I pick up 200 shares today
as of right now I have a mental stop are 49.50

Another drop with increased volume. I guess the voters, (I'll use voters instead of buyers and sellers because in the short term the market is a voting machine) have no love for VLO. Did you stop yourself out or are you still in?

This is why I like to check the weekly charts to see what the longer term sentiment is. If it's sloping down you're safer with a short position then trying to buck the trend.

Although Stoch is in the oversold range, it's damn near flat-lined on the daily chart but looks to be in the beginning stages of a turn north when viewed on the weekly chart.

I would be looking for signs of capitulation in the form of a long black candle followed by a doji of some form with confirmation via an opening gap up the following day. Combine this with Stoch pointing north and MACD Hist working its way back towards 0.0 and the odds are better for a more profitable trade.

Anyway, if you're still in I hope this turns around for you. If you're out that's good because I think there's still more downside before spring arrives.

BTW, what kind of money management rules do you follow when putting on a trade?

Rich