5 Large Cap S&P 500 stocks you can't ignore

This morning I used Barchart to screen the Large Cap S&P 500 stocks to find the 5 with be most steady upward momentum and found TJX Companies (TJX), Chipolte Mexican Grill (CMG), O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY), AT & T (T) and Cerner (CERN)

TJX Companies (TJX)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 11.15% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 76.20%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 37.80
• Recently traded at 38.17 with a 50 day moving average of 34.56

Chipolte Mexican Grill (CMG)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving average
• 14 new highs and up 5.96% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.97%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 396.56
• Recently traded at 399.42 with a 50 day moving average of 370.44

O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 8.12% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.52%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 89.84
• Recently traded at 90.20 with a 50 day moving average of 83.92

AT&T (T)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 4.99% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.90%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 31.12
• Recently traded at 31.30 with a 50 day moving average of 30.20

Cerner (CERN)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 88% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 9.95% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.11%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 75.36
• Recently traded at 76.26+ with a 50 day moving average of 66.95

Barchart Morning Call 2/2

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 1 hr 44 mins ago

Overnight Developments

• Global stocks this morning are mixed with the Euro Stoxx 50 down -0.22% and Mar S&Ps down -0.60 of a point. The dollar and Treasuries are higher while most commodities weakened with crude oil at a 1-1/4 month low as Greece struggles to reach an agreement with bondholders on cutting its debt burden. The euro came off of its low after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said China is still researching the best way to participate in the European Financial Stability Facility. The euro also received a boost after France sold 7.96 billion euros of 6, 8, and 10-year debt at the top of its planned range while Spain sold 4.56 billion euros of bonds maturing between 2015-17, just above its maximum target of 4.50 billion euros. German bunds rallied after Dec Euro-Zone PPI fell -0.2% m/m, a bigger than decline than expectations of -0.1% m/m, while European stocks were undercut after Jan U.K. PMI construction fell -1.8 to 51.4, weaker than expectations of -0.7 to 52.5.
• Asian stocks today closed higher with Japan up +0.76%, China +2.36%, Australia +1.00%, South Korea +1.28%, India +0.76%. Asian stocks moved higher as manufacturing gained in the U.S. and Europe, which boosts confidence the global economy is recovering. Asian carmakers rallied after U.S. vehicle sales in Jan rose +11% y/y, while Chinese automakers were boosted after Daiwa securities predicted a "double-digit" gain this year in China's vehicle sales. Chinese stocks also received a lift after Premier Wen Jiabao said the government will support small companies with a 15 billion-yuan ($2.4 billion) fund, extend preferential tax policies for small companies until 2015 and ask banks to increase tolerance for bad loans to these businesses. The yen held near a 3-month high against the dollar despite warnings from Japanese Finance Minster Azumi who said that "speculative moves are increasing in the market and we can't overlook them," which may signal Japan is close to resuming foreign-exchange intervention to stem the yen's gains.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• March S&Ps this morning are trading little changed, down -0.60 of a point. The US stock market Wednesday rallied sharply and settled higher after strength in global manufacturing activity reduced economic growth concerns and optimism increased that Greek debt-swap talks would soon be resolved: Dow Jones +0.66%, S&P 500 +0.89%, Nasdaq Composite +1.22%. The Nasdaq posted a 10-3/4 year high. Bullish factors on Wednesday included (1) reduced economic growth concerns as global manufacturing activity expanded last month after the Jan ISM manufacturing index rose +1.0 to 54.1, its best level in 7 months, the Jan German PMI expanded at its fastest pace in 6 months (51.0), the Jan U.K. PMI rose to its best level in 9 months (+2.4 to 52.1), India's Jan manufacturing activity grew at the fastest pace in 8 months (+3.3 to 57.5) and the Jan China PMI unexpectedly expanded (+0.2 to 50.5), (2) a decline in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese government bond yields on optimism that Greek debt-swap talks would soon be resolved, and (3) strength in technology stocks as Microsoft rose 1.2% and Hewlett-Packard gained 2.8%, which boosted the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index to a 6-1/2 month high.
• Bearish factors included (1) the smaller-than-expected increase in the Jan ADP employment change along with the downward revision to Dec (Jan +170,000 versus expectations of +182,000 and Dec revised down to +292,000 from the originally reported +325,000) and (2) the larger-than-expected increase in the Jan ISM prices paid sub-index which jumped to a 4-month high (+8.0 to 55.5 versus expectations of +2.5 to 50.0).
• Qualcomm (QCOM) rose 4.8% in pre-market trading up to a 12-year high after the company raised its full-year earnings-per-share forecast to $3.36 to $3.56 from an earlier prediction of $2.80 to $3.00 a share on strength in its phone shipments to India and China.

Today's Market Focus

• March 10-year T-notes this morning are up +4 ticks. T-note prices on Wednesday retreated on reduced safe-haven demand as stocks rallied after global manufacturing activity expanded and on optimism that the Greek debt-swap talks would soon be resolved: TYH2 -8.5, FVH2 -1.5, EDM2 +2.5. Bearish factors included (1) reduced safe-haven demand for Treasuries after stocks rallied sharply as strength in global manufacturing eased concern the European debt crisis will curb economic growth after the Jan ISM manufacturing index rose +1.0 to 54.1, its best level in 7 months, the Jan German PMI expanded at its fastest pace in 6 months (51.0), the Jan U.K. PMI rose to its best level in 9 months (+2.4 to 52.1), India's Jan manufacturing activity grew at the fastest pace in 8 months (+3.3 to 57.5) and the Jan China PMI unexpectedly expanded (+0.2 to 50.5), (2) the larger-than-expected increase in the Jan ISM prices paid sub-index which jumped to a 4-month high (+8.0 to 55.5 versus expectations of +2.5 to 50.0), and (3) a decline in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese government bond yields on optimism that Greek debt-swap talks would soon be resolved. Bullish factors Wednesday included (1) the smaller-than-expected increase in the Jan ADP employment change along with the downward revision to Dec (Jan +170,000 versus expectations of +182,000 and Dec revised down to +292,000 from the originally reported +325,000) and (2) the action by the Fed to purchase $1.746 billion of Treasuries as part of it Operation Twist program to replace $400 billion of short-term debt in its portfolio with longer-term Treasuries in an effort to keep borrowing costs low.
• The dollar index this morning is higher with the dollar/yen -0.07 yen and the euro/dollar -0.67 cents. The dollar index on Wednesday fell to a fresh 1-1/2 month low and settled lower on reduced safe-haven demand as strength in global manufacturing activity boosted stocks along with optimism that progress was being made in Greek debt-swap talks: Dollar Index -0.366, USDJPY -0.057, EURUSD +0.00765. Bearish factors Wednesday included (1) strength in the euro after the Jan German PMI was revised up to a 6-month high of 51.0, (2) reduced safe-haven demand for the dollar as stocks rallied on economic optimism after Jan China manufacturing activity unexpectedly expanded and the Jan ISM manufacturing index expanded at its fastest pace in 7 months, (3) strength in the yen which rallied to a 3-month high against the dollar, and (4) optimism that Greek debt-swap talks would be soon resolved after people with knowledge of the debt talks said creditors negotiating with Greece may get a sweetener tied to a revival in economic growth that would ease the impact of accepting a lower interest rate on the new bonds. A bullish factor was speculation that Japan may intervene in currency markets to curb the yen's gains if it strengthens further against the dollar.
• Mar crude oil prices this morning are down -$1.00 a barrel at a 1-1/4 month low and Mar gasoline is -2.27 cents per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices on Wednesday traded on either side of unchanged and finally settled mixed as a weaker dollar and strong global manufacturing activity offset a larger-than-expected increase in weekly DOE supplies and a plunge in U.S. gasoline demand: CLH12 -$0.87, RBH12 +0.13. Bullish factors included (1) the slump in the dollar index to a 1-1/2 month low, which boosts investment demand in commodities, and (2) strength in global manufacturing activity which may boost worldwide energy demand after the Jam ISM manufacturing index expanded at its fastest pace in 7 months, the Jan German PMI climbed to its best level in 6 months, India's Jan manufacturing activity grew at the fastest pace in 8 months and China's PMI unexpectedly expanded last month. Bearish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected increase in weekly DOE crude supplies (+4.18 million bbl to a 3-month high of 338.9 million bbl versus expectations of +2.7 million bbl), (2) the surge in weekly DOE gasoline supplies to their highest level in 11 months (+3.02 million bbl to 230.1 million bbl versus expectations of +500,000 bbl), (3) slack demand after U.S. gasoline demand in the week ended Jan 27 fell -1.6% to 7.97 million barrels a day, the lowest in 10-1/3 years.

Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap): MRK-Merck (BEST earnings consensus $0.95), MA-Mastercard (3.91), DOW-Dow Chemical (0.31), GILD-Gilead Sciences (1.05), NOV-National Oilwell Varco (1.30), AGN-Allergan (1.00), VIAB-Viacom (1.05), SE-Spectra Energy (0.49), CMI-Cummins (2.24), K-Kellogg (0.62), BX-Blackstone Group LP (0.40), CME-CME Group (3.67), GR-Goodrich (1.57), CAH-Cardinal Health (0.76), WYNN-Wynn Resorts Ltd. (1.29), IP-International Paper (0.61).
Global Financial Calendar

Thursday 2/2/12
United States
0730 ET	Jan Challenger job cuts, Dec +30.6% y/y.
0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected -6,000 to 371,000, previous +21,000 to 377,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -19,000 to 3.535 million, previous +88,000 to 3.554 million.
0830 ET	Q4 non-farm productivity expected +0.8%, Q3 +2.3%. Q4 unit labor costs expected +0.8%, Q3 -2.5%.
0900 ET	Chicago Fed President Charles Evans speaks to reporters in Chicago.
1000 ET	Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before the House Budget Committee on the state of the U.S. economy.
1030 ET	Jan ICSC chain store sales, Dec +3.5% y/y.
1630 ET	Weekly money supply report and Fed balance sheet.
1915 ET	Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher speaks on the economy and Fed policy at the Headliners Club of Austin Famous Austinites Dinner.
United Kingdom
0430 ET	Jan U.K. PMI construction expected -0.7 to 52.5, Dec +0.9 to 53.2.
Euro-Zone
0500 ET	Dec Euro-Zone PPI expected -0.1% m/m and +4.3% y/y, Nov +0.2% m/m and +5.3% y/y.
0600 ET	European Parliament votes on resolution on Iran?s nuclear program and votes on a Euro bond resolution.
CHI
2000 ET	Jan China non-manufacturing PMI, Dec +6.3 to 56.0.

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

Barchart Morning Call 1/27

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 1 hr 45 mins ago

Overnight Developments

• Global stocks this morning are mixed with the Euro Stoxx 50 down -0.21% and Mar S&Ps unchanged. The dollar is weaker and commodities are mixed as debt-swap talks between Greece and its private creditors continues with EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Rehn saying authorities are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a private-sector involvement this month. According to the head of the European Commission's economic division, Greece must repay 14.5 billion euros of bonds in March and an agreement that triggers as much as $3.2 billion of default insurance may be necessary unless all bondholders approve. The euro strengthened against the dollar as Italian borrowing costs fell after Italy auctioned 8 billion euros of 182-day bills at a yield of 1.969%, down from 3.251% at a similar auction last month and the lowest in 8 months. Undercutting European stocks was the larger-than-expected increase in Spain's Q4 unemployment rate to 22.9%, higher than expectations of 22.2% and the highest in 15 years.
• Asian stocks today closed mixed with Japan down -0.09%, China closed for holiday, Australia +0.40%, South Korea +0.44%, India +0.92%. Japanese stocks fell as the yen strengthened and exporters declined, even after Prime Minister Noda pressed the BOJ for "bold" action to curb the yen's gains. Limiting losses in Japanese stocks was the +2.5% y/y increase in Dec Japan retail sales, stronger than expectations of +2.1% y/y and the biggest increase in 16 months. South Korean stocks finished higher, led by a rally in Samsung which rose 1.1% to a record high after the company reported Q4 net income of 4 trillion won ($3.6 billion), better than analysts' estimates of 3.99 trillion won. India's rupee surged to an 11-week high against the dollar after the RBI earlier this week cut banks' reserve requirements by 50 bp to 5.5%, which prompted investors to boost their holdings of Indian assets on speculation economic conditions will improve with an easing of monetary policy.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• March S&Ps this morning are trading unchanged. The US stock market on Thursday opened higher on stronger-than-expected Dec durable goods orders but shed its gains and settled lower after Dec U.S. new home sales unexpectedly declined and Dec leading indicators rose less than expected: Dow Jones -0.18%, S&P 500 -0.57%, Nasdaq Composite -0.46%. The S&P 500 posted a 6-month high, the Dow posted an 8-1/2 month high and the Nasdaq posted a 10-3/4 year high, but they all shed their advances and closed lower. Bearish factors on Thursday included (1) the larger-than-expected increase in weekly initial unemployment claims (+21,000 to 377,000 versus expectations of +18,000 to 370,000), (2) the smaller-than-expected increase in Dec leading indicators (+0.4% versus expectations of +0.7%), (3) weakness in homebuilders after the unexpected decline in Dec U.S. new home sales (-2.2% to 307,000 versus expectations of +1.9% to 321,000), and (4) weakness in bank stocks on concern the Fed's pledge to maintain record low interest rates until 2014 may hurt banks' earnings prospects and their profitability.
• Bullish factors included (1) the stronger-than-expected Dec durable goods orders along with the upward revision to Nov (Dec +3.0% and +2.1% ex transportation versus expectations of +2.0% and +0.9% ex transportation and Nov revised up to +4.3% and +0.5% ex transportation from the originally reported +3.7% and +0.3% ex transportation), (2) decent Q4 reported earnings thus far as 68% of the 146 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings results since Jan 9 have beaten per-share earnings estimates, and (3) reduced European debt concerns as Italian borrowing costs fell after Italy sold 4.5 billion euros of zero-coupon 2014 debt, the maximum target, at a yield of 3.783%, down from a similar-maturity auction last month of 4.853%.

Today's Market Focus

• March 10-year T-notes this morning are down -2.5 ticks. T-note prices on Thursday posted a 1-week high and settled higher on carry-over support from Wednesday's action by the Fed to extend record-low interest rates until late 2014 along with an unexpected decline in Dec U.S. new home sales: TYH2 +21.5, FVH2 +7.5, EDM2 +.020. Bullish factors included (1) carry-over support from Wednesday's action by the Fed to extend record-low interest rates until late 2014 along with speculation the Fed may implement QE3 after Fed Chairman Bernanke said policy makers are "prepared to provide further monetary accommodation," (2) the smaller-than-expected increase in Dec leading indicators (+0.4% versus expectations of +0.7%), and (3) the unexpected decline in Dec U.S. new home sales (-2.2% to 307,000 versus expectations of +1.9% to 321,000). Bearish factors included (1) the stronger-than-expected Dec durable goods orders along with the upward revision to Nov (Dec +3.0% and +2.1% ex transportation versus expectations of +2.0% and +0.9% ex transportation and Nov revised up to +4.3% and +0.5% ex transportation from the originally reported +3.7% and +0.3% ex transportation), and (2) slack demand for the Treasury's $29 billion 7-year T-note auction that had a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.73, below the 12-auction average of 2.82.
• The dollar index this morning is weaker with the dollar/yen -0.51 yen and the euro/dollar +0.33 cents. The dollar index on Thursday dropped to a 1-1/2 month low and settled lower on carry-over weakness from Wednesday's Fed action to extend record low interest rates until late 2014 along with a decline in Italian borrowing costs that lifted the euro: Dollar Index -0.184, USDJPY -0.326, EURUSD +0.00028. Bearish factors included (1) carry-over weakness from Wednesday's Fed action to extend record low interest rates until late 2014 from mid-2013, which weakens the dollar's interest rate differentials, (2) a decline in Italian borrowing costs which lifted the euro to a 1-month high against the dollar after Italy sold 4.5 billion euros of zero-coupon 2014 debt, the maximum target, at a yield of 3.783%, down from a similar-maturity auction last month of 4.853%, and (3) an improvement in European funding conditions which reduced the safe-haven demand for the dollar after the 3-month cross-currency basis swap, the rate banks pay to convert euro interest payments into dollars, narrowed to 68 bp below the euro interbank offer rate, the least expensive in 5-1/2 months.
• Mar crude oil prices this morning are up +22 cents a barrel and Mar gasoline is +1.62 cents per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices on Thursday settled higher after U.S. durable good orders rose more than expected and the dollar declined: CLH12 +$0.30, RBH12 +1.34. Mar gasoline rallied to a 3-1/4 month high. Bullish factors included (1) the slump in the dollar index to a 1-1/2 month low, which boosts investment demand in commodities, (2) the larger-than-expected increase in Dec U.S. durable goods orders, which signals economic strength that is beneficial for energy demand and consumption, and (3) strength in gasoline on potential supply shortages on the U.S. East Coast after the recent shutdown of Pennsylvania refineries by Sunoco and ConocoPhillips and the closure of the St. Croiz refinery by Hovensa LLC. Bearish factors included (1) the announcement by Libya's National Oil Corp. that Libya's crude production had increased to 1.3 million barrels a day on Jan 25 from 1.0 million barrels a day last month and (2) concerns over the sustainability of U.S economic growth after Dec U.S. new home sales unexpectedly declined and Dec leading economic indicators rose less than expected.

Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap): CVX-Chevron (BEST earnings consensus $2.85), PG-Procter & Gamble (1.08), MO-Altria Group (0.49), F-Ford Motor (0.26), HON-Honeywell International (1.04), D-Dominion Resources (0.64), NEE-NextEra Energy (0.91), AEP-American Electric Power (0.41), TROW-T Rowe Price Group (0.69), MCHP-Microchip Technology (0.42), NWL-Newell Rubbermaid (0.38), IDXX-IDEXX Laboratories (0.63), DHI-DR Horton (0.04), NS-NuStar Energy LP (0.31), LM-Legg Mason (0.27).
Global Financial Calendar

Friday 1/27/12
United States
0830 ET	Q4 U.S. GDP expected +3.0% annualized, Q3 +1.8% annualized. Q4 personal consumption expected +2.4%, Q3 +1.7%. Q4 GDP price index expected +1.9%, Q3 +2.6%. Q4 core PCE expected +0.9% q/q, Q3 +2.1% q/q.
0955 ET	Final Jan U.S. University of Michigan consumer confidence expected unchanged at 74.0, previous +4.1 to 74.0.
Germany
0200 ET	Dec German import price index expected +0.3% m/m and +3.8% y/y, Nov +0.4% m/m and +6.0% y/y.
Euro-Zone
0400 ET	Dec Euro-Zone M3 money supply expected +2.3% 3-mo avg and +2.1% y/y, Nov +2.5% 3-mo avg and +2.0% y/y.
0600 ET	ECB Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo speaks at an event in Madrid.

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

Barchart Morning Call 1/26

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 1 hr 41 mins ago

Overnight Developments

• Global stocks this morning are mostly higher with the Euro Stoxx 50 up +0.46% and Mar S&Ps up +3.90 points at a 6-month high. Commodities and Treasuries gained, with copper at a 4-1/4 month high, while the dollar index fell to a 1-1/2 month low on carry-over reaction to yesterday's signal from the Fed that it plans to maintain near-zero interest rates through 2014. The euro climbed to a 1-month high against the dollar on optimism Greece is making progress in talks for a debt-swap deal after the Greek newspaper Ethnos reported that private creditors will submit a new offer that Greek bonds issued as part of a debt exchange should carry a weighted-average coupon of 3.75%. Other positive factors for the euro and stocks were the unexpected +0.2 point increase in the Feb German GfK consumer confidence survey to a 10-month high of 5.9 along with the decline in Italian borrowing costs after Italy sold 4.5 billion euros of zero-coupon 2014 debt, the maximum target, at a yield of 3.783%, down from a similar-maturity auction last month of 4.853%.
• Asian stocks today closed mixed with Japan down -0.39%, China, Australia and India closed for holiday, South Korea +0.15%. Asian stocks were supported after the Fed extended its pledge to keep interest rates near record lows, which boosted exporters on optimism the Fed's actions will keep the U.S. economy expanding and strengthen exporters' earnings. Mining companies gained as gold and copper prices climbed to 1-1/2 month highs, while energy producers also rallied as crude oil climbed above $100 a barrel. Japanese stocks were undercut after Japan's Finance Ministry said the country's public debt will probably exceed a quadrillion yen for the first time next year as it projects public borrowings to rise to 1,086 trillion yen ($14 trillion) in the year ending Mar 2013, which adds pressure on the government to raise taxes to restore the nation's finances. Also limiting gains in Asian markets are growth concerns after Q4 South Korea GDP expanded +04% q/q, weaker than expectations of +0.5% q/q.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• March S&Ps this morning are trading up +3.90 points at a fresh 6-month high. The US stock market on Wednesday settled higher after the Fed said interest rates will remain at record lows until at least 2014 and after technology stocks surged when Apple reported stellar earnings: Dow Jones +0.64%, S&P 500 +0.87%, Nasdaq Composite +1.14%. The S&P 500 posted a 6-month high, the Dow posted an 8-1/2 month high and the Nasdaq posted a 10-3/4 year high. Bullish factors on Wednesday included (1) the action by the Fed to extend its pledge to hold interest rates at record lows until late 2014 from an Aug pledge to keep rates "exceptionally low" at least through 2013 as Fed Chairman Bernanke said the Fed aims to support a "stronger" recovery, (2) the unexpected increase in the Nov FHFA house price purchase only index (+1.0% m/m versus expectations of unchanged), (3) strength in technology stocks after Apple reported its quarterly profit more than doubled, and (4) a decent start to Q4 earnings season as 66% of the 112 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings results since Jan 9 have beaten per-share earnings estimates.
• Bearish factors included (1) carry-over weakness from a decline in European stocks after the ECB was said to be firmly opposed to any restructuring of its Greek bond holdings, which fuels concern that Greece may yet default on its debt as a solution to its debt swap remains unresolved, (2) the weaker-than-expected Dec pending U.S. home sales (-3.5% m/m versus expectations of -1.0% m/m), and (3) the Fed's cut in its 2012 U.S. growth forecast to between 2.2% and 2.7%, down from a Nov forecast of between 2.5% and 2.9%.
• Netflix (NFLX) surged 18% in pre-market trading after the company reported late yesterday Q4 EPS of 73 cents a share, well ahead of analysts' estimates of 54 cents.

Today's Market Focus

• March 10-year T-notes this morning are up +14.5 ticks. T-note prices on Wednesday settled higher after the Fed said it will keep the Fed funds rate at a record low at least until late 2014: TYH2 +21.5, FVH2 +16.0, EDM2 +.020. Bullish factors included (1) the Fed's dovish post-FOMC statement that said the Fed funds rate will stay at a record low until at least late 2014, which extends their pledge from Aug 9 that the Fed funds rate will remain "exceptionally low" at least through mid-2013, as they anticipate unemployment will remain high and inflation "subdued," (2) the weaker-than-expected Dec pending U.S. home sales (-3.5% m/m versus expectations of -1.0% m/m), and (3) strong demand for the Treasury's $35 billion auction of 5-year T-notes that had a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.17, better than the 12-auction average of 2.86 and the highest in 8 months. Bearish factors included (1) the unexpected increase in the Nov FHFA house price purchase only index (+1.0% m/m versus expectations of unchanged) and (2) supply pressures ahead of the Treasury's $29 billion auction of 7-year T-notes on Thursday.
• The dollar index this morning is weaker and at a 1-1/2 month low with the dollar/yen -0.14 yen and the euro/dollar +0.41 cents. The dollar index on Wednesday shed an early advance and slumped to a 1-monthlow and settled lower after the Fed extended its pledge to hold interest rates at record lows until late 2014: Dollar Index -0.289, USDJPY +0.107, EURUSD +0.00700. Bearish factors included (1) the Fed's post-FOMC statement that said the Fed funds rate will stay at a record low until at least late 2014, which extends their pledge from Aug 9 that the Fed funds rate will remain "exceptionally low" at least through mid-2013 and weakens the dollar's interest rate differentials, and (2) the larger-than-expected increase in the Jan German IFO business climate to a 5-month high, which is euro supportive. Bullish factors included (1) euro negative comments from 2 people familiar with the Governing Council's stance of the ECB who said that the ECB was firmly opposed to any restructuring of its Greek bond holdings and (2) weakness in the yen which fell to a 1-3/4 month low against the dollar after Dec Japan exports fell -8.0% y/y, weaker than expectations of -7.4% y/y as Japan posted an annual trade shortfall in 2011 of -2.49 trillion yen (-$32 billion), it's first annual trade deficit in 31 years.
• Mar crude oil prices this morning are up +$1.24 a barrel and Mar gasoline is +1.21 cents per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices on Wednesday settled higher after the dollar slumped when the Fed said its will extend its record low interest rates and on gasoline supply concerns after Hess Corp. said it will close its gasoline-making Port Reading refinery for repairs: CLH12 +$0.45, RBH12 +2.69. Mar gasoline rallied to a 3-1/4 month high. Bullish factors included (1) weakness in the dollar after the Fed said that interest rates will stay low until at least 2014, extending its earlier pledge that rates would stay low through at least 2013, (2) strength in gasoline after Hess Corp said it will close its gasoline-making Port Reading refinery in New Jersey for repairs, which will tighten gasoline supplies on the U.S. East Coast, (3) the unexpected -390,000 bbl decline in weekly DOE gasoline inventories, weaker than expectations of a +2.0 million bbl build, (4) the -2.8% w/w drop in U.S. gasoline production to 8.54 million bbl for the week ended Jan 20, the lowest gasoline output in nearly 2 years, and (5) the larger-than-expected fall in the weekly U.S. refinery utilization rate to its lowest in 8-1/2 months (-1.5 to 82.2% versus expectations of -0.6 to 83.1%), which indicates diminished output of gasoline and distillates in the weeks ahead. Bearish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected increase in weekly DOE crude supplies (+3.56 million bbl versus expectations of +1.5 million bbl) and (2) comments from a person familiar with OPEC's policy who said OPEC members would replace any loss in supply caused by the EU's ban on crude imports from Iran.

Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap): T-AT&T (BEST earnings consensus $0.43), CAT-Caterpillar (1.73), MMM-3M Co. (1.31), AMGN-Amgen (1.23), BMY-Bristol-Myers Squibb (0.55), CL-Colgate-Palmolive (1.29), SBUX-Starbucks (0.49), CELG-Celgene (1.05), BAX- Baxter International (1.17), LMT-Lockheed Martin (1.95), PCP-Precision Castparts (2.21), COV-Covidien PLC (1.03), TWC-Time Warner Cable (1.21), CB-Chubb (1.60), RTN-Raytheon (1.34), ETN-Eaton (1.12).
Global Financial Calendar

Thursday 1/26/12
United States
0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected +18,000 to 370,000, previous -50,000 to 352,000. Weekly continuing claims expected +68,000 to 3.500 million, previous 215,000 to 3.432 million.
0830 ET	Dec durable goods orders expected +2.0% and +0.9% ex transportations, Nov +3.7% and +0.3% ex transportation.
1000 ET	Dec leading indicators expected +0.7%, Nov +0.5%.
1000 ET	Dec new home sales expected +1.9% to 321,000, Nov +1.6% to 315,000.
1300 ET	Treasury auctions $29 billion 7-year T-notes.
1630 ET	Weekly money supply report and Fed balance sheet.
Germany
0200 ET	Feb German GfK consumer confidence survey expected unchanged at 5.6, Jan unchanged at 5.6.
France
0245 ET	Jan French consumer confidence indicator expected unchanged at 80, Dec unchanged at 80.
United Kingdom
0600 ET	Jan U.K. CBI reported sales expected -6, Dec 9.
Japan
1830 ET	Jan Tokyo CPI expected -0.4% y/y, Dec -0.4% y/y. Jan Tokyo CPI ex-fresh food expected -0.3% y/y, Dec 0.3% y/y. Jan Tokyo CPI ex food & energy expected -1.0% y/y, Dec -1.1% y/y.
1830 ET	Dec Japan national CPI expected -0.2% y/y, Nov -0.5% y/y. Dec national CPI ex-fresh food expected -0.1% y/y, Nov -0.2% y/y. Dec national CPI ex food & energy expected -1.1% y/y, Nov -1.1% y/y.
1850 ET	Dec Japan retail trade expected +0.4% m/m and +2/0% y/y, Nov -2.0% m/m and -2.2% y/y.

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

5 Great NASDAQ stocks for today 3/29

Here are 5 stocks I found while screening on Barchart for NASDAQ stocks hitting new monthly highs.

Psychemedics (PMD)

• 100% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• 14 new highs and up 12.81% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 74.92%

First Cash Financial (FCFS)

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter 
• 13 new highs and up 18.45% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 69.17% and rising

Interclick (ICLK)

• 88% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• 13 new highs and up 29.68%  in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 83.70% and rising

Winmark (WINA)

• 100% Barhchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• 12 new highs and up 17.79% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 82.21% and rising

National Beverage (FIZZ)

• 96% Barchart technical buy signal
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• 12 new highs and up 8.59% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 68.65% and rising

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