SHREVEPORT, La., Dec. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- StockPickReport.Com (http://www.stockpickreport.com - the web's only non-mainstream stock rating service), rates Applied Materials, Merck & Co. Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Amgen Inc.
STOCKPICKREPORT RATINGS:
Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT) -- BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AMAT
Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) -- WEAK BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=MRK
Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM) -- BUY
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=BRCM
Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq:AMGN) -- SELL
http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AMGN
STOCK COMMENTARY:
Friday, December 17, 2004 StockPickReport Commentary
Questions Answered
Got some great questions recently. Here are our replies:
1. Exactly what does "triple witching" mean and what implications does it have on the stock market? ANSWER: "Triple Witching" happens the third Friday in March, June, September, and December, as the S&P futures contract, S&P index option contract, and individual stock options, all expire. "Triple Witching" happens on these intervals because the underlying options can be purchased in 3, 6, 9, and 12 month durations. With "Triple Witching", the market is usually very active. Traders try to close out their option positions. Significant price swings are common. The thing to keep in mind with the December "Triple Witching" is that there will be folks clearing out positions for the END OF THE YEAR, as well as options. 2. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF 'SIRI'? ANSWER: SIRI is a stock that got a big push from news and looks overbought now. We think MACD and RSI indicate downside. 3. I have a long mathematical background and would like to learn techniques for studying charts. Can you suggest a text or source of info to get started? ANSWER: The book we like the most for technical analysis is the "text book"-like, "Technical Analysis Explained" by Martin Pring. 4. I would like to ask you one question, and perhaps this is a silly one, but about your ratings: "strong buy", "weak buy", etc, etc... How far out are you looking? Are the ratings I'm looking at based on a 1 day? or 30? or 90? ANSWER: Our stock ratings are not based on a set number of days. They are good for the time period that begins the day the rating was initiated until the day the rating is changed. We don't box our ratings into a time period because, well, that's not the way the market works. When the numbers change, our ratings change -- and that's not something you can predict ahead of time.
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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If the links to our ratings above do not work, please use these:
Applied Materials (Nasdaq:AMAT) -- BUY http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AMAT Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) -- WEAK BUY http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=MRK Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM) -- BUY http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=BRCM Amgen Inc. (Nasdaq:AMGN) -- SELL http://www.stockpickreport.com/abrating.php?sym=AMGN