The chart of the Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLE) reflects the uptrend in energy prices. The ETF is now within striking distance of its 2008 peak above $91. The 2010-2012 trading range between $60 and $80 projects a technical objective of $100, which sits about 17% above recent prices. Read More

The recovery in the Japanese equity market recovery marked some of the best performance in 2013. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index (essentially the Dow Jones Industrial Average of Japan) rallied more than 55% — its best showing since the 1970s. The economy of Japan had been mired in what many… Read More

The recovery in the Japanese equity market recovery marked some of the best performance in 2013. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index (essentially the Dow Jones Industrial Average of Japan) rallied more than 55% — its best showing since the 1970s. The economy of Japan had been mired in what many… Read More

Gold had its first negative year in more than a decade as the bullish bias all but disappeared among investors. It has now experienced a 35%-plus drop from a record high above $1,900 an ounce in 2011. The June lows were tested in the past few weeks, but a bullish… Read More

Gold had its first negative year in more than a decade as the bullish bias all but disappeared among investors. It has now experienced a 35%-plus drop from a record high above $1,900 an ounce in 2011. The June lows were tested in the past few weeks, but a bullish… Read More

The holiday season can bring cheer to retailers that count on it to deliver a large portion of yearly sales. It’s been a good year for the sector so far, with the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (NYSE: XRT) outperforming the broader market with a 40%-plus year-to-date gain. But not all… Read More

The holiday season can bring cheer to retailers that count on it to deliver a large portion of yearly sales. It’s been a good year for the sector so far, with the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (NYSE: XRT) outperforming the broader market with a 40%-plus year-to-date gain. But not all… Read More

Shares of J. C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) bounced from an extreme low of $6.24 on Oct. 22, reclaimed the $8 pivot point, and climbed above $10 in just over a month’s time. Notice how the stock’s slide accelerated in October when $8 was broken on the downside, and also how… Read More

Shares of J. C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) bounced from an extreme low of $6.24 on Oct. 22, reclaimed the $8 pivot point, and climbed above $10 in just over a month’s time. Notice how the stock’s slide accelerated in October when $8 was broken on the downside, and also how… Read More

In a stellar year for most sectors, many health-related stocks have outperformed. iShares US Medical Devices (NYSE: IHI) is up 32% year to date compared to a 25% gain in the S&P 500. And among that fund’s holdings is Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), whose stellar run in 2013 has led… Read More

In a stellar year for most sectors, many health-related stocks have outperformed. iShares US Medical Devices (NYSE: IHI) is up 32% year to date compared to a 25% gain in the S&P 500. And among that fund’s holdings is Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), whose stellar run in 2013 has led… Read More

Higher-end retailers have flourished as the wealth effect of a rebound in housing and equities has freed up funds for spending. The price performance of Macy’s (NYSE: M) and Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) compared to discounters like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Target (NYSE: TGT) illustrates this trend. High-end grocery… Read More

The long-suffering metals and mining sector was largely left out of this bull market thanks to global growth concerns. But the group quietly began to stage a recovery in the second half of 2013. SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (NYSE: XME) has bounced 22% from the summer lows. Read More

Groupon (NADAQ: GRPN) has had a tough run since its 2011 IPO. The downslide accelerated in 2012 when GRPN failed at the $8 level. That became a technical pivot in 2013, when the stock broke out from that level and never looked back. GRPN is up nearly 130% from its… Read More

Heavy equipment makers have fallen out of favor with investors as a result of the perceived slowdown in China and a drop in grain prices. Compared with the broader market’s 25%-plus rally in 2013, Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is up only fractionally for the year. At these sale prices,… Read More