Stocks declined on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 55 points to 17,983. The S&P 500 fell 10 points to 2,080. The NASDAQ finished 29 points lower to 4,777. The volume totals on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange were near Monday's light totals. Breadth was negative as decliners led advancers by a 3-2 margin on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange.  Leadership contracted as there were 51 high-ranked companies from the CANSLIM.net Leaders List that made new 52-week highs and appeared on the CANSLIM.net BreakOuts Page, down from the prior session total of 85 stocks. New 52-week highs contracted but still outnumbered new 52-week lows on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. There were losses for all of the 10 high-ranked companies currently on the Featured Stocks Page, a list that has recently been getting trimmed.

New highs for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index coupled with healthy leadership signaled that the market (M criteria) is in a confirmed uptrend. Remember that new buying efforts should only be made in stocks meeting all fundamental and technical guidelines of the fact-based investment system!

PICTURED: The S&P 500 Index is perched at its all-time high, up +12.55% year-to-date.

The major averages retreated as year-end profit taking made the scene amid global uncertainty. In Greece, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed to gather coalition support for his presidential candidate, inching the country closer to a snap-election. Additionally, a measure of consumer confidence rose in December, but failed to meet analyst projections.

Energy-related shares fell and the Oil Services Index ($OSX -1.54%) and Integrated Oil Index ($XOI -0.83%) both ended lower on Tuesday. The Biotechnology Index ($BTK -1.23%) led the tech sector's retreat while the Semiconductor Index ($SOX -0.59%) and Networking Index ($NWX -0.42%) each ended the session with smaller losses. The Retail Index ($RLX -0.30%) and financial shares had a slightly negative bias as the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD -0.38%) and the Bank Index ($BKX -0.16%) both edged lower.  The Gold & Silver Index ($XAU +3.57%) was a standout gainer.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Bank Index ($BKX -0.16%) recently rallied to new highs. It showed great resilience after an abrupt pullback below its 200-day moving average (DMA) line in October.

Illumina Inc (ILMN -$3.24 or -1.71% to $186.29) has been finding support near its 50-day moving average (DMA) line ($187.06). It appears to be forming a new "double bottom" base. There is some resistance due to overhead supply up through $197, however its color code was changed to yellow, and a volume-driven gain above the new pivot point cited based on its 12/05/14 high would trigger a new technical buy signal. Disciplined investors avoid chasing stocks more than +5% above their prior highs and always limit losses by selling any stock that falls more than -7% from their purchase price. 

This Medical - Research Equipment/Services firm was last shown in this FSU section on 12/15/4 with annotated graphs under the headline, "Violation of 50-Day Average Triggered Technical Sell Signal , It undercut prior highs in the $182 area and triggered technical sell signals. ILMN made limited headway since highlighted in the 10/22/14 mid-day report (read here). 

ILMN reported earnings +71% on +35% sales revenues for the Sep '14 quarter, its 2nd consecutive quarterly comparison with earnings above the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria). Sequential quarterly comparisons show encouraging sales revenues and earnings acceleration. Its current Relative Strength (RS) rank of 92 is well above the 80+ minimum guideline for buy candidates. Its annual earnings (A criteria) growth history has improved steadily since a downturn in FY '09. The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 877 in Dec '13 to 1,051 in Sep '14, a reassuring sign concerning the I criteria.

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
ACT - NYSE Actavis plc Medical-Generic Drugs	$259.57	-0.65 -0.25%	$261.67	1,261,779 42.00% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 3,004,000	$272.75 -4.83%	12/29/2014	$260.22	PP = $272.85
								MB = $286.49
Most Recent Note - 12/29/2014 6:03:30 PM Y - Color code is changed to yellow with new pivot point cited based on its 11/26/14 high plus 10 cents. Consolidating above support at prior highs and its 50 DMA line. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Formed New Base Above Prior Highs and 50-Day Moving Average - 12/29/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
AFSI - NASDAQ Amtrust Financial Svcs INSURANCE - Property and; Casualty Insurance	$54.98	-0.60 -1.08%	$56.14	596,773 55.62% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,073,000	$59.31 -7.30%	10/17/2014	$45.24	PP = $46.02
								MB = $48.32
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 6:01:52 PM G - Found support near prior highs in the $53 area well above its 50 DMA line. More damaging losses would raise greater concerns. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Finding Support Near Prior Highs - 12/24/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
ALXN - NASDAQ Alexion Pharmaceuticals DRUGS - Drug Manufacturers - Other	$184.94	-3.77 -2.00%	$188.24	678,834 61.94% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,096,000	$203.30 -9.03%	10/23/2014	$184.01	PP = $185.53
								MB = $194.81
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 6:03:33 PM G - Its 50 DMA line recently acted as resistance, plus it faces resistance due to overhead supply up through $203. The recent low ($176.01 on 12/17/14) defines the next important support level. Disciplined investors limit losses by selling if any stock falls more than -7% from their purchase price. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Recent 50-Day Moving Average Violation Triggered Sell Signal - 12/17/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
BIDU - NASDAQ Baidu Inc Ads INTERNET - Internet Information Providers	$230.01	-0.20 -0.09%	$231.20	1,546,265 47.00% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 3,290,000	$251.99 -8.72%	10/30/2014	$234.08	PP = $231.51
								MB = $243.09
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 6:05:42 PM Y - Quietly consolidating near its 50 DMA line. Recent lows in the $217-218 area define important near-term support where subsequent losses would raise more serious concerns. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Rebound Above 50-Day Moving Average Helped Technical Stance - 12/19/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
EPAM - NYSE Epam Systems Inc COMPUTER SOFTWARE and SERVICES - Information Technology Service	$47.80	-0.48 -0.99%	$48.81	210,399 47.93% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 439,000	$52.89 -9.62%	10/23/2014	$45.21	PP = $46.09
								MB = $48.39
Most Recent Note - 12/29/2014 6:05:25 PM G - Still consolidating just above its 50 DMA line. Prior highs in the $46 area acted as support last week. Subsequent losses below recent lows would raise concerns and trigger a more worrisome technical sell signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Violated 50-Day Moving Average Triggering Technical Sell Signal - 12/16/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
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
FB - NASDAQ Facebook Inc Cl A INTERNET	$79.22	-0.80 -1.00%	$80.59	14,355,077 45.37% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 31,641,000	$82.17 -3.59%	12/22/2014	$81.79	PP = $81.26
								MB = $85.32
Most Recent Note - 12/29/2014 6:08:05 PM Y - Holding its ground with volume totals cooling while perched at its all-time high and no resistance remains due to overhead supply. Volume-driven gains above the pivot point are needed to clinch a proper new (or add-on) technical buy signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Gains for New Highs Backed By Lighter Volume - 12/22/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
ILMN - NASDAQ Illumina Inc DRUGS - Biotechnology	$186.29	-3.24 -1.71%	$190.33	583,679 50.45% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,157,000	$197.37 -5.61%	12/30/2014	$186.26	PP = $196.00
								MB = $205.80
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 5:57:16 PM Y - Color code is changed to yellow while consolidating near its 50 DMA line forming a "double bottom" base. Subsequent volume-driven gains above the pivot point may trigger a technical buy signal. Faces some resistance due to overhead supply up through $197. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Forming New Base And Fundamentals Remain Favorable - 12/30/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
PANW - NYSE Palo Alto Networks Computer Sftwr-Security	$121.80	-1.09 -0.89%	$122.96	606,682 38.16% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,590,000	$128.20 -4.99%	7/30/2014	$84.21	PP = $85.88
								MB = $90.17
Most Recent Note - 12/29/2014 12:35:40 PM G - Pulling back today on slightly higher volume. Prior reports cautioned members - "It has not formed a sound base. The 50 DMA line defines near-term support to watch below recent lows." >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Latest Consolidation Was Not a Base of Sufficient Length - 12/18/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
RH - NYSE Restoration Hardware Hld RETAIL - Home Furnishing Stores	$96.76	-1.18 -1.20%	$98.35	404,642 44.37% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 912,000	$100.66 -3.87%	12/11/2014	$98.66	PP = $94.60
								MB = $99.33
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 6:07:42 PM Y - Volume totals have been cooling while stubbornly holding its ground near its all-time high. Subsequent losses leading to a close below its old high close ($93.05 on 6/30/14) would completely negate the recent breakout and raise concerns. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Consolidating Above Prior Highs With Volume Totals Cooling - 12/26/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
UIHC - NASDAQ United Insurance Holding Insurance-Prop/Cas/Titl	$21.29	-0.02 -0.09%	$21.69	74,545 32.70% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 228,000	$22.41 -5.00%	12/5/2014	$20.64	PP = $20.31
								MB = $21.33
Most Recent Note - 12/30/2014 6:09:53 PM G - Consolidating after getting extended from a sound base. Prior highs and its 50 DMA line define near-term support in the $20 area. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Recent Streak of Gains Lacked Volume Conviction - 12/23/2014 View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | CANSLIM.net Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A N S L I M
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