DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.
Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."
Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.
With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.
AOL
AOL (AOL) is a global Web services company whose business consists of online content, products and services that it offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. This stock closed up 1.4% to $36.69 in Wednesday's trading session.
Wednesday's Volume: 4.52 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 1.15 million
Volume % Change: 285%
From a technical perspective, AOL jumped modestly higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $36.29 with heavy upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of AOL within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if AOL manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $38.48 to $40 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AOL as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $36.29 or above more support at $35 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.15 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then AOL will set up to re-fill its previous gap down zone from May that started at $42.12. Any high-volume move above $42.12 will then give AOL a chance to tag $45 to $50.
VimpelCom
VimpelCom (VIP) provides voice, data and other telecommunication services through an array of wireless, fixed and broadband internet services, as well as selling equipment and accessories. This stock closed up 4.4% at $10.32 in Wednesday's trading session.
Wednesday's Volume: 2.62 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 1.03 million
Volume % Change: 230%
Shares of VIP ripped higher on Wednesday after Deutsche Bank upgrade the stock to buy from hold citing valuation following the company's second-quarter results.
From a technical perspective, VIP ripped higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $10.09 with strong upside volume. This stock recently formed a double bottom chart pattern at $9.75 to $9.78. Following that bottom, shares of VIP have started to spike higher and quickly move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if VIP manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $10.64 to $11 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in VIP as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $10.09 or above more support at $9.78 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that this near or above 1.03 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then VIP will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $11.38 to $11.82.
WebMD Health
WebMD Health (WBMD) provides health information services to consumers, physicians and other health care professionals, employers and health plans through its public and private online portals and health-focused publications. This stock closed up 1.6% at $33.70 in Wednesday's trading session.
Wednesday's Volume: 1.32 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 690,686
Volume % Change: 170%
From a technical perspective, WBMD spiked modestly higher here with strong upside volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $25.18 to its recent high of $35.28. During that move, shares of WBMD have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of WBMD within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if WBMD manages to clear its 52-week high at $35.28 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in WBMD as long as it's trending above $32 or $31 and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $35.28 with volume that's near or above 690,686 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then WBMD will set up to enter new 52-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $40 to $43.
Geospace Technologies
Geospace Technologies (GEOS) designs and manufactures instruments and equipment used by the oil and gas industry in the acquisition and processing of seismic data as well as in reservoir characterization and monitoring activities. This stock closed up 0.29% at $72.35 in Wednesday's trading session.
Wednesday's Volume: 620,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 158,544
Volume % Change: 270%
From a technical perspective, GEOS spiked higher here and briefly traded back above its 50-day moving average of $75.28 with strong upside volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last five months, with shares plunging from its high at $111.36 to its recent low of $65.31. During that move, shares of GEOS have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of GEOS have started to rebound over the last month from $65.31 to its recent high of $79.91. That rebound could be setting up GEOS to reverse its downtrend and begin a more sustained uptrend.
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Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GEOS as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $70.40 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $77.83 to $79.91 with volume that's near or above 158,544 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then GEOS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 200-day moving average of $84.97. Any high-volume move above $84.97 will then give GEOS a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $90 to $93.
To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising On Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.
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