Tag Archives: stocks

Market Lab Report – Premarket Pulse 1/13/16

Major averages rose on mixed volume. Economic news out of China on their export data came in above expectations sending oil and European stocks higher in relief-rally fashion as markets are due for a bounce after the drubbing they have endured. Nevertheless, China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell another 2% continuing its downtrend. Futures are higher by more than half a percent at the time of this writing. Watch for short sale set-ups that may emerge during this bounce which may be short-lived. Most former big-stock leaders have broken down through their 50-day moving averages, and in some cases even their 200-day moving averages, such as PANW and LNKD, for example. As the market rallies we are also watching for potentially shortable rallies in names like FB, AMZN, NFLX, GOOGL, MSFT, and others. Some of these rallies may occur as a function of a perceived “strong” earnings report that sparks a gap-up move that can be shorted into. We saw that in AAPL back in July of last year. Currently, we see NFLX as shortable here using the 50-day moving average as a tight stop. The company announces earnings on January 19th, so one either looks for a quick breakdown from the 50-day moving average before earnings, or looks to hold a small position, at most, going into earnings.

Facebook Among 5 Big Caps Making Big Deals

Stocks of big, well-capitalized companies are generally more stable than those of their smaller peers. With the market in confirmed correction, top-rated big caps are a good hunting ground for stock watch list candidates. Today’s Screen Of The Day is Big Cap Leaders, companies that usually have a market value north of $15 billion and are priced at 15 or higher. The list includes five highly rated big companies that have been doing big deals: Apple

3 Best-Ranked Mid-Cap Value Mutual Funds

Mid-cap value mutual funds provide excellent opportunities for investors looking for returns with lesser risk by gaining exposure to stocks that are available at a discounted price. While large companies are normally known for stability and the smaller ones for growth, mid caps offer the best of both the worlds, allowing growth and stability simultaneously. Companies with market capitalization between $2 billion and $10 billion are generally considered mid-cap firms. Meanwhile, value mutual funds are those that invest in stocks trading at discounts to book value, plus having low price-to-earnings ratio and high dividend yields. Value investing is always a very popular strategy, and for a good reason. After all, who doesn’t want to find stocks that have low P/Es, a solid outlook, and decent dividends? However, not all value funds solely comprise companies that primarily use their earnings to pay dividends. Investors interested in choosing value funds for yield, should be sure to check the mutual fund yield. Below, we share with you 3 top-rated mid-cap value mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund A (MUTF: LAVLX ) seeks capital growth. LAVLX invests heavily in securities of undervalued companies having medium size market capitalization. LAVLX invests in companies located throughout the globe. LAVLX may also invest in ADRs. The Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock A fund has a three-year annualized return of 8.3%. As of September 2015, LAVLX held 79 issues, with 2.58% of its assets invested in Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG ). Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund A (MUTF: OVEAX ) invests the lion’s share of its assets in equity securities of undervalued mid-cap companies. According to the advisors, a mid-cap company is defined as one with market capitalization within $1 billion to $30 billion. OVEAX predominantly invests in common stocks of both domestic and foreign firms that are traded in the U.S. The Sterling Capital Mid Value A fund has a three-year annualized return of 10.2%. OVEAX has an expense ratio of 1.19% as compared to the category average of 1.21%. Federated Absolute Return Fund A (MUTF: FMAAX ) seeks positive return consistent with low level of correlation with the U.S. equity market. FMAAX invests in both equity and debt securities of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. FMAAX focuses on acquiring securities that are believed to be mispriced or misperceived. The Federated Absolute Return A fund has a three-year annualized return of 3.5%. Dana L. Meissner is the fund manager of FMAAX since 2009. Original Post