More wind. I’m selling the SLV here and opening a position in PWR. I may reenter the SLV position on a pullback.

The model portfolio has been updated with some recent additions.  Here they are along with some rationale.

UUP US Dollar Index Up - The US dollar has been decimated over the last few years.  However, with the possibility of interest rates finally hitting bottom, I’m initiating a bullish position on the US Dollar.  I may add additional shares to this position in the future.

OTTR Otter Tail Corp - This is an up and coming wind energy play which has a contract with GE to build towers for wind turbines.

SLV Silver ETF - I’d like to maintain some metals in the portfolio and have been noticing that silver has been outperforming gold lately.  Gold and silver have been beaten up lately.  I think its a good inflation hedge as well.

 TRN Trinity Industries - Another wind play.  This one creates wind towers and is also involved in the manufacturing of rail cars including specialized rail cars used to transport wind turbine components.

 AA Alcoa - After a pullback, I’ve entered this stock adding exposure to metals manufacturing.  I’ll be keeping a close eye on this one though.

AAPL Apple Computer - With Microsoft’s Vista OS becoming less popular by the day, the increasing use of apple computers on college campuses and the iPhone, there are plenty of reasons to own apple.

KDN Kaydon Corp - This is another industrial manufacturer with exposure to wind turbines.  They manufacture bearings and gearboxes which have been shown to be in short supply.

EMR Emerson Electric - Another industrial manufacturer with improving earnings and insider buying.

 Click here to view the model portfolio.

I’ve gone ahead and initiated a position on Visa V.  The thesis being that the continuation in the use of credit/debit cards over cash will continue be a driver for this stock. View the model portfolio here.

Extensive volatility has hit the markets to the point that brokerages have eliminated reduced intraday margin requirements.  Today the S&P 500 had a range of 70 points.  This amounts to a 5% swing over just one day.  At the end of the day, the market rallied 2.14%.  The Federal Reserve’s Rate cut along with the talk of bond insurer bail outs makes the possibility of a bounce high.   As a result, the model portfolio’s SDS position has been sold for a nice profit.  I’ll be looking for opportunities to reenter the market but would like to see a reduction in volatility before doing so.