LOWER OPEN

Markets open lower on the heels of higher rates and lower crude. Yes, it is possible for crude to be lower and equities to be lower.

Just about all sectors are lower with the brokers acting best as GS and LEH trade higher. Worst groups include metals, real estate, homies, airlines, utilities, trannies and gaming.

I am again focusing on the utility sector and it is down over 1% as I type and another signal that is not good for the equity mkts right now IMVHO.

Green stocks besides the brokers include AAPL INTC MO ICE NMX BOT MA GILD GRMN ESRX GENZ and MCD.

Red ones include BNI TXN AES WMB ERIC IACI CELG NIHD SNHY BJT DRYS FCSX STLD AKH FTK and X.

Market internals are ugly again with a net 2,200 losers on the NYSE and 1,550 on the NAZ.

Less than 10 green stocks on each of the NDX and OEX also indicating the arrow is probably staying south for the day.

Volatility indexes up about 9% and both the VIX/VXO are trading above the 10% above the 10 day SMA level.

The 2 day RSI on the major indexes at/near 25.