Financial Tides -- A Stock Market Investing Newsletter by Jim Van Meerten

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BARCHART MORNING CALL 3/25

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014View Older Reports

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

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

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

June E-mini S&Ps (ESM14 +0.32%) this morning are up +0.20% and European stocks are up +0.85% ahead of U.S. data later today on consumer confidence, home prices and new home sales. Gains in European stocks were muted after a gauge of German investor confidence fell for the first time in five months. Asian stocks closed mostly lower: Japan -0.36%, Hong Kong -0.52%. China -0.10%, Taiwan +0.98%, Australia -0.19%, Singapore -0.25%, South Korea -0.30%, India closed for holiday. China's Shanghai Stock Index rose to a 1-month high on speculation the Chinese government will take steps to support economic growth. Commodity prices are mixed. May crude oil (CLK14 +0.57%) is up +0.37%. May gasoline (RBK14 +0.48%) is up +0.44%. Apr gold (GCJ14 +0.28%) is up +0.34%. May copper (HGK14 +1.49%) is up +1.46%. Agriculture and livestock prices are weaker. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.15%) is up +0.10%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.16%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.02%. June T-note prices (ZNM14 unch) are up +1.5 ticks.
The German Mar IFO business climate fell -0.6 to 110.7, a bigger decline than expectations of -0.4 to 110.9. The Mar IFO current assessment rose +0.8 to 115.2, a bigger increase than expectations of +0.1 to 114.5 and the highest in 1-3/4 years. Mar IFO expectations fell -1.9 to 106.4, a bigger decline than expectations of -0.6 to 107.7.
UK Feb CPI rose +0.5% m/m and +1.7% y/y, right on expectations, with the +1.7% y/y increase the smallest annual gain in 4-1/3 years. Feb core CPI gained +1.7% y/y, higher than expectations of unch at +1.6 y/y.
UK Feb RPI rose +0.6% m/m and +2.7% y/y, higher than expectations of +0.5% m/m and +2.6% y/y. Feb RPI ex-mortgage interest payments rose +2.7% y/y, higher than expectations of +2.6% y/y.
UK Feb PPI input prices fell -0.4% m/m and -5.7% y/y, bigger declines than expectations of +0.3% m/m and -5.3% y/y, with the -5.7% y/y decline the largest annual fall in 4-1/3 years.
UK Feb PPI output prices were unch m/m and +0.5% y/y, less than expectations of +0.2% m/m and +0.7% y/y. Feb PPI output core prices rose +0.1% m/m and +1.1% y/y, close to expectations of unch m/m and +1.1% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Today’s Feb new home sales report is expected to show a decline of -4.9% to 445,000, reversing part of January’s surprise +9.6% increase to a 5-1/2 year high of 468,000. Today’s Jan CaseShiller composite-20 home price index report is expected to show an increase of +0.6% m/m while the Jan FHFA house price index report is expected to show an increase of +0.5% m/m. Today’s March U.S. consumer confidence index from the Conference Board is expected to show a +0.4 point increase to 78.5, reversing part of the -1.3 point drop to 78.1 seen in February. Today’s March Richmond Fed manufacturing index is expected to show a +10 point increase to 4, reversing more than one-half of the sharp -18 point drop to -6 seen in February.
There are 5 of the Russell 1000 companies report earnings today: Carnival (consensus -0.08), McCormick (0.58), HD Supply (-0.03), Walgreen (0.93), PVH Corp (1.42). Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Barclays Emerging Payments Forum on Mon-Tue, TAG Spring Consumer Conference on Tue, Gastech Conference & Exhibition on Mon-Wed, BB&T Capital Markets Commercial & Industrial Conference on Wed, CIBC Retail and Consumer Conference on Wed, JPMorgan Insurance Conference on Wed, Oracle Storage Summit New York on Wed, Jefferies Animal Health Day on Thu, and Jefferies Animal Health Day on Thu

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

BofA/Merrill added CSX (CSX -0.24%) to its top stock pick list for 2014.
Walgreens (WAG -0.68%) reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 91 cents, below consensus of 93 cents.
AT&T (T +0.47%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Overweight' at HSBC.
The NYT reports that General Motors (GM +0.37%) told its customers and families of accident victims that it did not have sufficient evidence to determine that there were defects in its cars, even after the company had definitive evidence of such a defect.
Arch Coal (ACI +3.08%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Jefferies.
Navistar (NAV +0.06%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at UBS.
KBR (KBR -0.98%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Goldman Sachs.
Domtar (UFS +0.08%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Neutral' at Goldman Sachs.
RealD (RLD -3.39%) and Wanda Cinema Line Corporation announced an extended agreement to install an additional 780 RealD 3D Cinema Systems in China.
Integrated Core Strategies reported a 6% passive stake in Stone Energy (SGY +0.08%) .
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Brazil to 'BBB-' from 'BBB' with a stable outlook on its long-term credit rating.
PL Capital reported a 5.2% stake in Metro Bancorp (METR +0.98%) .
Disney (DIS -1.07%) has agreed to acquire Maker Studios for $500 million.
BioMarin (BMRN -0.30%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Goldman.
Blackstone Holdings I reported a 6% passive stake in Ardmore Shipping (ASC -1.77%) .

MARKET COMMENTS

June E-mini S&Ps (ESM14 +0.32%) this morning are up +3.75 points (+0.20%). The S&P 500 on Monday closed lower. Bearish factors included (1) the China Mar HSBC manufacturing PMI that unexpectedly weakened for the fifth straight month as it fell by -0.4 to an 8-month low of 48.1, weaker than expectations of +0.2 to 48.7, and (2) concern the Ukraine crisis may escalate after Ukraine’s foreign minister said the risk of war is growing as Russia continues to mass troops along the Ukraine border. Closes: S&P 500 -0.49%, Dow Jones -0.16%, Nasdaq -0.98%.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM14 unch) this morning are up +1.5 ticks. Jun 10-year T-note futures prices on Monday closed lower. Bearish factors included (1) supply pressures with $109 billion T-notes to be auctioned this week, and (2) negative carry-over from Fed Chair Yellen’s indication last Wednesday that the funds rate might be raised as soon as spring 2015. Closes: TYM4 -1.00, FVM4 -3.00.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.15%) this morning is up +0.079 (+0.10%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0022 (-0.16%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.02 (+0.02%). The dollar index on Monday closed lower. EUR/USD recovered from early losses and closed higher after the Bundesbank stated in its monthly report said that it sees a “substantial strengthening of the overall pace of economic expansion” in Q1 German economic growth. Closes: Dollar index -0.171 (-0.21%), EUR/USD +0.00461 (+0.33%), USD/JPY +0.004 (+0.01%).
May WTI crude oil (CLK14 +0.57%) this morning is up 37 cents (+0.37%) and May gasoline (RBK14 +0.48%) is up +0.0128 (+0.44%). May crude and gasoline prices on Monday settled mixed. Crude oil prices rose on concern that the closure of the Houston Ship Canal since Saturday due to an oil spill will disrupt refinery operations and lead to reduced production at refineries along the Gulf Coast. Bearish factors included global demand concerns after the Chinese manufacturing PMI fell to an 8-month low and the German manufacturing PMI slipped to its slowest pace in 4 months. Closes: CLK4 +0.14 (+0.14%). RBK4 -0.0139 (-0.48%).

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/25/2014

US	0900 ET	Jan S&P/CaseShiller composite-20 home price index expected +0.60% m/m and +13.34% y/y, Dec +0.76% m/m and +13.42% y/y.
	0900 ET	Jan FHFA house price index expected +0.5% m/m, Dec +0.8% m/m.
	1000 ET	March U.S. consumer confidence (Conference Board) expected +0.4 to 78.5, Feb -1.3 to 78.1.
	1000 ET	Mar Richmond Fed manufacturing index expected +10 to 4, Feb -18 to -6.
	1000 ET	Feb new home sales expected -4.9% to 445,000, Jan +9.6% to 468,000.
	1300 ET	Treasury auctions $32 billion 2-year T-notes.
	1600 ET	Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart speaks on the economic outlook at the Rutberg Global Summit.
	1900 ET	Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser speaks on the economic outlook and monetary policy to the Money Marketeers of NYU.
GER	0500 ET	German Mar IFO business climate expected -0.4 to 110.9, Feb 111.3. Mar IFO current assessment expected +0.1 to 114.5, Feb 114.4. Mar IFO expectations expected -0.6 to 107.7, Feb 108.3.
UK	0530 ET	UK Feb CPI expected +0.5% m/m and +1.7% y/y, Jan -0.6% m/m and +1.9% y/y. Feb core CPI expected +1.6% y/y, Jan +1.6% y/y.
	0530 ET	UK Feb RPI expected +0.5% m/m and +2.6% y/y, Jan -0.3% m/m and +2.8% y/y. Feb RPI ex mortgage interest payments expected +2.6% y/y, Jan +2.8% y/y.
	0530 ET	UK Feb PPI input prices expected +0.3% m/m and -5.3% y/y, Jan -0.9% m/m and -3.1% y/y.
	0530 ET	UK Feb PPI output prices expected +0.2% m/m and +0.7% y/y, Jan +0.3% m/m and +0.9% y/y. Feb PPI output core expected unch m/m and +1.0% y/y, Jan +0.5% m/m and +1.2% y/y.
	0700 ET	UK Mar CBI reported sales expected -9 to 28, Feb 37.
EUR	1200 ET	ECB President Mario Draghi gives a lecture in Paris.
JPN	1950 ET	Japan Feb corporate service price index expected +0.8% y/y, Jan +0.8% y/y.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/25/2014

Company Name	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Carnival Corp	CCL US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2014 Earnings Release	Q1 2014	-0.083
McCormick & Co Inc/MD	MKC US	Bef-mkt	Q1 2014 Earnings Release	Q1 2014	0.579
HD Supply Holdings Inc	HDS US	6:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Release	Q4 2014	-0.029
Walgreen Co	WAG US	7:30	Q2 2014 Earnings Release	Q2 2014	0.932
McCormick & Co Inc/MD	MKC US	8:00	Q1 2014 Earnings Call	Q1 2014
HD Supply Holdings Inc	HDS US	8:00	Q4 2014 Earnings Call	Q4 2014
Walgreen Co	WAG US	8:30	Q2 2014 Earnings Call	Q2 2014
Akamai Technologies Inc	AKAM US	8:30	Investor Meeting	Y 2014
L-3 Communications Holdings Inc	LLL US	9:00	Investor Conference	Y 2014
Carnival Corp	CCL US	10:00	Q1 2014 Earnings Call	Q1 2014
Panera Bread Co	PNRA US	10:30	Investor Day	Y 2014
Beam Inc	BEAM US	12:00	Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting - M&A Vote	Y 2014
NVIDIA Corp	NVDA US	12:00	Investor Day	Y 2014
Adobe Systems Inc	ADBE US	17:00	Financial Analyst Briefing	Y 2014
PVH Corp	PVH US	Aft-mkt	Q4 2014 Earnings Release	Q4 2014	1.42
Equifax Inc	EFX US		Investor Meeting - Boston	Y 2014
Xcel Energy Inc	XEL US		Investors Meeting - Day 1	Y 2014
General Motors Co	GM US		GM Recall Documentation Submittal to US House Energy & Commerce Committee

Monday, March 24, 2014

NewMarket Corp (NEU) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The petroleum additive stock has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 70.14+ and gained 47.40% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is NewMarket Corp (NEU). I found the stock by sorting the All Time New High list for frequency in the last month, skipping the stocks that didn't have positive gains in the last week and month. Next I reviewed the charts using the Flipchart feature to find the chart I liked. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 1/31 the stock has gained 16.20%.

NUE through its subsidiaries, Afton Chemical Corporation and Ethyl Corporation, develops, manufactures, blends, and delivers chemical additives that enhance the performance of petroleum products. From custom-formulated chemical blends to market-general additive components, the NewMarket family of companies provides the world with the technology to make fuels burn cleaner, engines run smoother and machines last longer.

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:

96% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
13 new highs and up 6.85% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 70.14%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 382.89
Recently traded at 389.11 with a 50 day moving average of 354.29

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $5.16 billion
P/E 21.59
Dividend yield 1.13%
Revenue expected to grow 3.80% this year and another 5.00% next year
Earnings estimated to increase 7.30% this year, an additional 6.10% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 4.85% for the next 5 years
Wall Street analysts presently have 5 hold recommendations published
Financial strength is A

If you think that petroleum usage will continue to grow this might be a good long range stock. Use the 50 day moving average for signs of momentum weakness and the 100 day moving average for profit preservation.

BARCHART MORNING CALL 3/24

BARCHART MORNING CALL

Monday, March 24th, 2014View Older Reports

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

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OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

June E-mini S&Ps (ESM14 +0.24%) this morning are up +0.15% and European stocks are down -0.80%. U.S. stocks received a boost from Apple which is up nearly 1% in pre-market trading after the WSJ reported that the company held talks with Comcast about streaming live and on-demand television. European stocks are lower after data showed German manufacturing activity weakened to its slowest pace in 4 months. Another negative for European stocks was the comments from Ukraine's foreign minister who said the risk of war was growing as Russian troops have doubled in size as they amassed along the entire Ukraine border. Asian stocks closed higher: Japan +1.77%, Hong Kong +1.91%, China +0.82%, Taiwan +0.33%, Australia +0.17%, Singapore +1.25%, South Korea +0.65%, India +1.38%. China's Shanghai Stock Index recovered from losses and rallied up to a 2-week high on speculation that signs of weak growth will prompt policy makers to boost economic stimulus measures after data showed Chinese manufacturing activity contracted at the slowest pace in 8 months. Commodity prices are mixed. May crude oil (CLK14 +0.53%) is up +0.19%. May gasoline (RBK14 +0.42%) is up +0.09%. Apr gold (GCJ14 -0.79%) is down -0.93%. May copper (HGK14 +0.36%) is down -0.25%. Agriculture prices are higher. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.14%) is up +0.17%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.14%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.18%. June T-note prices (ZNM14 -0.19%) are down -5.5 ticks.
The China Mar HSBC manufacturing PMI unexpectedly weakened for the fifth straight month as it fell -0.4 to 48.1, less than expectations of +0.2 to 48.7 and the slowest pace of expansion in 8 months.
ECB Governing Council member Liikanen said that "owning to the high degree of unutilized capacity, ECB interest rates will remain at present or lower levels for an extended period of time, supporting the economy well into the recovery."
The Eurozone Mar Markit composite PMI fell -0.1 to 53.2, right on expectations.
The German Mar Markit/BME PMI manufacturing fell -1.0 to 53.8, a bigger decline than expectations of -0.3 to 54.5 and the slowest pace of expansion in 4 months. The Mar Markit services PMI slipped -1.9 to 54.0, a bigger decline than expectations of -0.4 to 55.5.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

There are no U.S. economic reports today. President Obama today will be in The Hague for a 20+ nation summit on Monday/Tuesday on how to curb nuclear proliferation. Mr. Obama will also attend a G7 summit designed to forge a response to Russia’s military takeover of Crimea and will attend a U.S.-EU summit in Brussels.
None of the Russell 1000 companies report earnings today. Equity conferences this week include: Howard Weil Energy Conference on Mon, IHS International LPG Seminar on Mon, Barclays Emerging Payments Forum on Mon-Tue, TAG Spring Consumer Conference on Tue, Gastech Conference & Exhibition on Mon-Wed, BB&T Capital Markets Commercial & Industrial Conference on Wed, CIBC Retail and Consumer Conference on Wed, JPMorgan Insurance Conference on Wed, Oracle Storage Summit New York on Wed, Jefferies Animal Health Day on Thu, and Jefferies Animal Health Day on Thu

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Apple (AAPL +0.79%) rose nearly 1% in pre-market trading after the WSJ reported that Comcast has discussed providing preferential access to its cables for video content sent to Apple's set-top boxes.
Wells Fargo (WFC +0.18%) and U.S. Bancorp (USB +0.28%) were both upgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Underweight' at Atlantic Equities.
VMware (VMW -1.32%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Neutral' at Sterne Agee.
Bank of America (BAC -2.01%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Overweight' at Atlantic Equities.
Manitowoc (MTW +1.94%) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Hold' at Jefferies.
Loews (L +0.73%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Deutsche Bank.
American Electric (AEP +0.29%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Jefferies.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on Croatia's government bonds to negative from stable and raised its outlook on Cyprus' government bonds to positive from negative.
Bryant Keil reported a 5.05% passive stake in Potbelly (PBPB -1.78%) .
Stockbridge Partners reported a 5.2% passive stake in RealPage (RP -1.89%) .
Discovery Group reported a 5.3% stake in ReachLocal (RLOC +1.44%) .

MARKET COMMENTS

June E-mini S&Ps (ESM14 +0.24%) this morning are up +2.75 points (+0.15%). The S&P 500 on Friday climbed to a new record high early but fell back and closed lower. Stocks opened higher on bullish factors that included (1) carry-over support from a rally in Chinese stocks on signs that China is loosening funding restrictions for property developers and banks to support economic growth, and (2) early strength in financial stocks after the Fed said its annual stress tests on U.S. banks showed 29 out of 30 of the largest U.S. banks have sufficient capital to withstand a deep recession. Stocks fell back and closed lower on concern the situation in Ukraine may escalate on reports that Russia continues to amass troops near Ukraine's border. Closes: S&P 500 -0.29%, Dow Jones -0.17%, Nasdaq -1.11%.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM14 -0.19%) this morning are down -5.5 ticks. Jun 10-year T-note futures prices on Friday closed slightly higher. Increased safe-haven demand or Treasuries from the ongoing Ukraine crisis was offset by carry-over weakness from Fed Chair Yellen’s indication on Wednesday that the funds rate might be raised as soon as spring 2015. Closes: TYM4 +2.00, FVM4 -1.00.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.14%) this morning is up +0.134 (+0.17%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0019 (-0.14%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.18 (+0.18%). The dollar index on Friday closed lower after a rally in the S&P 500 to a new all-time high reduced the safe-haven demand for the dollar, although the dollar rebounded from its worst levels after stocks shed their gains. Closes: Dollar index -0.087 (-0.11%), EUR/USD +0.00143 (+0.10%), USD/JPY -0.147 (-0.14%).
May WTI crude oil (CLK14 +0.53%) this morning is up +19 cents (+0.19%) and May gasoline (RBK14 +0.42%) is up +0.0026 (+0.09%). May crude and gasoline prices on Friday closed higher with May crude at a 1-week high. Supportive factors included (1) the rally in the S&P 500 to a new record high, which bolsters optimism in the economic outlook and energy demand, and (2) speculation China is loosening funding restrictions for property developers and banks, which may promote economic growth and increase energy demand in China, the world's second-biggest crude consumer. Closes: CLK4 +0.56 (+0.57%). RBK4 +0.0107 (+0.37%).

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/24/2014

US	0830 ET	Feb Chicago Fed national activity index expected +0.49 to 0.10, Jan -0.39.
	1100 ET	USDA weekly grain export inspections.
GER	0430 ET	German Mar PMI manufacturing expected -0.3 to 54.5, Feb 54.8. Mar PMI services expected -0.4 to 55.5, Feb 55.9.
EUR	0500 ET	Eurozone Mar PMI composite expected -0.2 to 53.1, Feb 53.3.
UK	n/a	UK Mar nationwide house prices expected +0.8% m/m and +9.6% y/y, Feb +0.6% m/m and +9.4% y/y.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/24/2014

Company Name	Ticker	Time	Event Description	Period	Estimate
Equifax Inc	EFX US		Investor Meeting - Philadelphia	Y 2014

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Minco Gold and Novavax - sell signals

Today I deleted Minco Gold Corp (MGH) and Novavax (NVAX) from the Barchart Van Meerten Speculative portfolio for negative technical indicators and momentum:

Minco Gold Corp (MGH)

Barchart technical indicators:

60% Barchart short term technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
14.94% off its recent high
Relative Strength Index 33.26%

Novavax (NVAX)

Barchart technical indicators:

60% Barchart short term technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signals
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
32.66% off its recent high
Relative Strength Index 27.73%

GNMK and MGH - Sell Signals

Today I deleted Genmark Diagnostics (GNMK) and Minco Gold Corp (MGH) from the Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio for negative technical indicators and momentum:

Genmark Diagnostics (GNMK)

Barchart technical indicators:

100% Barchart short term technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
23.77% off its recent high
Relative Strength Index 28.68%

Minco Gold Corp (MGH)

Barchart technical indicators:

60% Barchart short term technical sell signals
Trend Spotter sell signal
Below its 20 and 50 day moving averages
14.94% off its recent high
Relative Strength Index 33.26%

Friday, March 21, 2014

Viewpoint Financial Group - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Viewpoint Financial Group (VPFG) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The Plano Texas based bank has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 48.04+ and gained 39.49% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Viewpoint Financial Group (VPFG). I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for new high frequency in the last month. I skipped the stocks that didn't have positive gains in the last week and month then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 3/4 the stock gained 11.24%.

VPFG is the holding company for Plano-based ViewPoint Bank. ViewPoint Bank is the largest bank based in Collin County. It operates twenty eight branches and nine loan production offices.

100% Barchart technical buy signal
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
13 new highs and up 16.97% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 79.96%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 27.74
Recently traded at 28.40 with a 50 day moving average of 25.46

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $1.13 billion
P/E 32.87
Dividend yield 1.74%
Revenue predicted to grow 41.40% this year and another 29.00% next year
Earnings estimated to increase 29.80% this year, an additional 44.00% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 12.00% for the next 5 years
Wall Street analysts issued 1 strong buy, 2 buy and 4 hold recommendations on the stock
Financial strength is B++

Growing bank in a growing region. Watch the 50 day moving average for signals of weakness and the 100 day moving average to preserve gains.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

On Assignment - Barchart's Chart of the Day

On Assignment (ASGN), a temporary placement agency for scientific employees is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The stock has a Trend spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 54.50+ and gained 46.09% in the last year

The Chart of the Day is On Assignment (ASGN). I sorted the All Time High list, which was extremely short today, for new high frequency in the last month. I skipped the stock that didn't have positive gains for the last week and month, then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend spotter signaled a buy on 2/20 the stock gained 16.24%.

ASGN, through its first operating division, Lab Support, is a leading nationwide provider of temporary scientific professionals to laboratories in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemical, and environmental industries. The company's strategy is to serve the needs of targeted industries for quality assignments of temporary professionals.

80% Barchart technical buy signal
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
11 new highs and up 14.90% in the last month
Relative strength Index 69.95%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 36.10
Recently traded at 37.90 with a 50 day moving average of 32.94

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $2.04 billion
P/E 26.83
Revenue expected to grow by 15.80% this year and another 9.70% next year
Earnings estimated to increase 20.70% this year and additional 17.80% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 13.99% for the next 5 years
Wall Street analysts issued 5 strong buy, 5 buy and a hold recommendation on the stock

As more companies move toward temporary or part time employees to contain labor costs this looks to be a growing field. Use the 50 day moving averages for weakness signals and the 100 day moving averages for profit preservation points.

Texas Capital Bancshares - Barchart's Chart of the Day

Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The commercial bank has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted alpha of 60.81+ and gained 58.15% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI). I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for new high frequency in the last month, then skipped the stocks that did not have positive gains for the last week and month. I used the Flipchart feature to review the charts. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 2/26 the stock gained 5.40%

TCBI's primary subsidiary is Texas Capital Bank, a commercial bank that delivers highly personalized financial services to Texas-based businesses and private client individuals. Headquartered in Dallas, the bank has full-service locations in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, and San Antonio.

88% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
13 new highs and up 10.07% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 66.29%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 63.18
Recently traded at 64.81 with a 50 day moving average of 61.35

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $2.66 billion
P/E 23.43
Revenue predicted to grow 15.60% this year and another 15.10% next year
Earnings estimated to increase by 17.60% this year, an additional 19.10% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 9.71% for the next 5 years
Wall Street analysts issued 5 strong buys, 3 buys and 9 hold recommendations on the stock
Financial strength is B+

A local bank in a fast growing area looks good to me. Use the 50 day moving average for a weakness indicator and the 100 day moving average of signs of weakness.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Measurement Specialties - Barchart's Chart of the day

Measurement Specialties (MEAS) is the Barchart Chart of the Day. The designer and manufacturer of sensors has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 70.60+ and gained 68.90% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Measurement Specialties (MEAS). I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for new high frequency in the last month then skipped over the stocks that didn't have positive gains for the last week and month. Lastly I used the Flipchart feature to find the chart I liked. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 2/6 the stock gained 10.09%.

MEAS is a designer and manufacturer of sensors and sensor-based, consumer products. They produce a wide variety of sensors that use advanced technologies to measure precise ranges of physical characteristics, including pressure, motion, force, displacement, angle, flow, and distance. They have two businesses, a Sensor business and a Consumer Products business.

100% Barchart technical buy signals
Trend Spotter buy signal
Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
15 new highs and up 12.34% in the last month
Relative Strength Index 68.90%
Barchart computes a technical support level at 63.01
Recently traded at 65.84 with a 50 day moving average of 58.97

Fundamental factors:

Market Cap $1.04 billion
P/E 26.99
Revenue predicted to grow 18.80% this year and another 7.00% next year
Earnings estimated to increase 11.90% this year, an additional 20.90% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 15.00% for the next 5 years
Wall Street analysts issued 2 buy and a hold recommendation on the stock
Financial strength is B+

Good revenue and growth projections. Use the 50 day moving average as a weakness signals and the 100 day moving average to exit and preserve profit.

Today's 5 Top Small Caps

Today I used Barchart to find the stocks in the S&P 600 Small Cap Index with the best technical indicators and charts. First I sorted the Index for stock having the most frequent new highs in the last month, then eliminated those that weren't a Trend Spotter buy or didn't have positive gains in the last week and month. Then I used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.

Today's list includes Biglari Holdings (BH), Heartland Payment Systems (HPY), Sonic Corp (SONC), Measurement Specialties (MEAS) and Jack in the Box (JACK):

Biglari Holdings (BH)