Stocks are behaving irrationally today after markets opened again. $PCG rose. $PCG, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. / H1 $IBM jumped after the bell when it reported earnings. $IBM, International Business Machines Corporation / H1 The usual disappointments showed up: $GE and $MU – Micron – and of course $AMD. AMD is having a hard time holding $20, closing at $19.76. Why bet on AMD if it is still working through GPU inventory? Will Ryzen holiday sales exceed estimates? Oil stocks fell as markets fell. Why? The usual headline is a slowdown and no trade settlements. Does the U.S. partial government shutdown matter? Workers may receive back pay (30+ days) despite not doing any work. This is fair for those going to work without a pay check. Accumulate oil stocks after selling pressure ends. Watch $XOM, $BP. Tobacco stocks have yet to bottom. Government scrutiny is not helping the sector. Morgan Stanley’s downgrade on Altria Group $MO sent the stock down ~7%. $MO, Altria Group, Inc. / H1