Dell Inc. (DELL) missed its earnings expectations today and looks to be expensive even after a 12% drop in stock value. Analysts were looking for 36 cents a share but the company could only earn 31 cents for the previous 3 months.

Some countries are being affected by the global slowdown more than others. The iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ) is in the mist of a trend downward that has not taken too many pauses. Begun at the beginning of June, the index Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) has dropped 20% from 13.83 to 11.20 on August 25^th.

Chinese Internet portal Netease.com reached a new 52 week high yesterday which also happened to be a 5 year high for the company.

Strong Call option buying in Akamai Technologies (AKAM) on Friday is a positive sign for the company. Most of the buying was in the front month of September with some additional buying in the October Calls noted.

Whole Foods Market Inc (WFMI) finished the week with a little uptick as volume spiked at the close on Friday but the weeks chart looks similar to Freddie Mac (FRE). Of course Freddie Mac dropped 43% this week while Whole Foods only dropped 6%. But the continued slide looks similar.

This has been a very difficult week for stocks and Thursday is looking to be another day of negative movement in the indexes. The index indicators are still showing a positive bias but with this weeks action they could signal a hold instead of a buy today or tomorrow.

A recent run-up in biotechnology shares has led to new highs for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) Exchange Traded Fund (ETF).

Long the Ultra QQQ ProShares ETF (QLD) and Short the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

You may not have noticed today as a couple of financials led the markets lower but all four of the major averages have now triggered a buy signal. The Nasdaq Composite, The Dow Jones Industrials, The Russell 2000, and the Standard & Poors 500 are all signaling a rally has begun.

With a very nice 5 day run on high volume, Almost Family Inc (AFAM) still looks like a buy. With revenue growth close to 50% and earnings growth at 95% year over year for the current quarter, the stock trading at a 26 price/earnings is a good purchase.