Category Archives: Your Trade Ideas

Your 11 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 4-22-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

Not much change from last week in terms of quality trade setups……it’s very thin.

Let’s first take a look at some macro charts you want to keep your eyes on.

In last week’s “Trade Ideas” I highlighted $UNG as potentially getting ready to break out, and that is exactly what it did.  Remember though that it is better to play the underlying than the companies in this industry.

The rally in the markets coincided with the failure of $SKF to breakout in November of last year.  It has now done a “double-tap” at this resistance line, and failing to break above that will bode well for the overall market going forward.

$FXI has managed to recover and pop back above its October breakout level, but it is still within a down channel.

Okay, on to the individual charts.

My two themes for this year are casinos and brokers, and though the action has been “sloppy,” $LVS has moved steadily higher since putting in a low in July of last year.  I will be looking for a move off the trendline indicated by the ellipse to verify that the trend is still intact.

Something is going on here in $FSLR though there is not a clean setup yet. Watching the area indicated by the square to see if one forms.

Lower highs and a wedging formation below the 200ma make $ELLI look like a short below the lower trendline.

This once hot stock has cooled a bit, but $DDD is forming a mini-flag right below a down trendline setting up a good risk/reward on a breakout.

Don’t know what $CEL does, but it has formed a mini-flag right below a gap resistance level.

$BIG was on the list from last week and is (slowly) breaking out of this flaggish channel-type formation.

$APC is sitting precariously on its trendline with a small consolidation area.  A break below that (and the trendline) would be a short to at least the 200ma.

$AMZN was also on the list last week and failed to break out of the this downward channel, but keep it on your radar as long as it holds the bottom trendline.

Insurance companies are looking very toppy.   $AIG made a double-top, then broke a trendline, railed up and “kissed” the underside of it, and formed a triple top.  A short target would be the 200ma.

Another weak insurance stock, $AFL looks like a short if it can break below this support level.

And of course everybody’s favorite stock to once love and now hate, $AAPL.  Next real support on $AAPL is the ellipse area.  If it moves down there fast you will want to look for a trade setup similar to what I wrote about in “How To Catch Knives.”

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Your 8 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 4-15-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

It is really, really hard to find interesting setups right now as most of the charts I am looking at are over extended or broken.  But no matter what the indexes are doing or what is on the front page of the business section you can’t just jump into stocks that are taking off like a runaway train; you have to be patient and wait for setups and good risk/reward entries.

Before we get into the thin gruel that are this week’s ideas, let’s take a look at some more macro charts/ideas.

I’ve been “on” $FXI for a long time, pointing out the pivot low in September of last year as well as the breakout in mid-November.  It has now come all the way back down to test that breakout point and is consolidating between the 200ma and support.  Keep an eye on this, for as China goes, so go the commodities and materials stocks.

The chart for $UNG actually looks pretty good here and some stocks like $DYN and $NBL are doing well while others such as $CHK and $APA are sucking ass.  This illustrates a similar phenomenon that happens with gold and silver stocks; just because the underlying commodity is doing good doesn’t mean that every company in that sector will benefit.

Speaking of $GLD, it fell through some major support on Friday, and as of this post (Sunday night) gold futures are down big.

Two weeks back I highlighted the “stair step” down pattern in $SLV and indicated that it was a short below $27.50 and it is now 8% lower.

What the “F” is going on with $AAPL?  It broke out of a long down channel but is in danger of coming back into it with the “line in the sand” of $420.00 very close by. Hard to explain this but I think if it holds that level it is going to rocket, and if it can’t hold that level, it is going to tank hard.  Just don’t think it is going to meander sideways around that level long.

$AMZN looks like it is going to break out of a three-month channel, but the fact that it has not moved well with the overall market is reason for pause.

$BIG is looking like it is going to break out of a channel right below a gap resistance level.

$BRCM is consolidating in an ever tightening range after going nowhere for over ten years.  My feeling is that this stock is like a guy with whisky dick.  It’s going to get there eventually, but it is going to take a long time.

BRCM Monthly

BRCM Monthly

$GE is breaking into five-year highs which has to be good for the overall market….right?

$GOOG broke into all-time highs in February and this pullback to that level is normal.  Look for buy on a break above the downtrend line.

I looked up the definition of “bear-flag” and there was a picture of $NDAQ next to it.

I have a buddy who tells me there are internal changes at $ZQK that set it up well for the long run…..but besides that, after breaking resistance it has been consolidating nicely so watch for a break above the downtrend line.

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Your 20 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 3-25-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

This market has definitely returned to the “short-killer” mode as of late, but having said that, there are actually a number of short candidates this week which hasn’t happened for a while.

The market is incredibly strong but I would be very careful on initiating any new longs as we are due for a pullback.  If you area putting new money to work long, reduce your size and make sure you have tight stops in.  Okay, let’s do this…..

Is $AAPL, everybody’s favorite Kool-Aid stock finally done going down?  Who knows, but it is coming out of a large down channel that could signal a change in character from the previous seven months.

Financials have been strong as of late and $CMA is forming a bull flag here.

$CF broke a downtrend line, consolidated, tried to run higher but failed and in the process broker a longer uptrend line.  After a bounce it looks like it could be headed lower from here.

After a strong run $BSX is consolidating nicely getting ready for the next move up.

After a year-long narrowing range $BRCM is slooooowly starting to break out.  Long-term play here.

At the first of the year $BIDU looked like it might be getting ready to break out of a year-long down channel, but it failed.  Now at the bottom of that channel, look for a reversal in the area indicated by the circle.

Another hot theme this year has been real estate and $AKR is forming a tight bull flag here.

$AIG has made a double-top and now is breaking an intermediate term downtrend line.  The next move may be down.

Not sure what $CYBX does but it has broken a trendline and now looks ready to break down out of a rising channel.

Another one that I have no idea what they do, but the chart in $DSCO looks ugly and the next move may be down.

The range in $GME continues to tighten setting up a possible break to the upside.

$GOOG is coming back to re-test its breakout into all-time highs.  This tight flag may reverse at the 50SMA coming up.

No specific setup here in $LNKD but its powerful uptrend makes it one to watch.

Climbing an uptrend line, $MITK is about to take its fifth shot at breaking above gap resistance.

Once left for dead $NFLX is everyone’s favorite trading stock now.  This high level consolidation after its earnings gap up is bullish.

Yes utilities are boring but there is a nice tight flag forming here in $PNW.

Nice high-level consolidation here in $RDN.

A breakout from a channel like $REGN is forming can lead to a sustained move up.

Along with casinos, the brokers have been my pick for the sector to move this year. $SCHW is forming a tight flag from which may head higher.

Rarely do you get such an orderly and repetitive move like the one here in $SLV. The consolidation range it is in now may just be the pause before heading lower still.

$SODA is on a mission to prove that they are not a fad and I like the look of the stock here.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 3-11-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Your Trade Ideas

The markets are tough right now.  Sounds crazy right, as they have been going up, up, and uh….oh yeah UP!  But think about it, if you are trying to short you have been getting your head handed to you, and unless you have open positions that you have been riding, the markets are pretty extended and it is hard to initiate new longs here. And this weeks scan of the charts reflects this conflict.

Most charts are extended or broken, with a definite lack of good set ups (i.e. bases, clear breakout or pullback points, etc.) and top-tier companies to consider.  In fact many of the charts this week are more macro in character.

But no matter how much the markets are due for a real correction, you have to follow the charts and trade what you see.  I however would be keeping my stops a bit tight on anything new you initiate at this time.  Okay, here we go….

Were you look up “dog” in the dictionary there is a chart of $ZNGA.  That being said, the stock has recently broken above a gap resistance and the 200ma where it is consolidating now.  A break above $3.75 could get you to $4.90 at the gap fill.

I see dead people.  Well not really, but $SCI is the largest cemetery conglomerate in the world.  The stock is a slow mover but in a good uptrend and basing at 12-year highs.

If $PRU could get some sideways work in the area indicated by the oval, I would like this on a break over resistance of the $60.00 level.

Don’t know what they do, but $PLL is holding strong basing at all-time highs here.

Another one at all-time highs.  $NBL is coming out of a bull flag pattern and you could use Friday’s green hammer as your risk/reward to get long.

What I like about $MON is how it barely budged in the recent mini-correction compared to industry related stocks like $MOS, $POT, and $AGU.  That is good relative strength and as long as the whole sector doesn’t fall apart, it should be the leader in the next move up.

Tough, tough stock to own/trade in the short-term, but in the longer term $MA is a star having gone up 150% in two years and basing at all-time highs.  It’s giving you an objective level to get long here, but don’t expect an easy ride.

Nicely riding it’s 50ma higher, $LPX is looking strong at 6-year highs

$DG looks like it is coming out of an 8-month donwtrend here, but was stopped by the 200ma.  If it can consolidate in the box indicated, that would set up a nice move back over the 200ma with a buy above the pivot of $49.20 give or take.

Out in SoCal they are putting these up on every street corner which is maybe why the stock is at an all-time high.  None the less, $CVS is basing nicely here.

We are about to finally get into the “post-Aubrey” era with $CHK which may change the character of this stock.  Some basing in the oval area and then a break above $21.70 would get me interested.

One of those macro moves I was talking about.  $BWA has just completed a huge “W” pattern which often indicates higher prices to come.  Some sideways work in the oval area would set up a good risk/reward to get long.

Another macro stock.  $BRCM has been in a progressively narrowing range for the last year, and pretty soon it may emerge to the upside.  A measure move would take it to the $45.00 area, although it would be a long and slow move.

Choppy and gappy, but something about the $BCOR chart intrigues me.  Some consolidation in the indicated oval would set up a good risk/reward entry.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 2-11-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Your Trade Ideas

Most of the trade ideas from last week’s post either didn’t trigger or were scratches. However one pick, $ATVI was up almost 20% at one point.

I was really looking for a pullback last week and on Monday morning it looked like it was starting.  But the market is incredibly strong right now and we ended the week higher.  That said, if you have stocks with nice profits in them, I would be starting to pare them back a bit and raise cash.

One of my themes this year is that the retail investor is going to return to the markets, which will be good for the brokers.  Since I highlighted these charts six weeks ago, $SCHW and $ETFC are each up over 20%.

Now on to this week’s ideas.

Late last year I talked about the biotechs completing a pullback and starting to set back up again.  That is what $ABT has done here after bouncing off its 200ma twice. Needs some sideways work first in the area noted by the oval before playing a breakout.

Great risk/reward zone setup here on $AGU as it gets ready to break into five-year highs.

Energy has been getting hot this year and that move may have helped $APA find a bottom.  Good risk/reward range for a break out above its 200ma.

$BAX is a holdover from last week’s list.  The pattern still looks constructive as it bases below all-time highs.

Don’t know what $BCOR does, but the stock looks like a short here right below it’s 200ma.

Tight risk/reward range here as $CRAY breaks into eight-year highs.

This flag pattern right below a gap resistance on $DD is interesting.  Often a break above both the 200ma and a resistance level can start a powerful move.

If you have been bottom fishing on $DECK, this might be the spot to try it if it can break above the 200ma and resistance level.

$EBAY is pretty extended, but if you want to try it as it goes to eight-year highs, here is a well-defined risk/reward range to play it.

$ECL is another one which I have no idea what it does, but basing below all-time highs here is good.

Don’t look now but $HD is flagging right below ten-year highs.  This stocks’ move is a great sign for the economy as a whole.

Another energy stock that looks like it has bottomed.  $NBR has a very tight range here to use as risk/reward on a break over $17.00.

Nice basing here in $PH right below all-time highs.

$STT has moved up from $47.00 to the $56.00 area very quickly, but this tight basing gives you a good risk/reward range if you want to try and catch the next move.

$YHOO has been on fire since late last  year, but I would look for a weak candle in the noted area to short it.

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Your 10 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 2-4-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

Coming into this week there are not as many potential setups do to the fact that most stocks are just extended like crazy as this market moves higher.  We are due for a pullback, but when that happens nobody knows.  Until then, use your charts to make sure you know where to place your stops and always practice good risk management.

$WLT is a holdover from last week.  If this isn’t a bottoming pattern then I don’t know what is.  Good risk/reward set up for a breakout over both the resistance level and the 200ma.

$PNRA is in a down channel, which it tried to break out of and failed.  This action should have cleared out all the stops, so on a second attempt at the breakout you get long above the $166.00 area.

After breaking into all-time highs $PIR is setting up a nice flag consolidation here.

NTAP Monthly

$NTAP Monthly

The top chart shows $NTAP consolidating right at a resistance level on the daily, and the bottom chart shows how that lines up with the top range of two-year down channel.

$NBR is bottoming here and providing a nice tight risk/reward zone for a break above a resistance level.

Remember when $C was going to go out of business?  Now its basing nicely below two-year highs as financials move higher.

BLK Monthly

$BLK Monthly

The top chart in $BLK shows a tight consolidation on the daily, and the bottom chart shows that in relation to its all-time highs.

BAX Monthly

$BAX Monthly

$BAX is consolidating nicely on the top chart, and the bottom charts shows that this level is just below all-time highs.

$ATVI is coming out of a down channel, pausing at the 200ma.  This could be the beginning of a trend change.

AFL Monthly

$AFL Monthly

Top chart shows $AFL consolidating at 52-week highs, and the bottom chart shows that in relation to the top of a large five-year narrowing pattern.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 1-28-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

Good setups have been pretty easy to come by lately.  From last week’s post we had CF up 5%, SCHW up 3%, APC up 5%, and the big winner was KBH up 14%.

Of course most of this is due to the overall market just grinding higher.

A nice proxy for the overall market, $FDX is moving into 5-years highs which signals that the economy is getting back on track.

I actually was thinking to myself that we are now in a swing trade type of market, and that thought, plus the ease of gains lately tells me we are probably in for a pullback soon.  But as always, price action is what we follow.

I have been asked what the best way to use this weekly list is, and here are my suggestions.

First you can use it for a day trade or very short-term trade template (2-4 days). Each week there are usually a couple of candidate that make a nice quick move. However, the other way you can use it is for a longer term template.  I tend to be “early” on some picks, so if you can get a nice entry you might be able to hold them a few weeks.  Here are some examples from recent posts.

I highlighted a buy area in $GS back in late December, indicated by the green arrow. You could have bought it there and pretty much held it since for about a 17% gain.

$TEX is another stock from a post in early December that has gone on to a 25% gain. Unfortunately, I got stopped out of it.

Now on to this week’s list.

$ADM recently recaptured its 200ma and is basing below a resistance level.

$ADP is getting ready to breakout into 12-year highs.  The script here would be anticipation of the jobs market coming back.  Needs a few days of sideways work first.

$BIDU is a holdover from last week.  This very tight flag just below the top of a large down channel could be the launching pad for a move and a change of trend.

If you look at the bottoming pattern in the oval area, there is something of an inverse H&S pattern.  The consolidation afterwards along the 200ma makes me think $BTU is getting ready to move.

If the economy is really on a comeback, this shipper should be near a bottom.  The tight flag gives you a good risk/reward setup to get long on a breakout in $EGLE.

Financials have been hot lately, and this tight flag on $FITB after breaking into 5-year highs is a great setup to get long.

Arf, arf.  Yes, $GRPN has been a dog, BUT……!!!  If it can break this resistance level at $5.50, it has a good chance to get to at least the 200ma around $6.90 or even the gap fill at $7.40 setting anywhere from a 1:3 to 1:8 risk/reward ration depending on how tight you set the stop.

After putting in a double bottom, $HAR is consolidating in a tight range at the top of a very large “W” pattern.

I highlighted $IBB, a biotech ETF, back in mid-November, noting that it made a “double tap” off its 200ma.  Since then it has set up nice, consolidating right below it’s all-time high.

$KEYW is a holdover from last week.  I just like this pattern.

Keeping in the biotech mode, $LLY is consolidating nicely under 5-year highs.

Last week I noted that well run casino companies were on my radar to be the big winners this year.  $MGM is providing another chance to get long on a break out here if you missed the first one.

$OXY looks like it may have bottomed here.  Nice consolidation and now is breaking past the 200ma.

My traditional “I don’t know what they do stock,” but this consolidation zone after breaking out, right under all-time highs looks nice.

I hate trading $WLT and in fact is was on my post, “The 5 Hardest Stocks To Trade….Ever!” Having said that, the stock is getting to a point where resistance and the 200ma are converging.  A break of that area could finally send this perpetual buyout stock flying.

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What bclund is, is the intersection of markets, trading, and life (with some punk rock, pop culture, and off-beat humor mixed in). Check out “The Best Of bclund” to get started.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 1-22-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

There are three themes this week.

1.  We are in earnings season so before you take a stab at any of these stocks first make sure you know when their earnings are and adjust accordingly.

2.  There are A LOT of stocks with constructive charts, moving into highs, just as you would hope to see as the overall market does the same.

3.  The semi’s are something you need to keep an eye on this year.  Most are not quite ready, but the charts are shaping up nicely.

$AMAT breaking out hard on big volume.  Don’t chase here but keep it on your list.

Sure, $PRKR is a small cap, but the chart is nice as it breaks a downtrend line giving you a nice tight risk/reward range to play a breakout above $2.50.

The range in $BRCM is narrowing as it rides above it’s 200ma.

$KLAC with a similar pattern testing its downtrend line.

Higher highs on $QCOM as it bases under a gap resistance level.

This five-year chart on $ALTR shows that once it breaks the downtrend line the first target on a swing would be the $50 area.

Worden Resorts & Casinos

Worden Resorts & Casinos

I’m not really sure what instrument best tracks another theme of mine this year, casinos, but here is the Worden Resorts & Casinos indicator as well as the Market Vectors Gaming ETF, both of which are breaking into four-year highs.  If the economy really comes back this year, the best of breed casinos are going to fly again.

Along those lines, $LVS which has been grinding higher since last year has formed a tight flag here.

Yet another theme of mine this year is the return of the retail investor, which will benefit stocks like $SCHW.  If you missed the previous two entry points it is providing you another tight risk/reward range to play it long on a breakout.

I’ve been talking about the turnaround in $FXI for a long time, but one Chinese stock that hasn’t been doing that great is $BIDU.  However, it’s nearing the top end of a down channel and if it can break that, it may signal the beginning of a trend change.

Is the housing recovery real?  Who knows, but $KBH broke out, retested that level and has been basing nicely since.  Watch for a break of the downtrend line.

$KEYW is my weekly “I have no idea what they do” stock, but the chart looks sweet.

$PHRA is in the upper range of this down channel just 5% off it’s all-time highs.

Nice tight flag on $APC gives you a good risk/reward range.

After breaking a downtrend, $CF is consolidating in a tight range.

A nice tight range in $EGOV at all-time highs.

$ACI has done a lot of work since last year trying to bottom.  Higher lows and finally a break above 200ma on good volume gives that “script” more credence.

Breaking above a gap resistance and the 200ma, combined with a tight range, $SVU is giving a good risk/reward setup here.

Basing below a definite gap resistance level is good.  Buy is above $2.50 with a 10 cents stop.

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What bclund is, is the intersection of markets, trading, and life (with some punk rock, pop culture, and off-beat humor mixed in). Check out “The Best Of bclund” to get started.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 1-7-13

Posted by Brian Lund in Your Trade Ideas

It looks like the fiscal cliff issue is behind us (or technically still in front of us), and that caused the markets to roar, sending many of last weeks picks up nicely.  $AIR was up 11%, $SCHW was up 9%, $ETFC was up 6%, and $GS was up 7%, but it’s not hard to do well when the $SPX tacks on sixty-five handles.

Let’s start this week off with some macro charts and a little review.

This chart is all good news as the $RUT is breaking into all-time highs.

The $SPX chart is good in that it’s at four-year highs, but there is going to be a lot of resistance to overcome in between the channels that mark a double-top with a spread of seven years.

Back in early November I highlight a breakout point in $SKF, the UltraShort Financials ETF, that would be trouble it succeeded (indicated by the arrow).  Fortunately it failed and has continue to crumble.

This has been confirmed as its analog ETF, the $XLF is moving into four-year highs.  If this holds up it is bullish for the Financial Sector as well as the markets in general.

As most of the world was declaring the death of China, I pointed out in an early October post that the $FXI looked like it put a bottom in and was getting ready to break out.  Then again in a mid-November post I mentioned that the $FXI had successfully tested its breakout point and 200ma and looked poised to go higher, which it has.

$XHB the homebuilders ETF is breaking in to five-year high territory after consolidating in a three-month channel.

$TOL broke out with the ETF, but still can be caught here, using the last three day’s bars as your risk/reward on a breakout above the $33.95 area.

$DHI is looking good, but yet to break out. You can use the last three bars as the risk/reward on a breakout above the $20.80 area.

$CF is getting squeezed between it’s 200ma and the down sloping trendline.  The chart looks pretty good as it is less than 3% below all-time highs.

As I have said before, $POT sucks.  I hate trading that stock.  But…..it does look like it might be breaking a year-long down trend.  If it does, it will need some sideways work, but keep an eye on it this year.

$MU looked like it was ready to go back in August, but it failed.  Since then it has tested the breakout around $7.00 twice more for a total of four times.  A couple of days of sideways action would set up a good risk/reward trade here.

Don’t look now but $AMZN is near all-time highs.  A couple of days consolidation in the indicated box would set up a sweet trade.

There are A LOT of bag holders in this stock.  Having said that, the $28.90 break in $FB could send the stock racing higher.

$DXCM is looking nice here.

After gaping up, $STMP is forming a progressively more narrow range above it’s 20/50/200 ma.  Watch for a break above $26.40.

For bottom pickers, $ZNGA is giving you probably the best risk/reward this dog has ever had on a break above $2.75.  Arf! Arf!

Since I first highlighted it in early August, $LVS has grinded higher, providing numerous trading opportunities along the way.  I wouldn’t chase here, but a successful re-test of the recent breakout level would be a buy.

Yeah, I know Steve Wozniak is somehow associated with this company.  No matter, $FIO looks like a short on a break below the trendline.

Don’t know what $FIRE does, but the chart looks like it is rolling over here and a short below the trendline.

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Your 15 Trade Ideas For The Week Of 12-31-12

Posted by Brian Lund in Trading, Your Trade Ideas

You’ll have to forgive my absence over the last two weeks but I was in full holiday mode, which means I was too drunk to do any posts.  But now I have sobered up enough to get back in the swing of things.

As I write this, the clowns in Washington are still trying to decided if they will drive us over, or pull us back from the fiscal cliff.  Keep that in mind, as well as how the overall market reacts to whatever these asshats come up with when looking at these set ups.

$AIR broke out nicely above a gap resistance level and has formed a tight flag/consolidation area, setting up a good risk/reward entry on a break.

Biotechs were hot this year and $ALXN was up over 70% at one point before taking a brutal drop in October.  Since then price has been consolidating for what may be another leg down.  Friday’s inverted hammer was an NR7 bar which you could use as you risk/reward set up on a break below the trendline.

$ANR is basing below a resistance level that has been tested numerous times, which is good action.  Each successive try increases the odds it breaks, and if it break both the 200ma and that level at the same time it can create a fast move.

Everybody and their brother had been watching $CRM for a breakout, which it eventually did.  Now it’s coming back in to test that breakout level on light volume.  A successful test may be your chance for a “second bite at the apple.”

A cup and handle pattern is usually only valid on a weekly chart, but we have the same pattern on a daily with $EQIX and I like it.  Especially since this stock is at ten-year highs.

Not unlike $CRM, we have $GS breaking out and re-testing that breakout point on low volume.  If it holds you have a great objective place to get long with a protective stop below the trendline.

A nice flag after breaking out of a large pattern sets up a good risk/reward trade in $OC.

Everybody’s favorite small cap stock $SIRI is flagging right below five-year highs.

2012 was a great year for the housing stocks and all eyes are on them to see if their recovery is real or just a “bounce” from the devastation of the financial meltdown.  $TOL has come in very orderly here, and will soon be “squeezed” between it’s 200ma and the down trendline.  A break of that trendline is a buy.

Flagging below five-year highs is good for $TSO.

I love $WFM.  Any place where I can eat pizza and drink craft beer while my wife shops is okay by me.  The stock had a great year in 2012 but is looking like it is rolling over here as it goes under its 20, 50, and 200ma.  A break of the lower trendline would be a short.

I have been keeping my eye on $WTR for a while now as it creates a large flag or pennant formation at six-year highs.

I have no idea what $YPF does and I also get really nervous when the work “Sociedad” is in any stock I am looking at.  That being said, there is a nice, tight flag formation after the break of the 200ma that looks compelling.

I have talked about trading “scripts” in the past, and how it’s okay to do that as long as the technicals confirm the script.  Last year it was reported that for the first time in their history, Fidelity had more than 50% of the funds they manage in bonds.  To me that is a massive contrary indicator.  Sure, conventional wisdom is that retail investors have left the markets, never to return, and if that is the case, then the retail broker dealers must be “dead money” as well.  But money has to find return, and I think we may be questioning the so-called “death” of the retail trader/investor at some point.

With that in mind, we have $SCHW in an extremely tight flag on a closing basis after breaking out of a large consolidation pattern, and $ETFC nearing the top of a similar pattern.  Obviously if this “script” plays out these stocks will be longer term plays, however there may be opportunities to day or swing trade them along the way for the nimble trader.  Just something to keep on your radar as we enter 2013.

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What bclund is, is the intersection of markets, trading, and life (with some punk rock, pop culture, and off-beat humor mixed in).  Check out “The Best Of bclund” to get started.