1/16/18 Stock Picks

On Friday, we enjoyed another solid bullish move in the  markets.  I think we’re starting to get a bit over-extended/overbought here, but by managing risk through setting stops, I’m confident in nibbling on small bullish positions.

Current Positions:

$DIS: 25 shares.  Current Status: 2.2%. Plan: Sell at Target 1: $113.16.     Earnings: 6 Feb

$HD: 2 February $195 calls.  Current Status: Closed one contract for 35 gain%. Plan: HD had an ugly candle on Friday.  Not sure what caused the massive sell-off in the afternoon.  However, I’m still holding one contract, look at Target 2: $202.27.    Earnings:  13 Feb

$IWM: 2 March $157 calls.  Current Status: Closed position for 46% gain.  I only intended to close 1 contract, but had a lag in my app where I inadvertently sold two.  I’m tempted to get back in with one contract, but don’t want to push my luck since Target 1 was hit.  I’m very happy with the profit I locked in.

$JNJ: 2 February $145 calls.  Current Status:  +4.5%.  Plan:  Trim 1 call at Target 1: 148.63.  Ensure position is closed prior to earnings.  Earnings: 23 January.

$WMT: 2 March $100 calls.  Current Status: 0%. Plan: My plan remains to trim 1 call at Target 1: $103.85.  Not the prettiest candle, but there’s no reason why we can’t continue higher.  Earnings:  15 Feb

Breaking Out

$AAPL:  After flirting with the line for a while, Apple finally saw a breakout.  I’m not in love with $AAPL’s price action, but I do think it’s worth taking a trade here assuming the 5 minute candle rule works out.  Target 1:  $182.13  Target2:  $189.59.

$BEAT:  I’m honestly not familiar with this company, but based on the chart, it has broken out and looks like it has room to run.  Friday was a strong candle and I’d be interested in buying shares instead of options (due to low OPT interest) assuming successful 5minute rule.  Target 1: $34.14  Target 2:  $36.42

$MMM: 3M had a breakout-ish candle on Friday.  Again, not the prettiest candle, but it is technically above the breakout line.  I would consider a small position based on the 5 minute rule.  Target 1:  $249.06  Target 2:  $255.33

$PYPL:  PayPal technically broke out on Thursday, with confirmation on Friday.  5 minute rule to get in on the action.  Target 1:  $82.27   Target 2:  $86.02

Other Types of Breakouts

$C:  Citigroup broke out of it’s wedge/triangle pattern on Friday.  Although it still needs to get through it’s breakout price level ($77.83), the fact it broke bullishly from the pattern is a positive sign.  I would consider getting in tomorrow based on the 5 minute rule.  Target 1:  $79.64.    Target 2:  $81.97

$DNKN:  Who doesn’t like Dunkin Donuts? haha  Well even if you’re not a fan, you should like the strong bounce off of the 50% Fib re-tracement price.  Once again, observe the 5 minute rule, and if it permits, get in the trade.  Breakout line:  $66.43   Target 1: $68.35  Target 2:  $70.82.

 

1/12

After a pause on the 10th, the market had a powerfully bullish day yesterday on average volume.  I’m looking for more upside today.

Current Positions:

$DIS: 25 shares.  Current Status: +.91%. Plan: sell at Target 1: $113.16.     Disney looks to have bounced off of it’s ascending trend line and is set to run.  Earnings: 6 Feb

$HD: 2 February $195 calls.  Current Status: +6.16%. Plan: Trim 1 call on the way to Target 2: $202.27.   Home Depot had a nice strong day pushing above the stagnancy of the last few days.  This ought to be the start of another leg up.  Earnings:  13 Feb

$IWM: 2 March $157 calls.  Current Status: +52.21%. Plan: Trim 1 call at Target 1: $158.28.  Big breakout today.  Lot’s of room to run.  I like this position.  Earnings:

$WMT: 2 March $100 calls.  Current Status: -8.55%. Plan: Trim 1 call at Target 1: $103.85. Walmart filled the gap and then back tested.  I’ll be watching it rather closes as it needs to show it can break out.  Earnings:  15 Feb

What I’m Watching Today:

$CAT:  This one is a bit risky since it passed it’s first target, but the stock has been so strong, it’s difficult to ignore.  I’m thinking of either buying 1 ITM call or buying a couple of OTM calls with a target of $175.81.

$JNJ:  Johnson & Johnson closed above the “breakout” line yesterday.  I’ll be watching on the 5min chart for a close above the first 5min candle before getting in.  I think this play has some good potential to run.  Target1:  $148.63  Target2:  $154.01.

$MMM:  3M has been a very strong stock in the intermediate term and showed strength yesterday after a weak Wednesday.  I don’t expect to get into this trade today, but I’ll be watching for a close above the “breakout” line of $244.19.

$SBUX: Starbucks is back on my radar and is setting up for a breakout.  Again, I’m not crazy about this stock due to over head resistance, but I will keep an eye on it.  Target 1:  $61.13   Target 2:  $62.58

 

 

1/8/18 – New Year New Approach

It’s been over a year since I wrote on my blog, but one of my new year’s resolutions is to take more time studying stocks and making proper investments and trades.  Today’s blog will look at some stocks that are breaking out, others that are close to breaking out, another in a bullish continuation pattern and finally one risky, but interesting stock.  So here we go:

Breaking Out:

$FB:  $FB has broken out from it’s short term channel and is moving up.  Target 1:  188.34, Target 2:  193.73. 

$HD:  I see HD as a little risky as it’s been in a steady upward trend for a while now.  Not to say that it couldn’t continue, but you may want a tight stop if you’re planning on getting in.  Target1:  $193.29  Target2: $202.27.

$MA:  $MA had a great day on Friday and cleared through the first target of $158.25.  Since it’s already through the first target, I would consider a small position to see if it can reach target 2:  $163.12  MACD is rather flat and RSI is high as well.  Be careful here.

$NFLX:  Target1: $212.36, Target 2: $222.24

$FLIR:  This is probably my favorite breakout play of the 5 breaking out stocks I’ve identified since it’s been consolidating for the last few weeks.  I would wait for confirmation at the open tomorrow before entering (i.e. when looking at a daily 5min chart, ensure the we get a close ABOVE the close of the first 5min candle.  This isn’t a fool proof method, but it’s rather reliable.  Target 1: $50.67  Target 2: $53.95

Breakout Potential:

$AAPL:  $AAPL has been consolidating the last few weeks.  If it closes above $176.34, it could reach Target 1: $182.13 and Target 2:  $189.59

$IGT:  $IGT is an interesting play.  It had a strong day on Friday and while it has not broken out, it has bounced off of the 50% FIB re-tracement and is following an upward trend line.  If you’re comfortable getting in now with a tight stop below the low on Thursday, it could pay off nicely.  Or you could choose to wait until it breaks out and closes above $29.40.  Target 1:  31.30  Target  2: 33.76

$SBUX:  I’m not in love with this trade since there is some resistance above Target 1: ($61.13).  Target 2 would be $62.58

Trending:

$DAN: This stock has been in a solid up trend since July 2016 off of it’s low of $9.80.  Target 1: $34.93  Target 2: $36.75.  OR, this could be a stock you want to hold onto.   Also notice that MACD is turning up, Stochs are pointed up, as is RSI. 

Risk and Reward

$VRX:  This is a pharmaceutical stock, which are typically risky by nature, $VRX being no exception.  A few years ago $VRX was ~$260 and fell over time down to $8.31.  It’s currently at $23.85.  I’m not saying it will get back to $260 and while there’s some overhead resistance to watch out for (see chart below), there is some potential for this stock to grow.  Proceed with caution, but keep it in mind.

April 5 Update

Hello all,

I’ve been keeping an eye on the market and it seems as though we are at or very close to a breaking point on a descending triangle.  This is true both of the DOW and the S&P.  Will we bounce or will we push lower?  There’s no answer to that until it actually happens.  Once it does happen, the direction of the market will become more clear and trades with low risk and high reward can be taken.

On a side note, with the addition of $AAPL to the DOW, I believe the S&P is a better indicator of overall market health.  So any time I reference “the market”, I am talking about the S&P unless otherwise specified.

A number of stocks are at key support levels, some are in bollinger band squeezes, and others are in existing down-trends.  Let’s take a look at a couple of stocks exhibiting this behavior:

$JNJ:

As can be seen, $JNJ has been in a down trend in recent months.  It appeared to have formed a double bottom, but it is about to retest that bottom.  $JNJ was in a downward channel, but made a higher high and slightly broke out of the channel which is slightly concerning.  However, if it breaks and closes below $98, I’m looking for a swing trade over the course of a week or two down to $95.  MACD is already looking slightly bearish and a close below $98 should support a short trade.  The other way to play this stock is to go long if it bounces off $98, but that would be a counter trend trade and would require a tight stop.  $LVS is another stock in a downward trend worth looking at.

$FSLR:

This stock does not necessarily follow the trend of the overall market.  As a matter of fact, it has been in a side-ways pattern for around a month or so and is now in a bollinger-band squeeze.  Whichever way it breaks out of the band is the direction I would take the trade.  However, I would start with a small position due to the possibility of a “head fake”.$HES is a stock just about to enter into a bollinger band squeeze.

$EXPE

$EXPE is a great example of a stock breaking out.  The only thing I am concerned with is if the market pushes lower, the breakout could fizzle.  A low risk trade would be watching for $EXPE to come back to $96.74 before getting in and keeping a tight stop.  You may miss the move with this approach, so the alternative is to get in at market open understanding that you’ll want a wide stop.

$EBAY:

$EBAY is and has been in a nice uptrend.  It sits on the ascending trend line and is a good low risk/reward play.  However, this one may also depend on the direction of the market.  MACD is looking bearish so the stock may roll over.  If it does $55.50 is the first target.  $54.00 is the second.  If we get a bounce, $59.70 looks likely as a first target.$BBY is another stock in a similar up-trend.

That wraps up this update.  Have a great night, hope you had a happy Easter.  Good night and happy trading!

24 March Update

The markets pulled back further today after yesterday’s sell-off, but the bull-ish trend is still in tact.  I am still cautiously bullish, but there isn’t much that is catching my eye right now.

Real Account Update

$DD

Dupont seems to have broken the upward channel.  I’m a few cents away from my stop but see another opportunity to enter bullishly at $75.00 if my stop is hit.  That being said, the stock closed on it’s 100 SMA, which may prove as support.  Overall my loss will be minimal if I do get stopped out.  At this time, I have no plans to short

Stocks I’m watching:

$AAPL, $LVS, $TWTR, $FSLR, $VLO.

For $AAPL, I’m still looking for the 129.50 entry.  $LVS looks like it’s rolling over.  I’m looking at a potential short trade.  Both $TWTR and $FSLR broke out today.  I am looking at potential continuation patterns.  $VLO, I am still looking for a break out before getting in long.

That’s all I have for tonight.  Happy Trading!

Picks for Tuesday, July 16: $CAT, $LULU, $FLSR

So today I am just going to take a look at 3 potential plays.  1 brackett, 1 long and 1 15min rule.  So let’s begin!

$CAT:  First off, let me thank #Tradesmartu.com for pointing out this trade.  It looks like we could go in either direction with this stock.  On the bullish side, we need a close above today’s wick as well as a close above the 200 SMA.  Target is 90.60.  Stop is TBD.  On the short side, I like a close below 84.85 and a target of 81.48.  Stop is TBD.

$LULU:  I got burned on this stock a few weeks ago, but it’s looking like a good play is setting up.  There are some long term trend lines, the 200 SMA and recent wicks I’d like to close above.  In addition, there is an ascending triangle forming which I outlined in pink.  I like a close above 66.85 with a target of 70.40.  Stop is TBD.    Notice there is a short trade as well.  That was from a few weeks ago, but it may be valid depending on how LULU behaves.  For now, I am looking at the bullish trade.

$FSLR:  Here is the 15min trade.  It looks like we just had a nice pop on increasing volume. I think FLSR is a strong play with a target of 56.30.  My stop is 48.56.  This trade has an excellent R/R if it plays out as expected.  I think I will leg into this trade with one contract and get a couple more if the trend continues.  

That about does it.  Best of luck with all your trades.

Market Recap for July 15, 2013

Hi all.  I just want to apologize for missing the last couple of days.  The summer is proving difficult to keep up with work, leisure, family/friends, and stocks.  As a result, the blog is slipping off the plate.  Therefore, I make no promises on how often I update, but I would like to be able to update at least 3 times per week during the summer.  That is my short term goal with my long term goal of updating daily once the summer winds down in a few months.

So.  Today we had another all-time high close but the end of the day saw a slight sell-off.  I think we are due for another turn down, draw down, whatever you want to call, but I think the bears are sniffing around.  That being said, I would not enter short unless tomorrow really does sell-off.

REAL LIFE ACCOUNT:

$DIS:  HOLDING (-15%)  I entered this at the wrong time.  I think my strategy is going to focus more on formations rather than intermediate support and resistance lines.  I want to focus on strong pivot points, trend lines and patterns ready to break out.  That is my new focus when looking at trades.

$HES:  HOLDING (-2%)  See comments on DIS.  I should have gotten in early, but I was worried about an intermediate resistance that probably was something more to be aware of than to place a trade around.  

$DMND:  HOLDING (+11%)  Finally, a good trade!  I am moving my stop up but DMND looks strong to me.  It’s due for a down day or two, but I think overall we are heading to 24.00

$WLT:  HOLDING (+55%)  This is good, but not as good as it looks.  I wrote a $12 put that expires this Friday.  I’d be happy to own this stock and write calls against it if it channels or declines.  Similarly if it rises, I’m happy to write puts as it goes up.

Picks for tomorrow coming soon.

Picks for Thursday July 11, 2013: $DDD, $DIS, $GS, $HES

Here are my picks for tomorrow.  Just a quick note that futures are up quite a bit after hours.  Let’s see if that holds into tomorrow.

$DDD:  I like a long entry on a close above 48.75.  Targets are 50.98 and 51.87.  Stop is TBD.  MACD and Stochs are supporting a bullish move.

$DIS:  Here is a bracket trade; similar to the one posted a few days ago.  I like a long entry of 65.60 with a target of 67.88.  A shot entry of 63.75 with a target of 62.00.  Stop TBD.

$GS:  I like a long entry on a close above 157.60.  Targets are 160.80 and 165.65.  Stop TBD.

$HES:  I like a long entry on a close above 69.05 with a target of 72.40.  My stop is TBD.

Keep an eye on some stock picks from yesterday:

$DMND

$COST

$CELG

There you are.  Good luck to everyone.

Market Review July 10, 2013

Today was a pretty boring day.  Nothing really happened in the markets even with the FOMC.  SPY closed a few pennies above it’s close from yesterday.  The DOW finished pennies below while the NASDAQ had a rather strong bullish day.  I am still bullish on the markets.  It’s not really worth posting charts today, so I will get into the next segment:

REVIEW OF YESTERDAY’S PICKS:

$BTU:  No Trigger.

$COST:  You’d have been triggered in.  Not much action.

$DECK:  No Trigger

$QCOM:  No Trigger

$CELG:  You would have been triggered in; up a few pennies.

$XONE: You would have been triggered in, but as pointed out, there are no options for this stock, unfortunately.

$DMND:  You would have been triggered in; down a few pennies.

REAL ACCOUNT ACTIVITY:

$UA:  HOLDING (+2%) I still expect a bullish move north.

$LNKD:  HOLDING (-8%)  I’m not sure what to think here, but it seems, at least on the daily chart, that we found a bottom.  I expect we go back to retest 195.

$DMND: OPENED (-14%)  A lot of this loss is due to commission and the bid/ask spread. I expect to rebound in the coming days.

$AXP:  CLOSED (+17%)  I am grateful I was able to get out before the plunge down today.  Wish I had shorted, but such is life.

That’s about it for my open positions.  Picks for tomorrow coming soon.

Picks for Wednesday July 10, 2013: $BTU, $COST, $DECK, $QCOM, $CELG, $XONE, $DMND

I have a quite a list for you all to make up for lost time and because a lot of these look ripe for the taking!  Let’s get started:

$BTU:  I like a close above 16.21 with a target of 18.00.  Oscillators are starting to turn around and I think a break above the 16.21 line will set this stock on a bullish uptrend.  Stop TBD.

$COST:  If you had been watching this, you would have gotten triggered in today.  Sadly, I was not watching.  I think this guy is going higher.  15min bullish entry with a target of 115.39.  Stop is 112.00

$DECK:  This stock has been strong ever since I thought to buy puts a few weeks ago.  We just broke out of a long term and short term downward trend line.  I like this stock long with a 15min entry.  Targets are 55.42, 57.19 and 59.97.  Stop is 53.00

$QCOM:  We are in a clear downward channel.  I like an entry on a close below 58.86 or if you want to be aggressive, take a 15min short entry.  Target 1 is 57.36.  T2 is 56.56.  Stop is 60.40.  Careful on this one with the R/R ratio.

$CELG:  I like this one long.  It looks strong and broke out of a short term downward trend line a few days ago.  This is a 15min entry with targets of 127.60 and 130.  The R/R ratio isn’t the best so watch out for this one as well.  

$XONE:  Pure speculation but this thing is so overly extended I can’t see how it wouldn’t have a pullback.  The only question is when.  Keep a close eye because it has a ways to fall.

$DMND:  This one just broke out from some long term resistance.  I like this one long on a 15min entry with a target of 24.19 followed by 26.38. Stop is 20.95

Best of luck with all of your trades and positions!