Hansen Natural Corp. (HANS)
Today was a great day for the markets. Glad to see it because going long has been a lot easier on me.
HANS is always a nice stock on a strong day. I noticed it because it is a top 100 alpha stock and it gapped up with above average volume. At around 11:30, HANS went berzerk and headed into the stratosphere.
Anytime a stock does something like that, I close at least half of my position. However, in a hurry I sold it at the market, not seeing the over $1 spread on the bid and ask. Of course I got a sucky fill. Whenever there is a quick move like that, market orders will get bad fills because the market makers want to collect free money.
Luckily I was able to buy the other half back just after 1pm and sold at an average of $148.45 for about 4.5R.
I was stopped out of a few other trades and also made money with AKAM. I am never satisfied with a strong market day like today. I think of all the opportunities I missed and the mistakes I made.
Comments
Hi Ugly,
For AKAM and HANS, what signals it as a 'Alpha' stock? I guess I'm trying to figure out the scanner parameters you are using for it. I normally just trade high and unusual volume stocks, and these two stocks wouldn't show up on my scanner since they both had relatively average volume. Just curious, thanks!!
-B
James - yes, going long HANS would work, too. Right now I personally feel more comfortable having no positions overnight (except in my retirement account). At some point in the future I may start holding some positions in my trading account.
Brant - I am going to post about alpha today.
Hi UG,
Why don't you go long on HANS? The two year trend, is way, way up. It makes more sense to stay long on this stock, rather than take the short term gain and the subsequent tax hit.
BTw, sorry to be such a shameless plugger, but I've got a posting on my blog about HANS, feel free to check it out.
http://dinksfinance.blogspot.com/2006/04/hansens-natural-soda-is-great.html