In a recent post on his personal blog, trader Timothy Sykes told investors to "respect the hype" in six particular penny stocks. This perspective runs in-line with Tim's philosophy that investing in penny stocks is a probability game technical analysis is the best way to play. Although I'm sure money can be made by playing the greater fool theory, after looking at some of Tim's picks, I have concluded that the risks surrounding one of them -- BioSolar (OTC BB: BSRC) -- are enormous.

BioSolar is currently being "pumped" by Beacon Research according to Sykes, and we should all "respect the pump," he argues. While I understand short-term traders try to profit from quick share price moves in these sort of companies, this situation seems way too risky for the average trader or investor.

My main concerns: 1) Beacon Equity's report makes several outlandish assumptions, 2) the company's CEO appears to have ties to other penny stocks (he did not deny those claims via my recent email exchange with him), and 3) I'm highly skeptical of BioSolar's ability to create new technologies for a variety of reasons.

The purpose of this piece is to raise important issues any potential investor should see before investing in BioSolar. I have no position (long or short) in this company, I am not accusing BioSolar or its executives of perpetrating a fraud, and I am not personally aware of any short sellers involved in this stock.

Dear Santa,

I made the mistake of telling my lovely wife that she could stand a turn on the treadmill. I fear I have slipped down a couple notches on her "to buy for" list. It would appear that this Christmas you will be my only hope of getting something good. I do have some good news though, I salvaged the conjugal benefit package by admitting that I could stand doing a couple treadmill miles of my own. Yes, the woman is as forgiving as she is beautiful. (That should be good for a brownie point or two!)

In any case, Santa, I understand that you have an option available this year whereby we can have up to 10,000 investment shares of our choosing. If it's not too late to put in my request, I'd like to ask for a few. I promise that if you bring them to me I'll leave some cookies by the door... or possibly some pork chops and sauerkraut. Here's what I'll be looking for in my stocking: (pun intended)