Watchlist for October 17, 2008

Don't forget that today is options expiration so look out for pinning.

10:00 -- Mich Sentiment-Prel.

More Calendars: U.S. Earnings | Conf. Calls | Surprises | IPO | Economic

Potential swing trades:

See one of the recent 'Chart Reading' posts for some potential swing candidates. Also be sure to check my typical swing trade entry & exit rules.

Potential day trades:

(From Briefing.com)

Gapping Down

In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance: ESLR -12.1% (also downgraded to Hold at Wedbush Morgan), LEG -11.1%, FHN -11.1%, SYK -3.2%, SONC -3.1% (light volume), TPX -1.3%, CMA -1.1%, ISRG -1.0%... Select financial related names trading lower: ING -24.2% (has record drop on speculation firm needs to raise capital - Bloomberg.com), AIG -9.9% (names David L. Herzog Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; also will be canceling more than 160 conferences and events following a meeting with NY AG), LYG -9.8%, IBN -9.6%, AXA -9.5%, BCS -8.2%, BAC -2.7%, GS -2.1%... Select metals/mining names showing weakness: MT -9.6% (considering 15% cut in global steel output; in response to weaker global steel demand - WSJ), RTP -7.7%, BHP -7.2%, BBL -6.7%, AEM -6.0%, AAUK -5.3%... Select oil/gas names trading lower: STO -5.2%, BP -4.9% (downgraded to Neutral at Goldman - DJ), TOT -3.8%... Other news: CGV -12.0% and SI -7.6% (still checking for anything specific), GE -2.1% (GATX drops bid for GE rail unit, according to sources - Reuters.com)... Analyst comments: SPWRA -5.9% (downgraded to Sell at Citigroup), FCX -2.3% (downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital Mkts).

Gapping Up

In reaction to strong earnings/guidance: AMD +10.0%, GOOG +8.2%, CVBF +3.9% (light volume), IBM +1.9%, GILD +1.5%, SLB +1.1%... M&A news: UST +1.4% (Altria's proposed acquisition of UST Passes U.S. regulatory review)... Other news: BX +6.8% (still checking for anything specific), NDAQ +5.9% (will replace DDS in the S&P 500), ABK +5.3% (AMBAC Fincl, bond insurers to present Treasury with plan - Bloomberg.com), SNY +4.0% (still checking), CRK +2.5% (will replace ETM in the S&P MidCap 400), BIDU +2.5% (up in sympathy with GOOG)... Analyst comments: ESRX +1.4% (upgraded to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel).