US Markets Round-Up

This week, the Russell 3000 index, an important benchmark of the US stock market across market capitalizations, started on a negative note; however, all its earlier losses were erased in the latter part of the week and the index settled at 2644.60 with a week till date (WTD) gain of ~0.42 percent on September 23, 2021. Other major indices such as S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite also showed marginal positive movement for the week. On September 16, 2021, the S&P 500 index settled at 4448.98 with a WTD gain of ~0.36 percent, while NASDAQ Composite Index settled at 15052.244 with a WTD gain of ~0.06 percent.

In the latest FOMC policy meeting, the Federal Reserve has kept the interest rates unchanged which supported the market sentiments; however, an announcement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the Fed could reduce asset purchases in November, limited the gains. An increase in the US weekly unemployment claims to 351,000 from 335,000 (revised level) in the prior week further limited sharp upside movement in the indices. 

Having understood the US market performance over the week, taking cues from major global news, and based on our technical analysis of the Russell 3000 index for the upcoming week, now let us have a look at the two NYSE/ NASDAQ listed stock picks from the technical standpoint. Noted below are our recommendations based on generic insights, entry price, target prices, and stop-loss for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) and 9 Meters Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ: NMTR) for the next 2-4 weeks duration:

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation 

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) is a global vacation company that operates through two segments: Vacation Ownership and Exchange & Third-Party Management. Noted below are the key price indicators for the stock:

Price Action Analysis (on the Weekly Chart) 

VAC has recently broken a downward sloping trend line on the upside, indicating the possibility of an upside direction hereon. The trend line breakout is supported by a rise in the volumes, hereby higher market participation, further supporting a positive stance.  Now the next major resistance level for the stock appears at USD 183.35 and prices may test this level in the short-term (2-4 weeks). A further breakout above USD 183.35 backed by volumes may extend buying into the stock to USD 191.00 level.

Technical Indicators Analysis (On the Weekly Chart)

On the weekly chart, RSI (14-period) is trading at ~52.97 levels, indicating a positive trend for the stock. The weekly volumes are showing an increasing trend and seem supportive of an upside movement. The CMP is above the 50-period SMA and 21-period SMA, further supporting the up move.

Financial Summary

Summary of the Key Financial Metrics for the past four years for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is as follows:

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical indicators analysis, we can conclude that Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is looking technically well-placed on the chart, and we have a ‘Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decision should be made depending on an investors’ appetite on upside potential, risks, and any previous holdings. This recommendation is purely based on technical analysis, and fundamental analysis has not been considered in this report. The summary of our recommendation is as follows:

9 Meters Biopharma Inc 

9 Meters Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ: NMTR) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on gastroenterology. Noted below are the key price Indicators for the stock:

Price Action Analysis (on the Daily Chart)

NMTR's prices are sustaining above a downward sloping trend line breakout for the past 1 month, indicating an upward trend for the stock. Stock price has recently started to move up after finding support at the same downward trend line, further supporting a positive stance. Now the next resistance level for the stock appears at USD 1.64 and prices may test this level in the coming sessions. A further breakout above USD 1.64 backed by volumes may extend buying into the stock to USD 1.75 level.

Technical Indicators Analysis (On the Daily Chart)

On the daily chart, RSI (14-period) is trading at ~66.57 levels, indicating a positive trend for the stock. The weekly volumes also seem supportive of an upside movement. The CMP is above the 50-period SMA and 21-period SMA, further supporting the up move.

Financial Summary 

Summary of the Key Financial Metrics for the past four years for 9 Meters Biopharma Inc is as follows: 

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical indicators analysis, we can conclude that 9 Meters Biopharma Inc is looking technically well-placed on the chart, and we have a ‘Speculative Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decision should be made depending on an investors’ appetite for upside potential, risks, and any previous holdings. This recommendation is purely based on technical analysis, and fundamental analysis has not been considered in this report. The summary of our recommendation is as follows:

Upcoming Major Global Economic Events

Market events occur on a day-to-day basis depending on the frequency of the data and generally include an update on employment, inflation, GDP, consumer sentiments, etc. Noted below are the upcoming week's major global economic events that could impact the Russell 3000 Index and stocks’ prices:

Investment Related Risks: Based on the technical analysis, the risks are defined as per risk-reward ratio (~0.60:1.00), however, returns are generated within 2-4 weeks’ time frame. This may be looked at by Investors with sufficient risk appetite looking for returns within short investment duration. Investment recommendations provided in this report are solely based on technical parameters, and fundamental performance of the stocks has not been considered in the decision-making process. Other factors which could impact the stock prices include market risks, regulatory risks, interest rates risks, currency risks, and social and political instability risks etc.

Entry Price: For the given recommendation(s), Entry Price is assumed be at or above a certain level. However, a slight deviation on either side in the ‘Entry Price’ can be considered depending upon the potential expected or indicated.

Note 1: Investors can consider exiting from the stock if the Target Price or Stop loss mentioned as per the technical analysis has been achieved and subject to the factors discussed above. 

Note 2: How to Read the Charts?

The Green colour line reflects the 21-period moving average while the red line indicates the 50- period moving average. SMA helps to identify existing price trend. If the prices are trading above the 21-period and 50-period moving average, then it shows prices are currently trading in a bullish trend.

The Black colour line in the chart’s lower segment reflects the Relative Strength Index (14-Period) which indicates price momentum and signals momentum in trend. A reading of 70 or above suggests overbought status while a reading of 30 or below suggests an oversold status.

The Blue colour bars in the chart’s lower segment show the volume of the stock. The volume is the number of shares that changed hands during a given day. Stocks with high volumes are more liquid than stocks with lesser volume as liquidity in stocks helps in easier and faster execution of the order.

The Orange colour lines are the trend lines drawn by connecting two or more price points and used for trend identification purposes. The trend line also acts as a line of support and resistance.

Technical Indicators Defined: -

Support: A level where-in the stock prices tend to find support if they are falling, and downtrend may take a pause backed by demand or buying interest.

Resistance: A level where-in the stock prices tend to find resistance when they are rising, and uptrend may take a pause due to profit booking or selling interest.

Stop-loss: It is a level to protect further losses in case of unfavourable movement in the stock prices.

Risk Reward Ratio: Risk reward ratio is the difference between an entry point to a stop loss and profit level. We suggest ~60% Stop Loss of the Target 1 from the entry point. 

A trailing stop-loss is a modification of stop-loss in case of favourable movement in the price to protect the gains. We suggest Investors to Trail the Stop-Loss as per the aforementioned levels if the stock price achieves more than 60% of the Target 1. Investors should consider exiting from the position as per the Trailing Stop-Loss level if the price starts moving downwards after achieving more than 60% of the Target 1. 

The reference date for all price data, volumes, technical indicators, support, and resistance levels is Sep 23, 2021. The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from REFINITIV. 

Abbreviations

CMP: Current Market Price

SMA: Simple Moving Average

RSI: Relative Strength Index

USD: United States dollar 

Note: Trading decisions require a thorough analysis by investors. Technical reports in general chart out metrics that may be assessed by investors before any stock evaluation. The above are illustrative analytical factors used for evaluating the stocks; other parameters can be looked at along with additional risks per se. Past performance is neither an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance.

Disclaimer

The advice given by Kalkine Canada Advisory Services Inc. and provided on this website is general information only and it does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any particular person. You should therefore consider whether the advice is appropriate to your investment objectives, financial situation and needs before acting upon it. You should seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice) as necessary before acting on any advice. Not all investments are appropriate for all people. The website www.kalkine.ca is published by Kalkine Canada Advisory Services Inc. The link to our Terms & Conditions has been provided please go through them. On the date of publishing this report (mentioned on the website), employees and/or associates of Kalkine do not hold positions in any of the stocks covered on the website. These stocks can change any time and readers of the reports should not consider these stocks as advice or recommendations later.