I logged in in to my credential direct account and did a search of basic materials, one with "winners" one with "loosers" and one on "volume".

You have to take a look at the VOLUME.  Never seen anything like it.  Top 50 gainers/loosers have no volume at all.   Some are as low as a few thousand shares trading hands on a penny stock!

It appears that the only ones left are the serious longs in any stock that recognize the value of the stock they are holding.  And will not sell no matter what. 

Traders must of quit for the weekend as there is hardly any volume anywhere, except for a little bit of gold.

Basically this translates into a tremedous buying opportunity for TTM and many others.  If you can find anyone to buy from as those of us who are left are the exact shareholders you want for any company to succeed.   The believers in their companies and the global need for minerals.  It is almost comical that from month to month either the world really needs metals or they don't need metals.  If you can look beyond what you see outside your windown right now its easy to understand that this metals correction, ( I don't call it a correction more like a lack of education).

Where did all the money go?  In a mattress, bank account or maybe some are sticking their toe into the financials again.  The money is not here but it did not disappear.  It will need somewhere to go when the next idea goes out of fashion.  The other scenerio are some are spooked and are doing the 'sell in may and go away game" a month early. 

Its like we are compressing a giant spring.  The harder you push down on it the higher it will jump when it is finally let go.  Well the spring is basically coiled up on the ground pretty much compressed as much as it can.  When it lets go it will move quickly.  It just needs a catalyst.  Those who have the power to provide that catalyst won't do so yet as long as there are still those who want to give away their shares.

Looks like most are trying to find the absolute bottom to almost every base metal stock.   All I can say is with 100% confidence that right now we are much closer to the bottom than the top! 

There is "low hanging fruit" everywhere.  For those who have available cash this may be the best buying opportunity for 2008, and maybe the next few years. 

Most of the misinformed/foolish/skiddish  have made their way to the exits.  The only ones left are the educated few like ourselves.  Lots of empty seats to be filled to capacity by those who can and will provid the catalyst, THE ONES WITH DEEP POCKETS.

Hang in there.  If you own what you believe is a good quality stock with growth potential hold it.  If you have extra cash buy more of it.

BBOB