Stocks Slightly Higher into Final Hour as Sub-prime, Emerging Market Concerns Subside

BOTTOM LINE: The Portfolio is higher into the final hour on gains in my Retail longs and Semi longs. I have not traded today, thus leaving the Portfolio 100% net long. The tone of the market is mixed as the advance/decline line is neutral, sector performance is mixed and volume is above average. Tractor Supply (TSCO) is breaking to a five-month high today. The stock is a play on the benefits related to rising ethanol production, an increase in auto production later this year and improving housing construction next year. Management has been very conservative in its forward guidance. Its valuation is below its historical average. It isn't too late to buy, in my opinion. I remain long the stock. Despite the apocalyptic projections for flash memory and recent market turbulence, SanDisk (SNDK) continues to display relative strength. It is rising .6% today, recouping all its recent losses. I am not long the stock, but its recent strength is very interesting and could bode well for the semi sector.I expect US stocks to trade mixed-to-higher into the close from current levels on short-covering and bargain-hunting.