StockPickReport: Stock Research, Guidance, and Advice for

SHREVEPORT, La., Dec. 28, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- StockPickReport.Com (http://www.stockpickreport.com - the web's only non-mainstream stock rating service), rates Lucent, EMC Corporation, BEA Systems Inc.

STOCKPICKREPORT RATINGS:

Lucent (NYSE:LU) - BUY

http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=LU

EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) - SELL

http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=EMC

BEA Systems Inc (Nasdaq:BEAS) - SELL

http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=BEAS

Agere Systems (AMEX:AGRA) - SELL

http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AGRA


 STOCK COMMENTARY:
 Tuesday, December 28, 2004
 StockPickReport Commentary
 Market Action Monday

One news agency reported Monday, "Concerns over the economic impact of the Asian earthquake disasters pushed stocks lower Monday, putting Wall Street's recent rally on hold despite decent holiday sales figures and falling oil prices."

Now, can we get real for a minute?

Did any trader ANYWHERE really stop to say today, "You know, I'd buy more Cisco if only that earthquake didn't happen?"

This sort of "analysis" by "mainstream news" is almost funny. I say "almost" because, well, someone actually got paid to write it.

Furthermore, oil prices did, drop. Yes, oil is much lower today than last week. I mean, oil fell "all the way" to $41.32.

Now, if oil could just drop "a little" more, say to around $25, we'd be more inclined to sound the rally cry.

Finally, as for the "decent" holiday numbers, the same article notes, "Last-minute shoppers may have helped the retail sector exceed its diminished expectations for the year."

DIMINISHED expectations.

Here's what really happened today: People sold stocks that ran up over the last month. They took profits. The volume was light, so the selling looked weaker than it really could have been.

All the baloney about oil prices, earthquakes, and retail sales is just that, "baloney". If you start looking at fundamentals like that, you'd better be ready to reckon with the other headlines today: Gold rose, and the dollar hit a new low versus the euro.

We think investors looking for upside could do worse than the gold tracking stock (AMEX:GLD). That may sound like a broken record, but if you're "long" the market, you might want a hedge right about now.

Thoughts and Prayers

We hope that you will take a minute tonight to say a prayer for those poor souls in Asia affected by the earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. They are for some rough times ahead - times that will make our daily stock market "ups and downs" seem like a "walk in the park".

Remember, if you have any questions or comments, please email Don Harrold, don@stockpickreport.com

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WHAT THESE RATINGS MEAN:

StockPickReport.Com ranks stocks with technical analysis. These ratings do not indicate a "long term" view. These ratings reflect an opinion for the short term. These ratings may change based on market conditions.

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