Weekly Market Overview

The U.S. markets opened in positive territory and moved even higher before giving up much of the gains before close. President Obama's $15 billion plan to help small businesses helped improve the banking sector and helped offset the AIG's much-anticipated largest loss in corporate history. Many experts now believe that much of the bad news may be priced in, but investors are not out of the woods quite yet. Most investors may still want to keep their money on the sidelines until things improve.

Top 10 Stocks to Watch this Week

Fundamental Analysis

1. Joy Global (NDAQ: JOYG) shares opened higher after CNBC’s Jim Cramer recommended the stock on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the coal company is substantially undervalued and recommended that investors pick up some shares in the infrastructure play as the Chinese are ordering equipment and the U.S. is set to rebound. (Read More)
2. Accenture Ltd. (NYSE: CAN) shares opened lower despite positive comments from CNBC’s Jim Cramer. The hedge fund manager turned television star suggested that the company could benefit from continued IT outsourcing on his Mad Money Lightning Round. Cramer recommended viewers pick up some shares of this “terrific company” at around $30 a piece. (Read More)
3. The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) shares opened lower after CNBC’s Jim Cramer recommended rival Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (NYSE: THN) on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star remains cautious on the fertilizer sector and suggested that Terra Nitrogen has been one of the few survivors, in part thanks to its strong dividend yield. (Read More)
4. Osteotech, Inc. (NDAQ: OSTE), a leader in the emerging field of biologic products for regenerative healing, is planning on regenerating profits for shareholders, too. After a tough fourth quarter, the company believes it is well-positioned or long-term profitable revenue growth in fiscal 2010 and well into the future as several new promising drugs and devices in its pipeline come to fruition. (Read More)
5. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) shares opened higher following positive comments by CNBC’s Jim Cramer on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the firm may put a competitive bid in for Schering-Plough and is well-positioned for future growth. Cramer recommended that viewers step in and “pull the trigger” on JNJ. (Read More)
   

Technical Analysis

1. Aracruz Celulose SA (ARA) - Intermediate-term bullish continuation wedge.
2. Iconix Brand Group (ICON) - Long-term bullish diamond bottom.
3. IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) - Intermediate-term bullish double bottom.
4. Intevac Inc. (AVAC) - Intermediate-term bullish megaphone bottom.
5. IRIS International (IRIS) - Intermediate-term bullish bottom triangle.
   

Stocks of the Week : GMX Resources Inc. (GMXR)

GMX Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: GMXR) shares opened sharply higher after an activist investor hinted they may take future action to unlock value at the firm in a Schedule 13D/A filing with the SEC. (Read More)

Article of the Week : High End Retailers Suffer during Holidays

Macy’s Inc. (M), Saks Incorporation (SKS), and other high end retailers fell after reports of a weak holiday season hit the market. Retailers’ sales fell around 4 percent during the holiday season as the weak economy took its toll on consumer spending, according to a report earlier this week by MasterCard’s SpendingPulse. Many experts have seen this holiday season as one of the most difficult on record with soaring unemployment and a sharply lower stock market eating into consumer spending. (Read More)

Final Words

The future of the U.S. economy remains uncertain as inflation continues to rise. Overall, the economy seems to be healing, but consumers may lag a bit behind as weakness in spending is seen for at least a couple more quarters.