The Long Term Investor

Thanks for the EU report....LORI and RG. I find the......outside the USA....content very interesting.

 

The markets are UP nicely to start the day today. BUT....I am still thinking about the DANGER that comes with AI PROGRAM TRADING.

If it was me I would.....IMMEDIATELY....reinstate the "UPTICK RULE" to try to slow down....."some"......of the short trading and the massive AI trading that DISTORTS the markets.

The current version of the rule is just a JOKE...it does nothing. I would go back to the original rule.

....."The Uptick Rule is a regulation that limits short selling of stocks to prevent market instability. Created to halt drastic declines in stock prices, the rule helps maintain steady market confidence.".....

......"The Uptick Rule is designed to prevent accelerating market declines by requiring that short sales occur at a price higher than the previous trade. Introduced in 1938, the rule was eliminated and revised in 2010 with the Alternative Uptick Rule, which activates when a stock falls 10% or more in a single day".......

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/uptickrule.asp

UNFORTUNATELY this is simply FANTASY on my part.....this will NEVER happen.

 

To me.....understanding this is the BASIS for ALL long term investing.

The Rule of 72: How to Double Your Money in 7 Years
One simple formula can help you estimate investment growth, understand compounding and measure the impact of inflation

https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/the-rule-of-72

 

I like this little article.

Burying your head in the sand works for some investors, but it's not the best advice

https://www.tker.co/p/investors-should-not-ignore-forget-unsettling-events

 

Basically.....if i have stock market money...it is in the markets. I NEVER hold stock market money as....CASH.

Why Are Investors Holding More Cash?

https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2026/06/why-are-investors-holding-more-cash/

 

The market today.

S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow rise as US and Iran call a halt to attacks

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/live/stock-market-today-monday-june-29-224230573.html

 

As to holding CASH.....there are a number of companies that are on sale......BIG TIME....right now. BUT.....you have to do your research and evaluate what is right for you.

'Magnificent 7' stocks are having a dreadful year

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/a...cks-are-having-a-dreadful-year-134333813.html

Microsoft stock is headed for its worst month since 2000

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/a...for-its-worst-month-since-2000-140904697.html

 

As to the soon to come earnings.....I think they will be every bit as good as expected if not better. BUT.....the question....as usual....will the markets care. Probably not.

Wall Street has sky-high expectations for second quarter earnings

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/a...ns-for-second-quarter-earnings-141310243.html

 

AND....speaking of earnings....as usual we see the MEDIA setting up their story-line......to once again make earnings irrelevant.

Nvidia, Micron, and Broadcom hold the stock market's fate in the palm of their hands

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/a...ate-in-the-palm-of-their-hands-130753236.html

This is TOTAL BALONEY. It is a MEDIA set up. BUT...we will see more and more of this as big earnings approach. The MEDIA will be all over how certain earnings are an INDICATOR for the entire market. AND....when the earnings happen....they will, as usual.....have some reason that is pushed and NIT-PICKED....as to why they were not good enough even though they were nice BEATS.

 

We had a very good open today. BUT as usual....NOW....the daily fight to hang onto those green numbers begins. It is the usual BATTLE between the shorts and the AI traders....and the little retail investors that...."should"...be the guts of the market and protected in every way from the traders.

Of course....the traders....being the professionals and the big banks....have ALL the power, at least over the short to medium term. WHY? Because they have POWER with the politicians.

 

YES......MU....has now "nearly" wiped out ALL impact of their......out of this world...... earnings report.

My usual query.....DO EARNING MATTER ANYMORE?

The current price is back to where the company stock was on about June 15. BEFORE the recent earnings BLOW-OUT.

My GUESS.....AI..... is trading this headline....and....making big profits as it CREATES the market action in MU stock that it is trading.

Micron Stock Faces $500 Billion Memory Threat From SK Hynix, Samsung

https://www.barrons.com/articles/micron-stock-price-sk-hynix-samsung-memory-e7b30372

BASICALLY...it does not matter how successful....or how big....or how much money...a company is making. EVERY stock is simply daily trading fodder for......AI.

 

AS usual....the only option for us little retail investors....is to hide out in the LONG TERM.....for as long as it works.

So far today......as a whole....we are doing OK.

I believe that the CLOSE today will set the tone for the short four day week. ESPECIALLY...... if the markets are NOT able to hold onto the early gains......and turn red.

 

As a LONG TERM INVESTOR....that sits fully invested...all the time....I find this actually....FUNNY.

Four days ago.

Micron Stock Soars as Results Blow Past Wall Street Expectations Amid Booming AI Demand

https://www.investopedia.com/micron-earnings-q3-fy2026-memory-stock-soars-ai-demand-12006096

Three days ago.

Micron sinks 6%, wrapping a wild week of trading that saw big swings

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/26/micron-stock-earnings-tech-selloff-ai.html

As usual I will ENDURE and IGNORE it all. BUT....it is fascinatingly funny.....to my little brain.

 

AND....yes....I continue to be active in the music world....in the studio, doing some producer work, and playing live. I did a nice little outdoor show on Saturday.

Most of the HIGH LEVEL people that I played with are now......deceased....or unable to play. BUT....that is just REALITY and LIFE.

I will be taking a break in July.....for my routine cataract surgery. My wife had hers done last year and this year it is my turn.

As to ART activity.....I am expecting to add three new paintings some time in the fall this year.....HOPEFULLY.....and will be following a number of auctions between now and the end of the year.

So..... I keep myself active outside of the markets....a good thing. We will be hosting a family gathering on the......4th of July.....for three generations.