Services Sector Ideas

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Dunkin Brands (DNKN) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-trades-avoid-eurozone-fallout.html











>>> Recent IPO Dunkin’ Brands Group (DNKN) is the firm behind the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurant franchises -- and it’s one of the highest-profile firms to go public in 2011. While IPOs are typically trickier to trade than your average established name, there’s a solid opportunity shaping up in shares of Dunkin’ this week.

Since its first day of trading, Dunkin’ has been locked inside a horizontal channel with resistance at $30 and support at $25, price levels that have each been tested three times since shares started trading; it’s a perfect example of an “if/then trade.” Essentially, if shares break out above $30, then it’s time to be a buyer. If shares break down below $25, then Dunkin’ turns into a short candidate.

Since Dunkin’ is a recent IPO, its trading implications are actually much stronger. From a psychological standpoint, a breakout above $30 means that everyone is sitting on profits on their positions, while a crack below $25 means that everyone who bought shares on the open market is sitting on losses. That factor is going to have a big impact on how eager investors are to unload or pick up more shares as we approach year-end.

Dunkin' was also featured recently in "5 Stocks Poised to Pop off Earnings." For more on IPO trading strategy, check out Stockpickr’s primer on How to Trade an IPO. <<<

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Patriot Coal (PCX) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-trades-avoid-eurozone-fallout.html











>>> Another (slightly more typical) example of an inverse head-and-shoulders setup is taking place in another energy stock, Patriot Coal (PCX), right now. In fact, the setup in Patriot Coal has already broken out above its neckline level -- but like the throwback we saw in shares of Prudential, this stock is offering traders a second low-risk entry.

Patriot pushed above its neckline level alongside the broad market at the end of October, only to get caught up by the ensuing weakness in stocks. Since then, shares have been consolidating above the $12 neckline, a price level that’s actually acted as pre-existing support as far back as August. The technical significance of that $12 price is important right now -- it increases the likelihood that shares will be able to make it higher.

Traders should be looking for a thrust off of that $12 level as a signal to be buyers. <<<

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Apache (APA) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-trades-avoid-eurozone-fallout.html











>>> Independent energy company Apache (APA) is another name that’s gotten hammered this year, dragged lower as waning demand for oil and gas caused a drop in energy commodity prices. Like Prudential, though, Apache is a stock that’s on the verge of a technical turnaround in shares.

That’s thanks to an inverse head and shoulders setup. The inverse head-and-shoulders setup is a formation that indicates exhaustion among sellers -- and admittedly, this pattern in particular looks pretty exhausted. Frankly, it’s not your “textbook” inverse head and shoulders pattern. But while its appearance is a bit less defined than the norm, the trading implications are exactly the same.

This setup has a neckline at $105 -- that’s the price level that we’ll need to see get breached before it makes sense to take a position in this stock. Until then, it’s not a high probability trade. When that price gets taken out, I’d suggest a protective stop just under the right shoulder at $95.

Apache shows up on a recent list of 6 Stocks With Heavy Insider Buying. <<<

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Prudential Financial (PRU) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-trades-avoid-eurozone-fallout.html










>>>26 billion insurance and financial firm Prudential Financial (PRU) has been having an underwhelming year in 2011, dragged down by the sinking tide of the financial sector as a whole. But this stock could be on the verge of a turnaround thanks to an ostensibly bullish setup in shares.

From a technical standpoint, Prudential is mirroring the broad market right now. Shares had been hitting their head on $52 resistance for the last few months, only to break out above that level at the end of October. Now shares are forming a throwback, a return to retest that $52 level that’s now become support.

>>Top-Rated Insurance Stocks

Essentially, you can think of a throwback as a second chance to take a low-risk trade on a stock. While the initial breakout above $52 signaled a major shift in Prudential’s supply-demand equation, a bounce off of $52 now provides an entry at the same price (now that shares have confirmed demand there). The operative word here is “bounce” off of $52 -- we’ll want to see that that price is actually holding up as a support level now.

If you do decide to take this trade, I’d recommend placing a protective stop right at the 50-day moving average. <<<

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MedQuist Holdings (MEDH) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-under-10-big-upside-potential.html-1













One more under-$10 stock that’s setting up for a big breakout and potential monster move higher clinical documentation solutions provider to the health care sector MedQuist Holdings (MEDH). This stock has traded virtually flat in 2011, with shares off by just 0.33%. That said, if a near-term technical breakout triggers, then we could see a big pop that will put flat performance in the rearview mirror.

If you take a look at the chart for MedQuist, you’ll notice that this stock was hammered from its August high of $13.77 to a recent low of $6.21 a share. After printing that low, the stock has rebounded sharply to its current price of around $9 a share. During that rebound, the stock has started to make higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish price action for any stock. The stock now sets up for a big breakout if some past overhead resistance can be taken out to the upside.

>>5 Beaten-Down Tech Stocks Poised to Rebound

Traders should monitor MEDH for a breakout if it can clear $9.08 to $9.65 a share on high volume. Look for volume that’s tracking in close to or above its three-month average action of 255,530 shares. Volume today has already surpassed 320,000 shares, and the stock is moving up over 4% to $9 a share at last check. If we do see a sustained move and close above those resistance levels soon, then this stock could easily run make a 20% to 30% pop from current levels.

One could buy this stock once it breaks out over $9.08 with strong volume. I would simply use a mental stop that’s a few percentage points below your breakout entry price. You could also anticipate the breakout and buy off any weakness back towards $8.50, with a mental stop just below that level.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for MEDH is notable at 5.9%. That’s not a huge short interest, but it’s more than enough to spark a big short-squeeze if we do get that breakout in the coming days or weeks. <<<

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Velti (VELT) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12









>>> One more stock that’s approaching a major breakout is Velti (VELT), a global provider of mobile marketing and advertising solutions that enable brands, advertising agencies, mobile operators and media companies to implement campaigns by communicating with and engaging consumers through their mobile devices. The bears have hammered this stock in 2011, with shares off by over 40%.

If you look at the chart for Velti, you’ll notice this stock plunged huge from its July high of $20 a share to a recent low of $6.11. Since hitting that low, the stock has rebounded back above its 50-day moving average of $7.81 a share, and it’s now setting up to trigger a major breakout.

>>5 Breakout Stocks to Recoup Your Losses

Market players should watch for a high-volume move above some near-term overhead resistance at $8.74 to $8.85 a share, and then $9.25 a share. If this stock busts above those tough resistance levels with volume, then look for a monster spike towards its 200-day moving average of $12.93, or possibly even higher.

I would look to buy this stock once it starts moving above all three of those levels on volume that’s tracking in close to or above its three-month average action of 634,283 shares. I would use a tight mental stop just below the 50-day moving average in case the stock isn’t ready to swing higher.

Keep in mind that VELT reports earnings on next Tuesday, so look to play the breakout after you know the quarter is a good one and the stock is reacting positive. That said, you can scalp the stock ahead of the quarter for some quick gains while we wait for the report. <<<

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Ubiquiti Networks (UBNT) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12









>>> A stock in the computer services sector that looks poised to break out is Ubiquiti Networks (UBNT), which designs, manufactures and sells broadband wireless solutions worldwide. This stock is off to a hot start since it IPO'd back in October, with shares up by around 7%.

This stock is popping over 7% today after the company reported profits that nearly tripled in the first quarter following their introduction of its AirVision IP video surveillance platform, its third product.

If you look at the chart for Ubiquiti Networks, you’ll notice that this stock started trading on Oct. 17 at around $17 a share. Since the IPO debut, the stock soared and hit an all-time high of $21.50 a share. After hitting that high, the stock dropped back down to $18.50 but has now rallied back to its current price of just under $20 a share.

Traders should put this IPO on their trading radar for a breakout trade in the near-term if it can manage to move back above that all-time high of $21.50 on high volume. Look for a volume move over that level that tracks in close to or above its average action of 292,660 shares. The stock actually hit $21.50 today but failed to move higher.

>>Stocks Hitting 52-Week Highs

Once could simply be a buyer of this stock once it sustains a move and close over $21.50. I would simply use a very tight mental stop at around $21.20 or even $21 in case the breakout fails. If this breakout does indeed hold, then I would look for a monster spike since it would mean the stock <<<

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3SBio (SSRX) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12









>>> One name in the biotechnology and drug complex that’s just starting to break out is S3Bio (SSRX), a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products primarily in China. This stock has been trending lower in 2011, with shares off by around 17%.

This stock is surging over 8% today after the company beat by a penny, beat on revenues and reaffirmed its 2011 revenue guidance.

If you take a look at the chart for S3Bio, you’ll notice that this stock was crushed from its July high of $19 a share to a recent low of $10 a share hit in October. After hitting that low, the stock has started to uptrend and print higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish price action. The stock now is setting up to trigger a big breakout if it can sustain a move and closes above some past overhead resistance at $12.51 a share on strong volume.

>>10 Most-Shorted Stocks in Biotech

Market players should look a move and close over $12.51 and today’s high of $12.63 on volume that’s tracking in close to or above its three-month average action of 64,469 shares. Volume today is already hitting above that level, so watch how the stock closes to see if the breakout triggers as well.

You could be a buyer of this stock off any weakness and simply anticipate the breakout. Use a tight mental stop at around the 50-day moving average of $11.92 a share. A better strategy would be to buy off strength and get long once it closes over $12.51 with volume. If we get that close, then look for this stock to spike big back towards its 200-day moving average of $15.26 a share, or possibly even higher <<<

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Pacific Sunwear (PSUN) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12










>>> Another stock that’s very close to triggering a major breakout is Pacific Sunwear of California (PSUN), a specialty retailer rooted in the action sports, fashion and music influences of the California lifestyle. The bears have done a number on this stock in 2011, with shares off by over 75%.

If you take a look at the chart for Pacific Sunwear, you’ll see that this stock was hammered from its July high of $3.16 to a recent low of $1.11 a share. After printing that low, the stock has started to change its trend to a more bullish slant since its higher lows and higher highs. Shares have also started to move back above its 50-day moving average of $1.31, which is another bullish technical sign. Now the stock is approaching a major breakout if it can manage to sustain a move and close above $1.34 to $1.35 on high volume.

>>Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

Market players should look for a move and close over $1.35 on volume that registers close to or above its three-month average action of 831,851 shares. The stock is trading up a bit today and volume is already trending above that average volume. Keep an eye on this trend to see if it continues if the stock breaks out in the near future.

You could be a buyer of this stock once it takes out $1.35 and simply use a mental stop a few percentage points below that level. If this stock does trigger that breakout, then I would look for a monster run above some more resistance at $1.60 to $1.68. A move above those levels will put a big gap down into play that could easily push this stock into the low-to-mid-$2s.

Pacific Sunwear is a heavily shorted stock, since the current short interest as a percentage of the float stands at 14.4%. This high short interest is why I like the odds of a large percentage move if we see a high-volume breakout soon. <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12

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Cisco (CSCO) -

http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12










>>> One stock that’s already started to break out is Cisco Systems (CSCO), which designs, manufactures and sells IP-based networking and other products related to the communications and IT industry and provides services associated with these products and their use. This stock has not done much in 2011, with shares off by around 5%.

If you take a look at the chart for Cisco Systems, you’ll notice that this stock has actually been uptrending for the past three months after it found some big buying support at $14.84 to $14.95 a share. After finding that buying support, the stock has been ramping and is now triggering a big breakout with shares moving above $18.60 a share on high volume. Volume on Thursday (an up day) registered about 148 million shares, which is well above the average volume.

Market players should now watch for this stock to sustain a move and close above the next major resistance level at $19.50 a share. A move above that level will set this stock up to start filing a major gap down in price that occurred back in February. That could easily push shares of CSCO back into the $20s.

One could be a buyer of this stock off any weakness and simply place a mental stop a few percentage points below the breakout price of $18.60. I would look to add aggressively to any long position once the stock moves above $19.50 with volume. Look for volume that’s tracking in close to or above its three-month average action of 66,743,600 shares. A high-volume move over $19.50 should put that gap down into play and spark a solid rally for CSCO, so watch that level closely in the coming days and weeks.

Cisco shows up on recent lists of 10 Dow Stocks With Lowest P/E Ratios and 3 Dividend Stocks Poised to Rally <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-stocks-setting-break-out.html-12

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Diamond Foods (DMND) - possible pincher play developing -


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Hersey - bouncing off support -










>>> A more traditional example of an uptrending channel is $13 billion chocolatier and food company Hershey (HSY), one of TheStreet Ratings' top-rated food stocks. The fact that shares are approaching trend line support right now makes HSY a solid name to watch for an optimal entry at support.

Again, the high probability trade in Hershey is to buy a bounce off of support and then to sell in advance of hitting trend line resistance. Risk management is paramount in any trend trade, and in Hershey’s case, that comes with a protective stop at the 200-day moving average. Once the 200-day gets punctured, we know that our trendline has broke, and the technical thesis for this stock is no longer in play. <<<

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Mead Johnson - bouncing off support -










>>> There’s a major difference between a trending channel like the one in Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) and the horizontal range in a stock like Broadcom: Mead Johnson's trend provides a much greater bias for shares’ likely movements. For that reason, trending channels such as MJN's don’t require waiting for a breakout, and they’re often more actionable.

In the case of an uptrending channel like the one in MJN, traders should be looking for a bounce off of support as a buying signal. That bounce is crucial -- support and resistance levels do invariably fail (causing breakouts), so we want to see that demand is holding up below that trend line before actually putting money on the line. While it may cost a few basis points in lost gains to wait for that confirmation, it dramatically increases the probability that the trade will be successful. In the long-run, that’s crucial.

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy in November

One notable thing about Mead Johnson is the fact that the stock actually has resistance defined as a range rather than the single, well-defined trend line that makes up support below. In uptrending channels, resistance tells traders the probable extent of a move -- in this case, I’d recommend scaling down your position to reduce risk as MJN approaches the first line, then trade the range just like another smaller channel.

A bounce off of that closer resistance is a signal to close the trade. <<<

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Broadcom -









>>> Broadcom (BRCM) is showing a similar setup right now -- albeit a more defined one. Broadcom has been consolidating in a sideways channel since the start of the summer, locked between support at $31 and resistance at $38. It’s a perfect example of an “if/then trade.”

Put simply, an if/then trade is a contingent setup whose direction is dictated by the price action of Broadcom’s shares; we’re looking for a breakout outside of the channel to take a trade. In other words, if shares of Broadcom break above resistance, then buy. If shares fall below $12 support, then this stock becomes a short candidate.

Although Broadcom’s channel does have a particularly wide range, the size of the range is actually a good thing for traders. That’s because it provides a best guess for the extent of the move in Broadcom -- a wider channel generally yields a bigger move as a result of the breakout. While it may be tempting to enter this name early in anticipation of an exit form the channel, the only high probability trade comes in reaction to the breakout.

Broadcom shows up on a list of semiconductor stocks liked by hedge funds in the second quarter. <<<

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Home Depot - banging at resistance -









>>> Home improvement giant Home Depot (HD), one of the highest-yielding retail stocks, is another name that’s testing a key breakout level right now. While Home Depot has seen some volatile price action over the past few months, this stock has been constrained to the upside by the $38 price level all year. As shares rebound off of Aug. 8 lows, that’s the price level to keep an eye on.

This stock has shown impressive strength relative to the broad market in the last several months, pushing through minor resistance levels when the S&P was stuck sideways. That’s an important indication that buyers are in command of this stock. Another positive indicator is 14-day RSI, a momentum indicator that’s also been posing positive confirmation since August. Because momentum is a leading indicator, the fact that it’s confirming this rally adds to its reliability.

Ultimately, though, an actual trading signal only comes on Home Depot’s price breaking through $38. When it does, the 200-day moving average makes for a reasonable protective stop. <<<

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Rite Aid - up she goes -









>>> First up is Rite Aid (RAD), the small-cap pharmacy chain that’s seen a dramatic fall from its pre-recession highs. Rite Aid’s household name status hasn’t spared it from an 81% drawdown since 2007, but in the shorter-term, this stock is looking like an upside trade.

That’s thanks to an inverse head-and-shoulders setup that’s been forming in shares of Rite Aid since the August 8 stumble in the broad market. An inverse head and shoulders indicates exhaustion among sellers -- and even though this particular pattern is somewhat lopsided (its right shoulder is much smaller than its left), the trading implications aren’t any different. The price level to watch in Rite Aid is its neckline at $1.20.

>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts

A breakout above that neckline level tells us that buyers have overwhelmed the glut of supply of RAD shares that have previously acted as a sort of “price ceiling” for shares. If you decide to take this trade, I’d recommend putting a protective stop just below the right shoulder. <<<

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Susser Holdings (SUSS) -


>>> Susser Holdings (SUSS) is a non-refining convenience store operator, as well as a non-refining motor fuel distributor. This stock is trading up 3.4% at $24.00 in recent trading after hitting a 52-week high of $24.20 earlier in the day.


http://www.thestreet.com/story/11307534/4/6-stocks-hitting-new-52-week-highs.html




Today's Range: $23.32-$24.21

52-week Range: $12.82-$24.21

Volume: 70,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 115,668

Susser, one of TheStreet's top-rated food and staples stocks, has a market cap of $410.66 million and an enterprise value of $780.10 million. The stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings of 13.30 and a forward price-to-earnings of 17.99. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 81.8%, and for next year it's pegged at -33%. The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Susser is low at 3.9%.

This stock is moving higher today after the company reported third-quarter profits that more than doubled as the convenience store and gas station operator sold more merchandise and higher prices stoked fuel revenue.

From a technical standpoint, this stock is very close to triggering a major breakout if it can sustain a move and close above some past overhead resistance at $23.98 on high volume.

Traders should watch this stock very closely in the coming days and weeks for a high-volume move into that breakout territory that comes on volume over 115,000 shares. If that hits, then look for this stock to trend much higher in the near-term.

<<<

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Hersey (HSY) -







>>> A more traditional example of an uptrending channel is $13 billion chocolatier and food company Hershey (HSY), one of TheStreet Ratings' top-rated food stocks. The fact that shares are approaching trend line support right now makes HSY a solid name to watch for an optimal entry at support.

Again, the high probability trade in Hershey is to buy a bounce off of support and then to sell in advance of hitting trend line resistance. Risk management is paramount in any trend trade, and in Hershey’s case, that comes with a protective stop at the 200-day moving average. Once the 200-day gets punctured, we know that our trendline has broke, and the technical thesis for this stock is no longer in play. <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) -






>>> There’s a major difference between a trending channel like the one in Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) and the horizontal range in a stock like Broadcom: Mead Johnson's trend provides a much greater bias for shares’ likely movements. For that reason, trending channels such as MJN's don’t require waiting for a breakout, and they’re often more actionable.

In the case of an uptrending channel like the one in MJN, traders should be looking for a bounce off of support as a buying signal. That bounce is crucial -- support and resistance levels do invariably fail (causing breakouts), so we want to see that demand is holding up below that trend line before actually putting money on the line. While it may cost a few basis points in lost gains to wait for that confirmation, it dramatically increases the probability that the trade will be successful. In the long-run, that’s crucial.

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy in November

One notable thing about Mead Johnson is the fact that the stock actually has resistance defined as a range rather than the single, well-defined trend line that makes up support below. In uptrending channels, resistance tells traders the probable extent of a move -- in this case, I’d recommend scaling down your position to reduce risk as MJN approaches the first line, then trade the range just like another smaller channel.

A bounce off of that closer resistance is a signal to close the trade. <<<



http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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Broadcom (BRCM) -





>>> Broadcom (BRCM) is showing a similar setup right now -- albeit a more defined one. Broadcom has been consolidating in a sideways channel since the start of the summer, locked between support at $31 and resistance at $38. It’s a perfect example of an “if/then trade.”

Put simply, an if/then trade is a contingent setup whose direction is dictated by the price action of Broadcom’s shares; we’re looking for a breakout outside of the channel to take a trade. In other words, if shares of Broadcom break above resistance, then buy. If shares fall below $12 support, then this stock becomes a short candidate.

Although Broadcom’s channel does have a particularly wide range, the size of the range is actually a good thing for traders. That’s because it provides a best guess for the extent of the move in Broadcom -- a wider channel generally yields a bigger move as a result of the breakout. While it may be tempting to enter this name early in anticipation of an exit form the channel, the only high probability trade comes in reaction to the breakout.

Broadcom shows up on a list of semiconductor stocks liked by hedge funds in the second quarter. <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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Home Depot (HD) -





>>> Home improvement giant Home Depot (HD), one of the highest-yielding retail stocks, is another name that’s testing a key breakout level right now. While Home Depot has seen some volatile price action over the past few months, this stock has been constrained to the upside by the $38 price level all year. As shares rebound off of Aug. 8 lows, that’s the price level to keep an eye on.

This stock has shown impressive strength relative to the broad market in the last several months, pushing through minor resistance levels when the S&P was stuck sideways. That’s an important indication that buyers are in command of this stock. Another positive indicator is 14-day RSI, a momentum indicator that’s also been posing positive confirmation since August. Because momentum is a leading indicator, the fact that it’s confirming this rally adds to its reliability.

Ultimately, though, an actual trading signal only comes on Home Depot’s price breaking through $38. When it does, the 200-day moving average makes for a reasonable protective stop. <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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Rite Aid (RAD) -





>>> First up is Rite Aid (RAD), the small-cap pharmacy chain that’s seen a dramatic fall from its pre-recession highs. Rite Aid’s household name status hasn’t spared it from an 81% drawdown since 2007, but in the shorter-term, this stock is looking like an upside trade.

That’s thanks to an inverse head-and-shoulders setup that’s been forming in shares of Rite Aid since the August 8 stumble in the broad market. An inverse head and shoulders indicates exhaustion among sellers -- and even though this particular pattern is somewhat lopsided (its right shoulder is much smaller than its left), the trading implications aren’t any different. The price level to watch in Rite Aid is its neckline at $1.20.

>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts

A breakout above that neckline level tells us that buyers have overwhelmed the glut of supply of RAD shares that have previously acted as a sort of “price ceiling” for shares. If you decide to take this trade, I’d recommend putting a protective stop just below the right shoulder. <<<


http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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5 Trading Ideas - article -

http://stockpickr.com/5-breakout-stocks-recoup-your-losses.html

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ID Systems (IDSY) related article -


>>> 5 Homeland Security Stocks That Make Safe Buys


By Jamie Dlugosch
09/09/11



http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/11244032/1/5-homeland-security-stocks-that-make-safe-buys.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA



MINNEAPOLIS (Stockpickr) -- In a few days, we will commemorate 10 years since the tragic events of 9/11. Having been in New York then, I will certainly never forget. That day changed the world forever.

In the aftermath, an entire category of stocks dedicated to homeland security emerged from within the defense industry. Investors now can select specific stocks of companies that play a critical role in our national security. Osama bin Laden may be dead, but the threat still exists. As long as it does, there is money to be made from the efforts to keep us safe.

It's a good thing, too. With a national debt that is out of control and an economy teetering on the brink of a double-dip recession, stock-picking is exceedingly difficult. Where can investors go and know that growth and profits are likely to follow?

Consider homeland security stocks. In the greater story of military and defense stocks, investors need to brace for cuts. That is less the case with homeland security. Nobody wants to be accused of cutting spending there if and when another terror event occurs.

Here are five homeland security stocks to safely buy for your portfolio.

Flir Systems(FLIR_) is a $4 billion market cap homeland security company that is focused on thermal imaging systems that enable the watchers to see at night. In addition, the company's detection division helps design instruments to detect biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological threats to homeland security. It is relatively safe to assume that government contracts to this mission-critical company are protected.

Shares of Flir are down more than 30% since budgetary concerns began to dominate headlines early this summer. Investors should use the discount to as an opportunity to buy shares. Although the company has missed estimates slightly in each of the last three quarters, its prospects for growth remain impressive.

The average Wall Street estimate is for the company to make $1.40 per share in the current year, with that number growing 25% to $1.75 per share in 2012. Investors can buy that growth for just 18 times current-year estimated earnings. That is a bargain in my book for a company that plays an important role in national security.

Flir, one of the top-yielding aerospace and defense stocks, shows up on a recent list of 10 Stocks That Avoid the September Slump.

The fear of another terrorist attack on U.S. soil persists, and with that the fear of weapons or devices being smuggled into the country. Keeping this warfare, be it nuclear, chemical or biological, out of the U.S. is a top priority.

To that end, screening device company American Science & Engineering(ASEI_) is poised to benefit. Its products search cargo at ports, airports and train centers across the country. The company has products to screen cars and trucks as well human beings.

American Science & Engineering is profitable and pays a small dividend of 1.9%. Since July 21, shares are down 20%, caught in the downdraft of speculation regarding massive budget cuts to military budgets. But I'd be shocked if this company sees a dime of cuts. Its products are mission-critical.

With the stock trading for only 19 times current year estimates of earnings, I would buy this stock at these lower prices.

One potential solution to the current economic malaise is small business. These engines of growth have been struggling under the weight of competition from larger players. In the homeland security space, the government is poised to provide support to these smaller entities that play a critical role in keeping the country safe.

I.D. Systems(IDSY_) is a $56 million market cap company that helps other businesses and governmental agencies keep track of enterprise assets. Its wireless solutions allow customers to monitor everything from fork lifts to trailers and rail cars. If something goes missing, I.D. Systems will know about it.

Shares of I.D. Systems have been very stable during this uncertain market environment. The company is expected to lose money this year, with profits coming in 2012. As the importance of asset tracking becomes more prominent in the discussion of homeland security, I.D. Systems is poised to grow.

Currently at around $5.13 per share, the stock is a bargain given the potential size of this market. I would buy this homeland security stock.

The reliance of the global economy on information technology, including the Internet and wireless networks, makes for prime terror targets. Cyber security is an absolute must as more and more trade takes place over the Internet. Hackers have the ability to disrupt power services, air travel and the banking system from the comfort of computers located far from any law enforcement or military presence.

CACI International(CACI_) provides IT services to the federal government and commercial customers in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to helping set up command and control for military missions, the company provides cyber security against potential threats to any number of networks and systems that may be vulnerable to attack.

Shares of this $1.6 billion market cap company have been hit hard by concerns regarding the federal debt and budget deficit. Politicians cutting spending here, though, would be making a big mistake and opening the door to any terrorist ready to find the one opening that could cripple our way of life. Since the beginning of July, shares are down 17%.

Considering the company has beaten average Wall Street estimates in each of the last four quarters, I would use the discount as an opportunity to buy. Trading for just 10 times estimates for the fiscal year 2012 ending June 30, CACI shares are cheap in my opinion.

In the world of homeland security, much of what takes place to keep us safe occurs outside of our borders, where the U.S. may or may not have a presence. To keep an eye out for terrorists, the military has greatly increased the use of predator drone aircraft. These unmanned vehicles are difficult or impossible to detect, allowing for missions in air space that does not belong to us.

AeroVironment(AVAV_), which designs, develops, produces and supports unmanned aircraft missions, is a key player in a fast-growing business. This relatively new publicly traded company came to market in 2007, and the challenging economic environment since its initial offering has kept its valuation in check. At the current price of about $27.88 per share, the stock is only slightly above the $24 it fetched on its initial day of trading. The stock may not be doing much since 2007, but operating performance has been stellar. In each of the last four quarters, the company has beaten average Wall Street estimates for profits. Analysts expect double-digit profit growth from this year to the next. With shares trading for 21 times current fiscal-year profit estimates, investors can still buy this homeland growth story at a reasonable price.

In the future, I would expect orders for drone aircraft to explode as orders for traditional military craft decline. AeroVironment is poised to benefit from this simple budgetary shift to how the U.S. protects the homeland. <<<

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>>> I.D. Systems Reports Record Third Quarter Revenue Up 74%, Net Income of $0.06 per Share (Non-GAAP)



Press Release Source: I.D. Systems, Inc. On Monday October 31, 2011, 9:00 am EDT



http://finance.yahoo.com/news/I-D-Systems-Reports-Record-pz-1891826001.html?x=0&.v=1



WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 31, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I.D. Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDSY - News), a leading provider of wireless solutions for tracking, securing and managing high-value enterprise assets, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Third Quarter of 2011 Financial Results

• Revenue increased 74% to $11.3 million from $6.5 million in the same period a year ago. The improvement was driven by increased sales of the company's wireless vehicle management systems for fleets of rental cars and industrial trucks. Recurring revenue in Q3 2011 was $4.2 million.

• Excluding stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization, non-GAAP net income was $665,000, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.10) per basic and diluted share, in the same year-ago period.

• Net loss was $214,000, or ($0.02) per basic and diluted share, an improvement from a net loss of $1.9 million, or ($0.17) per basic and diluted share, in the same year-ago period.

• As of September 30, 2011, the company had $28.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which equates to $2.32 per share outstanding, with no debt.

• As of September 30, 2011, under a stock repurchase program authorized in November of 2010, I.D. Systems has repurchased a total of 265,000 shares of its common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $1.1 million, including 69,684 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $324,000 in the third quarter of 2011. The program authorizes the repurchase of issued and outstanding shares of up to $3 million in aggregate value.

First Nine Months of 2011 Financial Results

• Revenue increased 47% to $27.5 million from $18.6 million in the same period a year ago. Recurring revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $12.3 million, or 45% of total revenue.

• Selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses decreased 9% to $19.1 million from $20.9 million in the same year-ago period.

• Excluding stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization, non-GAAP net loss was $1.3 million, or ($0.12) per basic and diluted share, an improvement from a non-GAAP net loss of $7.3 million, or ($0.66) per basic and diluted share, in the same year-ago period.

• Net loss was $4.0 million, or ($0.37) per basic and diluted share, an improvement from a net loss of $9.9 million, or ($0.89) per basic and diluted share, in the same year-ago period.

Third Quarter of 2011 Operational Highlights

• Strong repeat business across all major product categories from core customers, including Alcoa, American Airlines, Audi, BASF, Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, Knight Transportation, Marten Transportation, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, the U.S. Postal Service, Walgreens, and Walmart.

• Record sales of VeriWise(TM) transportation asset management systems, many of which replaced competitors' systems; new customers include a leading global provider of multi-modal transportation services and a major U.S. logistics solutions provider.

• Growing sales of PowerFleet(R) and PowerBox(TM) industrial vehicle management systems through channel partners; new customers across diverse industries include a Fortune 100 food producer, a Fortune 500 retailer, one of North America's largest healthcare products suppliers, and a major U.S. building supply distributor.

• Continued success of direct sales of industrial vehicle management systems; new customers include a regional U.S. grocery chain, a North American consumer beverage producer, and a leading U.K.-based industrial products manufacturer.

• Expanded rental fleet management business with Avis Budget Group, which converted its 5,000-vehicle pilot program with I.D. Systems into a 60-month contract, placed an additional $14 million order to deploy I.D. Systems' technology on 25,000 more vehicles (with an option for global fleet deployment), and purchased an equity stake in I.D. Systems.

Management Commentary

"In the third quarter of 2011 we achieved our highest quarterly revenue to date and our fifth consecutive quarter of revenue growth," said Jeffrey Jagid, I.D. Systems' chairman and CEO. "We are also pleased by our net income of $0.06 per share, on a non-GAAP basis.

"Our strong third quarter revenue was driven by three factors: deployment of rental vehicle management systems for Avis Budget, which based its new "Avis On Location" virtual rental offering on our wireless technology; robust sales of our core industrial vehicle management systems; and record orders of our Asset Intelligence transportation management solutions. Our revenues continue to reflect a balance of product and service sales, with 45% of total revenue for the first nine months of 2011 coming from recurring sources.

"I.D. Systems' gross margins remain strong and stable, at 52% for the quarter and 53% for the nine-month period, consistent with the company's historical range. We also continue to closely manage costs, with combined SG&A and R&D expenses over the first nine months of 2011 9% lower than the same period last year."

Investor Conference Call

I.D. Systems will hold a conference call for investors and analysts today, Monday, October 31, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time. The company's chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Jagid, will lead a discussion on the results of the quarter and recent developments, followed by a question and answer period.

The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet via the investors section of the company's website at www.id-systems.com. To listen to the live call, go to the website at least 10 minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement its financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, I.D. Systems provides certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP net income/loss and non-GAAP net income/loss per basic and diluted share. Reference to these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared under current accounting standards, but are not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of I.D. Systems' current financial performance. Specifically, I.D. Systems believes the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses, gains and losses that may not be indicative of its core operating results and business outlook. Reconciliation of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release to the nearest GAAP measures can be found in the financial tables included in this press release.

About I.D. Systems

Based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, with subsidiaries in Germany and the United Kingdom, I.D. Systems is a leading provider of wireless solutions for securing, controlling, tracking, and managing high-value enterprise assets, including vehicles, powered equipment, trailers, containers, baggage, and cargo. The company's patented technologies address the needs of organizations to monitor and analyze their assets to improve safety, security, efficiency, and productivity. For more information, please visit www.id-systems.com. <<<

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ID Systems (IDSY) - involved in wireless monitoring/tracking technology, market cap only $64 mil.

The chart has been basing for most of the year, and now appears to be turning up, breaking through key resistance, though it could use some better volume.

Float only 5.5 mil shares, and shares outstanding low at 11 mil shares. Low volume may make the stock tough to trade. In any event, the chart looks interesting -

















>>> I.D. Systems, Inc. develops, markets, and sells wireless solutions for managing and securing enterprise assets, including industrial vehicles, such as forklifts, airport ground support equipment, rental vehicles, and transportation assets primarily in North America. The company offers integrated wireless solutions that enable customers to control, monitor, track, and analyze their enterprise assets. Its campus-based fleet management products include On-Asset Hardware, which provides an autonomous means of asset control and monitoring; Wireless Asset Managers that link mobile assets being monitored with customer?s computer network or to a remotely hosted server; Server Software, which manages data communications between the system?s database and either the Wireless Asset Managers or On-Asset Hardware; and Client Software, which restricts access and limits corruption of system information, as well as minimizes network bandwidth usage. The company?s remote asset management products comprise On-Asset Hardware, which addresses various remote asset types, such as dry van trailers, refrigerated trailers, domestic containers, and railcars, as well as customer-specific requirements; and VeriWise Intelligence Portal, a hosted Website that provides Internet access to client asset information. The company also offers direct feed of the data to customer through XML or Web services. In addition, it provides maintenance, customer support, and consulting services. I.D. Systems markets and sells its wireless solutions to a range of customers in the commercial and government sectors operating in various markets, such as automotive manufacturing, retailers, shippers, freight transportation companies, heavy industry, retail and wholesale distribution, aerospace and defense, homeland security, and vehicle rental directly, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as industrial equipment dealers. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. <<<

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Test

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1 year -

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1 year - S+P vrs VIX -

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5 years - S+P vrs VIX -

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Test post -

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Crocs (CROX) -

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IAC Interactive (IACI) -

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Short candidates? LinkedIn (LNKD), Amazon (AMZN), Salesforce(CRM) -

http://seekingalpha.com/article/296404-3-overvalued-stocks-to-sell-or-sell-short?source=yahoo



LinkedIn - PE of 436



Amazon - PE of 101



Salesforce.com - PE of 593

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Smart Balance (SMBL) -

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Bergio - will see if it can consolidate above the 200 MA -

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ID Systems (IDSY) -

Interesting chart -



5 year -




>>> 5 Homeland Security Stocks That Make Safe Buys <<<

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/11244032/1/5-homeland-security-stocks-that-make-safe-buys.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA




>>> I.D. Systems, Inc. develops, markets, and sells wireless solutions for managing and securing enterprise assets, including industrial vehicles, such as forklifts, airport ground support equipment, rental vehicles, and transportation assets primarily in North America. The company offers integrated wireless solutions that enable customers to control, monitor, track, and analyze their enterprise assets. Its campus-based fleet management products include On-Asset Hardware, which provides an autonomous means of asset control and monitoring; Wireless Asset Managers that link mobile assets being monitored with customer?s computer network or to a remotely hosted server; Server Software, which manages data communications between the system?s database and either the Wireless Asset Managers or On-Asset Hardware; and Client Software, which restricts access and limits corruption of system information, as well as minimizes network bandwidth usage. The company?s remote asset management products comprise On-Asset Hardware, which addresses various remote asset types, such as dry van trailers, refrigerated trailers, domestic containers, and railcars, as well as customer-specific requirements; and VeriWise Intelligence Portal, a hosted Website that provides Internet access to client asset information. The company also offers direct feed of the data to customer through XML or Web services. In addition, it provides maintenance, customer support, and consulting services. I.D. Systems markets and sells its wireless solutions to a range of customers in the commercial and government sectors operating in various markets, such as automotive manufacturing, retailers, shippers, freight transportation companies, heavy industry, retail and wholesale distribution, aerospace and defense, homeland security, and vehicle rental directly, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as industrial equipment dealers. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

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Bergio - hit resistance, will see what happens next -


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Cortex put in a bottom? -

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Brekford up also -


Closing in on .50 cents. Market cap still only 19 mil -







1 year -

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Bergio up again -


1 year chart -



2 year chart -

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Bakken oil plays -


Abraxas Petroleum -



Baytex -



Brigham Exploration -



Clayton Williams Energy -



Continental Resources -



EOG Resources -



GeoResources -



Kodiak Oil + Gas -



Magnum Hunter Resources -



Northern Oil + Gas -



RPC Inc -



SM Energy -



Western Refining -



Whiting Petroleum -

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Ligand Pharma (LGND) -


Interesting chart -











>>> Ligand Partner GlaxoSmithKline Receives Positive Data from Promacta® PIII ENABLE1 Study in Hepatitis C-Related Thrombocytopenia


Press Release Source: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated On
July 26, 2011


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ligand-Partner-bw-3865638756.html?x=0&.v=1




SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND - News) today announced that its partner GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK - News) has announced that it received positive data from ENABLE-1, the first of two Phase III studies examining Promacta (eltrombopag) in patients with hepatitis C-related thrombocytopenia, and that full data will be released at an upcoming scientific conference.

“We are very pleased with GSK’s announcement today about the ENABLE-1 study and we look forward to seeing the full results later this year,” said John Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. “Promacta is a very important program for Ligand, and the expansion of the franchise into this indication could contribute substantial new revenue to Ligand in the coming years,” added Mr. Higgins.

About Eltrombopag

Eltrombopag was given accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the trade name Promacta® in November 2008, for the treatment of chronic ITP in adults who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or surgical removal of the spleen. For more information, including full U.S. prescribing information and boxed warning for hepatoxicity, please visit http://www.promactacares.com/

Eltrombopag is authorized for use in all 27 member states of the European Union, as well as India, Australia, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Singapore, Kuwait, Chile, Russia and Bahrain under the trade name Revolade®.

Revolade® and Promacta® are registered trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

About Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Ligand is a biopharmaceutical company with a business model of developing or acquiring royalty revenue-generating assets and coupling them to a lean corporate cost structure with the goal of producing sustained profitability. By diversifying the portfolio of assets across numerous technology types, therapeutic areas, drug targets and industry partners, we offer an opportunity to invest in the increasingly complicated and unpredictable pharmaceutical industry. In comparison to our industry peers, we believe Ligand has assembled one of the largest and most diversified asset portfolios in the industry with significant revenue-generating potential. These therapies address the unmet medical needs of patients for a broad spectrum of diseases including hepatitis C, muscle wasting, Alzheimer's disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, anemia, COPD, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Ligand has established alliances with several of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies including GlaxoSmithKline, The Medicines Company, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. For more information, please visit www.ligand.com. Follow Ligand on Twitter @Ligand_LGND.

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Brekford (BFDI.OB) -

Interesting chart. They provide speed zone camera system/services, and are involved in numerous other law enforcement/security areas -

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>>> Brekford Corp. provides vehicle upfitting, rugged technology, video solutions, and installation services for mission critical operations to law enforcement and first responder markets in the United States. The company offers ruggedized mobile computing, video, and communications products and services for homeland security and public safety environments; and bumper-to-bumper vehicle modification products and services, including specialized lights, sirens, prisoner cages, and ballistics protection for homeland security, law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical vehicles, as well as financing and leasing services. It serves principally U.S. military, various federal entities, and security and public safety agencies. The company was formerly known as Brekford International Corp. and changed its name to Brekford Corp. on July 21, 2010. Brekford Corp. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Hanover, Maryland. <<<

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Bergio (BRGO.OB) -

Saw this chart several weeks ago ~ .05, now up to .10 but chart still looks interesting. Bergio is a high end jewelry maker -


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1 year chart -





>>> Bergio International, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of upscale jewelry in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company offers a range of products made from precious metals, such as gold, platinum, Karat gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. It offers a collection of charms, crosses, and other add-on pieces; fashion jewelry, such as necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings; couture line; and bridal line, which comprise wedding sets, engagement rings, and wedding bands for both men and women. The company sells its products to distributors, retailers, and other wholesalers. Bergio International, Inc. offers its jewelry to approximately 150 independent jewelry retailers in the United States. The company is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. As of March 18, 2010, Bergio International, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Macau Consultants and Advisory Services Inc. <<<