Stocks finished higher on Thursday. The Dow was up 117 points to 18613. The S&P 500 added 10 points to 2185 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 23 points to 5228. The volume totals were higher than the prior session on the NYSE but lighter on the Nasdaq exchange. Advancers led decliners by an 3-2 margin on the NYSE and by a 9-5 margin on the Nasdaq exchange. There were 50 high-ranked companies from the Leaders List that made new 52-week highs and were listed on the BreakOuts Page, almost matching the total of 51 on the prior session. New 52-week highs solidly outnumbered new 52-week lows on both the NYSE and the Nasdaq exchange.

Charts used courtesy of www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The S&P 500 Index hit a new record high.

Big gains for the major indices were noted in prior commentaries and that bullish action signaled a new "confirmed uptrend" for the market (M criteria). See the Featured Stocks Page which now lists a few noteworthy candidates that have made headway.

The Dow and S&P 500 closed at record highs on Thursday as oil prices rebounded and investors digested optimistic earnings in the retail space. NYMEX WTI crude rebounded 4.3% to $43.49/barrel after the International Energy Agency forecasted crude markets would tighten in the upcoming months. On the data front, import prices increased 0.1% in July, above analyst expectations of a 0.4% decline. In a separate release, initial jobless claims came in at 266,000, slightly above the expected 265,000.

Nine of 10 sectors in the S&P 500 finished in positive territory. Consumer Discretionary shares led the advance with Macy’s (M +17.1%) rallied after the department store beat estimates on the top and bottom line. Kohl’s (KSS +16.2%) rallied as the retailer’s profit bested analyst projections. Shares of Alibaba (BABA +5.1%) were higher as the company announced a 39% rise in mobile users. Vista Outdoor (VSTO -16.7%) was a notable decliner after reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue. Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX -10.4%) sank with news federal prosecutors are investigating the company.

Treasuries declined with the benchmark 10-year note down 21/32 to yield 1.56%. In commodities, COMEX gold was off 0.1% to $1342.50/ounce. In FOREX, the dollar gained 0.6% against the yen.

The Bank Index ($BKX +0.45%) and the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD +0.47%) both edged higher and the Retail Index ($RLX +1.08%) posted a solid gain. The tech sector was mostly positive as the Biotechnology Index ($BTK +0.89%) and Semiconductor Index ($SOX +0.45%) rose and the Networking Index ($NWX -0.03%) finished flat. The Oil Services Index ($OSX +1.02%) and the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI +1.74%) both rose while the Gold & Silver Index ($XAU -0.39%) edged lower.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

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Color Codes Explained :
Y - Better candidates highlighted by our staff of experts.
G - Previously featured in past reports as yellow but may no longer be buyable under the guidelines.

***Last / Change / Volume data in this table is the closing quote data***

Symbol/Exchange Company Name Industry Group	PRICE	CHANGE (%Change)	Day High	Volume (% DAV) (% 50 day avg vol)	52 Wk Hi % From Hi	Featured Date	Price Featured	Pivot Featured
								Max Buy
TDG - NYSE Transdigm Group Inc AEROSPACE/DEFENSE - Aerospace/Defense Products and; Services	$286.01	-1.59 -0.55%	$289.67	338,483 48.77% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 694,000	$288.71 -0.94%	5/11/2016	$248.33	PP = $245.00
								MB = $257.25
Most Recent Note - 8/8/2016 5:40:21 PM G - Touched a new high today but reversed into the red. Volume was below average while recently wedging into new all-time high territory. Its 50 DMA line and prior highs near $268 define important near-term support to watch on pullbacks. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Gains Lack Great Volume While Wedging to New Highs - 7/27/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
IESC - NASDAQ I E S Holdings Inc Bldg-Maintenance and Svc	$14.74	-0.48 -3.15%	$15.28	88,519 93.18% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 95,000	$16.77 -12.10%	7/26/2016	$15.79	PP = $15.74
								MB = $16.53
Most Recent Note - 8/11/2016 5:39:29 PM Y - Gapped up 8/08/16 and held its ground. Volume and volatility often increase near earnings news. Reported earnings +79% on +25% sales revenues, continuing its strong earnings track record while sales revenues showed encouraging acceleration. Found support near its 50 DMA line after its slump into the prior base raised concerns. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Volume-Driven Gain for New Highs Clinched Technical Buy Signal - 7/26/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
NTES - NASDAQ Netease Inc Adr INTERNET - Internet Information Providers	$200.29	+0.88 0.44%	$202.49	692,386 61.88% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,119,000	$210.27 -4.75%	6/29/2016	$182.42	PP = $186.55
								MB = $195.88
Most Recent Note - 8/8/2016 5:44:20 PM G - Volume totals have been cooling while consolidating. Disciplined investors avoid chasing stocks more than +5% above the prior high or pivot point. Prior highs near $186 and its 50 DMA line define important support to watch on pullbacks. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched +5% Above Prior Highs Following Volume-Driven Gains - 7/15/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
HTHT - NASDAQ China Lodging Group Ads LEISURE - Lodging	$38.34	+0.33 0.87%	$38.68	105,469 52.47% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 201,000	$41.76 -8.19%	7/13/2016	$38.87	PP = $39.29
								MB = $41.25
Most Recent Note - 8/10/2016 5:43:18 PM Y - Still consolidating above its 50 DMA line ($36.62) which defines near-term support to watch. Stalled after the 7/15/16 gain backed by +57% above average volume clinched a technical buy signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Negative Reversal After Touching New High - 7/13/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
MXL - NYSE Maxlinear Inc Cl A Telecom-Infrastructure	$17.63	+0.22 1.26%	$17.87	2,139,256 169.65% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,261,000	$22.50 -21.64%	5/16/2016	$19.24	PP = $19.20
								MB = $20.16
Most Recent Note - 8/10/2016 2:07:07 PM G - Rebounding slightly today. Gapped down on the prior session after reporting earnings +127% on +44% sales revenues for the Jun '16 quarter. Violated its 50 DMA line with a damaging volume-driven loss triggering a technical sell signal. Its 200 DMA line ($17.37) and prior lows define the next important support. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Consolidating Near Highs Above its "Max Buy" Level - 7/29/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
Symbol/Exchange Company Name Industry Group	PRICE	CHANGE (%Change)	Day High	Volume (% DAV) (% 50 day avg vol)	52 Wk Hi % From Hi	Featured Date	Price Featured	Pivot Featured
								Max Buy
PATK - NASDAQ Patrick Industries Inc WHOLESALE - Building Materials Wholesale	$61.77	+0.15 0.24%	$63.26	158,929 105.25% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 151,000	$69.53 -11.16%	5/24/2016	$53.45	PP = $50.68
								MB = $53.21
Most Recent Note - 8/8/2016 5:42:15 PM G - Pulled back today on higher (near average) volume, slumping toward its 50 DMA line ($59.63) defining important near-term support to watch. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Rallied +30% in 2 Months Since Breakout Was Featured - 7/28/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
FBHS - NYSE Fortune Brands Hme & Sec Bldg-Constr Prds/Misc	$64.04	+0.09 0.14%	$64.39	1,637,221 84.83% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,930,000	$64.47 -0.67%	6/22/2016	$57.71	PP = $60.08
								MB = $63.08
Most Recent Note - 8/8/2016 5:38:56 PM G - Finished at a best-ever close with today's 4th consecutive small gain on below average volume, inching further above its "max buy" level. Rallied for new highs on 7/28/16 with +66% above average volume following strong earnings news. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched Above "Max Buy" Level Following Volume-Driven Gain - 8/1/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
NVEE - NASDAQ N V 5 Global Inc Comml Svcs-Consulting	$33.98	+0.25 0.74%	$34.36	75,463 79.43% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 95,000	$37.00 -8.16%	4/19/2016	$28.20	PP = $28.10
								MB = $29.51
Most Recent Note - 8/11/2016 5:42:00 PM G - Perched at its 52-week high after today's 5th consecutive gain. Reported earnings +23% on +62% sales revenues, below the +25% minimum earnings guideline (C criteria), raising concerns. Its 50 DMA line and prior highs define important near-term support to watch on pullbacks. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Winning Streak Leaves Leader Extended From Prior Base Pattern - 7/18/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
SFBS - NASDAQ "ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc" BANKING - Regional - Southeast Banks	$50.28	-0.13 -0.26%	$50.63	61,138 61.02% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 100,200	$53.58 -6.16%	7/19/2016	$53.28	PP = $52.82
								MB = $55.46
Most Recent Note - 8/11/2016 5:40:41 PM Y - Sputtering near its 50 DMA line ($50.16). A volume-driven gain and strong close above the pivot point are needed to clinch a convincing technical buy signal. It has been quietly consolidating since highlighted in yellow in the 7/19/16 mid-day report with pivot point cited based on the 6/01/16 high plus 10 cents. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Meeting Resistance Near Prior Highs - 7/20/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
INGN - NASDAQ Inogen Inc HEALTH SERVICES - Medical Instruments and Supplies	$56.72	-0.35 -0.61%	$57.22	168,301 72.86% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 231,000	$58.78 -3.50%	8/5/2016	$51.72	PP = $56.08
								MB = $58.88
Most Recent Note - 8/9/2016 9:40:11 PM Y - Rallied further into new high territory today with its 5th consecutive gain backed by higher volume triggering a technical buy signal. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph." >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched Within Striking Distance of Highs Following Rebound - 8/5/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I
Symbol/Exchange Company Name Industry Group	PRICE	CHANGE (%Change)	Day High	Volume (% DAV) (% 50 day avg vol)	52 Wk Hi % From Hi	Featured Date	Price Featured	Pivot Featured
								Max Buy
OLLI - NASDAQ Ollie's Bargain Outlet Retail-DiscountandVariety	$27.48	+0.47 1.74%	$27.52	451,603 45.71% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 988,000	$28.72 -4.32%	7/19/2016	$26.42	PP = $28.82
								MB = $30.26
Most Recent Note - 8/8/2016 5:47:06 PM Y - Wedging higher with gains lacking great volume conviction after it found prompt support at its 50 DMA line and managed a "positive reversal" when last noted on 8/03/16. Volume-driven gains above the pivot point are still needed to trigger a convincing technical buy signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Retail Firm Approaching Pivot Point - 7/19/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I