5 Unusual Volume Spikes to Trade
WINDERMERE, Fla. (
) --
running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.
>>Trade 5 Hated Names to Beat the Market
Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as
or
-- or buying or selling by â¿¿superinvestors.â¿
Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.
With that in mind, let's take a look at
several stocks rising on unusual volume today.
Rexnord
Rexnord
(RXN) - Get Report
is a worldwide industrial company comprised of two strategic platforms: Process & Motion Control and Water Management. This stock is trading up 1.8% at $18.25 in recent trading.
Today's Volume: 421,000
Average Volume: 217,160
Volume % Change: 193%
From a technical perspective, RXN is bouncing modestly higher here right near its 50-day moving average of $17.31 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing RXN within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit once RXN manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $18.90 to $19.00 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in RXN as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $17.31, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 217,160 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then RXN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $19.76 to $20.50. Any high-volume move above those levels will then put $21.58 to $22 into focus for RXN.
Ciena
Ciena
(CIEN) - Get Report
is a provider of equipment, software and service solutions that support the transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic on communications networks. This stock is trading up 7.8% at $14.22 in recent trading.
Today's Volume: 7.33 million
Average Volume: 4.55 million
Volume % Change: 180%
Shares of CIEN are soaring higher today after AT&T said it plans to spend $14 billion on network expansion over the next three years.
From a technical perspective, CIEN is bouncing strongly to the upside here right off its 50-day moving average of $13.60 with monster volume. This move has also pushed CIEN right below its 200-day moving average of $14.81. Shares of CIEN are now moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit once CIEN manages to take out its 200-day at $14.81 and then some more past resistance levels at $14.95 to $15 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CIEN as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $13.60, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 4.55 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then CIEN will set up to re-fill a previous gap down zone from late August that started at around $17. That gap could get filled quickly, so make sure to be ready if that breakout triggers in the near future
Georgia Gulf
(GGC)
Georgia Gulf
(GGC)
is a manufacturer and an international marketer of chlorovinyl and aromatics chemicals and also manufacture and market vinyl-based building and home improvement products. This stock is trading up 4.6% at $39.95 in recent trading.
Today's Volume: 1.56 million
Average Volume: 680,054
Volume % Change: 247%
From a technical perspective, GGC is bouncing sharply higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $38.11 with above-average volume. This stock has been trending sideways for the last month and change, with shares moving between $35.27 on the downside and $40.79 on the upside. With shares GGC trending up here, the stock is now moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade above the high-end of its recent sideways chat pattern. That trade will hit once GGC manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $40.79 to $41.42 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GGC as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $38.11, and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 680,054 shares. If GGC can maintain that trend, especially above $40.79 to $41.42, then this stock will setup to tag $45 or higher in the near future. Keep in mind that any high-volume move above $41.42 will push GGC into new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action.
Mednax
Mednax
(MD) - Get Report
is a provider of physician services including Neonatal Care, Maternal-fetal Care, Pediatric Cardiology Care, Other Pediatric Subspecialty Care and Anesthesia Care. This stock is trading up 1% at $76.50 in recent trading.
Today's Volume: 634,000
Average Volume: 331,581
Volume % Change: 184%
From a technical perspective, MD is bouncing notably higher here right off some near-term support at $74 with above-average volume. This move is following a recent run up in the stock from $67.86 to today's high of $77.25 with strong upside volumes flows. Shares of MD have also started to flirt with a major breakout today, since the stock has challenged some near-term overhead resistance at $76.76. At last check, MD has hit an intraday high of $77.25 and volume is well above its three-month average action of 331,581 shares.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MD as long as it's trending above $74, and then once it sustains a move or close above $76.76 to $77.25 with volume that hits near or above 331,581 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MD will set up to trend north of $80 in the near future. Keep in mind that once MD takes out $77.25 it will enter new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action.
Centene
Centene
(CNC) - Get Report
is a multi-line healthcare enterprise operating in two segments: Medicaid Managed Care and Specialty Services. This stock is trading up 9% at $43.48 in recent trading.
Today's Volume: 1.72 million
Average Volume: 731,383
Volume % Change: 198
From a technical perspective, CNC is soaring sharply higher here back above its 200-day moving average of $39.77 with monster upside volume. This move has also pushed CNC into breakout territory, since the stock has pushed above some past overhead resistance at $42.46 to $43.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CNC as long as it's trending above $42.46 with strong upside volume flows. I would consider any upside volume day that registers near or above its three-month average action of 731,383 shares as bullish. If CNC can maintain that trend, then this stock will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $46.89 to $50.98.
To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the
Stocks Rising On Unusual Volume
portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Winderemere, Fla.
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At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned. Roberto Pedone, based out of Windermere, Fla., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including
CNBC.com
and
Forbes.com
. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.