Bernanke's on Deck

by Larry Levin


Now that earnings have reached base via singles, errors and hit-by-pitch (financials), market participants will be focusing at the "on deck" batter: the FOMC. Helicopter-Ben & Company will be meeting this week to decide on the future of interest rates. It should be interesting.

Last week ended with a strong rally. Why there was such a one-sided surge in the afternoon is anyone's guess, but I doubt it was due to oil's most recent $3.00-barrel pop. Maybe it was due to Microsoft's less than perfect earnings and future outlook? Did it rally because American Express is concerned about its customers paying their bills? Or did it rally because the latest consumer sentiment report gave us its worst reading in 26-years?

Oh well, I guess it all could have been worse.

Real Time Trading Signals*for

Trade Date: 4/25/08

E-Mini S&P Trades*
(before fees and commissions):


1) Engf sell @ 9:30am at 1980.50 = +2.00 (1 lot)

2) FT sell @ 10:50am at 1387.50 = +1.00 & +.50

3) OTF sell @ 11:15am at 1388.25 = b/e (1 lot)

4) Engf sell @ 12:15pm at 1386.75 = +1.75 & b/e

5) Algorithm trades (5)...combined total...+3.00

E-Mini Russell Trades*
(before fees and commissions):


1) Sell @ 9:18am at 714.0 = -.8 (1 lot)

2) Sell @ 9:43am at 714.2 = +.3 & -1.3

3) Sell @ 10:30am at 711.4 = b/e (1 lot)

4) Buy @ 11:23am at 713.4 = +.5 & +.2 ...-$110


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