Just turned-off Bloomberg Television (the only reason for a TV in my office). When watching the stock market, I go from Bloomberg Television to the Fox Business Channel (some former Bloomberg talking heads must have received attractive offers from the Fox Business Channel) when watching the stock market. Turning-off the TV brings a wave of quiet and rest to my head. Too many opinions along with a depressed stock market paralyzes my work (months ago, the TV was turned-off because of too much stock market euphoria).

Sometimes I open Firefox to Google “stock market news”. I look for positive information. Something encouraging and hopeful to counterpoint my disappointment in recent Fed action (or inaction), the price of oil per-barrel, Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index - MCSI, and today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average slippage to a 20% bear stock market drop.

Have I found positive, happy, sanguine news? Not really. I have found hints of optimism based on specific indicators. Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) is a favorite stock market source of information. IBD tracks the EKG (stock trading patterns), relative strength, earnings-per-share, industry rank with a lot of other data.

At Investors.com, IBD offers a stock market video reviewing the previous day’s stock market close. Anyone may listen, but the video changes daily. Ken Shreve’s stock market commentary provides helpful insights that may soothe you while watching stock market trades.

You will find Mr. Shreve’s stock market perceptions helpful. I do. Look for the “Daily Stock Analysis” at Investors.com. Remember, this is Mr. Shreve’s comment for one day. To understand stock market trends, you’ll have to listen daily. Also, my mentioning this resource is not a recommendation. You may not find IBD’s comments helpful or suitable to your investment goals. At worst, you may find his commentary and charts entertaining.

Some older friends told me about phone service in our community. You’d crank-up Mary, the phone operator. You’d say, “Mary, connect me to my Mom and Dad.” While waiting, Mary would bring you up-to-date on what’s happening in Town. Nothing like, “Jay’s horse got loose yesterday.” No, this would be juicy stuff about so-and-so leaving someone’s house in the morning shadows.
Mary’s gossip created a buzz in Town, but she may have missed the facts. Presumably, financial news comes close to plain and clear reporting with a hint of speculative prognostication. We don’t want Mary’s journalistic methods informing us about the stock or bond markets.

Investor’s Business Daily, in my opinion, offers clear data supported by distinct technical data. William O’Neill learned by watching institutional investors (mutual funds, pension plans, and institutional private money managers). IBD applies that growing body of knowledge to current market events.

Trading volume may be one of the most important, but not the only important, market actions. Others worth considering:

• Trading patterns,
• Changing market leadership,
• Support and resistance lines
• Relative strength
• Earnings and sales momentum

One of my favorite resources is the “Daily Stock Analysis” video (about 1/3 of the way down the page). Watch it, and you’ll develop insights about how markets and individual stock market pricing changes.