To start things off I’d like to post some general information on the positions I have selected by listing their respective sector and industry. These stocks were picked through arbitrary means such as recommendations from friends, good looking charts based on technicals, and real-life acquaintance with the company and it’s products or services. Hover your mouse over the ticker for a complete company name. Here goes:

YHOO: Potentially oversold, timing a bottom using options may be a nice play.
Sector: Technology
Industry: Internet Information Providers

HRAY: Looks like this will be my swing trader; balance sheet is sexy.
Sector: Technology
Industry: Business Software & Services

PAL: Precious metals play.
Sector: Basic Materials
Industry: Industrial Metals & Minerals

SIM: Fantastic company.
Sector: Basic Materials
Industry: Steel & Iron

HANS: I’ve heard a lot about it; also on barchart’s top 100.
 Sector: Consumer Goods
Industry: Beverages - Soft Drinks

MCD: Looking like a long-term breakout. Chose MCD over my other candidate CMG because of the history.
 Sector: Services
Industry: Restaurants

WLP: Sustained price growth; people who eat at MCD will need to go somewhere for healthcare, right?
 Sector: Healthcare
Industry: Health Care Plans

These positions are not intended to be diversified or for S&P style sector diversification/breakdown. As per the rules of the duel I can choose to “do nothing” at any time of the contest. When my positions reflect activity that I do not like and I do not wish to hold on to them this rule gives me the flexibility to remain in cash thus earning interest through my broker. Unfortunately, none of my picks includes a broad-based ETF such as Frank’s SPY which would allow me to go with the flow of the market.