Weekly Market Overview

The market moved sharply lower as the economic pictures continues to grow dimmer. Sells pushed the S&P 500 below the $750 level, which has provided support over the past few weeks. The move down was also broadly based with financials rallying before falling near session lows. The pessimism has also taken a toll on oil prices, which fell sharply throughout the session. Overall, the market is seeking more guidance as to government plans to help shore up the economy.

Top 10 Stocks to Watch this Week

Fundamental Analysis

1. VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. (VNUS) shares opened lower despite positive comments from CNBC’s Jim Cramer on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the medical device maker is a great speculative stock in a strong healthcare market. However, Cramer did note that the stock has already had a healthy run so far this year. (Read More)
2. TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TSYS) shares opened lower despite receiving a positive recommendation by CNBC’s Jim Cramer. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the wireless data communications company is a good stock that has held up well. As a result, Cramer recommended that viewers take a look at the stock for their own portfolios. (Read More)
3. CarMax Inc. (KMX) is in an unpopular business and at least on influential shareholder may be losing faith. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett owns 17.6 million shares, which is down from 18.4 million shares last quarter. The question on many investors’ minds is: Does Buffett still like CarMax? (Read More)
4. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) shares are a few hours away from one of their lowest closing prices since late 2005 – hovering above $80,000 for class-a shares and $2,640 for the more attainable class-b shares – after losing more than 40% of their value over the last 12-months and another 4% today. (Read More)
5. American Campus Communities, Inc. (ACC) shares moved lower despite receiving a positive recommendation from CNBC’s Jim Cramer on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the business of redoing the area around school is bullish and recommended that viewers purchase the stock at these levels. (Read More)
   

Technical Analysis

1. Phase Forward Inc. (PFWD) - Intermediate-term bullish diamond bottom.
2. Soapstone Networks Inc. (SOAP) - Intermediate-term bullish bottom triangle.
3. ProShares Ultrashort Oil (DUG) - Intermediate-term bullish double bottom.
4. TeleTech Holdings Inc. (TTEC) - Intermediate-term bullish bottom triangle.
5. RehabCare Group, Inc. (RHB) - Intermediate-term bullish megaphone bottom.
   

Stocks of the Week : VNUS Medical Technologies

VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. (NDAQ: VNUS) shares opened lower despite positive comments from CNBC’s Jim Cramer on his Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the medical device maker is a great speculative stock in a strong healthcare market. However, Cramer did note that the stock has already had a healthy run so far this year. (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.

Weekly Market Overview

Wall Street gave back some of last week's gains as joy over the government's expected stimulus bill waned amid more grim corporate news. The Senate is expected to pass the $827 billion stimulus bill on Tuesday, but the government still faces the challenge of reconciling the Senate bill with the Houses's $819 billion version that passed earlier. Meanwhile, President Obama is still pushing to have the measure on his desk for signing by the middle of the month. It is this bill that will likely determine the course of Wall Street over the next few months...

Top 10 Stocks to Watch this Week

Fundamental Analysis

1. Southern Copper Corporation (PCU) - Southern Copper shares opened higher after CNBC’s Jim Cramer recommended the stock on his Mad Money Lightning Round late last week. The hedge fund manager turned television star noted the sharp rise in copper prices and believes that the stock is headed higher. However, many experts are concerned about substantial inventories in the London Metal Exchange. (Read More)
2. The Black & Decker Corporation (BDK) - Black & Decker shares opened lower despite receiving a positive recommendation from CNBC’s Jim Cramer on is Mad Money Lightning Round. The hedge fund manager turned television star believes that the appliance company still has great cash flows and a great dividend despite its weak quarterly earnings. As a result, Cramer recommended that viewers buy the stock when shares hit the $26 to $27 range. (Read More)
3. Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) - Hasbro shares moved 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 toymaker has terrific products and called it a very steady company. Cramer recommended that this was a stock to put away for the children and gave investors the heads up. (Read More)
4. The Walt Disney Company (DIS) - Disney 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 American icon is a buy below $20 with strong management and robust performance. (Read More)
5. Monster Worldwide, Inc. (MWW) - Monster shares opened lower after jobless claims increased sharply. The number of workers applying for new claims for jobless benefits rose by 62,000 last week as the recession continues to affect the labor markets. The number was above analyst expectations and marks a trend that may continue for some time into the future. (Read More)
   

Technical Analysis

1. Res-Care Inc. (RSCR) - Intermediate-term bullish bottom triangle.
2. Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc. (BRLI) - Intermediate-term bottom triangle.
3. Smith Micro Software Incorporated (SMSI) - Intermediate-term bottom triangle.
4. Kaman Corporation (KAMN) - Intermediate-term bottom triangle.
5. Ennis Inc. (EBF) - Intermediate-term bottom triangle.
   

Stocks of the Week : Southern Copper Corporation (PCU)

Southern Copper shares opened higher after CNBC’s Jim Cramer recommended the stock on his Mad Money Lightning Round late last week. The hedge fund manager turned television star noted the sharp rise in copper prices and believes that the stock is headed higher. However, many experts are concerned about substantial inventories in the London Metal Exchange. (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.