THE CLOSE

Markets closed at the highs of the day after the DJIA touched its August low at the 12,500 level. Best major index was the NDX up 2% plus with large cap growth and the OEX each moving up +1.5%.

Strong sectors- China, emerging markets, financials, gaming, defense and banks while internets, telecom, airlines and semis were the laggards.

Big gainers included DECK VMW NVDA MER LVS AAPL NYX MGM CELG WYNN DD BAX GD GOOG HPQ MS AMGN CPLA CHL SLT WFR HUM DWSN;

NYSE/NAZ internals- 350 more winners than losers;

NDX - 54 WINNERS;

OEX -65 WINNERS;

IBD 100- 45 WINNERS;

So if your not happy with the way your trades/investments are going so far in 2008- how do you think some of these folks feel:

Eddie Lampert watching his investment vehicle SHLD slip more than 50% (193 to 93) from April 2007 through today (includes a major purchase of C at/near $53);

BX birthday boy Steve Schwartzman, watched his investment fall from IPO territory of $37 to a recent $17.5, all in about 6 months;

Billionaire Joe Lewis loading the boat on BSC shares over the last 6months at/near $100 now watching it hove near $70;

Sam Zell sells his commercial real estate holdings last year at/near the highs to some of the "smartest people" on the street, BX (see above);

Another smart guy, Ken Lewis at BAC, buying a big slug of CFC last August at/near $18- now trading - $4.9;

Probably time for these guys to act before more investors get hurt.