Fool FaceThe Dow Approach
Dow Dividend Strategy | What's Here | The Statistics Center | Spin-Off Help | The Archives
Wednesday, February 5, 1997
The Daily Dow

FOOL GLOBAL WIRE
by Robert Sheard

LEXINGTON, KY. (February 5) -- Splat!!!! Picture your favorite cartoon character here, running out of the window, moving furiously but getting nowhere, and then looking down and recognizing the inevitable. That was the market today. When the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, everyone looked around unfazed (no move was expected). Then in an instant, the investing world leapt out the window without checking the floor number.

I'm sure there will be countless explanations why the market dropped more than 100 points late this afternoon after an expected "no change" call from the Fed came in, so I'll add my own here.

It's a conspiracy by the Flat-Earth Society.

There, now you know the real reason. What? You want proof? Ok, how about the fact that last night both Kansas and Kentucky lost basketball games on the road in towns named Columbia -- in overtime? Coincidence? I don't think so.

How about the fact that Bill Parcells gave up the head coach's position with the Super Bowl runner-up Patriots to become a "consultant" and then head coach of the... gasp... Jets?

How about the fact that Madonna is the most famous woman on the planet?

Is there any doubt that the world is turned inside out and good is evil and evil good? Therefore, the Flat-Earth Society must be right. Write it down, call Oliver Stone, quote me on this. Now you know the real story... and I'm sticking to it.

[Translation: Before you ask, I have no clue why the short-term plunge. But short-term movements aren't a big concern for the Dow Approach. Stay the course is our motto.]

If you have questions I can answer, or just want to chat a bit about the constant changes in the Dow order -- today it was CATERPILLAR <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: CAT)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: CAT)") end if %> exiting and GOODYEAR <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: GT)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: GT)") end if %> joining the group -- stop by my Novice Investor chat tonight at 9:00 eastern. There's an extra fee at the door for Gamecock fans.

(c) Copyright 1997, The Motley Fool. All rights reserved. This material is for personal use only. Republication and redissemination, including posting to news groups, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of The Motley Fool.
The Current BTD 10
1. AT&T
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:T)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:T)") end if %>
2. *International Paper
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:IP)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:IP)") end if %>
3. *General Motors
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:GM)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:GM)") end if %>
4. *Chevron
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:CHV)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:CHV)") end if %>
5. *Minnesota Mining
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:MMM)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:MMM)") end if %>
6. J.P. Morgan
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:JPM)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:JPM)") end if %>
7. Exxon
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:XON)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:XON)") end if %>
8. Texaco
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:TX)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:TX)") end if %>
9. DuPont
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:DD)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:DD)") end if %>
10. Philip Morris
<% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE:MO)") else Response.Write("(NYSE:MO)") end if %>
***NOTE: FOOLISH FOUR
STOCKS ARE PRECEDED BY AN ASTERISK AND ARE ITALICISED

Last Update: 02/05/97
Today's Dow Numbers 
Stock  Change   Last
--------------------
T    -   7/8   38.38
GM   -   1/4   57.25
CHV  -1        65.63
MMM  -1        84.13

                   Day   Month    Year  History
        FOOL-4   -1.48%  -1.79%  -2.27%  26.36%
        DJIA     -1.27%  -0.97%   4.63%  31.85%
        S&P 500  -1.39%  -1.00%   5.07%  26.36%
        NASDAQ   -1.84%  -2.28%   4.45%  28.16%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At       Now    Change

   1/2/96  155 3M            64.50     84.13    30.42%
   1/2/96  198 Chevron       52.38     65.63    25.30%
   1/2/97  231 Gen. Motor    55.75     57.25     2.69%
   1/2/97  618 AT&T          41.75     38.38    -8.08%


    Rec'd   #  Security     In At     Value    Change

   1/2/96  155 3M          9998.09  13039.38  $3041.29
   1/2/96  198 Chevron    10370.25  12993.75  $2623.50
   1/2/97  231 Gen. Motor 12878.25  13224.75   $346.50
   1/2/97  618 AT&T       25801.50  23715.75 -$2085.75


                             CASH    $207.10
                            TOTAL  $63180.73


Main
Page


Fool
Wire


Hall of
Portfolios


Fool's
School


Daily
News


Fool
Mart


Foolish
Games
Copyright©1997, The Motley Fool, All Rights Reserved.
This material is for personal use only. Republication and redissemination, including posting to
news groups, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of The Motley Fool, Inc.
Legal Disclaimer, in fine print of course!		 Questions or Comments?
Please contact
Ted Verrill at
[email protected]