Arch Coal (ACI)
Trying to call a bottom in Arch Coal (ACI) has been a fools game but then again I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. For me it is about risk and reward and this one checks that box. I have a clear pop and flag and can take a long for a bounce against the recent 6/24/13 lows. Below there and I would be back on the sidelines. The first touch of the 50 day SMA might be a place to scale out some but if this ends up being a larger bottom then the rally could…
General Motors (GM)
General Motors (GM) was upgraded today to Conviction Buy at Goldman Sachs. Some poke fun of the CV designation as they mock it implies GS doesn’t have conviction on their other Buy ratings but I think what GS is trying to do with the designation is denote timeliness. Something on CV is likely far from its price target and also likely or able, in GS’ mind, to move in that direction relatively quickly. At least that is my take. In that same light GS quoted near term catalysts for the reason for the upgrade including the potential for a dividend…
Las Vegas Sands (LVS)
ISI Group upgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to Buy from Neutral. LVS has rallied back very well over the last few years along with many other names but I like to point to this one as one of those stocks you get an opportunity on when things look most dire. Now ISI is telling you they think it is a Buy. If I were so inclined to follow their recommendation, I would be watching the 200 Day SMA. On 6/24/13 LVS gaped down along with the market and violated the 200 day SMA both in intraday action and on a …
Apple (AAPL)
Today Raymond James upgraded Apple (AAPL) to Strong Buy from Outperform and placed a $600 target on the stock. With AAPL closing Friday at $396.53 this represented a near 51% increase in price and even from today’s closing price of $409.51 leaves a roughly 46.5% gain if RayJay ends up being right. Where I see the opportunity residing is trading again the recent lows, $388.87, which look like they are trying to help carve out a double bottom. Below there and I will want to re-evaluate and look for a better position. Target on the upside below RayJay’s target could…
Qualcomm (QCOM)
Qualcomm (QCOM) has been a great example at how some stocks are best when your buying them near support instead of after the break of a trend line or resistance. Waiting for a break often left you down on the position in the coming days. QCOM tested the longer term uptrend line on the first few pull backs but has not been there for a while and recent dips held the 50 day SMA. QCOM received a recent downgrade of sorts by Goldman Sachs from Conviction Buy to Buy but they left the $80 price target. That price target would…
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN)
Last time I checked in with Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN), we had seen a recent gap that re-took the 200 day SMA and was holding. My ideal set-up was for some continued consolidation above the 200 day and then a next leg higher which could ultimately reach the 90’s. After not much consolidation we saw MJN start to move and after reaching $80, that was it. The negative sentiment seemed to stem from a report that China is cracking down on formula products coming in from Honk Kong. This news also prompted Credit Suisse to lower estimates for MJN…
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN)
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN) may not be a household name. Frankly even after reviewing their brands (which you can look over by Clicking Here), I still wasn’t familiar with the company. What I am familiar with is their recent Q4 earnings report which beat on EPS and revenues (72c vs 68c and $981.1M vs $956.32M). MJN’s guidance for 2013 did look to be somewhat below analyst expectations coming in at a range of $3.22-3.30 with analysts consensus being $3.33. It was on that earnings report that MJN gaped significantly higher and came on my radar. From a technical prospective…
Charts of Interest
Thoughts and analysis are provided on each chart itself or you can go read some quick comments for each at StockTwits (WSConsensus) GMCR, ZIP, GT, DECK, QCOM, AL, AMD, SBUX, EXPD, GTAT, PCLN, TSLA, CIM, CEL, FSLR, RIMM, DISH, ABMD, PANW, RF
Smith & Wesson (SWHC)
This ideas was before the horrific events in Newton, Connecticut and I am placing the idea on hold for myself. The environment where I originally looked at the stock has drastically changed. While I think gun sales are still trending higher and while I think any serious talk regarding gun control will likely pull forward sales, I think it is only responsible to take a step back and let some additional information and clarity come before re-looking at the name. Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (SWHC) had been a hot company from late 2011 all the way through 2012. After…
Zipcar (ZIP)
Zipcar Inc. (ZIP) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs on November 20th along with an $8.75 price target. The closing price of ZIP on the 19th was $6.36 which means the upgrade represented 37.5% potential upside. The problem is that along with a gap up the morning of the upgrade the stock rallied the next two days to reach a high during intraday trading on 11/13 of $8.64. With Goldman’s target essentially reach, how has this beaten stock acted? Pretty well I think. The stock has flagged on lighter volume and considering the recent pressure the stock has faced it could…