The Dow was up 9 points to 17720. The S&P 500 lost less than a point to 2064 and the Nasdaq 100 fell 23 points to 4737. The volume totals were reported slightly higher on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. Decliners narrowly led advancers on the NYSE but they led by more than 2-1 on the Nasdaq exchange. Leadership waned as there were 26 high-ranked companies from the Leaders List made new 52-week highs and were listed on the BreakOuts Page, down from the total of 36 on the prior session. New 52-week highs outnumbered new 52-week lows on the NYSE while new lows yet again outnumbered new highs on the Nasdaq exchange.

Charts used courtesy of www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Nasdaq Composite Index is sputtering below its 50-day and 200-day moving average (DMA) lines. 

The market's confirmed uptrend (M criteria) has come under pressure recently while the DOW and S&P 500 Index are now consolidating just above their respective 50-day moving average (DMA) lines. Sustained rallies require a healthy crop of leaders (stocks hitting new highs). Very few issues have appeared to meet the fact-based investment system's guidelines or make meaningful headway in recent weeks. The Featured Stocks Page includes current notes with headline links for access to more detailed letter-by-letter analysis including price/volume graphs annotated by our experts.

The major averages gave back a morning advance as weakness in the Tech sector tempered gains in crude oil. On the data front, initial jobless claims came in at 294,000, above the predicted 270,000. In a separate release, import prices rose to 0.3% in April, after 0.2% gain in the previous month.

Seven of 10 sectors in the S&P 500 traded positive on the session. Materials stocks outperformed as Monsanto (MON +8.39%) rose on speculation the company could receive a takeover offer from rival Bayer AG. Technology lagged with Apple (AAPL -2.35%) weighing down performance. Its shares fell amid a report of reduced chip shipments for iPhones. Kohl’s Corp (KSS -9.17%) tumbled as the department store saw a drop in quarterly sales. General Electric (GE -0.82%) fell after receiving negative analyst commentary.

Treasuries declined with the benchmark 10-year note down 7/32 to 1.75%. In commodities, NYMEX WTI crude rebounded 0.6% to $46.51/barrel, after a report from the International Energy Agency predicted a lower-than-expected global supply gut this year. COMEX gold was off 0.5% to $1268.90/ounce. In FOREX, the Dollar Index was up 0.3% with particular strength against the euro and yen.

The Retail Index ($RLX +0.25%) edged higher on Thursday but the Bank Index ($BKX -0.47%) lost ground and the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD -0.08%) finished flat. The tech sector was led lower by the Semiconductor Index ($SOX -1.79%) and the Biotechnology Index ($BTK -1.52%) while Networking Index ($NWX -1.05%) also slumped. The Gold & Silver Index ($XAU -1.99%) and Oil Services Index ($OSX -1.22%) lost ground while the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI -0.08%) finished flat. 

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Networking Index ($NWX -1.05% ) has been sputtering below its 50-day and 200-day moving average (DMA) lines. 

Maxlinear Inc (MXL -$0.49 or -2.71% to $17.59) fell on lighter volume today, retreating near its 50-day moving average (DMA) line. There was a powerful gap up on 5/10/16 for a considerable volume-driven gain after it reported strong earnings +422% on +190% sales revenues for the Mar '16 quarter versus the year ago period. The gain helped it rebound above its 50-day moving average (DMA) line. Members were reminded - "Remember that any stock that was previously sold can be bought again when strength returns."

It was last shown in the FSU section on 4/01/16 with an annotated graph under the headline, "Found Support Above 50 DMA Line Consolidating Near 52-week High". Disciplined investors avoid chasing extended stocks and always limit losses by selling any stock that falls more than -7% from their purchase price. MXL was first highlighted in yellow with pivot point cited based on its 1/13/16 high in the 2/26/16 mid-day report (read here). It ended up breaking out convincingly with a subsequent streak of gains on above average volume, clearing the previously noted a "double bottom" base and triggering a technical buy signal. 

The high-ranked Semiconductor firm saw sales revenues increases of +99%, +193%, and +205% for the Jun, Sep, and Dec '15 quarters, respectively, versus the year ago periods as earnings rose +62%, +900%, and +820%. The 3 strong quarterly comparisons above the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria) were noted in the 2/09/16 mid-day report - "Helping it better match the fact-based investment system's guidelines." 

Its small supply of only 51.8 million shares in the public float (S criteria) may contribute to greater price volatility in the event of institutional buying or selling. The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 175 in Mar '15 to 288 in Mar '16, a very reassuring sign (I criteria). It currently has a Timeliness rating of C, and a Sponsorship Rating of D.  

Charts used courtesy of 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
TDG - NYSE Transdigm Group Inc AEROSPACE/DEFENSE - Aerospace/Defense Products and; Services	$247.00	-0.11 -0.04%	$249.97	751,878 138.21% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 544,000	$250.77 -1.50%	5/11/2016	$248.33	PP = $245.00
								MB = $257.25
Most Recent Note - 5/11/2016 6:13:42 PM Y - Highlighted in yellow with pivot point based on its 8/18/15 high plus 10 cents in today's mid-day report (read here). Gapped up on the prior session and hit a new high with a considerable volume-driven gain triggering a technical buy signal. Reported earnings +36% on +29% sales for the Mar '16 quarter, marking its 3rd consecutive quarterly comparison with earnings above the +25% minimum earning guideline (C criteria). Annual earnings history has remained strong. See the latest FSU analysis for additional details and a new annotated graph. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Fundamentals Strong Behind Technical Breakout - 5/11/2016  |  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	$17.59	-0.49 -2.71%	$18.38	724,479 50.31% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,440,000	$19.10 -7.90%	2/26/2016	$16.10	PP = $16.19
								MB = $17.00
Most Recent Note - 5/12/2016 5:04:36 PM G - Pulling back following gap up on 5/10/16 for a considerable volume-driven gain. Members were reminded - "Remember that any stock that was previously sold can be bought again when strength returns." See latest FSU analysis for more details and a new annotated graph. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Rebounded Above 50-Day Average Following Strong Earnings News - 5/12/2016  |  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	$29.13	+0.28 0.97%	$29.24	51,316 84.12% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 61,000	$29.30 -0.58%	4/19/2016	$28.20	PP = $28.10
								MB = $29.51
Most Recent Note - 5/11/2016 6:11:54 PM Y - Pulled back on light volume today following 3 consecutive gains rallying for a new 52-week high. Found prompt support after violating its 50 DMA line last week. Reported earnings +39% on +54% sales revenues for the Mar '16 quarter, continuing its strong earnings track record. See the latest FSU analysis for additional details and an annotated graph. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Less Volume Behind Gain For Another New High - 5/10/2016  |  View all notes | Set NEW NOTE alert | Company Profile | SEC News | Chart | Request a new note C A  S  I