Financial Tides -- A Stock Market Investing Newsletter by Jim Van Meerten: 2015-12-20

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical - Chart of the Day

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The pharma company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 148.80+ and gained 151.17% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE). I found the pharma stock by using Barchart o sort the Russell 3000 Index stocks first for the highest Weighted Alpha then again for a technical buy signals above 80%, I reviewed the charts using the Flipchart feature. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 11/2 the stock gained 3.96%.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. is involved in the identification, acquisition, development and commercialization of products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases, with an initial focus on serious, debilitating metabolic genetic diseases. The Company's product pipeline include KRN23 (UX023) for the treatment of XLH, rhGUS (UX003) for the treatment of MPS 7, rhPPCA (UX004) for the treatment of galactosialidosis, Triheptanoin (UX007) for the treatment of LC-FAOD, Triheptanoin (UX007) for the treatment of Glut1 DS and SA-ER (UX001) for the treatment of HIBM which are in different clinical phases. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. is headquartered in Novato, California.

The status of 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% technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
9 new highs and up 20.11% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 62.21%
Technical support level at 110.22
Recently traded at 114.35 with a 50 day moving average of 100.38

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $4.42 billion
Earnings estimated to decline 62.20% this year and another 27.90% next year
Despite these projections Wall Street analysts issued 7 strong buy, 1 buy and 1 hold recommendation
On Motley Fool the individual investors following the stock voted 31 to 2 that the stock will beat the market
On the same site the more experienced All Stars vote 10 to 0 for the same result

The most reliable technical trading strategy for this stock has been the 100 day moving average vs price. I have no idea what is moving this stock so I'd advise using a moving stop loss at 10% off the most recent high.

The 5 Hottest Momentum Stocks

This morning I wanted to find the 5 hottest Momentum stocks so I used Barchart to sort the Russell 3000 Index stocks first for the most number of advances in the last 20 trading sessions then I reviewed the charts using the Flipchart feature.

Today list includes Ultratech (UTEK), SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS), Integra Lifesciences (IART), Central European Media Enterprises (CETV), and Hormel Foods (HRL).

Ultratech (UTEK)

Barchart technical indicators:

100% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
16 new highs and up 22.24% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 82.57%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 19.07
Recently traded at 19.95 with a 50 day moving average of 16.46

SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS)

Barchart technical indicators:

72% Barchat technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
16 new highs and up 13.60% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 73.58%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 19.18
Recently traded at 19.80 with a 50 day moving average of 18.26

Integra Lifesciences (IART)

Barchart technical indicators:

100% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
16 new highs and up 9.39% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 72.33%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 66.55
Recently traded at 67.82 with a 50 day moving average of 62.53

Central European Media Enterprises (CETV)

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 25.57% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 80.35%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 2.63
Recently trade at 2.75 with a 50 day moving average of 2.22

Hormel Foods (HRL)

Barchart technical indicators:

88% BArchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal'
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
15 new highs and up 15.15% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 72.36%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 77.66
Recently traded at 79.75 with a 50 day moving average if 71.38

MORNING CALL 12/24

MORNING CALL

Thursday, December 24th, 2015View Older Reports

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

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

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.05%) are down -0.05% and European stocks are down -0.15% in thin uninspired holiday trade. The U.S. equity markets shut early today at 1300 EST for Christmas Eve and markets in the U.K., France and Netherlands also close early, while Germany, Switzerland and Italy are closed all day. Weakness in crude oil is pushing energy producers lower, while miners and raw-material producers are weaker after a +1,525 MT increase in LME copper inventories to a 2-week high undercuts copper prices. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -0.51%, Hong Kong +0.44%, China-0.65%, Taiwan +0.10%, Australia +1.28%, Singapore +0.49%, South Korea -0.49%, India -0.04%. China's Shanghai Composite closed lower, led by weakness in health-care and property companies, on speculation that new initial public offerings (IPOs) will divert funds away from existing stocks. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index closed lower as the yen rallied to a 1-3/4 month high against the dollar, which reduces the earnings prospects of exporter stocks and pushed them lower.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.24%) is down -0.36% at a 1-week low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.29%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.45% at a 1-3/4 month low.

Mar T-note prices (ZNH16 unch) are up +1.5 ticks.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly initial unemployment claims (expected -1,000 to 270,000, previous -11,000 to 271,000) and continuing claims (expected -38,000 to 2.200 million, previous -7,000 to 2.238 million), and (2) the Treasury's announcement of next week's sale of 2, 5 and 7- year T-notes. The NYSE closes early today at 1:00 PM ET, CME equity and interest rate futures close early at 1:15 PM ET, and CME energy and metals products close early at 1:45 PM ET.

None of the Russell 3000 companies report earnings today.

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: none.

Equity conferences this week: none.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX +16.04%) is up over 1% in pre-market trading on positive carryover from Wednesday's 16% surge.

Spark Energy (SPKE +1.65%) was cut to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Wunderlich.

TransMontaigne Partners LP (TLP +4.59%) was raised to a 'Buy' at Stifel with a price target of $27.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn reported a 12.1% stake in Pep Boys Manny Moe & Jack (PBY +3.02%) .

Hyatt Hotels (H +2.96%) dropped over 1% in after-hours trading after it said it found malware on its payment processing computers.

Caesars Entertainment (CZR +1.75%) climbed over 2% in after-hours trading after an appeals court in Chicago ruled that two lower-court judges used faulty reasoning to deny Caesars’s request to halt a series of New York lawsuits that threaten to put its parent company into bankruptcy.

Cal-Maine Foods (CALM +1.72%) slipped nearly 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of $2.26, below consensus of $2.40.

Norfolk Southern (NSC +0.91%) declined over 1% in after-hours trading after it said it rejected a higher bid from Canadian Pacific Railway saying the offer was "grossly inadequate."

MannKind (MNKD +2.67%) named Duane DeSisto, previous CEO of Insulet from 20013-2014, as its new CEO.

Agenus (AGEN +1.58%) rose over 3% in after-hours trading after it acquired PhosImmune for $9.9 million.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.05%) this morning are down -1.00 point (-0.05%). Wednesday's closes: S&P 500 +1.24%, Dow Jones +1.06%, Nasdaq +0.77%. The S&P 500 on Wednesday closed higher on (1) the as-expected +0.3% increase in U.S. personal spending and the +0.3% increase in Nov personal income, stronger than expectations of +0.2%, and (2) the +0.8 point increase in the final U.S. Dec University of Michigan consumer sentiment to 92.6, stronger than expectations of +0.2 to 92.0 and a 5-month high. Stocks also received a boost from strength in energy and commodity producers after crude oil prices rallied sharply.

Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH16 unch) this morning are up +1.5 ticks. Wednesday's closes: TYH6 -5.50, FVH6 -2.00. Mar T-notes on Wednesday closed lower on reduced safe-haven demand with the rally in stocks and on the sharp rally in crude oil prices that boosted inflation expectations as the 10-year T-note breakeven inflation rate rose to a 1-1/2 week high.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.24%) this morning is down -0.250 (-0.36%) at a 1-week low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.0032 (+0.29%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.55 (-0.45%) at a 1-3/4 month low. Wednesday's closes: Dollar Index +0.106 (+0.11%), EUR/USD -0.0045 (-0.41%), USD/JPY-0.15 (-0.12%). The dollar index on Wednesday closed higher on (1) the stronger-than-expected U.S. Nov personal income report (+0.3% vs. expectations of +0.2%), which bolsters the case for the Fed to keep raising interest rates, and (2) the stronger-than-expected U.S. Dec University of Michigan consumer sentiment that rose to a 5-month high.

Feb crude oil (CLG16 +0.69%) this morning is down -7 cents (-0.19%) and Feb gasoline (RBG16 +1.44%) is up +0.0037 (+0.30%). Wednesday's closes: CLG6 +1.75 (+4.84%), RBG6 +0.0840 (+7.08%). Feb crude oil and gasoline on Wednesday settled sharply higher on the unexpected -5.88 million bbl decline in weekly EIA crude inventories, and the +1.11 million bbl increase in EIA gasoline supplies (vs expectations of +1.50 million bbl).

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/24/2015

US	0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected -1,000 to 270,000, previous -11,000 to 271,000. Weekly continuing claims expected-38,000 to 2.200 million, previous -7,000 to 2.238 million.
	0830 ET	USDA weekly Export Sales.
	1100 ET	Treasury announces amount of 2-year T-notes (previous $26 billion), 5-year T-notes (previous $35 billion) and 7-year T-notes (previous $29 billion) to be auctioned Dec 28-30.
	1300 ET	NYSE closes early.
	1315 ET	Early closes for CME equity and interest rate futures markets.
	1345 ET	Early closes for CME energy, metals and DME products.
JPN	1830 ET	Japan Nov overall household spending expected -2.2% y/y, Oct -2.4% y/y.
	1830 ET	Japan Nov jobless rate expected +0.1 to 3.2%, Oct 3.1%. Nov job-to-applicant ratio expected unch at 1.24.
	1830 ET	Japan Nov national CPI expected +0.3% y/y, Oct +0.3% y/y. Nov national CPI ex-fresh food expected unch y/y, Oct -0.1% y/y. Nov national CPI ex food & energy expected +0.8% y/y, Oct +0.7% y/y.
	1830 ET	Japan Dec Tokyo CPI expected +0.1% y/y, Nov +0.2% y/y. Dec Tokyo CPI ex fresh food expected +0.1% y/y, Nov unch y/y. Dec Tokyo CPI ex food & energy expected +0.6% y/y, Nov +0.6% y/y.
	1850 ET	Japan Nov PPI services expected +0.4% y/y, Oct +0.5% y/y.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/24/2015

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
No events

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Vitae Pharmaceuticals - Chart of the Day

Vitae Pharmaceuticals (VTAE) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The Pharma company has a Trend Spotter buy signal but a Weighted Alpha of 34.40- and lost 12.30% in the last year. But look at the rebound!

The Chart of the Day belongs to Vitae Pharmaceutical (VTAE). I found the stock by using Barchart to sort the Russell 3000 Index stock for the highest technical buy signals than used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 11/9 the stock gained 24.13%.

Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company. It is focused on discovering and developing small molecule drugs for diseases. The Company addresses multiple disease areas including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, atopic dermatitis, and acute coronary syndrome. Its product candidates include VTP-34072, which is in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; and VTP-37948 that is in Phase I clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

100% Barcart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
10 new highs and up 28.59% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 71.95%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 14.72
Recently traded at 1682 with a 50 day moving average of 13.63

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $367.85 million
Revenue expected to decline 93.20% this year and another 27.10% next year
Earnings estimated to increase 41.00% this year but decrease .50% next year
Despite these poor projections Wall Street analysts have 4 strong buy recommendations in place

Regular technical indicators aren't working on this stock so look for news that will explain the momentum.

Major ETFs having a hard time

One of the best ways I found to gauge the overall strength of the market is to look at the 5 major ETF's the S&P 500 Large Cap Index (IVV), the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index (IJH), the S&P 600 Small Cap Index (IJR) , the Russell Micro Cap Index (IWC) and the NASDAQ 100 Index (QQQ). This tells you not only the movement in the overall market but also in the various capitalized levels of the market as well. These 5 fund own approximately 3000 separate stocks equaling about 98% of the entire US stock market capitalization.

Notice all 5 ETFs are trading below their 20 and 50 day moving averages. If you panic when the market is off by more than 10% then there is good news here as only the Russell Micro Cap (IWC) is down by more than 10% and the NASDAQ 100 (QQQ) is only 2.94% off its 52 week high.

S&P 500 Large Cap Index (IVV)

Barchart technical indicators:

16% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
3.67% off its 52 week high
Relative Strength Index 50.82%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 203.01
Recently traded at 207.49 which is below its 50 day moving average of 207.78

S&P 400 Mid Cap Index (IJH)

Barchart technical indicators:

48% Barchart technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
9.05% off its 52 week high
Relative Strength Index 47.87%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 137.44
Recently traded at 141.24 which is below its 0 day moving average of 143.31

S&P 600 Small Cap Index (IJR)

Barchart technical indicators:

0% Barchart technical hold signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
8.41% off its 52 week high
Relative Strength Index 48.68%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 108.60
Recently traded at 111.94 which is below its 50 day moving average of 113.18

Russell Micro Cap Index (IWC)

Barchart technical indicators:

16% Barchart technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
13.19% off its 52 week high
Relative Strength Index 49.10%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 71.45
Recently traded at 73.15 which is below its 50 day moving average of 74.04

NASDAQ 100 (QQQ)

Barchart technical indicators:

8% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
2.94% off its 52 week high
Relative Strength Index 49.48%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 110.70
Recently traded at 112.29 which is below its 50 day moving average of 112.52

MORNING CALL 12/23

MORNING CALL

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015View Older Reports

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

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

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.42%) are up +0.22% and European stocks are up +1.75%, led by strength in mining stocks and in energy and raw-material producers as the price of copper and crude oil rose. Crude oil prices (CLG16 +1.52%) are up +1.41% ahead of today's weekly EIA inventory data after API data released late yesterday showed U.S. crude supplies fell by -3.6 million bbl. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan closed for holiday, Hong Kong +0.96%, China -0.43%, Taiwan +0.28%, Australia +0.49%, Singapore +0.37%, South Korea +0.43%, India +1.01%. China's Shanghai Composite jumped to 4-month high on speculation the government will boost stimulus measures to revive growth, but profit-taking emerged near the highs and stocks erased their gains and settled lower.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.06%) is up +0.01%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.24%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.18%.

Mar T-note prices (ZNH16 -0.10%) are down -3 ticks.

UK Q3 GDP was unexpectedly revised lower to +0.4% q/q and +2.1% y/y, weaker than expectations of no change at +0.5% q/q and +2.3% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -1.1% with purchase sub-index -2.8% and refi sub-index +1.4%), (2) Nov personal spending (expected +0.3%, Oct +0.1%) and Nov personal income (expected +0.2%, Oct +0.4%), (3) Nov PCE deflator (expected +0.1% m/m and +0.4% y/y, Oct +0.1% m/m and +0.2% y/y) and Nov core PCE deflator (expected +0.1% m/m and +1.3% y/y, Oct unch m/m and +1.3% y/y), (4) Nov durable goods orders (expected -0.6% and unch ex transportation, Oct +2.9% and +0.5% ex transportation), (5) Nov new home sales (expected +2.0% to 505,000, Oct +10.7% to 495,000), (6) final-Dec University of Michigan U.S. consumer sentiment index (expected +0.2 to 92.0, prelim-Dec +0.5 to 91.8), (7) the Treasury's auction of $13 billion of 2-year floating-rate notes.

There are 4 of the Russell 3000 companies that report earnings today: Cal-Maine Foods (consensus 2.40), Lindsay Corp (0.54), Biglari Holdings (5.42), Nobilis Health (0.02).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: none.

Equity conferences this week: none.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Nike (NKE +1.58%) rose nearly 3% in pre-market trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 90 cents, higher than consensus of 86 cents.

Celgene (CELG +0.27%) jumped over 6% in after-hours trading after it settled patent litigation with Natco Pharma Ltd. relating to patents for REVLIMID (lenalidomide).

Delphi Automotive (DLPH +0.79%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Neutral' at Sterne Agee CRT with a 12-month price target of $102.

Finish Line (FINL +9.79%) was upgradd to 'Buy' from 'Hold' at Brean Capital with a 12-month price target of $23.

Steelcase (SCS -22.93%) was downgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Strong Buy' at Raymond James.

CUI Global (CUI -1.43%) was rated a new 'Buy' at Rodman & Renshaw with a 12-month price target of $12.

Lindsay Corp. (LNN +1.30%) reported Q1 EPS of 62 cents, better than consensus of 54 cents, although Q1 revenue of $121.5 million was below consensus of $127.7 million.

Micron Technology (MU -1.08%) slipped over 4% in after-hours trading after it said it sees a Q2 adjusted EPS loss of -5 cents to -12 cents, below estimates of a gain of 23 cents, and said it expects Q2 revenue of $2.9 billion-$3.2 billion, well below estimates of $3.48 billion.

Bullish newsletter writers tracked by Investors Intelligence fell to 36.7% fom 37.8%, the lowest in 10-weeks.

Galena Biopharma (GALE +1.87%) plunged over 15% in after-hours trading after it received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney for District of N.J. for documents related to the product Abstral.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.42%) this morning are up +4.50 points (+0.22%). Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 +0.88%, Dow Jones +0.96%, Nasdaq +0.63%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed higher on carryover support from a +0.26% rally in China's Shanghai Composite to a 3-week high on the prospects of increased stimulus from the Chinese government and on strength in oil prices, which boosted energy producing stocks.

Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH16 -0.10%) this morning are down -3 ticks. Tuesday's closes: TYH6 -12.50, FVH6 -7.00. Mar T-notes on Tuesday closed lower on the stronger-than-expected U.S. Q3 GDP revision (+2.0% versus expectations of +1.9% y/y), which bolsters the case for the Fed to keep raising interest rates, and on the rally in stocks which reduced the safe-haven demand for T-notes.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.06%) this morning isup +0.006 (+0.01%) . EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0026 (-0.24%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down-0.22 (-0.18%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index -0.128 (-0.13%), EUR/USD +0.0042 (+0.38%), USD/JPY -0.12 (-0.10%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed lower on the fall in U.S. Nov existing home sales to their lowest level in 1-1/2 years and on strength in EUR/USD after German Dec GfK consumer confidence rose more than expected.

Feb crude oil (CLG16 +1.52%) this morning is up +51 cents (+1.41%) and Feb gasoline (RBG16 +2.44%) is up +0.0257 (+2.17%). Tuesday's closes: CLG6 +0.66 (+1.84%), RBG6 -0.0245 (-2.01%). Feb crude oil and gasoline on Tuesday settled mixed with Feb gasoline at a contract low. Crude oil prices were boosted by a weaker dollar and by the stronger-than-expected U.S. Q3 GDP revision of +2.0% (versus expectations of +1.9%). Crude oil prices were undercut by weakness in gasoline prices as nearest-futures (F16) fell to a 6-3/4 year low on reduced refinery demand for gasoline after the crack spread tumbled to a 1-month low. In addition, Wednesday's EIA report is expected to show that crude inventories rose by +1.0 million bbl and gasoline supplies rose by +1.5 million bbl.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/23/2015

US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -1.1% with purchase sub-index -2.8% and refi sub-index +1.4%.
	0830 ET	Nov personal spending expected +0.3%, Oct +0.1%. Nov personal income expected +0.2%, Oct +0.4%.
	0830 ET	Nov PCE deflator expected +0.1% m/m and +0.4% y/y, Oct +0.1% m/m and +0.2% y/y. Nov core PE deflator expected +0.1% m/m and +1.3% y/y, Oct unch m/m and +1.3% y/y.
	0830 ET	Nov durable goods orders expected -0.6% and unch ex transportation, Oct +2.9% and +0.5% ex transportation. Nov capital goods orders nondefense ex-aircraft & parts expected -0.2%, Oct +1.3%.
	1000 ET	Nov new home sales expected +2.0% to 505,000, Oct +10.7% to 495,000.
	1000 ET	Final-Dec University of Michigan U.S. consumer sentiment expected +0.2 to 92.0, prelim-Dec +0.5 to 91.8.
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $13 billion of 2-year floating-rate notes.
	1500 ET	USDA Q4 Hogs & Pigs inventory.
UK	0430 ET	UK Q3 current account balance expected -21.5 billion pounds, Q2 -16.8 billion pounds.
	0430 ET	Revised UK Q3 GDP, previous +0.5% q/q and +2.3% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Q3 unit labor costs expected +2.2% y/y, Q2 +2.1% y/y
	0430 ET	UK Oct index of services expected +0.2% m/m and +0.6% 3-mo/3-mo, Sep +0.4% m/m and +0.7% 3-mo/3-mo.
	0430 ET	UK Dec Lloyds business barometer, Nov 55.
JPN	n/a	Japanese markets closed for Emperors Birthday.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/23/2015

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Lindsay Corp	LNN US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	0.543
Lindsay Corp	LNN US	11:00	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
Cal-Maine Foods Inc	CALM US	Aft-mkt	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	2.396
Hubbell Inc	HUB/B US		Special Meeting
Biglari Holdings Inc	BH US		Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	5.42
Nobilis Health Corp	NHC CN		Q3 2015 Earnings Release	Q3 2015	0.023
Scorpio Bulkers Inc	SALT US		Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Centa Garden & Pet - Sell Signals

Today I deleted Central Garden & Pet (CENTA) from the Barchart Van Meerten New High Portfolio for negative price momentum:

Barchart technical indicators:

64% Barchart technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
24.29% off its recent high
Relative Strength Index 39.40%
Recently traded at 14.39 with a 50 day moving average of 16.23

MORNING CALL 12/22

MORNING CALL

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015View Older Reports

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

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

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.02%) are up +0.02%and European stocks are up +0.09%% as crude oil prices (CLG16 +0.20%) gained +0.45% in overnight trading. European stocks also found support after German Dec GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly rose. Gains in stocks were limited as weaker metals prices undercut miners and raw-material producers. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -0.16%, Hong Kong +0.18%, China +0.26%, Taiwan +0.13%, Australia +0.15%, Singapore +0.26%, South Korea +0.71%, India -0.56%. China's Shanghai Composite eked out a new 3-week high on positive carryover from Monday when the Chinese government signaled more stimulus measures.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.12%) is down -0.13%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.26 % after German Nov import prices fell less than expected and German Dec GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly rose. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.21%.

Mar T-note prices (ZNH16 -0.02%) are down -2.5 ticks.

German Dec GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly rose +0.1 to 9.4, stronger than expectations of unch at 9.3.

The German Nov import price index fell -0.2% m/m and -3.5% y/y, a slower pace of decline than expectations of -0.2% m/m and -3.7% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) Q3 GDP (expected revised to +1.9% from +2.1%), (2) Oct FHFA house price index (expected +0.5% m/m, Sep +0.8% m/m), (3) Nov existing home sales (expected -0.4% at 5.34 million, Oct -3.4% to 5.36 million), (4) Dec Richmond Fed manufacturing survey (expected +2 to -1, Nov -2 to -3).

There are 4 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: ConAgra Foods (consensus $0.60), Paychex (0.51), NIKE (0.86), Micron Technology (0.23).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: none.

Equity conferences this week: none.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Express Scripts Holdings (ESRX +1.78%) rose over 1% in pre-market trading after it gave guidance on fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS of $6.08-$6.28, above consensus of $6.05.

American Express (AXP +0.78%) was rated new 'Market Perform' at JMP Securities.

Chipolte Mexican Grill (CMG -3.52%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Overweight' at JPMorgan Chase.

Whiting Petroleum (WLL -8.58%) was downgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Outperform' at BMO.

Alaska Air Group (ALK +3.19%) was downgraded to 'Hod' from 'Buy' at Stifel.

Box Inc. (BOX +0.36%) was rated new 'Market Outperform' at JMP Securities with a 12-month price target of $18.

NetApp (NTAP unch) said it will acquire SolidFire for $870 million.

Pfizer (PFE +1.47%) reported that a Phase 3 study of its Pristiq drug did demonstrate superior efficacy versus a placebo in pediatric patients ages 7 to 17 with Major Depressive Disorder.

Cintas (CTAS +0.80%) rallied over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 continuing operations EPS of $1.03, better than consensus of $1.00.

Steelcase (SCS +3.00%) slumped over 15% in after-hours trading after reported Q3 adjusted EPS of 30 cents, below consensus of 33 cents, and then lowered guidance on Q4 adjusted EPS to 20 cents-24 cents, weaker than consensus of 26 cents.

Stone Energy (SGY -14.36%) slid nearly 2% in after-hours trading after it lowered its Q4 production forecast to 23-24 Mboepd (thousand barrels of oil equivalents per day) from 25-26 Mboepd.

Alexza Pharmaceuticals (ALXA -2.22%) soared over 30% in after-hours trading after it said it was "encouraged" by data in a Phase 2a study of it AZ-002drug being developed for the management of epilepsy in patients with acute repetitive seizures.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.02%) this morning are up +0.50 of a point (+0.02%). Monday's closes: S&P 500 +0.78%, Dow Jones +0.72%, Nasdaq +1.01%. The S&P 500 on Monday closed higher on positive carryover from a +1.77% increase in China's Shanghai Composite on speculation China may boost stimulus measures after a statement from the government's Central Economic Work Conference said that monetary policy must be more "flexible" and fiscal policy more "forceful." There was also strength in mining and raw-material producing stocks after metals prices rallied.

Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH16 -0.02%) this morning are down -2.5 ticks. Monday's closes: TYH6 +2.50, FVH6 +2.25. Mar T-notes on Monday settled higher on the fall in crude oil prices to a 6-3/4 year low, which undercuts inflation expectations, and on the weaker-than-expected Nov Chicago Fed national activity index. T-notes were undercut by a rally in stocks curbed the safe-haven demand for T-notes.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.12%) this morning is down -0.132 (-0.13%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.0028 (+0.26%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down-0.26 (-0.21%). Monday's closes: Dollar Index -0.340 (-0.34%), EUR/USD +0.0047 (+0.43%), USD/JPY +0.03 (+0.02%). The dollar index on Monday closed lower on the weaker-than-expected Nov Chicago Fed national activity index, which fell to a 6-month low, and on strength in EUR/USD after Eurozone Dec consumer confidence unexpectedly climbed to a 6-month high.

Feb crude oil (CLG16 +0.20%) this morning is up +16 cents (+0.45%) and Feb gasoline (RBG16 -1.86%) is down -0.0237 (-1.95%). Monday's closes: CLG6 +0.01 (+0.03%), RBG6 -0.0627 (-4.94%). Feb crude oil and gasoline on Monday settled mixed with nearest-futures (F16) crude at a new 6-3/4 year low and Feb gasoline at a 1-1/2 week low. Crude oil prices were undercut by concern that energy stockpiles may increase further as the above-normal winter temperatures in the U.S. reduce demand for heating fuels. Crude oil prices recovered from their worst levels as a weak dollar spurred short covering in crude futures.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/22/2015

US	0830 ET	Q3 GDP expected revised to +1.9% from +2.1% (q/q annualized). Q3 personal consumption expected revised to +2.9% from +3.0%. Q3 GDP price index expected unrevised from +1.3%. Q3 core PCE expected unrevised from +1.3% q/q.
	0900 ET	Oct FHFA house price index expected +0.5% m/m, Sep +0.8% m/m.
	1000 ET	Nov existing home sales expected -0.4% at 5.34 million, Oct -3.4% to 5.36 million.
	1000 ET	Dec Richmond Fed manufacturing survey expected +2 to -1, Nov -2 to -3.
	1500 ET	USDA Nov Cold Storage.
GER	0200 ET	German Jan GfK consumer confidence expected unch at 9.3.
	0200 ET	German Nov import price index expected -0.2% m/m and -3.7% y/y, Oct -0.3% m/m and -4.1% y/y.
UK	0430 ET	UK Nov public sector net borrowing expected +11.1 billion pounds, Oct +7.5 billion pounds.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/22/2015

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
ConAgra Foods Inc	CAG US	7:30	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	0.598
Paychex Inc	PAYX US	8:30	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	0.513
Express Scripts Holding Co	ESRX US	9:00	Q4 2016 Guidance Call	Q4 2016
ConAgra Foods Inc	CAG US	9:30	Q2 2016 Earnings Call	Q2 2016
Paychex Inc	PAYX US	9:30	Q2 2016 Earnings Call	Q2 2016
Donaldson Co Inc	DCI US	10:00	Annual General Meeting
Avangrid Inc	EAS US	12:00	Business Update Call
NIKE Inc	NKE US	16:15	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	0.856
Micron Technology Inc	MU US	16:30	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
NIKE Inc	NKE US	17:00	Q2 2016 Earnings Call	Q2 2016
Micron Technology Inc	MU US	Aft-mkt	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	0.233
Raymond James Financial Inc	RJF US		November 2015 Sales and Revenue Release - Operating Data	2015
NVIDIA Corp	NVDA US		ITC Due to Release Findings in 2nd Samsung vs. Nvidia Patent Case

Monday, December 21, 2015

Acceleron Pharma - Chart of the day

Acceleron Pharma (XLRN) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The Biopharmaceutical company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 3690+ and gained 19.53% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Acceleron Pharma (XLRN). I found the biopharmaceutical stock by using Barchart to sort the Russell 3000 Index stocks first for the highest technical buy signals then I used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 10/28 the stock gained 58.25%.

Acceleron Pharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company which focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of protein therapeutics for cancer and rare diseases. Acceleron Pharma Inc. is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

100% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
8 new highs and up 19.43% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 77.47%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 43.10
Recently traded at 47.25 with a 50 day moving average of 35.83

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $1.53 billion
Revenue expected to grow 123.30 this year buy decline 21.80% next year'
Earnings estimated to increase 31.30% this year but decrease by 64.30% next year
Despite these downward projections Wall Street analysts issued 4 strong buy, 1 buy and 2 hold recommendations on the stock

The most reliable technical trading strategy has been the 5 day moving average vs. price but that caused a lot of trading. If you have this stock I'd put in a moving stop loss 10% below he recent high to protect gains.

The 5 Best NASDQ 100 Stocks

With the Market trading below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages I wanted to see if there were any of the NASDQ 100 stocks trading above their moving averages. I used Barchart to sort the Index's stocks for the highest technical buy signals and my list today includes JD.Com (JD), Activision Blizzard (ATVI), Mattel (MAT), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Liberty Global (LILAK).

JD.Com (JD)