button). A simple click to erase your mistakes……a wonderful opportunity to just……”go back”.

I don’t believe in that.

I’ve made mistakes sure…..big ones….huge ones, no…”massive ones” but………I don’t really look at them as “mistakes”. I dont’ look back  – I don’t look back for a second no…I move forward. I move towards the future.

I “am” the future as……if  you don’t believe in yourself then – what’s the f#%king point?

We all make decisions, that in turn lead to more decisions, and so on, and so on……..

How could we be expected to get “every single one” right?

Go ahead and make mistakes. Learn from them….and move on.

Last time I looked…I think they call it “life” no?

Have fun……and make a point of it.

Have fun!

The Future Economy Explained – Video

The following video ( and series of videos should you wish to view all of them ) provides some of the most straight forward and easy to understand explanation of The Federal Reserve, the history of fiat money and Central Banking ,as well ideas of what the future may hold – with respect to the outcome of this current financial “experiment”.

These are some extremely well-respected gentleman talking ( many have beards ) including one of our favorites Dr. Paul Roberts, and the material is extremely easy to understand.

I recommend that “anyone” who still may have questions about some of the basics, or still may be struggling to wrap their heads around some of this  – Watch these videos.

I wanted to include them in the material available here at Forex Kong as the information is provided in such a straight forward manner.Perhaps plan to bookmark and come back throughout the week as each video is about an hour-long.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/nB8GmcRV_yg]

Be Thankful You Trade – Merry Ho Ho Ho!

It’s funny – how completely “obvious” so much of this appears when you’re looking in the rear view mirror. In retrospect you can pull up any number of charts, asset classes etc….then “layer in” the seasonal aspects (with Christmas now in full swing) add a sprinkle of “news” and a dash of some “good data” and there you have it.

Uncanny.Complete and total bliss.Right on cue.

Literally. Right down to the second on a lazy Friday morning, days before Santa comes to town – the news is good, the data is good, the stock market is higher – and you’re feeling pretty damn good about everything.

And so you should.

Considering the amount of poverty and hardship in the world today ( considering the things “I see” everyday ) we should all be so lucky, as to have what we have…..however temporary.

  • We’ve got the Nikkei double top at 16,000.
  • We’ve got “gold double bottom” at 1179.00/1199.00
  • We’ve got U.S equities at all time highs.
  • We’ve got the last remaining days of 2013.

We’ve got USD rolling over and “back in the red”. Huh? – Kong…..again do you know something we don’t?

As if it was almost choreographed to the second, a number of these correlations and levels appear absolutely “blatant” – when looking backwards. Why didn’t I wait for the retest in gold? Now I see Nikkei double top area as resistance…..Damn I forgot about seasonality….etc…etc…

In any case…..it always looks easy when we’re looking in the rear view mirror.

I wish all of you the very best this Christmas season, and encourage you to take advantage of every single minute with family and friends.

Despite the up’s n downs of financial markets we can’t lose sight of the fact that – “it’s a game…..that we the fortunate – have the privilege of playing”.

Be thankful.

 

 

Trade Questions Answered – Where To Now?

I guess it makes sense to quickly pull this apart, break it down and get squared on where I’m heading next, as the Fed’s tapering announcement yesterday has certainly raised some questions.

It’s obviously still a bit early to be making any “rash decisions” (as a single day of market movement is that and only that) but it is interesting to take a quick look at how a number of asset classes have “initially reacted” to the news.

Gold has been crushed, moving lower a full 30 bucks.

  • But wouldn’t “tapering” be viewed as “less stimulus for markets”? Shouldn’t gold have shot for the moon on the news?

U.S stocks shoot higher, as Dow gains 300 points.

  • But isn’t the idea of “tapering” going to lead to higher interest rates? Shouldn’t stocks be falling as the Fed pulls back on its POMO and market liquidity injections?

The U.S Dollar has moved higher, but is still well under strong areas of resistance. The U.S Dollar has stalled already.

  • But shouldn’t the U.S Dollar “break out” on news of “tapering”? Isn’t the idea of “tapering” supposed to be good for the currency?

Bonds as seen via TLT haven’t even budged. U.S Bonds are still very much under pressure as selling continues.

The media spin is clear – that the U.S is indeed “rebounding” and that the recovery is well under way. This now “confirmed” via the Fed’s decision to taper. The Fed was doing the right thing while adding stimulus, and now will be perceived as doing the right thing in pulling back right?

The puppet show continues, as for the most part “none” of the above “initial reactions” made any immediate sense. It’s unfortunate having things pushed back a day or two but as it stands……everything is “still” very much on track.

I’m expecting to see the U.S Dollar roll over here quickly – (early next week) and will continue with the same framework I’ve been working within these past several months. The Nikkei hit my 16,000 mark for a second last night as well so…..that too will provide some valuable information moving forward.

Sitting out yesterday in near 100% cash was one of the single best trade decisions I’ve made in the past few months, now allowing me to deploy “big guns” at an instance – when “real opportunity” presents itself.

You where warned. You may have gambled. You likely lost.

 

Post Fed Scrum – Kudos To Readers Of Kong

Talk about a twist.

Ben hand’s off the bag to Yellen “with” a proposed “tapering”, and seals his legacy as one of the smoothest Central Bankers ever to have walked the Earth – or at least in the public eye.

I wonder what he’s gonna do with the next 20 years of his life? as it will likely be “more interesting to follow” than these last five.

You’d have to have rocks tumbling around in your head if you think that 85 billion is “all” the Fed’s been throwing at markets per month. I imagine it’s more like 150 billion or more as….the bond market is just too large to consider 85 billions per month having much affect.

Post announcement TLT is still sliding, and the U.S Dollar can’t even break even so……the big boys positions remain the same. MY POSITION REMAINS THE SAME.

The “effect” has merely been “the idea” (in traders / investors minds) that “they will never let the market fall”. If it took a number of 85 billion per month or 850 billion for that matter – it doesn’t really matter as the numbers manifest solely as “tiny computer entries” within a small group of friends.

A big “congrats” goes out to our beloved “Deano” for not only hitting the “tapering” right on the money….but also for “serving it up” like a true gentleman. If Deano owned a restaurant – I would eat there often.

For me? Another day of trading, and another day FULL of opportunities. Nikkei popping to 16,000 and USD certainly “not” moving higher on the news………..

USD “not” moving higher on the taper news??…..Hmm………..that’s a bit odd don’t you think?

You’ve been practicing, following along….learning the correlations etc…

Would you not have thought USD would “skyrocket” on taper news?

Hazard a guess as to why not?

 

 

Trade The Risk Event – Sitting On Hands

As much as I hate reminding you, the Fed meeting runs through today – with announcements expected tomorrow so…….you know what means.

Risk event ahead – as the statement will be released Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Obviously these Fed announcements are what the market’s hinges on these days, as the possibility always exists ( as the Fed has proven in the past ) that they “might” say or do something shocking. Tomorrow’s announcements may provide clearer language on “tapering” – but I doubt it. I’m going to assume they move forward with the continued stance that “tapering will remain data driven”.

The debate is pointless, but what is important is how you choose to position yourself prior too, and then of course “after” the news is out.

From a technical perspective “risk” could easily make one more “little jump higher”, as equities still look “alive” all be it exhausted, the U.S Dollar still appears to be trapped in its downward spiral.

I would look to “sell” any possible “uptick” USD takes tomorrow ( if any at all ) PENDING they don’t announce a tapering, as this should just keep USD steadily on its way to the basement.

“If” by some wild stroke of insanity – they “do announce tapering”, it will require more than just a couple of hours tomorrow, to get an idea of what markets will do with that, and I would suggest to anyone looking to trade it……..let things settle out / calm down BIG TIME before even thinking about entering.

I’m back from a short ( but wonderful ) holiday and ready to go here again. I’ve got a few tiny irons still in the fire, but am for the most part – sitting in cash. As much as one would love to “get in there” and take advantage of “whatever pans out tomorrow” the responsible thing to do is to wait.

Wait I shall.

Space Race Heating Up – China Makes A Move

Now becoming the third nation to “soft-land” a spacecraft on the moon, China’s Chang’e 3 – (the first visitor from earth for over 35 years) – touched down safely on the surface today carrying with it “Jade Rabbit”, a small lunar rover that will soon begin exploration of the lunar surface.

“Jade Rabbit” is named for a pet belonging to “Chang’e” the goddess of the moon in Chinese legend. It is expected to transmit information back to earth for several months

This is a gigantic leap forward for China’s space exploration program, and a huge source of national pride.

Meanwhile, Indian scientists are racing to put together a cut-price Mars mission in just 15 months. The Indian Mars probe, dubbed “Mangalyaan,” successfully left earth orbit two weeks ago, in a critical maneuver that put it on course to reach the Red Planet next September.

Iran recently launched and safely returned to Earth its “second” live monkey, while not quite as flashy as “Jade Rabbit” –  a significant step forward none the less.

I’ve been “muttering on” about this for some time now, and studying it for much longer as “future advances in space” trump my interests in financial markets. In particular I’ve been anxiously awaiting advances out of China, assuming long ago that when indeed they did finally get their “ducks in a line” – look out! As I’ve been expecting some incredible things.

These are very exciting times we live in, and with technology moving so quickly I’m extremely confident we’ll have our “minds’ blown”  more than a couple of times in the not so distant future.

Let’s hope these “rovers” can manage to stay out of each others way, as we’d hate to see an “international traffic accident”.

Fun stuff on a lazy weekend.