The indices tallied gains while Thursday's volume totals were reported mixed, slightly higher than the prior trading session's volume total on the NYSE and slightly lower on the Nasdaq. Breadth was positive as advancers led decliners by a 2-1 ratio on the NYSE and by better than 3-2 on the Nasdaq exchange. There were 55 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 total of 89 stocks on the prior session. The list of stocks hitting new 52-week highs easily outnumbered new 52-week lows on the Nasdaq exchange and on the NYSE. There were gains for 6 of the 11 high-ranked companies currently included on the Featured Stocks Page. The Market (M criteria) environment has been noted as a "Confirmed Uptrend".  For any rally to be sustained it is critical for there to be healthy leadership, so it remains crucial for many stocks to continue hitting new 52-week highs.

The major averages enjoyed a positive session following comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. In her testimony before the Senate Finance committee, Yellen reiterated the central bank's intention to continue tapering its asset purchases at a measured pace. On the data front, weekly jobless claims rose more-than-expected to 348,000. A separate release showed durable goods orders declined -1.0% in January, less than a projected -1.7% decline.

PICTURED: The S&P 600 Small Cap Index posted a small gain and finished at a best-ever close.

Financial shares had a positive bias as the Bank Index ($BKX +0.37%) and the Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD +0.42%) posted modest gains on Thursday. The tech sector was mixed with the Biotechnology Index ($BTK -0.53%) ending lower while the Semiconductor Index ($SOX -0.01%) finished flat and the Networking Index ($NWX +0.19%) eked out a small gain. The Retail Index ($RLX +0.14%) inched higher and the Oil Services Index ($OSX +0.44%) rose while the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI -0.28%) and the Gold & Silver Index ($XAU -0.16%) finished with small losses 

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Oil Services Index ($OSX +0.44%) is consolidating above its 50-day moving average (DMA) line. 

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc (VRX +$0.20 or +0.15% to $148 .13) reported better than expected Dec '13 quarterly results with earnings +76% on +109% sales revenues. It hit new all-time highs again today and it is very extended from any sound base while on track for its 9th weekly gain in the span of 10 weeks. Its 50-day moving average (DMA) line and recent lows coincide near $130 defining important near-term support to watch. VRX was last shown in this FSU section on 2/10/14 with annotated daily and weekly graphs under the headline, "Hovering Near All-Time Highs Extended From Sound Base". Patient investors may watch for a new sound base to possibly develop and be noted in the future.

The strong quarterly result were a very reassuring follow-up to its earnings increae of +24% on +74% sales revenues for the Sep '13 quarter, a notch below the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria).  A downturn in FY '07 and '08 earnings (A criteria) was been followed by a strong earnings rebound in recent years.  Return On Equity is currently reported at 37%, well above the 17% minimum guideline of the fact-based system.

The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 818 in Mar '12 in to 1,075 in Dec '13, a reassuring trend concerning the I criteria. The high-ranked Medical - Ethical Drugs firm's shares spiked higher in late May at around the time of M&A news that it would buy Bausch & Lomb for $8.7 billion. It completed Public Offering on 6/18/13. The upshot of Public Offerings is that when completed the end result is typically an increase in the total number of institutional owners. Institutional owners are often supportive of their existing positions and will even accumulate more shares when they consolidate near classic support levels like the 50-day and 200-day moving average (DMA) lines, if they are still believers in the company. If too many become pessimistic and decide to unload, this is what ends up sending the stocks slicing through support. 

Prior reports noted - "Investors are taught in the Certification to only buy stocks with a combination of both strong fundamentals and strong technical action, however stocks should be sold based on their technical action only. In this example, more bullish action rewarded patient investors still giving it the benefit of the doubt until any technical sell signals start adding up."

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	$65.50	-0.45 -0.68%	$66.32	94,004 82.46% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 114,000	$67.80 -3.39%	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	$68.94	-0.32 -0.46%	$70.01	41,695,855 62.54% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 66,674,000	$71.44 -3.50%	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	$57.80	+0.17 0.29%	$57.82	606,890 64.56% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 940,000	$58.08 -0.48%	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	$166.62	+4.56 2.81%	$167.17	1,382,391 135.40% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,021,000	$176.60 -5.65%	9/30/2013	$93.20	PP = $89.10
								MB = $93.56
Most Recent Note - 2/27/2014 12:43:05 PM G - Very extended from any sound base and encountering distributional pressure this week. 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 ($145) and recent lows in the $135 area define important support to watch on pullbacks where violations 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	$99.56	+0.24 0.24%	$100.41	1,418,029 35.26% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 4,022,000	$101.04 -1.46%	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	$27.16	-0.33 -1.20%	$27.65	451,021 131.88% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 342,000	$29.50 -7.93%	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	$1,357.79	+0.85 0.06%	$1,363.09	629,821 83.20% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 757,000	$1,375.41 -1.28%	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	$67.47	-6.74 -9.08%	$73.58	10,312,970 505.79% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 2,039,000	$80.25 -15.93%	2/26/2014	$76.30	PP = $74.86
								MB = $78.60
Most Recent Note - 2/27/2014 2:08:33 PM Y - Raising concerns while undercutting prior highs with today's 3rd consecutive loss on above average and ever-increasing volume. 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. >>> 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	$70.21	-0.15 -0.21%	$70.56	69,438 95.12% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 73,000	$71.49 -1.79%	12/23/2013	$44.62	PP = $46.25
								MB = $48.56
Most Recent Note - 2/27/2014 2:10:24 PM G - Extended from any sound base and on track for an 11th consecutive weekly gain. Patient investors may watch for a new base or secondary buy point to possibly develop and be noted in the weeks ahead. >>> 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	$169.00	+0.44 0.26%	$169.68	103,736 50.36% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 206,000	$171.96 -1.72%	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	$148.00	+1.66 1.13%	$153.10	2,122,344 146.47% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,449,000	$150.17 -1.45%	9/11/2013	$100.26	PP = $105.50
								MB = $110.78
Most Recent Note - 2/27/2014 9:31:09 PM G - Reported +76% earnings on +109% sales revenues for the Dec '13 quarter. Hit new all-time highs again today. On track for a 9th weekly gain in 10 weeks, very extended from any sound base. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Strong Earnings Report; On Track for 9th Weekly Gain in 10 Weeks - 2/27/2014 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