Closing Read Feb 3, 2012

Primary trend = UP

Number of days= 29

1st target level = 126.26  (achieved 12/23)

2nd target level = 127.13  (achieved 1/3)

3rd target level = 129.17  (achieved 1/10)

4th target level = 131.59  (achieved 1/20, 131.57 on 1/19)

5th target level = 133.46  (133.40 achieved 1/26)

6th target level = 134.45  (134.45 achieved 2/3)

When the current up cycle on the Primary began on Jan 31st, we knew we needed to see positive signal weight in excess of +1500 for two days to push the Primary back up to its upper extreme.  Only that level of signal weight could have sustained a price move to our 6th and final target of 134.45.  Signal weight held to these levels and the target was achieved today.   But that’s it for this cycle.

This posting features a comprehensive review of the large cap ETF sector. In this category, there aren’t many more ETFs than just the 10 we’ve featured given the tsunami of ETF issuance.

Some major issues have been divided into value, growth and blended segments. Nevertheless, to simplify matters for investors, and to be consistent with previous practices, we’re still just highlighting what we feel are reasonable top 10 choices.

These may be repetitive but we have also featured the leading “value” ETF, an ETF linked to a popular “enhanced” index and various “all-cap” ETFs.

The Volatility Index (VIX) is a measure of options activity on the S&P 500—frequently referred to as the "fear index"

The current VIX chart would indicate fear in the market is so low that it's to levels of complacency.

Recession off the table, European debt solved, Market's going up forever! Oh really???

The following analysis features our top selections of small cap ETFs. We’ll stick with the “blend” category since they should satisfy most investor needs. We believe these constitute the best index-based offerings individuals and financial advisors may utilize.

These ETFs are based on indexes tied to well-known index providers including Russell, S&P, Barclays, MSCI, Dow Jones and so forth.

If you're not up to joining the adrenaline pumping, shouting crowds in the New York Mercantile Exchange, there's an excellent alternative—United States Oil fund (USO) does it for you.

When you hear "the price of oil" (or Crude), it's not actually what the price of oil is, but what the price will be and the cost today for those future contracts. The anticipated future price of oil rises and falls on many factors. Most recently, we've seen an exchange of harsh words with Iran. Embargoes, Dollar fluctuations, supply constraints and of course, demand all factor into oil futures contracts.