Overbought conditions in the equity markets have moderated over the past two days, as mild selling has helped bring a number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) lower as we move into the second half of the week.
Stocks
The number of stocks earning top PowerRatings remains slight. Going into Thursday's trading, there are no good training candidates among stocks rated 9 or 10. Among the 8-rated stocks, however, some of the more potentially attractive opportunities may lie in stocks like Volterra Semiconductor Corp (VLTR) and Netflix Inc (NFLX) (below).
Netflix has fallen to its lowest level since late May. The stock had maintained a Stock PowerRating of 7 until Wednesday's close, when the new low helped Netflix earn a Stock PowerRating upgrade to 8.
Other 8-rated stocks that traders may want to keep on their PowerRatings Watch Lists include Duncan Energy Partners L.P. (DEP) and Harry Winston Diamond Corp (HWD).
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)/Leveraged ETFs
Among the Top 10 Highest Volume ETFs, half have earned ETF PowerRatings of 3 going into Thursday's trading. In the case of the iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (EWJ), its 3 rating was earned as a result of a one-point downgrade. Other widely-traded ETFs like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) (below) and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) have actually seen their ETF PowerRatings upgraded from 2 to 3, after recent selling has relieved overbought conditions.
The highest-rated ETF among the top volume gainers? That would be the 6-rated Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI).
Looking at the most widely-traded leveraged ETFs, there are two that have Leveraged ETF PowerRatings of 8 or more. These funds are the Direxion Financial Bear 3x Shares (FAZ) (below) and the ProShares UltraShort S&P 500 (SDS).
Both FAZ and SDS are moving lower in the first hour of trading on Thursday. Continued weakness in these leveraged funds likely will provide opportunities for traders to scale-in on the long side at lower and lower levels.
of course, rising Leveraged ETF PowerRatings in FAZ and SDS mean falling Leveraged ETF PowerRatings for their opposites, the Direxion Financial Bull 3x Shares (FAS) and the ProShares Ultra S&P 500 (SSO). Both the FAS and the SSO earned Leveraged ETF PowerRatings of 3 ahead of Thursday's trading.
Ultimate PowerRatings Trading Tip
When markets become unidirectional - running away to the upside or plunging to the downside - trading Leveraged ETFs using PowerRatings can be a great way to take advantage of extreme conditions in the market. The absence of pullbacks during one-way markets means that leveraged and inverse leveraged funds are moving toward more and more extreme levels - as reflected in Leveraged ETF PowerRatings that will also move to extreme levels (9 or 10 on the potential buy side, 2 or 1 on the potential sell short side). So the next time you see few good opportunities among stocks and non-leveraged ETFs, be sure to check the leveraged ETF roster, as well.
Find out more about what Ultimate PowerRatings can do for you and your trading. Quantified ratings for stocks, ETFs and leveraged ETFs - all in one place.Click here to launch your free, 7-day trial to our Ultimate PowerRatings today.
David Penn is Editor in Chief at TradingMarkets.com.
