Today's selection spanned 13 minutes of time for the Trade-Ideas software, a reflection of the slow day for the market. Here are the picks: VLCM : Weekly cup-and-handle pattern. Projected target of $49, add on break of $36, currently trading at $34.07. Good value. Stops on loss of $33. CG : Slow-and-steady advance from $22 on the weekly chart. Pressuring $44 resistance. Ride the trend. STFC : Pushing over December resistance as part of the 2005 rally (see weekly chart). Has far exceeded it point-n-figure target of $27 but this run still has legs. CVP : Thinly traded but is on the way to shaping a right-hand-side base; note on weekly chart how $13 has been strong resistance in the past. This 2003 IPO has merits. VSH : Small handle off $14 resistance. Like the previous pick this is in the process of building a base. A break of $14 will see the start of the right-hand-side of a cup take shape. One to watch. MDP : Only a couple points shy of major supply from 2004. The break of $52 loo

Another 4-minute spread on the software picks. Some reasonable plays to review. AIG : Bounced off the 50-day MA, currently working a challenge of the 52-week high. Expect supply to be a concern in the $72-75 range but this has come a long way from it early lows of $49.56. ROK : Second day of gains on light volume. Decent ascent from $50. Ride the trend. Weekly chart looks to be shaping a cup-and-handle pattern. Projected target of $79. MECA : Solid support at 50-day MA. Good value at current prices as it works a 2-month base. A push over $10 will have this trading at new 5-year highs, as it stands now it is close to making new 3-year highs. Best of the bunch FLO : Sold off hard in early November. Bounced to fill the gap and currently trades in a well defined handle at gap resistance. Looks ready to push higher but keep stops on a loss of $27. PARL : Weekly chart shows potential for a rounding top having worked its way from $2.25 lows in 2003 (pre-split???). Current consolidation has su

Today's picks only took 4 minutes by the software. Given the lateness of the post I will just leave the charts of the 8 picks. If you would like to try the software yourself, follow this link for a free 7-day trial

Botched the stop on this. Originally wanted it tight to the lows of the entry candlestick, but gave the trade more leeway when the stock dropped below what would have been its stop. The second attempt to break $19 failed. The current bounce off support has upside merits - but my new stop was placed to close to support and was whipped out. The biggest loss on this portfolio to date; $1,130 or 6%. Just two positions remain in the portfolio.

Okay, today's list took over an hour for the software to compile; a mix of holidday trading and a nasy Santa sell off (who were bold boys and girls this year?). CLFC : Effectively stuck in a trading range for the last 6-months bound by $22 and $29. At $26 it is right in the middle. 50-day MA holding. Weekly chart shows steady gains; long term bullish. TWI : Gapped up big in October and has held this gain very well on merger talks. The failure of the gap to close (or even approach a decent attempt at such) is bullish. Positive money flow and a 'buy' signal in the PPO after 2 1/2 months of consolidation says it all. Will the $18 bid per share be topped? RADN : Breaking from a bullish flag after a positive test of the 50-day MA. Some decent volume to go with it. FAC : Weekly chart shows bullish ascending triangle, daily chart shows strong (positive) money flow and an improving PPO. Sizable block trade went through this afternoon. Break of $10.50 could see this fly PUK : At res

Mixed bag for the December 16th Trades Idea selection. Markets finished flat for the five days with the Base breakout returning a slight net profitabilty thanks to KEYS 6.7% gain over the 5 days. If you would like to try the software yourself, follow this link for a free 7-day trial

As the week wraps up will bulls be seeing a continuation of the work Santa's elves did in the run up to Christmas? Markets are back pressuring resistance which may keep things under wraps until later next week. I did a quick run through on my picks and the following is a list of stocks with watch list merit: Of my Subscriber picks: Thinking of subscribing? . Do so today. Your support is always appreciated. ADCT : Shaping a RHS base ATAC : Very close to a consolidation buy; technicals shaping up nicely. AXCA : Working on a handle from a four month base BECN : Coming up through the bottom end of a scrappy base. BEC : Looks primed to close the July breakdown gap BGP : Finally putting some distance from the closed October breakdown gap. WIRE : Resetting the technicals after a solid run. Holding support of $22.50. ENG : Subscribers got this one at $6. I offered it as a freebie pick at $7, and now trades at $8.72 after a big volume move today. LUK : Working its way out of another base a