5 Mid Caps for MOmentum Investors

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index stocks first for the most frequent number of new highs in the last month then again for technical buy signals of 80% or more.  Next I used the Flipchart feature to review the chart for consistency.  Today's watch list includes:

Steel Dynamics (STID, Hill-Rom (HRC), RPM International (RPM), Potlach (PCH), and Greif Bros (GEF)

Steel Dynamics (STLD)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 100% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 12.38% in the last month
• Relative Strength index 74.22%
• Technical support level at 24.13
• Recently traded at 24.69 with a 50 day moving average of 20.98

Hill-Rom (HRC)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 14.46% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 71.54%
• Technical support level at 52.86
• Recently traded at 53.97 with a 50 day moving average of 48.54

RPM International (RPM)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 14.04% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 81.55%
• Technical support level at 60.65
• Recently traded at 51.42 with a 50 day moving average of 44.49

Potlach (PCH)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 15 new highs and up 9.90% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 72.76%
• Technical support level at 33.56
• Recently traded at 33.95 with a 50 day moving average of 29.56

Greif Bros (GEF)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 88% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 14 new highs and up 16.89% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 73.14%
• Technical support level at 34.45
• Recently traded at 36.04 with a 50 day moving average of 29.46

5 Mid Caps for Momentum Investors

Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index stocks first for the most frequent new highs in the last month, then again for technical by signals of 80% or better.  Next used the Flipchart feature to review the charts for consistency.  Today's additional to the watch list include:

RPM International (RPM), Lenox International (LII), Interdigital (IDCC), Aaron's (AAN), and Fortune Brands Home and Security (FBHS)

RPM International (RPM)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 11.29% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.74%
• Technical support level at 56.52
• Recently traded at 57.23 with a 50 day moving average of 51.71

Lenox International (LII)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 6.78% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 78.46%
• Technical support level at 138.03
• Recently traded at 140.00 with a 50 day moving average of 128.31

Interdigital (IDCC)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 6.01% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 64.89%
• Technical support level at 53.20
• Recently traded at 56.03 with a 50 day moving average of 50.59

Aaron's (AAN)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter by signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 8.10% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 65.57%
• Technical support level at 25.41
• Recently traded at 26.32 with a 50 day moving average of 23.52

Fortune Brands Hone and Security (FBHS)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 12 new highs and up 11.29% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.74%
• Technical support level at 56.52
• Recently traded at 57.19 with a 50 day moving average of 51.71

MORNING CALL 4/6

MORNING CALL

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016View Older Reports Everything you need to know about the markets in one free daily newsletter. E-mail:   You will also receive a free subscription to the Barchart family of newsletters. OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS Jun E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 +0.18%) are up +0.18% and European stocks are up +0.10% as energy producing stocks are higher with a +2.90% rally in crude oil. Crude oil shot higher late yesterday after the API reported that weekly U.S. crude supplies fell -4.3 million bbl. Also, a 2% gain in Cisco Systems in pre-market trading is giving technology stocks a lift after J.P. Morgan Chase raised its recommendation on the stock to neutral from underweight. European stocks also received a boost after German Feb industrial production fell less than expected. Weakness in drug companies tempered stock index gains after Pfizer decided to terminate its $160 billion merger with Allergan Plc. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -0.11%, Hong Kong +0.15%, China -0.08%, Taiwan -1.67%, Australia +0.44%, Singapore +0.37%, South Korea +0.59%, India +0.07%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index dropped to a 1-1/2 month low as a rally in the yen to a 17-month high against the dollar fueled a sell-off in exporter stocks. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.29%) is up +0.29%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.28%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.02%. Jun T-note prices (ZNM16 -0.08%) are down -3.5 ticks. German Feb industrial production fell -0.5% m/m, a smaller decline than expectations of -1.8% m/m. U.S. STOCK PREVIEW Key U.S. news today includes: (1) Key U.S. reports today include: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -1.0% with purchase sub-index +2.1% and refi sub-index -3.3%), (2) Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester's speech on the U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy at an event hosted by the Cleveland Associations for Business Economics, CFA Society Cleveland and Risk Management Association of Northern Ohio, (3) the minutes of the Mar 15-16 FOMC meeting, (4) St. Louis Fed President James Bullard's welcoming remarks at a lecture in St. Louis, and (5) Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan's speech on a moderated panel at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. There are 8 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: Acuity Brands (consensus $1.57), Bed Bath & Beyond (1.81), RPM International (0.15), Constellation Brands (1.15), Monsanto (2.42), Global Payments (0.67), MSC Industrial Direct (0.79), SunEdison (-0.74).ip U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Aeglea BioTherapeutic (AGLE). Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Cowen & Co Retail & Luxury Day on Thu OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS Cisco Systems (CSCO -1.99%) rose over 2% in pre-market trading after it was upgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Underweight' at J.P. Morgan Chase. Pfizer (PFE +2.08%) climbed over 1% in pre-market trading after people familiar with the matter said the compnay is terminating its $160 billion merger with Allergan Plc after new U.S. tax proposals aimed at curbing corporate inversions. Allergan Plc (AGN -14.77%) is down over 1% in pre-market trading following the news. Wells Fargo (WFC -2.04%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Guggenheim Securities. Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB -1.85%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Sterne Agee CRT with a 12-month price target of $18. Apple (AAPL -1.18%) was rated a new 'Strong Buy' at Needham & Co. with a 12-month price target of $150. Huntington Bancshares (HBAN -1.05%) was upgradd to 'Buy' from 'Neutral at Sterne Agee CRT with a 12-month price target of $11.50. Nvidia (NVDA -0.14%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Stifel. Biogen (BIIB +0.61%) was rated a new 'Market Perform' at BMO Capital Markets with a 12-month price target of $283. PulteGroup (PHM +2.03%) was upgraded to 'Equal-weight' from 'Underweight' at Barclays. Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN -2.66%) dropped over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported preliminary Q1 Macau revenue of $603 million-$613 million, compared to $705.4 million in Q1 of 2015. Cree (CREE -0.58%) slumped over 15% in after-hours trading after it reported preliminary Q3 adjusted EPS of 13 cents-15 cents, well below consensus of 24 cents. SEI Investments (SEIC -0.75%) was upgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Underperform' at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods with a 12-month price target of $45. Actuity Brands (AYI +2.19%) fell over 3% in after-hours trading in sympathy with the sharp decline in Cree Inc. A Schulman (SHLM -0.38%) fell nearly 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 revenue of $591.8 million, below consensus of $595.4 million. MARKET COMMENTS June E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 +0.18%) this morning are up 3.75 points (+0.18%). Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 -1.01%, Dow Jones -0.75%, Nasdaq -0.91%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed lower on a slide in European stocks to a 5-week low after German Feb factory orders unexpectedly fell -1.2% m/m, the most in 6 months, and on the larger-than-expected U.S. Feb trade deficit of -$47.1 billion, bigger than expectations of a -$46.2 billion, which is negative for U.S. Q1 GDP. Stocks were also undercut by global growth concerns after IMF Managing Director Lagarde said that the downside risks for growth have increased and "we don't see much by way of upside." June 10-year T-note prices (ZNM16 -0.08%) this morning are down -3.5 ticks. Tuesday's closes: TYM6 +11.50, FVM6 +7.00. Jun T-notes on Tuesday rose to a 5-week high and settled higher on carryover support from a rally in German bunds to an 11-1/4 month high and on increased safe-haven demand as stocks sold off. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.29%) this morning is up +0.273 (+0.29%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0032 (-0.28%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down-0.02 (-0.02%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index +0.121 (+0.13%), EUR/USD -0.0007 (-0.06%), USD/JPY -1.00 (-0.90%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed higher on the larger-than-expected increase in the Mar ISM non-manufacturing index and on hawkish comments by Chicago Fed President Evans who said it would be "appropriate" for two more interest rate hikes this year. Gains in the dollar were limited after USD/JPY plunged to a 17-month low. May WTI crude oil (CLK16 +2.65%) is up +$1.04 a barrel (+2.90%). May gasoline (RBK16 +0.55%) is up +0.0061 (+0.44%). Tuesday's closes: CLK6 +0.19 (+0.50%), RBK6 +0.0101 (+0.73%). May crude and gasoline on Tuesday closed higher on comments from Kuwait's OPEC governor who said that oil-producing countries can come to an agreement to cap crude production at January levels even if Iran doesn't join the move. Crude oil prices were undercut by expectations that Wednesday's weekly EIA data will show that U.S. crude inventories rose +3.0 million bbl. GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR04/06/2016 US 0700 ET Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -1.0% with purchase sub-index +2.1% and refi sub-index -3.3%. 1030 ET EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report. 1220 ET Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester speaks on the U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy at an event hosted by the Cleveland Associations for Business Economics, CFA Society Cleveland and Risk Management Association of Northern Ohio. 1400 ET Minutes of the Mar 15-16 FOMC meeting. 1830 ET St. Louis Fed President James Bullard delivers welcoming remarks at a lecture in St. Louis. 2000 ET Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan speaks on a moderated panel at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. JPN 0100 ET Japan Feb leading index CI expected -2.0 to 99.8, Jan 101.8. Feb coincident index expected -3.2 to 110.3, Jan 113.5. GER 0200 ET German Feb industrial production expected -1.8% m/m and +0.4% y/y, Jan +3.3% m/m and +2.2% y/y. 0330 ET German Mar Markit construction PMI, Feb 59.6. UK 0400 ET UK Mar new car registrations, Feb +8.4% y/y. U.S. STOCK CALENDAR04/06/2016 Company Ticker Time Event Description Period Estimate RPM International Inc RPM US Bef-mkt Q3 2016 Earnings Release Q3 2016 0.146 Constellation Brands Inc STZ US Bef-mkt Q4 2016 Earnings Release Q4 2016 1.146 Monsanto Co MON US Bef-mkt Q2 2016 Earnings Release Q2 2016 2.417 Global Payments Inc GPN US Bef-mkt Q3 2016 Earnings Release Q3 2016 0.668 Acuity Brands Inc AYI US Bef-mkt Q2 2016 Earnings Release Q2 2016 1.568 Global Payments Inc GPN US 8:00 Q3 2016 Earnings Call Q3 2016 MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc MSM US 8:30 Q2 2016 Earnings Call Q2 2016 Monsanto Co MON US 9:30 Q2 2016 Earnings Call Q2 2016 IDEX Corp IEX US 10:00 Annual General Meeting Y 2016 Schlumberger Ltd SLB US 10:00 Annual General Meeting RPM International Inc RPM US 10:00 Q3 2016 Earnings Call Q3 2016 Acuity Brands Inc AYI US 10:00 Q2 2016 Earnings Call Q2 2016 Constellation Brands Inc STZ US 10:30 Q4 2016 Earnings Call Q4 2016 Broadcom Ltd AVGO US 14:00 Annual General Meeting Y 2015 Bed Bath & Beyond Inc BBBY US 17:00 Q4 2016 Earnings Call Q4 2016 Wynn Resorts Ltd WYNN US 17:00 Investor Day Y 2016 Bed Bath & Beyond Inc BBBY US Aft-mkt Q4 2016 Earnings Release Q4 2016 1.808 Costco Wholesale Corp COST US 21:00 March 2016 Sales and Revenue Release 2016 SunEdison Inc SUNE US Q4 2015 Earnings Release Q4 2015 -0.744 MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc MSM US Q2 2016 Earnings Release Q2 2016 0.784 IHS Inc IHS US Annual General Meeting

MORNING ALL 1/6

MORNING CALL

Wednesday, January 6th, 2016View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 -1.52%) are down -1.50% at a 2-1/2 month low and European stocks are down -1.38% at a 3-month low as global stocks sell-off after China weakened its currency and heightened concerns about an economic slowdown. The yuan plunged to a 4-3/4 year low against the dollar after the PBOC reduced its daily reference rate for the yuan for the seventh day in a row. This raises the risks that other nations may need to lower their exchange rates to remain competitive with China. Technology stocks are also moving lower, led by a 2.8% decline in Apple in pre-market trading, after the Nikkei Asian Review reported that Apple would reduce Q1 output of its latest iPhones by about 30%. Geopolitical concerns also weighed on equity markets after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. Asian stocks settled mostly lower: Japan -0.99%, Hong Kong -0.98%, China +2.25%, Taiwan -1.05%, Australia -1.18%, Singapore -1.06%, South Korea -0.65%, India -0.68%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index fell to a 2-1/2 month low, but China's Shanghai Composite closed higher on speculation that Chinese regulators will extend a ban on stock sales by major shareholders that is due to expire Friday.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.06%) is down -0.05%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is unchanged. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.60% at a 2-1/2 month low.

Mar T-note prices (ZNH16 +0.33%) are up +13.5 ticks at a 3-week high as the slide in global stocks boosts safe-haven demand for government debt.

The PBOC cut its daily reference rate on the yuan by 0.22 percent to 6.5314 per dollar, which sent the yuan falling to 6.5616 per dollar, a 4-3/4 year low.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous +7.3% with purchase sub-index +4.1% and refi sub-index +10.8%), (2) Dec ADP employment (expected +195,000, Nov +217,000), (3) Nov U.S. trade deficit (expected -$44.00 billion, Oct -$43.89 billion), (4) final-Dec Markit U.S. services PMI (expected +0.3 to 54.0, prelim-Dec -2.4 to 53.7), (5) Dec ISM non-manufacturing index (expected +0.1 to 56.0, Nov -3.2 to 55.9), (6) Nov factory orders (expected -0.2%, Oct +1.5% and +0.2% ex transportation), and (7) minutes of the Dec 15-16 FOMC meeting.

There are 3 of the Russell 3000 companies that report earnings today: Monsanto (consensus $-0.23), RPM Intl (0.57), MSC Industrial Direct (0.87).

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

Equity conferences this week: Goldman Sachs Global Energy Conference on Wed, and Citi Global Internet, Media & Telecommunications Conference on Wed-Thu.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Apple (AAPL -2.51%) fell nearly 3% in pe-market trading after the Nikkei Asian Review reported that Apple would reduce Q1 output of its latest iPhones by about 30%.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX +2.44%) tumbled over 4% in pre-market trading after Moody's Investors Service placed the company's debt under review for possible downgrade.

Oracle (ORCL -0.31%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Hold' at Evercore ISI.

Landec Corp. (LNDC -0.34%) reported Q2 EPS of 7 cents, higher than consensus of 6 cents, although Q2 revenue of $140.4 million was below consensus of $143.2 million.

Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD +0.66%) fell over 2% in after-hours trading after it announced an offering of $10.5 million of common stock.

Gilead (GILD +1.28%) said it terminated a Phase 2 study of its Simtuzumab in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis saying the study showed no evidence of a treatment benefit.

Sonic Corp. (SONC -0.10%) climbed over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q1 adjusted EPS of 24 cents, better than consensus of 23 cents.

NuVasive (NUVA +2.28%) said it will acquire Ellipse Technologies MGEC in a transaction valued at $410 million.

Acadia (ACAD -0.46%) slid 4% in after-hours trading after it proposed a $300 million secondary offering of stock.

Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI -1.27%) rose 1% in after-hours trading after the company said it added 2.3 million new subscriptions in 2015, more than expectations of 2.0 million.

Epizyme (EPZM -1.05%) slumped 10% in after-hours trading after it proposed an offering of $120 million in stock.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals (CNAT -2.05%) surged over 15% in after-hours trading after it said its Emricasan drug in a Phase 2 liver cirrhosis study showed significant reductions in liver biomarkers versus a placebo after 3 months of treatment.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 -1.52%) this morning are down -30.25 points (-1.50%) at a 2-1/2 month low. Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 +0.20%, Dow Jones +0.06%, Nasdaq -0.30%. The S&P 500 index on Tuesday closed higher on strength in health-care companies and consumer staples stocks. Stock prices were undercut by carryover weakness from a -0.26% decline in China's Shanghai Composite to a 2-1/2 month low and by weakness in energy producers after crude oil fell to a 2-week low.

Mar 10-year T-notes (ZNH16 +0.33%) this morning are up +13.5 ticks at a 3-week high. Tuesday's closes: TYH6 +3.00, FVH6 +2.50. Mar T-notes on Tuesday closed higher on (1) carryover support from a rally in German bunds to a 1-1/2 week high after weaker-than-expected Eurozone Dec CPI bolstered speculation that the ECB may need to expand QE, and (2) the slump in China's Shanghai Composite to a 2-1/2 month low, which fueled ideas that the Fed might have to delay the next rate hike if the turmoil gets worse.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.06%) this morning is down -0.048 (-0.05%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is unch. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.71 (-0.60%) at a 2-1/2 month low. Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index +0.535 (+0.54%), EUR/USD -0.0083 (-0.77%), USD/JPY -0.38 (-0.32%). The dollar index on Tuesday rallied to a 1-month high and closed higher on weakness in EUR/USD which fell to a 1-month low after Eurozone Dec CPI rose less than expected, which may prompt the ECB to boost stimulus measures. The dollar was also boosted by the fall in crude oil to a 2-week low, which fueled a sell-off in commodity currencies as the Canadian dollar plummeted to a 12-1/3 year low against the dollar.

Feb crude oil (CLG16 -2.84%) this morning is down -90 cents (12.50%) at a 2-week low and Feb gasoline (RBG16 -4.02%) is down -0.0437 (-3.48%) at a 2-week low. Tuesday's closes: CLG6 -0.62 (-1.69%), RBG6 -0.0411 (-3.18%). Feb crude and gasoline on Tuesday closed lower with Feb crude at a 2-week low. Crude oil prices were undercut by the rally in the dollar index to a 1-month high and by expectations that Wednesday's weekly EIA inventory report will show that crude oil supplies rose +1.0 million bbl, gasoline stockpiles climbed +2.0 million bbl, and supplies at Cushing rose +700,000 bbl.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR01/06/2016

US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous +7.3% with purchase sub-index +4.1% and refi sub-index +10.8%.
	0815 ET	Dec ADP employment expected +195,000, Nov +217,000.
	0830 ET	Nov trade balance expected -$44.00 billion, Oct -$43.89 billion.
	0945 ET	Final-Dec Markit U.S. services PMI expected +0.3 to 54.0, prelim-Dec -2.4 to 53.7. Final-Dec Markit composite PMI, preliminary -2.4 to 53.5.
	1000 ET	Dec ISM non-manufacturing index expected +0.1 to 56.0, Nov -3.2 to 55.9.
	1000 ET	Nov factory orders expected -0.2%, Oct +1.5% and +0.2% ex transportation
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1400 ET	Minutes of the Dec 15-16 FOMC meeting.
GER	0355 ET	Revised German Dec Markit services PMI, preliminary -0.2 to 55.4.
EUR	0400 ET	Revised Eurozone Dec Markit composite PMI, preliminary -0.2 to 54.0.
	0500 ET	Eurozone Nov PPI expected -0.2% m/m and -3.2% y/y, Oct -0.3% m/m and -3.1% y/y.
UK	0430 ET	UK Dec Markit/CIPS services PMI expected -0.3 to 55.6, Nov 55.9.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR01/06/2016

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
RPM International Inc	RPM US	Bef-mkt	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	0.568
MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc	MSM US	7:00	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	0.873
Monsanto Co	MON US	8:00	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	-0.231
MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc	MSM US	8:30	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
Monsanto Co	MON US	9:30	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
RPM International Inc	RPM US	10:00	Q2 2016 Earnings Call	Q2 2016
Acuity Brands Inc	AYI US	11:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2016
Costco Wholesale Corp	COST US	21:00	December 2015 Sales and Revenue Release	2015
AutoNation Inc	AN US		December 2015 Sales and Revenue Release	2015

BARCHART MORNING CALL 10/7

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Wednesday, October 7th, 2015View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

December E-mini S&Ps (ESZ15 +0.65%) are up +0.44% and European stocks are up +0.61%, both at 2-1/2 week highs, as a +1.65% rally in Nov crude oil (CLX15 +1.94%) to a 5-week high and a +0.51% increase in Dec copper (HGZ15 +1.10%) to a 2-week high boosted energy and commodity producers. Also, Morgan Stanley upgraded their recommendation on miners to 'Attractive,' which boosted Anglo American Plc, Rio Tinto Group and BHP Billiton Ltd. to up more than 4%. In addition, increased M&A activity boosted stocks as SABMiller gained over 1% after Anheuser-Busch InBev NV raised its offer for SABMiller to $104 billion. Asian stocks settled higher: Japan +0.75%, Hong Kong +3.13%, China closed for holiday, Taiwan +1.20%, Australia +0.59%, Singapore +2.22%, South Korea +1.39%, India +0.38%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index climbed to a 2-1/2 week high as the rally in crude oil bolstered energy producers. USD/JPY is weaker after the BOJ refrained from additional stimulus measures following today's 2-day policy meeting and after BOJ Governor Kuroda said that inflation will climb toward the BOJ's 2.0% target once the effect of lower oil prices dissipates. The BOJ will update its outlook for inflation and economic growth on Oct 30.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.02%) is up +0.03%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.11%% on speculation the ECB may expand QE after German Aug industrial production unexpectedly fell. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.12%.

Dec T-note prices (ZNZ15 -0.19%) are down -8 ticks.

German Aug industrial production unexpectedly fell -1.2%, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m and the biggest decline in a year. On an annual basis, Aug industrial production rose +2.3% y/y, weaker than expectations of +3.3% y/y.

UK Aug industrial production rose +1.0% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m and the largest increase in 18 months. On an annual basis, Aug industrial production rose +1.9% y/y, stronger than expectations of +1.2% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -6.7% with purchase sub-index -5.6% and refi sub-index -7.5%), (2) San Francisco Fed President John Williams' speech at the Gonzaga University School of Business Administration, (3) Aug consumer credit (expected +$19.500 billion, Jul +$19.097 billion), (4) the Treasury's auction of $21 billion of 10-year T-notes.

There are 7 of the Russell 2000 companies report earnings today: Monsanto (consensus -$0.03), Constellation Brands (1.32), RMP Intl (0.81), Global Payments (1.43), Acuity Brands (1.62), Lumentum Holdings (0.20).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: CPI Card Group (PMTS), CytomX Therapeutics (CTMX), Allegiance Bancshares (ABTX).

Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Barclays Select Series Biosimilars Symposium on Wed, Capital Link Shipping Marine Services and Offshore Forum on Wed, and Goldman Sachs EMEA Leveraged Finance Conference on Thu.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Anglo American Plc (AAUKY +4.59%) , Rio Tinto Group (RIO +0.43%) and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP +1.63%) are all up more than 4% in pre-market trading after Morgan Stanley upgraded the metals and mining sectors to 'Attractive' saying the sectors trade at historically attractive valuations.

Exxon-Mobile (XOM +1.41%) and Schlumberger (SLB +2.57%) are both up over 1% in pre-market trading as the price of crude oil rose to a 5-week high.

SABMiller (SBMRY -3.45%) is up over 1% in pre-market trading after Anheuser-Busch InBev NV raised its offer for the company to $104 billion.

Ross Stores (ROST -2.97%) were rated a new 'Buy' at Citigroup with a price target of $59.

Michael Kors (KORS -1.18%) were rated a new 'Sell' at Citigroup with a price target of $38.

Team Inc. (TISI -3.22%) reported Q1 EPS of 23 cents, better than consensus of 22 cents.

Nu Skin (NUS +1.57%) sank over 12% in after-hours trading after it reported preliminary Q3 revenue of $570 million-$573 million, less than consensus of $600 million-$620 million.

Yum! Brands (YUM +0.45%) slumped over 15% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.00, lower than consensus of $1.06 and said the pace of recovery in China is below expectations.

Allegheny Technologies (ATI +2.12%) forecast a Q3 adjusted loss of -27 cents to -32 cents, wider than consensus of a -23 cent loss.

U.S. Steel (X +3.24%) fell 1% in after-hours trading after it said it was examining consolidation of its North American flat-rolled steel operations and may temporarily idle its Granite City, Il plant and cut jobs.

Adobe (ADBE -0.80%) tumbled over 7% in after-hours trading after it said it sees fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS of $2.70, well below consensus of $3.20.

MARKET COMMENTS

Dec E-mini S&Ps (ESZ15 +0.65%) this morning are up +8.75 points (+0.44%). Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 -0.36%, Dow Jones +0.08%, Nasdaq -0.57%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed lower on the IMF's cut its global growth forecast for 2015 to 3.1% from July's estimate of 3.3% and for 2016 to 3.6% from July's 3.8%. In addition, there was weakness in health-care companies after Celgene and Vertex Pharmaceuticals both lost more than 5%. On the positive side, energy producers rose as crude oil prices climbed to a 1-month high.

Dec 10-year T-notes (ZNZ15 -0.19%) this morning are down -8 ticks. Tuesday's closes: TYZ5 +6.50, FVZ5 +2.75. Dec T-note prices on Tuesday settled higher on weakness in stocks, which boosted the safe-haven demand for T-notes, and on global growth concerns that may further delay a Fed interest rate increase after the IMF cut its 2015/16 global GDP estimates.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.02%) this morning is up +0.030 (+0.03%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0012 (-0.11%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down-0.14 (-0.12%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index -0.651 (-0.68%), EUR/USD +0.0084 (+0.75%), USD/JPY -0.23 (-0.19%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed lower on continued negative carryover from last Friday's weaker-than-expected U.S. Sep payroll report that pushed back expectations for a Fed interest rate increase from this year to Q1-2016. EUR/USD received a boost on reduced expectations of additional ECB stimulus after ECB Governing Council member Liikanen said speculation of additional ECB easing is "premature."

Nov crude oil (CLX15 +1.94%) this morning is up +80 cents (+1.65%) at a 2-week high and Nov gasoline (RBX15 +0.34%) is up +0.0011 (+0.08%). Tuesday's closes: CLX5 +2.27 (+4.91%), RBX5 +0.0411 (+2.97%). Nov crude oil and gasoline on Tuesday climbed to 1-month highs and settled sharply higher on a weaker dollar and on reduced U.S. crude production after the U.S. Energy Department in its Short-Term Energy Outlook said U.S. Sep crude output was down -120,000 bpd. Crude oil prices continue to see strength from Middle East tensions after at least one Russian fighter jet on Monday violated Turkish/NATO air space.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR10/07/2015

US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -6.7% with purchase sub-index -5.6% and refi sub-index -7.5%.
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $21 billion of 10-year T-notes.
	1400 ET	San Francisco Fed President John Williams speaks at the Gonzaga University School of Business Administration.
	1500 ET	Aug consumer credit expected +$19.500 billion, Jul +$19.097 billion.
JPN	0100 ET	Japan Aug leading index CI expected -1.6 to 103.4, Jul 105.0. Aug coincident index expected -0.8 to 112.3, Jul 113.1.
	1950 ET	Japan Aug machine orders expected +2.3% m/m and +3.5% y/y, Jul -3.6% m/m and +2.8% y/y.
	n/a	BOJ announces interest rate decision followed by a press conference with BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.
GER	0200 ET	German Aug industrial production expected +0.2% m/m and +3.3% y/y, Jul +0.7% m/m and +0.5% y/y.
UK	0430 ET	UK Aug industrial production expected +0.3% m/m and +1.2% y/y, Jul -0.4% m/m and +0.8% y/y.
	0430 ET	UK Aug manufacturing production expected +0.3% m/m and -0.2% y/y, Jul -0.8% m/m and -0.5% y/y.
	1000 ET	UK Sep NIESR GDP estimate, Aug +0.5% q/q.
	1901 ET	UK Sep RICS house price balance expected 55%, Aug 53%.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR10/07/2015

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
RPM International Inc	RPM US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	0.813
Constellation Brands Inc	STZ US	Bef-mkt	Q2 2016 Earnings Release	Q2 2016	1.32
Monsanto Co	MON US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	-0.026
Global Payments Inc	GPN US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	1.425
Acuity Brands Inc	AYI US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	1.621
SunEdison Inc	SUNE US	8:00	Business Update Call
Global Payments Inc	GPN US	8:00	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
Accenture PLC	ACN US	8:30	Investor & Analyst Meeting	Y 2015
Flowers Foods Inc	FLO US	8:30	Acquisitions of Daves Killer Bread and Alpine Valley Bread By Flowers Foods
Yum! Brands Inc	YUM US	9:15	Q3 2015 Earnings Call	Q3 2015
Monsanto Co	MON US	9:30	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
RPM International Inc	RPM US	10:00	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
Acuity Brands Inc	AYI US	10:00	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
Constellation Brands Inc	STZ US	10:30	Q2 2016 Earnings Call	Q2 2016
IHS Inc	IHS US	12:00	Investor Day	Y 2015
Costco Wholesale Corp	COST US	21:00	September 2015 Sales and Revenue Release	2015
Xcel Energy Inc	XEL US		Investor Meeting - Day 2	Y 2015
Lumentum Holdings Inc	LITE US		Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	0.2

BARCHART MORNING CALL 4/8

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

June E-mini S&Ps this morning are little changed as the market awaits today's FOMC meeting minutes. The Euro Stoxx 50 index is down -0.39% after yesterday's rally. European energy stocks are trading higher on M&A optimism after today's blockbuster deal in oil and gas with Shell buying BG Group to gain access in particular to LNG in Australia and deep-water oil in Brazil. Asian stocks today closed mostly higher: Japan +0.76%, Hong Kong +3.80%, China +0.84%, Taiwan -0.73%, Australia +0.59%, Singapore -0.14%, South Korea +0.63%, India +0.67%, Turkey +0.24%.
The dollar index is down -0.43 points (-0.44%) on a turn-around after the sharp 2-session rally. EUR/USD is up +0.0055 (+0.51%) and USD/JPY is down -0.57 (-0.47%). Jun 10-year T-note prices up 5.5 ticks going into today's 10-year T-note auction.
Commodity prices are down -0.12% this morning due to lower energy prices. May crude oil is down -1.17 (-2.17%), May gasoline is down -0.0460 (-2.47%), and May natural gas is down -0.049 (-1.83%). The market is expecting today's weekly EIA report to show a +3.0 million bbl increase in crude oil inventories, a -2.0 million bbl decline in gasoline inventories, a +800,000 bbl increase in distillate inventories, and a +0.6 point increase in the refinery utilization rate to 90.0%. The market is hoping for U.S. oil production to decline for the second straight week.
Precious metals prices are little changed this morning with Jun gold up +0.1 (+0.01%) and May silver up +0.010 (+0.06%). May copper is down -0.012 (-0.43%). Grain prices are narrowly mixed this morning as the market awaits Thursday's WASDE report: May corn +0.25 (+0.07%), May soybeans +0.50 (+0.05%), May wheat -0.50 (-0.10%). Softs are trading higher this morning.
The Bank of Japan today left its monetary policy unchanged, which was in line with market expectations. The BOJ left its target unchanged of expanding the monetary base at an annual rate of 80 trillion yen ($670 billion). BOJ Governor Kuroda said that the Japanese economy now faces less risk than last year when the BOJ expanded its stimulus measures.
Today's U.S. MBA mortgage applications report showed an overall +0.4% increase with the purchases sub-index up +6.8% but the refinancing sub-index down -3.3%.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key news today includes (1) the weekly MBA mortgage applications report (last week +4.6% with purchase sub-index +5.7% and refi sub-index +3.9%), (2) the minutes from the Mar 17-18 FOMC meeting, (3) the Treasury's auction of $21 billion of 10-year T-notes, (4) a speech by Fed Governor Jerome Powell on the “Challenges for Monetary Policy” at the Council on Foreign Relations, and (5) a Q&A on the economy and monetary policy by New York Fed President William Dudley at a Reuters Newsmaker event in New York.
There are seven of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: Alcoa (consensus $0.26), Rite Aid (0.08), RPM International (0.13), MSC Industrial Direct (0.85), Global Payments (1.11), Family Dollar Stores (0.73), Bed, Bath & Beyond (1.81).
There are no U.S. IPO's that scheduled to price or trade today.
Equity conferences this week include: Internet of Things (IoT) Asia 2015 on Wed-Thu, and JP Morgan Spring Fling Conference on Thu
June E-mini S&Ps this morning are little changed as the market awaits today's FOMC meeting minutes. Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 -0.21%, Dow Jones -0.03%, Nasdaq -0.14%. The stock market on Tuesday fell on concerns that the strong JOLTS job openings report (+168,000 to a new 14-year high) might bring forward a Fed rate hike, as well as concern about a weak Q1 earnings season that starts today. On the positive side, the continued rally in oil prices boosted petroleum stocks.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

• Shell (RDSN LN) announced an agreement to take over BG Group (BG LN) for about $70 billion in cash and shares in the largest oil and gas deal in at least a decade, with particularly attractive assets in Australian LNG and Brazilian deep water oil.
• Rite Aid (RAD -1.70%) reported Q4 EPS ex-items at 12 cents, better than the consensus of 7 cents.
• IMAX ({=IMAX) and Disney (DIS -0.19%) renewed their exhibition agreement with a new multi-picture deal.
• Kinder Morgan (KMI +0.05%) was downgraded to Buy from Conviction Buy at Goldman Sachs.
• New Residential (NRZ +2.99%) was added to the Top Picks list at FBR Capital.
• Dave & Buster's (PLAY -1.45%) rallied 1% in after-hours trading on better than expected earnings results.
• Regulus Therapeutics (RGLS -2.68%) rallied 10% in after-hours trading after one of its products was selected as clinical candidate by AstraZeneca (AZN +0.24%)
• OHR Pharmaceutical (OHRP +8.37%) rallied 2% in after-hours trading after a report that Broadfin purchased a 6.1% stake in the company.
• Pentair (PNR -1.87%) fell 4% in after-hours trading after lowering its Q1 guidance.

MARKET COMMENTS

Jun 10-year T-note prices up 5.5 ticks going into today's 10-year T-note auction. June 10-year T-notes on Tuesday closed mildly lower on the much stronger-than-expected JOLTS job openings report and the continued rally in crude oil prices, which is boosting inflation expectations. T-notes are also seeing supply pressure during this week's sale of $58 billion of 3-year, 10-year and 30-year securities.
The dollar index is down -0.43 points (-0.44%) on a turn-around after the sharp 2-session rally. EUR/USD is up +0.0055 (+0.51%) and USD/JPY is down -0.57 (-0.47%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar index +1.15 (+1.19%), EUR/USD -0.0108 (-0.99%), USD/JPY +0.74 (+0.62%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed sharply higher on the much stronger-than-expected JOLTS job openings report. In addition, the continued rally in crude oil prices is boosting inflation expectations, which could cause the Fed to accelerate its rate hike.
May crude oil is down -1.17 (-2.17%), May gasoline is down -0.0460 (-2.47%), and May natural gas is down -0.049 (-1.83%). Tuesday's closes: CLK5 +1.11 (+2.13%), RBK5 -0.0119 (-0.65%). May crude oil prices on Tuesday rallied sharply on ideas that U.S. oil production might finally be slowing due to the plunge in the number of operating U.S. oil rigs. U.S. oil production fell last week and the market suspects that production may fall again in Wednesday's EIA report. Crude oil prices are also seeing support as the Iranian nuclear agreement is meeting with heavy opposition from Israel and with political opposition in Washington. On the negative side, the market is expecting Wednesday’s weekly EIA report to show a +3.0 mln bbl gain in U.S. crude oil inventories.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR04/08/2015

US	0700 ET	Weekly MBA mortgage applications, previous +4.6% with purchase sub-index +5.7% and refi sub-index +3.9%.
	0800 ET	Fed Governor Jerome Powell speaks on Challenges for Monetary Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
	0930 ET	New York Fed President William Dudley does a Q&A on the economy and monetary policy at a Reuters Newsmaker event in New York.
	1030 ET	EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $21 billion 10-year T-notes.
	1400 ET	Minutes of the Mar 17-18 FOMC meeting.
JPN	0100 ET	Japan Mar eco-watchers survey current expected +0.7 to 50.8, Feb 50.1. Mar eco-watchers survey outlook expected +0.3 to 53.5, Feb 53.2.
	n/a	BOJ announces interest rate decision and asset purchase target.
GER	0200 ET	German Feb factory orders expected +1.5% m/m and +0.5% y/y, Jan -3.9% m/m and -0.1% y/y.
	0330 ET	German Mar Markit construction PMI, Feb 53.1.
EUR	0500 ET	Eurozone Feb retail sales expected -0.2% m/m and +2.8% y/y, Jan +1.1% m/m and +3.7% y/y.
UK	0400 ET	UK Mar new car registrations, Feb +12.0% y/y.
	1901 ET	UK Mar RICS house price balance expected 15%, Feb 14%.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR04/08/2015

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Rite Aid Corp	RAD US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	0.077
RPM International Inc	RPM US	Bef-mkt	Q3 2015 Earnings Release	Q3 2015	0.134
MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc	MSM US	Bef-mkt	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.85
Global Payments Inc	GPN US	Bef-mkt	Q3 2015 Earnings Release	Q3 2015	1.105
Family Dollar Stores Inc	FDO US	8:00	Q2 2015 Earnings Release	Q2 2015	0.727
Global Payments Inc	GPN US	8:00	Q3 2015 Earnings Call	Q3 2015
Rite Aid Corp	RAD US	8:30	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc	MSM US	8:30	Q2 2015 Earnings Call	Q2 2015
ConocoPhillips	COP US	9:00	Analyst Meeting	Y 2015
IDEX Corp	IEX US	10:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2015
RPM International Inc	RPM US	10:00	Q3 2015 Earnings Call	Q3 2015
New York Community Bancorp Inc	NYCB US	10:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2015
Lennar Corp	LEN US	11:00	Annual General Meeting
Alcoa Inc	AA US	17:00	Q1 2015 Earnings Call	Q1 2015
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc	BBBY US	17:00	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
United Continental Holdings Inc	UAL US	17:00	March 2015 Sales and Revenue Release - Operational Performance	2015
Alcoa Inc	AA US	Aft-mkt	Q1 2015 Earnings Release	Q1 2015	0.257
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc	BBBY US	Aft-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	1.806
Questar Corp	STR US		Roadshow - Midwest- Day 3	Y 2015
IHS Inc	IHS US		Annual General Meeting
Avago Technologies Ltd	AVGO US		Annual General Meeting