Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

10 Stocks Flying Under the Radar (by Ryan Mallory)

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This particular scan here evaluates stocks that are trading well below traditional book value – and in this case trading at less than half of book value and then I combine it with favorable technical analysis and ideal trade setups. Essentially its Benjamin Graham meets Online trading (strange bedfellows I'd say!).

Nonetheless, you may be surprised by some of the names on the list, but companies like Bank of America (BAC) are suddenly starting to look pretty good to the eye, and other stocks like Chiquita Brands International (CQB) are showing signs of life in the near-term. 

Here's the 10 Stocks Flying Under the Radar
under-the-radar-stocks

Be sure to check out Ryan's Blog at SharePlanner.com

Psychological Capital (by phantomcapital)

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Traders have two types of capital at their disposal each
day; financial capital and psychological capital.  Financial capital is obvious, it’s the cash
we have to trade with.  Psychological capital
is harder to measure; it’s the energy and zeal we approach each day with.  However, both are limited in supply no matter
how energetic the trader is. 

So why is psychological capital a relevant topic to ponder
for the trader?  Simply, as a trader, we
do not work a salaried or hourly job. 
Hours worked do not directly translate into the amount of money we make.
 Often the biggest paydays happen in the
matter of hours or a few short days.  The
key here, and this is important, is to have the mental energy to be ready to
capture the big moves in the market instead of being worn down by the inconsequential
grind of a flat market. 

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9/11 From My Perspective (by Mark St.Cyr)

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As I always say when I post this column: this one’s a little
different. A little more personal as I myself search for more
perspective to this game we call life.

The only thought I’m consistently reminded of is – life is precious.
And when it ends for what ever the reason chances are none of us will
have any control of the timing or circumstances. So live to your
potential everyday. Regardless of where you are in life. Because the
unexpected or the horrific can happen to any one of us. Not just someone
else as we so often think.

When the tragedy on September 11  happened it changed many of us. If
not all. Like most I remember exactly where I was. I also remember
vividly standing in line at my local bank moments after it happened.
Watching the televisions while waiting in line with others in sheer
disbelief. For all of us – time had stopped.

The days and months that followed with the heroism and outpouring of
help and support is well documented everywhere. Living in New England at
the time you either had gone to Ground Zero yourself to try and offer
any help – or someone you knew did.

I owned a local Deli in NH at the time. The owner of a company who
supplied me with breads went back and forth to Ground Zero as to pass
out muffins and pastries to the rescue teams nightly. Then would travel
back to New Hampshire to start his morning deliveries. No one
complained. No one said how hard it was to do. No one was looking for
credit. It was just done. Period.

On that day many of us changed. We viewed life a little bit
different. Suddenly it hit you with laser like focus that life is
precious, and death can come at any moment – from anywhere. No longer
was this an esoteric exercise. This was life at its core. Playing out in
front of our eyes leaving no gray area to ponder. You either got it. Or
you didn’t.

In honor of that tragic event I set new rules for myself. New
guidelines if you will for how I was going to move forward in life. I
decided that I would live life my way. By my rules. And if I were to die
today – so be it.

I was going to ensure with all my fortitude that I would pursue my
aspirations. Not a life of just trying to get by or exist like so many
do. While I’m here I’m not settling to merely survive – I’m here to
thrive. After all, as tough as life is shouldn’t that be the prize we’re
playing for?

September 11, 2001 changed my life forever. I say all this because
unlike most who’ve only read or heard about the people who lost their
lives on that tragic day. Peter was the younger brother of my close
friends growing up. Life’s mysteries don’t just happen to someone else.
They happen to all of us.

© 2012 Mark St.Cyr   www.MarkStCyr.com