Still a mixed picture as the Dow fell 309 points on heavy volume. The advance/declines were negative. The summation index is turning lower. The NASDAQ posted a small gain and the S&P 500 had a slight loss. Indices opened with huge gaps lower and the NASDAQ made it all the way back to positive territory for a one day upside reversal. The short term indicators for the S&P 500 are beginning to stall at the mid-range level. The S&P is once again trying to hold on to the 50 day moving average. It appears that things could go either way here but we'll look at the charts this weekend and take it from there. Gold dropped $111 on the futures. The US dollar was a bit higher and interest rates rose. The XAU lost 2 2/3 and GDX shed 7/8. Volume was good to the downside but the gold shares held up much better than the metal itself. They also finished well up from the worst levels of the session. But we still don't have any GDX option trades in mind right now. Mentally I'm feeling OK. The VIX traded up to 23 today only to fall back below the 20 level at the close. The short term indicators here are also at the mid-range level. Not sure where the VIX is going though as my latest readings of its daily candlestick chart have been off. Plenty of work to do this weekend as we head into option expiration week. Hopefully we'll get some kind of SPY option trade going next week. Europe and Asia closed lower today. It's Friday afternoon and time for a break.