Technical Indicators Add Up To A Long For Korn/Ferry

06/30/08 11:39:17 AM

by Mike Carr, CMT

As layoffs mount, staffing companies can profit by helping to locate replacements for senior managers and offering consulting services to help with the changing corporate culture. That's what Korn/Ferry can do.

Security: KFY
Position: Buy

Korn/Ferry International (KFY) says that the company can "provide talent management solutions worldwide ... with services that include executive recruitment, middle-management recruitment, outsourced recruitment, and leadership development solutions." Although the headlines tell us there should be an opportunity to profit in this field, the charts tell us whether to buy or sell.

Starting with the weekly chart (Figure 1), we can see that prices are at what may be the beginning of an uptrend. The recent lows coincide with support levels dating back to 2005, and the most recent action has been a series of higher highs and higher lows. Weekly momentum, shown with the momentum of comparative strength (MOCS), is bullish. MOCS applies a moving average convergence/divergence (MACD)-like calculation to relative strength and makes it easy to spot turning points in strength on a chart.

FIGURE 1: KFY, WEEKLY. Although early, it appears that the downtrend in KFY has been reversed.

Graphic provided by: Trade Navigator.

The daily chart (Figure 2) is used to confirm the longer time frame. In this case, we see that prices have been in a tight consolidation pattern. Within the past few days, the stochastics indicator has completed a bullish crossover after reaching oversold levels. A break above the 20-day moving average should be the final signal for conservative investors to initiate long positions. Aggressive traders should enter the position at current levels.

FIGURE 2: KFY, DAILY. With prices challenging the 20-day moving average, the bullish stochastic indicates that the next move should be higher.

Graphic provided by: Trade Navigator.

Additional bullish support is found in the large short interest in KFY. Buyins.net reports that shorts will need almost three weeks of normal trading volume to cover their positions in this stock. With more than 12% of the float shorted, there is a lot of potential demand. The squeeze trigger represents the average price level where short positions were initiated. At this level, many shorts are likely to cover their trade and find a more profitable opportunity in the market. Buyins.net calculates that the average short is now losing money since the squeeze trigger is 16.23. KFY represents a strong buy with risk limited by a stop below the recent lows near 15.50.

Mike Carr, CMT

Mike Carr, CMT, is a member of the Market Technicians Association, and editor of the MTA's newsletter, Technically Speaking. He is also the author of "Smarter Investing in Any Economy: The Definitive Guide to Relative Strength Investing," and "Conquering the Divide: How to Use Economic Indicators to Catch Stock Market Trends."


Website:	www.moneynews.com/blogs/MichaelCarr/id-73
E-mail address:	marketstrategist@gmail.com

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Technical Indicators Add Up To A Long For Korn/Ferry

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