Weekly Update: Take the Gain in Alpha Metallurgical Resources & Next Week’s Watchlist

The major indexes came under further pressure this week.

While Tuesday brought a nice rally for stocks, Thursday and Friday’s sessions were downright ugly.

The S&P 500 fell 1.5% and 1.7% those days, while the Nasdaq 100 dropped 2% and 1.5%, respectively.

The Russell 2000 was hit even worse, with declines of 2.3% and 1.8%.

All three indexes are below their major moving averages, which is not a good sign.

Furthermore, the S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX), commonly known as the market’s “fear gauge,” has jumped sharply to the 25 level.

That’s the highest level since mid-March, which shows that traders are becoming more fearful of tighter monetary policy and higher interest rates.

However, there are still stocks out there that are bucking the bearish trend.

And there are other segments of the market, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), that could thrive in a higher interest rate environment.

These are the types of stocks I’m bringing you in this week’s Watchlist.

The Latest Stealth Winner

Before we get to this week’s Watchlist stocks, I want to call out a recent winning trade in Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR).

I first told you about this idea on April 1, and we entered the position at $140 on April 12 per the Trade Tracker.

After a nice, quick move to the upside, we sold half at $163.50 for a 16.80% gain in just a few days.

We then raised the stop to breakeven on the rest, which got hit yesterday for no loss on the second half.

The average exit was $151.75, which equates to a solid gain of 8.39% on the full trade. 

Congratulations on a great win!

Now, on to our newest Watchlist ideas…

ePlus inc.

ePlus inc. (PLUS) is a $1.6 billion information technology (IT) company focused on optimizing IT and supply chain processes for a variety of industries.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of ePlus inc. (PLUS) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 92/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 38%
  • Sales growth: +16%
  • Return on Equity: 16%
  • Triple momentum: yes

PLUS is a growth stock. As such, it made a good-sized correction at the beginning of this year.

But it is now coming out of a “cup with handle” pattern on good volume.

Moreover, the stock not only held up during the Thursday selloff but actually advanced.

Any stock that can break out and hold under that much selling pressure could see a substantial move higher under better conditions.

I like PLUS near the $58 pivot level with a sell stop at $53.65.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) is a $1.7 billion biotechnology company focused on treating neurological disorders.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 96/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 129%
  • Sales growth: -27%
  • Return on Equity: N/A
  • Triple momentum: yes

XENE has been on the Watchlist for two weeks now but has yet to break out.

I’m staying patient with this one since larger base patterns like this often lead to the largest breakout moves.

This is a clinical-stage biotech stock, so fundamentals like sales and earnings aren’t much help in evaluating the trade.

But the technicals still look great.

After a big jump in October on positive Phase 2 trial results for its epilepsy drug, shares have consolidated in a tightening pattern from left to right.

Consider buying if the stock breaks above $35.70 on good volume.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) is a $35.4 billion real estate investment trust (REIT) operating 278 apartment communities consisting of 81,803 total units.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 88/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 35%
  • Sales growth: +8%
  • Return on Equity: 9%
  • Triple momentum: yes

REITs like AvalonBay are attractive investments here since interest rates and inflation are on the rise.

Landlords across the country are raising rents due to rising prices.

With loans already in place at lower fixed interest rates, expenses should remain the same while revenues increase.

This will also create an additional barrier to entry since new landlords would have to finance their purchases at much higher rates.

Consider buying AVB on a move to new highs with a stop at $242.00 for a 6% risk on the trade.

Join the Insiders

Now, if you’ve ever wondered how I developed a proven track record of trading along the insiders like corporate CEOs, CFOs, executives and board members…

Do yourself a favor and check out my latest Insider Effect presentation!

Corporate insiders are always buying or selling shares in the companies they operate. These folks have a footing of knowledge that Main Street investors simply do not.

I talked more about this in my latest presentation, which you can watch at your convenience right here.

I covered my strategy for trading alongside corporate insiders and generating potentially massive gains as a result.

Just click here to learn more about my Insider Effect strategy and see what you could be missing out on.

Live Coaching Session

Monday, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, we’ll be hosting our regular weekly coaching session for Stealth Trades. 

We’ll send you a login reminder that morning, just so you don’t forget.

We’ll cover all of our new stocks on the Watchlist as well as the rest of the stocks inside Stealth Trades.

You need to attend this session to get the most from your subscription!

In the meantime, you can watch the replay of our latest Stealth Trades session right here.

Best wishes for your trading,

Ross Givens

Editor, Stealth Trades

P.S. On Tuesday, April 26 at 1 P.M. ET, we’re unveiling a new futures trading system…

Click here, to sign up for the upcoming event: Futures Trading Summit.

Weekly Update: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

The major indexes remain under pressure.

While last week I told you that there was some improvement in the technical picture, with the S&P 500 above its 50- and 200-day moving averages, it is now back below them again.

The Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 are below their respective moving averages as well.

We are now at the point where the rubber meets the road.

Either the heavy buying we saw off of the recent lows will return, confirming stocks are back in a bull market…

Or this was simply a prolonged bear market bounce and the markets revisit those lows, which is very possible.

What’s Working

Several of our Stealth Trades positions are working well.

This includes the most recent official alert for Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (AMR) that went up 7% the first day and is now higher by nearly 12% since the breakout.

Five of our six open Alpha Stocks trades are also showing profits.

Still, inflation continues to reveal itself as worse than expected, which is worrisome since it increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will raise rates more aggressively.

As regular readers know, higher interest rates are bad for stocks and vice versa.

The second half of April will tell us if the market has already priced in the inflation and rate-hike issue or if things are going to get worse for stocks before they get better.

In the meantime, we’re sticking with our usual strategy of finding fundamentally strong stocks pushing up against clearly defined pivot levels…

First Majestic Silver Corp.

First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) is a $3.7 billion Canadian mining company primarily focused on silver and gold production.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 88/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 52%
  • Sales growth: -27%
  • Return on Equity: N/A
  • Triple momentum: yes

From a fundamental perspective, analysts are forecasting record earnings for First Majestic in 2022 and another 97% increase in 2023.

Technically speaking, AG stock has basically gone nowhere for the last two years.

However, it is now setting up in a classic “cup with handle” pattern.

Price action has tightened nicely and formed a pivot area at $14.50.

Consider buying if that price is hit and use $13.40 as a stop.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) is a $1.8 billion biotechnology company focused on treating neurological disorders.

I added this stock to the Watchlist last week. It has not yet triggered, but the setup still looks good.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 96/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 129%
  • Sales growth: -27%
  • Return on Equity: N/A
  • Triple momentum: yes

Xenon is a clinical-stage biotech stock, so fundamentals like sales and earnings aren’t much help in evaluating the trade.

However, the technical picture still looks great.

After a big jump in October on positive Phase 2 trial results for its epilepsy drug, shares have consolidated in a tightening pattern from left to right.

Consider buying if the stock can make new highs on good volume.

Fluor Corporation

Fluor Corporation (FLR) is a $4.2 billion construction and maintenance services company focused on the oil and gas, chemical and mining industries.

And all of these industries are booming right now.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Fluor Corporation (FLR) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 97/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 109%
  • Sales growth: -3%
  • Return on Equity: 12%
  • Triple momentum: yes

High oil prices generally lead to increased drilling, and Flour stands to benefit from that.

Analysts appear to agree with consensus estimates calling for 35% earnings growth in each of the next two years.

From a technical perspective, the volume footprint shows signs of institutional accumulation.

Heavy buying for a week straight in early March propelled the stock higher, and it has now consolidated with minimal pullbacks.

I think you can buy FLR here at $30.00 and work a stop at $28.00 for protection.

Join the Insiders

Now, if you’ve ever wondered how I developed a proven track record of trading along the insiders like corporate CEOs, CFOs, executives and board members…

Do yourself a favor and check out my latest Insider Effect presentation!

Corporate insiders are always buying or selling shares in the companies they operate. These folks have a footing of knowledge that Main Street investors simply do not.

I talked more about this in my latest presentation, which you can watch at your convenience right here.

I covered my strategy for trading alongside corporate insiders and generating potentially massive gains as a result.

Just click here to learn more about my Insider Effect strategy and see what you could be missing out on.

Live Coaching Session

Monday, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, we’ll be hosting our regular weekly coaching session for Stealth Trades. 

We’ll send you a login reminder that morning, just so you don’t forget.

We’ll cover all of our new stocks on the Watchlist as well as the rest of the stocks inside Stealth Trades.

You need to attend this session to get the most from your subscription!

In the meantime, you can watch the replay of our latest Stealth Trades session right here.

Best wishes for your trading,

Ross Givens
Editor, Stealth Trades

Weekly Update: Institutions Set Their Sights on These Stealth Stocks

Stocks kicked off the week on a positive note, with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% on Monday.

But on Tuesday and Wednesday, the index gave back all of those gains and then some.

The sudden change of direction came as the market started to anticipate more aggressive tightening action from the Federal Reserve.

But as those fears subsided into the later part of the week, the markets found their footing and started to turn up.

Across the board, the technical picture is still somewhat mixed, however…

Moving Average Mess

The S&P is above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages (MAs), while the Nasdaq 100 is sandwiched in between its major MAs.

The Russell 2000 is in the worst shape of the bunch, as it is trading below both of its major MAs.

Even worse is that the Russell’s 200-day MA is clearly sloping downward now.

All of this comes as only 48% of the stocks in the S&P 500 are trading above their 200-day MAs.

That’s certainly better than the 29% reading we saw in late February, but it still paints a cautious picture overall.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t good opportunities out there, though.

In fact, today I’m bringing you three more stocks that are pushing up against recent highs and could be ready to break out soon.

Continue reading for all the details…

Sterling Check Corp.

Sterling Check Corp. (STER) is a $2.5 billion technology company focused on background and identity verification services.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Sterling Check Corp. (STER) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 85/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 50%
  • Sales growth: +35%
  • Return on Equity: 15%
  • Triple momentum: yes

STER is a recent initial public offering (IPO) from late last year in the later stages of forming its first base.

These IPO bases can be powerful buy points because the stock will be making its first move higher after the initial volatility has been digested from new investors getting positioned in the stock.

The company has posted big sales and earnings growth over the last several quarters, and analysts have been raising their estimates for 2022.

The trigger to buy would be a move above $28.00.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) is a $1.8 billion biotechnology company focused on treating neurological disorders.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (XENE) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 97/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 129%
  • Sales growth: -27%
  • Return on Equity: N/A
  • Triple momentum: yes

Xenon is a clinical-stage biotech stock, so fundamentals like sales and earnings aren’t much help in evaluating the trade.

However, the technical picture looks great.

After a big jump in October on positive Phase 2 trial results for its epilepsy drug, shares have consolidated in a tightening pattern from left to right.

I would consider buying if the stock can make new highs.

Ideally, you want to see increased volume on the breakout day as a sign that big institutional investors are behind the buying.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) is a $4.6 billion waste management company serving a variety of customer bases throughout the northeastern United States.

Here’s how the chart is setting up…

Daily Chart of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) — Source: TradingView

And here’s how the stock is setting up with my Stealth System…

  • Surge score: 95/100
  • % Above 52-wk low: 43%
  • Sales growth: +21%
  • Return on Equity: 12%
  • Triple momentum: yes

CWST made a big move in early March, as the stock soared 32% over 10 consecutive up-days.

To me, this was a clear sign of institutional accumulation.

Since then, shares have retraced slightly and formed a shelf at the $90.00 mark.

If the “big guns” are still buying, we should see another leg higher and a move on to new highs.

I’d consider buying if CWST breaks $90.00.

Live Coaching Session

Monday, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, we’ll be hosting our regular weekly coaching session for Stealth Trades. 

We’ll send you a login reminder that morning, just so you don’t forget.

We’ll cover all of our new stocks on the Watchlist as well as the rest of the stocks inside Stealth Trades.

You need to attend this session to get the most from your subscription!

In the meantime, you can watch the replay of our latest Stealth Trades session right here.

Best wishes for your trading,

Ross Givens
Editor, Stealth Trades