Gerry Bowles Freshwater Fishing

Power Ful

New Highs

Today I'm going to go over a simple screen with a powerful concept. Buying stocks that are making new highs. I know some are reluctant to buy stocks making new 52-week highs. If you're one of them, have you ever asked yourself why? If a stock is making a new 52-week high, isn't that a good thing? Just like a stock making a new 52-week low is bad thing. I'm pretty sure that a person who dislikes buying stocks making new 52-week highs wouldn't be too upset if the stock he already owned broke out to new 52-week high. And why should he? Statistics have shown that stocks making new highs have a tendency of making even higher highs. These are the stocks we all dream about. Get in and watch it continue going up.

Of course the fundamentals need to be there. And you should keep a watchful eye on valuations. But if you were in a stock making new highs and cheering it on, it seems silly to be afraid of one doing the same just because you haven't bought it.

One question I like asking myself just to put things into perspective is: if I was in it, would I be excited and would I still want to be in it? If the answer is yes, then I'll look for the best opportunity to get in. If the answer is no, I'd want to take profits, then I'll move on.

This topic actually reminds me of a question someone asked me a while ago about a stock I was talking about that was at a new 52-week high – in fact, it was at a 5-year high. He asked, "Aren't you worried about buying a stock at a 52-week high?" I said of course not. So it just made a new 52-week high. That's great news! Guess what -- last year it made a new 52-week high as well. And the year before that. And the year before that. Can you imagine all the money you'd be leaving on the table if you were afraid of being in stocks every time they made a new high? Case closed.

The screen I'm running today looks for:

* Stock trading within 5% of their 52 week high. The expression looks like this:

Current Price/52 Week high >= .95

That means these stocks are either at a new 52-week high, or have just hit it and still trading within 5% of it, or are climbing towards their 52-week high and are within striking distance.

* Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2

Only Zacks Strong Buys and Buys.

* Price to Sales less than or equal to 1

A Price to Sales ratio of 1 means you're paying $1 for every $1 of sales a company makes. A P/S ratio of less than 1 means you’re paying less than $1 for every $1 of sales a company makes. I have found that by looking at stocks with a P/S ratio of less than or equal to 1 helps me find stocks that are still considered undervalued -– even if they are making new highs.

* Current Avg. 20 Day Volume > Previous week's Avg. 20 Day Volume

In short, this helps me find stocks where the volume has increased in the recent week vs. the previous week. If the price is climbing on increased volume, that shows increased demand or buying coming in. And the more buying demand there is for a stock, the more it should climb.

* All of these parameters are applied to stocks >= $5 with Avg. daily volume of >= 100,000.

Here are 5 stocks that made it thru this week's screen for 12/29/09:

AIN - Albany International Corp.

CAG - ConAgra Foods, Inc.

FUL - H.B. Fuller Company

ODSY - Odyssey HealthCare, Inc.

UVV - Universal Corp.

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About the Author

Kevin Matras is the Research Wizard Product Manager and weekly contributing Editor at Zacks Investment Research who creates and writes the Zacks Commentary Screen of the Week and Know Your Options. For more information, visit http://www.zacks.com.

Ful-Power Fulvic Acid 2.5 Gallon: J $93.46 Ful-Power Fulvic Acid (humic acid extract) BioAg’s PREMIUM GOLDEN ISOLATE is preferred by growers because of it’s supreme chelating action, high bioavailability and superior biological stimulation effects. Often referred to as the champagne of humic acids, Ful-Power is an excellent choice for all applications including irrigation, foliar sprays, clones/cuttings, bare-root dips, seed activation and hydroponics. Our Cold Microbial Extraction Process mimics earths’ natural processes resulting in an organic humic with high bioavailability, primary and secondary metabolites as well as phytostimulants from the ''fermentation'' process. The purified humic acid in Ful-Power has superior chelating ability and can help optimize cellular/plant growth, increase yields, and builds root mass and overall plant health/immunity. Humic complexes enhance both mineral and trace element uptake in plants without inducing toxicity. It also prevents nutrients from binding in solution and creating insoluble precipitates. General Applications Rates: Seed activation: For vegetable seeds soak 72 hours at 25 ml/gal (1-150 dilution rate). For other, soak for 24 hours at 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution rate). Soil and Container plants: 20-30 ml/gal (1-200 & 1-100 dilution) Hydroponic: 10-30ml/gal of nutrient solution Foliar Rates: 20 ml/gal (1-200 dilution) Cuttings and Bare root: 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution) *Store in cool, dark environment. Please note that Ful-Power is processed naturally, and if not stored properly, some algae may grow in the product over time. This growth is neither harmful nor does it degrade the product in any way. It is actually a sign of the high biological activity in the product.

Ful-Power Fulvic Acid Quart: J $16.96 We now have available the most effective humic acid product you will find anywhere. Our Cold Microbial Extraction Process mimics earths’ natural processes resulting in an organic humic with high bioavailability, primary and secondary metabolites as well as phytostimulants from the ''fermentation'' process. The purified humic acid in Ful-Power has superior chelating ability and can help optimize cellular/plant growth, increase yields, and builds root mass and overall plant health/immunity. Humic complexes enhance both mineral and trace element uptake in plants without inducing toxicity. It also prevents nutrients from binding in solution and creating insoluble precipitates. General Applications Rates: Seed activation: For vegetable seeds soak 72 hours at 25 ml/gal (1-150 dilution rate). For other, soak for 24 hours at 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution rate). Soil and Container plants: 20-30 ml/gal (1-200 & 1-100 dilution) Hydroponic: 10-30ml/gal of nutrient solution Foliar Rates: 20 ml/gal (1-200 dilution) Cuttings and Bare root: 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution) *Store in cool, dark environment. Please note that Ful-Power is processed naturally, and if not stored properly, some algae may grow in the product over time. This growth is neither harmful nor does it degrade the product in any way. It is actually a sign of the high biological activity in the product.

Ful-Power Fulvic Acid Gallon: J $42.46 We now have available the most effective humic acid product you will find anywhere. Our Cold Microbial Extraction Process mimics earths’ natural processes resulting in an organic humic with high bioavailability, primary and secondary metabolites as well as phytostimulants from the ''fermentation'' process. The purified humic acid in Ful-Power has superior chelating ability and can help optimize cellular/plant growth, increase yields, and builds root mass and overall plant health/immunity. Humic complexes enhance both mineral and trace element uptake in plants without inducing toxicity. It also prevents nutrients from binding in solution and creating insoluble precipitates. General Applications Rates: Seed activation: For vegetable seeds soak 72 hours at 25 ml/gal (1-150 dilution rate). For other, soak for 24 hours at 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution rate). Soil and Container plants: 20-30 ml/gal (1-200 & 1-100 dilution) Hydroponic: 10-30ml/gal of nutrient solution Foliar Rates: 20 ml/gal (1-200 dilution) Cuttings and Bare root: 35ml/gal (1-100 dilution) *Store in cool, dark environment. Please note that Ful-Power is processed naturally, and if not stored properly, some algae may grow in the product over time. This growth is neither harmful nor does it degrade the product in any way. It is actually a sign of the high biological activity in the product.

ful Powerbag Backpack Laptop Case - Red $139.99 Charge your devices on the go with this ful Powerbag RFAP015FA backpack laptop case that features a 3000 mAh lithium-ion battery for efficient power. The padded laptop pocket helps guard against damage.

ful Playback $39.99 The ful Playback is a daypack featuring a large main compartment and comfortable back panel. Type: Backpacks Color Mapping: Green

ful G.Love $19.99 Protect your first generation iPad in the ful G.Love. Color: Cherry Color Mapping: Red

ful Rebel $39.99 The ful Rebel is a daypack featuring a large main compartment and comfortable back panel. Type: Backpacks Color Mapping: Grey

ful Gibson $49.99 The ful Gibson is a laptop backpack with function and style. Color: Pink Color Mapping: Pink

ful Trippin $79.99 The ful Trippin is a bag where urban styling meets functionality and travel. Type: Duffel Bags Color Mapping: Grey

ful Notorious $59.99 The ful Notorious is a laptop backpack with function and style. Color: Black Color Mapping: Black

ful Playa $59.99 The ful Playa 20' duffel is a bag where urban styling meets functionality and travel. Type: Duffel Bags Color: Grey Color Mapping: Grey

ful Pivot $49.99 The ful Pivot is a multi-view easel binder with 3-way viewing for your Generation 1 iPad. Color: Black Color Mapping: Black

Power Surge $14.99 Track Listing: 1. Wicked, 2. Power Surge, 3. Can U Feel It?, 4. Red Alert, 5. Gravitron, 6. In Ful Efx - (Eliminator Mix), 7. Cybex, 8. Thermotech - (The Remix, the remix), 9. Energize, 10. In Ful Efx - (Meow Mix)

ful Beale Street $59.99 The ful Beale Street is a laptop backpack with function and style. Color Mapping: Purple

ful MC SPIN $49.99 The ful MC Spin is a laptop backpack with function and style. Color Mapping: Grey

ful Wanderer $69.99 The Ful Wanderer is a 27 inch duffel bag with numerous features including large exterior pockets, ventilated wet/dry compartments, and elastic water bottle pouch. Hideaway backpack straps mean you can also carry this bag as a backpack. Type: Duffel Bags Color: Orange Color Mapping: Orange

ful Superstition $29.99 Go back to school in style with the shimmering nylon ful Superstition backpack, available in a variety of colors and patterns. This sturdy, expandable pack features a roomy main compartment with an internal pouch for stowing large items, as well as an organizer compartment for keeping small necessities neat and handy. It also has a quick access front slip pouch and a side elastic water bottle pouch to help keep you cool and refreshed throughout the day. Ergonomically designed, it has a full support padded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps to help prevent aches, pains and strains. The affordable, no-nonsense ful Superstition backpack is the perfect everyday pack for school, for work, for hiking, and for day or overnight trips! Type: Backpacks Color: Turquoise Color Mapping: Blue

ful Overton $39.99 The Ful Overton backpack is a skate/school pack that'll keep you organized and carry all your heavy gear. An internal organizer, detachable cell phone holder, and MP3 pocket with headphone port ensures you have a place for all your small items. The vertical board carrier is ideal for carrying your skateboard hands-free when you feel like walking. Suspension contoured back straps and a variety of available colors mean you'll be traveling in total comfort and style. Type: Backpacks Color: Purple Color Mapping: Purple