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On average, our portfolio rose by 3.2% this week. That pleases me because it was twice as much as the small cap index. Across our 11 positions, we have an average gain of 32%, which is 22.7% better than you’d have done if you just bought the Russell 2000 every time I recommended one of our current stocks.

Last week we opined that the headlines filled with bad news about Bear Stearns had the potential to mark a major low in the market’s bear phase. And this week, we’re more optimistic that’s the case – hence the Market Monitor above, which has shifted to neutral. Of course, the market is always a challenge, and last week brought rotation out of many commodity stocks, and into some other groups, such as financials and retail. In our view, the commodity stocks are a mixed bag (some are still fine, others, not so much), but the overall market action is encouraging, so you should be looking to put some—but not all—of your sidelined cash to work. This week’s list contains a mix of growth stocks, turnaround stories and some familiar faces; a few have broken out of good-looking basing patterns over the past few days. Our favorite of the week is Kirby (KEX), a shipping company that has staged an extremely powerful breakout in recent days, thanks to a great earnings report.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
OFG (OFG)	0.00	20 - 22	-
PRGO (PRGO)	0.00	33 - 37	-
TUP (TUP)	0.00	36 - 39	-
URBN (URBN)	0.00	31 - 33	-
XEC (XEC)	0.00	47 - 52	-
CSX (CSX)	0.00	53 - 56	-
HCBK (HCBK)	0.00	16 - 18	-
JOE (JOE)	0.00	39 - 45	-
KEX (KEX)	0.00	52 - 55	-
MA (MA)	0.00	210 - 225	-

The market continues to perform well, with the market’s leading stocks outperforming the broad market indexes. These are good times, so enjoy them! But remember to guard against complacency; hundreds of earnings reports are about to flood Wall Street, and we’re sure that some leaders will fail, while others will soar. Thus, while the overall bull market shows no sign of ending, the next few weeks will be volatile. This week’s Top Ten contains another well-rounded batch of stocks, with a couple of biotech names highlighting the newfound strength in that sector. Another group that’s quietly improved has been the steel stocks, with Schnitzer Steel (SCHN) leading the way. The stock is in a mild pullback following a powerful breakout in recent weeks. We think it’s buyable around here.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
TKC (TKC)	0.00	19-23	-
ALNY (ALNY)	0.00	30-35	-
AUXL (AUXL)	0.00	21-23	-
CIEN (CIEN)	0.00	44-46	-
FSLR (FSLR)	0.00	125-135	-
HANS (HANS)	0.00	56-60	-
OVTI (OVTI)	0.00	22-24	-
QMAR (QMAR)	0.00	19-22	-
RIMM (RIMM)	0.00	106-114	-
SCHN (SCHN)	0.00	65-70	-

We’ve been writing that the recent straight-up move in leading stocks, combined with signs of speculation in early October, all happening right in front on earnings season, was a recipe for lower prices in the short-term. And voilà! Stocks got hit hard last week and early this morning, as the sellers gained traction. At this point, the major market trends are up, so we believe this correction will eventually lead to higher prices … but we’d still be a bit cautious in the short-term, as selling pressures usually don’t disappear after just one week. This week’s Top Ten contains a few earnings winners from last week (always good candidates for further upside), as well as a few new names. Our favorite of the week is New Oriental Education (EDU), a Chinese firm that gapped up on strong earnings last week, but has pulled back with the market in recent days. It’s a bit thinly traded, and thus jumpier, but we think buying a little here will work out.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
ANR (ANR)	0.00	24-26	-
AUO (AUO)	0.00	18 1/2 - 20	-
BIDU (BIDU)	0.00	310-320	-
EDU (EDU)	0.00	65-75	-
ISRG (ISRG)	0.00	260-272	-
LIFC (LIFC)	0.00	38-41	-
LULU (LULU)	0.00	45-55	-
MTL (MTL)	0.00	60-66	-
SA (SA)	0.00	32-36	-
SPWR (SPWR)	0.00	91-96	-

The bulls made another, more impressive stand last week, and we do believe last week’s lows have a good shot at holding up for a few weeks. Best case scenario is that a bottom-building process is now underway, which will allow new leaders to build launching pads that will eventually result in much higher prices. But (you knew that was coming, right?) for now, the trend remains down, and while some groups and stocks are catching our eye, it’s best to give the bears real respect until proven otherwise. This week’s list is a mishmash of stocks, but one group that showed exceptional power off last week’s bottom was coal stocks. Consol Energy (CNX) is our favorite of the week – its stock is under tremendous accumulation, as coal prices spike due to tight supply and still-strong demand. Take a small position on any weakness.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
CNX (CNX)	0.00	68-75	-
CPHD (CPHD)	0.00	27-30	-
ILMN (ILMN)	0.00	62-66	-
NLY (NLY)	0.00	18-20	-
RATE (RATE)	0.00	42-46	-
SID (SID)	0.00	78-86	-
URBN (URBN)	0.00	25 1/2 - 27 1/2	-
WLT (WLT)	0.00	38-42	-
AEM (AEM)	0.00	56-62	-
AUXL (AUXL)	0.00	30-33	-

Last week’s sharp market break on huge volume brought down many leading stocks, and dropped the major indexes through key support. That means the intermediate-term market trend is now down, so you should be selling your losers and poor performers, holding on to plenty of cash, working on a watch list, and possibly making a few token buys here and there. Overall, we know the next bull move will bring many profit-making opportunities (they always do!), so your goal should be to get from here to there with as much of your capital (and confidence) as possible. This week’s Top Ten contains many interesting stories and solid charts, and buying a little on weakness is fine as long as you have cash stowed away. Our favorite of the week is LG Philips (LPL), a cyclical stock in a high-tech industry (LCD screens). Business is improving rapidly, and the stock’s huge-volume breakout means any retreat should be arrested just a little below today’s level.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
LPL (LPL)	0.00	25-27 1/2	-
NUVA (NUVA)	0.00	39-42	-
ONXX (ONXX)	0.00	50-55	-
PCLN (PCLN)	0.00	96-101	-
GFA (GFA)	0.00	33-37	-
GOLD (GOLD)	0.00	32-35	-
ANR (ANR)	0.00	22-25	-
BVN (BVN)	0.00	50-56	-
DNR (DNR)	0.00	51-55	-
FSLR (FSLR)	0.00	150-165	-

With the market in a defined downtrend, the odds are against the bulls; buying a bunch of stocks, even if they have tremendous Top Ten-type relative strength, will usually cost you money. Thus, you should be focusing on building your watch list of resilient stocks with top-notch growth stories; doing that today will prepare you to pounce once the market gives us a green light. This week’s (and last issue’s) Top Ten is a great place to begin building – you’ll find a wide array of stocks here, from different industries with different prospects. Many are familiar names, which we view as a good thing; big investors are still sitting tight with many leaders, giving them a shot at racing ahead once the bulls re-take control. Our favorite of the week is Chicago Bridge & Iron (CBI), partly due to its chart (some recent high-volume buying suggests good support on any weakness) and partly due to the ongoing boom in oil and gas infrastructure.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
AG (AG)	0.00	54-57	-
BIDZ (BIDZ)	0.00	14-17	-
BUCY (BUCY)	0.00	80-84	-
CBI (CBI)	0.00	48-52	-
CNX (CNX)	0.00	52-55	-
FLS (FLS)	0.00	86-93	-
FSLR (FSLR)	0.00	190-210	-
MA (MA)	0.00	175-185	-
STP (STP)	0.00	60-65	-
UTHR (UTHR)	0.00	90-100	-

Last week was a decisive week, in our view. Not only did the major indexes score solid gains, but many individual leading stocks put on a good show, telling us the bulls are finally joining the party. Of course, with the meat of earnings season still coming up, there are bound to be ups and downs in the weeks ahead. But we’re growing more confident that the bear phase from October of last year through March of this year—punctuated by the collapse of Bear Stearns—is coming to an end. This week’s Top Ten is once again heavy in the commodity areas, which are leading the market higher. We do believe traditional growth stocks will appear if this market is going to run, but for now, the buying is clearly in metals, steels, oil and gas. Our favorite of the week may be a surprise. It’s U.S. Steel (X), a big, old firm, but one that might be best positioned to take advantage of higher steel prices in the months ahead. Try to buy on weakness.

Stock Name	Price	Buy Range	Loss Limit
AGU (AGU)	0.00	75-85	-
BUCY (BUCY)	0.00	117-120	-
EAC (EAC)	0.00	43-46	-
HP (HP)	0.00	51-54	-
MEE (MEE)	0.00	49-53	-
MMR (MMR)	0.00	22-24	-
PXD (PXD)	0.00	53-58	-
SOHU (SOHU)	0.00	50-55	-
WFT (WFT)	0.00	76-82	-
X (X)	0.00	145-155	-