Tag Archives: market lab report

Major averages rose on higher volume though closed in the lower half of their respective trading ranges as they churned and stalled. The sideways drift in the S&P 500 remains alive and well while the NASDAQ Composite tends to hit new highs then correct shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, the number of actionable names continues to grow, and despite the trendlessness of 2015, profit opportunities in individual stocks have been significant. Therapeutics company Retrophin (RTRX) had a pocket pivot on a strong earnings report. Sales, though small, have been soaring since the company went public 6 quarters ago, institutional sponsorship has grown over the last 6 quarters as well, group rank 3. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) had a pocket pivot. Pretax margin 49.4%, ROE 85.8%, soaring earnings, institutional sponsorship has grown over the last 7 quarters, group rank 3. We reported on LGND’s pocket pivot on May 19. Psychiatric facility provider Acadia Healthcare (ACHC) had a pocket pivot on a strong earnings report. Earnings and sales are strongly accelerating, institutional sponsorship has grown over the last 15 quarters, group rank 8.

Major averages fell yesterday on lower volume with the NASDAQ Composite bouncing off its 50-day moving average and the S&P 500 closing at its 50-day line. The majors closed roughly midbar after selling off during the first half of the session. Nevertheless, the market’s trendless character is making a fool out of the 50-day line. The sidelines are not a bad place to be until one sees opportunity in a stock or stocks on either the long or short side. Indeed, despite the trendlessness of 2015, good opportunities in stocks have presented themselves. Thus it is key to not let one’s guard down or throw in the towel as opportunities arise at sometimes the least expected moments.