RLJ Lodging Trust - Barchart's Chart of the Day

RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The Hotel REIT has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 39.73+, gained 37.99% in the last year and paid a 3.56% dividend.

The Chart of the Day is RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ). I found the hotel REIT by sorting the All Time High list for the stocks having the most frequent new highs in the last month then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 10/14 the stock gained 13.06%.

RLJ Lodging Trust is a REIT focused on investing primarily in premium-branded, focused-service, and compact full-service hotels. It plans to own hotels concentrated in urban and dense suburban markets.  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: 80% Barchart technical buy signals Trend Spotter buy signal Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages 13 new highs and up 4.57% in the last month Relative Strength Index 62.36% Barchart computes a technical support level at 33.30 Recently traded at 33.67 with a 50 day moving average of 31.87 Fundamental factors: Market Cap $4.45 billion P/E 14.41 Dividend yield 3.56% Revenue expected to grow 1410% this year and another 10.20% next year Earnings estimated to increase 17.0% this year and an additional 40.00% next year Wall Street analysts issued 3 strong buy, 6 buy and 2 hold recommendations on the stock The most effective technical trading strategy on this stock has been the 50 - 100 day MACD Oscillator and I recommend you use that to find an exit point.

Empire State Realty Trusts - Barchart Chart of the Day

Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The REIT has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 15.60+, gained 16.6% in the last year and paid a 1.98% dividend.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT).  I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for the stocks having the most frequent new highs in the last month, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 10/21 the stock gained 11.08%.

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust which owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties primarily in Manhattan and New York metropolitan area.

 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 7.26% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 66.91%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 17.12
• Recently traded at 17.46 with a 50 day moving average of 16.21

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $1.39 billion
• Dividend yield 1.98%
• Revenue expected to grow 112.20% this year and another 11.00% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 97.60% this year, an additional 4.80% next year and continue to increase an an annual rate of 4.00% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy, 2 buys and 2 hold recommendations on the stock

Please use a moving stop loss 10 % off its recent high to gauge an exit point.

SL Green Realty - Best Mid Cap

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index stocks to find the stocks with the most frequent new highs in the last month, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Right at the top of the list was the REIT SL Green Realty (SLG):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 7.99% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 67.90%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 117.06
• Recently traded at 122.26 with a 50 day moving average of 114.31

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $12.17 billion
• P/E 19.59
• Dividend yield 1.68%
• Revenue expected to grow 12.40% this year and another 6.10% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 14.50% this year, an additional 5.40% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 6.08% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy, 4 buy, 13 hold and 1 under perform recommendation on the stock.

The 50 -100 day MACD Oscillator has been the most effective technical trading strategy on this stock and should be used as an exit point/

BARCHART MORNING CALL 12/18

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Thursday, December 18th, 2014View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +1.15%) this morning are up +1.06% and European stocks are up +2.35% as energy producers gained as crude oil rallied and on carry-over support from yesterday's FOMC meeting where the Fed pledged patience on raising interest rates. European stocks also received a boost after German investor confidence rose for a second month to a 4-month high. European government bonds rose after the Swiss National Bank (SNB) introduced negative interest rates for the first time since the 1970s as the Russian financial crisis and the threat of further ECB stimulus pressured the Swiss franc. Asian stocks closed mostly higher: Japan +2.32%, Hong Kong +1.09%, China -0.44%, Taiwan +0.57%, Australia +0.95%, Singapore +0.51%, South Korea +0.04%, India +1.56%. Commodity prices are higher. Jan crude oil (CLF15 +3.22%) is up +2.32% Jan gasoline (RBF15 +3.23%) is up +2.59%. Feb gold (GCG15 +0.95%) is up +1.05%. Mar copper (HGH15 -0.05%) is up +0.35%. Agriculture prices are stronger with Mar corn at a 5-1/2 month high and Mar wheat at a 6-3/4 month high. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.01%) is down -0.10%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.28% at a 1-week low as the action by the SNB to introduce negative interest rates that applies on the same date as the next ECB meeting boosted speculation the ECB will expand stimulus. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.02%. Mar T-note prices (ZNH15 -0.21%) are down -7.5 ticks.
The German Dec IFO business climate rose +0.8 to 105.5, right on expectations and the highest in 4 months. The Dec IFO current assessment was unchanged at 110.0, weaker than expectations of +0.4 to 110.4. The Dec IFO expectations rose +1.3 to 101.1, better than expectations of +0.8 to 100.5.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) imposed a negative interest rate of -0.25% on slight deposit account balances at the SNB that will apply as of Jan 22, The SNB also expanded the target range for the 3-month Libor to -0.75% to 0.25%.
UK Nov retail sales ex autos rose +1.7% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m and the largest increase in 11 months. On an annual basis, Nov retail sales ex autos rose +6.9% y/y, better than expectations of +4.5% y/y. Nov retail sales including autos rose +1.6% m/m and +6.4% y/y, with the +6.4% y/y increase the largest annual gain in 10-1/2 years.
Eurozone Oct construction output rose +1.3% m/m and +1.4% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Today’s initial unemployment claims report is expected to show a small +1,000 increase to +295,000 and the continuing claims report is expected to show a -79,000 decline to 2.435 million.  Today’s Nov leading indicators report is expected to show another solid increase of +0.5%, adding to the sharp increase of +0.9% seen in October.  Today’s Dec Philadelphia Fed business outlook index is expected to show a sharp -14.8 point decline to 26.0.  There are 7 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today:  Nike (consensus $0.70), Accenture (1.20), Rite Aid (0.05), ConAgra (0.61), Cintas (0.78), Red Hat (0.40), SandRidge Energy (0.04).  There are no equity conferences today.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Rite Aid (RAD +4.30%) reported Q3 EPS of 10 cents, double consensus of 5 cents, and then raised guidance on fiscal 2015 EPS view to 31 cents-37 cents, better than consensus of 31 cents.
Joy Global (JOY +0.20%) was upgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Underperform' at Longbow.
Starwood (HOT +1.01%) was initiated with a 'Buy' at Evercore ISI with a price target of $87.
Accenture PLC (ACN +2.93%) reported Q1 EPS of $1.29, higher than consensus of $1.20.
Exxon-Mobile (XOM +3.02%) climbed over 2% in pre-market trading as crude oil rose over +$1.00 a barrel.
Navistar (NAV +4.26%) gained over 2% in after-hours trading after activist investor Carl Icahn reported a 19.99% stake in the company.
AK Steel (AKS +6.11%) climbed over 5% in after-hours trading after it said it sees Q4 EPS of 5 cents-10 cents, above consensus of 4 cents.
Discover (DFS +3.31%) was initiated with a 'Buy' at Jefferies with a price target of $75.
Sally Beauty (SBH +2.11%) was initiated with an 'Overweight' at Piper Jaffray with a price target of $37.
Tupperware Brands (TUP -0.02%) was initiated with an 'Overweight' at Piper Jaffray with a price target of $77.
Jabil Circuit (JBL +1.93%) jumped over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q1 core EPS of 55 cents, higher than consensus of 48 cents, and then raised guidance on fiscal 2015 core EPS view to $1.85-$2.15, above consensus of $1.79.
Herman Miller (MLHR +3.29%) slid 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS ex-items of 51 cents, below consensus of 52 cents.
Oracle (ORCL +1.30%) rose over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 69 cents, beter than consensus of 68 cents.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +1.15%) this morning are up +21.25 points (+1.06%). The S&P 500 index on Wednesday closed sharply higher: S&P 500 +2.04%, Dow Jones +1.69%, Nasdaq +1.85%. Bullish factors included (1) slack inflation pressures after U.S. Nov CPI fell -0.3% m/m, weaker than expectations of -0.1% m/m and the largest monthly decline in nearly 6 years, (2) strength in energy producers after crude oil rallied, and (3) the post-FOMC meeting statement that said the Fed will be “patient” in its approach to raising interest rates.
Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH15 -0.21%) this morning are down -7.5 ticks. Mar 10-year T-note futures prices on Wednesday closed lower: TYH5 -22.00, FVH5 -15.00. Bearish factors included (1) the post-FOMC statement that said the labor market “improved further” and that “underutilization of labor resources continues to diminish,” which signals policy makers are a step closer to raising interest rates, and (2) reduced safe-haven demand after stocks rallied.
The dollar index (DXY00 -0.01%) this morning is down -0.089 (-0.10%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0034 (-0.28% at a 1-week low. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.02 (-0.02%). The dollar index on Wednesday posted a 1-week high and closed higher. Closes: Dollar index +1.008 (-0.38%), EUR/USD -0.01688 (-1.35%), USD/JPY +2.240 (+1.92%). Bullish factors included (1) the post-FOMC meeting statement that said the labor market “improved further,” which signals the Fed is closer to raising interest rates, and (2) weakness in EUR/USD on signs the ECB may soon expand stimulus after ECB Executive Board member Coeure said “there is a broad consensus on the ECB Governing Council to do more and we are now discussing the instruments to use.”
Jan WTI crude oil (CLF15 +3.22%) this morning is up +$1.31 (+2.32%) a barrel and Jan gasoline (RBF15 +3.23%) is up +0.0406 (+2.59%). Jan crude and Jan gasoline prices Wednesday closed higher. Closes: CLF5 +0.54 (+0.97%), RBF5 +0.0252 (+1.64%). The main bullish factor was fund short covering after prices failed to take out Tuesday’s 5-1/2 year lows. Negative factors included (1) the +5.25 million bbl surge in weekly EIA gasoline inventories to a 9-month high of 222 million bbl, three times more than expectations of +1.75 million bbl, and (2) the +2.92 million bbl increase in crude supplies at Cushing, OK, the delivery point of WTI futures, to an 8-1/2 month high of 27.8 million bbl.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/18/2014

US	0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected +1,000 to 295,000, previous -3,000 to 294,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -79,000 to 2.435 million, previous +132,000 to 2.514 million.
	0830 ET	USDA weekly Export Sales.
	0945 ET	Preliminary Dec Markit U.S. services PMI expected +0.1 to 56.3, Nov -0.9 to 56.2.
	1000 ET	Nov leading indicators expected +0.5%, Oct +0.9%.
	1000 ET	Dec Philadelphia Fed business outlook expected -14.8 to 26.0, Nov +20.1 to 40.8.
	1100 ET	Treasury announces amount of 2-year T-notes (previous $28 billion), 2-year floating rate notes (previous $13 billion), 5-year T-notes (previous $35 billion) and 7-year T-notes (previous $29 billion) to be auctioned Dec 22-26.
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $16 billion of 5-year TIPS.
GER	0400 ET	German Dec IFO business climate expected +0.8 to 105.5, Nov 104.7. Dec IFO current assessment expected +0.4 to 110.4, Nov 110.0. Dec IFO expectations expected +0.8 to 100.5, Nov 99.7.
UK	0430 ET	UK Nov retail sales ex autos expected +0.3% m/m and +4.5% y/y, Oct +0.8% m/m and +4.6% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Nov retail sales including autos expected +0.4% m/m and +4.4% y/y, Oct +0.8% m/m and +4.3% y/y.
	1905 ET	UK Dec GfK consumer confidence expected +1 to -1, Nov -2.
EUR	0500 ET	Eurozone Oct construction output, Sep -1.8% m/m and -1.7% y/y.
JPN	2330 ET	Japan Oct all-industry activity index expected unch m/m, Sep +1.0% m/m.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/18/2014

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Accenture PLC	ACN US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2015 Earnings Release	Q1 2015	1.199
Rite Aid Corp	RAD US	7:00	Q3 2015 Earnings Release	Q3 2015	0.054
ConAgra Foods Inc	CAG US	7:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.609
Accenture PLC	ACN US	8:00	Q1 2015 Earnings Call	Q1 2015
Rite Aid Corp	RAD US	8:30	Q3 2015 Earnings Call	Q3 2015
AutoZone Inc	AZO US	9:00	Annual General Meeting
AutoZone Inc	AZO US	9:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2014
Progressive Corp/The	PGR US	9:00	Acquisition of Controlling Interest in American Strategic Insurance by Progress
ConAgra Foods Inc	CAG US	9:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc	CCE US	10:00	Q4 2015 Guidance Call	Q4 2015
NIKE Inc	NKE US	16:15	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.701
NIKE Inc	NKE US	17:00	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Cintas Corp	CTAS US	17:00	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Red Hat Inc	RHT US	17:00	Q3 2015 Earnings Call	Q3 2015
Cintas Corp	CTAS US	Aft-mkt	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.776
Red Hat Inc	RHT US	Aft-mkt	Q3 2015 Earnings Release	Q3 2015	0.399
SandRidge Energy Inc	SD US		Q3 2014 Earnings Release	Q3 2014	0.038
Madison Square Garden Co/The	MSG US		Annual General Meeting
Zillow Inc	Z US		Special Meeting - M&A Vote

Celladon - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Celladon (CLDN) is Barchart's Chart of the Day.  The biomedical company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 55.20+ and gained 132.03% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Celladon (CLDN).  I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for the stocks hitting the most frequent highs in the last month, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 10/27 the stock gained 81.38%.

Celladon Corporation is a biotechnology company. It focuses on developing treatments for heart failure, diabete and neurodegenerative diseases. The company's lead product candidate includes MYDICAR that uses genetic enzyme replacement therapy to correct the Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a enzyme deficiency in heart failure patients. Its MYDICAR product is developed to treat patients with systolic heart failure, diastolic heart failure and advanced heart failure as well as to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and arteriovenous fistula maturation failure.

 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
• 13 new highs and up 63.06% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 78.66%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 15.46
• Recently traded at 18.94 with a 50 day moving average of 12.10

Fundamental factors:

• Not widely followed so projections are slim
• Market Cap $426.72 million
• Revenue expected to grow 93.60% this year and another 22.00% next year
• Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy recommendations on the stock
• The individual investors on Motley Fool voted 13 to 2 that the stock will beat the market

This stock has had a very steep run up recently if you have it be prepared to skim off some profits.  If you're not in it yet, I think you missed the boat.

NASDAQ OMX Group - Best Large Cap

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 500 Large Cap Index stocks to find the one with the most frequent new highs in the last month and at the top of the sort was the security exchange company The NASDAQ OMX Group (NDAQ).

Barchart technical indicators:

• 64% Bachart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signals - Up 7.34% since the 10/30 signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 4.99% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 57.68%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 45.09
• Recently traded at 46.07 with a 50 day moving average of 43.49

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $7.77 billion
• P/E 16.42
• Dividend yield 1.29%
• Revenue expected to grow 9.10% this year and another 4.20% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 11.20% this year, an additional 11.80% next year and continue to compound at an annual rate of 10.67% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 3 strong buy, 7 buy, 4 hold and 1 under perform recommendation on this stock

The most effective technical trading strategy for the last 5 years has been the 50 day moving average vs. the price but following that indicator would have meant 87 trades.  I'd rather use a moving stop loss 10% below its most recent high.

BARCHART MORNING CALL 12/17

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014View Older Reports

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

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +0.56%) this morning are up +0.61% ahead of the outcome of today's FOMC meeting, while European stocks are down -0.92%, led by a decline in bank stocks on concern of their exposure to Russian debt. The Russian ruble has stabilized temporarily near 66 per dollar, above yesterday's record low of near 80 per dollar, after Russian Economy Minister Ulyukayev denied speculation the government would impose restrictions to stop Russians from converting rubles into dollars. The ruble has plunged 52% against the dollar so far this year as the weight of international economic sanctions along with the plunge in crude to a 5-1/2 year low has decimated the ruble. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan +0.38%, Hong Kong -0.37%, China +1.73%, Taiwan -1.37%, Australia +0.18%, Singapore +0.38%, South Korea -0.29%, India -0.27%. Chinese stocks closed higher and received a boost on speculation the government will expand stimulus after the PBOC rolled over a portion of a 3-month lending facility from September that was set to expire. Commodity prices are mixed. Jan crude oil (CLF15 -2.50%) is down -1.70% after Russian Energy Minister Novak said that the price of crude oil "will stabilize itself" and Russia will not cut crude production and will keep output steady near the current 10.6 million bpd. Jan gasoline (RBF15 -1.18%) is down -0.91%. Feb gold (GCG15 +0.39%) is up +0.54%. Mar copper (HGH15 -0.89%) is down -0.93% at a 2-week low. Agriculture prices are mixed. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.16%) is up +0.17%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.43%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.63%. Mar T-note prices (ZNH15 -0.17%) are down -5 ticks.
ECB Executive Board member Coeure said in an interview with the L'Opinion newspaper that "there is a broad consensus in the ECB Governing Council to do more and we are now discussing the instruments to use."
The Japan Nov trade balance widened to a deficit of -891.9 billion yen from a downward revised -736.9 billion yen deficit in Oct, a smaller deficit than expectations of -992.0 billion yen. Japan Nov exports rose +4.9% y/y, less than expectations of +7.0% y/y, and Jan imports unexpectedly fell -1.7% y/y, weaker than expectations of +1.6% y/y and the biggest decline in 6 months.
Eurozone Q3 labor costs rose +1.3% y/y, a smaller increase than the upward revised +1.4% y/y from Q2.
The UK Nov jobless claims fell -26,900, more than expectations of -20,000. The Nov claimant count rate fell -0.1 to 2.7%, right on expectations and the lowest in 6-1/3 years.
UK Oct avg weekly earnings rose +1.4%3-mo avg, better than expectations of +1.2% 3-mo avg and the most in 7 months. Oct avg weekly earnings ex-bonus rose +1.6% 3-mo avg, right on expectations and the most in 2 years.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

The 2-day FOMC meeting concludes today.  Today's headline Nov CPI is expected to fall to +1.4% y/y from +1.7% in October.  Excluding food and energy, however, today’s Nov core CPI is expected to be unchanged from October at +1.8% y/y.  Today’s Q3 current account deficit is expected to narrow slightly to -$97.5 billion from -$98.5 billion in Q2.  There are 5 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today:  Oracle (consensus $0.68), General Mills ($0.76), Joy Global (1.14), FedEx (2.25), Jabil Circuit (0.47).  Equity conferences today include: Sanford C. Bernstein Technology Innovation Summit on Tue-Wed.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

General Mills (GIS -0.66%) reported Q2 EPS of 80 cents, better than consensus of 76 cents.
FedEx (FDX -1.14%) reported Q2 EPS of $2.14, below consensus of $2.22.
JPMorgan Chase keeps an 'Overweight' rating on CVS Health (CVS +2.72%) and raises the price target on the stock to $108 from $92.
Consolidated Edison (ED +0.14%) was downgraded to 'Sell' from 'Hold' at Deutsche Bank.
PG&E (PCG -0.76%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Deutsche Bank.
Joy Global (JOY +0.30%) reported Q4 EPS of $1.25, higher than consensus of $1.14.
Northrop Grumman (NOC +1.33%) was awarded a $657.4 million government contract that will provide the Republic of Korea four RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk air vehicles, two spare engines, and the applicable Ground Control Environment elements.
GIC Private reported a 7.07% passive stake in UBS (UBS +0.23%) .
Colfax (CFX -1.52%) lowered guidance on fuscal 2015 EPS to $2.20-$2.40, below consensus of $2.58 and said it sees fiscal 2015 revenue of $4.53 billiob-$4.68 billion, less than consensus of $4.8 billion.
Gabelli reported an 11.09% stake in Griffin (GRIF +1.16%) .
Thermo Fisher (TMO -1.76%) was initiated with a 'Buy' at KeyBanc with a price target of $144.
Ruby Tuesday (RT -1.10%) reported Q2 company-owned Same-Store-Sales down 1%, weaker than same-store-sales guidance provided on October 8 of up 1%-2% for Q2.
Darden Restaurants (DRI -2.26%) rose over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 28 cents, better than consensus of 27 cents.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +0.56%) this morning are up +12.00 points (+0.61%). The S&P 500 index on Tuesday fell to a 1-1/2 month low and closed lower: S&P 500 -0.85%, Dow Jones -0.65%, Nasdaq -1.63%. Bearish factors included (1) Chinese economic concerns after the China Dec HSBC manufacturing PMI fell -0.5 to a 7-month low of 49.5, weaker than expectations of -0.2 to 49.8, (2) the unexpected -1.6% decline in U.S. Nov housing starts to 1.028 million, and (3) the ongoing meltdown in the ruble and fears that a Russian financial crisis could spread into Europe and the U.S. A positive factor was a rally in energy producers after crude oil recovered from a 5-1/2 year low and closed slightly higher.
Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH15 -0.17%) this morning are down -5 ticks. Mar 10-year T-note futures prices on Tuesday posted a 2-month high: TYH5 +12.50, FVH5 +9.00. Bullish factors included (1) the fall in crude oil to a 5-1/2 year low, which prompted the 10-year breakeven inflation expectations rate to fall to a 4-1/4 year low, and (2) increased safe-haven demand from financial turmoil in Russia after the Russian ruble sank to a record low of 79 per dollar.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.16%) this morning is up +0.154 (+0.17%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0054 (-0.43%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.73 (+0.63%). The dollar index on Tuesday fell to a 2-week low and closed lower. Closes: Dollar index -0.335 (-0.38%), EUR/USD +0.00739 (+0.59%), USD/JPY -1.427 (-1.20%). Bearish factors included (1) strength in EUR/USD which rallied to a 3-week high after German Dec ZEW survey expectations of economic growth rose to an 8-month high and after Eurozone Dec Markit manufacturing PMI rose to its best level in 5 months, and (2) the fall in USD/JPY fell to a 4-week low after a slide in global stocks boosted the safe-haven demand for the yen.
Jan WTI crude oil (CLF15 -2.50%) this morning is down -95 cents (-1.70%) and Jan gasoline (RBF15 -1.18%) is down -0.0140 (-0.91%). Jan crude and Jan gasoline prices Tuesday posted new 5-1/2 year lows but recovered and settled mixed. Closes: CLF5 +0.02 (+0.04%), RBF5 -0.0393 (-2.49%). Supportive factors included (1) the slide in the dollar index to a 2-week low, and (2) expectations for weekly EIA crude stockpiles on Wednesday to fall -2.65 million bbl. The main bearish factor centers on signs of ample global crude supplies amid expectations that OPEC will refrain from cutting production.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/17/2014

US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous +7.3% with purchase sub-index +1.3% and refi sub-index +13.2%.
	0830 ET	Nov CPI expected -0.1% m/m and +1.4% y/y, Oct unch m/m and +1.7% y/y. Nov CPI ex food & energy expected +0.1% m/m and +1.8% y/y, Oct +0.2% m/m and +1.8% y/y.
	0830 ET	Q3 current account balance expected -$97.5 billion, Q2 -$98.5 billion.
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1400 ET	FOMC announces interest rate decision and issues updated economic projections.
JPN	0100 ET	Revised Japan Nov machine tool orders.
UK	0430 ET	Minutes of the Dec 3-4 BOE meeting. , previous +36.6% y/y
	0430 ET	UK Nov jobless claims change expected -20,000, Oct -20,400. Nov claimant count rate expected -0.1 to 2.7%, Oct 2.8%.
	0430 ET	UK Oct avg weekly earnings expected +1.2% 3-mo avg, Sep +1.0% 3-mo avg. Oct avg weekly earnings ex-bonus expected +1.6% 3-mo avg y/y, Sep +1.3% 3-mo avg y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Oct ILO unemployment rate expected -0.1 to 5.9%, Sep 6.0%.
EUR	0500 ET	Revised Eurozone Nov CPI, previous +0.3% y/y. Revised Nov core CPI, previous +0.7% y/y.
	0500 ET	Eurozone Q3 labor costs, Q2 +1.2% y/y.
CHI	2030 ET	China Nov property prices.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/17/2014

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
General Mills Inc	GIS US	Bef-mkt	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.762
Joy Global Inc	JOY US	6:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Release	Q4 2014	1.135
FedEx Corp	FDX US	7:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	2.247
FedEx Corp	FDX US	8:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
General Mills Inc	GIS US	8:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Pentair PLC	PNR US	9:00	Q4 2015 Guidance Call	Q4 2015
Lennox International Inc	LII US	9:00	Investment Community Meeting	Y 2014
Greif Inc	GEF US	10:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Call	Q4 2014
WESCO International Inc	WCC US	10:00	Q4 2015 Guidance Call	Q4 2015
Joy Global Inc	JOY US	11:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Call	Q4 2014
Whirlpool Corp	WHR US	11:00	Investor Day	Y 2014
Jabil Circuit Inc	JBL US	16:02	Q1 2015 Earnings Release	Q1 2015	0.47
Jabil Circuit Inc	JBL US	16:30	Q1 2015 Earnings Call	Q1 2015
Oracle Corp	ORCL US	17:00	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Oracle Corp	ORCL US	Aft-mkt	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.683
Raymond James Financial Inc	RJF US		November 2014 Sales and Revenue Release - Operating Data	2014

M/A-Com Technology Solutions - Barchart's Chart of the Day

M/A-Com Technology Solutions (MTSI) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The semiconductor stock has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 102.50+ and gained 103.36% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to M/A-Com Technology Solutions (MTSI).  I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for the stocks with the most frequent new highs in the last month, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 11/11 the stock gained 30.03%.

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. provides analog semiconductor solutions for use in wireless and wireline applications across the RF, microwave and millimeterwave spectrum. The Company's primary markets are Networks which includes CATV, cellular backhaul, cellular infrastructure and fiber optic applications, A&D and Multi-market, which includes automotive, industrial, medical, mobile and scientific applications. It's product lines include active splitter, amplifier, attenuator, automotive module, capacitor, component, coupler, diode, down converter IC, filter, frequency multiplier, hybrid voltage controlled oscillator, integrated receiver IC, modulator/demodulator, optical modulator driver, phase shifter, power combiner, power detector, power divider, power hybrid pallet, power hybrid transistor, switch, synthesizer, transceiver, transformer, upconverter IC and voltage controlled oscillator.

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.

Barcart 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 34.25% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 77.85%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 28.79
• Recently traded at 30.09 with a 50 day moving average of 23.62

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $1.43 billion
• P/E 26.39
• Revenue expected to grow 16.40% this year and another 16.80% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 27.20% this year, an additional 27.00% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 20.00% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 3 strong buy and 4 buy recommendations on the stock.

The most effective technical trading strategy for this stock has been the 20 day moving average vs the price but that would have required over 80 trades in the last 3 years.  I think you should use a stop loss at 10% below the most recent high as your exit point.

Advanced Auto Parts - Best Growth Stock

Today I used Barcharts to sort a list of high growth stocks to find the stock with the most frequent new highs in the last month.  At the top of the list was Advanced Auto Parts (AAP):

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal - up 13.74% since the 10/20 buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 9.82% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.48%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 158.48
• Recently traded at 159.36 with a 50 day moving average of 145.39

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $11.63 billion
• P/E 22.38
• Dividend yield .15%
• Revenue expected to grow 52.20% this year and another 2.30% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase 44.70% this year, an additional 12.60% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 17.75% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 6 strong buy, 7 buy and 13 hold recommendations on the stock

The 50 - 100 day MACD Oscillator has been a very reliable technical trading strategy on this stock and should be used for an exit point.

BARCHART MORNING CALL 12/16

BARCHART MORNING CALL 

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 -0.67%) this morning are down -0.18% and European stocks are down -0.35% at a 1-3/4 month low on Chinese economic concerns after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in 7 months. Losses were limited after Eurozone Dec manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in 5 months and after a gauge of German investor expectations climbed at the fastest pace in 8 months. The Russian ruble plunged to a record low of 73.8238 per dollar even after the Bank of Russia unexpectedly raised its key interest rate to 17.0% from 10.5% as the plunge in oil prices exacerbates the collapse in the ruble. Asian stocks closed mostly lower: Japan -2.01%, Hong Kong -1.55%, China +2.68%, Taiwan -0.39%, Australia -0.65%, Singapore -2.40%, South Korea -0.75%, India -1.97%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index fell to a 1-month low after exporters sold-off as the yen rallied to a 4-week high against the dollar, which reduces the earnings prospects of exporters. Chinese stocks bucked the trend and closed higher on speculation economic weakness will prompt the government into expanding stimulus. Commodity prices are weaker. Jan crude oil (CLF15 -2.99%) is down -3.02% at a 5-1/2 year low as the rout in crude prices continues. Jan gasoline (RBF15 -2.91%) is down -3.10% % at a 5-1/2 year low. Feb gold (GCG15 +0.60%) is down -0.16%. Mar copper (HGH15 -0.47%) is down -0.56%. Agriculture prices are mostly lower. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.73%) is down -0.77% at a 2-week low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.90% at a 2-1/2 week high. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -1.80% at a 4-week low. Mar T-note prices (ZNH15 +0.64%) are up +20.5 ticks at a 2-month high as the plunge in crude oil to a 5-1/2 year low undercuts inflation expectations along with carry-over support from a rally in German bunds as the 10-year bund yield sank to a record low of 0.566%.
The China Dec HSBC manufacturing PMI fell -0.5 to 49.5, a bigger decline than expectations of -0.2 to 49.8 and the slowest pace of expansion in 7 months.
The German Dec ZEW survey expectations of economic growth rose +23.4 to 34.9, a much larger increase than expectations of +8.5 to 20.0 and the highest in 8 months. The Dec ZEW survey current situation climbed +6.7 to 10.0, a larger increase than expectation sf +1.7 to 5.0
The Eurozone Dec Markit manufacturing PMI rose +0.7 to 50.8, more than expectations of +0.4 to 50.5 and the fastest pace of expansion in 5 months. The Eurozone Dec composite PMI rose +0.6 to 51.7, a larger increase than expectations of +0.4 to 51.5.
Bundesbank President Weidmann said there's no need for the ECB to expand monetary stimulus into sovereign-bond buying even if slumping oil prices cause deflation, saying "such a development initially requires no monetary response, as long as no second round effects are to be seen."
UK Nov CPI unexpectedly fell -0.3% m/m, weaker than expectations of unch m/m and matched July's decline as the biggest monthly fall in 10 months. On an annual basis, Nov CPI rose +1.0% y/y, less than expectations of +1.2% y/y and the slowest pace of increase in 12-1/3 years. Nov core CPI rose +1.2%, less than expectations of +1.5% y/y and the smallest increase in 5-3/4 years.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

The 2-day FOMC meeting begins today.  The market is expecting today’s Nov housing starts report to show an increase of +3.1% to 1.040 million units, more than reversing October’s -2.8% m/m decline to 1.009 million units.  There are 3 the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today:  Navistar (consensus $0.0), FactSet (1.32), Darden Restaurants (0.27).  Equity conferences this week include: Macquarie Mobile Corporate Day on Tue, and Sanford C. Bernstein Technology Innovation Summit on Tue-Wed.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Microsoft (MSFT -0.60%) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Neutral' at BofA/Merrill Lynch.
Hess Corp. (HES -1.62%) and EOG Resources (EOG -1.19%) were both downgraded to 'Equal Weight' from 'Overweight' at Morgan Stanley.
According to The New York Times, thw Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS -2.75%) and Lloyds (LYG -1.28%) failed a stress test performed by the Bank of England.
Dollar Tree (DLTR +0.68%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Deutsche Bank.
Macerich (MAC -0.37%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Citigroup.
Autodesk (ADSK -1.14%) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Neutral' at BofA/Merrill Lynch.
Bloomberg reported that Olam (OLMIY -1.98%) will acquire Archer Daniel's (ADM -0.04%) cocoa business for $1.3 billion.
Boeing (BA +1.08%) climbed 2.7% in pre-market trading after it raised its dividend 25% and authorized a $12 billion share repurchase plan.
Goldman Sachs (GS -1.74%) was initiated with a 'Buy' at Guggenheim with a price target of $215.
Bank of America (BAC -1.63%) was initiated with a 'Buy' at Guggenheim with a price target of $20.
VeriFone (PAY +0.15%) reported Q4 EPS of 44 cents, higher than consensus of 41 cents.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 -0.67%) this morning are down -3.50 points (-0.18%). The S&P 500 index on Monday slipped to a 1-1/2 month low and closed lower: S&P 500 -0.63%, Dow Jones -0.58%, Nasdaq -1.00%. Bearish factors included (1) weakness in energy producers after crude oil slumped to a 5-1/2 year low, and (2) the unexpected -13.24 point drop in the Dec Empire manufacturing index to -3.58, weaker than expectations of +2.24 to 12.40 and the slowest pace of expansion in 23 months. A positive for stocks was the strong +1.3% increase in U.S. Nov industrial production, the largest increase in 4-1/2 years.
Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH15 +0.64%) this morning are up +20.5 ticks at a fresh 2-month high. Mar 10-year T-note futures prices on Monday retreated from a 2-month high and closed lower: TYH5 -9.50, FVH5 -8.00. Bearish factors included (1) the stronger-than-expected U.S. Nov industrial production, and (2) long liquidation pressures ahead of the Tue/Wed FOMC meeting. Supportive factors included (1) the plunge in crude oil to a 5-1/2 year low, which prompted the 10-year breakeven inflation expectations rate to tumble to a 4-1/4 year low, and (2) increased safe-haven demand for Treasuries after the S&P 500 fell to a 1-1/2 month low.
The dollar index (DXY00 -0.73%) this morning is down -0.679 (-0.77%) at a 2-week low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.0112 (+0.90%) at a 2-1/2 week high. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -2.12 (-1.80%) at a 4-week low. The dollar index on Monday closed higher. Closes: Dollar index +0.097 (+0.11%), EUR/USD -0.00251 (-0.10%), USD/JPY -0.923 (-0.78%). Bullish factors included (1) weakness in emerging market currencies as the Brazilian real fell to a 9-3/4 year low and the Russian ruble plunged to a record low against the dollar, and (2) speculation the FOMC will prepare the markets for an interest rate hike with a hawkish post-FOMC meeting statement on Wednesday.
Jan WTI crude oil (CLF15 -2.99%) this morning is down -$1.69 a barrel (-3.02%) at a new 5-1/2 year low and Jan gasoline (RBF15 -2.91%) is down -0.0488 (-3.10%) at a 5-1/2 year low. Jan crude and Jan gasoline prices Monday slumped to 5-1/2 year lows and closed lower. Closes: CLF5 -1.90 (-3.29%), RBF5 -0.0209 (-1.31%). Bearish factors included (1) a stronger dollar, and (2) comments from UAE Energy Minister Al-Mazrouei that OPEC will stand by its decision not to cut oil output even if crude prices fall as low as $40 a barrel and will wait at least three months before considering an emergency meeting.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/16/2014

US	0830 ET	Nov housing starts expected +3.1% to 1.040 million, Oct -2.8% m/m to 1.009 million. Nov building permits expected -2.5% to 1.065 million, Oct +5.9% to 1.092 million.
	0945 ET	Preliminary Dec U.S. Markit manufacturing PMI expected +0.7 to 55.5, Nov -1.1 to 54.8.
	1030 ET	FOMC begins 2-day policy meeting.
EUR	0200 ET	Eurozone Nov new car registrations, Oct +6.5% y/y.
	0400 ET	Eurozone Dec Markit manufacturing PMI expected +0.4 to 50.5, Nov 50.1. Dec composite PMI expected +0.4 to 51.5, Nov 51.1.
GER	0330 ET	German Dec Markit/BME manufacturing PMI expected +0.8 to 50.3, Nov 49.5. Dec Market services PMI expected +0.4 to 52.5, Nov 52.1.
	0500 ET	German Dec ZEW survey expectations of economic growth expected +8.5 to 20.0, Nov 11.5. Dec ZEW current situation expected +1.7 to 5.0, Nov 3.3.
UK	0430 ET	UK Nov CPI expected unch m/m and +1.2% y/y, Oct +0.1% m/m and +1.3% y/y. Nov core CPI expected +1.5% y/y, Oct +1.5% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Nov RPI expected unch m/m and +2.2% y/y, Oct unch m/m and +2.3% y/y. Nov RPI ex-mortgage interest payments expected +2.3% y/y, Oct +2.4% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Nov PPI input prices expected -1.5% m/m and -9.2% y/y, Oct -1.5% m/m and -8.4% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Nov PPI output prices expected -0.3% m/m and -0.6% y/y, Oct -0.3% m/m and -0.5% y/y. Nov PPI output core expected unch m/m and +1.0% y/y, Oct +0.1% m/m and +0.9% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Oct ONS house prices expected +11.4% y/y, Sep +12.1% y/y.
JPN	1850 ET	Japan Nov trade balance expected -992.0 billion yen, Oct -736.9 billion yen. Nov exports expected +7.0% y/y, Oct +9.6% y/y. Nov imports expected +1.7% y/y, Oct +3.1% y/y.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/16/2014

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Navistar International Corp	NAV US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2014 Earnings Release	Q4 2014	0.003
FactSet Research Systems Inc	FDS US	7:00	Q1 2015 Earnings Release	Q1 2015	1.319
CVS Health Corp	CVS US	8:00	Analyst Day	Y 2014
3M Co	MMM US	8:00	Q4 2015 Guidance Call	Q4 2015
Unum Group	UNM US	8:30	Investor Meeting	Y 2014
Navistar International Corp	NAV US	9:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Call	Q4 2014
Liberty Property Trust	LPT US	10:00	Q4 2015 Guidance Call	Q4 2015
T-Mobile US Inc	TMUS US	10:30	Un-Carrier Event
FactSet Research Systems Inc	FDS US	11:00	Q1 2015 Earnings Call	Q1 2015
AECOM Technology Corp	ACM US	11:00	Analyst Meeting	Y 2014
Amdocs Ltd	DOX US	11:30	Analyst & Investor Day	Y 2014
Colfax Corp	CFX US	13:00	Investor Meeting	Y 2014
General Electric Co	GE US	15:00	Investor Meeting	Y 2014
FactSet Research Systems Inc	FDS US	15:00	Annual General Meeting
Dow Chemical Co/The	DOW US	17:00	ITC Announce's Judge's Findings on Organik vs. Dow Chemical Trade Secret Case
Darden Restaurants Inc	DRI US	17:00	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
Darden Restaurants Inc	DRI US	Aft-mkt	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.273
Ameren Corp	AEE US		Investor Meeting	Y 2014
Hudson City Bancorp Inc	HCBK US		Annual General Meeting	Y 2014