Market Pressures_

Copper is in a new move up. Gold is in a pullback within a move up. Silver is consolidating with wide ranging bars.

Crude Oil is in a pullback towards support. Natural gas is in a long consolidation with a bias to the downside.

The US 30 Year Treasury bond had made a nice move up to the first profit target, now in consolidation.

The US Dollar futures are in a slow move up off the February lows.

____________________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – In a move down from the 2662 short confirmation level . Trade pressures are still up but have turned down. Volumes closed the month of March as neutral. The next monthly target down is 2304. Need a close above 3103 to confirm a weekly move higher.

Weekly – In the move down from the 2803 short entry. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The next target down is 2569, for the third time. Beyond that is the prior intraday low of 2534. Need a close above 2796 to confirm any daily move higher.

Daily – Flat. Consolidating around the 2590 downside target. Trade pressures are up into the neutral zone. Volumes are mixed bullish to bearish.

A new short cycle long entry is signaled at 2615. But given the volatility, these should only be traded intraday – very carefully.

Blustery news risk heightens the uncertainty. 1st Qtr earnings cycle begins in the next weeks and are expected to be very good by comparison. Expect continued volatility.

A close below 2552 would signal lower.

Navellier Research continues the advice to focus on good quality earnings.

(from Navellier Research, pls do your own due diligence)
https://navelliergrowth.investorplace.com/bluechip/

The following is provided by Navellier with technical comment from South Ocean Management –

ABIOMED, Inc.

ABIOMED, Inc. (ABMD) is joining my Top 5 Stocks list for the first time since being added to the Buy List in the December 2017 Issue. As a refresher, ABIOMED is the only medical devices company focused on building technologies that can replace or assist the pumping function of a failing heart. Interestingly, when ABIOMED was founded in 1981, its original mission was to develop the world’s first artificial heart. It went on to successfully do so, having treated a patient with the first totally artificial heart in 2001. But then the company undertook an effort to focus exclusively on heart recovery.

Today, ABIOMED is best known for its Impella® devices, which are the world’s smallest heart pumps. Impella is often a safe treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure that have been turned down for open heart surgery. To date, the device has treated over 50,000 patients.

According to the American College of Cardiology, heart disease accounts for about 800,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. In other words, it causes roughly one death every 40 seconds. So it’s clear that ABIOMED provides a life-saving service to tens of thousands of patients and their families. What’s great is that ABIOMED continues to hit new milestones. Most recently, the company received expanded pre-market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Impella to be used during elective and high risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedures. This includes patients experiencing heart failure during both the last month of pregnancy and the first five months after giving birth.

Given strong demand for medical devices to treat heart disease, ABIOMED’s business is booming. For fiscal year 2018, ABIOMED is now forecasting sales of roughly $583 million, or 31% annual sales growth, up from between $565 million and $575 million, or 27% to 29% annual sales growth.

In the near-term, ABIOMED is looking for first-quarter sales of $164 million, or 31.5% annual sales growth, which is in-line with the current consensus estimate. Analysts are calling for earnings of $0.63 per share, or 90.9% annual earnings growth. Earnings per share estimates have been revised 12.5% higher in the past three months. This Conservative stock is a Strong Buy up to $313 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 290.99. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. On the 25×5 moving average as support. The next target up is 323.10.

4-7-18: Closed at 286.22. Trade pressures are neutral. Volumes are neutral. the Next target up is 323.10

4-14-18: Closed at 297.00. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 323.10.

4-21-18: Closed at 305.92. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 323.10.

IPG Photonics Corporation

IPG Photonics Corporation (IPGP) is a semiconductor company that creates high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers. We added IPG Photonics to the Buy List in the August 2017 Issue, and if you’ve been with me for a while, then you know that the company is no stranger to our Top 5 Stocks list. IPG Photonics has made impressive strides in its business and handed Wall Street a robust fourth-quarter sales and earnings report, both of which drove me to handpick IPGP for this list once again.

What I especially like about IPG Photonics is its monopoly on the market for lasers. You see, fiber lasers are more powerful, reliable and stable compared to other types of lasers. And while many people think of a red line when they hear the word “laser,” lasers are actually used in many manufacturing processes, like cutting fabric and metal. Lasers are practically a part of everything… from CD and DVD players to the equipment used for eye and cosmetic surgical procedures. So when you consider IPG Photonics’ manufacturing scale and continuous sales and earnings growth, it’s no surprise that the company boasts a 40% operating margin.

On March 7, IPGP was moved from the S&P MidCap 400 index to the S&P 500. Why this is a big deal? Well, it represents a coming of age for IPG Photonics. While its origins date back to 1991, IPG went public in 2006. And 12 years later, it’s been added to one of the most-watched indices. The company’s fundamentals also provide further confirmation of IPG Photonics’ maturation.

IPG Photonics reported a record fourth-quarter. The company’s earnings per share soared 33.8% year-over-year to $1.86, up from $1.39 in the same quarter a year ago. Sales swelled 28.9% year-over-year to $361.1 million, compared to $280.12 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The analyst community was looking for earnings of $1.72 per share on $345.63 million in sales, so IPG Photonics posted an 8.1% earnings surprise and a 4.5% sales surprise.

And it’s looking like IPG Photonics will post healthy sales and earnings again in its first-quarter report, which is tentatively scheduled for May 18. The company is expecting sales between $330 million and $355 million, or 15% to 24% annual sales growth, and adjusted earnings per share between $1.62 and $1.87, or 17% to 36% annual earnings growth. The higher end of both estimates are slightly above analysts’ current expectations for 21.2% annual sales growth and 30.4% annual earnings growth. Add this Conservative stock up to $250 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 233.85. Trade pressures are down Volumes are bearish. Sitting on the 233.00 down side target. The next target down is the 200 day at 203.

4-7-18: Closed at 222.50. Trade pressures are down. volumes are bearish.

4-14-18: Closed at 230.36. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are now bullish. Need to get above the 25×5 at 237.32 to get moving again.

4-21-18: Closed at 232.13. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. Must get thru the 238 resistance then the next target up is 247.00.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

I first recommended Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) back in March 2014, making it the oldest position on our buy list. Northrop Grumman is sort of like a wine, in that it seems to only get better with age. If you bought shares at that time, you’d be sitting on a triple-digit gain. And what I love about NOC is that it continues to break through to new highs, thanks to an extensive portfolio of abilities and technologies.

With a history colored by achievements such as the “flying wing” concept—which laid the foundation for the B-2 stealth bomber—and carrying astronauts to the moon and back, Northrop Grumman has shaped aviation history and is positioned to continue shaping its future. In fact, just last month, Northrop Grumman acquired aerospace and defense company Orbital ATK (OA) for about $7.8 billion. This deal merges two of the largest D.C.-area public companies that have some of the biggest government contracts, and more importantly, improves U.S. technology as it relates to space, missiles and munitions.

As a giant in the security industry, countries across the world look to Northrop Grumman for help. This week, the company secured a $13.8 million contract to provide program and engineering support for Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye weapon system trainer. The E-2D aircraft is seen as game changer in how the Navy will conduct battle management and control. And now Northrop is going to support Japan’s first E-2D. The fact that President Trump’s fiscal 2019 budget seeks $686 billion for defense spending doesn’t hurt the company, either. This means more missiles, combat aircraft and other tools necessary to continue modernizing the military. All of this demand is only going to support the company’s top and bottom lines going forward.

Northrop Grumman, though, already has strong fundamentals. For the fourth quarter, Northrop Grumman’s sales rose 4% year-over-year to $6.63 billion, compared to $6.40 billion in the year ago period. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.82. Analysts were expecting earnings of $2.74 per share on $6.35 billion in sales, so NOC posted a 2.9% earnings surprise and a 4% sales surprise.

For the company’s first quarter, the analyst community is currently forecasting 0.3% annual earnings growth and 5.4% annual sales growth. After that, though, Northrop Grumman is expected to post 18.1% annual earnings growth in the second quarter.

Northrop Grumman has rewarded shareholders for 152-straight quarters, or for more than 38 years. And it increased its dividend from the prior quarter by 10%. Most recently, Northrop Grumman paid a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share on March 21. I recommend that you buy this Conservative stock up to $374 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 349.12. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.68.

4-7-18: Closed at 352.99. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral.

4-14-18: Closed at 350.00. Trade pressures are up into the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 361.69.

4-21-18: Closed at 355.92. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish to neutral. The next target up is 361.59.

S&P Global, Inc.

S&P Global, Inc. (SPGI) returns to our Top 5 Stocks list for the second-straight month and moves up from the number-five spot in the March 2018 Issue, due in part to a smart acquisition. If you’ve kept up with my Weekly Updates, then you know that the data and analytics leader is acquiring the artificial intelligence company, Kensho Technologies, Inc., for about $550 million in a mix of cash and stock.

This is notable because it’s the biggest artificial intelligence deal in history from Wall Street and not Silicon Valley. Of course, as technology is evolving at a rapid clip, Wall Street must too, or else it will be left behind. And this includes leveraging artificial intelligence, where machines perform human-like tasks. S&P Global is hoping that with Kensho, it can create new analytical capabilities, improve user experiences and reduce costs of traditional operations. Having already taken a stake in fintech company Algomi last year, S&P Global is leading the way for Wall Street to embrace this next wave of the internet.

When you consider its expansion into fintech and the stock buybacks that I mentioned earlier, it’s no wonder that 11 out of 15 analysts rate SPGI a buy. The analyst community is anticipating that first-quarter sales will climb 5.8% year-over-year to $1.54 billion. Earnings per share are expected to jump 21.6% year-over-year to $1.97, up from $1.62 in the first quarter of 2017. In the past four quarters, the company has posted an average 12.8% earnings surprise. So, we just might see a fifth-straight quarterly earnings surprise.

I would be remiss if I didn’t note that S&P Global continues to reward its shareholders. The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share on March 12, which represented a 22% increase over the dividend paid in the fourth quarter. SPGI has a current dividend yield of 1.0%. If you haven’t already, I recommend that you buy this Conservative stock on dips below $204 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-25-18: Closed at 191.67. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-2-18: Closed at 189.02. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-11-18: Closed at 194.96. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-17-18: Closed at 192.51. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. Support is the 25×5 at 189.

3-23-18: Closed at 186.49. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Has just broken the 25×5 support. The next target down is 185.18, then 177.41.

3-30-18: Closed at 191.06. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are neutral. Consolidating at the 185 target.

4-7-18: Close at 189.74. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. Consolidating at the 185 downside target.

4-14-18: Closed at 190.76. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. Need a close above the downtrend resistance line at 196.38.

4-21-18: Closed at 192.96. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are now bearish. Support at 190.67.

XPO Logistics, Inc.

XPO Logistics, Inc. (XPO) wraps up the Top 5 Stocks list for the first time since being added to the Buy List in February. As a refresher, XPO Logistics is a top 10 global logistics company based in Greenwich, Texas. Through its two reporting segments—Transportation and Logistics—XPO Logistics helps over 50,000 customers improve their productivity and lower costs.

Just last week, XPO Logistics announced that it would be expanding its Drive XPO mobile technology to Europe this spring. Drive XPO is a mobile app designed with carriers (such as trucking and airline companies) in mind. With the app, carriers get real-time visibility across transportation modes and carrier operations are integrated with daily productivity tools. After successfully launching Drive XPO in the U.S., XPO Logistics is taking the app abroad.

Before that, XPO Logistics unveiled WMx, a new, cloud-based mobile software platform. WMx enables fast deployment and integration of automation and robotics at a fraction of conventional start-up times and is optimized for tablets and mobile devices. Company management described the proprietary WMx platform as the future of warehouse management. Given their ability to do anything from helping an aerospace customer launch a new aircraft to supporting warehouse customers through technology, it’s no surprise that The Boeing Company (BA) recently named XPO Logistics one of its superior suppliers.

In the fourth quarter, XPO Logistics reported 13.9% annual sales growth and 87.5% annual earnings growth. The company is on deck to reveal results for the first quarter on or around May 9. Analysts are currently forecasting 10.7% annual sales growth and 80% in annual earnings growth. So this Moderately Aggressive stock remains a Strong Buy up to $110 per share.

SOM Technicals:

3-30-18: Closed at 101.81. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 109.37.

4-7-18: Closed at 96.26. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 109.37.

4-14-18: Closed at 99.40. Trade pressures are still neutral. Volumes are bullish to neutral. The next target up is 109.37.

4-21-18: Closed at 104.44. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bearish. Touched the 109.37 target and now pulling back. Support at 101.24.

Market Pressures_

Copper is attempting to complete the move down. Look for possible long entry. Gold and Silver react to global events and global events can drive interest rates which affect the cost of carrying gold and silver – the virtuous or vicious “circle”.

Crude Oil has made a move up and now is in a retracement. Moribund natural gas maybe be showing some signs of life.

The US 30 Year Treasury Bond is in a nice move up and has broken out of the downward sloping channel.

The US Dollar futures have shown a reversal move to the upside as well.

__________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – The monthly close below 2662 has confirmed the weekly move down. Trade pressures are up but rolling over. Volumes closed the February month as Neutral and this March month as neutral. The next monthly target down is 2304.

Weekly – The February lows has been tested and for the moment those levels have held. Trade pressures are down. Volumes have closed as bearish. The next target down is 2379. Need a close above 2796 to confirm a Daily move up.

Daily – Flat. The 2590 downside target has been met and appears to be acting as support. Trade pressures are down but turning up. Volumes closed as bullish.

A close below 2586 would signal lower. The next target down would be 2457.

A close above 2649 would signal higher. For now, every rally is a counter trend move inside the current down trend;.

This is the end of a 4 day week in advance of the Easter 3 day long weekend. It is also the end of the quarter for the fund managers; who bill quarterly. Shorts likely did not want to have any event surprises, so closed some positions.

Navellier Research still holds fast to the bullish thesis for their buy list. 1st Qtr 2018 earnings season will begin mid April. The  Navellier Top 5 Stocks for April have some changes. The model portfolio will sell those replaced and buy the new additions.

Market Pressures_

Copper has reached the expected downside target of 2.99. Gold rallied thru our new long entry. Silver is at a new long entry.

Crude is in a long trade with tight stops. Crude is event driven, don’t stay too long. Natural gas is showing lower still.

The US 30yr Treasuries are in a retracement up from the long move down. Tight stops here also.

The US Dollar futures are under pressure. Too much talk and tariffs leading to downward revisions in the 1st Qtr GDP. Taking Trillions out of the market seems a very expensive way to get 60 billion extra in net trade from the Chinese?

______________________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – The second month of a decline. Trade pressures are up but for the first time in many months, they are turning down. Volumes closed the February month as neutral.The month is not over but the 2662 confirmation level is likely to signal a new monthly move down.If that happens, the next target down is 2304.

Weekly –  In the move down from the 2803 level. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. The next target down is 2569. A close above 2796 would confirm a Daily move up.

Daily – Flat. In the move down from the 2723 short entry. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish.

The next target down is 2590, then 2457.

A close above 2649, the Friday open, could start a new move up.

Navellier Research is still bullish on his selections and expects the 1st Qtr earnings report season to right the ship. That gives a few weeks of volatility before that happens; need to see some higher lows to be properly encouraged.

Market Pressures_

Copper is consolidating in a downtrend. Gold has down ward pressures. Silver is testing recent lows.

Crude is mixed with a new upward bias. Natural gas is looking lower.

The US 30 year Treasury Bond is in the second leg up of a new move up.

The US Dollar Futures are still basing with reasonable volatility.

_____________________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – The 2766 target level was met in January and has produced consolidation at that level. Trade pressures are up. Volumes closed the month of February as Neutral. The next target up is 3383. A close below the 2662 level would confirm any Weekly move lower.

Weekly – Five weeks off the lows of early February and now testing a new weekly long entry at 2796. Trade pressures are in the neutral zone but rising. Volumes are neutral. Support is at 2676, the 25×5 moving average.

Daily – Flat. In a move up from the 2713 level. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish.

The week traded up to the resistance confluence of the downtrend resistance line and the two cycle targets between 2812 and 2817. This stopped the move.

The next target up is 2812.

A close below 2723 would signal lower. Support is at 2728, the 25×5 moving average.

The end of quarter window dressing could roil these markets. Navellier thinks his buy list with superior fundamentals will benefit from these realignments.

Market Pressures_

Copper has been trending down, but the jobs numbers accompanied by low inflation indications saw a sharp move higher. Gold indicates higher. Silver is not participating.

Crude oil was in a short with tight stops. Natural gas is flat but in a slight trend upwards.

The US 30 year Treasuries tried to move up in price but stalled at the 25×5 moving average.

The US Dollar Futures are slowly moving higher.

______________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – The 2008-2009 move down took 15 months to complete. Ensuing corrections have lasted 4-7 months. We are now in a second month following the sharp move down last month. Trade pressures are up. Volumes closed the month of February as Bullish. The next target up is 3383. A close below 2657 would confirm a weekly move lower.

Weekly – A rally back to recovery highs. Trade pressures are down but turning up into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. 2569 is the next target lower. A close above 2791 would signal a new leg up. The next target up would be 2927.

Daily – Flat. The short entry at 2707 is being tested, now above the 25×5 moving average; a bullish signal. Trade pressures are up. Volumes decidedly bullish. If the 2789 pivot holds, the 2573 is the next target down. The next target up is 2812, which is also the downtrend resistance line and the previous high pivot; so a confluence of of targets that would likely act as resistance.

A break thru these multiple levels would signal upside strength.

The Navellier Top 5 performed well this week.

Market Pressures_

Copper is down with some support nearby. Gold is rallying in anticipation of more “tweet” volatility. Silver is not participating.

Crude oil is in a new move down. Natural Gas is trending side ways with a bias lower.

The US 30 year treasury is now in a new long trade.

The US Dollar is looking lower with more White House confusion.

_______________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – Despite the spike below the confirmation levels, the close moved back above, so still in bullish mode. Trade pressures are up. Volumes closed the month of February as bullish. The next target up remains 3383. A monthly close below 2657 would confirm any weekly move lower.

Weekly – Two weeks down hard to and through the 2569 target level only to rally back up above; then three weeks of backing and filling. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are now neutral. This move down has confirmed the Daily move down.  A retest of that 2529 low is not unlikely. A close above 2791 would signal higher.

Daily – Flat. In the move up from the 2637 long entry of Feb 6th. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are mixed, bearish to bullish.

The next target up in the Feb 6th cycle is 2814.

However a new March shorter cycle has triggered a new move down at 2707 inside this February up cycle.

The next target down is 2573 and this level is the likely retest target.

A close above the 25×5 moving average at 2711 would void this retracement move down.

Market Pressures_

Copper is moving higher. Gold and silver are in retracements  lower after moves higher.

Crude has entered an ew move up. Natural Gas is stepping down thru each downside level.

The US 30yr Treasury Bond is down and near it extended target; expect some retracement soon.

The US dollar futures are bouncing off a recent double bottom; need to break above the 25×5 moving average.

_____________________

S&P 500_

Monthly – Back up to the 2766 old target level. Trade pressures are up. Volumes closed the month Of January as bullish. The next target up is 3383. A close below 2657 would confirm a weekly move lower.

Weekly – The two week drop of 250 S&P points has retraced to 2744; recovering about 62% of the move down. Trade pressures are down. Volumes has moved to neutral from bearish.

Daily – Flat. In the move up from the long entry at 2637. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 2814. The 25×5 moving average has acted as resistance for the last five trading days. A close above this 25×5, which would also break the 62% weekly level, would signal higher. A close below the 2672 level could warn of a retest of the lows.

[3-1-18: the break below 2707 (2672 adjusted for the new highs) has signal a new move lower.]

See the Navellier Top 5 list. Four new stocks have replaced four older stocks.

(from Navellier Research, pls do your own due diligence)
https://navelliergrowth.investorplace.com/bluechip/

The following is provided by Navellier with technical comment from South Ocean Management –

Several of our fundamentally superior stocks have outperformed during what has been a stock market rollercoaster ride. And as we prepare to enter the first-quarter earnings announcement season, I want to make sure that these stocks get the spotlight they deserve. So this month, four out of my five picks are new to the list. Now, let’s see why these stocks have the most upside potential for March.

Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) is a global medical device company that designs and produces OrthoCAD digital services, iTero Intraoral scanners and Invisalign clear aligners. In fact, Align Technology pioneered the invisible orthodontics market by introducing Invisalign in 1999. And now the company is joining my Top 5 Stocks list for the first time since being added to the Buy List in the November 2017 Issue.

I especially like the fact that the company’s Invisalign product has helped treat over five million patients in more than 90 countries worldwide. Just think: The number of dental patients finding relief from traditional metal braces through Align Technology is expanding rapidly. The company treated its four millionth patient in September 2016 and hit its five millionth patient in November 2017. Whether it’s their clear aligners, digital scanning solutions or customizable virtual treatment plans, Align Technology brings a more pleasant orthodontic experience to both patients and dental professionals. So it’s no wonder that the company has stacked more than 870 patents under its belt.

Because Align Technology is revolutionizing the way adults and teenagers address corrective dental issues, their business is booming. In fact, in the fourth quarter, Invisalign case shipments jumped 34% year-over-year to 255,000. Sales grew 44% year-over-year to $421.30 million. And excluding a one-time charge from the U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act, adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.19. Analysts were expecting earnings of $0.96 per share, so Align Technology essentially posted a 24% earnings surprise.

However, the company’s forward-looking guidance is what’s kept Wall Street abuzz. For the first quarter, Align Technology is forecasting sales between $400 million and $410 million, or 29% to 32% annual sales growth. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to range between $0.94 and $0.98, or 11% to 15% annual earnings growth. This Moderately Aggressive stock is a Strong Buy up to $291 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-25-18: Closed at 265. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 293. 

3-2-18: Closed at 253.71. Trade pressures are up but declining. volumes are bearish. The next target up is 265.13.

3-11-18: Closed at 271.74. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 293.57.

3-17-18: Closed at 274.29. Trade pressures are up.  Volumes are neutral. The next target up is 293.

3-23-18: Closed at 250.75. Trade pressures are up but rolling over. Volumes are bearish. Support has been broken. The next target down is 232.08.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP) is making its first appearance on my Top 5 Stocks list since being added to the Buy List in the May 2017 Issue. As a refresher, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a global limited partnership that manages and acquires infrastructure assets, such as energy, water and freight. The company is one of a few pure-play, publicly-traded global infrastructure entities. And did you know that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners owns and operates one of the largest natural gas transmission and pipeline systems in the U.S.?

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and no doubt raised a glass to its thriving fundamentals. During the fourth quarter, revenue surged 45.4% year-over-year to $984 million. Plus, funds from operations (FFO) accelerated 27.8% year-over-year to $313 million, or $0.80 per share. While Brookfield Infrastructure Partners clearly has strong fundamentals, what’s particularly impressive is the REIT’s uncanny ability to stay ahead of the curve.

In its fourth-quarter report, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners revealed that in preparation for higher interest rates, it has refinanced their businesses and extended debt maturities. The company has about 25% of its debt maturing before 2022, and roughly 80% of the debt is fixed-rate. In other words, their financial costs are largely protected from rising rates for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, analysts are forecasting a stunning 2,266.70% in annual earnings growth and 44% annual sales growth for the company’s first quarter. And this year, company management is looking to fund their organic growth project backlog and seize new investment opportunities.

Sweetening the package, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners brings a solid dividend track record. The company has paid a consecutive dividend for 40 quarters, or about 10 years. Even better: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners recently increased its dividend by 8%. The company will now pay a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on March 29 to all shareholders of record on February 28, compared to the $0.4350 per share paid last December. At current prices, BIP has a 4.7% annual dividend yield. I recommend that you buy this Conservative stock up to $43 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-15-18: Closed at 40.11. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 42.27, the 200 day moving average.

3-2-18: Closed at 40.61. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 42.26.

3-11-18: Closed at 41.27. Trade pressures rising into the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 42.31.

3-17-18: Closed at 40.36. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bullish. Tracking the 25×5 as resistance now.

3-23-18: Closed at 41.28. Trade pressures are up into the neutral zone. Volumes are mixed, bearish to bullish.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Since being added to the Buy List in the November 2016 Issue, Intuitive Surgical, Inc.’s (ISRG) latest minimally invasive surgical system—the da Vinci X™—received clearance from the FDA. This means that surgeons and hospitals across the globe now have access to some of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgery technology at an affordable rate.

From the time that the da Vinci system was launched in 1999, 4,409 da Vinci-enabled operating rooms have been established. That means that every 36 seconds, a surgeon initiates a da Vinci procedure. Talk about an uncanny ability to bring what sounds like science fiction to reality! Given the company’s growing monopoly on robotic surgery, it’s not unusual to see Intuitive Surgical make its inaugural appearance on the Top 5 Stocks list.

One needs to look no further than the company’s fourth-quarter results for evidence of Intuitive Surgical’s profitability. Intuitive Surgical reported that the number of da Vinci shipments jumped 33% year-over-year to 216. During the quarter, sales climbed 17.9% year-over-year to $892.4 million. Also, adjusted earnings per share increased 25.1% year-over-year to $2.54. For full year 2017, 875,000 da Vinci procedures were performed by surgeons seeking better outcomes for their patients. Any way you slice it, the company is transforming surgical options among surgeons, patients and their families.

Looking ahead to the first quarter, sales are forecast to grow 15.2% year-over-year to $776.69 million. Adjusted earnings per share are forecast to rise 21.2% year-over-year to $2.06. Add this Conservative stock up to $457 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-25-18: Closed at 427.51. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 437.

3-2-18: Closed at 417.39. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 437.

3-11-18: Closed at 440.86. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 472.22.

3-17-18: Closed at 436.00. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are Bearish. Support is the 25×5 at 423.

3-23-18: Closed at 3.99.15. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. The next target down is 374.56.

NVR, Inc.

NVR, Inc. (NVR) is making its fifth-straight appearance on the Top 5 Stocks list this month. Since being added to the Buy List in the October 2017 Issue, the homebuilding and mortgage banking company has raised eyebrows among some of you. It’s relatively high price and fourth-quarter earnings miss has driven several of you to ask why I continue to select NVR as one of my Top 5 Stocks. Besides the fact that its Quantitative grade of an A-rating indicates that the stock is in high demand and likely to appreciate in the upcoming months, I’d like to discuss why NVR has continued to earn a spot on this coveted list.

First, as I’m sure you’ve found in your own home buying experience, the two toughest steps are to find the perfect home, and then to determine how to finance that purchase. Most homebuilders provide assistance on the former, and then send you elsewhere for the latter. What’s great about NVR is that it kills two birds with one stone. As you know, NVR builds and sells homes under three brands: Ryan Homes, NVHomes and Heartland Homes. Once homebuyers select their home from NVR, they can finance the purchase through NVR Settlement Services. This integration is invaluable to many first-time homebuyers—particularly millennials—that would likely find the traditional process too complicated.

Second, as I predicted in the February Monthly Issue, recent disappointing housing data was likely a short-term consequence from the severe winter weather. And the most-recent housing starts and building permits show that weather was indeed the primary culprit. Last week, the Commerce Department revealed that housing starts jumped 9.7% in January to 1.326 million housing units, boosted by single-family homebuilding. On top of strong housing starts, building permits grew 7.4%, the biggest monthly surge in over 10 years!

Given that NVR builds single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums in 14 states across the Northeast, South and Midwest, the resurgence in housing starts and building permits bodes well for NVR’s top- and bottom-lines. In fact, for the first quarter, analysts are looking for NVR to post 27.2% annual earnings growth and 14.8% annual sales growth. So this Conservative stock remains a Strong Buy up to $3,209 per share.

SOM Technicals:

10-22-17: New Addition. In the move up from the 2551 price in late June 2017. Trade pressures are up Volumes are bullish. the next target up is 3331. Support is at 2897.

10-28-17: closed at 3240. Trade pressure up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3331.

11-5-17: Closed at 3210.65. Touched the 3331 target, now in consolidation. The next target up is 3961. Support at 3052. Bearish volume is coming in.

11-11-17: Closed at 3289.64. Still at the 3331 target levels. A breakout will set the next target up at 3961.32. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish.

11-18-17: Closed at 3258.47. The 3331 target has produced a lengthy consolidation. Trade pressures are up but declining.Volumes are now bearish. the next quarterly report will tell the tale.

11-25-17: Closed at 3399.12. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3406.26.

12-03-17: Closed at 3480.00. Home builders are strong. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. At fair value.

12-08-17: Closed at 3392.68. In a retracement. Trading pressures are down. Volumes are neutral.

12-23-17: Closed at 3480.00. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3883.

12-30-17: Closed at 3508.22. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3883.

1-6-18: Closed at 3567.00. Trade pressures are up and trending. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3883.

1-13-18: Closed at 3558.23. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. Support at the 25×5 moving average, 3478.

1-20-18: Closed at 3700. Trade pressures are up thru the neutral zone. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3877.

1-28-18: Closed at 3292.23. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. Two support levels have been taken out. Hold.

2-3-18: Closed at 3000. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Consolidating below the 3100 level.

2-10-18: Closed at 2800.00. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Expect consolidation here at the 200 day moving average.

2-17-18: Closed at 3208.23. Trade pressures are down but rising. Volumes are bullish.

2-15-18: Closed at 2998.80. Trade pressures are neutral. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 3597. the next support down is the 200 day moving average at 2914.00.

3-2-18: Closed at 2900.02. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. The 200 day is acting as support.

3-11-18: Closed at 3056.98. Trade pressure are in the neutral zone and rising. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 3250.

3-17-18: Closed at 3060.45. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are Bullish. The next target up is 3250.

3-23-18: Closed at 2989.84. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are bearish. Sitting on the 200 day moving average support.

S&P Global Inc.

Wrapping up this month’s list is S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), which has landed on our Top 5 Stocks list for the first time since being added to the Buy List in December. If you recall, S&P Global provides intelligence, data and analytics, enabling business leaders around the world to make more informed decisions. With multiple divisions, including S&P Market Intelligence, S&P Global Ratings, S&P Dow Jones Indices and S&P Global Platts, the company has evolved into the leading provider of credit ratings, and is relied on by countless financial professionals for its data and custom indices. Just this week, S&P Global announced that it is set to acquire global trade data company Panjiva. The acquisition is expected to be profitable in 2019 and should broaden S&P Global’s already impressive portfolio of offerings.

S&P Global also has simply stunning sales and earnings. For the fourth-quarter, S&P Global’s revenue jumped 13.6% year-over-year to $1.59 billion. Adjusted net income surged 44.5% year-over-year to $474 million, or $1.85 per share. The consensus estimate was for earnings of $1.61 per share on $1.5 billion in sales, so S&P Global posted a nice 14.9% earnings surprise and a 6% sales surprise.

Looking ahead to the first quarter, analysts are currently calling for 5.8% annual sales growth 22.2% and annual earnings growth. And earnings per share estimates have been revised 15.1% higher in recent months, so a fifth-straight quarterly earnings surprise may be in the offing.

If you recall, S&P Global also has a long history of rewarding shareholders, having paid a consistent quarterly dividend for nearly 38 years. S&P Global went ex-dividend today, February 23. The company will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share on March 12 to all shareholders of record on Monday, February 26. At current prices, SPGI has a 1.1% annual dividend yield. If you haven’t already, I recommend that you buy this Conservative stock below $205 per share.

SOM Technicals:

2-25-18: Closed at 191.67. Trade pressures are up. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-2-18: Closed at 189.02. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bearish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-11-18: Closed at 194.96. Trade pressures are up but declining. Volumes are bullish. The next target up is 203.26.

3-17-18: Closed at 192.51. Trade pressures are down into the neutral zone. Volumes are neutral. Support is the 25×5 at 189.

3-23-18: Closed at 186.49. Trade pressures are down. Volumes are bearish. Has just broken the 25×5 support. The next target down is 185.18, then 177.41.

Market Pressures _

Copper has rallied to recover most of the weeks losses. Gold is attempting a new move up. Silver is in a new move up, but lagging.

Crude oil has turned up but not yet in a new move up. Natural Gas continues the move down.

The US 30 year Treasury bond is retesting the January lows.

The US Dollar futures attempted a move up but seems to have failed.

_________________

S&P 500 Futures_

Monthly – The move down had a significant retracement to move back above the the 2657 confirmation level. Trade pressures are up. Volumes closed the January month as bullish. The next target up is 3383. A close below the 2657 level would confirm the weekly move down.

Weekly – In the move down from the 2803 level with confirmed the Daily move down.. Trade pressures are down. Volumes have changed from bearish to neutral. The move down went thru two target levels quickly, then turned up and this retracement has signaled a new move up at the week’s close above 2731 which confirms the Daily move higher. The next target up is the prior high.

Daily – Flat. In the move up from the long entry level at 2637. Trade pressures are rising up thru the neutral zone. Volumes are now bullish.

The next target up is 2814.

A close below 2672 would signal lower and would be a stop level for any longs.