Saturday, February 26, 2011

3 Fantastic growth stocks

My definition of growth stocks may be different from yours.  I look for 4 things: increasing sales, increasing earnings, increasing prices and a volume that allows me to get in and out quite easily.  This morning I used Barchart to screen 6000 stocks and came up with these 3 gems,

DIRECTV (DTV) is a provider of digital multichannel television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The Company operates in two direct-to-home (DTH) segments, DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic location. These are engaged in acquiring, promoting, selling and/or distributing digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, the Company owns and operates regional sports networks, or RSNs, and owns interest in Game Show Network, LLC, or GSN, a basic television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game playing. DIRECTV offers its customers HD channels and Dolby-Digital' 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET, and many more. The Company is based in El Segundo, California.

Technical factors:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) buy signal
  • 10 new highs and up 7.35% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 81.30%
  • Trades around 46.03 with a 50 day moving average of 42.13
  • Daily volume for last 50 days -- 6.4 million per day
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerages have published 14 buy and 7 hold recommendations
  • Sales are expected to increase by 8.90% this year and 8.20% next year
  • Earning are projected to increase by 23.80% this year, 29.60% next year and 28.74% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment
  • CAPS members on Motley Foll vote 611 to 68 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars are in agreement by a vote of 164 to 11
  • Fool notes that 24 of the last 26 articles by Wall Street columnists have been positive

CHICO'S FAS, INC. (CHS) is a specialty retailer of exclusively designed, private label casual clothing and related accessories. Each store offers collections of color coordinated tops, pants, shorts, skirts, jumpsuits, dresses, vests, jackets, outerwear, socks and accessories, including leather and fabric belts, scarves, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Technical Factors:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) buy signal
  • 10 new highs and up 27.11% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index is 75.86% and rising
  • Trades around 13.83 with a 50 day moving average of 11.38
  • Daily volume of the last 50 days -- 3.5 million per day
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have 10 buy and 9 hold recommendations for their brokers to push
  • Sales are projected to increase by 11.90% this year and 8.40% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 27.70% this year, 18.10% next year and 16.44% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • On Motley Fool the CAPS members vote 740 to 108 that the stock will our perform the market
  • In agreement are the All Stars with a vote of 196 to 18
  • According to Fool 14 of the last 19 articles by Wall Street columnists have been positive

Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD)  is an oil and gas exploration and production company with ownership interests in oil and gas properties located in the United States, Argentina, Canada, South Africa and Gabon. The company provides administrative, financial and management support to United States and foreign subsidiaries that explore for, develop and produce oil, natural gas liquid and natural gas reserves.

Technical Factors:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • Trend spotter (tm) buy signal
  • 7 new highs and up 16.29% last month
  • Relative Strength Index 71.54% and climbing
  • Trades around 102.86 with a 50 day moving average of 91.98
  • Daily volume for the last 50 days -- 1.2 million per day
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have published 16 buy and 11 hold recommendations for their firms clients
  • Sales are projected to increase by 35.20% this year and 25.20% next year
  • Earnings are expected to soar by 72.90% this year, 49.30% next year and 8.50% for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • CAPS members on Motley Fool vote 264 to 22 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars are in agreement with a 98 to 5 vote
  • All 14 of the past articles on this stock by Wall Street columnists have been positive
If you don't buy these 3 stocks at least  put them on your watch lists


Jim Van Meerten is an analyst for  Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.



Friday, February 25, 2011

Some foreign banks are worth a look

Not all foreign banks are toxic.  Canada's underwriting of loans was much more conservative that in the US.  Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is just such a bank so I added it to the Barchart Van Meerten New High model portfolio today.

ROYAL BANK of Canada  operates under the master brand name of RBC. They are Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies. They provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services on a global basis. They have employee approximately Seventy Thousant full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 36 other countries.

Technical Factors:
  • 96% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 15 new highs and up 8.54% in the last month
  • Relative strength Index 71.41% and rising
  • Trades around 58.07 with a 50 day moving average of 53.63
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerages have published 1 buy and 2 hold recommendations
  • Revenue is expected to increase by 5.50% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 19.50% this year, 16.80% next year and 10.00 annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • The CAPS members on Motley Fool think the stock will beat the market by a vote of 557 to 39
  • The All Stars are in agreement with a 202 to 9 vote
Jim Van Meerten is an analyst for  Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Brookdale Senior Living -- BKD -- added

As a larger and larger portion of our population begins to age senior living facilities should be the next great growth market.  This market just may not be discretionary in the future.  Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) has been having very positive price momentum and was added to the Barchart Van Meerten New High Model portfolio today.


Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living facilities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing an exceptional living experience through properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. The Company owns and operates independent, assisted and dementia-care facilities.

Technical Factors:

  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 15 new highs and up 20.24% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 77.86% and rising
  • Trades around 26.37 with a 50 day moving average of 22.26
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have published 5 buy and 2 hold recommendations for their clients
  • Sales are projected to increase by 5.40% this year and 4.80% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 51.50% this year, 181.30% next year and 12.50% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • The Motley Fool CAPS members vote 101 to 26 that the stock will out perform the market
  • The All Stars agree by a vote of 43 to 4.
Jim Van Meerten is an analyst for  Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Sell Signals 2/25

FTSE China ETF (FCHI)

  • 96% Barchart technical sell signal
  • Trend spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below 20, 50 & 100 day moving averages
  • 14.25% off high
  • Relative strength Index 36.44% and falling

  • 100% Barchart short term technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below 20, 50 & 100 day moving averages
  • 20.49% off high
  • Relative strength Index 29.54% and dropping

  • 100% Barchart Short term technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below 20, 50 & 100 day moving averages
  • 11.99% off its high
  • Relative Strength Index 33.21% and falling

  • 100% Barchart technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below 20, 50 & 100 day moving averages
  • 17.83% off its high
  • Relative Strength Index 31.70% and falling





Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Pohang Iron & Steel -- PKX -- sell signals

Pohang Iron and Steel (PKX) has been having some negative price trends and should go on your sell watch list of you own it.

Pohang Iron & Steel Company Ltd., manufactures hot and cold rolled steel products, heavy plate and other steel products for the construction and shipbuilding industries.

Sell Factors:
  • 80% Barchart technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 19.35% off its high
  • Relative Strength Index is 39.28% and falling
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

SAIC Inc -- SAI -- sell signals

SAIC Inc (SAI) has been having some negative price trends so I deleted it from my Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio based on this negative price momentum.

SAIC INC  (SAI ) is a scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 40,000 employees serve customers in the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets.

Sell Factors:

  • 60% Barchart short term technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
  • 6.31% of its high
  • Relative Strength Index 33.65% and falling
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Atricure -- ATRC -- Sell signals

Atricure (ATRC) has had some problems lately so I'm deleting it from the Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio based on negative price momentum.

AtriCure, Inc. (ATRC) is a medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling innovative surgical devices to create precise lesions, or scars, in soft tissues. Medical journals have described the adoption by leading cardiothoracic surgeons of the AtriCure, Inc. bipolar ablation system as a standard treatment alternative during open-heart surgical procedures to safely, rapidly and reliably create lesions in cardiac, or heart, tissue to block the abnormal electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation, a quivering of the upper chambers of the heart.

Sell Factors:
  • 60% Barchart short term technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter (tm) sell signal
  • Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
  • 14.59% off its recent high
  • Relative Strength Index 31.91% and dropping
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Barchart Morning Call 2/25

Barchart Morning Call
Overnight Developments
  • Global stocks are trading higher with the European Euro Stoxx 50 index up +0.86% and March S&Ps up +9.70 points. The dollar is stronger and crude oil is slightly higher, but less of a concern after Saudi Arabia and the IEA said yesterday that they could compensate for any disruption to crude oil supplies caused by the turmoil in Libya. The British pound fell to a 1-week low against the dollar after Q4 UK GDP was revised weaker to -0.6% q/q and +1.5% annualized from the originally reported -0.5% q/q and +1.7% annualized. The euro weakened against the dollar after European retail sales failed to increase for the first time in 4 months in Feb after the Feb Euro-Zone Markit Economics gauge of retail sales fell -5.9 to 49.9. A bullish factor for European stocks was the stronger than expected Jan French consumer spending which fell -0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations for a -0.7% m/m decline. Russia's central bank unexpectedly raised its discount rate by 25 bp to 8.00% and the overnight deposit rate to 3.00% starting Feb 28 and Bank Rossii also decided to raise banks' reserve requirements starting Mar 1 in an attempt to curb inflation.
  • The Asian stock markets today closed higher with Japan up +0.71%, Hong Kong +1.82%, China +0.21%, Taiwan +0.68%, Australia +0.57%, Singapore +1.75%, South Korea +0.62%, India +0.38%. Japan's deflation eased to the slowest pace in 21 months after the Jan Japan national CPI ex-fresh food slipped -0.2% y/y, stronger than expectations of a -0.3% y/y decline, as increases in global energy and food prices prompted companies to raise prices. Information-technology companies led gains in Asia-Pacific markets with Hynix Semiconductor, the world's second-largest maker of computer chips, closing up 4.1% after LIG Investment & Securities said contract prices for chips may rise in March and analysts will increase their Q1 earnings estimates for the company. Elpida Memory, the world's third-biggest maker of computer-memory chips, ended 6.4% higher after it scrapped plans to merge with Taiwanese memory makers because of opposition from the target companies. Toyota advanced 2.2% and led gains in automakers after Credit Suisse lifted its rating on the carmaker to "outperform" from "neutral."
Overnight U.S. Stock News
  • March S&Ps this morning are trading up +9.70 points as concerns over global crude supplies ease. The US stock market yesterday traded lower early on concern that rising energy prices will derail the global economy but erased most of its losses and settled mixed after crude oil prices erased their gains and finished lower: Dow -0.31%, S&P 500 -0.10%, Nasdaq Composite +0.55%. The S&P 500 and the Dow fell to 3-week lows. Bearish factors included (1) the surge in crude oil to a 2-1/3 year high, which may hurt global economic growth as businesses and consumers pay more for fuel costs, although crude did sell-off late in the day and settled lower, (2) continued geo-political concerns as civil unrest in North Africa and the Middle East threatens global stability and may reduce economic growth prospects, (3) the larger-than-expected decline in Jan US new home sales (-12.6% to 284,000 versus expectations of -7.3% to 305,000), and (4) the larger-than-expected decline in home prices after the Dec FHFA house price index fell -0.3% m/m, versus expectations of -0.1% m/m, and the Q4 FHFA house price index dropped -0.8% q/q, versus expectations of -0.6% q/q.
  • Bullish factors for stocks included (1) the larger-than-expected decline in weekly initial unemployment claims (-22,000 to 391,000 versus expectations of -5,000 to 405,000), (2) reduced interest rate concerns after the yield on the 10-year T-note slipped to a 3-week low, and (3) the late-day sell off in crude oil after the IEA said it is ready to release emergency stockpiles if needed.
  • Boeing (BA) jumped 5% in European trading after the Pentagon said late yesterday that the company beat out EADS for the $35 billion program to supply the US Air Force with 179 refueling airplanes.
Today's Market Focus
  • March 10-year T-notes this morning are trading down -6.5 ticks. T-note prices yesterday posted a 3-week high and remained in positive territory the entire day as escalating violence in Libya boosted safe-haven demand for Treasuries: TYH11 +7.5, FVH11 +3.7, EDM11 +1.0. Bullish factors included (1) increased safe-haven demand for Treasuries on concern the violence in Libya may spread to other oil-producing countries in the region and further boost oil prices, (2) the larger-than-expected decline in Jan US new home sales (-12.6% to 284,000 versus expectations of -7.3% to 305,000), (3) the larger-than-expected decline in home prices after the Dec FHFA house price index fell -0.3% m/m, versus expectations of -0.1% m/m, and the Q4 FHFA house price index dropped -0.8% q/q, versus expectations of a -0.6% q/q decline, and (4) the Fed's purchase of $5.008 billion of Treasuries as part of its QE 2 asset-purchase program. Bearish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected decline in weekly initial unemployment claims (-22,000 to 391,000 versus expectations of -5,000 to 405,000), and (2) comments from St. Louis Fed President Bullard who said that since November the risk of deflation has fallen and inflation expectations have increased, which may merit a reduction in the Fed's QE 2 asset-purchase program.
  • The dollar index this morning is trading higher with the dollar/yen unchanged and the euro/dollar -0.13 cents. The dollar index yesterday fell to a 3-week low on concerns the surge in energy prices will slow the US economy along with hawkish comments from ECB Council member Weber: Dollar Index -0.352, USDJPY -0.620, EURUSD +0.00517. Bearish factors included (1) concern that the jump in crude prices to a 2-1/3 year high will derail the US economic recovery, and (2) strength in the euro which climbed to a 3-week high against the dollar after ECB Council member Weber said "interest rates know only one direction, and that is north," which hints the ECB may be preparing the markets for an interest rate hike. Bullish factors included (1) increased safe-haven demand for the dollar as the stock market slumped on continued unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, and (2) comments from St. Louis Fed President Bullard who said that since November the risk of deflation has fallen and inflation expectations have increased, which may merit a reduction in the Fed's QE 2 asset-purchase program.
  • April crude oil prices this morning are trading up +22 cents barrel and April gasoline is +0.54 of a cent per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices yesterday rallied sharply for a third day to 2-1/3 year highs on a reduction in Libyan oil output but shed their gains and finished mixed after the IEA said it is ready to release emergency stockpiles if needed: CLJ11 -$0.82, RBJ11 +0.72. Bullish factors included (1) the estimation from Goldman Sachs that the civil unrest in Libya has caused it to lose 1 million bbl of its 1.6 million bbl of daily crude output, (2) concern that civil unrest in North Africa and the Middle East will spill over into major oil-producing countries in the region, (3) the fall in the dollar index to a 3-week low, which bolsters investment demand for commodities, and (4) the unexpected decline in weekly gasoline inventories which fell for the first time this year (-2.80 million bbl versus expectations of +850,000 bbl). Bearish factors include (1) the statement from the IEA that it will release its emergency stockpiles of crude into the market if needed, (2) Saudi Arabia's pledge to make up for any lost Libyan crude production if the need arises, and (3) the larger-than-expected decline in Jan US new home sales, which indicates that housing may continue to be a drag on the US economy and fuel demand.
Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap) PSA-Public Storage (BEST earnings consensus $0.94), SWN-Southwest Energy (0.42), AES-AES Corp. (0.25), JCP-JC Penney (1.15), WCRX-Warner Chilcott PLC (0.74), NU-Northeast Utilities (0.65), IPG-Interpublic Group (0.31), RDC-Rowan Companies (0.29), AWK-American Water Works (0.24), POM-Pepco Holdings (0.11), DRC-Dresser-Rand Group (0.54), KG-King Pharmaceuticals (0.19), SUG-Southern Union (0.56), THC-Tenet Healthcare (0.08), DRQ-Dril-Quip (0.70).
Global Financial Calendar
Friday 2/25/11
United States
0830 ET Revised Q4 GDP expected +3.3% annualized, previous +3.2% annualized. Q4 personal consumption expected +4.2%, previous +4.4%. Q4 GDP price index, previous +0.3%. Q4 core PCE deflator, previous +0.4% q/q.
0955 ET Final Feb U.S. University of Michigan consumer confidence expected +0.3 to 75.4, previous +0.9 to 75.1.
1015 ET Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker and Fed Governor nominee Peter Diamond comment on a report on bank stress tests at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business?s annual U.S. Monetary Policy Forum.
1330 ET Fed Vice Chairman Janet Yellen speaks on a panel with Deputy BOE Governor Charles Bean and Vice President of the ECB Vitor Constancio on lessons from the experience with unconventional monetary policy as part of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business?s annual U.S. Monetary Policy Forum.
France
0245 ET Jan French consumer spending expected ?0.7% m/m and +2.6% y/y, Dec +0.6% m/m and +0.4% y/y.
Euro-Zone
0400 ET Jan Euro-Zone M3 money supply expected +2.0% 3-mo avg and +2.1% y/y, Dec +1.6% 3-mo avg and +1.7% y/y.
United Kingdom
0430 ET Revised Q4 UK GDP, previous ?0.5% q/q and +1.7% annualized.
0430 ET Preliminary Q4 UK total business investment expected -0.4% q/q and +12.6% y/y, Q3 +3.1% q/q and +8.9% y/y.
Germany
n/a Feb German CPI (EU harmonized) expected +0.5% m/m and +2.1% y/y, Jan ?0.5% m/m and +2.0% y/y.

Barchart.com provides Financial Quotes, Charts and Technical Analysis for Stock and Commodity Traders.


Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

RailAmerica -- RA -- Barchart Chart of the day 2/25

Related Stocks
 RA - RailAmerica
Sym Last Chg Pct
RA 14.48 +1.13 +8.46%
The "Chart of the Day" is RailAmerica (RA), which showed up on Thursday's Barchart "NYSE 52-week High" list. RailAmerica on Thursday rallied by 8.46% and posted a new 16-month high of $14.75 that was just 3 cents below the record high of $14.78 posted in October 2009 just after the company held its IPO. RailAmerica on Wednesday reported Q4 EPS of 38 cents versus the consensus of 11 cents and announced a $50 million share repurchase program. On Feb 15, Stephens upgraded RailAmerica to Overweight from Equal Weight and raised the target to $15 from $12. TrendSpotter issued a Buy signal for RailAmerica last Wednesday at $13.53 and is still long. RailAmerica, with a market cap of $680 million, is the owner and operator of short line and regional freight railroads in North America.

ra_700_01
How we found the Chart of the Day:
We found the "Chart of the Day" by scanning the Barchart "New Highs/Lows" page. Then we clicked on the entry for NYSE 12-month highs. A new 12-month high is a popular sign of upside momentum. We then clicked on the "12-Month # Highs" column heading twice in order to sort the list in ascending order. Stocks with the fewest number of 12-month highs over the past 12 months are stocks that have only recently broken out to a new 12-month high and may have better upside potential then stocks that have already rallied sharply and have posted many new 12-month highs.
Barchart's Opinion trading systems are mostly a Buy and Barchart's daily TrendSpotter trading system is a "Buy." Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read this report.
  • TrendSpotter: Buy
  • Short-Term Indicators: 60% Buy
  • Medium-Term Indicators: 100% Buy
  • Long-Term Indicators: 100% Buy
  • Overall Average 88% Buy


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Chart of the Day Archive
View Past Chart of the Day Reports

Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Glu Mobile -- Ask you kids about this one

Mobile games are in with the youth across the world and GLU Mobile (GLUU) get the games to them.  The momentum of this stock is the reason I added it to the Barchart Van Meerten Speculative portfolio of stocks under $10.

GLU MOBILE INC., is a leading global publisher of mobile games. Its portfolio of top-rated games includes original titles Super K.O. Boxing!, Stranded and Brain Genius, and titles based on major brands from partners including Atari, Activision, Konami, Harrah's, Hasbro, Warner Bros., Microsoft, PlayFirst, PopCap Games, SEGA and Sony. Glu is based in San Mateo, Calif. and has offices in London, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Chile, Canada and San Clemente, Calif.

Technical Factors:
  • 96% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 13 new highs and up 79.66% in the last month
  • Relative strength Index is 70.02%
  • Trades around 4.14 with a 50 day moving average of 2.73
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerages analysts have discovered this stock and published 3 buy recommendations
  • Sales are expected to increase by 10.40% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 45.50% next year and 37.50% annually for he next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • Motley Foll Caps members are beginning to find this stock and vote 78 to 20 that it will beat the market
  • All Stars agree 12 to 5
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Opnext - OPXT lasers in on profits

Opnext (OPXT) is an Hitachi spin-off that has momentum.  That's why I added it to the Barchart Van Meerten Speculative portfolio of stocks under $10.

From the latest communications networks to new security systems, and from major advances in medical systems to high-demand consumer electronics, OPNEXT INC laser technologies add the spark of innovation to a world of new applications. The company's industry expertise, future-focused thinking and commitment to research and development combine in bringing to market solutions that are ready for the next generation of laser-based products. Formed out of Hitachi, Opnext has built on more than 30 years experience of advanced technology to establish its broad portfolio of solutions and solid reputation for excellence in service.


Technical Factors:
  • 96% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 13 new highs and up 89.85% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 82.04% and still climbing
  • Trades around 3.78 with a 50 day moving average of 2.29
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have 2 strong buy recommendation out for their brokers to push
  • Sales are projected to increase by 13.50% this year and 18.70% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 21.60% this year, 70.00% next year and 14.00% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • Motley Foll CAPS members vote 223 to 16 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars agree 85 to 8
  • Fool notes that the last 4 articles by Wall Street columnists have all been positive
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

PC Mall - MALL - added

PC Mall (MALL)  is not an REIT but a technology distribution company with double digit earnings growth projections.  That's a good reason to add it to the Barchart Van Meerten Speculative portfolio of stocks trading under $10.

PC Mall is a rapid response supplier of technology solutions for business, government and educational institutions as well as consumers. More than 100,000 different products from companies such as Compaq, Microsoft, Apple, IBM and Hewlett-Packard are marketed to business customers using relationship based outbound telemarketing, catalogs and the Internet. Customer orders are rapidly filled by the Company's distribution center strategically located near FedEx's main hub or by PC Mall's extensive network of distributors, one of the largest networks in the industry.

Technical Factors:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 17 new highs and up 37.59% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index is 85.79% and rising
  • Trades around 9.62 with a 50 day moving average of 7.50
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have 2 buy recommendations released
  • Sales are projected to increase by 5.40% this year and 6.80% next year
  • Earnings are expected to increase by 49.20% this year, 24.40% next year and 15.00% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • Motley Fool Caps members vote 130 to 10 that the stock will beat the market
  • The All Stars agree with a vote of 33 to 0
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Philip Morris International -- PM -- added

Philip Morris International (PM) showsx growth in the foreign markets and was added to the Barchart Van Meerten New highs portfolio for very positive price momentum.

Philip Morris International is the leading international tobacco company, with products sold in over 160 countries. They own 7 of the top 15 brands in the world and have a strong mix of international and local products that seek to appeal to a wide array of adult smokers.

Technical Factors:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 15 new highs and up 9.88% in the last month
  • Relative strength Index is 82.79% and climbing
  • Trades around 62.51 with a 50 day moving average of 58.44
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerage analysts have written 12 buy and 4 hold recommendations to clients
  • Sales expected to increase by 6.20% this year and 4.40% next year
  • Earnings are projected to increase by 14.20% this year, 10.90% next year and 9.53% annually for the next 5 years
  • While waiting for price appreciation you get a 4.00% dividend
Investor Sentiment:
  • Motley Fool Caps members vote 2344 to 48 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars agree by a 731 to 7 vote
  • Fool notes that the last 18 articles by Wall Street columnists have all been positive
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Brigham Exploration's numbers are off the charts

This morning I added Brigham Exploration (BEXP) to the Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio for very positive price trends

Brigham Exploration Co. is an independent exploration and production company that applies 3-D seismic imaging and other advanced technologies to systematically explore and develop onshore oil and natural gas provinces in the United States. The company focuses its activity in provinces where it believes 3-D technology may be effectively applied to generate relatively large potential reserve volumes per well and per field, high potential production rates and multiple producing objectives.

Technical Factors:
  • 96% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 18 new highs and up 35.97% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index is 76.69% and rising
  • Trades around 34.11 with a 50 day moving average of 28.72
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerages have 14 buy and 8 hold recommendations published
  • Sales are expected to increase by 132.70% this year and 116.30% next year
  • Earnings are estimated to increase by 91.10% next year and 40.80% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • Motley Fool CAPS members vote 841 to 68 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars agree 194 to 11
  • Fool notes that 14 of the last 16 articles by Wall Street columnists have been positive
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Enbridge Energy -- EEP -- Buy signals

This morning I placed a buy order for Enbrigde Energy (EEP) in the Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio for technical factors.

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. owns the U.S. portion of the world's longest liquid petroleum pipeline. Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, holds an effective 14.5% interest in the Partnership.

Technical Factors:
  • 96% Barchart technical buy signal
  • 19 new highs and up 7.83% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 66.13% and rising
  • Trades around 66.13 with a 50 day moving average of 62.20
Fundamental Factors:
  • Wall Street brokerages have 3 buy and 8 hold recommendations based on increases in sales, earnings and a 6.80% dividend
  • Sales are expected to increase by 13.40% this year and 9.80% next year
  • Earnings are expected to increase by 3.80% this year, 5.00% next year and 3.00% annually for the next 5 years
Investor Sentiment:
  • On Motley Fool the CAPS members vote 326 to 15 that the stock will beat the market
  • All Stars agree 134 to 4
  • Fool notes the last 5 articles on the stock have been positive
Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Barchart Morning Call -- 2/24

Barchart Morning Call
Overnight Developments
  • Global stocks are trading mostly lower with the European Euro Stoxx 50 index down -0.73% and March S&Ps down -7.50 points, both at 3-week lows. The major bearish factor today is the continued surge in crude oil, which rallied to over $103 a barrel in overnight trade as the violent uprising in Libya intensifies. Barclays Capital estimates that about 1 million barrels of daily crude production may have been shut due to the unrest in Libya, while Societe Generale estimates that a $20 a barrel increase in oil prices may cut global GDP by 1%. An increase in safe-haven demand has pushed the yield on Treasuries and the 10-year bund down to 3-week lows, while safe-haven demand has propelled gold to a 1-1/2 month high. The euro climbed to a 3-week high against the dollar after Feb Euro-Zone economic confidence rose a larger-than-expected +1.0 to 107.8, its highest level in 3-1/2 years.
  • The Asian stock markets today closed mostly lower with Japan down -1.19%, Hong Kong -1.34%, China +0.51%, Taiwan +0.15%, Australia -0.76%, Singapore -0.96%, Soth Korea -0.59%, India -3.00%. The surge in crude oil to a 2-1/3 year high amid Middle East unrest is dragging Asia-Pacific stock markets lower as well, with automakers leading declines. Mining companies also closed lower as copper slumped to a 4-week low on concern the surge in fuel prices will derail the global economic recovery and crimp copper demand. Japanese exporters retreated as the yen strengthened to a 2-1/2 week high against the dollar on increased safe-haven demand for the yen as the Middle East crisis intensifies.
Overnight U.S. Stock News
  • March S&Ps this morning are trading down -7.50 points as crude oil surges to a 2-1/3 year high. The US stock market yesterday erased an early rally and finished lower on concern the surge in crude oil will diminish economic growth: Dow -0.88%, S&P 500 -0.61%, Nasdaq Composite -1.21%. The Dow and S&P 500 fell to 2-week lows and the Nasdaq tumbled to a 3-week low. Bearish factors included (1) continued geo-political concerns in North Africa and the Middle East that threaten global stability and may reduce economic growth prospects, (2) a sell-off in retailers on concern that crude oil at a 2-1/3 year high will act as a tax on consumers and slow consumer spending, (3) weakness in automakers after the US Supreme Court opened the auto industry to new lawsuits over seatbelt designs, and (4) the slump in airline stocks for a second day on concern the surge in fuel prices will depress earnings.
  • Bullish factors for stocks included (1) the unexpected increase in Jan US existing home sales which rose to their best level in 8 months (+2.7% to 5.36 million versus expectations of -1.5% to 5.20 million), and (2) a rally in energy producers as crude oil prices rallied sharply to a 2-1/3 year high.
  • Bank of America (BAC) slipped 1.1% in European trading after investors in mortgage-backed bonds sued the bank saying Bank of America's Countrywide Financial unit breached representations and warranties about the loans, which it originated.
Today's Market Focus
  • March 10-year T-notes this morning are trading up +14.5 ticks on increased safe-haven demand as equity markets slide. T-note prices yesterday recovered from early weakness and climbed to a 3-week high on increased safe-haven demand but erased their gains and moved lower after there was slack demand for the Treasury's $35 billion auction of 5-year T-notes: TYH11 -9.0, FVH11 -5.7, EDM11 +0.5. Bearish factors included (1) the unexpected increase in Jan US existing home sales which rose to their best level in 8 months (+2.7% to 5.36 million versus expectations of -1.5% to 5.20 million), (2) comments from Philadelphia Fed President Plosser who said "should economic prospects continue to strengthen, I would not rule out changing the policy stance to bring QE2 to an early close," (3) weak demand for the Treasury's $35 billion auction of 5-year T-notes that had a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.69, below the 12-auction average of 2.77, and (4) supply pressures ahead of the Treasury's $29 billion auction of 7-year T-notes on Thu. Bullish factors included (1) increased safe-haven demand for Treasuries as the stock market tumbled on concern the rising instability in the Middle East that pushed crude up to a 2-1/3 year high will slow the global economy, (2) a report from the Financial Times that stated Chicago Fed President Evans said the Fed shouldn't hurry to tighten monetary policy as inflation is still low and monetary policy should remain relaxed until the risk of a "liquidity trap" diminishes, and (3) the Fed's purchase of $1.967 billion of Treasuries as part of its QE 2 asset-purchase program.
  • The dollar index this morning is trading weaker and at a 3-week low with the dollar/yen -0.68 yen and the euro/dollar +0.19 cents. The dollar index yesterday slipped to a 2-1/2 week low and settled lower on speculation that the BOE and ECB will hike interest rates before the Fed: Dollar Index -0.359, USDJPY -0.261, EURUSD +0.00978. Bearish factors included (1) strength in the British pound which rose to a 2-1/2 week high against the dollar after the minutes of the Feb 10 BOE policy meeting showed BOE policy maker Dale joined fellow policy members Sentance and Weale in voting for an interest rate increase, (2) speculation that the ECB may be ready to raise interest rates after ECB President Trichet said that policy makers will make the decisions "necessary to maintain price stability," and (3) the unexpected increase in Dec Euro-Zone industrial new orders, which is euro supportive. Bullish factors included (1) increased safe-haven demand for the dollar as the stock market slumped on continued unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, (2) the unexpected increase in the Jan existing home sales to their best level in 8 months, which is dollar supportive, and (3) comments from Philadelphia Fed President Plosser who said he "won't rule out" an early exit to the Fed's quantitative easing program if the economy strengthens.
  • April crude oil prices this morning are trading up +$2.53 a barrel and April gasoline is +7.23 cents per gallon. Crude prices surged to a 2-1/3 year high of $103.41 a barrel in overnight trade on speculation the unrest in Libya has caused it to lose as much as two-thirds of its oil output. Crude oil and gasoline prices yesterday rallied sharply for a second day to 2-1/3 year highs and closed higher on a weak dollar and on concern that violent unrest in Libya may disrupt crude supplies: CLJ11 +$2.68, RBJ11 +12.13. Bullish factors included (1) concern that civil unrest in North Africa and the Middle East will spill over into major oil-producing countries in the region, (2) the report from Al Arabiya that operations at Libyan oil ports are suspended and the report from Reuters that said Libya, owner of Africa's biggest oil reserves, declared force majeure on all oil-product exports, (3) the drop in the dollar index to a 2-1/2 week low, which bolsters investment demand for commodities, and (4) the prediction from Nomura Holdings that oil prices may surge to $220 a barrel if the spread of civil unrest halts crude production in Libya and Algeria as OPEC spare capacity would be reduced to 2.1 million barrels a day. Bearish factors include (1) a report that said Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Angola and Nigeria would be willing to boost their oil production if buyers demand it even if no OPEC emergency meeting is held, and (2) the outlook that weekly US crude oil inventories expanded for a sixth week when the DOE reports weekly inventories on Thu (one day later due to the President's Day holiday on Mon). Expectations for the weekly DOE inventory report are for crude supplies to climb +1.13 million bbl, gasoline stockpiles to gain +850,000 bbl, distillate inventories to fall -1.35 million bbl and the refinery utilization rate to rise +0.5 to 81.7%.
Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap) AIG-American International Group (BEST earnings consensus -$20.39), GM-General Motors (0.44), TGT-Target (1.39), NEM-Newmont Mining (1.13), AMAT-Applied Materials (0.33), CRM-Salesforce.com (0.27), KSS-Kohls (1.66), FSLR-First Solar (1.74), GPS-The Gap (0.57), SRE-Sempra Energy (0.93), EP-El Paso (0.23), DISH-Dish Network (0.53), MYL-Mylan (0.45), SHLD-Sears Holdings (3.57), ADSK-Autodesk (0.33), SWY-Safeway (0.57).
Global Financial Calendar
Thursday 2/24/11
United States
0830 ET Weekly initial unemployment claims expected ?5,000 to 405,000, previous +25,000 to 410,000. Weekly continuing claims expected ?31,000 to 3.880 million, previous ?1,000 to 3.911 million.
0830 ET Jan durable goods orders expected +2.8% and +0.5% ex transportation, Dec ?2.3% and +0.8% ex transportation.
0830 ET St. Louis Fed President James Bullard speaks to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce on the ?Monetary Policy Outlook for 2011.?
0945 ET Bloomberg weekly consumer comfort index.
1000 ET Dec FHFA house price index expected ?0.1% m/m, Nov unchanged m/m. Q4 FHFA house price index expected ?0.6% q/q, Q3 1.6% q/q.
1000 ET Jan new home sales expected ?7.3% to 305,000, Dec +17.5% to 329,000.
1300 ET Treasury auctions $29 billion 7-year T-notes.
1630 ET Weekly money supply report and Fed balance sheet.
Germany
0200 ET Revised Q4 German GDP, previous +0.4% q/q and +4.0% annualized.
France
0245 ET Feb French consumer confidence indicator expected unchanged at 85, Jan ?1 to 85.
1200 ET Jan French jobseekers net change, Dec +27,100. Jan total jobseekers, Dec 2,725,200.
Euro-Zone
0500 ET Feb Euro-Zone economic confidence expected +0.3 to 106.8, Jan ?0.1 to 106.5.
Japan
1830 ET Feb Tokyo CPI expected ?0.2% y/y, Jan ?0.1% y/y. Feb Tokyo CPI ex-fresh food expected ?0.3% y/y, Jan 0.2% y/y. Feb Tokyo CPI ex food & energy expected ?0.3% y/y, Jan ?0.3% y/y.
1830 ET Jan Japan national CPI expected ?0.1% y/y, Dec unchanged y/y. Jan national CPI ex-fresh food expected ?0.3% y/y, Dec ?0.4% y/y. Jan national CPI ex food & energy expected ?0.6% y/y, Dec ?0.7% y/y.
United Kingdom
1901 ET Feb UK GfK consumer confidence survey expected +2 to -27, Jan ?8 to ?29.

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Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.

Clean Harbor -- CLH -- Barchart Chart of the Day


Chart of the Day - Clean Harbors (CLH)
Related Stocks
 CLH - Clean Harbors
Sym Last Chg Pct
CLH 94.91 +3.04 +3.31%
The "Chart of the Day" is Clean Harbors (CLH), which showed up on Wednesday's Barchart "All-Time High" list. Clean Harbors on Wednesday rallied by 3.31% to break out above last week's high to post a new all-time high. Except for a brief neutral period in mid-November, TrendSpotter has been long Clean Harbors since last September at $65.83. In recent news on the stock, Clean Harbors on Wednesday reported Q4 EPS of 88 cents, better than the analyst consensus of 78 cents. On Feb 15, Wedbush reiterated its Outperform rating on Clean Harbors and raised its target to $100 from $95. Clean Harbors, with a market cap of $2.3 billion, provides a variety of environmental cleanup services.

clh_700
How we found the Chart of the Day:
We found the "Chart of the Day" by scanning the Barchart "All Time High" list. In order to get to that list, we first clicked on the Stocks menu item on the Barchart home page, then on the "All Time Highs" menu item on the left menu bar. We then sorted the list by percentage gainers by clicking on the "Percent" column title. A stock that has posted a new All-Time high is typically showing strong upside momentum.
Barchart's Opinion trading systems are all a Buy and Barchart's daily TrendSpotter trading system is a "Buy." Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read this report.
  • TrendSpotter: Buy
  • Short-Term Indicators: 100% Buy
  • Medium-Term Indicators: 100% Buy
  • Long-Term Indicators: 100% Buy
  • Overall Average 100% Buy


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Jim Van Meerten is a portfolio advisor to Marketocracy Capital Management.  He shares his knowledge and experience from over 40 years of investing in stocks, mutual funds and ETFs on Barchart.com  in his daily blog -- Barchart Portfolio Blogs.