The following stocks were detected to be trading among the most active on February 24: Alcatel-Lucent, S.A, Financial Select Sector SPDR, Alpha Natural Resources, Inc, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and PowerShares QQQ. These stocks are highly traded usually because new relevant information on the company has become available. Being on the highly active list isn't always positive as high activity may be a result of negative news. Regardless, high activity means high liquidity. High volume, combined with price movement is what traders require to make profits.
Shares of Alcatel-Lucent, S.A. (ALU) traded higher by 2.14% or $0.06/share to $2.63. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $1.39 and as high as $6.64. On average, 19720060 shares of ALU exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 19650386. The shares are currently trading below the 200-day moving average but above the 50-day moving average. The stock may be range bound between these two levels where the 200-day moving average of $3.31 represents resistance and the 50-day moving average of $1.84 would be an area of support.
Shares of Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) fell by 0.2% or $-0.03/share to $14.69. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $10.88 and as high as $16.66. On average, 73362810 shares of XLF exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 18911308. The shares are currently trading above the 50-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been experiencing strong upward momentum as the 50 DMA is above the 200 DMA. The stock may come back down to test the 50-day moving average, so look for a move back to the $13.80 area where the stock will likely see buying pressure.
Shares of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (ANR) traded higher by 2.57% or $0.51/share to $20.33. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $15.49 and as high as $61.66. On average, 9284050 shares of ANR exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 15465002. The shares are currently trading below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages which indicates that the shares have been experiencing downward momentum. The stock may bounce back to test the 200-day moving average. Thus, you may want to pay close attention for a move up to the $20.70 area but be careful because the stock may face selling pressure at this level.
Shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM) traded higher by 0.94% or $0.41/share to $44.16. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.10 and as high as $49.45. On average, 55353900 shares of EEM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 15204080. The shares are currently trading above the 200-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been subject to upward momentum. The 200 DMA is above the 50 DMA which indicates that the stock has likely taken a dip in the shorter term. The stock may eventually drop to test the 200-day moving average where buyers may be lurking near the $41.67 area.
Shares of PowerShares QQQ (QQQ) traded higher by 0.31% or $0.20/share to $63.94. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $49.65 and as high as $63.89. On average, 46809730 shares of QQQ exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 15037140. The shares are currently trading above the 50-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been experiencing strong upward momentum as the 50 DMA is above the 200 DMA. The stock may come back down to test the 50-day moving average, so look for a move back to the $59.17 area where the stock will likely see buying pressure.
