Ryan is the co-Founder of SharePlanner.com and has been trading for nearly 20 years, when his father first introduced him at the ripe-young age of 11 years old. His focus is primarily on swing-trades both long and short using technical analysis and secondarily on options and futures. Ryan Mallory has an MBA and a bachelors in Political Science and Economics from the University of Central Florida.
Still Adding to Longs October 11, 2012
Halliburton (HAL) has been in a rising channel since early June, and looks to be starting its next upmove off the lower trendline. I took a long position in it at 34.16, with a stop loss at 32.87. The top of the channel points to above 40, while resistance is at 37 1/2. Why am I still adding long positions at this juncture in the market? For one, we haven't broken down yet, and haven't broken the 1430 SPX key price level that is necessary.
Long GRPN, Short INVN September 28, 2012
In two new trades today I'm placing heavy emphasis on support and resistance, and where key levels have held of late. Groupon (GRPN) seems to be basing nicely above the 20-day moving average with a developing trend-line off of the stock's all-time lows. I'm long at 4.88. Support is at short-term rising trendline as well as the 20-day moving average at around 4.68. Below that, I would exit the position.
Six Charts to Watch September 21, 2012
As the market looks to rally again after consolidating recent moves, here are some long charts to watch. Tesoro Corporation (TSO), which has based out from last month's big move, appears to ready to break out to a new 4-year high. DST Systems Inc. (DST) also can break a 4-year high, as it is position in a lovely cup-and-handle formation with a bullish engulfing candle that came down to touch the 8 exponential moving average (EMA). I took a position yesterday in Alon USA Energy, Inc.
Six Charts to Watch September 21, 2012
As the market looks to rally again after consolidating recent moves, here are some long charts to watch. Tesoro Corporation (TSO), which has based out from last month's big move, appears to ready to break out to a new 4-year high. DST Systems Inc. (DST) also can break a 4-year high, as it is position in a lovely cup-and-handle formation with a bullish engulfing candle that came down to touch the 8 exponential moving average (EMA). I took a position yesterday in Alon USA Energy, Inc.
One Long (MCP) and One Short (LYB) to Watch September 5, 2012
Molycorp (MCP) has an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern emerging. The ideal breakout point is 12.34, a move beyond which could lead to a huge breakout, with targets at 16.10 and then 19.32. Patience is key -- wait for the entry to come to you. This pullback that we've seen going on 12 days now doesn't seem overly threatening to the bulls and has been very orderly and without any sense of panic to it. As a result, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a bounce in the coming days.
Bullish on Visa (V), Bearish United Health (UNH) August 29, 2012
Visa (V) has a perfect, upward channel in place, and is one of my favorite defensive plays out there right now. The stock should weather any potential market sell-offs quite nicely. Traders may want to buy on the pullback here. An ideal entry would be 127.12, and stop at 123.79. United Health Group (UNH) is in a sector that is beginning to look bearish across the board. The stock has had double-tops in April and June followed by a bearish wedge back to the neckline of the pattern.
Long ARUN, Short DNKN August 15, 2012
My long trade for today is Aruba Networks (ARUN), which I entered today at 16.79 and which closed at 16.66, up 39 cents. The stock has a double bottom in place in the 12 1/2 area from early June and mid-July, which was followed by a steep rally this month and then a bull flag. The ideal breakout level is 16.76, and ideal stop loss 15.99, at the low point of the week-long flag.
SONC Short, PWER Long August 1, 2012
Few short set-ups are more attractive right now than Sonic Corp. (SONC). The descending triangle that has formed is picture perfect, and I'm taking it short at the 9.74 support level. On the long side, Power-One (PWER) looks inviting from a momentum stand-point. It has an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, followed by a clear breakout between 5.07 and 5.13, which is ideal for entry.
Hesitant on Longs, Shorting MWV July 25, 2012
MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV) reported earnings this morning, and after a brief spike has given it all back. The stock is just about to confirm a major bear flag, which is the second of its kind in the past year. I would love to see it drop into the low $26's, which is what I envision for this stock. My short position entry is at $28.50, but I think it is good down to $28.25.