Positive data on housing and earnings by retailers helped as the Dow rose 19 points to 16,198. The S&P 500 failed to hold its advance above its all-time high for a third day, closing up less than a point at 1,845. The NASDAQ gained 4 points to 4,292. 

PulteGroup (PHM +2.8%) and D.R. Horton (DHI +2.9%) both rose after a report showed new home sales unexpectedly jumped +9.6% in January. Shares of Lowe's  (LOW +5.4%) and Target (TGT +7%) climbed after both posted better-than-expected quarterly results. Materials were the best performing sector in the S&P 500 today. Metal producers paced the group's advance with Alcoa (AA +3.7%) and U.S. Steel (X +2.2%) rising. Energy was the worst performing group on the session. First Solar (FSLR -9.1%) gapped down after its disappointing earnings release. Chesapeake Energy (CHK -4.9%) fell after reporting profits below consensus estimates.

Treasuries rallied after a $35 billion auction of 5-year notes drew stronger-than-expected demand. Benchmark 10-year notes were up 11/32 to yield 2.66%.  

PICTURED: The Nasdaq Composite Index posted a small gain and iyt is perched at its 2014 high.

The Retail Index ($RLX +1.41%) helped underpin the major averages with a solid gain. Financial shares were mixed as the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD -0.11%) edged lower and the Bank Index ($BKX +0.29%) posted a modest gain. Commodity-linked groups had a slightly negative bias as the Gold & Silver Index ($XAU -1.33%) oupaced the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI -0.71%) and the Oil Services Index ($OSX -0.58%) to the downside. The Networking Index ($NWX +0.58%) and the Semiconductor Index ($SOX +0.67%) posted small gains while the Biotechnology Index ($BTK -1.79%) backpedaled from a large gain on the prior session.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Semiconductor Index ($SOX +0.67%) hit a new 2014 high while on the session it traded up as much as +10.8% from its February lows.

The high ranked leader hails from the Medical -  Ethical Drugs group which has an A+ rating, and leadership in the group is an encouraging sign concerning the L criteria. It Reported earnings +53% on +51% sales revenues for the Dec '13 quarter, continuing its streak of strong quarterly earnings increases satisfying the C criteria of the fact-based system. Considering its deep consolidation to its 200-day moving average (DMA) line, the latest technical breakout to new highs has the look of what could be the beginning of a substantial and sustained leg up. 

Any slump leading to a close below its old high close ($72.34 on 8/26/13) would raise concerns by completely negating the latest breakout. Prior highs in the $74 area and $70 area define initial support levels to watch above other chart highs and above its 50 DMA line (now $61.63). Disciplined investors sell if any stock falls more than -7% from their purchase price per the fact-based investment system's sell rules.

It found support at its 200-day moving average (DMA) line then rebounded from a deep slump since dropped from the Featured Stocks list on 9/20/13 due to technical deterioration after members were cautioned - "A breach of the prior low ($60.31 on 9/11/13) may trigger a more worrisome technical sell signal." Prior to that it was last shown in this FSU section on 8/26/13 with annotated graphs under the headline, "Wedging to New Highs Despite Market's Negative Drag".

Since a FY '09 downturn its annual earnings (A criteria) growth has been strong. The small supply (S criteria) of 60.8 million shares outstanding can contribute to greater price volatility in the event of institutional buying or selling.  The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 455 in Mar '13 to 530 in Dec '13, 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
EQM - NYSE E Q T Midstream Partners ENERGY - Oil and Gas Pipelines	$65.95	+0.69 1.06%	$66.16	58,586 49.65% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 118,000	$67.80 -2.73%	12/12/2013	$53.17	PP = $56.51
								MB = $59.34
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 6:19:41 PM G - Posted a gain today with lighter volume. Recently enduring distributional pressure. Reported earnings -2% on +22% sales revenues for the Dec '13 quarter, below the +25% minimum earnings guideline (C criteria), raising fundamental concerns. Its 50 DMA line defines near-term support where a violation may trigger a technical sell signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Leader Still Extended From Any Sound Base - 2/7/2014 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
FB - NASDAQ Facebook Inc Cl A INTERNET	$69.26	-0.59 -0.84%	$71.22	55,322,845 82.06% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 67,421,000	$71.44 -3.05%	12/12/2013	$51.40	PP = $54.93
								MB = $57.68
Most Recent Note - 2/25/2014 7:49:45 PM G - Pulled back on light volume today after recent gains on higher volume for new all-time highs. Extended from any sound base and well beyond the "secondary buy point" previously noted. Prior highs and its 50 DMA line coincide near $58 defining very important near-term support to watch on pullbacks. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : High-Ranked Internet Group Leader is Extended From Base - 2/25/2014 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
GNRC - NYSE Generac Hldgs Inc Electrical-Power/Equipmt	$57.63	+1.63 2.91%	$58.08	841,949 90.43% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 931,000	$57.68 -0.09%	2/14/2014	$56.50	PP = $57.39
								MB = $60.26
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 3:10:55 PM Y - Hit a new 52-week high and traded above its pivot point today while volume has been running at a below average pace. Recently encountering resistance near prior highs in the $57 area. Volume should be at least +40% above average as a stock rallies above its pivot point to trigger a proper technical buy signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Following Island Reversal Prior Highs May Act as Resistance - 2/14/2014 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
JAZZ - NASDAQ Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc DRUGS - Biotechnology	$162.06	-12.92 -7.38%	$169.80	3,561,967 371.04% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 960,000	$176.60 -8.23%	9/30/2013	$93.20	PP = $89.10
								MB = $93.56
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 1:01:41 PM G - Gapped down today retreating from its all-time high. It is very extended from any sound base. Reported earnings +12% on +28% sales revenues for the Dec '13 quarter, below the +25% minimum earnings guideline (C criteria), raising fundamental concerns. Its 50 DMA line ($144) and recent lows in the $135 area define important support to watch on pullbacks where violation s may trigger technical sell signals. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Financial Report May Prompt Greater Volume and Volatility - 2/21/2014 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
KORS - NYSE Michael Kors Hldgs Ltd RETAIL - Apparel Stores	$99.32	-0.52 -0.52%	$100.60	1,773,002 43.63% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 4,064,000	$101.04 -1.70%	2/4/2014	$90.92	PP = $84.68
								MB = $88.91
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 3:06:59 PM G - Perched at its 52-week high after still wedging higher with recent gains lacking great volume conviction, getting very extended from its prior base. Prior highs in the $84 area define the nearest chart support level. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Extended From Sound Base and Wedging Higher - 2/19/2014 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
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
LEAF - NYSE Springleaf Holdings Inc Finance-Consumer Loans	$27.49	-1.07 -3.75%	$29.42	527,314 156.47% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 337,000	$29.50 -6.81%	2/24/2014	$28.60	PP = $27.44
								MB = $28.81
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 6:17:51 PM Y - Finished at the session low today with a loss on above average volume. Heavier volume was behind prior considerable gains as it broke out when highlighted in yellow in the 2/24/14 mid-day report with an annotated daily graph (read here). Prior highs define initial support to watch. Other leadership (L criteria) in the group is reassuring, however the industry group has a D+ rating. A subsequent close below its prior high close ($27.17 on 1/08/14) would raise concerns. Disciplined investors avoid chasing extended stocks more than +5% above prior highs and always limit losses by selling any stock that falls more than -7% from their purchase price. See the new annotated graph below this note. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Breakout Backed by Four Times Average Volume - 2/24/2014 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
PCLN - NASDAQ Priceline.com Inc INTERNET - Internet Software and Services	$1,356.94	+3.45 0.25%	$1,375.41	1,097,010 147.65% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 743,000	$1,357.16 -0.02%	12/18/2013	$1,156.20	PP = $1,198.85
								MB = $1,258.79
Most Recent Note - 2/25/2014 12:22:28 PM G - Hitting yet another new 52-week high today, adding to an impressive streak of gains marked by above average volume. Rallying with no resistance due to overhead supply, getting more extended from any sound base. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Extended From Prior Highs After 6th Straight Gain - 2/13/2014 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
QCOR - NASDAQ Questcor Pharmaceuticals DRUGS - Biotechnology	$74.21	-4.44 -5.65%	$79.43	5,097,333 258.49% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,972,000	$80.25 -7.53%	2/26/2014	$76.30	PP = $74.86
								MB = $78.60
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 5:55:57 PM Y - Pulled back on higher volume for a 2nd consecutive loss, slumping toward prior highs which define initial support to watch. Color code was changed to yellow with pivot point cited based on its 8/16/13 high plus 10 cents in the earlier mid-day report (read here). Technically, it broke out with a volume-driven gain on 2/18/14 triggering a technical buy signal. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Prior Highs Define Initial Support Following Recent Breakout - 2/26/2014 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
SILC - NASDAQ Silicom Ltd COMPUTER HARDWARE - Networking andamp; Communication Dev	$70.36	+1.60 2.33%	$71.49	119,866 168.83% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 71,000	$69.03 1.93%	12/23/2013	$44.62	PP = $46.25
								MB = $48.56
Most Recent Note - 2/25/2014 7:46:10 PM G - Wedging higher with small gains on near-average volume while inching into new high territory. Extended from any sound base and on track for an 11th consecutive weekly gain. Disciplined investors avoid chasing extended stocks. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Stubbornly Held Ground Following Breakaway Gap - 2/11/2014 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
ULTI - NASDAQ Ultimate Software Group INTERNET - Internet Software and Services	$168.56	-0.62 -0.37%	$170.78	134,953 65.51% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 206,000	$171.96 -1.98%	1/27/2014	$153.75	PP = $162.98
								MB = $171.13
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 3:13:08 PM Y - Perched near its all-time high stubbornly holding its ground after recently wedging higher with gains lacking great volume conviction. Still trading below its "max buy" level. Found support above its 50 DMA line following a worrisome "negative reversal" on 2/05/14. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Stalled and Encountering Distributional Pressure - 2/12/2014 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
VRX - NYSE Valeant Pharmaceuticals DRUGS - Drug Manufacturers - Other	$146.34	+1.28 0.88%	$150.17	2,904,784 205.87% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,411,000	$148.73 -1.61%	9/11/2013	$100.26	PP = $105.50
								MB = $110.78
Most Recent Note - 2/26/2014 1:30:47 PM G - Due to report Dec '13 quarterly results on Thursday. Hitting new all-time highs again today, getting very extended from any sound base. Its 50 DMA line and recent lows coincide near $130 defining important near-term support to watch. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Hovering Near All-Time Highs Extended From Sound Base - 2/10/2014 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