Stocks finished higher on Wednesday. The Dow climbed 32 points to 17,912. The S&P 500 advanced 7 points to 2,074.  There were lighter volume totals on the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. Breadth was positive as advancers led decliners by nearly a 2-1 margin on the NYSE and 3-2 on the Nasdaq exchange. There were 73 high-ranked companies from the CANSLIM.net Leaders List that made new 52-week highs and appeared on the CANSLIM.net BreakOuts Page, up from the prior session total of 37 stocks. The new 52-week highs totals outnumbered new 52-week lows on both the NYSE and on the Nasdaq exchange. There were 6 gainers among the 11 high-ranked companies currently on the Featured Stocks Page. A "confirmed uptrend" for the market (M criteria) has been repeatedly noted in this daily Market Commentary since large gains were noted on 10/21/14 backed by higher volume totals as leadership (stocks hitting new 52-week highs) expanded. 

PICTURED: The NASDAQ was up 18 points to 4,774. It is perched near its 2014 high after 6 consecutive weekly gains.

Disciplined investors know that new buying efforts may be made under the fact-based investment system only in stocks meeting all key criteria. The Featured Stocks Page shows the most action-worthy candidates and their latest notes and a Headline Link directs members to the latest detailed analysis with data-packed graphs annotated by a Certified expert along with links to additional resources.  The Premium Member Homepage includes "dynamic archives" to all prior pay reports published.

Commodity-linked groups had a strong positive bias as the Gold & Silver Index ($XAU +3.40%) outpaced the Integrated Oil Index ($XOI +1.02%) and Oil Services Index ($OSX +2.12%) posted solid gains.  Financial shares were a positive influence on the major averages as the Bank Index ($BKX +1.24%) and Broker/Dealer Index ($XBD +1.53%) both rose. The Networking Index ($NWX +1.54%) and Semiconductor Index ($SOX +2.04%) led the tech sector higher.  Meanwhile, the Biotechnology Index ($BTK -0.04%) and the Retail Index ($RLX +0.01%) both finished flat.

Charts courtesy www.stockcharts.com

PICTURED: The Bank Index ($BKX +1.24%) is consolidating above its 50-day moving average (DMA) line, perched within striking distance of its 2014 high.

Baidu Inc. (BIDU -$3.61 or -1.54% to $231.13) is consolidating just above prior highs near $230 which closely coincide with its 50-day moving average (DMA) line defining important near-term support which. Its last appearance in this FSU section was on 11/17/14 with annotated graphs under the headline, "Consolidating Back Below "Max Buy" Level".

BIDU reported earnings +28% on +52% sales revenues for the Sep '14 quarter, marking its 3rd consecutive quarterly comparison with earnings above the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria). The high-ranked Internet - Content firm has a great annual earnings (A criteria) track record. It was dropped from the Featured Stocks list on 8/06/11, and subsequently went through a long and deep consolidation below its 200 DMA line before rebounding. Return On Equity reported at 34% helps, as that is well above the 17% minimum guideline. The number of top-rated funds owning its shares rose from 1,114 in Mar '14 to 1,319 in Sep '14, so investors have 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	$265.84	+1.63 0.62%	$266.45	2,212,568 68.91% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 3,211,000	$272.75 -2.53%	6/20/2014	$216.53	PP = $230.87
								MB = $242.41
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 6:34:20 PM G - Quietly consolidating after spiking to new 52-week highs with volume-driven gains following news it plans to acquire Allergan (AGN) for $66 Billion. Did not form a sound base, and it is extended from prior highs in the $249 area defining near-term support. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Perched at Highs Following Spike on Acquisition Plans - 11/24/2014 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
AFSI - NASDAQ Amtrust Financial Svcs INSURANCE - Property and; Casualty Insurance	$53.51	+1.90 3.68%	$53.85	1,059,359 103.45% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,024,000	$53.80 -0.54%	10/17/2014	$45.24	PP = $46.02
								MB = $48.32
Most Recent Note - 12/3/2014 3:42:10 PM G - Touching a new 52-week high with today's gain on light volume, rising from a brief consolidation, not a sound base. Prior highs near $46 coincide with its 50 DMA line defining important near-term support. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : No Sound Base Formed, Yet Little Resistance Remains - 11/21/2014 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
ALXN - NASDAQ Alexion Pharmaceuticals DRUGS - Drug Manufacturers - Other	$198.88	-1.91 -0.95%	$203.30	1,128,377 97.61% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,156,000	$202.04 -1.56%	10/23/2014	$184.01	PP = $185.53
								MB = $194.81
Most Recent Note - 12/2/2014 5:37:48 PM G - Rallied to new highs today with a volume-driven gain from a brief consolidation, not a sufficient length base. Recent lows near $185 define initial support to watch above its 50 DMA line. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Quietly Consolidating Near All-Time High - 11/28/2014 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	$231.29	-3.45 -1.47%	$235.72	3,079,097 83.15% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 3,703,000	$251.99 -8.21%	10/30/2014	$234.08	PP = $231.51
								MB = $243.09
Most Recent Note - 12/3/2014 5:21:04 PM Y - Consolidating near prior highs and its 50 DMA line defining important near-term support to watch. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Consolidating Near Prior Highs and Above 50-Day Average - 12/3/2014 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	$49.72	-0.33 -0.66%	$50.52	225,349 55.64% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 405,000	$52.29 -4.91%	10/23/2014	$45.21	PP = $46.09
								MB = $48.39
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 6:41:26 PM G - Pulled back today on higher (but below average) volume. Prior highs in the $44 area define support along with its 50 DMA line ($45.50). >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Quiet Gain For New High Close - 11/26/2014 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
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	$74.88	-0.58 -0.77%	$75.73	15,936,052 43.61% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 36,541,000	$81.16 -7.74%	9/9/2014	$76.67	PP = $76.84
								MB = $80.68
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 6:46:27 PM G - Its color code is changed to green after slumping back below its 50 DMA line today hurting its technical stance and near-term outlook. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Following Violation 50-Day Average Acted as Resistance - 11/14/2014 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
FLT - NYSE Fleetcor Technologies DIVERSIFIED SERVICES - Business/Management Services	$149.27	+2.78 1.90%	$149.53	429,602 56.64% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 758,500	$160.40 -6.94%	10/31/2014	$148.50	PP = $146.29
								MB = $153.60
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 12:11:22 PM Y - Color code is changed to yellow while undercutting prior highs in the $146-149 area raising concerns with a big loss today on higher volume, testing support at its 50 DMA line. More damaging losses may trigger a worrisome technical sell signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Consolidation Continues Above Prior Highs - 11/18/2014 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
ILMN - NASDAQ Illumina Inc DRUGS - Biotechnology	$191.25	+3.08 1.64%	$191.95	1,121,279 92.06% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 1,218,000	$197.37 -3.10%	10/22/2014	$188.77	PP = $182.27
								MB = $191.38
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 6:44:33 PM Y - Volume totals have been cooling while consolidating well above prior highs near $182 and above its 50 DMA line. Damaging losses below those levels would raise concerns and trigger technical sell signals. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Quietly Consolidating Back Below "Max Buy" Level - 11/25/2014 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
NBCB - NASDAQ First N B C Bank Hldg Banks-Southeast	$34.65	-0.63 -1.79%	$35.58	130,825 16.33% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 801,000	$38.18 -9.25%	10/31/2014	$36.31	PP = $35.93
								MB = $37.73
Most Recent Note - 12/2/2014 12:44:50 PM Y - Volume-driven loss on the prior session raised concerns. Undercut prior highs near $34 and its 50 DMA line briefly today then found prompt support and managed an encouraging "positive reversal". More damaging losses would raise serious concerns and trigger a worrisome technical sell signal. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Fifth Consecutive Loss While Retreating From Highs - 11/19/2014 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
PANW - NYSE Palo Alto Networks Computer Sftwr-Security	$118.58	+0.88 0.75%	$119.50	1,169,482 58.39% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 2,003,000	$123.22 -3.77%	7/30/2014	$84.21	PP = $85.88
								MB = $90.17
Most Recent Note - 12/1/2014 6:36:10 PM G - Pulled back from all-time highs with higher volume today. It did not form a sound base, and the 50 DMA line defines near-term support to watch. Reported earnings +88% on +50% sales revenues for the Oct '14 quarter. See the latest FSU analysis for more details and new annotated graphs. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Under Accumulation But Extended From Sound Base - 12/1/2014 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
STRT - NASDAQ Strattec Security Corp AUTOMOTIVE - Auto Parts	$101.51	+1.51 1.51%	$102.30	33,107 132.43% of 50 DAV 50 DAV is 25,000	$110.96 -8.52%	11/20/2014	$105.76	PP = $109.54
								MB = $115.02
Most Recent Note - 12/2/2014 5:39:11 PM Y - Fell for a 5th consecutive loss on even higher volume today, a sign of distributional pressure. After forming an advanced "3-weeks tight" base it has not produced the volume-driven gains for new highs needed to trigger a new (or add-on) technical buy signal. Prior highs coincide with its 50 DMA line defining important near-term support to watch on pullbacks. >>> FEATURED STOCK ARTICLE : Formed New Advanced "3-Weeks Tight" Base - 11/20/2014 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