Stocks finished mixed and little changed on the first trading day of the new year. For the week, the Dow lost -1.2%, the S&P slumped -1.5% and the NASDAQ was off -1.7%.  Friday's volume totals on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange were lighter and below average. Advancers led decliners by a 6-5 margin on the NYSE while decliners outnumbered advancers by a 4-3 margin on the Nasdaq exchange.  Leadership contracted as there were 17 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 60 stocks. New 52-week highs contracted but still outnumbered new 52-week lows on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. There were gains for 4 of the 10 high-ranked companies currently on the Featured Stocks Page, a list that has recently been getting trimmed.

Recent 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. New buying efforts should only be made in stocks meeting all fundamental and technical guidelines of the fact-based investment system!

PICTURED: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 9 points to 17,832 but was both up and down more than 90 points during the session. It advanced +7.9% in 2014, finding prompt support and rallying for 7 straight weekly gains after violating its 200-day moving average (DMA) line in October.

Stocks finished mixed on the first day of 2015 trading. The S&P 500 declined less than a point to 2,058. The NASDAQ fell 9 points to 4,726.  Disappointing economic data included Markit's manufacturing activity for December which rose less than forecasted, meanwhile a similar gauge from ISM fell below analyst projections. Separately, a measure of construction spending for November contracted -0.3% versus expectations for a +0.4% increase.

The Retail Index ($RLX -0.67%) was a negative influence on the major averages along with weakness in the financials as the Bank Index ($BKX -0.28%) and the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD -0.27%) both edged lower. Energy-related shares were quiet as the Oil Services Index ($OSX -0.08%) and Integrated Oil Index ($XOI +0.13%) ended Friday's session with little change. The Gold & Silver Index ($XAU +2.52%) was a standout gainer. The Biotechnology Index ($BTK +0.44%) led the tech sector while the Semiconductor Index ($SOX -0.02%) finished flat, but the Networking Index ($NWX -0.12%) edged lower.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Retail Index ($RLX -0.67%) pulled back on Friday following a strong finish to 2014. 

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc (ALXN +1.57 or +0.85% to $186.60) has been sputtering below its 50-day moving average (DMA) line which recently acted as resistance, plus it faces resistance due to overhead supply up through $203. Its Accumulation/Distribution rating has slumped to a D- (see red circle). 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. 

It was last shown in this FSU section on 12/17/14 with annotated graphs under the headline, "Recent 50-Day Moving Average Violation Triggered Sell Signal", following a damaging volume-driven loss. The weekly graph below shows the pivot point based on its 2/25/14 high, at it has been finding support near those old highs which were resistance. 

The Medical - Biomed/Biotech industry group has demonstrated leadership and earned a 98 for its Group Relative Strength Rating, a reassuring sign concerning the L criteria. ALXN reported earnings +53% on +39% sales revenues for the Sep '14 quarter, continuing its strong earnings history. Its Relative Strength Rank (88) remains high. It easily satisfies the C and A criteria with a very strong quarterly and annual earnings history which has earned it a highest possible 99 Earnings Per Share rank. The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 1,325 in Dec '13 to 1,471 in Sep '14, a reassuring sign concerning the I criteria of the fact-based investment system. ALXN completed a new Public Offering on 5/25/12.

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	$259.13	+1.72 0.67%	$262.27	2,179,989 73.25% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 2,976,000	$272.75 -4.99%	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	$55.11	-1.14 -2.03%	$56.73	655,896 62.23% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,054,000	$59.31 -7.08%	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	$186.60	+1.57 0.85%	$189.41	690,514 63.52% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,087,000	$203.30 -8.21%	10/23/2014	$184.01	PP = $185.53
								MB = $194.81
Most Recent Note - 1/2/2015 6:12:28 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. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : 50-Day Moving Average Acted as Resistance After Damaging Losses - 1/2/2015 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	$223.08	-4.89 -2.15%	$230.45	3,484,394 108.08% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 3,224,000	$251.99 -11.47%	10/30/2014	$234.08	PP = $231.51
								MB = $243.09
Most Recent Note - 1/2/2015 6:14:27 PM G - Color code is changed to green while slumping below its 50 DMA line with higher (near average) volume. 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	$46.47	-1.28 -2.68%	$48.16	379,328 85.82% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 442,000	$52.89 -12.14%	10/23/2014	$45.21	PP = $46.09
								MB = $48.39
Most Recent Note - 1/2/2015 6:17:28 PM G - Slumped further below its 50 DMA line today raising concerns with higher (near average) volume. Subsequent losses below its recent low close ($46.24 on 12/16/14) would raise concerns and trigger a more worrisome technical sell signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Halted Slide at 50-Day Moving Average - 12/31/2014 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	$78.45	+0.43 0.55%	$78.93	18,139,172 60.25% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 30,108,000	$82.17 -4.53%	12/22/2014	$81.79	PP = $81.26
								MB = $85.32
Most Recent Note - 12/31/2014 6:09:21 PM Y - Pulled back for a 3rd consecutive loss, retreating from its all-time high. 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	$185.42	+0.84 0.46%	$189.99	1,531,726 138.24% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,108,000	$197.37 -6.05%	12/30/2014	$186.26	PP = $196.00
								MB = $205.80
Most Recent Note - 1/2/2015 12:28:24 PM Y - Quietly consolidating near its 50 DMA line forming a "double bottom" base. Subsequent volume-driven gains above the pivot point may trigger a new (or add-on) technical buy signal. Faces some resistance due to overhead supply up through $197. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and 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	$121.42	-1.15 -0.94%	$122.96	1,650,443 107.45% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,536,000	$128.20 -5.29%	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	$95.14	-0.87 -0.91%	$97.62	961,398 107.78% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 892,000	$100.66 -5.48%	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	$21.17	-0.78 -3.55%	$22.44	415,877 189.90% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 219,000	$22.41 -5.53%	12/5/2014	$20.64	PP = $20.31
								MB = $21.33
Most Recent Note - 1/2/2015 12:53:36 PM Y - Touched a new 52-week high today but reversed early gains. Color code is changed to yellow after retreating below its "max buy" level. Prior highs and its 50 DMA line ($19.55) define near-term support to watch. >>> 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