Gentry Business Leader

Investors might be interested in how sell-side analysts are viewing shares of Fortis Inc. (:FTS). Taking a peek at the current consensus rating, we can see that the ABR is 13.64. This average rating is provided by Zacks Research. This simplified scale ranges from one to five which translates brokerage firm Buy/Sell/Hold recommendations into an average broker rating. A low number in the 1-2 range typically indicates a Buy, 3 represents a Hold and 4-5 indicates a consensus Sell rating. In terms of the number of analysts that have the stock pegged as a Buy or Strong Buy, we note that the number is presently 9.

Investors hope that they won’t have to deal with stock picks that don’t pan out, but this happens quite often in the stock market. At some point, the investor may have to make the tough decision to sell a stock that previously had a lot of upward potential. Holding onto an underperforming stock can sometimes hurt the portfolio. Investors may be hesitant to let go of the stock long after it should have been sold. Tracking the underlying fundamentals can assist the investor with figuring out the proper time to buy or sell a particular stock. Mastering this aspect of investing may come with experience, but it may be highly beneficial for the long-term success of the portfolio.

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Fortis Inc. (:FTS) is .57. This EPS estimate is using 1 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of .46. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of Fortis Inc. (:FTS), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $44.3, and the 52-week low is currently $35.77. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $40.11 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -7.5%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -3.63%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of .21144%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 188%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Wall Street analysts tracking shares of Fortis Inc. (:FTS) have been closely monitor company activities and fundamentals. They often create research reports to assist with investment decisions. On a consensus basis, analysts have set a target price of $46.48 on the stock. This number may be different from the First Call consensus target estimate. Analysts that routinely cover the company may use different techniques in order to create a future target price. Because of the different methods, price targets may differ greatly from one analyst to another.

Investors may be drawing up a plan for the stretch run of the calendar year. With stocks riding high, the plan may involve looking at some different classes of shares. If the portfolio is full of large caps, investors may be looking for some small cap growth stocks to add to the mix. Investors may also be looking into purchasing some foreign stocks to get the portfolio as diversified as possible. Investors may also choose to select shares from various industries. Comparing stocks among peers can be a useful way to decide which ones might be ahead of the curve and poised for an upward move.

When conducting stock research, investors may want to take a look at what the covering analysts are saying about the company. Zacks Research provides an average broker rating which is compiled using polled sell-side analysts.  After a recent scan, we can see that the current ABR for 8×8 Inc (NASDAQ:EGHT) is 7.6. Research firms may use various terminologies to describe their stock recommendations. This particular rating falls on a numerical scale from 1 to 5. A 1 rating would point to a Strong Buy, and a score of 5 would indicate a Strong Sell rating. The average broker rating helps investors by offering a general feel for sell-side sentiment on company shares. We have also noted that 12 analysts currently have the stock rated as a Buy or Strong Buy.

Investors constantly have to weigh risk against reward when trying to extract profits and maximum value from the stock market. Making educated investment decisions typically requires dedication, rational thinking, and self-control. Once the individual investor starts developing good habits, they can start to eliminate the bad ones that may be costing them enormous amounts of hard earned money. Everybody is prone to make mistakes at some point, and being able to realize what contributed to the mistake can help with corrective actions. Repeating the same mistakes over and over again in the stock market will most likely lead the investor down the wrong path.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of 8×8 Inc (NASDAQ:EGHT), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $26.44, and the 52-week low is currently $16.74. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $16.74 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -18.54%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -9.02%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 5.04932%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 53%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Wall Street analysts tracking shares of 8×8 Inc (NASDAQ:EGHT) have been closely monitor company activities and fundamentals. They often create research reports to assist with investment decisions. On a consensus basis, analysts have set a target price of $25.95 on the stock. This number may be different from the First Call consensus target estimate. Analysts that routinely cover the company may use different techniques in order to create a future target price. Because of the different methods, price targets may differ greatly from one analyst to another.

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for 8×8 Inc (NASDAQ:EGHT) is -.14. This EPS estimate is using 8 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of -.17. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Investors constantly have to weigh risk against reward when trying to extract profits and maximum value from the stock market. Making educated investment decisions typically requires dedication, rational thinking, and self-control. Once the individual investor starts developing good habits, they can start to eliminate the bad ones that may be costing them enormous amounts of hard earned money. Everybody is prone to make mistakes at some point, and being able to realize what contributed to the mistake can help with corrective actions. Repeating the same mistakes over and over again in the stock market will most likely lead the investor down the wrong path.

According to the latest filings, institutions owning shares of YETI Holdings, Inc. (:YETI) have decreased their positions by -5.19%.  Institutions now own 96.30% of the company.

Following all the swirling information about publically traded companies can be quite a task. Every day there may be new pieces of news that emerge about a specific company. The prudent investor is typically able to keep abreast of the information, but most importantly figure out what news is worth paying attention to, and what news should be filtered out. Keeping a sharp eye on earnings reports and fundamental company data can play a big part in picking the right stocks for the portfolio. Once the numbers have been crunched, investors should be able to see things a little bit clearer and know what the general feel for the stock is. Of course there will be stocks that look good after thorough examination but still fail to perform as expected. 

Big organizations that control vast sums of money, such as mutual funds, insurance companies or pension funds, that buy securities are known as “institutional investors”.  Unlike individual investors, institutional investors trade in massive blocks of 10,000 or more shares per transaction.  The sheer size of these trades significantly affect the price of a share. 

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Technical analysts have little regard for the value of a company. They use historic price data to observe stock price patterns to predict the direction of that price going forward.  Analysts use common formulas and ratios to accomplish this.

YETI Holdings, Inc. (:YETI)’s RSI (Relative Strength Index) is 41.77.  RSI is a technical indicator of price momentum, comparing the size of recent gains to the size of recent losses and establishes oversold and overbought positions.

FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS

Fundamental analysis examines the financial elements of a company, for example; sales, cash flow, profit and balance sheet.  These numbers are then crunched to create theoretical valuations of companies. 

Earnings Per Share (EPS) is the earnings made by a company divided by their number of shares.  EPS enables the earnings of a company to easily be compared to their competitors. The higher the number, the more profit per dollar is being made on investor capital.  YETI Holdings, Inc.’s EPS is 0.58.  Their EPS should be compared to other companies in the Consumer Goods sector.

Price-to-Earnings Ratio is the current share price divided by annual earnings per share.  P/E provides a number that details how many years of earnings it will take a stock to recoup the value of one share at current price levels.  Easy to calculate and understand, P/E is an extremely common ratio that is used to compare valuations of stocks against each other relatively.  YETI Holdings, Inc.’s  P/E ratio is 35.84. 

Projected Earnings Growth (PEG) is a forward looking ratio based on anticipated earnings growth.  PEG is created by dividing P/E by the projected rate of earnings growth.  YETI Holdings, Inc.’s  PEG is 1.79.

Investors who are able to wipe the slate clean and take a fresh look at a certain stock may be able to make more informed decisions that will hopefully lead to increased profits in the long-term. Figuring out when to sell an underperforming stock may end up being just as important as figuring out which stocks to buy. As the stock market continues to trade near record levels, investors will be closely following trading action heading into the latter half of the year. With many stocks reaching new highs, investors may need to make sure that they aren’t getting too overconfident with trades. When a few winning trades are strung together, investors may feel like they have the Midas touch and they can do no wrong. Nobody knows for sure how long stocks will stay in favor with investors. Keeping track of the portfolio’s contents can help when quick decisions need to be made. There may come a time when the tide turns and making a winning trade may seem impossible. Investors might want to have a plan in place in case of a sudden major market downturn. Keeping the portfolio stable during periods of market uncertainty may help prepare for unforeseen events in the future. Although there are many market enthusiasts that think the bull run may be on its last legs, there are just as many who believe that the best is yet to come, and there is much more room for stocks to climb.  

RETURNS AND RECOMMENDATION

Shareholders can expect a return on equity of 65.20%.  Calculated by dividing YETI Holdings, Inc.’s annual earnings by its total assets, investors will note a return on assets of 9.10%.  Finally, YETI Holdings, Inc.’s return on investment stands at 17.40% when you divide the shareholder’s return by the cost.  The consensus analysts recommendation at this point stands at 1.60 for YETI Holdings, Inc. (:YETI).  This is based on a 1-5 scale where 1 indicates a Strong Buy and 5 a Strong Sell.

When conducting stock research, investors may want to take a look at what the covering analysts are saying about the company. Zacks Research provides an average broker rating which is compiled using polled sell-side analysts.  After a recent scan, we can see that the current ABR for ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXLS) is 19.19. Research firms may use various terminologies to describe their stock recommendations. This particular rating falls on a numerical scale from 1 to 5. A 1 rating would point to a Strong Buy, and a score of 5 would indicate a Strong Sell rating. The average broker rating helps investors by offering a general feel for sell-side sentiment on company shares. We have also noted that 9 analysts currently have the stock rated as a Buy or Strong Buy.

Investors constantly have to weigh risk against reward when trying to extract profits and maximum value from the stock market. Making educated investment decisions typically requires dedication, rational thinking, and self-control. Once the individual investor starts developing good habits, they can start to eliminate the bad ones that may be costing them enormous amounts of hard earned money. Everybody is prone to make mistakes at some point, and being able to realize what contributed to the mistake can help with corrective actions. Repeating the same mistakes over and over again in the stock market will most likely lead the investor down the wrong path.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXLS), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $79.6, and the 52-week low is currently $57.92. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $70.38 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -6%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -.61%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 1.59013%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 151%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Wall Street analysts tracking shares of ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXLS) have been closely monitor company activities and fundamentals. They often create research reports to assist with investment decisions. On a consensus basis, analysts have set a target price of $77.2 on the stock. This number may be different from the First Call consensus target estimate. Analysts that routinely cover the company may use different techniques in order to create a future target price. Because of the different methods, price targets may differ greatly from one analyst to another.

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXLS) is .82. This EPS estimate is using 7 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of .79. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Investors constantly have to weigh risk against reward when trying to extract profits and maximum value from the stock market. Making educated investment decisions typically requires dedication, rational thinking, and self-control. Once the individual investor starts developing good habits, they can start to eliminate the bad ones that may be costing them enormous amounts of hard earned money. Everybody is prone to make mistakes at some point, and being able to realize what contributed to the mistake can help with corrective actions. Repeating the same mistakes over and over again in the stock market will most likely lead the investor down the wrong path.

Investors might be interested in how sell-side analysts are viewing shares of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL). Taking a peek at the current consensus rating, we can see that the ABR is 18.23. This average rating is provided by Zacks Research. This simplified scale ranges from one to five which translates brokerage firm Buy/Sell/Hold recommendations into an average broker rating. A low number in the 1-2 range typically indicates a Buy, 3 represents a Hold and 4-5 indicates a consensus Sell rating. In terms of the number of analysts that have the stock pegged as a Buy or Strong Buy, we note that the number is presently 11.

Investors hope that they won’t have to deal with stock picks that don’t pan out, but this happens quite often in the stock market. At some point, the investor may have to make the tough decision to sell a stock that previously had a lot of upward potential. Holding onto an underperforming stock can sometimes hurt the portfolio. Investors may be hesitant to let go of the stock long after it should have been sold. Tracking the underlying fundamentals can assist the investor with figuring out the proper time to buy or sell a particular stock. Mastering this aspect of investing may come with experience, but it may be highly beneficial for the long-term success of the portfolio.

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is .15. This EPS estimate is using 4 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of .22. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $24.76, and the 52-week low is currently $15.15. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $17.71 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -7.81%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -2.69%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 6.1594%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 13%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Wall Street analysts tracking shares of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) have been closely monitor company activities and fundamentals. They often create research reports to assist with investment decisions. On a consensus basis, analysts have set a target price of $24.3 on the stock. This number may be different from the First Call consensus target estimate. Analysts that routinely cover the company may use different techniques in order to create a future target price. Because of the different methods, price targets may differ greatly from one analyst to another.

Investors may be drawing up a plan for the stretch run of the calendar year. With stocks riding high, the plan may involve looking at some different classes of shares. If the portfolio is full of large caps, investors may be looking for some small cap growth stocks to add to the mix. Investors may also be looking into purchasing some foreign stocks to get the portfolio as diversified as possible. Investors may also choose to select shares from various industries. Comparing stocks among peers can be a useful way to decide which ones might be ahead of the curve and poised for an upward move.

According to the latest SEC Filings, firms & funds owning shares of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS) have decreased their positions by 1.21%.  Institutions now own 93.10% of the company.

Diversification can be an important aspect of any investor’s portfolio. Investors may choose to spread out stock holdings between foreign stocks and stocks with different market capitalizations. Investors may have to first become aware of the risk associated with owning a wide variety of stocks. Owning stocks that belong to different industries may also be a help to the success of the portfolio. Often times, sectors may trade off being market leaders. Owning all one sector may leave too much risk exposed if the sector suddenly tanks and falls out of favor with investors. Investors may need to occasionally do a strategic review of the equity portion of the portfolio. Knowing exactly what is held may help the investor when the time comes to make some adjustments.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Technical analysts have little regard for the value of a company. They use historic price data to observe stock price patterns to predict the direction of that price going forward.  Analysts use common formulas and ratios to accomplish this.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS)’s RSI (Relative Strength Index) is 40.00.  RSI is a technical indicator of price momentum, comparing the size of recent gains to the size of recent losses and establishes oversold and overbought positions.

FUNDAMENTAL ANALYSIS

Fundamental analysis examines the financial elements of a company, for example; sales, cash flow, profit and balance sheet.  These numbers are then crunched to create theoretical valuations of companies. 

Earnings Per Share (EPS) is the earnings made by a company divided by their number of shares.  EPS enables the earnings of a company to easily be compared to their competitors. The higher the number, the more profit per dollar is being made on investor capital.  Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s EPS is 3.47.  Their EPS should be compared to other companies in the Technology sector.

Price-to-Earnings Ratio is the current share price divided by annual earnings per share.  P/E provides a number that details how many years of earnings it will take a stock to recoup the value of one share at current price levels.  Easy to calculate and understand, P/E is an extremely common ratio that is used to compare valuations of stocks against each other relatively.  Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s  P/E ratio is 22.59. 

Projected Earnings Growth (PEG) is a forward looking ratio based on anticipated earnings growth.  PEG is created by dividing P/E by the projected rate of earnings growth.  Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s  PEG is 2.36.

RETURNS AND RECOMMENDATION

Shareholders can expect a return on equity of 22.60%.  Calculated by dividing Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s annual earnings by its total assets, investors will note a return on assets of 10.30%.  Finally, Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s return on investment stands at 12.90% when you divide the shareholder’s return by the cost.  The consensus analysts recommendation at this point stands at 1.80 for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS).  This is based on a 1-5 scale where 1 indicates a Strong Buy and 5 a Strong Sell.

Investors might be trying to figure out the best way to approach the stock market. After creating a plan that includes a list of stocks to purchase, investors may be looking to gauge the best time to enter the trade. With markets still cruising along at high altitudes, investors may be worried about buying at the top. Most individuals would probably agree that getting out before the market drops would be the best play. Obviously this is much easier said than done. If the warning signs were blatant, everyone would know exactly when to sell and when to re-buy. When the stock market has a big decline, the natural instinct is generally to sell in order to protect gains or eliminate further losses. Trying to time the market can have negative implications for investors who are not prepared to handle extremely volatile market conditions. Being prepared for any sudden change in the overall economy or stock market conditions may help the investor stay afloat for the long haul.

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and information expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company stakeholders, financial professionals, or analysts. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized to make stock portfolio or financial decisions as they are based only on limited and open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of any analysts or financial professionals.

Liberty Broadband Corp. Cl A (LBRDA)’s current 14-day Willams %R value has been spotted at -86.26. Values can span from 0 to -100.  A reading between -80 to -100 may be typically viewed as strong oversold territory.  A value between 0 to -20 would indicate a strong overbought condition. As a momentum indicator, the Williams R% may be combined with other technicals to help identify a specific trend.

Liberty Broadband Corp. Cl A (LBRDA) presently has a 14-day Commodity Channel Index (CCI) of -99.08. Typically, the CCI oscillates above and below a zero line. Normal oscillations tend to stay in the range of -100 to +100. A CCI reading of +100 may represent overbought conditions, while readings near -100 may indicate oversold territory. Although the CCI indicator was developed for commodities, it has become a popular tool for equity evaluation as well. Checking on another technical indicator, the 14-day RSI is currently sitting at 26.61.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a highly popular technical indicator. The RSI is computed base on the speed and direction of a stock’s price movement. The RSI is considered to be an internal strength indicator, not to be confused with relative strength which is compared to other stocks and indices. The RSI value will always move between 0 and 100. One of the most popular time frames using RSI is the 14-day.

Moving average indicators are commonly tracked by technical stock analysts. Many traders will use a combination of moving averages with multiple time periods to help spot stock trend direction. One of the more popular combinations is to use the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Investors may use the 200-day MA to help smooth out the data a get a clearer long-term picture. They may look to the 50-day or 20-day to get a better grasp of what is going on with the stock in the near-term. Presently, the 200-day moving average is at 112.99, and the 50-day is 124.04. The 14-day ADX for Liberty Broadband Corp. Cl A (LBRDA) is standing at 48.47. Many chart analysts believe that an ADX reading over 25 would suggest a strong trend. A reading under 20 would suggest no trend, and a reading from 20-25 would suggest that there is no clear trend signal.

Investors might be interested in how sell-side analysts are viewing shares of First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME). Taking a peek at the current consensus rating, we can see that the ABR is -15.55. This average rating is provided by Zacks Research. This simplified scale ranges from one to five which translates brokerage firm Buy/Sell/Hold recommendations into an average broker rating. A low number in the 1-2 range typically indicates a Buy, 3 represents a Hold and 4-5 indicates a consensus Sell rating. In terms of the number of analysts that have the stock pegged as a Buy or Strong Buy, we note that the number is presently 5.

Investors hope that they won’t have to deal with stock picks that don’t pan out, but this happens quite often in the stock market. At some point, the investor may have to make the tough decision to sell a stock that previously had a lot of upward potential. Holding onto an underperforming stock can sometimes hurt the portfolio. Investors may be hesitant to let go of the stock long after it should have been sold. Tracking the underlying fundamentals can assist the investor with figuring out the proper time to buy or sell a particular stock. Mastering this aspect of investing may come with experience, but it may be highly beneficial for the long-term success of the portfolio.

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME) is .8. This EPS estimate is using 3 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of .9. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $42.35, and the 52-week low is currently $29.86. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $29.86 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -28.14%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -28.5%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of .02928%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 184%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Wall Street analysts tracking shares of First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME) have been closely monitor company activities and fundamentals. They often create research reports to assist with investment decisions. On a consensus basis, analysts have set a target price of $42.4 on the stock. This number may be different from the First Call consensus target estimate. Analysts that routinely cover the company may use different techniques in order to create a future target price. Because of the different methods, price targets may differ greatly from one analyst to another.

Investors may be drawing up a plan for the stretch run of the calendar year. With stocks riding high, the plan may involve looking at some different classes of shares. If the portfolio is full of large caps, investors may be looking for some small cap growth stocks to add to the mix. Investors may also be looking into purchasing some foreign stocks to get the portfolio as diversified as possible. Investors may also choose to select shares from various industries. Comparing stocks among peers can be a useful way to decide which ones might be ahead of the curve and poised for an upward move.

When monitoring analyst ratings, investors can use the average brokerage recommendation score to determine the consensus view on the stock. The ABR is an average of the recommendations offered by research firms on a given equity. The ABR rank is displayed in the range of 1 to 5 where 1 indicates a Strong Buy and a rating of 5 represents a Strong Sell. While tracking shares of Evertec, Inc. (NYSE:EVTC), we have noted that the current average broker rating is currently -9.29. Going further, we can see that 6 Wall Street analysts have given the stock a Strong Buy or Buy rating, based on analysts polled by Zacks Research.

Some traders may be employing technical analysis to try and conquer the market. There are plenty of various indicators that traders can use. Studying different technical indicators can provide some good insight, but the individual investor may want to start by focusing on a few different popular ones. Deciding which indicators to use may require a significant amount of homework. Trying to track too many signals at first might not be the best idea, and it may even create more confusion. Once the indicators have been chosen, traders may spend a good amount of time back testing strategies before making some trades.           

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Evertec, Inc. (NYSE:EVTC) is .48. This EPS estimate is using 5 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of .48. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of Evertec, Inc. (NYSE:EVTC), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $36.38, and the 52-week low is currently $26.25. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $26.25 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -24.24%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -17.43%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 1.17248%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 65%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Even professional traders can sometimes guess wrong about market direction. Many traders may have to balance emotion with the fear of missing out on a strong market move. Investors may be tempted to jump on the bullish bandwagon when stocks are powering higher. Investors on the wrong side of the market swing may have to consider what may be in store over the next few months. It’s only natural to pause and take a little breather once in a while. Investors may be chomping at the bit to buy up the dips if the market continues to advance. Fresh buying opportunities can surface at any moment, and the prepared trader may be poised to take full advantage. Keeping a close watch on earnings beats may help investors catch the wave early enough to secure some future profits.

When monitoring analyst ratings, investors can use the average brokerage recommendation score to determine the consensus view on the stock. The ABR is an average of the recommendations offered by research firms on a given equity. The ABR rank is displayed in the range of 1 to 5 where 1 indicates a Strong Buy and a rating of 5 represents a Strong Sell. While tracking shares of FORTERRA INC (:FRTA), we have noted that the current average broker rating is currently -.48. Going further, we can see that 2 Wall Street analysts have given the stock a Strong Buy or Buy rating, based on analysts polled by Zacks Research.

Some traders may be employing technical analysis to try and conquer the market. There are plenty of various indicators that traders can use. Studying different technical indicators can provide some good insight, but the individual investor may want to start by focusing on a few different popular ones. Deciding which indicators to use may require a significant amount of homework. Trying to track too many signals at first might not be the best idea, and it may even create more confusion. Once the indicators have been chosen, traders may spend a good amount of time back testing strategies before making some trades.           

Shifting gears, we can see that the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for FORTERRA INC (:FRTA) is -.2. This EPS estimate is using 1 sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the prior reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of -.11. As we move through earnings season, all eyes will be on the company to see if they can beat analyst estimates and show improvement from the last quarter. When a company reports actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can cause a stock price to realize increased activity. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see how the earnings results impact the stock after the next release. Many investors will decide to be cautious around earnings releases and delay buy/sell moves until after the stock price has steadied.

Viewing some popular support and resistance marks on shares of FORTERRA INC (:FRTA), we can see that the 52-week high is presently $15.37, and the 52-week low is currently $3.79. When the stock is trading near the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may be on the lookout for a potential break through the level. Looking at recent action, we can see that the stock has been trading near the $9.78 level. Investors may also want to track historical price activity. Over the past 12 weeks, the stock has changed -25.97%. Looking further back to the beginning of the calendar year, we note that shares have moved -3.98%. Over the previous 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of .2416%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 213%. Investors will be monitoring stock activity over the next few days to try and gauge which way the momentum is shifting.

Even professional traders can sometimes guess wrong about market direction. Many traders may have to balance emotion with the fear of missing out on a strong market move. Investors may be tempted to jump on the bullish bandwagon when stocks are powering higher. Investors on the wrong side of the market swing may have to consider what may be in store over the next few months. It’s only natural to pause and take a little breather once in a while. Investors may be chomping at the bit to buy up the dips if the market continues to advance. Fresh buying opportunities can surface at any moment, and the prepared trader may be poised to take full advantage. Keeping a close watch on earnings beats may help investors catch the wave early enough to secure some future profits.