DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.
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Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."
Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.
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With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.
Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain (IRM) is a global provider of information protection and storage services. This stock closed up 5.8% to $30.15 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 7.28 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 1.71 million
Volume % Change: 392%
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From a technical perspective, IRM spiked sharply higher here and broke out above some key overhead resistance at $29.06 with heavy upside volume. This move also pushed shares of IRM into its previous gap down zone from June that started near $34. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if IRM can manage to take out Friday's high of $30.31 and its 200-day moving average at $30.69 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in IRM as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $28.45 and then once it sustains a move or close above $30.31 to $30.69 with volume that hits near or above 1.71 million shares. If we get that move soon, then IRM will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $34 to $36.
Healthcare Services Group
Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) provides management, administrative and operating expertise and services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments of the health care industry in the U.S. This stock closed up 3.9% to $28 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 895,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 248,289
Volume % Change: 264%
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From a technical perspective, HCSG ripped higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $27.90 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $21.57 to its intraday high on Friday of $28.01. During that uptrend, shares of HCSG have been mostly making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if HCSG can take Friday's high of $28.01 to its 52-week high at $28.07 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in HCSG as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $26.87 or above its 50-day at $26.30 and then once it sustains a move or close above $28.01 to $28.07 with volume that hits near or above 248,289 shares. If we get that move soon, then HCSG will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $33 to $35.
Ternium
Ternium (TX) is engaged in the manufacturing and processing of flat and long steel products for the construction, home appliances, capital goods, container, food, energy and automotive industries. This stock closed up 2.9% at $27.96 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 693,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 203,238
Volume % Change: 310%
From a technical perspective, TX trended higher here right above some key near-term support levels at $26.40 and its 50-day moving average at $26.02 with heavy upside volume. This move briefly pushed shares of TX into new 52-week-high territory, since the stock flirted with some near-term overhead resistance at $28.18. Shares of TX managed to close just below that level at $27.96. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if TX can manage to take out Friday's high of $28.40 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TX as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $27.04 or above its 50-day at $26.02 and then once it sustains a move or close above Friday's high of $28.40 with volume that this near or above 203,238 shares. If we get that move soon, then TX will set up to enter new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are its next major overhead resistance levels at $32 to $34.
Intrexon
Intrexon (XON) is a synthetic biology company that designs, builds and regulates gene programs using its proprietary and complementary technologies. This stock closed up 8.5% at $19.67 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 1.38 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 390,792
Volume % Change: 219%
From a technical perspective, XON gapped sharply higher here with strong upside volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last three months, with shares dropping sharply lower from its high of $31.44 to its recent low of $17.52. During that move, shares of XON have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of XON could be ready to see an end to its downside volatility in the short-term if this stock can take out Friday's high and enter a new uptrend.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in XON as long as it's trending above $19 or $18 and then once it sustains a move or close above Friday's high of $20.45 with volume that's near or above 390,792 shares. If we get that move soon, then XON will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 50-day of $22.17 to $23, or even $24.
To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.
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At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including
CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.
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