Avnet - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Avent (AVT) is Barchart's Chart of the Day.  The electronics and computer products distributor has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted alpha of 40.90+ and gained 47.76% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Avnet (AVT).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and then eliminated those stocks that did not have positive gains for the last week and month.  I then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled another buy on 12/10 the stock is up 5.08%.

It is one of the world's largest industrial distributors of electronic components and computer products. The company is a vital link in the chain that connects suppliers of semiconductors, interconnect products, passive and electromechanical devices to original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers that design and build the electronic equipment for end-market use, and to other industrial customers. The company markets, distributes and optimizes the supply-chain and provides design-chain services for the products of the world's leading electronic component suppliers, enterprise computer manufacturers and embedded subsystem providers.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 16 new highs and up 10.45% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 72.18%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 43.06
• Recently traded 44.12 with a 50 day moving average of 41.00

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $6.05 billion
• P/E 11.46
• Dividend yield 1.38%
• Revenue is projected to grow 5.70% this year and another 4.20% next year
• Earnings are estimated to increase by 13.70% annually over the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 4 strong buy, 3 buy and 5 hold recommendations
• Financial Strength is A

The stock has been a Chart of the Day before and has show steady gains over the last year.  Use the 50 day moving averages as an exit point.

Barchart Morning Call 12/31

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Tuesday, December 31st, 2013View Older Reports

Everything you need to know about the markets in one free daily newsletter.

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You will also receive a free subscription to the Barchart family of newsletters.

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH14 +0.05%) this morning are up +0.04% and European stocks are up +0.14% in uninspired holiday trade. Most European markets close early today ahead of the New Year holiday, although the U.S. market is open for a full day. The S&P 500 has rallied over 29% in 2013, the best year since 1997. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan and South Korea closed for holiday, Hong Kong +0.26%, China +1.33%, Taiwan -0.14%, Australia -0.09%, Singapore +0.45%, India +0.13%. China's Shanghai Stock Index climbed to a 1-week high, led by a rally in brokerage stocks, after the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) gave approval for 5 companies to raise a combined $353 million from IPO sales. China, the world's biggest IPO market in 2010 with $71 billion raised, hasn't had an IPO since Oct 2012 as regulators cracked down on fraud. The CSRC estimates that about 50 companies are expected to complete IPO approval preparations and list by the end of Jan. The Shanghai Stock Index still lost 7.6% for the year on concern that a slowdown in Chinese economic growth will curb company profits. Commodity prices are mixed. Feb crude oil (CLG14 -0.64%) is down -0.35%. Feb gasoline (RBG14 -0.18%) is down -0.06%. Feb gold (GCG14 -0.30%) is down -0.07%. March copper (HGH14 -0.03%) is up +0.06%. Agriculture and livestock prices are mixed. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.11%) is up +0.14%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.23%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.18%. March T-note prices (ZNH14 -0.09%) are down -5.5 ticks.
China's yuan posted a 20-year high today of 6.0506 per dollar after the PBOC raised its daily fixing on the yuan by 0,09% to 6.0969, the strongest since the peg to the dollar was removed in 2005. The yuan is allowed to diverge a maximum 1.00% from the daily fixing.
The yuan accounted for 8.66% of letters of credit and collections used in global trade finance in Oct, second to the dollar as it surpassed the euro's share of 6.64%, according to data from Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.
The UK Dec Lloyds Bank commercial business barometer fell -2 points from Nov to 48, the lowest in 5-months.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Today’s Oct CaseShiller U.S. Composite-20 home price index is expected to show an increase of +0.95% m/m, adding to the +1.03% increase seen in September.  Today’s Dec U.S. consumer confidence index from the Conference Board is expected to show a +5.8 point increase to 76.2, more than reversing the -2.0 point decline to 70.4 seen in November.  Today’s Dec Chicago PMI is expected to show a -2.2 point decline to 60.8, adding to the -2.9 point decline to 63.0 seen in November.  There are no major U.S. earnings reports today.  There are no equity conferences this week.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Empire Capital reported a 5.8% passive stake in Veeva Systems (VEEV +0.06%) .
Haemonetics (HAE -1.12%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Benchmark Co.
Business Insider reports that Hewlett-Packard (HPQ -0.43%) is planning to cut another 5,000 jobs in addition to the 29,000 jobs it had targeted previously.
DigiTimes reports that solar-grade crystalline silicon wafer prices have risen to 98 cents-99 cents due to strong demand and high-efficiency wafers have exceeded $1 and that prices are also likely to rise by another 5% in January 2014.
Marvell (MRVL +0.95%) jumped 9% in pre-market trading after KKR Fund Holding reported a 6.8% stake in the company.
Boeing (BA -0.72%) was awarded a $750 million government contract to provide integrated engineering services for the B-1 weapon system.
Transforce reported a 19.95% stake in Vitran (VTNC -3.44%) .
Bloomberg reported that FedEx (FDX -0.26%) has been sued by New York City for delivering untaxed cigarettes from a Long Island Indian reservation to New York City residents' homes, with the city seeking $52 million from the shipper.
Great Point Partners reported a 5.69% passive stake in Aveo Pharmaceuticals (AVEO +8.02%) .

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH14 +0.05%) this morning are up +0.75 of a point (+0.04%). The S&P 500 on Monday closed little changed in thin holiday-week trade. Profit-taking and long liquidation helped pushed stock prices down after U.S. Nov pending home sales rose +0.2% m/m, weaker than expectations of +1.0% m/m. Closes: S&P 500 -0.02%, Dow Jones +0.16%, Nasdaq 100 -0.11%.
Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH14 -0.09%) this morning are down -5.5 ticks. Mar 10-year T-note prices on Monday closed higher. T-note prices found support from the weaker-than-expected U.S. Nov pending home sales along with month-end buying by fixed-income funds that typically purchase longer-maturity Treasuries to align the interest rate sensitivity of their holdings with the benchmark Treasury indexes. Closes: TYH4 +7.50, FVH4 +4.50.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.11%) this morning is up +0.114 (+0.14%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0032 (-0.23%) and USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.19 (-0.18%). The dollar index on Monday closed lower but remained above last Friday’s 1-3/4 month low. EUR/USD gained on hawkish comments from ECB President Draghi who said he sees no need for further cuts to the bank’s benchmark interest rate amid “encouraging signs” that the euro crisis may be resolved. USD/JPY posted a new 5-year high on divergence in monetary policy between the BOJ and the Fed which weakens the yen against the dollar, although long liquidation set in and USD/JPY settled lower. Closes: Dollar index -0.392 (-0.49%), EUR/USD +0.00598 (+0.44%), USD/JPY -0.006 (-0.01%).
Feb WTI crude oil (CLG14 -0.64%) this morning is down -35 cents (-0.35%) and Feb gasoline (RBG14 -0.18%) is down -0.0018 (-0.06%). Feb crude oil and gasoline on Monday closed lower. Weaker-than-expected U.S. Nov pending home sales along with a slide in stock prices fueled long liquidation in energy futures. Another bearish factor for gasoline prices was end of the strike at five French Total SA refineries, which will boost French refinery output and reduce demand for imported U.S. gasoline supplies. Closes: CLG4 -1.03 (-1.03%), RBG4 -0.0226 (-0.80%).

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/31/2013

US	0900 ET	Oct S&P CaseShiller composite-20 home price index expected +0.95% m/m and +13.45% y/y, Sep +1.03% m/m and +13.29% y/y.
	0945 ET	Dec Chicago PMI expected -2.2 to 60.8, Nov -2.9 to 63.0.
	1000 ET	Dec consumer confidence (Conference Board) expected +5.8 to 76.2, Nov -2.0 to 70.4.
UK	0430 ET	UK Dec Lloyds business barometer, Nov 50.
CHI	2000 ET	China Dec manufacturing PMI expected -0.2 to 51.2, Nov unch at 51.4.
JPN	n/a	Japanese markets close for a Bank holiday.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/31/2013

Company Name	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Orthofix International NV	OFIX US		Q2 2013 Earnings Release	Q2 2013
Citizens & Northern Corp	CZNC US		Q4 2013 Earnings Release	Q4 2013	0.4
First Security Group Inc/TN	FSGI US		Q4 2013 Earnings Release	Q4 2013
Tower Group International Ltd	TWGP US		Q3 2013 Earnings Release	Q3 2013	-1.044

Crane Company - Barchart's Chart of the Day

The Crane Company (CR) is the Chart of the Day.  The industrial products company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 38.70+ and gained 47.61% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is The Crane Company (CR).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and then eliminated those stocks not having positive gains in the last month. Although the gains have been spotty there have been reoccurring Trend Spotter buy signals.  Since the last one on 12/4 the stock is up 6.10%.

It is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products. Crane provides products and solutions to customers in the aerospace, electronics, hydrocarbon processing, petrochemical, chemical, power generation, automated merchandising, transportation and other markets. The Company has five business segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Fluid Handling, Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, and Controls.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 16 new highs and up 7.72% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 69.53%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 66.74
• Recently traded at 67.12 with a 50 day moving average of 63.85

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $3.90 billion
• P/E 16.59
• Dividend yield 1.79%
• Analysts predict revenue will grow 2.60% this year and another 1.80% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase by 12.40% this year, an additional 10.10% next year and continue to increase annually by 9.10% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy, 2 buy and 3 hold recommendations on the stocks
• Financial Strength is B+

Although gains have been spotty they have also been consistent.  Use the 100 day moving aver4age of this one.

Direxion Smallcap Bull 3X - TNA

If you would like to play the market but don't want to pick an individual stock consider  Direxion Small Cap Bull 3X (TNA):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 74 new highs and up 155.10% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 64.61
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 75.16
• Recently traded at 76.72 with a 50 day moving average of 70.15

Ultrapro Russell 2000 Proshares - URTY

If you want to play the market but don't want to pick an individual stock consider Ultrapro Russell 2000 Proshares (URTY):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 73 new highs and up 160.88% in the last year
• Relative Strength Index 65.91
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 86.10
• Recently traded at 87.72 with a 50 day moving average of 79.26

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Ultrapro Mid Cap 400 Proshares - UMDD

If you like the market but don't want to pick an individual stock consider Ultrapro Mid Cap 400 Proshares (UMDD):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 68 new highs and up 128.91% in the last year
• Relative Strength Index 67.64%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 91.41
• Recently traded at 92.47 with a 50 day moving average of 85.24

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X - SPXL

If you are betting on the market instead of an individual stock consider Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X (SPXL):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 83 new highs and up 126.50% in the last year
• Relative Strength Index 68.82%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 62.50
• Recently traded at 62.85 with a 50 day moving average of 57.47

Ultrapro S & P 500 Proshares

If you are betting on the market for the next year consider Ultrapro S&P 500 Proshares (UPRO):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 83 new highs and up 128.75% in the last year
• Relative Strength Index 68.81%
• Barchart computes  a technical support level at 94.38
• Recently traded at 94.77 with a 50 day moving average of 86.76

Autodesk - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Autodesk (ADSK) is Barchart's Chart of the Day.  The software designer has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha 45.52+ and gained 41.06% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Autodesk (ADSK).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month, then skipped over the stocks that did not have positive gains in the last week and month.  I always use the Flipchart feature to review for the best charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled another buy on 11/1 the stock gained 18.24%.

The company designs software and digital content for architectural design and land development, manufacturing, utilities, telecommunications, and media and entertainment sectors. Autodesk provides design software, Internet portal services, wireless development platforms, and point-of-location applications that empower customers in numerous countries to drive business and remain competitive.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• Hit 16 new highs and gained 9.02% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.02%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 49.04
• Recently traded at 49.54 with a 50 day moving average of 44.21

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $11.05 billion
• P/E 36.54
• Analysts predict revenue will be down 2.30% this year and flat next year
• Earnings are estimated to be down by 16.50% this year, down another 5.60% next year but increase at an annual rate of 8.25% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street brokerage analysts issued 4 strong buy, 3  buy and  12 hold recommendations for their clients.
• Financial Strength is A

The company has been around for a long time.  They are properly positioned and should do well inventing new apps in the coming years.  I think you can be safe using the 100 day averages to gauge weakness on this one.

Rollins - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Rollins (ROL) is the Chart of the Day.  The maintenance and service stock has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 40.12+, and gained 36.46% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Rollins (ROL).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and then eliminated the stock that did not have positive gains for the last week and month.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 11/15 the stock is up 8.31%.

Rollins Inc. provides services to both residential and commercial customers. The four primary services provided are termite and pest control, protective services, lawn care and plantscaping. Orkin Exterminating Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary (Orkin), is one of the world's largest termite and pest control companies. Rollins Protective Services, a division of the Registrant, is a pioneer in developing customized wired and wireless electronic security systems.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 16 new highs and up 6.62% in the  last month
• Relative Strength Index 73.96%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 29.61
• Recently traded at 30.12 with a 50 day moving average of 28.28

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $4.40 billion
• P/E 36.56
• Dividend yield 1.20%
• Revenue projected to grow 5.10% this year and another 5.30% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 9.20% this year, an additional 12.00% next year and continue to increase by 10.00% annually for the next 5 years.

Use the 50 day moving average for an exit point.

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AK Steel - Barchart's Chart of the Day

AK Steel (AKS) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The rolled steel producer seems to be making a recovery and has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 133.30+ and gained 73.98% over the last year.


The Chart of the Day is AK Steel (AKS).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and eliminating the stock that did not have a positive gain for the last week and month.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 10/14 the stock is up 180.00%.

The Company produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel, and tubular products in the United States and internationally. They produce flat-rolled carbon steels, including coated, cold-rolled, and hot-rolled carbon steel products; and specialty stainless and electrical steels in sheet and strip forms. It also produces carbon and stainless steel that is finished into welded steel tubing used in the automotive, large truck, industrial, and construction markets, as well as buys and sells steel and steel products, and other materials. The company sells its flat-rolled carbon steel products primarily to automotive manufacturers and to customers in the infrastructure and manufacturing markets, including electrical transmission, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and appliances; and coated, cold rolled, and hot rolled carbon steel products to distributors, service centers, and converters. AK Steel Holding sells its stainless steel products to manufacturers and their suppliers in the automotive industry; manufacturers of food handling, chemical processing, pollution control, and medical and health equipment; and distributors and service centers. The company also sells electrical steel products for use in the manufacture of electrical motors and generators.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 48.17% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 83.27%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 7.05
• Recently traded at 7.68 with a 50 day moving average of 5.31

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $1.05 billion
• Analysts think revenue will be down 6.50% thus year but up 5.60% next year
• Earnings are expected to be down 3.50% this year but increase 123.70% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 10.00% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 2 buy, 10 hold, 3 under perform and 3 sell recommendations
• Financial Strength is C+

Monitor the 50 day moving average for exit points.

Legg Mason - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Legg Mason (LM) is Barchart's Chart of the Day,  The asset management and securities brokerage company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 74.63% and gained 67.61% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Legg Mason (LM).  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and skipped over the stock without positive gains for the last week and month.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled another buy signal on 12/9 the stock is up 9.15%.

It is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in providing asset management, securities brokerage,investment banking and related financial services to individuals,institutions, corporations and municipalities.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 12.08% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 78.60%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 43.14
• Recently traded at 43.88 with a 50 day moving average of 39.21

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $5.41 billion
• P/E 15.77
• Dividend yield 1.20%
• Analyst project revenue will grow 4.20% this year and another 3.10% next year
• Earnings are estimated to increase 187.20% this year, an additional 16.50% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 16.30% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 1 strong buy, 2 buy, 10 hold and 4 under perform recommendations on the stock
• Financial Strength is B+

As more investors finally get back into the market this stock should do well.  I feel confident using the 100 day moving average as a exit point.

Today's 5 Top Large Caps

Today I used Barchart.com to sort the S&P 500 Large Cap Index for new high frequency in the last month.  I then skipped over those stocks that did not have positive gains for the past week and month and used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.

Today's list includes Legg Mason (LM), Roper Industries (ROP), E*Trade Financial Corp (ETFC), Autodesk (ADSK) and Monster Beverage (MNST):

(Charts provided with permission from Barchart.com)

Legg Mason (LM)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 12.06% in the last month
• Relative strength Index 78.78%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 43.14
• Recently traded at 43.89 with a 50 day moving average of 39.22

Roper Industries (ROP)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 5.70% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 73.53%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 133.25
• Recently traded at 136.22 with a 50 day moving average of 129.70

E*Trade Financial Corp (ETFC)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 9.63% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 76.64%
• Barchart computes  technical support level at 19.07
• Recently traded at 19.44 with a 50 day moving average of 17.79

Autodesk (ADSK)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals'
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 71.67% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.67%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 47.37
• Recently traded at 49.23 with a 50 day moving average of 43.68

Monster Beverage (MNST)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 17.32% in the last month
• Relative strength Index 78.13%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 65.39
• Recently traded at 67.12 with a 50 day moving average of 59.20

BARCHART MORNING CALL 12/23

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Monday, December 23rd, 2013View Older Reports

Everything you need to know about the markets in one free daily newsletter.

E-mail:

You will also receive a free subscription to the Barchart family of newsletters.

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH14 +0.39%) this morning are up +0.37% at a new record high and European stocks are up +0.05% after IMF Managing Director Lagarde, who spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, said the IMF sees a "stronger" U.S. economic outlook in 2014 as a budget deal in Washington and the Fed's plan to taper its bond buying will allow for a higher growth estimate. Asian stocks closed higher: Japan is closed for holiday, Hong Kong +0.48%, China +0.28%, Taiwan +0.57%, Australia +0.51%, Singapore +0.70%, South Korea +0.75%, India +0.10%. Another positive for U.S. Stocks that also helped China's Shanghai Stock Index rebound from a 3-3/4 month low and close higher was the deal that Apple struck with China Mobile to sell the iPhone in China. After 6-years of negotiations, China Mobile said it will sell the iPhone in its retail stores starting Jan 17. China's Shanghai Stock Index had posted a 3-3/4 month low on concerns of a liquidity squeeze after China's 7-day repurchase rate, a gauge of funding availability in the banking system, jumped +124 bp to 8.84% the highest in 6-months. Commodity prices are mixed. Feb crude oil (CLG14 -0.35%) is down -0.40%. Feb gasoline (RBG14 -0.33%) is down -0.31%. Feb gold (GCG14 -0.49%) is down -0.73%. March copper (HGH14 -0.12%) is up +0.03%. Agriculture prices are mixed. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.25%) is down -0.17%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.08%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.23%. March T-note prices (ZNH14 -0.08%) are down -4.5 ticks.
ECB Executive Board member Praet said in an interview in the Italian newspaper La Stampa that the ECB is monitoring an expected increase in investment in the Eurozone and "is ready to act" if credit contracts and threatens the recovery.
The German Nov import price index rose +0.1% and fell -2.9% y/y, stronger than expectations of -0.1% m/m and -3.1% y/y.
Eurozone Dec consumer confidence strengthened +1.8 points -13.6, better than expectations of a +0.4 point increase to -15.0 and the highest in 2-1/3 years.
The Chinese yuan closed at 6.0702 per dollar, according to China Foreign Exchange System prices, the strongest since the government unified the market and official exchange rates at the end of 1993 after the PBOC boosted the daily fixing rate for the yuan by +0.06% to 6.1161 per dollar.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

The U.S. economic schedule is heavy today and tomorrow before Wednesday’s Christmas holiday.  Today’s Nov personal income report is expected to show a strong increase of +0.5%, improving after the -0.1% decline seen in Oct.  Nov personal spending is expected to show a strong increase of +0.5%, adding to the +0.3% increase seen in October.  Today’s Nov PCE deflator is to strengthen slightly to +0.9% y/y from +0.7% y/y in October.  Meanwhile, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, Nov core PCE deflator is expected to strengthen slightly to +1.2% y/y from +1.1% y/y in October.  Today’s final-Dec U.S. consumer confidence index from the University of Michigan is expected to be revised higher by +0.5 points from early-Dec to 83.0l, which would produce a sharp overall gain of +7.9 from November.   There are no major earnings reports today.  There are no equity conferences this week.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Apple (AAPL +0.84%) rose nearly 4% in pre-market trading after it announced after 6-years of negotiations with China Mobile that it will be allowed to sell its iPhone in China starting next month. The deal may bring 12 million new iPhone sales for Apple in 2014, according to an analyst from Morgan Stanley.
Tiffany (TIF +0.21%) fell 3.5% in pre-market trading after Swatch Group AG won an arbitration award of 402 million francs ($449 million) from Tiffany.
KB Home (KBH +2.67%) was upgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Sell' at Citigroup.
Xilinx (XLNX +0.90%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Hold' at Drexel Hamilton.
The WSJ reported that Target (TGT +0.55%) said on Friday that it has received "very few" reports of credit card fraud following a massive data breach that compromised 40 million and debit card accounts.
Micron (MU +2.54%) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Neutral' at BofA/Merrill.
Five Below (FIVE +1.09%) was upgraded to 'Outperform' from 'Neutral' at Credit Suisse.
CIT Group (CIT +0.61%) disclosed in a regulatory filing that it reached an agreement with Tyco International (TYC +1.77%) in which CIT will pay $60 million to settle claims asserted by Tyco related to a Tax Agreement that CIT and Tyco entered into in 2002 in connection with CIT’s separation from Tyco.
United Technologies (UTX +1.06%) was awarded a $231.47 million government contract modification for sustainment of F119-PW-100 Engines.
Lockheed Martin (LMT +0.85%) was awarded a $561.96 million government contract modification for nine months of sustainment activities for the F-22 air vehicle.
Levin Capital Strategies reported a 5.5% passive stake in Pinnacle Foods (PF +0.49%) .
Abrams reported a 5.99% passive stake in Global Eagle (ENT +3.24%) .
Blue Ridge Capital reported a 7.82% passive stake in PBF Energy (PBF +1.52%) .
Ronin Capital reported a 7.9% passive stake in Kingstone Companies (KINS +2.40%) .

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH14 +0.39%) this morning are up +6.75 points (+0.37%) at a new all-time high. The S&P 500 on Friday rallied to a new record high after U.S. Q3 GDP was revised higher to +4.1% from +3.6% and Q3 personal consumption was revised higher to +2.0% from +1.4%. U.S. stocks also found carry-over support from a rally in European bourses after German Jan GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly rose +0.2 to a 6-1/3 year high of 7.6. Closes: S&P 500 +0.48%, Dow Jones +0.26%, Nasdaq 100 +0.93%.
Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH14 -0.08%) this morning are down -4.5 ticks. Mar 10-year T-note prices on Friday fell to a 3-1/4 month low after U.S. Q3 GDP was revised higher-than-expected. However, T-notes recovered as the Treasury curve flattened when losing steepener trades were unwound as the Fed’s action to taper QE3 Wednesday instead of waiting until next year forced traders to unwind the trades and sell the shorter-end of the Treasury curve (i.e., 2-year and 5-year T-notes) and buy the longer-end of the curve, (i.e., 10-year T-notes and 30-year T-bonds). Closes: TYH4 +2.50, FVH4 -4.25.
The dollar index (DXY00 -0.25%) this morning is down -0.137 (-0.17%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.0011 (+0.08%) and USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.24 (-0.23%). The dollar index on Friday fell back from a 2-week high after a rally in the S&P 500 to a record high reduced safe-haven demand for the dollar. EUR/USD closed higher after it recovered from a 2-week low after S&P downgraded the credit rating of the European Union and USD/JPY posted a fresh 5-year high after the BOJ said they will maintain stimulus until annual inflation is stable at 2%. Closes: Dollar index -0.055 (-0.07%), EUR/USD +0.00109 (+0.08%), USD/JPY -0.166 (-0.16%).
Feb WTI crude oil (CLG14 -0.35%) this morning is down -40 cents (-0.40%) and Feb gasoline (RBG14 -0.33%) is down -0.0087 (-0.31%). Feb crude oil and gasoline prices on Friday closed higher with Feb gasoline at a 3-month high. Bullish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected upward revision in U.S. Q3 GDP to a 1-3/4 year high of +4.1%, which was supportive for energy consumption and demand, and (2) the rally in the S&P 500 to a record high, which signals confidence in the economic outlook. Closes: CLG4 +0.28 (+0.28%), RBG4 +0.0379 (+1.38%).

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/23/2013

US	0830 ET	Nov Chicago Fed national activity index, Oct -0.18.
	0830 ET	Nov personal spending expected +0.5%, Oct +0.3%. Nov personal income expected +0.5%, Oct -0.1%. Nov PCE deflator expected +0.1% m/m and +0.9% y/y, Oct unch m/m and +0.7% y/y. Nov PCE core deflator expected +0.1% m/m and +1.2% y/y, Oct +0.1% m/m and +1.1% y/y.
	0955 ET	Final U.S. Dec University of Michigan consumer confidence expected +0.5 to 83.0, previous +7.4 to 82.5.
	1100 ET	USDA weekly grain export inspections.
	1500 ET	Nov USDA Cold Storage.
GER	0200 ET	German Nov import price index expected -0.1% m/m and -3.1% y/y, Oct -0.7% m/m and -3.0% y/y.
JPN	n/a	Japanese markets closed for Emperors Birthday.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/23/2013

Company Name	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
United Therapeutics Corp	UTHR US	9:00	Business Update Call
CalAmp Corp	CAMP US	16:30	Q3 2014 Earnings Call	Q3 2014
Puma Biotechnology Inc	PBYI US	16:30	PB272 (Neratinib) Update Call
CalAmp Corp	CAMP US	Aft-mkt	Q3 2014 Earnings Release	Q3 2014	0.213
Hain Celestial Group Inc/The	HAIN US	Aft-mkt	Green Plains Renewable Energy Replaces Hain Celestial Group in S&P SmallCap 600
Hain Celestial Group Inc/The	HAIN US	Aft-mkt	Hain Celestial Group Replaces NV Energy Inc. in S&P MidCap 400
Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc	GPRE US	Aft-mkt	Green Plains Renewable Energy Replaces Hain Celestial Group in S&P SmallCap 600

Actions Semiconductor - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Actions Semiconductor (ACTS) is Barchart's Chart of the Day.  The stock's price has turned around and it now has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 69.40. The Chinese fabless semicondutor company trades in the US as an ADR and gained 86.34% in the last year.

Please use caution on today's chart.  The Chart of the Day is Actions Semiconductor (ACTS) a Chinese ADR for a fabless semiconductor stock.  I found the stock by sorting the New High List for frequency in the last month and this one was right near the top of the list.  Since the Trend spotter signaled a buy on 11/8 the stock is up 18.11%.

Actions Semiconductor is a fabless semiconductor company located in Zhuhai, China, providing system-on-a-chip products and total solutions for the design, development and manufacture of personal media or MP3 players.

Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. 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.

Barchart technical indicators;

• 88% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 18 new highs and up 18.58% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 85.88%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 2.85
• Recently traded at 3.00 with a 50 day moving average of 2.56

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $205.47
• P/E 144.00
• Only 1 analysts follows the stock and he estimates earnings could increase 25.00% annually for the next 5 years but makes no recommendation
• On Motley Fool the readers voted 467 to 24 that the stock will beat the market
• It might be noted that the Fool's who made the most money trading this stock were those who sold short earlier in the year.

I am very cautious about Chinese ADRs.  I do not have a lot of confidence in their revenue and earnings projections. If you think the current technical indicators are enough for you to buy please buy only if you can afford to lose.  Note what happened back on 9/23 where in a 2 day period the stock dropped from 2.61 to 2.15 and floundered for a couple of months before its recent climb.  Be nimble on this one.

Today's 5 Top Small Caps

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Index to find the stock with the most frequent new highs in the last month.  I then skipped over the stocks that didn't have positive gains for the last week and month and reviewed the charts using the Flipchart feature.

Today's list includes Interval Leisure Group (IILG), AK Steel (AKS), DSP Group (DSPG), Cedar Shopping Centers (CDR) and Home Bancshares (HOMB):

Interval Leisure Group (IILG)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 18 new highs and up 23.27%
• Relative Strength Index 80.44%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 30.11
• Recently traded at 31.15 with a 50 day moving average of 25.93

AK Steel (AKS)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 42.66% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 84.37%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 6.19
• Recently traded at 7.39 with a 50 day moving average of 5.18

DSP Group (DSPG)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 14.06% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.68%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 9.03
• Recently traded at 9.23 with a 50 day moving average of 8.12

Cedar Shopping Centers (CDR)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 9.23%
• Relative Strength Index  65.89%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 5.91
• Recently traded at 6.12 with a 50 day moving average of 5.71

Home Bancshares (HOMB)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 11.54% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.77%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 37.16
• Recently traded at 37.98 with a 50 day moving average of 34.74