Candlesticks, Bamboo Sticks

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Originally uploaded by iiiink.

Currency trading using candlestick charts is similar to observing a bamboo thicket.
But without the serenity. A 30-minute candlestick chart sometimes gives a pattern like the picture. When it does, the market is consolidating quietly. But when the momentum shifts, one must act accordingly. King Kong may have entered your quiet grove.

Fine Line

Icy Bridge
Originally uploaded by WisDoc.

Sometimes trading currency reminds me of this icy bridge. You can see your way ahead for a few feet and it is treacherous, but beyond that it gets mysterious. As Paul McCartney says in his recent song, Fine Line: There is a fine line/ Between recklessness and courage/ It's about time/ You understood which road to take/ It's a fine line/ And your decision makes a difference/ Get it wrong and you'll be making a big mistake//

Meat Slicer

Meat Slicer
Originally uploaded by enuwy.

My year in England spanned fall 1975 to fall 1976. I enjoyed the local traditions, and one especially was the costume of the butcher. I'm glad to see that some things never change. This photo was uploaded to the web today. Trading currency markets is a lot like being a butcher. You take the raw meat and put it in little packages for your customers. It is a traditional occupation with no end in sight. Some people find it exciting?

PIMCO Manages over $463 billion in Assets

Bill Gross, managing director of PIMCO, widely regarded as the country's leading fixed income authority, may be worth a listen when he publishes his outlook.

FRB: Speech, Greenspan--Budget policy--December 2, 2005

Well worth reading and studying. Alan Greenspan is having a farewell party in London this weekend at the G-7 meeting. The text is at www.federalreserve.gov

Economy growing but at uneven pace: Beige Book - Banks - Financial - Industrial, Diversified - Retail - Financial Services - Industrial Products & Ser

Just in case you thought the Beige Book was something to ignore. Perhaps beige is not your favorite color? The Fed does not wave red flags. That would alarm the high-strung financial community too much. Most of what they say is very neutral. The beige flag is about all you will get--thank goodness.