Which Stocks Show Signs of Relative Strength?

Trader and blogger Brian Lund of BCLund.com shares the charts of some stocks that have held up well during this recent drop.

In last week’s post, I said that…“A lot of charts are looking “heavy,” especially in the pharma sector, however, after the selling last week I would expect a 1-2 day bounce, which may set up some good shorting opportunities.”

And that is exactly what happened in the indexes, various stocks, and specifically AAPL.

AAPL
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Last Monday AAPL bounced right off the support at the top of the blue rectangle, then failed at resistance on Wednesday, and sliced through all support to end the week on the lows. After three days of selling look for a bounce, but AAPL does seem like it has a date with its 200ma.

The name of the game this week is “relative strength.” We are looking for stocks that have held up well in this recent drop to A) day trade long, if the market gets another bounce and B) keep an eye on to swing trade long in a few weeks, if the overall indexes have stabilized and set up bullish patterns.

AGU
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You want to talk strength, well here it is. AGU is not only holding up while the market tanks, but is holding up while others like POT, MON, MOS in its own sector look weak or like shorts. In addition, it’s knocking at the door of all-time highs.

BAC
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Financials have been looking strong as of late, and no matter how hated BAC is, the chart looks good.

NEXT PAGE: Four more charts showing relative strength. |pagebreak|

MDC
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Homebuilders like LEN, KBH, PHM were not deterred by last week’s selling. MDC is in the same sector and its chart looks good here.

PAAS
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SLV sold off over the last two weeks, but PAAS has shown good relative strength.  If the metals bounce, look to this one to break out.

SHOO
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Not only did SHOO rally in the face of a market drop last week, it’s pushing towards all-time highs here.

X
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After bouncing off a support level four times, X has created a large “W” pattern. A few days of sideways consolidation below resistance and a big move could be in the cards.

NEXT PAGE: Last three charts showing relative strength. |pagebreak|

LVS
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After breaking its downtrend in August, LVS has slowly grinded its way higher. Once the market firms up, this will be a stock to watch.

ADY
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Annoying little Chinese stock, but ADY is forming a tight flag just below longer term resistance.

DDD
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3D printing will change our lives in ways we can’t even imagine, but right now, after breaking its uptrend and forming this rising channel, DDD looks like a short sell if it can get a weak 1-2 bounce at the bottom of the channel.

Brian Lund can be found on BCLund.com.