SHREVEPORT, La., March 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- StockPickReport.Com (IARD No. 119079, http://www.stockpickreport.com), rates Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT), Genta (Nasdaq:GNTA), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), CIENA (Nasdaq:CIEN) and offers timely commentary on Enron.
StockPickReport.com provides unbiased stock ratings from registered investment advisors. StockPickReport offers subscription services for swing traders, day traders and penny stock traders. StockPickReport.com issues daily market commentary and features a member's area with detailed information on over 12,000 stocks.
Important Stock rating Changes for March 16, 2006:
Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT) -- BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AMAT
Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq:GNTA) -- WEAK SELL
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=GNTA
Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) -- BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=HAL
CIENA (Nasdaq:CIEN) -- WEAK BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=CIEN
Kenneth Lay (former Enron Chairman) said today he was "skeptical" about the way off-book partnerships used by Enron relied on false accounting. His "skepticism" was based on the fact that "outside experts" approved the partnerships.
"Outside experts". Another term you could use is, "White Knight". Or "you're not from around here, so you must be smarter than us".
It's ironic to see Ken Lay discuss these "outside experts" in a fashion which indicates they had more sway over the Enron decision-making than even he (Lay) did. That is the same sort of buck-passing seen by investors after the "collapse" of the "Internet bubble" in 2000.
Investors argued (some with legal counsel) that the "outside experts" told them to buy stocks while the "outside experts" knew the stocks they touted were worthless (at least on paper). Investors will argue that analysts pumped stocks with the same ferocity that Ken Lay will tell you he is "skeptical" of the nefarious nature of any partnerships because of their tacit approval from "outside experts".
Our take at StockPickReport, though is different. We believe that WE are the "outside experts". YOU are an "outside expert". The point we want you to understand is that in the current market (where we believe stocks are overbought, generally, and that you should diligently manage your own portfolio, specifically) you cannot rely on the "outside experts" as responsible parties for any rise or fall of your portfolio value. If stocks like Ciena (Nasdaq:CIEN) rise (as we believe it may), you've got to decide where you will sell if you own it. Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT) is another stock we think will move up. But, we are not going to be your "outside expert" if you fail to take profits if the stock continues higher.
That's where we differ from the Ken Lays of the world, I suppose. We give it our best shot but ultimately know that we can only do what we can do. You should apply the same to your trading and allow your goals and needs guide you beyond what any "outside expert" says.
A couple weeks ago I picked the Activision (Nasdaq:ATVI). I bought 900 shares and stuck them in my short-term portfolio. I bought mine at $12.47 and sold today at $13.70. I picked up a grand in the process. My target was $14.00 and ATVI hit that "on the nose" today. Check out this online video that shows why I bought it: http://www.stockpickreport.com/newmember/videos/atvi031506.html . If you want to see more videos like this, email me at don@stockpickreport.com (Don Harrold, March 15, 2006)
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