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5 Contrarian Warning Signs Stock Market Is Too High

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:18:00 GMT

The stock market has been very agitating for the bears as the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) vaulted a remarkable 16% this year and 25% in the past 12 months. Like a broken clock that's right twice a day, the bears will eventually stand atop the podium. Here are five warnings signs the bears believe the stock market is excessively overvalued and that investors need to watch out for a correction. 1. Valuations are too high compared to the historic average.

Stocks Rise On Eve Of Key Fed Announcement

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:46:00 GMT

The stock market rallied Tuesday, continuing to make good on last week's favorable signals. Indexes closed near session highs as the Nasdaq jumped 0.9% and the S&P 500 0.8%. Volume slowed modestly on the NYSE but rose on the Nasdaq. Advancing stocks topped decliners by better than 2-to-1 for the second straight day. For all the chatter about the Fed's policy statement coming out Wednesday, the market was not showing any nervousness on the eve.

Foreign Stocks Near Buy Points Ahead Of Fed Meeting

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:32:00 GMT

Stocks can react violently to Fed policy announcements, like the one coming Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. A slew of U.S.-traded quality foreign stocks and ADRs are near buy points. Let's look at a few. Michael Kors (KORS) isn't making it easy. The stock's breakout from its 62.35 cup-with-handle on May 22 failed, falling 7% before finding its legs. By then, one assumes that prudent longs from that breakout unloaded under the 7%-8% sell rule. But Michael

Sector Leaders Rise In Drab Volume

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:32:00 GMT

For Sector Leaders, Tuesday's session was positive in price progress, but lacked trading enthusiasm ahead of the Federal Reserve's Wednesday's announcement on interest rates. The indexes drew mixed volume as they advanced, but every Sector Leader except one drew lower volume as they rose. In most cases, the volume was sharply lower. Still, some stocks made noteworthy moves. FleetCor Technologies (FLT) added 1.05 to 89.12, clearing an 88.93 buy

Market Rally Gains Steam; Proto Labs Clears Flat Base

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:29:00 GMT

Stocks extended gains Tuesday as the market served up more new highs from the technology, retail and financial sectors. A few flat-base breakouts emerged in the technology sector. IBD 50 firm Proto Labs (PRLB) cleared a buy point of 59.94, rising 3.19 to 62.65 in big volume. It's now 4% above the buy point. The stock's most recent consolidation showed tighter, more orderly trading than prior consolidations, a positive sign. The company's

Stocks Rally Ahead Of Fed; Cree Clears 3-Weeks-Tight

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:17:00 GMT

Stocks rallied Tuesday to their best levels since late May amid mixed economic data and the start of a two-day Fed meeting. Equities were green all session long, even though housing starts and building permits both missed expectations. But inflation data was tame. Still, the market's focus will be on the central bank's policy statement, which will be out Wednesday at 2 p.m. EDT. A press conference will follow shortly after. The Nasdaq jumped 0.9%,

FleetCor Trying To Clear Bullish Chart Pattern

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:48:00 GMT

In another sign that it's not ready to stop its long advance, FleetCor Technologies (FLT) is trying to clear a three-weeks-tight pattern. FleetCor has been one of the most resilient growth stocks this year, refusing to correct any more than 11% at any one point. Tight trading is a common theme in its advance, and indicates that institutional investors are still buying and firmly holding shares, even after its long advance. FleetCor broke out of a

Campbell Soup Up 31% This Year, Dividend Yields 2.6%

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:48:00 GMT

Something's cooking at Campbell Soup (CPB). The maker of soup, Pepperidge Farm cookies and Prego spaghetti sauce has posted two straight quarters of accelerating sales and profit growth after several quarters of flat-to-declining results. The long-languishing stock has followed suit, rising 31% this year, far outpacing the S&P 500. Meanwhile, the annual dividend of $1.16 per share works out to an annual yield of 2.6%, better than the S&P average

Overstock.com, Amazon.com Lead E-Retail Base Builders

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:48:00 GMT

Internet retailers are gradually nibbling away market share from the old school, brick-and-mortar stores. That doesn't mean all the stocks in the Retail-Internet group are rocketing. Former leader Liquidity Services (LQDT) has been mired in a difficult, yearlong correction. EBay (EBAY) has been in the doldrums since February. Groupon (GRPN) is climbing out of a deep hole but has yet to form a base. Still, the group has gradually advanced from a

Lumber Liquidators, Cree: Stocks Bruce Aronow Likes

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:48:00 GMT

The $1.2 billion AllianceBernstein Discovery Growth Fund not only looks for growth, it looks for underappreciated growth stocks. "Upside surprises are what drive outperformance in the small-to-midcap space," said Bruce Aronow, who leads the team of four managers running the fund. Given the broad economy's growth, though it is very slow, the fund is skewed slightly more towards cyclical names than secular growers than it was a year ago, even just

Bullish Data Can't Lift Bonds Ahead Of Fed's Big Meeting

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:00 GMT

Treasury 10-year note yields were in the tightest range in more than a month amid speculation the Federal Reserve may indicate when it will begin slowing bond purchases at the end of its two-day policy meeting Wednesday. Yields rose earlier even after reports showed consumer prices increased in May at a slower pace than forecast, staying below the Fed's target inflation rate, and housing starts trailed forecasts. The yield gap

Stocks Up Ahead Of Fed; Proto Labs Breaks Out

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:21:00 GMT

Investors were in a cheery mood again Tuesday, thanks to a tame reading on consumer inflation as well as optimism about the prospects for soothing words from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke when the two-day Fed meeting concludes on Wednesday. The Fed statement will be released at 2 p.m. ET with a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. The Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq gained 0.9% each. The S&P 500 added 0.8%. Preliminary data

Talk Of Rain In Texas Sends Cotton Plunging

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:21:00 GMT

Cotton futures tumbled the most in three weeks on speculation that rain will improve crop prospects in the U.S., the world's largest exporter. Cocoa and orange juice slid. Storms in West Texas, the largest growing region, will drop as much as 0.5 inch (1.27 centimeters) in the next five days, after "pretty good rains" yesterday, Joel Widenor, the director of agricultural services at Commodity Weather Group in Bethesda, Md., said

Operating Cash Flow A Key Gauge Of A Company's Health

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:56:00 GMT

Fund managers pay close attention to operating cash flow, which is a key measure of a company's ability to meet its obligations and invest for the future. Individual investors should do the same. Operating cash flow tracks money flowing into and out of a company's coffers from its normal operations. It's generally defined as revenue minus operating expenses such as wages, advertising expenses and utilities. Though it's not a major indicator of a

Stocks Add To Gains; United Rentals Snaps Back

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:57:00 GMT

Stocks ticked higher in late trading Tuesday, sending the major averages to their best levels since May 31. The Nasdaq and the Dow Jones industrial average jumped 1% each. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9%. Volume was mixed in the stock market today. NYSE trade was running a bit lower compared with the same time Monday. Nasdaq volume was tracking a hair higher. United Rentals (URI) rallied 6%, erasing all of Monday's loss and then some. The stock is

Stocks Add To Gains; Proto Labs Surges

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:25:00 GMT

Stocks edged up to fresh session highs Tuesday afternoon. Equities have largely ignored this morning's batch of mixed housing and inflation data. The Nasdaq rallied 0.9%, lifted by chip issues. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 rose 0.9% and 0.8%, respectively. Volume continued to track lower in the stock market today, as investors wait on the sidelines for the outcome of the Fed's two-day meeting. Proto Labs (PRLB)

Does Eastman Chemical Have The Right Mix For Investors?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:22:00 GMT

Today we're going to look at Eastman Chemical, (EMN) which was profiled in a June 17 New America article. It has a portfolio of businesses that provide products to a variety of industries like transportation, building and construction. It's also sold some of its businesses and acquired others over the years, which cut its exposure to cyclical commodity chemical markets and increased its emphasis on faster-growing, more stable specialty chemical

Stocks Add To Early Gains; Homebuilders Mixed on May Data

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:23:00 GMT

Stocks felt their way higher in soft trade near midday Tuesday, as large investors remained largely on the bench. The Nasdaq and the Dow Jones industrial average pushed ahead 0.8% each. The S&P 500 carried a 0.7% gain. Volume remained low in the stock market today, but was off early lows: down 4% on the Nasdaq and 15% lower on the NYSE compared to trade at the same time Monday. Gains were broad, with four in five of the 197 industry groups tracked

Stocks Open Up In Light Trade; FLIR Systems Bolts Higher

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:33:00 GMT

Stocks hauled modest gains out of the starting gate Tuesday as institutional investors awaited cues from the Fed. The Nasdaq and the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 0.4%. The S&P 500 added 0.2%. Volume was down 13% for the Nasdaq and 24% lower on the NYSE compared with the same time Monday. The stock market today opened with institutional traders paused amid the two-day Fed meeting under way. But stocks received mixed news from May housing

Futures Inch Up On May Data; Orchard Supply, Yandex Climbing

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:51:00 GMT

Stocks futures tentatively added to early gains after May housing data improved, and as the market awaited results from the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Dow futures warmed up 30 points. Nasdaq 100 futures were ahead 10.25 points and S&P 500 futures added 3.25 points. If overseas markets are any indication, the stock market today is likely to be effectively holding its breath until comments begin to trickle out from the Federal Open

Stocks In Buy Zone Now Are Scarce In Big Cap 20

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:27:00 GMT

For most stocks in the Big Cap 20, more work on the charts is needed to set a proper entry. Starbucks (SBUX) is one of the few in a buy zone, and the coffee king's situation has its own drawbacks. The latest buy point is 65.03 in a three-weeks-tight pattern. The pattern is an add-on area, primarily for investors who already established a position in the stock. Starbucks is about 2% above the ideal entry. Generally, a stock can be bought as much as

LED Chip Giant Cree Forms A Follow-On Buy Pattern

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:24:00 GMT

Trading in Cree (CREE) may seem to have stalled, but the stock has actually formed a follow-on buy pattern. Cree shaped a three-weeks-tight formation with a potential buy point at 64.42. Pullbacks to the 10-week moving average in January and April had given Cree earlier secondary buy areas during its strong advance. The stock has more than doubled since it broke out of a base in October. Despite that, the new pattern has bullish characteristics

Stocks Rise, But End Off Highs Ahead Of Fed Meeting

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:05:00 GMT

Stocks rallied Monday, regaining all of Friday's losses and then some. But indexes closed off their intraday highs ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 climbed 0.8% each. Intraday, they were up as much as 1.3% and 1.2%, respectively. Stocks faded sharply starting around 2 p.m. ET after a Financial Times piece said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke would likely warn that the central bank is close to tapering its $85

Boost ETF Returns Using Relative Strength: Masonson

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:56:00 GMT

ETF investing entails not only buying winners but also avoiding big losses. Leslie Masonson, president of financial consulting firm Cash Management Resources, has developed a "Stock Market Dashboard" that times the market, signaling when to buy and sell. His book, "Buy -- Don't Hold: Investing with ETFs Using Relative Strength to Increase Returns with Less Risk," says how he does that and how his "Dashboard" works. IBD: What is your definition of

CoStar, SodaStream: Stocks That Lord Abbett Fund Owns

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:43:00 GMT

The $2.8 billion Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund is having a monster year. The fund's 22.34% gain this year going into Monday topped 96% of small-cap funds tracked by Morningstar Inc. Their peers averaged a 15.90% gain. The S&P 500 is up 15.21%. Over the past three years the fund's average annual gain is 20.03% vs. 16.23% for their direct rivals and 16.77% for the S&P 500. Managers Thomas O'Halloran and Arthur Weise look for businesses with

Sector Leaders Quiet, But Proto Labs Nears Entry

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:43:00 GMT

Action was mostly quiet among Sector Leaders on Monday. The two stocks attracting the biggest volume surges drew only 14% to 15% spikes in volume. Proto Labs (PRLB) gapped up 2.31 to 59.46, but volume was only 15% above average. Still, the trade was the fastest on the upside in about five weeks. The stock has been volatile, clearing buy points and then chopping around indecisively. Previous patterns were full of reversals up and down. However, the

Time Warner Cable Offers Steady Growth, Nice Dividend

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:43:00 GMT

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has been rising on merger rumors. Perhaps more significantly, it offers stable profit growth, strong operating cash flow and a solid dividend. The stock soared 8% to a new high in huge volume Friday after CNBC reported that Liberty Media (LMCA) approached the cable TV operator about a merger. The stock pulled back Monday but still held on to most of the prior session's gain and remains above a 99.52 buy point. The stock is

Market Rally Spawns More New Highs; Kroger On Tap

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:33:00 GMT

Stocks kicked off the week with solid gains ahead of Tuesday's two-day Fed meeting. Indexes ended off session highs but still managed decent gains, resulting in a fresh crop of 52-week highs. Kroger (KR) hit a new high ahead of its earnings report Thursday before the open. Shares rose 39 cents to 35.18 in light volume. Profit is seen rising 13% from a year ago to 88 cents a share with sales up 4% to $30.2 billion. Annual return on equity hit a

Syrian Tension Lifts Oil Price, Flags Basing Stocks

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:05:00 GMT

Tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the Syrian Civil War helped boost oil prices to nine-month highs Monday. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate benchmark rose as high as $98.74 a barrel in intraday trade, clearing a February high and hitting its highest mark since September. The July contract then trimmed gains to settle up a fraction at $97.89. IBD tracks 10 oil and gas-related industries and three energy-sector industries, all of which tend

Qihoo 360 Technology Breaks Out With Fat Gain

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

Chinese Internet-content company Qihoo 360 Technology (QIHU) broke out from an add-on point Monday morning, putting up a fat gain in torrid volume. While the broad market wobbled the past few weeks through Thursday, Qihoo held firm within a narrow range. Many other leaders fared much more poorly. Qihoo proved so reluctant to fall, in fact, it built a three-weeks-tight add-on point. It broke out from that pattern Monday morning, pushing past its

Bonds Snap Winning Streak Amid Speculation On Fed

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:47:00 GMT

Treasuries declined for the first time in three days as investors weighed whether the U.S. economy was strong enough for the Federal Reserve to reduce bond purchases designed to hold down borrowing costs. U.S. bonds slipped after homebuilder confidence climbed and a gauge of New York manufacturing rose. Ten- and 30-year securities extended losses as the Financial Times predicted Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will probably signal the

R&D Spending Can Be A Game-Changer For Some Stocks

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:41:00 GMT

Many great stocks represent companies that spend heavily on research and development. A company with a consistent commitment to R&D will often outperform rivals that lack commitment -- especially over the long haul. The right innovation can lead to market domination and creative destruction of rivals in the stock market today. Yet before we go further, let's recognize the exceptions. R&D isn't critical for every great stock. For some industry

Stocks Gain But End Off Highs; Bernanke, Fed Chatter Weigh

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:57:00 GMT

Buyers came into the market Monday but indexes gave back some of their earlier gains after the Financial Times reported that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is likely to signal the Fed is close to tapering down its $85 billion-a-month in bond purchases. The bulls, however, maintain the Fed still has lingering concerns about the economy and won't say anything to rattle the market when its two-day meeting concludes on Wednesday. The Nasdaq and S&P 500

Stocks Pare Gains, End Higher As Fed Meeting Looms

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:25:00 GMT

Stocks ended higher Monday after paring earlier 1% gains, as investors remained skittish ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting. The Nasdaq trimmed a 1.3% gain to 0.8%. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Volume was higher, rising 5% on the NYSE and 11% on the Nasdaq compared with Friday, according to preliminary data. In the stock market today, Restoration Hardware (RH) jumped 4% to a new

Hot-Weather Forecasts Send Natgas Soaring

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:06:00 GMT

Natural gas prices soared in New York for the third time in four days on forecasts for hotter weather in late June that would spur demand from power plants. July-delivery natural gas rose 15 cents, or 4%, to $3.883 per million British thermal units at 2:22 p.m. on the Nymex. Prices have climbed 16% this year. The Northeast and parts of the Midwest may see above-normal temperatures from June 22 through June 28, according to

Stocks Fade In Late Trade; Qihoo Surges

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:05:00 GMT

Stocks remained higher Monday, but have pulled back after sporting gains of more than 1%. The Nasdaq trimmed a 1.3% gain to 0.4%. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Volume has turned mixed in the stock market today. NYSE trade has turned lower, while Nasdaq turnover continued to track higher. Qihoo 360 Technology (QIHU) shot up 8% to an all-time high in heavy trading. The stock cleared a 45.95 buy

Stocks Hang On To Big Gains; Proto Labs Nears Buy Point

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:22:00 GMT

Stocks continued to hold near their best levels Monday afternoon after ramping up on overseas strength and upbeat housing and factory data. The Nasdaq surged 1.2% and the S&P 500 climbed 1%. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 1.1%. All three recouped Friday's losses and then some. Volume was still tracking higher across the board in the stock market today, but the pace has slowed. NYSE trade was tracking just a hair higher than

Stocks Steady In Mild Trade; Terex Dives On Q2 Guidance

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Stocks defended early gains in moderate trade near midday Monday. The Nasdaq stayed put at a 1.2% gain. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average were also unchanged, up 1.1% each. Volume was positive, up 4% on the NYSE and 9% higher on the Nasdaq, but holding at low levels ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting set for Tuesday and Wednesday. Factors affecting the stock market today have been diverse. Positive overseas action and currency

Stocks Bolt Higher At Open; Homebuilders Rally On June Data

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:32:00 GMT

Stocks muscled up to healthy early gains Monday with a boost from a jump in confidence among homebuilders. The Nasdaq led with a 1.2% advance. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average were close behind, up 1.1% each. Volume was 15% higher on the NYSE and up 9% on the Nasdaq, compared with the same time Friday. The stock market today received an early boost from positive overseas trade, and from the dollar, which held steady against the euro

Futures, Global Markets Rise; Empire State Survey Data Mixed

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:56:00 GMT

Futures pointed sharply higher, but were slightly off their highs early Monday as global markets leaned generally higher. Dow futures were up 110 points. Nasdaq 100 futures 26.75 points higher and S&P 500 futures were ahead 12.75 points. The stock market today has its work cut out for it. The market is officially in an uptrend after posting a follow through day on Thursday. But the major indexes finished lower for the week, giving the

This ETF Had To Die: 5 Lessons To Learn From It

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:02:00 GMT

The actively managed AdvisorShares Rockledge SectorSAM ETF (SSAM) departs for ETF heaven this week after a brief 18-month life because of poor performance and its failure to attract investors. Like a tree that falls in the forest when no one is around, its death will go unnoticed. SSAM had merely $1.2 million in assets under management -- hardly more than it was seeded with when it began trading in January 2012. It stopped trading on June 14 and

Market's Correction Creates Entries Among Leaders

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:30:00 GMT

The market's brief visit to correction mode may not have been the worst thing for bullish investors. The short cooling-off period brought some highflying winners back within reach and created some new entries. The IBD 50 fell 1.6% for the week. Flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators (LL) cooled off enough to test its 10-week line. The stock has so far climbed 7% above the line, but dramatic volume is missing. MercadoLibre (MELI), the eBay (EBAY) of

Consumer, Health Care Stocks Pace New Highs List

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:06:00 GMT

Consumer and health care stocks paced the list of stocks hitting new highs Friday, bucking the general market's drop. A number of stocks touched new highs but then reversed lower. Patent advisory firm RPX Corp. (RPXC) faltered after trying to clear a 16.04 buy point in a base-on-base pattern. It reversed lower, closing with a loss of 22 cents to 15.73. Elsewhere, Endo Health Solutions (ENDP) edged up 30 cents to 38.78 in weak trade. The stock is

Oceaneering Makes Its Mark With Remote Vehicles

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:56:00 GMT

Deepwater oil and gas exploration is booming, and Oceaneering International (OII) stands high on the list of companies that are providing the equipment and field services to producers. "Their core business is in a niche market, ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), that has an attractive secular growth story," said Byron Pope, research analyst at Tudor, Pickering, Holt in Houston in a recent IBD interview. Oceaneering's ROV business and some other

Proto Labs Helps Customers Save Time, Money

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:56:00 GMT

Saving time and money is crucial for any business. Proto Labs (PRLB) seeks to do both for its customers. The Maple Plain, Minn.-based company provides custom parts to product developers worldwide faster and at competitive prices. Proto Labs makes customized parts for customers using computer numerical control, or CNC, machines, which carve metals and other materials. It also makes parts through injection molding with different resins. For

Stocks Dip In Quiet Volume; Fed Meets Next Week

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:52:00 GMT

Stocks rallied in the first half-hour of trade Friday, but then reversed lower to a negative finish. The S&P 500 ended down 0.6% after being up 0.3% early. The Nasdaq also shaved 0.6% but had only a fractional gain early. The small-cap S&P 600 fell 0.9%. The IBD 50, which is comprised of top-rated stocks, eased 0.3%. Volume retreated across the board. Economic news was mostly negative Friday, but lower volume suggested the market saw no reason to

TV Station Chain Sinclair Shaping Potential Cup Base

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:50:00 GMT

With the market back in a confirmed uptrend, investors should be looking for top-rated stocks in or forming new bases. Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) is working on a new pattern. Although it has now consolidated for a full five weeks, it's not in a flat base. The correction in a flat base has to be 15% or less. Sinclair has pulled back as much as 19% from its May 10 record high. The stock may end up forming a cup, which will require a little more

IMF Comments Weigh On Market, But Sector Leaders Hold Up

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:50:00 GMT

Sellers came into the market Friday. The silver lining was that volume fell from Thursday's level and most Sector Leaders held up well. Six names in the screen bucked the trend, rising 1% or more. LinkedIn (LNKD) jumped 6.22, or nearly 4%, to 178.24 in above-average turnover after ITG Research raised its second-quarter revenue estimate, citing increased pricing and other factors. The current Thomson Reuters consensus estimate expects Q2 revenue to

The Short Side: Don't Chase Stocks Well Past Proper Entry

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:50:00 GMT

Don't chase. If you have been reading IBD for a while, particularly Investor's Corner, Stock Spotlight and the new product Leaderboard, you know exactly what this means. When a stock breaks out, you strive to buy as close as possible to the proper entry. If a stock shapes a cup with handle, that entry point is a dime above the highest price within the handle area. In a double bottom, it's 10 cents past the middle peak in the W. Buy more than 5%

G-III, PVH Bolt Higher As Apparel Makers Build Bases

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:48:00 GMT

G-III Apparel Group (GIII) and fellow clothier PVH (PVH) spiked after earnings reports in the past two weeks, helping boost the apparel makers industry into the top 50 rankings among 197 groups tracked by IBD. The group ranked a weak No. 165 at the start of April. G-III and PVH deal with a broad range of designer names. Both have large stakes in the Calvin Klein brand. Both are benefiting from the results of recent acquisitions. And their heavy

Natural Gas Fall As Experts See Mild Weather

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:44:00 GMT

Natural gas futures dropped on the Nymex, capping a third weekly decline, on forecasts of moderating weather that would limit demand from power plants. July natural gas fell 8.1 cents to $3.733 per million British thermal units. Prices have climbed 11% this year and dropped 2.5% this week. Gas slid as mostly normal temps are forecast in the eastern U.S. through June 28, according to Commodity Weather Group in Bethesda, Md. The

As Fed's 'Tapering' Seen Less Likely, T-Bonds Surge

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:43:00 GMT

Treasuries gained for a second day Friday as some investors dismissed as overblown speculation that the Federal Reserve was about to slow its bond-buying stimulus program aimed at holding down borrowing costs. Ten-year notes extended gains after climbing the most Thursday in almost four months and scored their first weekly rise since April. Benchmark yields fell from 14-month highs reached during the past week as investors

How To Avoid Costly Missteps With An Inherited IRA

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:09:00 GMT

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to inherit an IRA this year. But a wrong step with an inherited IRA can be costly. IRA heirs often lose valuable tax deferral due to an unintended distribution that triggers an unwanted tax bill, notes Ed Slott, editor of the IRA Advisor newsletter. But age and marital status can give retirees special benefits with an inherited IRA. A spouse often is the IRA beneficiary. A surviving spouse has a unique

Stocks Give Back A Portion Of Prior Day's Big Gains

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:07:00 GMT

The stock market closed lower, resulting in a down week for the major indexes. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 lost 0.6% Friday while the Dow Jones industrial average gave up 0.7%. Preliminary data showed volume fell in the stock market today. The major indexes closed near session lows, but kept more than half of the prior day's solid winnings and continue to hold above June lows. Losing stocks led winners by 5-to-2 on the Nasdaq and 6-to-5 on the NYSE.

Tenneco Hitting New Highs, Nearing Resistance At 46

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:06:00 GMT

Tenneco (TEN) and two other auto parts makers in Friday's Spotlight screen are hitting new highs as rising vehicle sales spur demand. Tenneco is up 30% this year, far outpacing the S&P 500. It's now approaching upside resistance near 46 going back more than a year. A break above that level in high volume could be a buy signal now that the Market Pulse has switched back into a confirmed uptrend. Like Magna International (MGA) and Gentherm (THRM) --

Demand Peak Profit Margin When Evaluating A Stock

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:41:00 GMT

If a company sells a widget for 50 cents and the widget costs a buck to make, the company probably won't be in business for very long. But if the widget sells for a buck and it costs 50 cents to make, well, that's a different story. Welcome to the world of profit margins, a closely watched fundamental metric on Wall Street. The financial literature shows a variety of definitions for profit margin. IBD focuses on a company's pretax and after-tax

Stocks Give Back A Portion Of Prior Day's Big Gains

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:13:00 GMT

The market fell Friday in a moderate pullback following the prior day's robust advance. The Nasdaq lost 0.6% while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average gave up 0.7%. Preliminary data showed volume fell in the stock market today. The major indexes closed near session lows, but kept more than half of the prior day's solid winnings, and continue to hold above their June lows. Retailers and banks were among the weakest sectors after mixed

Stocks Edge Off Lows In Late Trading; Myriad Plunges

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Stocks edged off their intraday lows late Friday as investors tried to shrug off the International Monetary Fund's statement that U.S. economic risks "appear modestly tilted to the downside." The Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.6%, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 each lost 0.4%. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking 8% lower than Thursday. Nasdaq volume fell 3%. In the stock market today, Myriad Genetics (MYGN) dived 16% in massive

Stocks Near Session Lows, Spooked By IMF Outlook

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Bullish gains for the market Thursday were followed up by losses Friday. Stocks were near session lows nearly four hours into the session, spooked by comments from the International Monetary Fund that said U.S. economic risks "appear modestly tilted to the downside." The Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.7% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 0.6% each. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking 10% lower than Thursday. Nasdaq volume fell 2%. In

Nestle, LVMH, Unilever: Foreign Stocks Investors Like

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Ron O'Hanley, president of Fidelity Investments asset management and corporate services, kicked off Friday's final day of the 25th anniversary Morningstar Investment Conference in Chicago with a keynote address describing challenges facing retirement planners. "Baby boomers think of retirement as something that will happen to someone else," he said. Younger generations present unique challenges too. People who are 25 to 38 years old tell advisers

Stocks Lower At Midday After Erasing Early Gains

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:17:00 GMT

The market was lower in midday trading Friday, sliding after giving up modest early gains. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 were off 0.5% and the Dow Jones industrial average 0.6%. Volume was lower across the board in the stock market today, compared with the same time Thursday. Restoration Hardware (RH) soared to a new high, gapping up 17% in heavy trade. The home furnishings retailer reported quarterly earnings that topped expectations. The stock is

Stocks Open Mildly Higher; Myriad Continues To Slide

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:33:00 GMT

The stock market opened mildly higher Friday, as the major indexes held on to the prior day's hefty gains. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% while the Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq edged up 0.1%. Volume was lower on the NYSE but higher on the Nasdaq in the stock market today, compared with the same time Thursday. Panera Bread (PNRA) climbed 1% in heavy trading. The bakery-cafe chain is finding support at the 50-day moving average after pulling

Futures Busy Trimming Losses; Smith & Wesson Lifts Q4 View

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:57:00 GMT

Futures were on the fence early Friday, pointing to a flat open as global markets looked to wrap up a difficult week. Dow futures were down 14 points, well above their early lows and trading above fair market value. S&P 500 futures were off 1.25 points and Nasdaq 100 futures were a fraction lower. Both traded above fair market value. This week has made clear that the start of a market session doesn't have much bearing on how or where things end

5 Reasons Bears Say Stocks Could Dive 60% From Here

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:59:00 GMT

The stock market rallied Thursday, reestablishing a confirmed uptrend, as the government reported strong retail sales and employment data. The technicals show the market is in a solid uptrend but the bears contend an overwhelming amount of evidence suggests the bulls are headed to the slaughterhouse. On the stock market today, SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) added 1.52% to 164.21 in slightly above average volume. PowerShares QQQ (QQQ), tracking the 100 largest

Consumer Stocks Hit New Highs As Retail Sales Rise

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

A number of consumer-related stocks hit new highs Thursday on data that showed retail sales rose more than expected in May and initial jobless claims fell last week. Restoration Hardware (RH) rose 3% in double-paced volume during the regular session and was up sharply in post-session trading after a better-than-expected quarterly earnings report. The high-end home furnishings retailer posted profit of 6 cents a share during the quarter, up from a

Profit From Rising Interest Rates With These ETFs

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

Regional bank exchange traded funds severely lagged the market the past five years but it appears they've overtaken the market this year thanks to rising interest rates. They stand to benefit most from rising long-term interest rates because such action widens their net interest margin, or the difference between the short-term interest rates at which they borrow and the long-term interest rates at which they lend. The Federal Reserve has pledged

Apparel And Shoe Giant VF Outlines Plan For Growth

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

Having goals to work toward is a good thing. Earlier this week, clothing and footwear maker VF Corp. (VFC) outlined its plan for growth. On Tuesday, the company set a sales target of $17.3 billion by 2017, which would be up 59% from the $10.9 billion reached in 2012. Earnings are expected at $18 a share by 2017. This would represent a near doubling from the $9.63 a share it earned last year. "By leading in innovation, connecting with consumers,

Myriad's Bearish Dive Shows Biotech Leaders Stalling

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that human genes cannot be patented. The decision blocked a potential profit channel for various biotech companies, most specifically for Myriad Genetics (MYGN), the defendant in the case. The court also ruled in favor of protecting Myriad's synthetic DNA product, labeled cDNA. The result sent shares of Myriad -- which makes molecular diagnostic systems that screen for cancers and for genetic markers

Leading Growth Stocks Shine In Strong Up Day For Market

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

Buyers came back into the market in spades Thursday, resulting in a bullish day of outperformance for several Sector Leaders. More than half the names in the screen rose 2% or more. Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) turned in one of the best performances, rising 2.70, or 4%, to 69.79 in about average volume. The drugmaker broke out from an imperfect, cup-with-handle pattern last month, clearing a buy point of 60.30. The company's key drug is Xyrem for

Copa Holdings Flies Well Amid Weak Foreign Airlines

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

A scan of the foreign airline stocks doesn't leave much for growth investors to savor, except for Copa (CPA). While other foreign carriers are rapidly losing market value or are producing lackluster results, Panama-based Copa Holdings is performing well on its chart and fundamentals. From the final quarter of 2011 to last year's Q4, the company's earnings growth was a mediocre 3% to 10%. But profit surged 37% in the first quarter, easily beating

Some Leaders Holding Up Better In Correction

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:00 GMT

The market's recent correction affected many of the best stocks. But while some have shown cracks, others have held up well. Among the healthier-looking issues you'll find Toyota Motor (TM). Shares of the world's biggest carmaker have backed off 7% from their May 22 peak. That decline was as much as 14% June 6. The rebound since then also pulled Toyota back above its 50-day line, which it had briefly pierced. Wild swings on the Nikkei stock index

Stocks Back In Uptrend But Can They Shake June Gloom?

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:55:00 GMT

The S&P 500 Thursday notched its best percentage gain since Jan. 2, marking a positive step for the market. The S&P 500 popped 1.5%, while the Nasdaq advanced 1.3%. The IBD 50 led with a 1.7% advance. Volume was slightly lower on the Nasdaq but up about 5% on the NYSE exchange. Gannett (GCI), Belo (BLC) and Safeway (SWY), which saw huge trading after buyout news, almost accounted for the higher NYSE volume by themselves, according to preliminary

Soybeans Spill On Speculation Of Bumper Crop

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:03:00 GMT

Soybean futures had the biggest drop in almost three weeks on mounting speculation that the U.S., the world's second-biggest grower, will produce the most ever this year. Corn fell, and wheat climbed. Soybean output will be a record 3.39 billion bushels in the season that starts Sept. 1, 12% more than a year earlier, when crops were hurt by drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said yesterday. Analysts in a Bloomberg survey

Bonds Stage Harsh Rally As Market Rethinks 'Tapering'

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:01:00 GMT

Treasuries gained the most in more than three months as traders said speculation that the Federal Reserve could disclose plans to slow its bond-buying program as soon as at next week's policy meeting was overblown. Yields on benchmark 10-year notes fell for the first time in three days. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has repeatedly said a reduction in the central bank's $85 billion in monthly bond purchases wouldn't mean an end to

Spotlight Stocks Holding Up Well Despite Correction

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:04:00 GMT

Most Spotlight stocks are holding up well despite the overall market's correction, though one -- Michael Kors (KORS) -- has slipped below its buy point. A correction is a time for investors to be especially vigilant in order to protect gains and avoid big losses. Watch lists of promising stocks should also be updated. New buys should be kept to a minimum and restricted to only the highest-rated stocks breaking out of sound bases in strong volume.

Stocks Stage Huge Comeback; Myriad Turns Tail

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:23:00 GMT

Stocks staged a sharp rebound from recent losses Thursday, thanks to better-than-expected economic data and deal news. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rallied 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively. Both recouped all of Wednesday's losses and more. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 1.2%. Volume was mixed in the stock market today, according to preliminary data. Before the open, the Labor Department reported initial jobless claims that dipped more than 3%,

Stocks Extend Gains In Late Trade; Myriad Genetics Up

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:06:00 GMT

Stocks extended their gains in late trading Thursday following better-than-expected economic data. The S&P 500 gained 1%, the Nasdaq was up 0.9% and the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 0.8%. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking about equal with Wednesday. Nasdaq volume fell 5%. In the stock market today, Myriad Genetics (MYGN) jumped 7% to a four-year high, paring an earlier 11% gain, after the Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling on

How To Invest: Learn To Analyze Return On Equity

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:38:00 GMT

Return on equity is an important financial gauge commonly used in value investing. So what's it doing in a growth strategy like IBD's CAN SLIM? The simple answer: It works as an indicator of financial well-being. When IBD founder and Chairman William O'Neil studied the characteristics of the most successful stocks, a high return on equity emerged as a key factor. Thus, return on equity (or ROE for short) is one of a handful of financial metrics

Stocks Gain, Hold Near Highs: MasterCard Finds Support

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:28:00 GMT

Major averages scored decent gains and were near session highs Thursday as major averages recovered from recent weakness. U.S. indexes held up well despite a 6% drop for Japan's Nikkei overnight. The S&P 500 gained 0.7%. The Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq rallied 0.6% each. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking about equal with Wednesday. Nasdaq volume fell 7%. In the stock market today, MasterCard MA rallied 2% in fast trade.

Stocks Hold Positive Ground; Gannett, Safeway Keep Gains

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:55:00 GMT

Stocks firmed up moderate gains near midday Thursday, as losses narrowed in Europe and most of the big, early gains by U.S. issues stood their ground. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average pushed up 0.3%. The Nasdaq guarded a 0.2% gain. Trade slipped onto mixed footing, with volume down a fraction on the Nasdaq but still up 11% on the NYSE vs. action at the same time Wednesday. The stock market today faced some early pressure after a

Stocks Slip, Then Turn Higher; Sinclair Broadcast Gaps Up

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:23:00 GMT

Stocks shed early losses and shifted higher Thursday as U.S. economic data and company news dulled the impact of a Japan-led sell-off in overseas markets. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average were fractionally higher. The Nasdaq struggled to stay positive and was down 0.1%. Volume was up, rising 2% on the Nasdaq and 17% on the NYSE compared with the same time Wednesday. The stock market today faced some pressure at the open from

Futures Down, But Off Lows; Gannett, Safeway Spike Higher

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:57:00 GMT

Stock futures pointed to a lower open Thursday, but shaved some losses after positive unemployment and retail sales reports. Dow futures traded 24 points lower, up from a 34 point loss. S&P 500 futures were down three points. Nasdaq 100 futures dipped 4.5 points into the red. The stock market today opens with a shoulder against the door after a wave of selling overseas, primarily in Asia's markets (more information below). The U.S. market has been

Myths About Options – Take 1

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:08:00 GMT

Options may have more myths about them than any subject related to investing and trading. These myths persist despite the industry's existence in the U.S. for 40 years. This is the first in a series of articles that address several myths about options and try to set the record straight.

Market Internals Worsen As Key Indexes Flop

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:42:00 GMT

A strong market open seemed to last for only a few long breaths and the major indexes posted substantial losses Wednesday, a day after IBD changed the current outlook to "Market in correction." The Nasdaq's initial 0.6% rally barely lasted five minutes, and from midmorning the composite spent the rest of the day in the red. It closed down 1.1%, matching Tuesday's loss. It was the Nasdaq's fifth decline of 1% or more in just three weeks of trading

New Lows In Charge: What Does It Say For Stocks?

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:35:00 GMT

New lows led new highs Wednesday -- after doing so Tuesday for the first time since mid-April. At different market junctures, new lows grabbing the upper hand have preceded sharply different outcomes. In mid-April, combined new lows (NYSE + Nasdaq) led for three of four sessions as the major indexes corrected 4% to 5%. Then new highs asserted themselves, and the indexes rose 10% to 12% from the indexes' lows. Bulls would like a similar outcome now,

How To Invest: Sales Growth Crucial To Great Stocks

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:18:00 GMT

There's an old saying in baseball: You can't steal first base. No matter how fast you are, at some point you have to hit the ball. Companies, too, have to hit the ball. What do companies do? They sell things. Be it a product or a service, companies have to hit the ball every day. When looking for a great company, you're always looking at profit growth, which certainly is crucial. But profit is only sales minus costs. Companies can boost profits

Morningstar Conferees Discuss Income, Other Solutions

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:18:00 GMT

The agenda for the annual Morningstar Investment Conference -- whose first full day is June 13 -- serves as a sort of Rorschach test for the mutual fund industry. The lineup of sessions in Chicago is aimed at what's on the minds of managers and investment advisers. Their foremost topics? Many have to do with finding income in a world of near-zero interest rates. This year's conference is the silver anniversary of the three-day conference, which

Bond Prices Back Off After A Poorly Received Auction

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:15:00 GMT

Treasuries fell, pushing yields toward 14-month highs, after a U.S. offering of $21 billion of 10-year notes drew the weakest demand since August amid bets the Federal Reserve will slow its bond buying. The debt at the sale yielded 2.209%, the highest since October 2011. The bid-to-cover ratio, which gauges demand by comparing total bids with the amount of debt offered, was 2.53, the least in 10 months. It was the second note

Coffee Dives To Lowest In Years As Output Swells

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:47:00 GMT

Coffee futures fell the most in three weeks on signs of ample supplies of arabica beans brewed by specialty companies including Starbucks. Sugar also declined, and cocoa rose. In May, exports from Colombia, the second-largest arabica producer, jumped 45% from a year earlier, the National Federation of Coffee Growers said yesterday. Production in Brazil, the world's biggest grower, will climb 14% in 2013 to 56.1 million bags from

Russian Payment Company Qiwi's Earnings, Stock Surges

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:28:00 GMT

It's a Russian electronic-payment company that was incorporated in Cyprus, sounds like a bird from New Zealand, and trades in the U.S. That's Qiwi (QIWI), which went public on the Nasdaq May 3 in an initial public offering led by JPMorgan. The company's IPO was quiet. Shares closed their first day practically flat and remained dull for a few weeks. But the stock has been jolted to new highs since it reported another big rise in earnings last week.

On Assignment Holds Near Buy Point As Market Corrects

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:11:00 GMT

On Assignment (ASGN), a provider of staffing services to the technology and health care industries, is holding just above its buy point as the market corrects. The stock cleared a seven-week consolidation with a 26.19 buy point on May 10, but volume didn't kick in until May 22 and it's had trouble gaining altitude. It rose as much as 5% above the entry before pulling back to the 10-week line. Perhaps some of its struggles can be attributed to

Stocks End Near Session Lows; But Rambus Jumps 6%

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:07:00 GMT

Stocks ended near session lows Wednesday, erasing early gains. The Nasdaq lost 1.1% while the Dow and S&P 500 fell 0.8% each. Preliminary data showed NYSE and Nasdaq volume was slightly higher than Tuesday's levels. Technology licensing company Rambus (RMBS) bucked the sell-off, jumping 6% to a new 52-week high after settling a lawsuit with computer memory supplier SK Hynix. Elsewhere, Biogen Idec (BIIB) led IBD 50 stocks lower, sinking 8% in

Dunkin' Brands Hangs Tough In Volatile Market

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:06:00 GMT

With the market now in a correction, it' s a good time to pay attention to stocks that are holding up amid adversity. Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) is one such issue. Besides showing relative strength, it also offers robust profit growth. Even though the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 have fallen nearly 2% each for the week through Wednesday, Dunkin' was mostly flat. The stock staged a big upside reversal near its 10-week moving average last week. On its weekly

Pretty Day For Ulta Beauty, Herbalife, Nu Skin, Coty

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:06:00 GMT

Wednesday was a make-up session for the market, not in terms of trying to bounce back from Tuesday's losses, but because names like Ulta Beauty (ULTA), Nu Skin (NUS), Herbalife (HLF) and Coty (COTY) all drew attention. Ulta Beauty was one of the morning's first big movers, surging 15% out of the starting gate in huge trade. The Bolingbrook, Ill.-based salon and beauty products chain reported first-quarter sales and earnings numbers above analyst

Fresh Round Of Selling Hits Leaders; Questcor Bucks Trend

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:06:00 GMT

Almost all Sector Leaders took heat Wednesday as the major averages extended losses. Questcor Pharmaceuticals (QCOR) was an exception. The drugmaker climbed for the fifth day in a row, rising 3.14, or 7%, 45.25. Volume was more than double its average. Shares had surged 15% Tuesday after the firm said it acquired the development and commercialization rights of Synacthen and Synacthen Depot from Novartis (NVS). Both drugs are used to treat

Stocks Fall Again As Correction Shows It Has Legs

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:14:00 GMT

Stocks lost more ground Wednesday as a broad-market correction spurred investors to lock in gains from the recent run-up. The Nasdaq fell 1.1% while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average each lost 0.8%. Volume edged higher, according to preliminary data. The major averages reversed lower after starting the day on a firm note. The Nasdaq climbed as much as 0.6% while the S&P 500 gained as much as 0.7%. But the gains didn't stick.

Stocks Near Lows In Late Trade; Lululemon Dives Again

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:10:00 GMT

Early gains turned to losses Wednesday, one day after the Market Pulse said a correction was under way. Stocks were near session lows, with the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 threatening to break below their 50-day lines. The Nasdaq lost 0.6% while the Dow and S&P 500 fell 0.4% each. Preliminary data show NYSE and Nasdaq volume tracking close to Tuesday's levels. In the stock market today, IBD 50 stock Lululemon Athletica (LULU) fell

Stocks Sink To Session Lows; Biogen-Idec Falls On Downgrade

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Early gains faded fast Wednesday, one day after the market entered a correction. Stocks are near session lows, with the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 threatening fresh breaks below their 50-day lines. The Nasdaq lost 0.6% while the Dow and S&P 500 fell 0.4% each. Preliminary data shows NYSE and Nasdaq volume tracking very close to Tuesday's levels. In the stock market today, oil and gas producer

Stocks Quiet And Tightly Mixed; Whitman Lifts Hewlett-Packard

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Stocks struggled in and out of mixed territory near midday Wednesday as company news remained the prevailing influence across most of the market. The Dow Jones industrial average rose almost 0.1%. The Nasdaq fumbled 0.2%. The S&P 500 struggled with a fractional loss. Trade firmed from its early, low levels, but still remained down 13% on the NYSE and 6% lower on the Nasdaq. The stock market today jumped at the open, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500

Stocks Quietly Pare Gains; Celgene, Nu Skin Rising

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:34:00 GMT

The stock market today pared its early gains, toggling into mixed terrain in quiet trade. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average clung to 0.1% advances. The Nasdaq surrendered its initial gain, dipping narrowly below the break-even line. Volume was down 18% on the Nasdaq and 27% lower on the NYSE compared with the same time Tuesday. In stocks, Cooper Tire & Rubber (CTB) was the morning's big winner, up 40% on news its would be acquired by

Futures Lean Toward Rebound; Ulta Beauty Spikes On Q1 Beat

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:54:00 GMT

Futures eased from early highs, but pointed to a positive open Wednesday as mergers news stirred premarket action. Dow futures were up 4 points. S&P 500 futures rose 7.75 points and Nasdaq 100 futures packed on an 11-point gain. The stock market today appears geared to rebound somewhat after Tuesday's backslide. The decline, in strong trade, nudged the market status into a correction. For investors, that means put a hold on all buying activity and

Global Stock Sell-Off Spreads To Wall Street

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:08:00 GMT

The major indexes fell sharply Tuesday, worsening the market's already shaky outlook. The sell-off started in Japan, where the central bank balked at extending easy terms on loans to banks. The Nikkei 225 slid 1.5%. Selling spread to other Asian markets, then to European bourses and eventually to Wall Street. U.S. indexes gapped down at the open. The market pared back losses, but renewed selling in the afternoon ensured stocks would close lower.

Parexel Trying To Clear Three-Weeks-Tight Buy Point

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:51:00 GMT

Parexel International (PRXL), which conducts clinical research for pharmaceuticals companies, is trying to clear a 47.32 follow-on buy point in a three-weeks-tight pattern. The stock has held up well despite the recent market turmoil, hitting a new high intraday Tuesday. It briefly edged above the three-weeks-tight entry -- a place to add a small amount of shares -- but volume was weak. Parexel and competitors such as Icon (ICLR) and recent IPO

Few Leaders Hitting New Highs In Strong Volume

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:35:00 GMT

Nineteen highly rated stocks pegged new highs Tuesday, according to preliminary calculations. Each stock had a Composite Rating of 90 or better. The Composite Rating blends all five IBD ratings into a single number. A rating of 90 puts a stock in the top 10 percentile. The stocks also showed daily dollar volume of at least $10 million. While that might sound like good news for the market, a closer look reveals a weaker picture. Of the 19 stocks,

Treasury Bonds Climb As High Yields Lure Investors

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:03:00 GMT

Treasury 30-year bonds rose for the first time in three days, reversing earlier losses, as investors bet yields at 14-month highs offered enough of a premium amid speculation the Federal Reserve will slow asset purchases. Yields had reached the highest since April 2012 on concern this month's rise would prompt investors to sell even more government debt as a hedge against losses on mortgage bonds. Stocks and commodities tumbled,

How To Invest: Why Top-Notch Earnings Growth Is Key

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

Here is a factoid worth filing: Research of the 600 best-performing stocks between 1952 and 2001 shows three of four reported year-over-year earnings-per-share growth averaging 70% in the quarter before beginning their winning runs. The other 25% averaged EPS growth of 90% in the quarter immediately following the start of their runs. Those included Dell's (DELL) 1,780% advance, Cisco Systems' (CSCO) 1,467% run and America Online's 557% surge.

Nu Skin Delivers Strong Growth, Healthy Yield

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

Strong growth and a healthy dividend are not mutually exclusive. Nu Skin Enterprises (NUS) is a prime example. The Provo, Utah-based firm markets anti-aging and nutritional products in 53 regions around the globe. It uses the direct-selling approach, where customers buy products from independent distributors and not from stores. Its products are sold mainly under the Nu Skin and Pharmanex labels. Nu Skin's earnings fell in 2005 and 2006, but have

Networking Gear, Electronics Retail And RVs Rising

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

Some unexpected groups have climbed over the past several weeks as the market has struggled. At the head of that list are makers of fiber-optic telecommunications gear. The most obvious driver in that advance was Ciena (CIEN), which surged 18% last week on strong fiscal second-quarter results. While Ciena is up sharply since Jan. 1, it's not yet a true market leader -- none of the 13 fiber-optic stocks is. Yet with two profitable quarters, the

Late-Afternoon Sell-Off Smacks Several Sector Leaders

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

Sellers were back in the market Tuesday after an impressive comeback earlier in the session came up short. Stocks ended near session lows in higher volume. Among sector leaders, Ocwen Financial (OCN) was the sole bright spot. Shares gained 3% in solid volume. It took a while for the mortgage servicer to get going after a breakout over 42.17, but it's working well now. Clearly, Ocwen has emerged as the leader in the group. Nationstar Mortgage

Asia, Europe Bourses Fall After Bank Of Japan Letdown

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

A major disappointment from the Bank of Japan sent stock markets around the world into a tumble. The Bank of Japan on Tuesday said it would not extend the terms of its fixed-rate loans to banks. Much talk had been heard that the BOJ may extend those loan terms, which now carry a maximum one year, to two or even three years. The Nikkei index fell 1.5%, as did India's 30-share Sensitive index. The Shanghai composite fell 1.4%, while Hong Kong's Hang

Apple: Why Fidelity's Jason Weiner Still Likes It

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:51:00 GMT

As manager of $924 million Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund , Jason Weiner keeps his eyes cast in all directions. His go-anywhere strategy takes him all over the map among various investment styles and market capitalizations. The fund is solidly in the growth category. Still, he looks for bargains. He also looks for growth stocks with potential for price-earnings multiple expansion. What he avoids are pricey names. He steers clear of stocks with

Stocks End Near Lows; Ulta Beauty Jumps After Close

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:08:00 GMT

Stocks ended near their session lows Tuesday after the Bank of Japan left monetary policy unchanged, fueling renewed concerns about global central bank stimulus. The Nasdaq fell 1.1%, the S&P 500 lost 1% and the Dow Jones industrial average shed 0.8%. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume rose 17% compared to Monday. Nasdaq volume rose 1%. In the stock market today, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) was up sharply in post-session trading after its fiscal

Copper Stumbles On Central Bank Policy Worries

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:41:00 GMT

Copper fell, capping the longest slump in 15 weeks, on concern that central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve will scale back measures aimed at spurring economic growth. Nickel dropped to the lowest level since 2009. Bank of Japan officials left a lending program unchanged today, adding to signs that policymakers are reluctant to boost stimulus. Standard & Poor's yesterday increased its outlook for the U.S. credit rating

Stocks End Near Session Lows After Comeback Attempt Fails

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:29:00 GMT

A weak open almost turned positive at one point during Tuesday's session, but sellers came in late and major averages ended near session lows. Investors got spooked after the Bank of Japan left interest rates and its asset-buying program unchanged. The perception of no more easy money, whether in Japan or in the U.S., is not a friendly headline for the stock market and that proved to be the case Tuesday. The Nasdaq fell 1.1%; the S&P 500 lost 1%

Stocks Down In Late Trade On Fears Of Stimulus Retreat

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Stocks remained well in negative territory late Tuesday after the Bank of Japan left monetary policy unchanged, fueling renewed concerns about central bank stimulus. The major averages fell by 1% or more early in the session before paring some of the losses. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were each down 0.8%, while the Dow Jones industrial average shed 0.5%. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking 20% higher than the same time Monday. Nasdaq volume

Will Five Below's Strategy Lead To Profits For Investors?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:35:00 GMT

Today we're going to look at Five Below, (FIVE) which has carved out a unique niche in the retail market. The chain store sells a variety of fun, trendy merchandise aimed at teens and preteens -- things like stickers to decorate lockers, magnets, inexpensive clothing, games and low-priced basketballs. And they're all priced below $5 each. Analysts say items like that at low prices have a big appeal to teenage consumers. And Five Below also does a

Stocks Claw Back After Early Losses; Ocwen Extends Gains

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Stocks climbed well off session lows after a rough start Monday. Major averages fell by 1% or more early in the session, rattled by news that the Bank of Japan held their monetary policy unchanged after a much-awaited meeting. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%; the Nasdaq lost 0.3% and the Dow Jones industrial average eased 0.1%. Preliminary data showed NYSE volume tracking 17% higher than Monday. Nasdaq volume fell 1%. Volume on the NYSE was skewed somewhat

Losses Narrow, Trade Mixed; CardioNet, Dole, Questcor Rule

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:02:00 GMT

Stocks trimmed early losses and struggled into mixed terrain near midday, as they worked to shake off the influence of international markets. The Dow Jones industrial average toggled between slim losses and fractional gains. The S&P 500 narrowed to a 0.2% loss. The Nasdaq was off 0.3%. Volume remained decisively mixed, up 23% on the NYSE and 2% lower on the Nasdaq compared to trade at the same time Monday. Bond markets appeared to be the leading

Stocks Slump In Mixed Trade; Questcor Pharmaceuticals Spikes

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:50:00 GMT

Stocks dropped abruptly in mixed volume at Tuesday's open, as a wave of losses in overseas markets spread to the U.S. The Nasdaq fell 1.1%. The S&P 500 gave up 1% and the Dow Jones industrial average slid 0.9%. Volume rose 26% on the NYSE and was 8% lower on the Nasdaq, compared with the same time Monday. The stock market today was rattled before the open by an accelerating sell-off in bonds, led by U.S. Treasuries. The selling appeared to be

Overseas Friction Trips Futures; Lululemon Dives On CEO Exit

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:50:00 GMT

Futures dove in early trade and held those losses ahead of Tuesday's open, suffering significant drag from struggling markets overseas. Dow futures were 121 points in the hole. S&P 500 futures tumbled 16 points and Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 28.75 points. The stock market today continues to walk a tightrope between optimism toward a recovering economy and concern over the rising possibility of a course change in Federal Reserve monetary strategy.