Dividend.com: Midday Update

The markets are not liking the beginning of options-expiration week thus far. The indices have gone straight down from the opening kickoff. Let's take a look at what, if anything, is looking good and what is not.

Bullish:

Treasuries(TLT Quote): Bonds are up, but off earlier highs.

Rambus(RMBS Quote): Stock is seeing some follow-through from Friday's pop.

UltraShort Real Estate ProShares(SRS Quote): Working well as real estate plays fall.

UltraShort Financials ProShares(SKF Quote): Also doing well with the pullback in financials.

UltraShort QQQ ProShares(QID Quote): As the Nasdaq falls, this play rises.

Bearish:

BlackRock(BLK Quote): Selling continues after Friday's fall on announcement it was buying a Barclay's (BCS Quote)unit.

Wynn Resorts(WYNN Quote): Leading casino play continues to act terribly.

Exchange plays: CME Group(CME Quote) and Intercontinental Exchange(ICE Quote) are both trading lower.

Transports: Railroad plays Union Pacific(UNP Quote) and Burlington Santa Fe(BNI Quote) are uncharacteristically leading the transports sector down.

Commodity Stocks: Lots of red in stocks like Freeport McMoRan(FCX Quote), Potash(POT Quote) and Reliance Steel(RS Quote).

Gold plays: Gold ETF(GLD Quote), Agnico-Eagle Mines(AEM Quote) and RandGold Resources(GOLD Quote) are all giving back hard today.

If the ultrashort plays can trade near the highs late in today's session, traders will have a good opportunity for an overnight hold into tomorrow. I would not make any big moves until we see how the last few minutes of trading look as late-day buying spurts have sent shorts scattering recently. Patience is a necessity. The long side may work better if we can consolidate for the next day or so.

To take the emotion out of it, simply put your stops in place and use trailing stops to your advantage when your positions are working well. Keeping emotion out of trading is a good thing.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system.