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Selecting breakout stocks is probably one of the most favored techniques among active investors. The idea behind this kind of stock selection is to determine which stocks are trading within a narrow channel. These stocks are to be bought as soon as they move above this band and are sold when they fall below. In case a stock moves above this band, it usually gains momentum.
However, market watchers warn against incorrectly timing such a move. This is because of the significant risk of identifying stock movements as breakouts, which in reality are not so. At the same time, when this strategy is utilized judiciously, it yields substantive gains, which is the reason why it remains popular.
Zeroing in on Breakout Stocks
In order to select the right breakout stock one has to first calculate its support and resistance level. A support level is the lower bound for stock movements while a resistance level refers to the maximum price which it trades within over a considerable period.
In other words, the demand for a stock is at its lowest at its support level, which means most traders are willing to sell it. At the resistance level, most traders are willing to go long on the stock, which means that they would like to add them to their portfolios. The key to identifying breakout stocks is to zero in on those that are on the verge of a breakout or those that have just broken above the resistance level.
Verifying Whether It’s for Real
Stocks which have breached their resistance level should ideally be in high demand among traders. But the test of whether this is a genuine breakout is whether they go on to attain higher prices and the old barrier becomes a new support. This is why it is important to determine whether a long-term price trend is about to emerge.
Only a study of long-term trends can determine whether the existing trading channel has been breached effectively. This indicates the strength of the support or resistance levels. If you can identify the effective channel for a stock, picking it even at a not-so-reasonable price would give you significant returns.
Screening Parameters
• Percentageprice change over four weeks between 10% and 20% (Stocks which are showing considerable price increases, but whose gains are not excessive.)
• Current Price /52-Week High greater than or equal to 0.9 (Stocks which are trading 90% close to their 52-week highs.)
• Zacks Rank less than or equal to #2 (Only Strong Buy and Buy rated stocks can get through.)
• Beta for 60 months less than or equal to 2 (Stocks which move by a greater degree than the broader market but within a reasonable limit.)
• Current price less than or equal to $20 (Stocks which are reasonably priced.)
These criteria narrow down the universe of over 7716 stocks to only 6.
Here are the top five stocks that meet these criteria:
FireEye, Inc. is a specialized provider of a security platform against cyber-attacks to enterprises and governments. FireEye’s average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is more than 100%. FireEye has a Zacks Rank #1.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) is involved in the network and technology businesses on the global basis. Nokia has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 4.9%.
21Vianet Group, Inc. (VNET - Free Report) operates as a carrier-neutral Internet data center services provider in China. 21Vianet has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 81.4%.
Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. is a provider of cloud-based platform solutions. Endurance International has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 68.6%.
Energy Fuels Inc. (UUUU - Free Report) is engaged in mining, production and development of uranium and vanadium. Energy Fuels has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 28.1%.
You can get the remaining stock that meets these criteria by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and backtest them first before taking the investment plunge.
The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
Image: Bigstock
5 Breakout Stocks Offering Admirable Returns
Selecting breakout stocks is probably one of the most favored techniques among active investors. The idea behind this kind of stock selection is to determine which stocks are trading within a narrow channel. These stocks are to be bought as soon as they move above this band and are sold when they fall below. In case a stock moves above this band, it usually gains momentum.
However, market watchers warn against incorrectly timing such a move. This is because of the significant risk of identifying stock movements as breakouts, which in reality are not so. At the same time, when this strategy is utilized judiciously, it yields substantive gains, which is the reason why it remains popular.
Zeroing in on Breakout Stocks
In order to select the right breakout stock one has to first calculate its support and resistance level. A support level is the lower bound for stock movements while a resistance level refers to the maximum price which it trades within over a considerable period.
In other words, the demand for a stock is at its lowest at its support level, which means most traders are willing to sell it. At the resistance level, most traders are willing to go long on the stock, which means that they would like to add them to their portfolios. The key to identifying breakout stocks is to zero in on those that are on the verge of a breakout or those that have just broken above the resistance level.
Verifying Whether It’s for Real
Stocks which have breached their resistance level should ideally be in high demand among traders. But the test of whether this is a genuine breakout is whether they go on to attain higher prices and the old barrier becomes a new support. This is why it is important to determine whether a long-term price trend is about to emerge.
Only a study of long-term trends can determine whether the existing trading channel has been breached effectively. This indicates the strength of the support or resistance levels. If you can identify the effective channel for a stock, picking it even at a not-so-reasonable price would give you significant returns.
Screening Parameters
• Percentage price change over four weeks between 10% and 20% (Stocks which are showing considerable price increases, but whose gains are not excessive.)
• Current Price /52-Week High greater than or equal to 0.9 (Stocks which are trading 90% close to their 52-week highs.)
• Zacks Rank less than or equal to #2 (Only Strong Buy and Buy rated stocks can get through.)
• Beta for 60 months less than or equal to 2
(Stocks which move by a greater degree than the broader market but within a reasonable limit.)
• Current price less than or equal to $20 (Stocks which are reasonably priced.)
These criteria narrow down the universe of over 7716 stocks to only 6.
Here are the top five stocks that meet these criteria:
FireEye, Inc. is a specialized provider of a security platform against cyber-attacks to enterprises and governments. FireEye’s average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is more than 100%. FireEye has a Zacks Rank #1.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) is involved in the network and technology businesses on the global basis. Nokia has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 4.9%.
21Vianet Group, Inc. (VNET - Free Report) operates as a carrier-neutral Internet data center services provider in China. 21Vianet has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 81.4%.
Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. is a provider of cloud-based platform solutions. Endurance International has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 68.6%.
Energy Fuels Inc. (UUUU - Free Report) is engaged in mining, production and development of uranium and vanadium. Energy Fuels has a Zacks Rank #2 and its average EPS surprise over the last four quarters is 28.1%.
You can get the remaining stock that meets these criteria by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and backtest them first before taking the investment plunge.
The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.
Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.