"My latest 'Special Alert' recommendation could be called an 'Are you Crazy?' pick; despite the high risk, I believe National bank of Greece (NBG) could double before the end of 2011," says global stock specialist Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of The Global Bull Market Alert explains, "Ratings agency Fitch just recently cut the long-term ratings of the National Bank of Greece to BB+ from BBB- while it maintained a 'negative outlook' for its prospects.

"Nevertheless, here's why I think Fitch and the other naysayers are wrong... and why National Bank of Greece will be a big winner for patient investors.

Today was a day that opened up and stayed up all day. The DJIA 11,000 was a floor throughout the trading session, yet it was questionable whether that would remain so at the end of the trading day, when it became a bumper car game around the DJIA 11,000 level. The unofficial closing bell level appears to have held the 11,000 mark. Main Street and Wall Street are still awaiting the direction to come from earnings season which starts today.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 11,005.97 +8.62 (0.08%)
Nasdaq 2,457.87 +3.82 (0.16%)
S&P 500 1,196.48 +2.11 (0.18%)

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The DJIA managed to finally get back over that ever-elusive DJIA 11,000 mark in the last ten minutes of the trading day today. Shares managed to stay firm most of the day after Greece was given a reprieve by the ECB's Trichet, who offered some reassuring comments. Earnings season is about to gear up with many key players reporting next week.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,997.35 +70.28 (0.64%)
Nasdaq 2,454.05 +17.24 (0.71%)
S&P 500 1,194.37 +7.94 (0.67%)

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The FOMC not only kept rates at near-zero, the FOMC promised again that an "extended period" was left in the statement with a 9-1 vote to leave rates unchanged. Today was one of those days where overseas markets were up on Greece debt hopes, and the negative DJIA in the morning reversed itself for gains most of the day.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,685.98 +43.83 (0.41%) S&P 500 1,159.46 +8.95 (0.78%) Nasdaq 2,378.01 +15.80 (0.67%)

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Today had the markings of a good day, but for obvious reasons, +5.7% GDP in Q4 was only so high because Q$-2008 was so awful. We continued to see technology stocks and the broader market sell off on chart and technical levels despite what are solid earnings. The real issue today may be Washington D.C. and high valuations after so many stocks have doubled, tripled, or risen even more off of lows. This selling of everything feels like the bears might be taking back at least some control after literally have no vote for more than 10 months.

Here are today's closing bell levels:

Dow 10,102.55 -17.91 (-0.18%)
S&P 500 1,073.87 -10.66 (-0.98%)
Nasdaq 2,147.35 -31.65 (-1.45%)

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Today was a day which could have gone either way. The data was light and the market is on hold for earnings. But Congressional inquiries today with top bank executives did not have an angry nor threatening tone as you have seen in other unrelated hearings of the past. This helped the financial sector and the market. The Fed's Beige Book also gave no end in sight for near-zero rates.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,680.77 +53.51 (0.50%)
S&P 500 1,145.68 +9.46 (0.83%)
Nasdaq 2,307.90 +25.59 (1.12%)

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MAJOR PAPERS:

• Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Weekday Trader" wrote that NYC tax medallion financier and owner Medallion Financial Corp (NASDAQ: TAXI) is a play on the rising value of the New York City's taxi medallions, currently worth $600K each.
• The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that General Electric Company's (NYSE: GE) NBC next week will use a 1950s standard, live advertisements, to keep viewers watching commercials in the age of digital video recorders.

OTHER PAPERS:

• Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) will cut over 700 jobs at two Tennessee plants, reported the Associated Press.
• The U.K. Times has learned that food service company Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY) will bid for British food company Brake Bros, which has also drawn interest from Archie Norman and Blackstone.
• From BusinessWeek's "Inside Wall Street" section:
  
• Without belittling the challenge Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) faces from its bribery scandal, investors will now start paying attention to the company's earnings, according to Michael Hagmann of UBS.
  
• MCF Corporation (NYSE: MEM) is a small financial services operation with a cheap price, given its 50% annual growth rate, said Scott Potter of San Francisco Equity Partners.
  
• John Maloney, president of M&R Capital Management, sees National Bank of Greece (NYSE: NBG) benefiting from the booming economies of Southeastern Europe.