Charming Shoppes has been doing terrifically for the club, hitting new highs and keeping above the 20 day SMA. It hit the average a couple times and dipped below in January, but has rallied since.

The club picked up Charming Shoppes at $3.66 and is currently seeing a 48.9% gain on the stock. Last meeting we discussed and agreed upon a 15% trailing stop loss on the stock, as it’s my firm belief in keeping tabs on the stock for over a year now that if CHRS drops 15%, it will continue the downtrend and we can lock our profits in, then reevaluate purchasing the stock again if it falls to a more appealing price.

The 15% trailing stop currently has us at a minimum of a 33% gain on Charming Shoppes. Good job EPIC!

Grant

Baidu, Inc has been doing well since we picked up the stock in mid Janurary at a price of $127.73. The current price being $136.90 gives us an approximate 7% gain so far in the stock.

Baidu fell a little after we picked it up, dipping down to the $122 range which, through my years of watching this stock, I have learned is a very solid buy point. Baidu reported earnings AMC (After Market Close) on 2/16 of 95 EPS, beating analyst estimates of 91 EPS.

Baidu is a very cyclicial stock, at least over the past year and half that I have watched it. I would like to suggest the club to sell limit order on Baidu at $150 to lock in a 13.5% gain so that if Baidu does fall again, we can pick it up for another round.

I would also like to suggest a stop on Baidu at $112. If Baidu gets this low, I believe it will go lower yet and we will be able to pick it up at a cheaper price and save ourselves any additional pain.

Grant

Our latest position, voted on in our January meeting, is in Baidu (BIDU).  We entered the position on Wednesday at a price of $127.73 after commissions.

According to Yahoo Finance,

Baidu, Inc. provides Internet search services. The company offers a Chinese language search platform on its Website, Baidu.com; and a Japanese language search platform on its Website, Baidu.jp. Its search services enable users to find relevant information online, including Web pages, news, images, documents, and multimedia files through the links provided on its Websites. The company also offers search products and Web directory; online search-based community products; mobile search and related products; products and tools for Website owners and customers; e-commerce and entertainment products; and software and related search products, as well as other products and services. In addition, it provides online marketing and auction-based P4P services that enable its customers to reach users who search for information related to their products or services. The company serves online marketing customers consisting of small and medium sized enterprises, large domestic corporations, and Chinese divisions or subsidiaries of multinational corporations primarily operating in the medical, machinery, education, software and online games, tourism and ticketing, transportation, franchising, business services, electronic products, information technology services, financial services, construction and decoration, household appliances, and other industries. It sells its online marketing services directly, as well as through its distribution network. The company was formerly known as Baidu.com, Inc. and changed its name to Baidu, Inc. in December 2008. Baidu, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China.

We are excited about the growth prospects of this company, growing EPS by 136.41% this year and expected EPS growth of 49.71% over the next 5 years.

Our latest position, voted on in our January meeting, is in Fastenal (FAST).  We entered the position on Wednesday at a price of $45.32 after commissions.

According to Yahoo Finance,

The Company Is Engaged As A Wholesaler And Retailer Of Industrial And Construction Supplies. The Industrial And Construction Supplies Were Grouped Into Ten Product Lines: Fasteners, Tools And EquipmeNt, Cutting Tools And Abrasives, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Plumbing And Hvac, Material Handling, Storage And Packaging, Janitorial Supplies, Chemicals And Paints, Electrical Supplies, Welding Supplies, Safety Supplies And Metals, Alloys And Materials.

We are excited about the growth prospects of this company, growing EPS by 44.84% this year and expected EPS growth of 17.32% over the next 5 years. We also feel their FAST Solutions^SM Product will gain traction as American industrial companies continue to cut costs, control inventories, and become leaner businesses.

Northrup continues its steady climb, closing at $58.52.  Recommend hold.

Networking equipment supplier Brocade Communications Systems’ (NASDAQ:BRCD) share prices gained 6.46% after a report from Reuters said the company had received a buy-outoffer .  Brocade close @ $5.77, 01/10/12

Looking forward, 2012 promises to unfold with Apple’s usual fervor. With former COO Tim Cook in the driver’s seat, Apple looks to be positioned for another successful year.

Our position in Pfizer was sold today on the limit order at 21.90, suggested by Grant.  Our entry was $18.30, Exit was $21.90 and we were paid .812 cents in dividends in the process bringing our total gain to $4.412 a share or 24.1%.  Great job, Grant!

During the November meeting the Club discussed the launch of ivivva.com, an American online store from LULU. This launch has shown to be a success and Goldman Sachs recently added to LULU to its “Conviction Buy List”. My sentiment; keep riding this specialty retail stock as it continues to grow annually at a 30% rate and is expected to do the same in 2012. Although, with a specialty stock, I think it is important to keep an eye on trends and get out when this trend has run its course.