6 Stocks to Sell in December

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Despite an overwhelming lack of clarity from the politicians, the stock market has reacted well in the face of uncertainty, and that alone is bullish. And so, if the fiscal cliff problems can be solved before Christmas, then the market could have a solid Santa Claus rally.

But since the outcome is far from being decided, many holders of non-performing stocks and those that are overbought should sell and wait out the results of the political wrangling. Each day of dispute tightens the coiled spring of market volatility, and when it releases we expect a dramatic price move — the problem is it’s impossible to predict the direction of that move.

Attention short sellers: Many companies are paying extra and/or extraordinary dividends before a tax hike takes effect in 2013. If you are short stock on the ex-dividend date, you are on the hook for that dividend since you have borrowed the stock from a lender who deserves the dividend.

Here is our list of stocks to sell in December:

 Stock to Sell #1 – Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI)

Large-cap oil well services company Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE:BHI) topped at $81 in July 2011. The Gulf oil spill in April 2010 resulted in a drilling moratorium, which had a negative impact on the company’s revenues and earnings. And even though the moratorium is now lifted, new permits have been slow in coming.

The stock fell to under $39 in June, but reversed and rallied to $51. But since then, the pattern has been bearish and the recent rally to its 200-day moving average failed at under $44.

Selling volume has been higher than buying volume, and the MACD internal indicator is arching down and could issue a sell signal soon. If you own BHI, sell it at the market. Short sellers should enter a stop-loss order at $44.50.

BHI Chart
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Stock to Sell #2 – Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ)

Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ) has been the victim of strong competition, slow PC sales and a soft economy. Long-term debt has risen sharply, and despite rumors of splitting up of the company’s divisions, nothing of substance has occurred and insiders have been heavy sellers.

The stock is trading within a clear bear market channel. A recent rally has taken it from the bottom of the channel in November at $11.55 to its 50-day moving average at just above $14.

Sell HPQ at the market since it appears that the next move will be down for a test of its low.

HPQ Chart
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Stock to Sell #3 – International Rectifier Corp. (IRF)

International Rectifier Corp. (NYSE:IRF) is a leading supplier of power semiconductors. Sales and earnings are expected to decline in 2013, and negative earnings are expected for the second consecutive year.

The stock is trading in a clear bear market channel with resistance within pennies of its close on Dec. 7. Insiders have been heavy sellers of the stock. Its MACD is overbought, and buying volume has been lower on the recent rally than selling volume in early November.

Sell IRF at the market since its next move will likely lead to a test of its support at under $14.50.

IRF Chart
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Stock to Sell #4 – Intel Corp. (INTC)

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) is the world’s largest semiconductor chip maker, but revenue and earnings are in a slump due to slow emerging market demand, soft enterprise PC sales, and stiff competition in the mobile phone sector. Earnings are expected to fall in 2013 for the second consecutive year.

The stock is in a pronounced bear market with a sharp increase in sellers in the last quarter. Insiders have joined in selling the stock.

Although the MACD internal indicator is flashing “buy,” we must stick with the price trend, which tells us that November’s low at $19.23 will be tested. Sell INTC at the market.

INTC Chart
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Stock to Sell #5 – Tiffany & Co. (TIF)

Lackluster performance for the fourth consecutive quarter has put new pressure on Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF) stock. And for the past three quarters, earnings and revenues have failed to meet analysts’ expectations.

The stock is in a broad downtrend with a high at $65 and a low at about $50. Heavy insider sales and an MACD sell signal, as well as a breakaway gap down from its 200-day moving average, are convincing evidence that the stock is headed lower.

The next support for TIF is at $50. Sell or sell short TIF at the market.

TIF Chart
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Stock to Sell #6 – Yahoo (YHOO)

Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) broke from a cup-and-handle consolidation in October and ran from $16.75 to over $19. However, profit-taking should be considered here since the stock is selling at almost 17 times next year’s earnings and is over 20% above its 200-day moving average — a clear case of over-valuation. The MACD indicator flashed a sell signal in the first week of December.

Shareholders who would like to take a chance on another move up should place a trailing 10% stop-loss order under the current price in order to protect against a violent reversal.

YHOO Chart
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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2012/12/stocks-to-sell-bhi-hpq-irf-intc-tif-yhoo/.

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