5 Great Small Caps

Today I wanted to find 5 Small Cap stocks that had great returns but still had some momentum left.  I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Index stocks first for the highest Weighted Alpha, next for technical buy signals of 80% or more and then used the Flipchart feature to make sure they were all above their 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages.  Today's Watch List includes:

Kemet (KEM), Electro Scientific Industries (ESIO), Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI), Advansix (ASIX) and Integer (ITGR)



Kemet (KEM)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 13 new highs and up 33.55% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 79.93%
• Technical support level at 25.65
• Recently traded at 2691 with a 50 day moving average of 21.71

Electo Scientific Industries (ESIO)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 96% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 7 new highs and up 21.36% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 77.61%
• Technical support level at 14.70
• Recently traded at 15.50 with a 50 day moving average of 12.79

Spectrum Pharmaceutical (SPPI)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 88% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 6 new highs and up 40.31% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 69.43%
• Technical support level at 13.53
• Recently traded at 14.25 with a 50 day moving average of 10.95

Advansix (ASIX)

Barchart technical indicators:

• 80% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above ts 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 11 new highs and up 21.18% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 75.28%
• Technical support level at 44.06
• Recently traded at 44.27 with a 50 day moving average of 36.34

Integer (ITGR)

Barchart technical indicator:

• 88% technical buy signals
• Trend Spotter buy signal
• Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
• 10 new highs and up 15.02% in the last month
• Relative Strength Index 70.65%
• Technical support level at 53.98
• Recently traded at 54.00 with a 50 day moving average of 48.29

MORNING CALL 3/10

MORNING CALL

Thursday, March 10th, 2016View Older Reports

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.44%) are up +0.29% and European stocks are up +0.14% as the markets await the ECB's decision today on possible additional stimulus measures. The markets are expecting at least an interest rate cut by the ECB today and or an expansion of its quantitative easing. Weakness in crude oil and metals undercut energy and raw-material producing stocks, while an unexpected decline in German Jan exports pressured European stocks. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan +1.26%, Hong Kong -0.06%, China -2.02%, Taiwan +0.31%, Australia -0.14%, Singapore -0.05%, South Korea +0.96%, India -0.69%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down over 2% after Chinese consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in 19 months, which may limit further stimulus measures by the government.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.14%) is up +0.20%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD)is down -0.21%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.26%.

Jun T-note prices (ZNM16 +0.15%) are up +7 ticks.

The German Jan trade balance shrank to a surplus of 13.6 billion euros, less than expectations of +17.0 billion euros and the smallest surplus in 17 months. Jan exports unexpectedly fell -0.5% m/m, weaker than of +0.8% m/m. Jan imports rose +1.2% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.8% m/m.

China Feb CPI rose +2.3% y/y, stronger than expectations of +1.8% y/y and the fastest pace of increase in 19 months.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly initial unemployment claims (expected -3,000 to 275,000, previous +6,000 to 278,000) and continuing claims (expected -7,000 to 2.250 million, previous +3,000 to 2.257 million), (2) the Treasury's auction of $12 billion of 30-year T-bonds, and (3) Feb monthly budget statement (expected -$196.3 billion, Jan +$55.163 billion).

There are 5 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: Dollar General (consensus $1.26), Care Capital Properties (0.79), Four Corners Property Trust (0.45), VeriFone Systems (0.46), Ulta Salon (1.54).

U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Biolight Life Sciences (BOLT).

Equity conferences this week include: UBS Global Consumer Conference on Wed-Thu, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Inc Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tue-Thu, J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum on Thu.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Expedia (EXPE +0.79%) was upgraded to 'Overweight' from 'Neutral' at Piper Jaffray with a 12-month price target of $140.

Sally Beauty Holdings (SBH +0.03%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Overweight' at Piper Jaffray with a 12-month price target of $31.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (RBS +0.46%) was downgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Outperform' at Bernstein.

Ryerson Holding (RYI +0.22%) reported Q4 sales of $668.8 million, below consensus of $711.4 million.

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO +1.13%) lost nearly 2% in after-hours trading after it announced that CFO Mary Boland plans to retire April 1 and Chief Accounting Officer Scott Hurd will be interim CFO.

B&G Foods (BGS -0.54%) fell over 2% in after-hours trading after it announced a public offering of 4 million shares of its common stock.

Square (SQ +4.79%) rose nearly 2% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 revenue of $374.4 million, higher than consensus of $344.7 million.

Box Inc. (BOX +3.73%) jumped over 10% in after-hours trading after it said it sees Q1 revenue of $88 million-$89 million, above consensus of $86.4 million, and then said it sees a fiscal 2017 adjusted loss of -83 cents to -85 cents, narrower than consensus of a loss of -90 cents.

Gulfport Energy (GPOR +4.01%) slid over 2% in after-hours trading after it announced a public offering of 14 million shares of its common stock.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI -1.18%) gained nearly 3% in after-hours trading after it reported a Q4 loss of -6 cents a share, a smaller loss than consensus of -18 cents.

Nasdaq (NDAQ +0.77%) agreed to buy International Securities Exchange from Deutsche Borse for $1.1 billion.

Sunrun (RUN -0.45%) climbed 3% in after-hours trading after it was rated a new 'Buy' at Deutsche Bank with a price target of $15.

Omega Protein (OME +6.46%) slumped over 20% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 29 cents, well below consensus of 53 cents.

Energy XXI Ltd. (EXXI +12.50%) plunged over 30% in after-hours trading when it said it may seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as next week.

MARKET COMMENTS

Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.44%) this morning are up +5.75 points (+0.29%). Wednesday's closes: S&P 500 +0.51%, Dow Jones +0.21%, Nasdaq +0.65%. The S&P on Wednesday closed higher on strength in energy producers with the rally in crude oil and on expectations that the ECB on Thursday will expand stimulus measures in an attempt to bolster economic growth. Stocks were undercut by news that the Jan wholesale inventory-to-sales ratio rose to a 6-3/4 year high of 1.35 months, which is a sign of tepid demand that is causing an unwanted buildup of inventories.

Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM16 +0.15%) this morning are up +7 ticks. Wednesday's closes: TYM6 -14.00, FVM6 -51.75. Jun T-notes on Wednesday closed lower on reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes and on carryover weakness from a slide in German bund prices to a 2-week low.

The dollar index (DXY00 +0.14%) this morning is up +0.198 (+0.20%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0023 (-0.21%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.30 (+0.26%). Wednesday's closes: Dollar Index -0.036 (-0.04%), EUR/USD -0.0012 (-0.11%), USD/JPY +0.73 (+0.65%). The dollar index on Wednesday closed lower on strength in the Canadian dollar (which climbed to a 3-3/4 month high against the dollar) and in the Russian ruble (which rose to a 2-1/2 month high against the dollar) as a rally in crude oil supported the currencies of crude-exporting countries. In addition, EUR/USD showed strength on short-covering ahead of Thursday's ECB meeting.

Apr WTI crude (CLJ16 -0.08%) this morning is down -11 cents (-0.29%) and Apr gasoline (RBJ16 +0.01%) is down -0.0077 (-0.52%). Wednesday's closes: CLJ6 +1.79 (+4.90%), RBJ6 +0.0827 (+5.96%). Apr crude and gasoline on Wednesday closed higher with Apr gasoline at a 4-month nearest-futures high. Crude oil prices were boosted by a weaker dollar and by the -4.53 million bbl drop in weekly EIA gasoline supplies (vs. expectations of-1.5million bbl). Crude oil prices were undercut by the rise in EIA crude stockpiles by +3.88 million bbl to a record high 521.8 million bbl and by the rise in oil inventories at Cushing, OK, the delivery point for WTI futures, by +690,000 bbl to a record 66.9 million bbl.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/10/2016

US	0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected -3,000 to 275,000, previous +6,000 to 278,000. Weekly continuing claims expected-7,000 to 2.250 million, previous +3,000 to 2.257 million.
	0830 ET	USDA weekly Export Sales.
	1100 ET	Treasury announces amount of 10-year TIPS to be auctioned Mar 17 (previous $15 billion).
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $12 billion 30-year T-bonds.
	1400 ET	Feb monthly budget statement expected -$196.3 billion, Jan +$55.163 billion.
GER	0200 ET	German Jan trade balance expected +17.0 billion euros, Dec +19.0 billion euros. Jan exports expected +0.8% m/m, Dec -1.4% m/m. Jan imports expected +0.8% m/m, Dec -1.6% m/m.
	0200 ET	German Jan current account balance, Dec +25.6 billion euros.
	0200 ET	German Q4 labor costs, Q3 unch q/q and +2.4% y/y.
EUR	0745 ET	ECB announces interest rate decision expected -10 bp cut in deposit facility rate to -0.4% from -0.3%.
	0830 ET	ECB President Mario Draghi holds press conference following ECB meeting.
JPN	1850 ET	Japan Q1 BSI all-industry business conditions, Q4 4.6.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/10/2016

Company	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Dollar General Corp	DG US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2016 Earnings Release	Q4 2016	1.261
Care Capital Properties Inc	CCP US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	0.787
Four Corners Property Trust Inc	FCPT US	Bef-mkt	Q4 2015 Earnings Release	Q4 2015	0.445
Armstrong World Industries Inc	AWI US	8:00	Investor Meeting	Y 2016
Western Union Co/The	WU US	8:30	Investor Day	Y 2016
Genpact Ltd	G US	9:00	Analyst & Investor Day	Y 2016
Dollar General Corp	DG US	10:00	Q4 2016 Earnings Call	Q4 2016
Tahoe Resources Inc	THO CN	10:00	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
Care Capital Properties Inc	CCP US	10:00	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
Applied Materials Inc	AMAT US	13:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2016
American Express Co	AXP US	13:30	Investor Day	Y 2016
United Technologies Corp	UTX US	14:00	Investor and Analyst Meeting	Y 2016
F5 Networks Inc	FFIV US	14:00	Annual General Meeting	Y 2016
Four Corners Property Trust Inc	FCPT US	14:00	Q4 2015 Earnings Call	Q4 2015
VeriFone Systems Inc	PAY US	16:01	Q1 2016 Earnings Release	Q1 2016	0.461
VeriFone Systems Inc	PAY US	16:30	Q1 2016 Earnings Call	Q1 2016
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc	ULTA US	17:00	Q4 2016 Earnings Call	Q4 2016
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc	ULTA US	Aft-mkt	Q4 2016 Earnings Release	Q4 2016	1.535
Cabot Corp	CBT US		Annual General Meeting
Equifax Inc	EFX US		Investor Meeting - Boston	Y 2016
National Fuel Gas Co	NFG US		Annual General Meeting
Xcel Energy Inc	XEL US		Investor Meeting - Day 2	Y 2016

Barchart Morning Call 3/1

Barchart Morning Call

Barchart.com - 53 mins ago

Overnight Developments

• Global stocks this morning are mixed with the Euro Stoxx 50 up +0.67% and Mar S&Ps up +3.60 points. The dollar and Treasuries are lower and commodities gained as Spanish borrowing costs declined. Spain sold 4.5 billion euros of debt, its maximum target, with the 3-year notes yielding 2.617%, down from 3.332% at a similar auction last month. EU leaders will debate how to increase the region's bailout fund at a 2-day summit starting today in Brussels. European and U.S. stocks received a boost after Feb China PMI manufacturing expanded more than expected, while Feb German PMI was unexpectedly revised up to 50.2 from the originally reported 50.1. The euro fell back to little changed against the dollar after the Feb Euro-Zone CPI estimate unexpectedly accelerated to +2.7% y/y, stronger than expectations of +2.6% y/y, while Jan Euro-Zone unemployment rate unexpectedly rose +0.1 to 10.7%, the highest in 14-1/4 years.
• Asian stocks today closed mostly lower with Japan down -0.16%, China -0.03%, Australia -1.00%, South Korea closed for holiday, India -0.95%. Asian stocks played catch-up with other global stock bourses as they shed early gains and finished lower. Losses in Japanese stocks were limited after Q4 Japan capital spending excluding software unexpectedly rose +4.9% y/y, stronger than expectations of -7.4% y/y and the largest gain in 4-3/4 years. Chinese stocks were little changed as growth in the manufacturing industry for a third straight month overshadowed concern the nation's tight monetary policies will restrict economic expansion. The Feb China manufacturing PMI rose +0.5 to 51.0, stronger than expectations of +0.3 to 50.8 and its best level in 5 months.

Overnight U.S. Stock News

• March S&Ps this morning are trading up +3.60 points. The U.S. stock market Wednesday fell back from multi-year highs and closed lower after Fed Chairman Bernanke gave no indication the Fed is considering additional stimulus measures: Dow Jones -0.41%, S&P 500 -0.47%, Nasdaq Composite -0.67%. The S&P 500 and the Dow posted 3-3/4 year highs and the Nasdaq posted an 11-year high, but they all erased their advance and closed lower. Bearish factors Wednesday included (1) testimony to Congress from Fed Chairman Bernanke in which he gave no indication the Fed is considering additional easing measures to spur the economy, (2) weakness in energy and raw material producers after a rebound in the dollar prompted long liquidation in most commodities, and (3) profit-taking in stocks after the S&P 500 rallied nearly 20% in the past 3-months up to Wednesday's 3-3/4 year high.
• Bullish factors included (1) the unexpected upward revision to Q4 U.S. GDP (+3.0 annualized versus expectations of no change at 2.8% annualized), (2) the bigger-than-expected increase in the Feb Chicago PMI which expanded at its fastest pace in 10-months (+3.8 to 64.0 versus expectations of +0.8 to 61.0), (3) comments from Dallas Fed President Fisher who said the risks of a recession have fallen in recent months as the U.S. economy is accelerating as businesses increase hiring, and (4) the upbeat assessment of the economy in the Fed's Beige book that said the U.S. economy expanded at a "modest to moderate pace" in Jan and early Feb, fueled by manufacturers, including automakers.

Today's Market Focus

• June 10-year T-notes this morning are down -10.5 ticks. T-note prices Wednesday closed lower on strong U.S. economic data along with comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke that dampened speculation the Fed will expand its stimulus measures: TYM2 -14.0, FVM2 -7.0, EDU2 +2.5. Bearish factors Tuesday included (1) the unexpected upward revision to Q4 U.S. GDP (+3.0 annualized versus expectations of no change at 2.8% annualized), (2) the bigger-than-expected increase in the Feb Chicago PMI which expanded at its fastest pace in 10-months (+3.8 to 64.0 versus expectations of +0.8 to 61.0), (3) disappointment that Fed Chairman Bernanke failed to hint at QE 3 or any other additional Fed stimulus measures, and (4) comments from Dallas Fed President Fisher who said the risks of a recession have fallen in recent months as the U.S. economy is accelerating as businesses increase hiring. Bullish factors included (1) the Fed's purchase of $1.813 billion of long-term Treasuries as part of its Operation Twist program to replace $400 billion of shorter-maturity Treasuries in its holdings with longer-term debt to cap borrowing costs and (2) increased safe-haven demand for Treasuries as stock prices weakened.
• The dollar index this morning is weaker with the dollar/yen -0.13 yen and the euro/dollar +0.09 cents. The dollar index Wednesday recovered from a 2-3/4 month low and settled higher when the euro weakened after European banks took more ECB 3-year loans than expected and after Fed Chairman Bernanke dampened speculation of further Fed easing: Dollar Index +0.464, USDJPY +0.686, EURUSD -0.01332. Bullish factors included (1) weakness in the euro after the ECB allotted 529.5 billion euros in 3-year funds to European banks, more than estimates of 470 billion euros, (2) the unexpected decline in Jan French consumer spending for a second month, which is euro negative, and (3) comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke who said "We have seen some positive developments in the labor market," which dampened speculation the Fed would increase its dollar negative stimulus measures. Bearish factors included (1) strength in the pound which rallied to a 3-1/2 month high against the dollar after Jan U.K. mortgage approvals climbed +58,728, the most in 2-1/2 years and (2) the statement from the IMF that it backs currency intervention as a valid instrument for central banks to use against excessive volatility in foreign-exchange markets.
• Apr crude oil prices this morning are up +21 cents a barrel and Apr gasoline is +0.88 of a cent per gallon. Crude oil and gasoline prices Wednesday slipped to 1-week lows on dollar strength but recovered their losses and settled higher on signs the U.S. economy is expanding: CLJ12 +$0.52, RBJ +3.25. Bullish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected decline in weekly DOE gasoline stockpiles (-1.60 million bbl versus expectations of -350,000), (2) the unexpected upward revision to Q4 US GDP to 3.0% annualized from 2.8% annualized, which signals increased energy consumption, and (3) the larger-than-expected increase in the Feb Chicago PMI to its best level in 10 months, which signals increased fuel demand. Bearish factors included (1) a rebound in the dollar after the dollar index recovered from a 2-3/4 month low and closed higher, which discourages investment demand in commodities, (2) the larger-than-expected increase in weekly DOE crude stockpiles to their highest in 5 months (+4.16 million bbl to 344.9 million versus expectations of +1.1 million bbl), (3) Fed Chairman Bernanke's testimony to Congress in which he gave no indications of additional Fed stimulus measures, and (4) Bloomberg data that showed Feb OPEC crude output increased by +255,000 barrels to an average of 31.055 million barrels a day, a 3-1/4 year high.

Today's U.S. Earnings Reports Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap): KR-Kroger (BEST earnings consensus $0.49), KOS-Kosmos Energy Ltd. (0.11), FL-Foot Locker (0.51), DRC-Dresser-Rand Group (0.94), WRI-Weingarten Realty Investors (0.09), ASNA-Ascena Retail Group (0.67), ESL-Esterline Technologies (0.65), VNR-Vanguard Natural Resources LLC (0.53), DIN-DineEquity (0.87), PRIM-Primoris Services (0.22), SPPI-Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (0.30), PETD-Petroleum Development (0.21), TPC-Tutor Perini (0.75), NAT-Nordic American Tankers Ltd. (-0.34).
Global Financial Calendar

Thursday 3/1/12
United States
0830 ET	Weekly initial unemployment claims expected +4,000 to 355,000, previous unchanged at 351,000. Weekly continuing claims expected +23,000 to 3.415 million, previous 52,000 to 3.392 million.
0830 ET	Jan personal spending expected +0.4%, Dec unchanged. Jan personal income expected +0.4%, Dec +0.5%. Jan PCE deflator expected +2.3% y/y, Dec +2.4% y/y. Jan PCE core deflator expected +0.2% m/m and +1.9% y/y, Dec +0.2% m/m and +1.8% y/y.
1000 ET	Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers semi-annual monetary policy report to the Senate Banking Committee.
1000 ET	Jan construction spending expected +1.0%, Dec +1.5%.
1000 ET	Feb ISM manufacturing index expected +0.4 to 54.5, Jan +1.0 to 54.1. Feb ISM prices paid sub-index expected +2.5 to 58.0, Jan +8.0 to 55.5.
1030 ET	Feb ICSC chain store sales, Jan +4.8% y/y.
1030 ET	Fed Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin speaks on the economic outlook at the Unitarian Church in Westport, CT.
1230 ET	Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart speaks to the Atlanta Fed?s Banking Outlook Conference on the economy and banking.
1700 ET	Feb total vehicle sales expected 14.00 million, Jan 14.13 million. Feb domestic vehicle sales expected 11.0 million, Jan 11.05 million.
1630 ET	Weekly money supply report and Fed balance sheet.
2330 ET	San Francisco Fed President John Williams speaks at the CFA?s Economic Forecast Dinner in Honolulu, HI.
Japan
0000 ET	Feb Japan vehicle sales, Jan +40.7% y/y.
1830 ET	Jan Japan job-to-applicant ratio expected 0.72, Dec 0.71. Jan jobless rate expected -0.1 to 4.5%, Dec +0.1 to 4.6%.
1830 ET	Jan Japan overall household spending expected -0.9% y/y, Dec +0.5% y/y.
1830 ET	Feb Tokyo CPI expected -0.2% y/y, Jan -0.3% y/y. Feb Tokyo CPI ex-fresh food expected -0.4% y/y, Jan -0.4% y/y. Feb Tokyo CPI ex food & energy expected -1.1% y/y, Jan -1.1% y/y.
1830 ET	Jan Japan national CPI expected -0.1% y/y, Dec -0.2% y/y. Jan national CPI ex-fresh food expected -0.2% y/y, Dec -0.1% y/y. Jan national CPI ex food & energy expected -1.1% y/y, Dec -1.1% y/y.
France
0130 ET	Q4 French ILO mainland unemployment rate expected +0.2 to 9.5%, Q3+0.2 to 9.3%. Q4 mainland unemployment change, Q3 +37,000.
0350 ET	Revised Feb French PMI manufacturing expected no change at 50.2.
Germany
0355 ET	Revised Feb German PMI manufacturing expected no change at 50.1.
United Kingdom
0430 ET	Feb U.K. PMI manufacturing expected -0.1 to 52.0, Jan +2.4 to 52.1.
Euro-Zone
0500 ET	Feb Euro-Zone CPI estimate expected +2.6% y/y, Jan +2,7% y/y.
0500 ET	Jan Euro-Zone unemployment rate expected unchanged at 10.4%, Dec unchanged at 10.4%.
1100 ET	EU leaders hold a 2-day summit in Brussels.
Canada
0830 ET	Jan Canada industrial product prices expected +0.3% m/m, Dec -0.7% m/m.
0830 ET	Jan Canada raw materials price index expected -0.5% m/m, Dec -2.4% m/m.

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