The Dow climbed 77 points today on average volume.  The advance/declines were positive.  The Dow is the leader here and that generally isn't considered bullish.  The small stocks continue to lag.  The transports however, continue to make new all time high prices.  Back to short term overbought on the major index technicals.  The Bollinger bands on the S&P 500 are converging, which suggests a big move is coming.  I'm still considering the August OEX puts.  GE was up 3/8 on very good volume today.  Perhaps someone knows about the earnings ahead of time.  That's not to say that the game is rigged.  Some are better informed than others.  Gold was up a couple bucks on the futures and is trying to stabilize.  The US dollar was up on the session.  The XAU was up around 1 1/2.  ABX, GG and NEM were all higher by around 1/2.  Volume was good for ABX, average for the others.  ABX announced a management change today and it was viewed favorably.  I'm still interested in the gold share calls.  Mentally I'm feeling OK.  The summation index continues lower but we have only seen sideways action in prices, not an actual decline.  The breadth is deteriorating here and that is not a good sign.  But if we take out the highs in the major stock indexes on good volume, my idea for the August puts isn't going to work.  The good move for GE today could be a sign of things to come.  It's a tough game.  Gold has had a huge move lower so far this week.  There is no rush to get the gold share calls.  I'm still thinking about taking the position ahead of the earnings due on the 31st.  Getting short term oversold on these issues.  But patience could be the key idea for now with regards to the gold shares.  Always plenty to consider.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.