Ameritrade

Scottrade

Etrade

Think or Swim

Zecco

Ameritrade is by far the easiest and allows trading in most stocks.  Their online trading system is also easy for novice traders but can integrate into more complicated systems.

Right now short term profits is the way to go.  If you make a profit don’t be shy to take it.  The market doesn’t go straight up so any run that last 3-5 days could retrace.

I would also advise against holding stocks into earnings.  Holding a stock through earnings is a huge risk and not worth it.

Sectors worth watching: Oil, and Financials

The reason is that most market makers will widen the spread after the market closes. This means you’re going to get a higher ask price if you want to buy and a lower bid price if you want to sell. Market makers do this to milk the desperate investor.

There are cases where trading after hours could benefit or save you from further losses. If significant news comes out after the close and then buying or selling after hours may be required. For most cases waiting for the next day to put your order is the best choice.

The thin volume of most stocks after the market closes will not give you an advantage.

Over The Counter Stocks and NYSE stocks don’t trade after hours either.

Here are 3 to keep an eye on:

GNTA – Volume Alert

http://www.chartmoney.com/stockquotes.php/?ticker=gnta
Genta Incorporated operates as a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified
product portfolio that is focused on delivering products for the treatment of
patients with cancer.

********************

BGPTQ – Momentum

http://www.chartmoney.com/stockquotes.php/?ticker=bgptq
BearingPoint, Inc. provides management and technology consulting services
primarily in North America and internationally.

********************

UNEFF – Momentum

http://www.chartmoney.com/stockquotes.php/?ticker=uneff
Unbridled Energy is an independent natural gas evaluation and production company
specializing in shale gas and tight gas sands (“TGS”) opportunities in two main
basins within North America; the eastern US Appalachian Basin.

Here is Jim on the Jon Stewart show to defend himself.

The reason for why Bank of America has dropped so low is because of how uncertain everything is and all the negativity. I believe has huge upside potential here.

1. There is the rumor that President Obama wants to nationalize the banks. Americans don’t want this. Obama has actually laughed at the idea when he said on an ABC interview, “Sweden had like five banks. We’ve got thousands of banks…managing and overseeing anything of that scale…wouldn’t make sense.

And we also have different traditions in this country.” President Obama understands that the stock market can determine his success this year. I don’t think he wants to kill off the current shareholders and take Bank of America off the market.

2) Bank of America is committed to repaying taxpayers. They paid back $402 million in a TARP dividend payment to the U.S. government. The CEO has also mentioned that they will not be borrowing any more funds.

3) During the next six months, the Fed will be purchasing $500 billion of mortgage backed securities. I believe the Fed is going to be very nice to Bank of America in this repurchase considering that Bank of America purchased Merrill Lynch when they had second thoughts and the Fed and the Treasury requested they go through with it.

4) Merrill Lynch is the largest retail brokerage, Countrywide is the largest mortgage lender, and Bank of America has been profitable for almost two decades. This is why I think Bank of America will be a leader in our new economy.

5) There is a lot of insider buying going on.