Though I can't say it with a lot of experience, it seems that after you've held a stock for a considerable length of time, you kinda get to know it's personality. Perhaps it's the type of traders/investors that it attracts that gives it this personality.
For instance, though I have never played it, it doesn't take much to guess what type of investor would be drawn to BKMP. Know the type of investor/attitude/patience level, and you get to know the 'personality' of the stock.
I've been in CTUM for 8-9 months now, and have a very good idea what to watch for, if I wanted to play it. I don't though. Least ways, not lately.