Morning Call 12/7

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 5 hours ago

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

Dec E-mini S&Ps (ESZ16 +0.01%) are up +0.02% and European stocks are up +1.01% at a 7-1/4 month high on optimism the ECB will prolong QE. Expectations are for the ECB at its monthly meeting tomorrow to extend its monthly asset purchases of 80 billion euros by 6 to 9 months. Also, energy producing stocks are higher with Jan WTI crude oil (CLF17-0.55%) up +0.20% after the API reported late yesterday that U.S. oil inventories fell -2.21 million bbl last week. Market anxiety has also fallen since last month's surprise election of Donald Trump as U.S. President as the VIX volatility index dropped to a 3-1/2 month low today. Asian stocks settled mostly higher: Japan +0.74%, Hong Kong +0.55%, China +0.71%, Taiwan +0.14%, Australia +0.91%, Singapore +0.36%, South Korea +0.28%, India -0.59%. India's S&P Sensex Stock Index erased an early rally and closed down -0.59 % after the Reserve Bank of India unexpectedly kept the benchmark repurchase rate unch at 6.25% when expectations were for a -25 bp cut to 6.00%.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.03%) is unch. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.06%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.04%.

Mar 10-year T-note prices (ZNH17 +0.16%) are up +5.5 ticks.

German Oct industrial production rose +0.3% m/m and +1.2% y/y, weaker than expectations of +0.8% m/m and +1.6% y/y.

UK Oct industrial production unexpectedly fell -1.3% m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m and the biggest decline in 4 years.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -9.4% with purchase sub-index -0.2% and refi sub-index -16.2%), (2) Oct JOLTS job openings (expected +14,000 to 5.500 million, Sep +33,000 to 5.486 million), (3) Oct consumer credit (expected +$18.3 billion, Sep +$19.292 billion), (4) EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.

Russell 1000 earnings reports today include: Costco (consensus $1.19), John Wiley (0.66), Brown-Forman (0.50), Casey's General Stores (1.57), H&R Block (-0.68), lululemon athletica (0.43), Orbital ATK (1.39).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Collplant Holdings (CQPTD).

Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: UBS Global Media and Communications Conference on Mon-Wed, Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference on Tue-Wed, Wells Fargo Pipeline, MLP and Utility Symposium on Wed, Citi Global Health Care Conference on Wed-Thu, Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference on Wed-Thu, Bernstein Consumer Summit on Wed-Thu, Capital One Southcoast Energy Conference on Wed-Thu, ACI European Biopolymer Summit on Thu.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Discover Financial Services (DFS +1.38%) was upgraded to 'Outperform' from 'Neutral' at Wedbush with a 12-month target price of $78.

Best Buy (BBY +0.23%) was rated a new 'Buy' at Loop Capital with a price target of $58.

ABIOMED (ABMD +2.72%) was rated a new 'Buy' at Guggenheim Securities with a 12-month target price of $150.

MasterCard (MA -1.50%) gained almost 1% in after-hours trading after it boosted its quarterly dividend to 22 cents a share from 19 cents, and then approved a $4 billion stock buyback program, effective upon completion of a previous program that has $1.3 billion remaining.

Western Digital (WDC +2.83%) rallied over 5% in after-hours trading after it renewed a royalty-bearing cross licensing agreement with Samsung through 2024, and then raised guidance on Q2 adjusted EPS to $2.10-$2.15 from an October 26 view of $1.85-$1.95.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment (PLAY -1.70%) jumped 12% in after-hours trading after it reported Q3 EPS of 25 cents, well above consensus of 14 cents, and then raised guidance on fiscal 2017 comparable store sales to up +3.1%-3.6% from a prior view of +2.25%-3.25%.

Bluebird Bio (BLUE +9.42%) fell over 2% in after-hours trading after it proposed a $200 million stock offering.

HealthEquity (HQY -2.76%) dropped over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q3 EPS of 10 cents, below consensus of 12 cents.

AeroVironment (AVAV +2.66%) tumbled nearly 10% in after-hours trading after it reported a Q2 loss per share of -18cents, a much bigger loss than expectations of -1 cent, and then said it sees a Q3 loss per share of -34 cents to -38 cents, more than consensus of -24 cents.

Ensco PLC (ESV +4.55%) declined over 6% in after-hours trading after it started a private placement of $650 million senior notes due 2014.

Sigma Designs (SIGM +1.31%) sank over 10% in after-hours trading after it said it expects Q4 revenue of $42 million-$45 million, weaker than consensus of $57.4 million.

TerraForm Power (TERP +1.83%) slid nearly 2% in after-hours trading after it said it sees completing the rest of its 2016 filings and regaining full compliance by March.

MARKET COMMENTS

Dec E-mini S&Ps (ESZ16 +0.01%) this morning are up +0.50 of a point (+0.02%). Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 +0.34%, Dow Jones +0.18%, Nasdaq +0.22%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed higher on carry-over support from a rally in European stocks to a 3-week high on expectations that the ECB this Thursday will extend QE past March of next year. Stocks were also boosted by the +2.7% increase in U.S. Oct factory orders, stronger than expectations of +2.6% and the biggest increase in 16 months. Stocks were undercut by the U.S. Oct trade deficit of -$42.6 billion, which was wider than expectations of -$42.0 billion and was negative for Q4 GDP. There was also weakness in energy producer stocks as crude oil prices fell -1.70%.

Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH17 +0.16%) this morning are up +5.5 ticks. Tuesday's closes: TYH7 unch, FVH7 +1.00. Mar 10-year T-notes on Tuesday closed little changed. T-notes were boosted by the the wider-than-expected U.S. Oct trade deficit, which was negative for Q4 GDP. T-notes were also boosted by the slide in crude oil prices, which undercut inflation expectations. T-note prices were undercut by the +2.7% increase in U.S. Oct factory orders, their biggest increase in 16 months.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.03%) this morning is unch. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is +0.0006 (+0.06%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is -0.05 (-0.04%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar index +0.400 (+0.40%), EUR/USD -0.0046 (-0.43%), USD/JPY +0.17 (+0.15%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed higher on the stronger than expected U.S. Oct factory orders report and by weakness in EUR/USD on expectations that the ECB on Thursday will announce an extension of QE beyond March of 2017.

Jan WTI crude oil prices (CLF17 -0.55%) this morning are up +10 cent s(+0.20%) and Jan gasoline (RBF17 -0.18%) is +0.0064 (+0.42%). Tuesday's closes: Jan crude -0.88 (-1.70%), Jan gasoline -0.0158 (-1.01%). Jan crude oil and gasoline on Tuesday closed lower on a stronger dollar and on news that OPEC Nov crude production rose by +200,000 bpd to a record 34.160 million bpd.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR12/07/2016

		Wednesday, Dec 7
US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -9.4% with purchase sub-index -0.2% and refi sub-index -16.2%.
	1000 ET	Oct JOLTS job openings expected +14,000 to 5.500 million, Sep +33,000 to 5.486 million.
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1500 ET	Oct consumer credit expected +$18.3 billion, Sep +$19.292 billion.
		Thursday, Dec 8
US	0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected -13,000 to 255,000, previous +17,000 to 268,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -33,000 to 2.048 million, previous +38,000 to 2.081 million.
	0830 ET	USDA weekly Export Sales.
	1100 ET	Treasury announces amount of 3-year T-notes (previous $24 billion), 10-year T-notes (previous $23 billion) and 30-year T-bonds (previous $15 billion) to be auctioned Dec 12-13.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR12/07/2016

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Brown-Forman Corp	BF/B US	8:00	Q2 2017 Earnings Release	Q2 2017	0.498
Starbucks Corp	SBUX US	8:00	Investor Day	Y 2016
Principal Financial Group Inc	PFG US	8:00	Roadshow	Y 2016
Xerox Corp	XRX US	9:00	Investor Conference	Y 2016
Brown-Forman Corp	BF/B US	10:00	Q2 2017 Earnings Call	Q2 2017
Lowe's Cos Inc	LOW US	10:00	Analyst & Investor Conference	Y 2016
H&R Block Inc	HRB US	16:30	Q2 2017 Earnings Call	Q2 2017
Costco Wholesale Corp	COST US	17:00	Q1 2017 Earnings Call	Q1 2017
H&R Block Inc	HRB US	Aft-mkt	Q2 2017 Earnings Release	Q2 2017	-0.675
Costco Wholesale Corp	COST US	Aft-mkt	Q1 2017 Earnings Release	Q1 2017	1.187
Baker Hughes Inc	BHI US		November 2016 Sales and Revenue Release - Rig Counts	2016
Equifax Inc	EFX US		Investor Meeting	Y 2016

The 5 Best Small Caps

I wanted to find which Small Cap stocks had not only the best consistent return in the past year but which ones also had currently not run out of steam.  I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Index stocks first by the Weighted Alpha then looked for stocks with the highest technical buy signals.

Today's list includes Lending Tree (TREE), Abiomed (ABMD), AMN Healthcare Services (AHS), Stamps.Com (STMP) and Amedisys (AMED).

Lending Tree (TREE)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• 248.70+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 7 new highs and up 52.44% in the last month 
• Relative Strength Index 78.12%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 110.90
• Recently traded at 118.79 with a 50 day moving average of 78.92

Abiomed (ABMD)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• 220.00+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 42.06% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 88.45%
• Barchart computes a technical support level 92.00
• Recently traded at 95.96 with a 50 day moving average of 70.40

AMN Healthcare Services (AHS)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• 152.70+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 2 new highs and up 10.23% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 72.39%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 33.38
• Recently traded at 34.82 with a 50 day moving average of 30.12

Stamp.Com (STMP)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• 147.60+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 4 new highs and up 14.58% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 67.47%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 77.27%
• Recently traded at 83.85 with a 50 day moving average of 72.72

Amedisys (AMED)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 88% Barchart technical buy signals
• 131.00+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 10 new highs and up 10.48% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 60.30%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 44.94
• Recent traded at 46.10 with a 50 day moving average of 40.95

Abiomed - All time High

Abiomed (ABMD) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The medical products company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 217.32+ and gained 272.07% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Abiomed (ABMD).  I found the medical products stock by using Barchart to sort today's All Time High list for the stocks with the highest Weighted Alpha then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 6/19 the stock gained 39.26%.

Abiomed, Inc. is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed to safely and effectively assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart. The company currently manufactures and sells the BVS-5000, a temporary heart assist device, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the temporary treatment of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. The company is also engaged in research and development relating to other devices to support the pumping function of the heart.

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:

• 100% Barchart technical buy signals
• 217.32+ Weighted Alpha
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 43.56% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 87.34%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 87.46
• Recently traded at 94.32 with a 50 day moving average of 68.96

Fundamental factors:

• Market Cap $3.88 billion
• P/E 102.07
• Revenue expected to grow 34.60% this year and another 21.40% next year
• Earnings estimated to increase by 9.50% this year, an additional 49.30% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 17.67% for the next 5 years
• Wall Street analysts issued 4 strong buys, 1 buy, 5 hold and 1 under perform recommendation on this stock

The 100 Day Moving Average vs price has been a reliable technical trading strategy to use on this but using the 200 DMA vs Price would have resulted in fewer trades.

The 5 Best Small Caps

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Stock Index to find the stocks hitting the most frequent new highs in the last month.  I then selected those stocks on the list that also had positive gains for the last week and month.  Lastly, I used the flipchart feature to select the stocks with the charts I likes.

My list today includes Abiomed (ABMD), Suncoke Energy (SXC), Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Cato Corp (CATO), and Biglari Holdings (BH):

Abiomed (ABMD)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 18 new highs and up 42.52% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 79.27%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 26.79
• Recently traded at 28.80 with a 50 day moving average of 22.51

Suncoke Energy (SXC)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 17 new highs and up 15.80% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 79.92%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 21.25
• Recently traded at 21.92 with a 50 day moving average of 18.91

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

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 20.39% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 81.52%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 23.50
• Recently traded at 24.09 with a 50 day moving average of 20.49

Cato Corp (CATO)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buys signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 16 new highs and up 10.78% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.37%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 32.29
• Recently traded at 33.27 with a 50 day moving average of 29.55

Biglari Holdings (BH)

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 15.17% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 86.26%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 456.07
• Recently traded at 479.00 with a 50 day moving average of 431.02

The 5 Best Small Caps

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Index to find the stocks with the most consistent upward momentum.  The list includes Central Garden & Pet (CENTA), Abiomed (ABMD), Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Suncoke Energy (SXC) and Faro Technologies (FARO):

Central Garden & Pet (CENTA)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 40% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 17 new highs and up 3.58% in the last
• Relative Strength Index 58.43%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 7.40
• Recently traded at 7.53 with a 50 day moving average of 7.07

Abiomed (ABMD)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 17 new highs and up 36.53% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 78.62%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 26.74
• Recently traded at 27.35 with a 50 day moving average of 22.05

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 18 new highs and up 19.78% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 89.96%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 22.92
• Recently traded at 23.59 with a 50 day moving average of 19.85

Suncoke Energy (SXC)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% Barchart technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 17 new highs and up 20.24% in the last month'
• Relative Strength Index 85.86
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 21.28
• Recently traded at 21.71 with a 50 day moving average of 18.40

Faro Technologies (FARO)

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 35.32% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 78.44%
• Barchart computes a technical support level at 52.73
• Recently traded at 53.73 with a 50 day moving average of 43.21

Barchart Morning Call 3/5

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 2 hrs 35 mins ago

Overnight Developments

• Global stocks this morning are lower with the Euro Stoxx 50 down -0.56% and Mar S&Ps down -6.00 points. The dollar index rose to a 2-week high and Treasuries are stronger while stocks and commodities moved lower after China announced its lowest economic growth target in 8 years and European services and manufacturing output last month was revised lower. The euro fell to a 2-week low against the dollar and the cost of insuring against default on European government debt rose to a 1-1/2 month high after the Feb Euro-Zone PMI composite was unexpectedly revised down -0.4 to 49.3 from the originally reported 49.7. The euro recovered from its worst levels against the dollar after Jan Euro-Zone retail sales unexpectedly rose +0.3% m/m and was unchanged y/y, stronger than expectations of -0.1% m/m and -1.5% y/y. The British pound slipped to a 1-week low against the dollar after Feb U.K. PMI services dropped -2.2 to 53.8, weaker than expectations of -1.1 to 54.9.
• Asian stocks today closed lower with Japan down -0.80%, China -0.64%, Australia -0.24%, South Korea -1.01%, India -1.55%. The biggest negative factor dragging Asian and other global equity markets lower was the action by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to cut China's growth target to 7.5% from an 8.0% goal in place since 2005, saying China needs to shift to a more sustainable and efficient economic model and achieve "higher-quality development over a longer period of time." China will also aim for inflation of about 4% this year, unchanged from its 2011 goal, even after China's consumer prices rose 5.4% last year. Another negative factor for Chinese stocks was the -4.5 point decline in the Feb China non-manufacturing index to 48.4, its weakest pace of growth in a year. Japanese stocks closed lower on the China news along with a stronger yen, which clouds the earnings outlook for exporters.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• March S&Ps this morning are trading down -6.00 points. The U.S. stock market Friday settled lower on concern the recent rally in the S&P 500 to a 3-3/4 year high has outpaced global growth prospects: Dow Jones +0.22%, S&P 500 +0.62%, Nasdaq Composite +0.74%. The Nasdaq posted a fresh 11-year high but shed its gains and closed lower. Bearish factors Friday included (1) concern over sustainability of the global expansion after Jan German retail sales unexpectedly declined and Jan Japan overall household spending fell more than expected, (2) concern over contagion of the European crisis after Spain's Prime Minister raised his country's budget deficit target for 2012 to 5.8% of GDP, defying a previous 4.4% level previously agreed to with EU leaders, and (3) weakness in energy and raw material producers after a surge in the dollar index to a 2-week high prompted weakness in most commodities.
• Bullish factors included (1) comments from St. Louis Fed President Bullard who said recent U.S. economic data is "better than expected," and the U.S. could weather a recession in Europe and (2) carry-over support from a rally in European banks after Goldman Sachs raised the European banking industry to "overweight" from "neutral," citing an anticipated boost in liquidity and profits from the ECB's 3 year loans to European lenders.
• Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX) slipped 1.2% in European trading after copper declined on concern China's demand for industrial metals may slow after Premier Wen Jiabao cut China's growth target.

Today's Market Focus

• June 10-year T-notes this morning are up +0.5 of a tick. T-note prices Friday settled higher on dovish comments from San Francisco Fed President Williams along with increased safe-haven demand on concern European economic growth may slow after Jan German retail sales unexpectedly declined: TYM2 +18.0, FVM2 +9.7, EDU2 +2.0. Bullish factors Friday included (1) comments from San Francisco Fed President Williams who said the Fed should maintain an "extraordinarily supportive policy" to reduce an unemployment rate that will probably exceed 7% for years and "we may need to do more if the recovery falters or if inflation stays below 2%," (2) concern the European economy may slow after Jan German retail sales unexpectedly declined, and (3) increased safe-haven demand for Treasuries as stocks retreated. A bearish factor was comments from St. Louis Fed President Bullard who said recent U.S. economic data is "better than expected," and the U.S. could weather a recession in Europe.
• The dollar index this morning is higher and at a 2-week high with the dollar/yen -0.48 yen and the euro/dollar -0.11 cents. The dollar index Friday posted a 2-week high and settled higher after the euro weakened on an unexpected decline in German retail sales while the yen sank on speculation the BOJ may expand its monetary easing measures: Dollar Index +0.614, USDJPY +0.583, EURUSD -0.01146. The euro fell to a 1-1/2 week low and the yen sank to a 9-month low against the dollar. Bullish factors included (1) concern that economic growth in Europe may slow after Jan German retail sales unexpectedly declined, (2) the action by Spain's Prime Minister to raise the country's budget deficit target for 2012 to 5.8% of GDP, defying a previous 4.4% level previously agreed to with EU leaders, which may worsen the European debt crisis and weaken the euro, (3) the weaker-than-expected Jan Japan household spending along with the unexpected increase in the Jan Japan jobless rate, which undercut the yen on speculation the BOJ may boost its easing measures to stimulate economic growth, and (4) increased safe-haven demand for the dollar as stocks tumbled. Bearish factors included (1) dollar negative comments from San Francisco Fed President Williams who said the Fed should maintain an "extraordinarily supportive policy" to reduce the unemployment rate and (2) reduced safe-haven demand for the dollar after Goldman Sachs upgraded the European banking industry to "overweight" from "neutral," citing an anticipated boost in liquidity and profits from the ECB's 3 year loans to European lenders.
• Apr crude oil prices this morning are down -39 cents a barrel and Apr gasoline is +0.05 of a cent per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices Friday settled lower after Saudi Arabia denied a report of sabotage at its oil facilities and after the dollar rallied: CLJ12 -$2.14, RBJ -7.96. Bearish factors included (1) the rally in the dollar index to a 2-week high, which discourages investment demand in commodities, (2) the denial from a Saudi official who said there was no damage or sabotage to its oil facilities in the Qatif area, contradicting reports from Iran's Press TV late Thursday that an explosion hit pipelines in the area, (3) comments from President Obama who said in an interview with The Atlantic magazine that a pre-emptive strike against Iran might generate "sympathy" for Iran and allow it to portray itself as a victim, which eases concern that a pre-emptive attack may take place, and (4) concern that economic growth in Europe may slow after Jan German retail sales unexpectedly declined. Bullish factors included (1) concern over Monday's meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and whether it will lead to military action against Iran over its nuclear program and (2) comments from San Francisco Fed President Williams who said the Fed should maintain an "extraordinarily supportive policy" to reduce the unemployment rate, which may spur economic growth and boost fuel demand.

Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap): EEP-Enbridge Energy Partners LP (BEST earnings consensus $0.38), PAY-Verifone Systems (0.52), ARCO-Arcos Dorados Holdings (0.23), MSG-Madison Square Garden (0.15), CASY-Casey's General Stores (0.44), HGIC-Harleysville Group (0.65), ABM-ABM Industries (0.22), GA-Giant Interactive Group (0.17), SONO-SonoSite (0.84), NX-Quanex Building Products (-0.03).
Global Financial Calendar

Monday 3/5/12
United States
1000 ET	Feb ISM non-manufacturing index expected -0.7 to 56.1, Jan +3.8 to 56.8.
1000 ET	Jan factory orders expected -1.3%, Dec +1.1%.
1130 ET	Weekly 3-mo and 6-mo T-bill auctions.
1320 ET	Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher speaks to the Dallas Regional Chamber on ?The State of the Economy.?
CHI
0200 ET	Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China?s top planning agency, holds a press briefing during the annual session of the National People?s Congress.
France
0350 ET	Revised Feb French PMI services expected no change at 50.3.
Germany
0355 ET	Revised Feb German PMI services expected no change at 52.6.
Euro-Zone
0400 ET	Revised Feb Euro-Zone PMI composite expected no change at 49.7.
0430 ET	Mar Euro-Zone Sentix investor confidence expected+6.1 to -5.0, Feb +10.0 to -11.1.
0500 ET	Jan Euro-Zone retail sales expected -0.1% m/m and -1.5% y/y, Dec -0.3% m/m and -1.3% y/y.
United Kingdom
0430 ET	Feb U.K. PMI services expected -1.1 to 54.9, Jan +2.0 to 56.0.
Japan
2030 ET	Jan Japan labor cash earnings expected -0.3% y/y, Dec +0.1% y/y.

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

5 stocks for Wednesday: March 3, 2010

On my blog Financial Tides I like to start out the day by screening on Barchart for some stocks I might consider buying that day. I look for stocks that have been having recent price appreciation, are projected to have increases in sales and earnings and have some positive investor sentiment. I then take that list and research further. I'll start sharing that list with you each morning.


Cooper Companies Inc (COO) -- through its principal subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets healthcare products. CooperVision markets a range of contact lenses to correct visual defects, specializing in toric lenses that correct astigmatism. The company also markets conventional toric and spherical lenses and lenses for patients with more complex vision disorders. CooperSurgical markets diagnostic products, surgical instruments and accessories to the women's healthcare market.

Price appreciation on 16 of 20 trading session, 5 for 5 recently with a 14.41% return for he month -- a 96% buy rating on Barchart's technical indicators.

Analysts look for a 4.9% sales increase with a 12.5% EPS growth -- 5 years compounded EPS growth of 14% and 5 buy recommendations

Investor sentiment on Motley Fool has the CAPS members voting to outperform the market 43 to 33, All Stars voting 12 to 17 and Wall Street columnists 4 to 3

Abiomed (ABMD) -- a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed to safely and effectively assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart. The company currently manufactures and sells the BVS-5000, a temporary heart assist device, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the temporary treatment of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. The company is also engaged in research and development relating to other devices to support the pumping function of the heart.

15 price increases in 20 sessions and 5 for 5 recently plus a 30.76% monthly return -- a Barchart technical indicator buy rating of 80%.

Analysts predict a 18.7% increase in sales coupled with a 32.4% EPS growth. 5 year compounded EPS growth of 22.3% expected. 2 analysts have issued buy recommendations,

Investor sentiment on Motley Fool has a CAPS vote to out perform the market of 62 to 33 with the All Stars in agreement 19 to 14. The Wall Street columnists are split 4 to 3

Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) -- was formed to acquire and manage a group of middle market businesses that are headquartered in North America. CODI provides public investors with an opportunity to participate in the ownership and growth of companies which have historically been owned by private equity firms, wealthy individuals or families. CODI's disciplined approach to its target market provides opportunities to methodically purchase attractive businesses at values that are accretive to its shareholders. For sellers of businesses, CODI's unique structure allows CODI to acquire businesses efficiently with no financing contingencies and, following acquisition, to provide its companies with substantial access to growth capital.

15 increases in price in 20 sessions and 5 for 5 recently. The monthly return of 21.93% has brought it a Barchart technical indicator buy rating of 96%

Analysts think a 6.4% increase in sales will bring a 43.0% increase in EPS. They predict a 12.5% 5 year compounded growth rate in EPS . They have 4 buy recommendations out there.

Investor Sentiment on Motley Fool brings a vote of 209 to 5 from the CAPS members that the stock will outperform the market followed by an All Star vote of 84 to 1, The Wall Street columnist like it 5 to 0

Newstar Financial (NEWS) -- is a specialized commercial finance company focused on meeting the complex financing needs of companies and private investors in the middle markets. The Company specializes in providing senior secured debt financing for the acquisition or recapitalization of mid-sized companies and commercial real estate. NewStar originates loans directly through a team of experienced, senior bankers organized around key industry and market segments. The Company targets 'hold' positions of up to $20 million and selectively underwrites or arranges larger transactions for syndication to other lenders. NewStar is headquartered in Boston, MA and has regional offices in Darien, CT, Chicago, IL, San Diego, CA, and Charleston, SC.

The stock has enjoyed 15 days of increases in 20 sessions and is 5 for 5 recently. A monthly increase of 21.93% has brought a 96% Barchart technical buy rating.

Analysts have the sales increase predicted of 9.2% and a whopping 392.3% EPS improvement coming of a loss. Estimates of a 15% 5 year compounded growth of EPS is their estimate. The 2 buy recommendations are followed by a hold.

Motley Fool CAPS members vote to out perform the market 46 to 19 with the All Stars voting 23 to 4. The Wall Street columnists are 3 to 0

Actel Corp (ACTL) --designs, develops, and markets field programmable gate array and associated development system software and programming hardware. Their product line consist of ten families of antifuse-based FPGAs; Designer Series Development System, DeskTOP, and CoreHDL software; SiliconExplorer debugging and diagnostic tools; Activator and Silicon Sculptor device programmers; and sockets.

15 price increases in 20 sessions plus 4 for 5 recently. The monthly return of 25.45% brings it an 80% Barchart technical buy rating.

Analysts only have a 15% compounded 5 year EPS growth estimate with 1 buy recommendation posted.

Motley Fool CAPS members think the stock will outperform the market by a 35 to 13 vote with the All Stars at 9 to 5. Wall Street columnist have only 1 buy out there.

Well, that's the list for today. Start with these and go through whatever due diligence you fell comfortable using. Be careful.

Jim Van Meerten is an investor who writes on financial matters here and on Financial Tides. Please leave a comment below or email JimVanMeerten@gmail.com

Disclosure: no positions in any of the stocks mentioned.