It is not surprising that the trading is slow and soft. News that President Obama and Speaker Boehner did not speak to each other over the holidays seems to be cause for additional pressure, but this is a market driven by disinterest more than anything else.
I continue to be frustrated that traders aren't creating at least a little better action in a few stocks, but there continues to be little speculative interest and few themes. Solar stocks bounces on news that Japan was cutting tariffs and there's a little bounce in metals and commodities, but the action is hardly more than a yawn. Big-caps Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOG) and Priceline (PCLN) are doing little and what leadership that exists is random.
I'm digging to find something to do but I see only minor opportunities. I added to a position in natural gas play Cheniere Energy (LNG) and China Internet play Qihoo 360 (QIHU) is of interest. MagnaChip Semiconductor (MX), my stock of the week, continues to act well but I suspect it may be a good day to polish off the spiked eggnog.
