Stocks Ready for an Explosive Breakout
By Jeff Clark
October 11, 2007

The stock market is semi-bullish.

We've seen a huge advance over the past few weeks. And that creates a problem for anyone looking to put new money to work in a low-risk idea. But the semiconductor stocks have lagged behind, and that's actually a good thing.

Take a look at the following chart comparing the performance of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index to the Nasdaq 100...

When the chart is rising, it indicates a period when the semiconductor sector is leading the market higher. When the chart is falling, it shows periods of underperformance. The recent "waterfall" look of the chart tells you all you need to know about the current action.

Semis just haven't kept up with the rest of the market.
But that's about to change.

Semiconductor stocks typically perform quite well during the last part of the year. But this year has the potential for something explosive.

Chip stocks are on the verge of breaking out of a six-year-long consolidating-triangle pattern. I've shown the following chart a few times before, and it's worth another look...

 

We're getting closer and closer to a decision point, and when this pattern finally breaks, it's going to project a move of almost 200 points in one direction or the other.

My bet is it'll be to the upside.

Semiconductor stocks are as cheap as they've been in a long time. Many companies are trading near the low end of their historic valuation ranges, are sitting on piles of cash, and have little or no debt.

Plus, investor sentiment on the sector is as bearish as ever.

It's tough to jump into the stock market right now after such a huge run-up in such a short time. But you can't argue with the fundamentals of the semiconductor sector. And the technical conditions are just now falling into place.

If the semiconductor stocks can start to rally, then there just may be one more good push higher for this tired, old bull market.

Best regards and good trading,

Jeff Clark