ALTI

[Melf Elf]

Sold it all at 3.30.  Profit: 6.1%.

I posted the following in the TASR folder regarding limit vs. market orders and thought that I'd also post it here as a "real life" example of trading decisions that we  all have to make, beyond our technical and fundamental analysis.  If I had placed the wrong type of order, I would have given back ALL of my profit as of the last trade in ALTI at 3.11, which was the price I paid for the stock:

"... there are situations in which you should use a market order.

One good example was the sale of ALTI that I posted in that folder this morning.  The stock was indicated to open at the top of the Symmetrical Triangle, and if it did open there, I wanted to take my profit and get out.  I suspected a "gap to crap."

By the time ALTI opened, the indication had dropped a little to BID 3.31...ASK 3.32.  The trendline is at 3.35.  I thought about waiting for it to open and then trying to sell it closer to the trendline at 3.35, but decided that it likely would drop real fast if I was right about the "gap to crap" open.   I had 5,000 shares, and I didn't want to fool around trying to guess what limit price to enter.  If I had put a 3.35 limit for example, often they won't fill it, and you sit and watch the stock tank, and watch your profit slip away. 

I've had that happen MANY times.  They keep dropping the BID...ASK below your limit price, or if you're trying to buy, they keep raising the BID....ASK above your limit price. 

With ALTI, there were relatively few fills higher than my 3.30 fill.   ALTI made its high for the day in the first five minutes of trading.  It's now trading at 3.11, where I originally bought it.   If I had entered a limit order that didn't get filled because the stock dropped so fast, I would have lost all of my profit, even though I "got it right" about the "gap to crap."   Believe me,  I'd be very frustrated that I had entered a limit order.

In a situation like ALTI this morning, don't hesitate to SELL AT MARKET."

Here's the "gap to crap" in ALTI:

http://ts-lc.sc8.finance.lycos.com/1123874431937?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=NASDAQ:ALTI&Interval=5&Permission=1000&Ht=400&Wd=600&Display=2&Study=&Param1=&Param2=&Param3=&FontSize=10&LocaleID=0x0409

[Melf Elf]

Man, talk about a "gap to crap"....ALTI closed at 3.05, up only a penny after that huge gap up open to the early 3.37 high.

[cumulina]

Glad you got out with some profit, Melf Elf.

Good tactics you used, and thank you very much for the educational post also. (Applause)

Man, talk about a "gap to crap"....ALTI closed at 3.05, up only a penny after that huge gap up open to the early 3.37 high.

Now - who could have guessed the outcome of the day, after all the adverticing in the morning?
I think there are a lot of people who bought ALTI some time this year, who are not likely to forget how volatile it can be...

[Melf Elf]

Now - who could have guessed the outcome of the day, after all the adverticing in the morning?
I think there are a lot of people who bought ALTI some time this year, who are not likely to forget how volatile it can be...

You picked a good name for this folder..."May be interesting today."  That was a wild ride today!   

[ssubirias3]

Just wondering how many people are still in this if any?  Looking around I found the following on a news/alert site.  Perhaps this is an entry point?

============
Altair has shown upward momentum today, trading up 16% with an unusually high volume. The company announced earlier this week that they will be holding will host a project update conference call. The call will be held, October 5, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. Shareholders and members of the investment community are invited to participate in the conference call. The conference call dial-in number for both U.S. and international callers is +1 973 935 2981. Today's increase in demand is a result of the investors anticipation of the results of this conference call.
============

[metro]

Briefing com showed the following upgrade on Sept 19 and I have found that if the stock does not rally that it is still good to watch as they can have delayed reactions. Whatever - sometimes upgrades are also made so that brokers can sell - but here is what was said:

"Altair Nanotechnologies: Believe shares could move up on potential deal announcements; $4 tgt - WR Hambrecht (ALTI) 2.59 : WR Hambrecht thinks ALTI could move up as potential deal announcements roll in over the next few months. Firm says there could be two announcements before the early October quarterly update; one on NanoCheck and one in the Life Sciences area. Firm's recent visit to ALTI's headquarters has given them more confidence in their Buy rating thesis. Believes ALTI-based hybrid battery could be sooner than expected, and says the hybrid market is taking off and automakers are talking to Altair about a midrange battery with less performance improvement but hitting the market soon. Firm notes this would involve replacing only the anode and leaving the cathode alone. Long-term investors should build positions now as they believe 2006 estimates are conservative. Reits Buy and $4 tgt."

[cumulina]

Be carefull with this one! 


A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words
By Seth Jayson (TMF Bent)
September 22, 2005

Is this the kind of cutting-edge research lab you expect from a self-proclaimed nanotech leader that was (earlier this year) worth several hundred million dollars? In the words of one of my waggish colleagues who spent years of his life in the pharmacology lab, that lab's got "less equipment than a high-school chemistry class." Open-toed, high-heeled shoes in the research room? What kind of important experiment is being conducted with that red fluid in the center? Is this all play-acting?

I don't want to oversnark this, but I think this is a fair question, especially because Altair Nanotechnologies (Nasdaq: ALTI) produces a lot of fluff, and it has a long history of generating more enthusiasm than earnings.

In recent weeks, reality has begun to creep back into the share price at Altair, which earlier this year shot up to more than $6 a stub after a press release purported to describe a breakthrough in its lithium-battery technology. Said breakthrough has thus far produced only an R&D agreement with an undercapitalized Chinese battery company that plans to try and sell its wares to the manufacturers of electric cars. And we all know how many of those there are clogging the streets and highways.

Its greatest success this year was securing a load of cash through a private placement, shortly after the PR and investor overreaction sent the stock through the roof. Since then, it's been the same old thing: promises of great potential for products and processes. If these great products and processes ever reach market, they'll have to compete with established products made by established companies such as Genzyme (Nasdaq: GENZ), DuPont (NYSE: DD), and Lyondell Chemicals (NYSE: LYO).

Not that this doesn't make for great drama. In addition to the recent exit of the firm's independent auditor, there are lawsuits and ex-insiders posting their not-entirely-sanguine thoughts on the company on public message boards.

There's a lesson here, Fools. What goes up like a rocket eventually rains down like meteoric shrapnel, especially when the only fuel to keep things afloat is overhyped hope. The next time a "big news" press release rolls out, take a deeper look. Start with that picture.


And here is a link to the photo, that got The Motley Fool so upset...

http://www.altairnano.com/Inside_the_Lab.html

...but the stock IS a day-trader favourite. Just keep your eyes on it!

[sebfr]

hi,

it's time to buy this one...
buy at 2.580
target at 3.500
stop at about 2.150

news :
Congress to Fund $2.5 Million in Energy and Water Development Appropriations for Altair Nanotechnologies' Nanoscience Research
11/9/2005 1:42:54 PM










RENO, NV, Nov 09, 2005 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (ALTI) has been designated to receive an additional $2.5 million in Federal grant funding during 2006-2007 for the continued development of nanotechnology, nanosensors, and nanomaterials research, development and deployment. The $2.5 million funding was included in the Congressional Energy and Water Development Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2006, which was passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2005. We anticipate the appropriation will be signed by the President within the next week.

The grant will be utilized for funding of the following projects:

1. The continued development of nanosensors for detecting chemical,
    biological and radiological agents in the environment.
    This project continues as a joint research and development
    collaboration involving Altair Nanotechnologies and
    Western Michigan University.
2. Development and testing of nano-structured electrode materials for
    high-power, quick-charge, quick-discharge, high cycle life lithium
    ion batteries.
    This project includes the continued joint development of
    nano-structured lithium titanate materials for anodes and
    nano-structured lithium manganate cathodes for high-performance
    batteries with Rutgers University.  Altair has concurrently developed
    a manufacturing process to produce the materials in bulk for
    manufacture of Li(4)Ti(5)O(12) batteries.
3. Development and characterization of nanomaterials for bactericidal
    biofilms in non-aqueous environments.
    This funding will support research for the characterization of
    bactericidal nanoparticles with the ultimate goal of producing
    environmentally safe, biocompatible, antimicrobial nanomaterials
    for bacteria-resistant surface coatings for sensitive devices and
    buildings. The project is a collaboration involving the National
    Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, The University of
    Nevada, Reno, and The University of California, Santa Barbara.


"We are appreciative of the hard work and continued support of numerous individuals including Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic Leader in the Senate," commented Altair CEO and President Alan J. Gotcher, Ph.D. "We believe these programs will have a positive impact on Altair's alternative energy initiative, the company's continued development of homeland security and national defense products, and a new development program to produce environmentally safe bacteria-resistant nanomaterials for providing self-cleaning surfaces."

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is a leading supplier and innovator of advanced ceramic nanomaterial technology. Based in Reno, Nevada, Altairnano has assembled a unique team of materials scientists who, coupled in collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, have pioneered an array of intellectual property and products.

Altairnano's robust proprietary technology platforms produce a variety of crystalline and non-crystalline nanomaterials of unique structure, performance, quality and cost. The company has scalable manufacturing capability to meet emerging nanomaterials demands. Altairnano's two divisions, Life Sciences and Performance Materials, are focused on applications where its nanotechnology may enable new high growth markets. The Life Sciences Division is pursuing market applications in pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, dental materials and other medical markets. The Performance Materials Division is focused on market applications in advanced materials for paints and coatings; air and water treatment and alternative energy including new lithium ion battery electrode materials. For additional information on Altairnano and its nanomaterials, visit www.altairnano.com.

Technicals :
Price broke the resistance at 2.43
Price above his MA50
Good support at 2.150
Ascending triangle breakout
RSI > 50 and MACD > 0 and MACD is well oriented
+di > - di and ADX < 25 and ADX is more and more higher -> good...New uptrend..
ROC > 0 and ChaikinOscillator > 0 -> time to buy....

[sebfr]

Time to buy again...

ALTI is THE stock of the day...

Buy at 2.100
stop loss at about 1.970
target at about 3.20
ratio = 52 / 7 = 7.43...Excellent (> 5)

Technicals :
Chart pattern : double bottom
Candelstick : Doji

[sebfr]

Hi,

an another candidate : ALTI...

Startegy :
Buy at 2.10
first target at 2.60
second target at 3.10
stop loss at 1.980
ratio = 48 / 6 = 8...Very good...

[garym]

Alti up almost 40% today on what seems to be very good news.  Opinions on buying here?

From briefing.com:

1:41PM Altair Nanotechnologies lithium ion battery cells exceed H.E.V power requirements of U.S. FreedomCAR (ALTI) 2.46 +0.12 : Co announces that its battery research and development team successfully completed a testing program for lithium ion battery cells containing Altairnano's nano-structured lithium titanate electrode materials. "The test results demonstrated that the performance of these lithium ion battery cells exceed the system-level power requirements set forth by the U.S. Council for Automotive Research FreedomCAR Energy Storage System Performance Goals for hybrid electric vehicle, as well as those requirements published by major U.S. automakers," said Evan House, Ph.D., Program Director, Altairnano's Advanced Materials & Power Systems business unit.

[Jimbo]

Full Press Release :

Altair Nanotechnologies Lithium Ion Battery Cells Exceed HEV Power Requirements of U.S. FreedomCAR

"RENO, NV--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 17, 2006 -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NasdaqSC:ALTI - News) today announced that its battery research and development team successfully completed a testing program for lithium ion battery cells containing Altairnano's nano-structured lithium titanate electrode materials.
"The test results demonstrated that the performance of these lithium ion battery cells exceed the system-level power requirements set forth by the U.S. Council for Automotive Research FreedomCAR Energy Storage System Performance Goals for hybrid electric vehicle (HEVs), as well as those requirements published by major U.S. automakers," said Evan House, Ph.D., Program Director, Altairnano's Advanced Materials & Power Systems business unit. These power requirements can be viewed at: www.uscar.org/consortia&teams/consortiahomepages/con-usabc.htm

The battery cells using Altairnano's nano-structured lithium titanate electrode materials in battery cell tests developed for HEV applications demonstrate a useable state-of-charge range twice that of conventional nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries presently used in hybrid electric vehicles. Nano-structured lithium titanate electrode materials offer a near-term promise of lithium ion batteries that exhibit rapid charge and discharge, longer cycle life and more inherently safe performance than either currently available nickel metal hydride or lithium ion batteries. These results support the feasibility of a power lithium ion battery pack half the size of those currently being tested for HEV applications.

We believe this phase of our testing program provides enough data to demonstrate that lithium-ion batteries utilizing our nano-structured battery electrode materials can have both the energy and power densities that exceed those of the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries currently being used in HEVs," commented Altairnano President and CEO Alan J. Gotcher, Ph.D. "In our meetings with members of the automotive industry in the U.S. and abroad, we have been told that power-based lithium-ion batteries with the ability to discharge and charge rapidly, combined with greater cycle life and abuse tolerance, are desirable for the future of hybrid vehicles.

"This assessment," continued Dr. Gotcher, "was validated in the October 24, 2005, issue of Automotive News, when Japan's largest maker of nickel metal hydride batteries, used by Ford Motor Company and other carmakers of hybrid vehicles, stated that the future belongs to lithium-ion batteries. This sentiment was echoed in the article by Sanyo Electric Company, Toyota Motor Corporation, General Motors and Ford Motor Company executives."

The power of Altair's cell was first demonstrated and published in the September 2004 edition of the advanced energy industry standard, Journal of Power Sources. In that paper, authored by Dr. Du Pasquier and colleagues of the Rutgers University Energy Storage Group, battery cells using Altairnano's nano-structured battery electrodes demonstrated a three-minute full recharge and more than 9,000 cycles of sequential three-minute, 100 percent, recharges and discharges, validating the superior cycle life characteristics of Altairnano's nano-materials, when compared to traditional lithium ion batteries with a cycle life of 300 to 500 recharges and discharges.

The battery testing programs for applications targeting HEVs and electric vehicles are underway at a specially equipped facility located in the company's corporate headquarters in Reno, NV. Located in Anderson, Indiana, Altairnano's battery product application labs, with rapid prototyping and battery testing capabilities, is expected to be fully equipped and operational and to have its first battery cells manufactured by the end of January."


ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is a leading supplier and innovator of advanced ceramic nanomaterial technology. Based in Reno, Nevada, Altairnano has assembled a unique team of materials scientists who, coupled in collaborative ventures with industry partners and leading academic centers, have pioneered an array of intellectual property and products.

Altairnano's robust proprietary technology platforms produce a variety of crystalline and non-crystalline nanomaterials of unique structure, performance, quality and cost. The company has scalable manufacturing capability to meet emerging nanomaterials demands. Altairnano's two divisions, Life Sciences and Performance Materials, are focused on applications where the company's nanotechnology may enable new high growth markets. The Life Sciences Division is pursuing market applications in pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, dental materials and other medical markets. The Performance Materials Division is focused on market applications in advanced materials for paints and coatings; air and water treatment, environmental sensing, and alternative energy -- including new lithium ion battery electrode materials. For additional information on Altairnano and its nanomaterials, visit www.altairnano.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that, in subsequent laboratory testing or when used in prototype or production model HEVs, Altairnano's nano titanate spinel electrode materials will not exhibit anticipated characteristics; that, as Altairnano is developing its materials, competitors will develop materials that are comparable or superior for use in the HEV market; that the HEV market will contract or not expand as expected; or that, for reasons related to market timing, strategy, technology or other factors, manufacturers of HEVs will select batteries using other materials or other technologies for energy-efficient vehicles in the future. Altairnano's nano titanate spinel electrode materials are in the development stage and Altairnano can provide no assurance that development will proceed as projected or that its material will receive broad market acceptance. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.

[msurad]

Hoping for some news soon.  Make alittle on the flip side and then watch it go back down. 

[cache00]

This defenitely a stock to watch this coming week.

[ScottishTrader]

Bingo sebfr, dunno if you or anyone else is still in ALTI but have been keeping an eye  on it since it exploded the other week - has had a nice pennant accumulation over the last several days.  Then I had a look at it late in the day, and it was looking quite bullish forming an ascending triangle and pressing the HOD at 3.24.  Sniffing something I jumped in and then went home....  only to find it had EXPLODED right after I bought in

Unbelievable

Now does anyone have any idea why it exploded like this - surely it can't be purely technical, can it???
Lovely charts though - will see how it looks come Monday.  If it has this kind of momentum, it could easily push $4 first thing.