StockNod Stock Alert – ION

Here is an example of the StockNod Stock Alerts in action on a stock called ION Geophysical Corporation (IO).  Here is a link to the stock analysis chart for ION Geophysical

Stock Alerts

From the beginning of 2009 to present, you can see the frequency of alerts fired on IO.  The StockNod algorithm looks for ideal entry and exit points based on price and volume.  Over this time period, and investment of $10K turned into over $60K!

Profile of IO

ION Geophysical Corporation provides geophysical technology, services, and solutions for the oil and gas industry worldwide. It operates in four segments: Land Imaging Systems, Marine Imaging Systems, Data Management Solutions, and ION Solutions. The Land Imaging Systems segment offers cable-based, cable less, and radio-controlled seismic data acquisition systems, digital and analog geophone sensors, vibrator trucks, and source controllers for detonator and vibrator energy sources. The Marine Imaging Systems segment provides towed streamer and redeployable ocean bottom cable seismic data acquisition systems and shipboard recorders, streamer positioning and control systems, and energy sources comprising air guns and air gun controllers. The Data Management Solutions segment offers software systems and services, including Orca, a software product for towed streamer navigation and integrated data management applications; SPECTRA software system for seismic survey operations; GATOR software system for ocean bottom cable and transition zone operations; consulting services for planning, designing, and supervising survey operations; and post-survey analysis tools consisting of SPRINT navigation processing and quality control software for marine geophysical surveys, and REFLEX software for navigation and seismic data analysis. The ION Solutions segment offers seismic data processing and imaging services for marine and land environments, and a seismic data library, as well as integrated seismic solution services to manage the seismic process, such as survey planning and design, project oversight of data acquisition operations, advanced signal processing, final image rendering, and geophysical and reservoir analysis. The company was formerly known as Input/Output, Inc. and changed its name to ION Geophysical Corporation in 2007. ION Geophysical Corporation was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Buy & Hold is a Losing Proposition

When it comes to investing in the stock market, especially during current times, investors should know when to hold on to stocks and know when to unload them.

Most financial experts believe that the buy-and-hold strategy of the traditional 401k methodology is a thing of the past if you want to gain the system. Buy and Hold which requires investors to buy stocks and then keep them for the long term has actually lost money over the last 10 years according to the S&P 500. The rational behind the “buy and hold” strategy is that, while the markets will likely experience ups and downs stemming from numerous factors, over time the stock markets tend to push upwards. Which means that those who use the buy-and-hold strategy stand to make money over time. This method has worked well for momentum traders that exit at the right times but leaves the rest of novice investors in the lurch.

While there are many experts who still hold to this Fortune 500 diversified strategy, others point to some of the more catastrophic stock market crashes of the past as proof that investors can literally lose everything they had gained in a bull market to the impact of the bear market. US economy of 2008 is proof positive.

Consider those who lost all their wealth during the stock market crash of 1929, which ushered in the infamous Great Depression. Many of the people who, back in the 1920s, held to the buy-and-hold strategy were the subject of riches-to-rags articles in newspapers worldwide. There is money to be made in today’s time, but timing and accuracy is more important than ever.

Experts say that bear markets materialize about every four or five years and bear markets can easily eliminate gains made in bull markets. History has proven this over and over. But for the ten year buy hold patterns we have beared witness to different results.

One researcher mentions that bear markets have hacked portfolio values an average of nearly 40 percent. This figure the buy-and-hold crowd would do well to consider and take notice.

Rather than adopt a buy-and-hold strategy, some financial professionals recommend that investors take a more sophisticated approach to buying and selling stocks. This necessitates monitoring market conditions and making changes as fluctuations in the markets warrant change. This is better known as trading the momentum and buying low and selling high. Ride the rips and sell the dips. This can be accomplished with the right data and the right market timing from Stocknod.com alerts.

Investors should also be wary of the advice they adhere to. While experts do provide a wealth of information on the markets and on individual stocks, it is up to investors to sift through the data and ultimately make the decisions.

Some investors choose to go with a broker so as to bypass the pressures of managing their own stock portfolios. Doing so requires them to look around for a good broker, one who has a proven methodology and a solid track record.

When all is said and done, however, investors are advised by a number of experts to avoid the buy-and-hold strategy still advocated by some on Wall Street. While patience is a virtue, investors should also reflect on how past stock market crashes burned those who held on too long. Team up with Stocknod stock alerts or the HotSheet for today’s bullish stocks.

Read the latest Free Investing Tips  from Stocknod expert Gregg Andreski

Top 5 Mistakes Beginner Traders Make

1. Trading too often: Beginner traders often buy/sell their securities too much. They hear a hot tip on TV or a friend and feel they need to sell their current holdings and buy that stock instead. Generally, the only person who gets rich off of this is the investor’s broker, who rakes in trading fees. Trading frequently is also tax inefficient, since these investors often end up paying short-term capital gains tax instead of the lower long-term capital gains tax. Stock education as well as tax education is very important for stock market for basics maximum success.

2. Panicking: One emotion detrimental to investors is fear. Yes, you should use caution and prudence when making investments. However, panicking whenever the stock market goes down never solves anything. Investors that are quick to panic often end-up buying high and selling low.

3. Being Greedy: Jim Cramer frequently says “bulls make money, bears make money, hogs get slaughtered.”

4. Homerun Swings: Investors looking to find the next Microsoft generally focus on stocks with a high potential for growth. In a similar fashion to the value strategy, these investors seek to find stocks that they believe will grow faster than the market expects.

5. Poor Technical Analysis: Some people use charts to predict a stock’s movement. These traders are known as ‘chartists’ and this method of trading is known as technical analysis. Technical analysis tends to be used for short-term trades and if professionally traded will yield higher returns. This is why it is important to use technical analysis for momentum trading. Stocknod Automated Stock Alerts provide this much needed support via monthly subscription.  Technical stock analysis is an absolute for successful traders and now with Stocknod.com this critical technical homework can be provided to you via SMS or Emal alerts.

Take control of your finances with the technical stock alerts of Stocknod.com. Start trading with confidence and start trading with the Nod!