stock watch, stock split

Begin Part 4 of 4

WATCHLISTS:

PRE-ANNOUNCEMENTS WATCHLIST: AROW, BMS, BRL, CTAS, DRI, MRBK, LSTR and IFIN.

BER ($54.08; +0.98): Researching a new announcement date. Made a bounce from the 18 day MVA (52.93), and looking good after the pullback from its recent high of 56.14. Still looking for a move over 54.50 on increased volume (138,200 today; average 130,000). The breakout is 56.26 on volume of 195,000. Stock and/or April or July $50 calls to buy (BER DJ or BER GJ - no open interest on the July).

EXPD ($53.40; -0.45): Bounced back after the strong move down on the put play, but the move up was weak. Today it peeled back a bit, and we can look at new put positions on a drop back through 53 on increased selling volume. Targeting 48 with April $60 puts to buy (URP PL).

STU ($90.73; +1.98): Continuing to research a possible date. Another stock that broke out! STU went to a new high, but volume was down and low at 9000 (average 15,300). Riding positions toward the target of 100, but with the weak move we will see if it will test the 10 day (88.60) again.

GTK ($52.40; +1.20): Working on a date. Broke out from the pennant today! However, volume was much lower than we wanted (307,200, and we were looking at over 500,000). Still targeting 58 with positions. If we get the volume, still a buy up to 54, with stock and/or June $47.50 calls to buy (GTK FW).

PDCO ($40.27; +0.10): Researching a date. After the strong bounce last week from the 50 day, PDCO has pulled back promptly to that level, but holding today with a doji on lower but strong volume (250,700; average 253,600). The aggressive play is over 41.50 on continued strong volume, and the move to the new high is 42.15 on continued strong volume. Stock and/or July $40 calls to buy (DOU GH - low open interest).

SLM ($93.00; +0.08): Researching a new date, and we are looking now at a board meeting that our research shows will be in early April. Tried to move today, hitting the buy point but volume was not there (784,800; average 750,600). Looks like it could test back to the 92 level. Still looking for the breakout, 93.95 on volume of 970,000, with stock and/or July $90 calls to buy (SLM GR).

DRS ($38.25; +0.03): Tightening up a bit around its short-term MVA's (18 day at 38.44), showing a doji on low volume today. The handle high is still out there at 43, but the aggressive can look at a move over 40, but we need above average volume (243,500; today 112,500), with stock and/or June $35 calls to buy (DRS FG).

PRE SPLITS WATCHLIST:

DF ($72.16; +0.37): Splits 2:1 effective 4-25-02. Surged up Monday, and continued up a bit today, closing just under the high at 72.47. Still looks like it could need to form more of a handle, but if it can generate a move to a new high we are still targeting 80. After resting a bit and holding the 71 range, a move to a new high, with stock and/or April or June $70 calls to buy (DF FN).

NJR ($46.15; +0.04): Splits 3:2 effective March 4. Petering out on this move, NJR has slowed the last two sessions, today showing a tight doji. We will see if the stock will hold the 50 day (45.66) on a pullback, and look for new positions on a bounce from there.

WERN ($25.39; -0.11): Splits 4:3 on or about March 15. Has dipped below the 50 day MVA (25.60), holding the recent low at 24.75. If it can hold we will see if it will give us a move back up toward the high (29.57).

CONTINUING CANDIDATES WATCHLIST: When splits are not announced, we will keep the best split prospects on the report rather than continue to carry all of them in case there is a an unexpected announcement. We will continue to monitor the stocks that are trimmed and add them again when we ascertain a revised split announcement date. These include BBBY, EDS, GOSHA, LLL, PII and THQI.

DIAN ($62.49; -0.90): Pulled back sharply from its strong breakout of last week. Today it tested back to 60.75, but held to close over the 18 day (61.51). Looking for it to hold, and see if it can set up a move.

RARE ($27.00; +0.28): RARE has moved up toward the handle high, but volume has been very weak. It is just under the breakout point (27.15), but with the weakness we will see if the stock can hold the 10 day (26.13) on a pullback, and generate more strength. Looking for minimum volume of 400,000 on a move over 27.15; if we get a gap over that level, we will see if it tests the breakout point and holds, catching it on a move back up. Stock and/or May $25 calls to buy (QRH EE - low open interest).

TGIC ($41.42; -0.33): TGIC broke out of a cup with handle early this month, and after a muted move pulled into a new handle-type consolidation, from which it broke out last week. It could not hold, pulling back the last two sessions, today tapping 40.47 at its low but recovering to close over the 18 day on big volume (87,000; average 40,000). We will see if it can hold this support, but it is not looking promising at the moment.
POSITION: Stock.

THC ($60.00; -1.91): After its relief bounce challenged the 50 day (61.86), we were looking for a drop back, and got it today. THC hit our buy point for new or additional puts, and we are still targeting the 200 day (56.33).

RYL ($89.69; +2.74): Great breakout Monday! RYL continued up today, hitting the target. Looks like it needs to rest here, so we will watch it set up and see if RYL presents another opportunity.

FLIR ($55.66; +2.59): A great move on the breakout test! FLIR continued up today with strong volume again (1.16 million; average 360,000). The target is 58.

GNSS ($40.09; -3.36): Fell back to close under the 200 day MVA (41.32) again, continuing the battle with that support. With the aggressive positions we are still looking at a target of 35 on a drop back down.

JCI ($89.20; +0.70): Continues its strong move up the 10 day MVA (43.31), hitting another new high today. Targeting 100, but we will likely see a test of the 10 day soon.

STJ ($80.11; +0.81; earnings 4/17): After breaking out Friday, STJ pulled back to test the 10 day (79.21), showing a doji today on continued big volume (1.12 million; average 600,500). Right at its upper channel trendline, so we will see if its can hold the 10day, and giving up that level is a signal to exit short-term positions taken on the 50 day bounce.

POST SPLITS WATCHLIST:

ACS ($46.42; +0.81): Split 2:1 effective 2-25-02. Tried to reach over the 10 day MVA (46.45), but pulled back to close. Still targeting 44 on a move down.

BLL ($42.70; -0.34): Split 2:1 effective February 25. Has settled back a bit, but is still holding strong over the 10 day MVA (42.19). With positions we are carefully watching for a drop back, which could be severe, as it has taken off on a very steep trendline. We will see if it can hold the 10 day (18 day at 41.05). We will carefully watch the action at those levels, and with weakness we will exit.

BSYS ($32.05; -0.59): Split 2:1 effective 2-25-02. Holding for the moment after the split over the short-term MVA"s (31.46; 50 day at 30.82). We can look at new positions on a move over the high at 33.06, with volume in the 800,000 range, with stock and/or June $30 calls to buy (BQY FF).

CHBS ($28.27; -0.58): Split 3:2 December 13. Continues in the downtrend, testing the 50 day again today at its high of 29.76 but dropping back to close on stronger volume (488,800; average 433,600). Still targeting the 200 day on put plays, at 24.42.

CHS ($33.50; +0.56): Split 3:2 effective 1-22-02. Holding the 18 day (31.72). We will see if it tests that level again, and set up a move at the high (34.90). The aggressive can play a move over 34 on volume of 800,000 (average 600,000), with stock and/or may $30 calls to buy (PHO EF).

SONC ($27.19; -0.08): Split 3:2 effective 2-11-02. After the big move SONC gapped up and reversed today on big volume, so we will look for a pullback here, ready to exit short term positions. Support is at 26 (recent highs and 10 day MVA).

VAR ($41.52; +0.86): Split 2:1 on 1-16-02. Made another move to a new high, although volume was low and below average (277,100; average 350,000). Still riding toward a target of 46, with the 10 day as support at 40.

XRAY ($33.91; -0.11): Split 3:2 effective February 1. Made a nice bounce last week, and is now holding more or less in a lateral pattern. It tested back near the 10 day at tis low of 33.73 today, but volume remained low (282,000; average 289,000), so we will look for XRAY to hold that level, and look for a break over the high of 34.69 on above average volume, with stock and/or July $33.38 calls to buy (RHE GX).

Good Investing!
Jon L. Johnson and the Stock Split Report Staff.

All of the foregoing is commentary for informational purposes only. All statements and expressions are the opinion of Online Investment Services, LP or its paid consultants and are not meant to be a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. We are not licensed or registered in the securities industry. The information presented herein and on our related web site has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. The security portfolio of Partners of Online Investment Services, LP or its paid consultants may, in some instances, include securities mentioned herein and on our web site. Estimates, assumptions and other forward-looking information are subject to the limits of forecasting. Actual future developments may differ materially due to many factors.

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