A Troubled Steel Company Attempts A Turnaround

12/12/03 09:06:54 AM

by Gary Grosschadl

This beleagured Canadian company has a one year trading range of $4.85 - $0.93 and now tries to breakout of a trading range.

Security: STE.a (TSX)
Position: Buy

Stelco Inc. is trying to rise on the back of a growing steel demand and improving prices. While stronger steel companies have already enjoyed good gains this one has been a laggard, but the chart pattern is more hopeful of a possible turn in the making.

This weekly chart shows Stelco making a move above a bottom channel while at the same time making its first bold thrust above its 20-period moving averge since its big fall from $4. The question is, will this rise be sustainable?

Weekly chart show's Stelco's early bullish promise.

Graphic provided by: Stockcharts.com.

A good break above a trading range or channel, especially one found in a basing pattern, usually needs convincing volume to do so. This is certainly the case here as the volume spike shows, even here at mid-week. So the true weekly volume will be even more convincing. Of course the weekly close also needs to finish above the top channel to maintain this bullish drive.

Several indicators also reflect the bullish promise here. The directional movement indicator at the top of the chart shows a bullish trend change in the making. The crossing over of the DI lines signals that bullish power is gaining the upper hand. The ADX line measures trend strength while the DI lines show the power of bullish and bearish forces and a cross usually means a change in trend especially if the ADX line is above 25.

The indicators below the chart all began showing a rising trend while the stock was going sideways. The CMF indicator (Chaiken money flow) is particularily noteworthy as not only did it signal a bullish divergence to the stock's sideways action but it turned positive before the breakout move. This indicator measures supply and demand in the form of buying and selling pressure and can be very telling at times, this being a good example.

A weekly close above the top channel line sets the stage for a possible drive to the first Fibonacci target of $2.44. Short-term traders should be alert for any signs of reversal at or near that mark, should this bullish drive prevail.

Gary Grosschadl

Independent Canadian equities trader and technical analyst based in Peterborough
Ontario, Canada.


Website:	www.whatsonsale.ca/financial.html
E-mail address:	gwg7@sympatico.ca

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A Troubled Steel Company Attempts A Turnaround

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