DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.
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Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."
Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.
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With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.
Benefitfocus
Benefitfocus (BNFT) is a provider of cloud-based benefits software solutions for consumers, employers, insurance carriers and brokers. This stock closed up 4.7% at $57.24 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 1.05 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 105,972
Volume % Change: 1152%
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From a technical perspective, BNFT spiked notably higher here right above some near-term support at $53.70 with strong upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of BNFT within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if BNFT manages to take out Friday's high of $58.23 to more resistance at $59.43, and then once it clears its all-time high at $60.48 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BNFT as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $54.47 or above more near-term support at $52.70 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 105,972 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then BNFT will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $65 to $70.
Coleman Cable
Coleman Cable (CCIX) is a designer, developer, manufacturer and supplier of electrical wire and cable products for consumer, commercial and industrial applications, with operations mainly in U.S. and, to a lesser degree, Honduras and Canada. This stock closed up 7.8% to $26.40 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 1.58 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 101,362
Volume % Change: 1734%
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From a technical perspective, CCIX gapped up sharply higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $25.45 with monster upside volume. This move briefly pushed shares of CCIX into breakout and new 52-week-high territory, after the stock flirted with some near-term overhead resistance at $26.44. Shares of CCIX closed just below its intraday high on Friday at $26.40. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if CCIX manages to take out Friday's high of $26.50 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CCIX as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $26.13 or above $24, and then once it sustains a move or close above $26.50 with volume that hits near or above 101,362 shares. If we get that move soon, then CCIX will set up to enter new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $30 to $35.
Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply (TSCO) is an operator of retail farm and ranch stores. This stock closed up 1.1% at $74.92 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 6.62 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 968,867
Volume % Change: 616%
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From a technical perspective, TSCO trended modestly higher here with strong upside volume. This move pushed shares of TSCO into breakout and new 52-week high territory, after the stock took out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $74.60 to $74.78. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if TSCO manages to take out Friday's intraday high of $75.50 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TSCO as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $74.08 or above its 50-day at $71.52 and then once it sustains a move or close above $75.50 with volume that this near or above 968,867 shares. If we get that move soon, then TSCO will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $80 to $83.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact (CTCT) provides on-demand engagement marketing tools that are designed for small businesses, associations and non-profits primarily in the U.S. This stock closed up 6.8% at $30.60 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 1.68 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 373,366
Volume % Change: 565%
From a technical perspective, CTCT ripped sharply higher here with strong upside volume. This move pushed shares of CTCT into breakout and new 52-week-high territory, after the stock closed above its previous high of $29.71. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if shares of CTCT manage to take out Friday's high of $31.34 to some more past resistance at $32.18 with strong volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CTCT as long as it's trending above Friday's low of $28.84 or above $28 and then once it sustains a move or close above Friday's high of $31.34 to $32.18 with volume that hits near or above 373,366 shares. If we get that move soon, then CTCT will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $36 to $40.
Overstock.com
Overstock.com (OSTK) is an online retailer offering closeout and discount brand and non-brand name merchandise, including bed-and-bath goods, home decor, kitchenware, watches, jewelry, electronics and computers, apparel and designer accessories. This stock closed up 2.9% at $29.95 in Friday's trading session.
Friday's Volume: 1.82 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 301,477
Volume % Change: 506%
From a technical perspective, OSTK ripped higher here with strong upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of OSTK within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if OSTK manages to take out some past overhead resistance levels at $30.82 to $32.05, and then once it clears more resistance at $32.21 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in OSTK as long as it's trending above $29 or above $28 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 301,477 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then OSTK will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $35.60. Any high-volume move above that level will then give OSTK a chance to tag $40.
To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.
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At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including
CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.
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