Commonwealth Bank (CBA.ASX) - support $20-22

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is another bank which has plummeted to lows. I can actually see it finding support soon - around $20-22/share. I'd be inclined to place an order around $20 because I think it will reach those levels during intra-day trading and recover to $22-23 level.
Historically the stock has proven strong resistance at $35/share, however is this market I would be surprised to see it exceed $30/share.

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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Bank of Queensland (BOQ.ASX) - support at $7

The Bank of Queensland (BOQ.ASX) strikes me as an even better buy than ANZ because of its favourable geogrpahic exposure to Queensland. Queensland has several positive aspects to it:

1. Strong population growth
2. Strong tourism potential - given the low $A outlook
3. Strong coal & gas sector - thanks to coal seam methane. The investments planned in this sector will be preparatory for the day the global recovery occurs. There are plans for an LNG terminal for the gas, likely power stations, there is a constraint on coal export capacity too.
4. Prospect of a merger with a financial services (wealth management enterprise) - long term
This bank also has collapsed along with the other banks. There is I suggest the prospect of greater exposure to loans, so you might want to investigate its provisions for doubtful debts, and the CEOs comments in this regard. But for a trade, there is some upside coming.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

ANZ Bank - approaching $10 support level

Australian & New Zealand Banking Corporation (ANZ) is under stress as it approaches its $10 support level. The Australian banking sector is in good condition I would think, so this would strike me as a good base from which to buy. ANZ does have greater exposure to NZ, but the other banks are similarly exposed. Commonwealth Bank owns Auckland Savings Bank (ASB) and Westpac also has a subsidiary here. ANZ has been the leading Australian bank in the Asian market.

ANZ has fallen from over $30 to almost $10. That strikes me as a decent correction even if the banking sector is not going to be one of the best performing in the next few years. One needs to remember that the banks have a solid position in wealth management, and their control of credit and forex is unassailable thanks to government favours (barriers to entry). People will say that there are no barriers to entry, but the reality is that huge amounts of money would be required to duplicate the position of the major banks. Interestingly a number of Australian financial institutions are interested in becoming banks, so we might just see that reality. I would love to see an online bank like Shinsei Bank in Japan. But you really want a bank that can perform all the tricks. Its not enough to offer cheap services, you want a full range of services. eg. Stock broking. Some existing banks have relationships with third party brokers, etc, but these relationships are too arms-length to effectively integrate services. B
uy at $10, look for exit before $15. No buy & hold in this climate. We should be traders for the next few years, with the exception of gold & silver, where we can take longer term positions.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com