Watchlist for August 4, 2008

We're set for a slightly lower open but I'm not expecting much interesting to happen ahead of tomorrow's Fed meeting. Wake me when it's 2:16 tomorrow afternoon...

On Today's Calendar:

10:00 -- Factory Orders

More Calendars: U.S. Earnings | Conf. Calls | Surprises | IPO | Economic

Potential swing trades:

See one of the recent 'Chart Reading' posts for some potential swing candidates. Also be sure to check my typical swing trade entry & exit rules.

Potential day trades:

(From Briefing.com)

Gapping Down

In reaction to disappointing earnings/guidance: EYE -12.8%, HBC -3.0%... Select metals/mining names trading lower with lower spot prices: AU -3.0%, FCX -2.9%, RTP -2.7%, GOLD -2.4%, AUY -1.6%, BHP -1.4%... Other news: VRTX -12.1% (still checking), CHIC -11.4% (announces current interim CEO will assume the additional role of CFO; also downgraded to Sell at Roth), LPX -7.3% (suspends dividend payments), MBI -5.9% and ABK -4.2% (still checking), UBS -3.5% (down in sympathy with HSBC), FRO -3.3% (still checking)... Analyst comments: DE -2.8% (downgraded to Neutral at Goldman - DJ), SVNT -2.6% (downgraded to Hold at Jefferies), AMTD -2.3% (downgraded to Neutral at GARP), BBV -1.5% (downgraded to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley).

Gapping Up

In reaction to strong earnings/guidance: STEC +10.1%, HUM +8.0%, CMED +1.0%... M&A news: PSPT +24.9% (to be acquired by Aegis BPO for $12.25 in cash per share)... Select European oil/gas names showing strength: STO +3.4%, BP +1.8%, RDS.A +1.5% (Sunday Times reported Shell had held talks with AIM-listed oil firm Sibir Energy about a 1 bln pound asset swap deal), TOT +1.3%... Select airline names trading higher with crude pulling back: LCC +4.7% . UAUA +4.1% (UAL Corp pilots agree to limit slowdowns - WSJ), DAL +3.2% . CAL +3.1% . AMR +2.6%... Other news: CLNE +8.8% (Cramer makes positive comments on MadMoney), ELN +8.0% (modestly rebounding following last week's 40%+decline), FSYS +3.4% (Cramer makes positive comments on MadMoney; also profiled in New America section of IBD), NOK +2.0% (still checking for anything specific), BRCM +1.5% (announces up to $1.0 bln share repurchase program), ASML +1.3% (still checking)... Analyst comments: XL +2.9% (added to Conviction Buy List at Goldman - DJ), BYD +2.7% (upgraded to Neutral at Merrill), CNX +1.8% (upgraded to Outperform at Credit Suisse), AKAM +1.3% (upgraded to Buy at Jefferies).