"Yet, you dismiss the news but play the trend."

Yes because by the time we hear the news it's already old and factored into the SP. That's why we went up so much before the deal was announced and fell back after.

Although really I don't dismiss the news it so much as I don't take it at face value. I try to interpret its significance in relation to the TA.

Our new (since 2008) long term uptrend started way before there was any good news. For me, the reversal in early 2009 was a sign that there might actually be good news in the future.

The 20 million share day in NOV 2009 was an obvious signal that major news was in fact coming.

Seriously. Try using TA in your investing. I have been doing this for 25 plus years and I promise you it will add a whole new dimension of understanding your to investing.