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AFTER MARKET UPDATE - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH, 2015
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Indices NYSE Nasdaq
DOW  -50.44 17,552.17 -0.29% Volume 382,580,400 -53% Volume 657,739,170 -55%
NASDAQ +2.56 5,048.49 +0.05% Advancers 1,649 55% Advancers 1,527 56%
S&P 500 -3.30 2,060.99 -0.16% Decliners 1,343 45% Decliners 1,192 44%
Russell 2000 +1.94 1,154.76 +0.17% 52 Wk Highs 43   52 Wk Highs 53  
S&P 600 +1.36 683.25 +0.20% 52 Wk Lows 5   52 Wk Lows 39  

Major Averages Posted Gains on Holiday-Shortened Week

For the week, the Dow and NASDAQ Composite were both up 2.5%. The S&P 500 advanced 2.8% over the three and a half day period. Stocks finished little changed on Thursday. The Dow was down 50 points to 17552. The S&P 500 lost 3 points to 2060. The NASDAQ Composite gained 3 points to 5048. Volume on the abbreviated session was lighter than the prior session totals on the NYSE and the Nasdaq exchange. Breadth was slightly positive as advancers led decliners by an 8-7 margin on the NYSE and 5-4 the Nasdaq exchange. There were 22 high-ranked companies from the Leaders List that made new 52-week highs and were listed on the BreakOuts Page, up from 19 on the prior session. There were gains for 7 of the 9 high-ranked companies currently on the Featured Stocks Page. New 52-week highs outnumbered a shrinking list of new 52-week lows on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. 

Charts used courtesy of www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The S&P 500 Index is near its 50 and 200 DMA lines and ended -3.5% off its record high.

New leadership (stocks hitting new highs) has been thin while the major averages (M criteria) have avoided a deeper correction and sputtered to start a new rally.

The major averages were mostly lower on the shortened trading session. Action was relatively muted before the market closed for the Christmas holiday. On the economic front, initial jobless claims fell to 267,000 in the most recent week from a revised prior reading of 272,000 and more than the consensus projection of 270,000.

Nine of 10 sectors in the S&P 500 were down on the session. Energy was the worst performing group. Kinder Morgan (KMI -2.01%) and Chevron (CVX -1.88%) were both lower. In consumer discretionary, Nike (NKE -1.83%) was down for a second day. Health care was the lone sector up as biotech advanced and Alexion (ALXN +1.08%) and Vertex (VRTX +0.84%) both edged higher. Airlines also rose with Southwest (LUV +1.06%) and United Continental (UAL +2.45%) both posting gains.

Treasuries were higher at the long end of the yield curve. The benchmark 10-year was up 3/32 to yield 2.24%. In commodities, NYMEX WTI crude advanced 1.8% to $38.18/barrel. COMEX gold rose 0.7% to $1077.20/ounce. 

The Featured Stocks Page includes most current notes with headline links for access to more detailed letter-by-letter analysis including price/volume graphs annotated by our experts. See the Premium Member Homepage for archives to all prior pay reports.


Kenneth J. Gruneisen started out as a licensed stockbroker in August 1987, a couple of months prior to the historic stock market crash that took the Dow Jones Industrial Average down -22.6% in a single day. He has published daily fact-based fundamental and technical analysis on high-ranked stocks online for two decades. Through FACTBASEDINVESTING.COM, Kenneth provides educational articles, news, market commentary, and other information regarding proven investment systems that work in good times and bad.

Comments contained in the body of this report are technical opinions only and are not necessarily those of Gruneisen Growth Corp. The material herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and accurate, however, its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Our firm, employees, and customers may effect transactions, including transactions contrary to any recommendation herein, or have positions in the securities mentioned herein or options with respect thereto. Any recommendation contained in this report may not be suitable for all investors and it is not to be deemed an offer or solicitation on our part with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities.


Gold & Silver Index and Tech Sector Rose

The Oil Services Index ($OSX -0.90%) and the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI -0.74%) both finished lower while the Gold & Silver Index ($XAU +2.35%) again rallied back from recent lows. The Retail Index ($RLX-0.30%) edged lower and the Bank Index ($BKX-0.03%) finished flat while the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD +0.33%) edged higher The tech sector saw modest gains as the Biotechnology Index ($BTK +0.69%), Networking Index ($NWX +0.32%) and the Semiconductor Index ($SOX +0.39%) ended unanimously higher.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Retail Index ($RLX-0.30%) is consolidating near its 50-day moving average (DMA) line.


Industry Index Symbol Close Change % Change YTD % Change
Oil Services $OSX  163.17 -1.48 -0.90% -22.62%
Integrated Oil $XOI  1,106.58 -8.30 -0.74% -17.92%
Semiconductor $SOX  674.39 +2.61 +0.39% -1.82%
Networking $NWX  379.35 +1.20 +0.32% +5.98%
Broker/Dealer $XBD  179.65 +0.60 +0.33% -2.70%
Retail $RLX  1,281.45 -3.87 -0.30% +24.08%
Gold & Silver $XAU  47.81 +1.10 +2.35% -30.49%
Bank $BKX  74.13 -0.02 -0.03% -0.18%
Biotech $BTK  3,820.62 +26.36 +0.69% +11.09%


50-Day Moving Average Acted as Resistance After 200 DMA Test

Veritex Holdings Inc (VBTX +$0.33 or +2.06% to $16.32) met resistance at its 50-day moving average (DMA) line when rebounding. Recent lows and its 200 DMA line define important near-term support in the $15.50 area where subsequent violations would raise greater concerns. A rebound above the 50 DMA line is needed for its outlook to improve.

VBTX was last shown in this FSU section on 12/10/15 with an annotated graph under the headline, "Finding Support Above 50-Day Moving Average Line", as members were cautioned - "Recently churning above average volume and not making meaningful price progress, a sign of distributional pressure."  Disciplined investors will note that it never produced the necessary gains above its pivot point backed by at least +40% above average volume needed to trigger a technical buy signal.  It was highlighted in yellow with pivot point cited based on its 7/08/15 high plus 10 cents in the 11/04/15 mid-day report (read here).

The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 18 in Jun '15 to 22 in Sep '15. Its current Up/Down Volume  Ratio of 1.6 is an unbiased indication its shares have been under accumulation over the past 50 days (I criteria). Its small supply of only 10.7 million shares (S criteria) in the public float can contribute top greater volatility in the event of institutional buying or selling.

Reported earnings +64% on +31% sales revenue for the Sep '15 quarter and the past 8 quarterly comparisons earnings increases versus the year ago periods well above the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria). Its annual earnings history (A criteria) has been good, but its has a limited history since its Oct 2014 IPO at $13.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com


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
SFNC - NASDAQ
Simmons First Natl Cp A
BANKING - Regional - Southeast Banks  
$52.03 +0.44
0.85%

$52.48

57,766
31.22% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 185,000
$58.75
-11.44%
10/22/2015 $50.13 PP = $48.98
MB = $51.43
Most Recent Note - 12/22/2015 5:41:38 PM
G - Slump below its 50 DMA line and recent low with heavy volume raised more serious concerns. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Slide Below Prior Lows and 50-Day Average Raised More Serious Concerns - 12/22/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
MANH - NASDAQ
Manhattan Associates Inc
COMPUTER SOFTWARE and SERVICES - Technical and System Software  
$69.29 +0.01
0.01%

$69.94

131,414
24.84% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 529,000
$77.75
-10.88%
10/21/2015 $69.18 PP = $69.91
MB = $73.41
Most Recent Note - 12/23/2015 6:47:46 PM
G - Latest slump below its 50 DMA line and below recent low ($69.85 on 12/11/15) raised more serious concerns and triggered a technical sell signal. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Falters and Slumps Into Prior Base Raising Concerns - 12/23/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
HAWK - NASDAQ
Blackhawk Network Inc
DIVERSIFIED SERVICES - Business/Management Services  
$45.32 +0.18
0.40%

$45.94

145,231
27.93% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 520,000
$48.40
-6.36%
11/25/2015 $47.63 PP = $47.07
MB = $49.42
Most Recent Note - 12/21/2015 12:32:58 PM
G - Violating its 50 DMA line with a big loss today raising concerns and triggering a technical sell signal and its color code is changed to green. Disciplined investors will note that a proper buy signal was not triggered since first featured in yellow in the 11/25/15 mid-day report.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Hovering Near Highs But Not Showing Fresh Signs of Accumulation - 12/15/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
STMP - NASDAQ
Stamps.com Inc
INTERNET - Internet Software and Services  
$112.61 +0.71
0.63%

$113.61

217,230
64.84% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 335,000
$113.08
-0.41%
11/6/2015 $100.75 PP = $88.97
MB = $93.42
Most Recent Note - 12/23/2015 1:03:26 PM
G - Hitting yet another new high with today's 2nd consecutive volume-driven gain. Its 50 DMA line ($92.84) and recent lows define near-term support to watch. Disciplined investors avoid chasing extended stocks.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched Near 52-Week High After More Bullish Action - 12/11/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
ULTI - NASDAQ
Ultimate Software Group
INTERNET - Internet Software and Services  
$194.09 +1.07
0.55%

$195.47

159,752
60.28% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 265,000
$216.27
-10.26%
10/28/2015 $204.38 PP = $195.28
MB = $205.04
Most Recent Note - 12/21/2015 5:23:16 PM
G - Slumped back below its 50 DMA line raising concerns again and its color code was changed to green. Subsequent deterioration below recent lows ($188) would raise greater concerns. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Slumped Back Below 50-Day Moving Average Line Raising Concerns - 12/21/2015
 |  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
LXFT - NYSE
Luxoft Holding Inc Cl A
Comp Sftwr-Spec Enterprs  
$78.61 +0.25
0.32%

$79.00

77,266
32.60% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 237,000
$80.64
-2.52%
10/22/2015 $66.65 PP = $68.95
MB = $72.40
Most Recent Note - 12/24/2015 10:49:15 AM
G - Volume totals have still been cooling while consolidating near all-time highs. Disciplined investors avoid chasing extended stocks. Its 50 DMA line ($73) and prior lows define near-term support to watch on pullbacks.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Consolidating Well Above 50-Day Moving Average Line - 12/18/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
PANW - NYSE
Palo Alto Networks
Computer Sftwr-Security  
$178.73 -2.57
-1.42%

$181.76

522,408
31.85% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 1,640,000
$200.55
-10.88%
12/14/2015 $179.20 PP = $200.65
MB = $210.68
Most Recent Note - 12/21/2015 3:44:14 PM
Y - Encountered distributional pressure since highlighted in yellow with new pivot point cited based on its 7/24/15 high plus 10 cents in the 12/14/15 mid-day report. Subsequent volume-driven gains for new highs may trigger a new technical buy signal.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched Within Striking Distance of Highs Again - 12/14/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
VBTX - NASDAQ
Veritex Holdings Inc
BANKING - Regional - Southwest Banks  
$16.32 +0.33
2.06%

$16.87

6,545
34.45% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 19,000
$17.95
-9.08%
11/4/2015 $17.00 PP = $18.05
MB = $18.95
Most Recent Note - 12/24/2015 3:17:02 PM
G - Met resistance at its 50 DMA line. Recent lows and its 200 DMA line define important near-term support in the $15.50 area where subsequent violations would raise greater concerns. A rebound above the 50 DMA line is needed for its outlook to improve. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : 50-Day Moving Average Acted as Resistance After 200 DMA Test - 12/24/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 
NHTC - NASDAQ
Natural Health Trends
Cosmetics/Personal Care  
$45.89 -1.02
-2.17%

$47.07

152,829
36.65% of 50 DAV
50 DAV is 417,000
$55.45
-17.24%
10/23/2015 $42.12 PP = $44.85
MB = $47.09
Most Recent Note - 12/24/2015 10:46:04 AM
G - Slumping below its 50 DMA line again today. Recent low ($41.51 on 12/14/15) defines near-term support. Faces resistance due to overhead supply up through the $55 level.
>>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Prior Resistance and 50-Day Moving Average Line Acting as Support - 12/16/2015
 |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I 

THESE ARE NOT BUY RECOMMENDATIONS!  Comments contained in the body of this report are technical opinions only. The material herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and accurate, however, its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This site is not an investment advisor, hence it does not endorse or recommend any securities or other investments. Any recommendation contained in this report may not be suitable for all investors and it is not to be deemed an offer or solicitation on our part with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this report are the property of their respective owners, and are likewise used for identification purposes only.

This report is a service available only to active Paid Premium Members. You may opt-out of receiving report notifications at any time.  Questions or comments may be submitted by writing to Premium Membership Services 665 S.E. 10 Street, Suite 201 Deerfield Beach, FL 33441-5634 or by calling 1-800-965-8307 or 954-785-1121.

Kenneth J. Gruneisen founded Gruneisen Growth Corp. (2003), which prior to May 11, 2015, operated CANSLIM.net and CANSLIM.com both under license from Data Analysis Inc. / Investor's Business Daily. Kenneth has passed the CAN SLIM® Master's Exam. Gruneisen Growth Corp. now continues over two decades of fact based market analysis via FactBasedInvesting.com.

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