The week seems to have gotten off to a great start for a few companies in the tech space. Apple (AAPL) is now considered to be the most “Valuable Brand” in the world after it surpassed the likes of Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT) and others on its way to the peak. This is according to the Millard Brown Branz Rankings, a report that was released earlier this week, showcasing some of the world’s most prominent, liked and of course, valuable companies.

Now we come to know that Microsoft (MSFT) has agreed to buy the world’s most popular Internet Communications company, Skype Global, for a staggering $8.5 Billion. Despite having been tossed around by other major technology companies, Microsoft seems to want to incorporate the technology into its aresenal as well in order to compete with Apple and Google. It would be interesting to see how the new acquisition plays out with the release of the new mobile platform from Microsoft later this year.

So, UpDown traders, are you bearish or bullish on the recent news? Apple is still trading just below $350 and as of 11:33 AM today, Microsoft is in the negative as well. Are these opportunities for traders to jump in for the long run? Let us know what you think! @theUpDown and facebook too!

-The UpDown Team

Around 8:30 AM EST this morning came the good news from the Labor Department that the US added more jobs than expected. The news gave positive sentiment on the street into the trading day with the Nasdaq up 1.38%, the S&P up 1.18% and the Dow Jones up 1.17% as of noon.

As traders, one must definitely keep in mind the fact that the job report isn’t up to the minute and rather from a few days to a week or so before any recent events that might have caused fluctuations in the markets. Nevertheless, the unemployment rate did inch up to 9% but most economists agree that, with the recent positive sentiment, individuals who couldn’t find a job and were out of the labor force have returned. That means companies, who are hiring or will be hiring in the near future, have seen a strong increase in consumer demand for products and services. That demand means a more active economy and eventually a stronger quarter for the companies taking advantage of the growth.

So what does this news mean for your portfolio on the UpDown.com? What are your plans moving into the day and next week? Let us know on twitter and facebook! Happy trading!

-The UpDown Team

Ever doubted that globalization could have any effect on domestic trading in the US? Well, today definitely proves how fears of slower growth overseas, a rise in the dollar against the Euro, fall in oil prices and dive in commodities can have an effect in your portfolio and trading plans. So what does this all really mean for our traders on Updown.com? more risks? more opportunities to get into the market while stocks are cheap after a few sharp declines today?

With such commodities as silver falling over 20% in value today since its high point last Friday, copper falling more than 7% and oil finally settling below the $100 a barrel mark, what is Friday going to be like for you? Word on the street has it that the job report, which will be released at 8:30 AM EST by the Labor Department, will have fewer jobs added as compared to March. Why? Most speculators place the blame on higher oil prices which theoretically mean lower consumer expenditures and less need for labor. Could that really have an impact on jobs though or is it the uncertainty from overseas instability in oil rich countries? Perhaps it’s both!

So what should you, as an UpDown trader, be looking forward to and asking yourself as the job report is released tomorrow morning? Well here are a few questions that David Leonhardt feels you should ask NOW! Click here for link to the article by David.

1. Has the recent economic slowdown led to a slowdown in job growth?
2. Has the crisis in Japan affected employment in this country?
3. Are the cutbacks by local and state governments becoming more severe – or perhaps less so?
4. What does the length of the work week say about business executive’s state of mind?
5. Do the statistical details in the report offer reason for optimism?

Why not take it one step further and compare the data to the Consumer Confidence levels. Do they match or is one telling a different story than the other. Do the two offer any reason to move into the market or leave? Hope the day goes well for our traders on UpDown.com. Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! GO PRO!

REMEMBER to follow us on twitter and “like” us on facebook too! Thanks!

- The UpDown.com Team