TheStockBandit.com

The Hit List is a look at our current swing trading positions. Stocks we are already in have “triggered”, while those we are considering for plays have not triggered. Click post title to view print-friendly link.

FISV & IPXL & CNQ stopped

Open Position Notes:

No open positions – 100% cash.

Closed Positions:

FISV triggered a buy last week but made very little upside progress, instead lingering right around the breakout zone as it continued to consolidate near highs.  However, Friday’s market weakness impacted this one, and it turned decisively lower to hit my stop and take me out for a very minor 0.7% loss.  For a failed trade, this is about as small a loss as is possible, so given the breakdown which just took place I’m pleased to be out with minimal damage.

IPXL ramped higher early last week to push past Target 1, and I was giving it some room to fluctuate even after raising my stop on Wednesday for remaining shares.  Friday’s weakness took this one right down to hit my stop, taking me out of remaining shares for a $0.75 gain on the 2nd half.  On a net basis, this trade offered a 4.5% gain, so I’m out for now and will wait for a new setup before considering another entry.

CNQ opened weak on Friday and was starting to break down with the market, but it shifted directions mid-morning and ripped higher, hitting my stop to take me out for a 2.8% loss.  Taking a loss is never fun, and while this one was well contained, it was a bit irritating that it moved up so much in the face of a weak market.  Energy was one of the bright spots though, and sometimes that happens.  This one appears to be breaking higher after a few weeks of indecision, so I’m going to leave it alone for the time being after this failed breakdown.

The Hit List is a look at our current swing trading positions. Stocks we are already in have “triggered”, while those we are considering for plays have not triggered. Click post title to view print-friendly link.

No changes

Open Position Notes:

FISV struggled to make headway today after a poor start took it negative, but the lows of the session were set in the morning and the stock battled back to finish essentially flat on the day.  I’m still viewing the daily chart of this one as a consolidation within an uptrend, so although the progress has been limited I still like the setup here.  My stop has already been raised once, so I’ll stick with my existing trade parameters until this one either makes bigger strides or begins to change character.

IPXL consolidated nicely today on lighter volume, which is a very healthy way to digest yesterday’s big run.  I liked the fact that the stock still finished higher by 1 cent, not for the incremental gain but simply for the psychological aspect that even on a rest day it posted a gain.  I’ve already booked 1/2 my profits in this one and have raised my stop for remaining shares, so I’ll stay with it while waiting to see if a push toward Target 2 comes along.  So far, so good.

CNQ gapped slightly lower today and held the gap, which was encouraging after yesterday’s afternoon run.  This one had finished not far from my stop as of last night’s close, so to see it come back in today is nice.  I also liked the fact that today it actually sold off a bit intraday, finishing lower than where it opened on the weak gap.  Regardless, it needs to get back down beneath the $42 whole number to confirm Tuesday’s breakdown, so I’m staying with it and doing my best to be patient while the battle continues between buyers and sellers.

Closed Positions:

No closed positions.

The Hit List is a look at our current swing trading positions. Stocks we are already in have “triggered”, while those we are considering for plays have not triggered. Click post title to view print-friendly link.

BWA stopped, MTL removed (pattern failure), IPXL Target 1 hit, FISV & IPXL stops raised

Open Position Notes:

FISV struggled to participate in today’s market strength, spending most of the morning slightly underwater before recovering slightly this afternoon.  The stock still finished about flat on the day, and given the lack of follow through here, I’ve raised my stop tonight as a protective measure.

IPXL continued its strength today, popping big this morning to rip right through Target 1.  I booked 1/2 profits there for a nice quick 6.7% gain, and tonight I’ve raised my stop for remaining shares.  I’m still giving it some room to fluctuate and it may need to rest a bit here, but I like the price action in this one and will be watching for further upside in the days to come.

CNQ gapped up this morning and then sold off to turn negative, but it didn’t stay in the red for long.  The stock turned higher mid-day, and rallied strong into the closing bell.  It finished just a short distance from my stop, so I’ll abide by that level tomorrow and exit this trade if the stock pushes through my stop.  The lack of downside follow through is a little irritating, but I’m going to stick with it for now and perhaps it will weaken again over the next few sessions.

Closed Positions:

BWA triggered a short entry yesterday as it undercut support, but the stock recovered by the closing bell.  I noted last night that I’d have preferred to see it finish below that level, and that proved to be a warning signal that this one isn’t ready to crack.  Today it rallied sharply to stop me out for a 3.7% loss.  I’m going to leave this one alone for now since it clearly needs more time with the mixed technical signals it’s giving.