Thursday, October 30, 2014

Put on a Happy Face: Stocks Dip as Optimistic Fed Ends Bond Buying

That went remarkably well. The Federal Reserve released a hawk-tinged statement from its October FOMC meeting–and stocks bent but did not break.

Associated Press

The S&P 500 dipped 0.1% to 1,982.30 today, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped 0.2% to 16,974.31. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3% to 4,549.23.

Here’s what happened: As expected, the Fed ended its bond buying, but left the “considerable time” between the end of asset purchases and the first rate hike intact. A little more surprising: It painted an alnost rosy picture of the U.S. economy that all but ignored the market turmoil of the last month. The Fed called the risks to the job outlook and economy “nearly balanced,” spotted “solid job gains” and noted that the “underutilization of labor resources. is gradually diminishing.” CRT Capital’s David Ader takes it all in:

Bottom line is that this is a bit more optimistic than before with some enthusiasm for labor market and household spending.  Inflation remains an issue and mentions energy and ‘other’ factors (presumably the dollar) and so that extends this concern a bit as does the idea of “Market-based measures of inflation compensation having declined  (whatever that is). We look for extended period to disappear in Dec or very very soon so that’s moot point.  Note that distant Fed fund futures are very little changed which makes sense.

ISI Group’s Dennis DeBusschere hopes the Fed is reading things right:

…although inflation is clearly front and center, they are for now talking about temporary influences, and they note that labor underutilization is gradually diminishing. Hope they are correct on inflation expectations being wrong and temporary influences keeping inflation low. Market could react very poorly to inflation exp being correct and influences being more than just temporary.

Making the market’s recent gains temporary, too.

5 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves Higher

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

Must Read: Warren Buffett's Top 10 Dividend Stocks

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside.

Must Read: 10 Stocks Billionaire John Paulson Loves in 2014

Tecogen

Tecogen (TGEN) designs, manufactures, sells and services systems that produce electricity, hot water and air conditioning for commercial installations and buildings as well as industrial processes. This stock closed up 5.6% to $6.21 in Tuesday's trading session

Tuesday's Range: $5.95-$6.40

52-Week Range: $4.97-$31.31

Tuesday's Volume: 15,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 20,452

From a technical perspective, TGEN spiked sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $5.83 with lighter-than-average volume. This jump to the upside on Tuesday is quickly pushing shares of TGEN within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if TGEN manages to take out some key overhead resistance levels at $6.27 to $6.59 and then above some past resistance levels at $6.60 to $6.89 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TGEN as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $5.72 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 20,452 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then TGEN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.40 to around $9.

Must Read: 5 Rocket Stocks to Buy for November Gains

Xcerra

Xcerra (XCRA) designs, manufactures, markets and services automated test equipment for the mobility, industrial, medical, automotive and consumer end markets. This stock closed up 3.1% to $8.50 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $8.24-$8.51

52-Week Range: $6.02-$10.95

Tuesday's Volume: 302,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 447,565

From a technical perspective, XCRA spiked notably higher here right above some near-term support at $8.17 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been uptrending over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $7.46 to its recent high of $8.60. During that uptrend, shares of XCRA have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of XCRA within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if XCRA manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $8.60 to around $8.75 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in XCRA as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $8.17 or above more support at $8 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 447,565 shares. If that breakout gets set off soon, then XCRA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $9.31 to its 50-day moving average of $9.53, or even $10.

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Sanchez Production Partners

Sanchez Production Partners (SPP) focuses on the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties, as well as midstream assets in the U.S. This stock closed up 4% to $2.60 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $2.46-$2.61

52-Week Range: $2.06-$4.23

Tuesday's Volume: 274,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 169,868

From a technical perspective, SPP ripped higher here right above some near-term support at $2.42 with above-average volume. This stock recently came out of a nasty downtrend, that took shares lower from its high if August of $4.23 to its recent low of $2.21. Shares of SPP held its 52-week low at $2.06 and this stock has now started to rebound higher off that recent $2.21 low. This spike higher on Tuesday is now quickly pushing shares of SPP within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if SPP manages to take out some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.65 to its 200-day moving average of $2.71 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SPP as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $2.42 or above that recent low of $2.21 then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 169,868 shares. If that breakout starts soon, then SPP will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $3 to its 50-day moving average of $3.31, or even $3.80.

Must Read: How to Trade the Market's Most-Active Stocks

The Female Health Company

The Female Health Company (FHCO) manufactures, markets and distributes consumer health care products. This stock closed up 6.6% to $4.50 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $4.19-$4.54

52-Week Range: $4.19-$10.13

Tuesday's Volume: 170,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 113,465

From a technical perspective, FHCO ripped sharply higher here right above some near-term support at around $4.01 with above-average volume. This rip to the upside on Tuesday is now quickly pushing shares of FHCO within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if FHCO manages to take out Tuesday's intraday high of $4.54 to some more near-term overhead resistance at $4.70 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in FHCO as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $4.01 or above its 200-day at $3.90 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 113,465 shares. If that breakout develops soon, then FHCO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $5.50 to its 200-day moving average of $5.68.

Must Read: 5 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

Covisint

Covisint (COVS) provides a cloud engagement platform in the U.S. and internationally. This stock closed up 4.6% to $3.16 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $2.90-$3.17

52-Week Range: $2.06-$13.85

Tuesday's Volume: 261,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 167,428

From a technical perspective, COVS spiked sharply higher here with above-average volume. This trend to the upside on Tuesday is now quickly pushing shares of COVS within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if COVS manages to take out Tuesday's intraday high of $3.17 to some more near-term overhead resistance at $3.30 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in COVS as long as it's trending above Tuesday's intraday low of $2.90 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 167,428 shares. If that breakout materializes soon, then COVS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 50-day moving average of $4.15 to $4.37, or even $5.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

Must Read: 7 Stocks Warren Buffett Is Selling in 2014

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com.

You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

CVS and Rite Aid Block Apple Pay From Their Stores

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-752857{display:none}.cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-752857,#postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-752857{width:570px;display:block} CVS Blocks Apple Pay to Make Room for Competitor Drug retailers CVS Health (CVS) and Rite Aid (RAD) have disabled Apple's (AAPL) new electronic payments service Apple Pay from their stores over the weekend, The New York Times reported. Apple Pay, which was unveiled in September, is a mobile payment app that allows consumers to buy things by simply holding their iPhone6 and 6 Plus devices up to readers installed by store merchants. A Rite Aid spokeswoman told the Times that the company doesn't currently accept Apple Pay. The company is "still in the process of evaluating our mobile payment options." Rite Aid and CVS aren't part of the group of retailers that had teamed up with Apple on its payment system. However, Apple Pay technology was working in Rite Aid and CVS stores over the week, the newspaper said. The reason for the disabling wasn't immediately clear, the newspaper said. According to analysts, disabling the acceptance of Apple Pay is a way to support a rival system that is being developed by Merchants Customer Exchange, a consortium of merchants that includes Rite Aid and CVS, the Times reported. MCX is developing CurrentC, an app that scans the bar code of the product and initiates the payment transfer by connecting to the customer's debit card, according to MCX's website. CurrentC won't be available until 2015. Apple, Rite Aid and CVS couldn't be immediately reached for comments outside regular U.S. business hours. Yes they can. The CARD Act did get rid of the most outrageous abuse: they can no longer increase the interest rate on existing balances unless you go 60 days past due.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Deepak Chopra's guide to thinking rich

Many people may dream of becoming wealthy. Some say having a certain type of mindset can actually help to create affluence.

Deepak Chopra, physician, educator and best-selling author, is a firm believer. He offers three strategies that can help you visualize your financial dreams and turn them into reality.

First, be grateful for wealth, not only in monetary terms.

"You want the kind of wealth that will make for a better life for you and for those that you love," Chopra told CNBC. "Be grateful for whatever you have, even if it's very little. When you express your gratitude and you count your blessings, that opens the window to what I call abundance consciousness. And then it opens up opportunities for you."

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Next, focus on your "abundance consciousness."

Recognize talents that you have and the way that you express them that makes you unique. "Society has needs for security, for love and belonging, for health and well-being, for self-esteem, for creative expression and for higher consciousness. Think what do you have that can help one of those needs," Chopra said.

Finally, always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

"What I call 'good luck,' is just opportunity meeting preparedness," Chopra said. "So every day ask yourself: 'What kind of life do I want for myself? What kind of products and services can I produce? Who are the people I will connect?' Recognize that every encounter that you have, every relationship you have can give you the opportunity through meaningful coincidences to become extremely wealthy."

Chopra's bottom line: "Rather than think rich, think abundance."

Epperson can be reached at yourmoney@cnbc.com or on Twitter: @sharon_epperson #GetAPlan.

© CNBC is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Market Wrap-up for October 24 – Wrapping Up the Positive Market Week

We are in the final day of what has been the best week for the markets in 2014. While we saw a very choppy market last week, the market was generally positive this week. As the third quarter earning season continues, we saw several big-names release financial results this week – including 130 companies in the S&P 500. Below is an overview of the week ended October 24.

Monday

While there was upside for the markets on Monday, the Dow was dragged down by IBM’s Disastrous Q3 Earnings Report. Excluding IBM’s results, the markets had a relatively calm day. In the premarket, we saw earnings from dividend payers including Halliburton Company (HAL) (who also boosted its dividend) and Hasbro (HAS). Both of these company’s beat analysts’ expectations. After hours, Apple (AAPL) stole the spotlight as the country’s largest company reported positive earnings.

It is also notable to mention that Google (GOOG) reported lower results after hours, which fell below estimates.

Tuesday

We began the day on Tuesday with a ton of big name earnings as well as a positive Existing Home Sales report which was released at 10 A.M. Overall the market remained positive as a result of Apple’s upbeat earnings and positive economic news from abroad.

Reynolds American (RAI) - reported higher earnings; beat estimates. In-line outlook Coca-Cola (KO) – Profits plunged, but matched estimates. Shares fell Lockheed Martin (LMT) – Reported higher results, which came in above estimates. Boosted outlook. McDonald’s (MCD) – Sales and net income fell. Missed estimates Travelers Companies (TRV) – Profits and revenue increased. Profits met expectations while revenue fell short. Verizon (VZ) – Profits and revenue increased. Beat estimates.

Wednesday

The market took a dip on Wednesday after the week’s gains as some of last week’s nervousness returned. As for earnings, there were a few names worth noting.

Boeing (BA) – Net income and revenue rose, beating estimates. Increased outlook. Abbott (ABT) – Revenue and earnings increased. Earnings beat estimates, but revenue fell short. Dow Chemical (DOW) – Reported increased earnings and revenue, which beat estimates. Share increased.

After hours, we saw disappointing results from AT&T (T) – who reported lower results that missed estimates.

Thursday

The markets surged on Thursday, coming close to marking the best day for the Dow in 2014, until reports that a doctor in New York City had been exposed to Ebola – spooking the market that the deadly virus could be in the big city. Despite these fears, the market performed well – primarily due to good earnings for some big names in the premarket and a positive Jobless Claims report.

Lorillard (LO)  - Earnings and revenue increased. Met estimates. Comcast (CMCSA) – Reported higher results. Earnings exceeded expectations, while revenue missed. 3M (MMM) – Posted higher results. Earning beat estimates, but revenue fell short. Caterpillar (CAT)  - Earnings increased and crushed estimates. General Motors (GM) – posted higher earnings and beats estimates.

After hours, we saw a positive earnings release from Microsoft (MSFT) – resulting in several bullish analyst remarks today. In addition, Amazon (AMZN) reported a larger than expected loss for the quarter – sending shares for a steep decline on Friday.

Friday

The market has been relatively calm so far as it awaits a New Home Sales report and the European stress tests on Sunday. This morning, the earnings reports continued to compile.

Ford (F) – Posted lower results, but beat EPS estimates. Shares declined. United Parcel Service