Bought DRV Direxion Daily Real Estate Bear 3X ETF in the portfolio

Bought Direxion Daily Real Estate Bear 3X ETF (NASDAQ: SQNM) stock. 1000 shares @$20.47 were bought in the [model portfolio]. We are hedging our bets in an increasingly tough labor force market.

Bought Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) Stock in the Portfolio

Bought Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) stock. 4500 shares @$3.43 were bought in the [model portfolio]. With all the bad news already baked in, the company will be stabilized by new management and still a healthy business.

Dumping Portolio Dead Weights

Obviously these were dogs and I hung in there with most of them for far too long, getting rid of the following:

1200 YTEC@7.88
800 VSNT@19.18
500 BOLT@12.10
1200 SIGM@12.79

Bought General Steel Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GSI) Stock in the Portfolio

Bought General Steel Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GSI) stock. 4000 shares @$4.67 were bought in the [model portfolio]. The volume and price action seems to be on the side of the longs here.

Two portfolio buyouts free up cash for future purchases

cashed out both SEPR and SDA from the portfolio after both bought out this year. We have plenty of cash and eyes open for future buys.

12 month evaluation (quarter #4) YEAR 1 IS COMPLETE!

While the market took an obvious turn for the worst for people with long positions, we solidly outperformed the market and were able to eek out a gain for the quarter. Although generally we would consider this a success, it is clear that our performance was hampered by poor decisions and could have been far better. We look to improve greatly after finishing up this first great year!

Note to new parties: This is all starting from $100,000 and the S&P at 1455.11 on day one. You can see all of our trades on the excel spreadsheet on the model portfolio page.

Since inception GAIN/LOSS:

J Stock Portfolio: +39.78%
S & P 500: -11.70%

Quarter#4 (May 01, 2008 - August 05, 2008 )
J Stock Portfolio: Started $136430.50 / Ended $139775.50 | GAIN/LOSS: +2.45%
S & P 500: Started 1409.34 / Ended 1409.34 | GAIN/LOSS: -8.83%

Quarter#3 (February 02, 2008 - May 01, 2008)
J Stock Portfolio: Started $119,970.00 / Ended $136430.50 | GAIN/LOSS: +13.75%
S & P 500: Started 1395.42 / Ended 1409.34 | GAIN/LOSS: +1%

Quarter#2 (November 01, 2007- February 02, 2008)
J Stock Portfolio: Started $137,170.00 / Ended $119,970.00 | GAIN/LOSS: -12.54%
S & P 500: Started 1549.38 / Ended 1395.42 | GAIN/LOSS: -9.94%

Quarter#1 (August 08, 2007 - October 31, 2007)
J Stock Portfolio: Started $100,000.00 / Ended $137,107.00 | GAIN/LOSS: +37.11%
S & P 500: Started 1455.11 / Ended 1549.38 | GAIN/LOSS: +6.48%

Bought Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) stock in the Portfolio

Bought Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) stock. 1200 shares @$18.32 were bought in the [model portfolio]. Chart is seeming to find a bottom and is ready to bounce. This stock has a great history of large percentage rebounds.