Of 3,901 stocks and exchange-traded funds in this week's analytical universe, 53 mid- and large-cap symbols that are traded on the major American stock exchanges broke beyond their 20-day price channels, 32 to the upside and 21 to the downside.
Fifteen major-exchange small-cap symbols broke out, seven to the upside and eight to the downside.
Five over-the-counter symbols broke out, three to the upside and two to the downside.
Five mid- or large-cap symbols traded on the major exchanges survived my initial screening, all having having broken out to the upside. They are CMCSA, CMCSK, RAD, CLS and WAG.
One small-cap major-exchange symbol survived initial screening, RXII, having broken out to the downside.
No symbols traded over the counter survived my initial screening.
No large-cap symbols survived screening for inclusion on the supplemental list of high-volume large-cap potential bear plays, each having met the earnings exclusion test with sufficient open interest on its options, regardless of historical odds. SLM met all the criteria for inclusion on the list, but its breakout to the downside came as a result of news that produced a 65% drop in the stock price.
I shall do further analysis of the surviving symbols on Friday, May 2.
The next round of earnings began April 8 with the announcement by AA. Under the exclusion rule that forbids me from opening new positions in stocks within 30 days of an earnings announcement, increasing numbers of symbols will be removed from my prospective trades list during initial screening.
Methodology
The symbols are sorted into three groups and all have analyst coverage through the stock-ranking company Zacks. The groups are:
- mid- and large-cap stocks as well as selected exchange-traded funds listed on major exchanges,
- small-cap stocks on major exchanges,
- mid- and large-cap over-the-counter stocks.
I then screen the symbols for historical odds of a profitable signal in the direction of the breakout since June 24, 2013. That date is when the present uptrend on the S&P 500 chart began. In Elliott wave terms, it is wave 5 to the upside.
If the odds of success are greater than 50%, I next screen for the absence of an earnings announcement within the next 30 days.
For bear signals, I also screen to ensure the ability to do a trade because of the presence of options.
I sort by the results in descending order by the average yield on signals in the direction of the breakout in preparation for the second round of analysis after the opening bell.
References
My trading rules can be read here. And the classic Turtle Trading rules on which my rules are based can be read here.
Elliott wave analysis tracks patterns in price movements. The principal practitioner of Elliott wave analysis is Robert Prechter at Elliott Wave International. His book, Elliott Wave Principle, is a must-read for people interested in this form of analysis, as is his most recent publication, Visual Guide to Elliott Wave Trading.
Several web sites summarize Elliott wave theory, among them, Investopedia, StockCharts and Wikipedia.
Disclaimer
Tim Bovee, Private Trader tracks the analysis and trades of a private trader for his own accounts. Nothing in this blog constitutes a recommendation to buy or sell stocks, options or any other financial instrument. The only purpose of this blog is to provide education and entertainment.
No trader is ever 100 percent successful in his or her trades. Trading in the stock and option markets is risky and uncertain. Each trader must make trading decision decisions for his or her own account, and take responsibility for the consequences.
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