A second down day for the market has slowed up the Trade Ideas scan to a higher degree; today's eight stocks covered a time span of 21 minutes. Picks like PTY , MGU , MUI and KYN are continuing prior uptrends. MUI had a recent, bullish cross of its 20-day/50-day MAs. Extra Space Storage ( EXR ) has shaped a solid handle with resistance at $16.50 and support at $15.50. Stops can go on a loss of the latter price. Larger resistance can be found at $17.00. A move to the latter price would trigger a double top breakout on the point-n-figure chart and send it well on its way to its current price objective of $25.00. Those preferring to buy the pullback. Hittite Microwave corp. ( HITT ) has formed a small hammer following 4 days of declines. The 50-day MA has been ragged support in the past, but buying a break of $36.60 with a stop on a loss of $35.50 should be enough to see a test of $41.00. Further resistance kicks in at $42-45. This stock has exhibited excellent accumulation throu

The modest rally in the tech averages [ NASDAQ and NASDAQ 100 ] ran into their next challenge of the 50-day MAs. It was a step too far for the indices, but subsequent retreats were able to hold the bulk of Thursday's gains. Friday's action was the ideal short entry for traders selling resistance, so a break of Friday's highs should see plenty of upward momentum as shorts are forced to cover. The semiconductor index reversed just shy of its 50-day MA, bumping off what had been a reaction low in June. Downtrends are still in effect for the tech indices. The breakout in the Russell 2000 was followed with a volatile Friday, but the relatively flat close was enough to maintain the breakout (even if prices got pegged back by the 200-day MA overhead). Large caps ran into troubles of their own. The Dow stalled at 11,324 resistance, but this is part of a larger band of supply running between 11,285 and 11,325. The S&P faced off against its more traditional resis

I have updated the returns for Wednesday and Thursday as there were some errors in the stocks for myself and Jim Cramer. Friday's week-on-week comparison continued the decent performance of the market ETF's; closing the week up +0.98% . Jim Cramer had no stocks for Friday. My one newsletter picks were net flat on the week ( +0.06% ), with the Trade Ideas picks down -0.62% . My own picks were hurt by the performance of SPAR , which ended the week down -7.00% . The Trade Ideas scan had its own millstone with SEH down -7.49% . Although I have not updated the performance charts in some time, the average net one-week return for each set of stock picks is as follows: My newsletter average return: -0.19% , n = 55 Trade Ideas average return: +0.27% n = 59 Jim Cramer 's average return: -0.10% , n = 52 Market ETF 's average return: +0.03% , n = 59 (For each n, an average of 6-8 stocks were used) If you would like to try a full version of the Trade-Ideas software, follow thi

A weak end-of-week close kept the Trade Ideas scan light on possible buy candidates. For the scan to select 8 different stocks took 5 minutes . The usual REIT suspects were present. One such stock, paying a 4.2% yield, is Tanger Factory Outlet Centers ( SKT ). The stock is relatively illquid, but there has been a nice push above near term resistance of $33.33, on its way to challenge double top resistance at $35.46. Stops can go on a loss of $32 and can be raised to breakeven as the initial staps at $35.46 are made. The MACD is short of a new 'buy' trigger, but is knocking about above the bullish zero line. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company, through its subsidiary, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, engages in acquiring, developing, owning, operating, and managing factory outlet shopping centers. As of September 30, 2005, Tanger owned and operated 33 factory outlet centers in 22 states totaling 8.7 million squ

The volatile spread in Friday's action took a swipe at three of the positions in the Collective2 portfolio. Two closed for a small profit, one for a small loss. Cleco Corp ( CNL ) announced a public offering of up to 7 million shares, in addition to Thursday's after market earnings release. The stock dipped below its raised stop price from yesterday (then staged an afternoon rally). The 400 share lot closed for a +$440 profit. Spartan Motors ( SPAR ) was bought at support on Wednesday's small doji. The stock broke into its breakout gap (and hit the stop price) on its way to test gap lows at $15.50. The 600 share lot closed for a loss of -$240 . Alliant Energy ( LNT ) released earnings on Thursday which reported a Q2 profit after a losing quarter last year. But a sharp sell off, late morning Friday, knocked out the protective stop, registering a +$297 profit on a 300 share lot. Collective2 CNL SPAR LNT

IT's past 1:00am here so I will just post the two returns from the week. The Market ETFs were the star performer for Wednesday and my newsletter picks were the winner for Thursday. If you would like to try a full version of the Trade-Ideas software, follow this link for a free 7-day trial. If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter you can do so by ordering monthly, 6-month, or annual membership from the 'Quantity' box in the right-hand-margin. If you would like to see Jim's picks you can tune into his TV show, or get them from Madd Money or Mad Money Recap . SPONSORED BY:-