The following article is provided exclusively to readers of SelfInvestors by the The Correct Call.

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International Business Machines (IBM) is set to report earnings after the market closes on Thursday, July 17th. IBM is one of the largest technology and global financing companies in the world.

Big Blue is expected to earn $1.82 per share for its 2nd quarter. We expect IBM to announce earnings that will beat investors’ and analysts’ expectations. IBM has delivered 21 straight quarters of earnings growth, we are confident it will be 22.

Three Analysts have raised their estimates within the last 30 days, 1 in the past week. During the 1st quarter conference call, IBM’s management lifted its 2008 outlook by a quarter. Since the first 3 months tend to be IBM’s most challenging, we believe more upward guidance could be on the way.

Valuation wise, the company is in solid shape with a PEG ratio of 1.28, a forward PE of 13 with a projected 20% growth rate (although we expect estimates to move up), return on equity of 38.5% and more than $12 billion of cash on hand. There are plenty of reasons to like this company.

Add one more reason as IBM’s chart is also pointing to a higher stock price. IBM has posted 4 recent technical buy signals: closing yesterday at a 20 day high, closing above the 50 day moving average, the short-term moving averages passing the longer-term averages and a positive MACD crossover under ZERO.

Put it all together, solid fundamentals, a possible earnings surprise, hitting for the technical cycle and we see IBM’s shares challenging its 52 week within the 1 to 3 months.

Suggested Stop: $121.63

 I’m going to begin doing something a bit different for the earnings posts and instead of just highlighting the Self Investors Leading stocks that are moving with volume, I’m going to highlight companies that beat estimates and guided higher (or just beat by a wide margin) and companies that missed estimates and guided lower (or just missed by a wide margin).  Companies that are Self Investors Leading Stocks (ie. great fundamentals and above 200 day moving average) will be marked with (SLS) and will include the Self Investors fundamental rank in brackets.  It’s a score out of 30 and includes earnings/sales growth, ROE, profit margins, management ownership and debt levels.

I’m going to begin doing something a bit different for the earnings posts and instead of just highlighting the Self Investors Leading stocks that are moving with volume, I’m going to highlight companies that beat estimates and guided higher and companies that missed estimates and guided lower.  Companies that are Self Investors Leading Stocks (ie. great fundamentals and above 200 day moving average) will be marked with (SLS) and will include the Self Investors fundamental rank in brackets.  It’s a score out of 30 and includes earnings/sales growth, ROE, profit margins, management ownership and debt levels.

Beat Estimates and Guided Higher

• Axsys (AXYS) Scientific & Technical Instruments, fundamental rank [22/30],  up 11%, breaking out of well formed base to new all time highs (SLI)

• Transocean (RIG) Oil & Gas Drilling & Exploration, fundamental rank [28/30],  up 5%, carving out the right side of a base (SLI)

• Hewlett Packard (HPQ) Diversified Computer Systems, up 8%, carving out right side of suspect base

• iRobot (IRBT) Appliances, down 1%, carving out handle formation of a base within a larger downtrend, lots of overhead resistance

• Oil States (OIS) Oil & Gas Equip & Services, up 12%, carving out right side of new base

• TJX Companies (TJX) Department Stores, up 6%, carving out right side of suspect base

• Garmin (GRMN) Scientific & Technical Instruments, down 8%, still mired in a downtrend and remains quite bearish after today’s high volume reversal

Missed Estimates & Guided Lower

• Suntech Power (STP)  Diversified Electronics, down 17%, significant recovery off today’s lows but in danger of ultimately testing the next support around 30, quite a dramatic sell off since Jan 1st

• Euronet Worldwide (EEFT) Business & Management Services,  down 11%, not a bad short candidate

Today’s SelfInvestors Leading Stocks Moving on Earnings

getting this out too late again.. one of those weeks

UP

• Watson & Wyatt (WW) Business & Management Servicees, fundamental rank [25/30],  up 11%, working on the right side of new base

• WMS Industries (WMS) Diversified Electronics, fundamental rank [25/30],  up 9%, breaking out of a base on base with heavy volume to new all time highs – these kinds of moves are few and far in between these days!  One to watch

• Alcon (ACL) Medical Instruments & Supplies, fundamental rank [25/30],  up 6%, nice high volume gap up off the 200 day moving average and carving out right side of base with a breakout above 155

DOWN

no leading stocks moving down on earnings with volume today

Today’s SelfInvestors Leading Stocks Moving on Earnings

getting this out too late again.. one of those weeks

UP

• Forrester Research (FORR) Research Services, fundamental rank [24/30],  up 13%, making a move in the right side of a long base – one to watch for a base breakout

• Solera Holdings (SLH) Application Software, fundamental rank [23/30],  up 5%, very nice trading action over the past few months and carving out new base – look for a handle then a breakout

DOWN

• Double-Take Software (DBTK)  Application Software, fundamental rank [26/30],  down 26%, adios – won’t be back anytime soon after a disappointing quarter

• The Advisory Board (ABCO) Research Services, fundamental rank [26/30],  down 9%, took out 200 dma and sets up beginning of a new base carving period.

• National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Industrial Equipment Wholesale, fundamental rank [25/30],  down 7%, taking out 200 dma once again and a test of the lows around 50 highly likely

Today’s SelfInvestors Leading Stocks Moving on Earnings

getting this out too late again.. one of those weeks

UP

• Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Medical Appliances & Equipment, fundamental rank [24/30],  up 20%, gapped up above the 50 day moving average which should be the beginnings of a new healthy base

• Flowserve (FLS) Diversified Electronics, fundamental rank [24/30],  up 17%, gapped up above the 50 day moving average with record volume kicking off the right side of a new base

• Dolby Laboratories (DLB) Diversified Electronics, fundamental rank [27/30],  up 14%, again, gapped up above the 50 day moving average with record volume kicking off the right side of a new base

• Micros Systems (MCRS) Technical & System Software, fundamental rank [26/30],  up 9%, lots of new bases forming and here’s another one, albeit an ugly V one

DOWN

• Actuate (ACTU)  Application Software, fundamental rank [25/30],  down 25%, adios

• Omnicell (OMCL) Computer Based Systems, fundamental rank [24/30],  down 22%, adios to you as well

Take a look at the charts of both these stocks.  Notice how poor earnings were basically forecasted in the charts?  Someone knew something, somebody always does.  Nobody had any business being in these stocks ahead of earnings period. 

• Google (GOOG) Internet Info Providers, fundamental rank [28/30],  down 8%, in a couple years people will be kicking themselves for not buying Google around 500.  What an opportunity for the long term investor.

• Stanley (SXE) Business & Management Services, fundamental rank [23/30],  down 8%, in process of finding bottom of new base, nice bounce off 200 day moving average; actually reported a great quarter and may not drop too much lower than lows of today

Today’s SelfInvestors Leading Stocks Moving on Earnings

UP

• CyberSource (CYBS) Business Software & Services, fundamental rank [27/30],  up 18%, reclaimed support of 200 day moving average to retain bullish long term picture; huge quarter

• Harmonic (HLIT) Communication Equipment, fundamental rank [24/30],  up 9%, working on the right side of a base on base pattern

• Caraco Pharmaceutical (CPD) Drugs – Generic, fundamental rank [26/30],  up 5%, holding above 50/200dma and still poised to breaking out of a decent looking base

DOWN

none today

Today’s SelfInvestors Leading Stocks Moving on Earnings

Earnings season is now in full force, so I’ll be highlighting leading stocks moving on earnings again.  This is a late one tonight but better late then never!  I’ll start posting these during the trading day.  With the market in bear mode, there won’t be as many leading stocks listed as in the past few years …

UP

• Chattem (CHTT)  Drug Manufacturerst, fundamental rank [28/30],  up 12%, looking to hit new all time highs soon after a near base failure

DOWN

• VMWare (VMW) Technical & System Software, fundamental rank [28/30],  down 34%, closes at lows with very heavy volume today and most likely headed to test the IPO opening price of 48.  Earnings were very good but expectations were way too high and already built into the stock.  Just another example of why it’s almost always a bad idea to hold a stock through earnings.

• Optionsxpress (OXPS)  Investment Brokerage, fundamental rank [27/30],  down 6%, held up above 200 day moving average today and looks to be carving out the handle of a large base