The Top 10 Stocks to Watch This Week for Possible Breakouts

Picking a winning trade on a consistent basis is not simply a stroke of luck. It’s the result of calculated screening, planning, and deliberation.

With this in mind, we have started a new weekly series on our top 10 stocks to watch this week — stocks that look poised for a possible breakout in the coming days. Traders should add these stocks to their watchlist now.

The Top 10 Stocks to Watch This Week for Possible Breakouts

Sl # Name of the Stock Stock Ticker Last Close Buy Level(s) Symmetrical Triangle Pattern
1 Quanterix Corporation NASDAQ: QTRX $11.73 $13.00 Symmetrical Triangle Pattern
2 Cisco Systems, Inc. NASDAQ: CSCO $47.79 $48.30 Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout
3 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited NYSE: TSM $82.27 $85.00 Downtrend Channel Breakout
4 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. NYSE: DKS $109.09 $114.00 Symmetrical Triangle Pattern
5 Target Corporation NYSE: TGT $162.88 $174.00 Consolidation Area
6 Bath & Body Works, Inc. NYSE: BBWI $38.23 $39.00 Symmetrical Triangle Pattern Breakout
7 Burlington Stores, Inc. NYSE: BURL $157.86 $162.80 Downtrend Channel Breakout
8 Ryder System, Inc. NYSE: R $90.16 $90.50 Ascending Triangle Pattern Breakout
9 Alibaba Group Holding Limited NYSE: BABA $80.48 $84.50 Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout
10 Johnson & Johnson NYSE: JNJ $176.20 $179.80 Downtrend Channel Breakout

Important: Typically, these trades offer a risk: reward ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 in the next 6 months, which implies 2x to 3x rewards when compared to risks. So, be sure to set your stop-loss levels and target prices accordingly to manage your risk. In addition, these trade ideas are triggered using daily closing prices, not intra-day pricing. So, if you participate in these trades, make sure that you only buy the stock once its daily close is above the recommended price level.

That said, here are the top 10 stocks to watch for a breakout, in no particular order.

#1 Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX)

Sector: Healthcare | Medical Devices

Reason: Formation of a Symmetrical Triangle Pattern

A symmetrical triangle is a chart pattern formed by two converging trend lines connecting a series of sequential peaks and troughs. These two lines result in the formation of a triangle that appears to be symmetrical.

A symmetrical triangle pattern is usually formed when there is indecision in the price movements and there is uncertainty among the buyers and sellers. This chart pattern represents a period of consolidation before the price breaks out or breaks down. In case a breakout occurs from the upper trend line, it is a strong bullish indication as it signifies the start of a new bullish trend.

Buy Level(s): The ideal buy level for QTRX is if the stock has a daily close above the breakout level of the symmetrical triangle pattern, at around $13.00. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – QTRX

QTRX – Symmetrical Triangle Pattern

#2 Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO)

Sector: Technology | Communication Equipment

Reason: Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout

A falling wedge pattern is formed by joining two downward-sloping, converging trendlines having a contracting range. The pattern appears to be wide at the top and continues to contract as prices fall. A breakout from a falling wedge pattern can indicate either reversal or continuation depending on where the pattern appeared in the trend.

A stock that has broken out of a falling wedge pattern would have gained momentum and would have the potential to move higher.

Buy Level(s): The stock has currently broken out of a falling wedge pattern. However, the ideal buy level for CSCO is above the nearest resistance level of $48.30. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – CSCO

CSCO – Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout

#3 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE: TSM)

Sector: Technology | Semiconductors

Reason: Downtrend Channel Breakout

A downtrend or descending channel is the price action contained between downward sloping parallel lines. It is formed by two lines that are drawn by connecting the lower highs and lower lows of a stock’s price. Even though this is typically a bearish pattern, a breakout from the upper rail of this pattern is considered a good bullish indication.

Buy Level(s): The daily chart shows that the stock has currently broken out of a downtrend channel. However, there is a near-term resistance level for the stock. Hence, the ideal buy level for TSM is if the stock has a daily close above $85.00. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – TSM

TSM – Downtrend Channel Breakout

#4 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS)

Sector: Consumer Cyclical | Specialty Retail

Reason: Formation of a Symmetrical Triangle Pattern

A symmetrical triangle is a chart pattern formed by two converging trend lines connecting a series of sequential peaks and troughs. These two lines result in the formation of a triangle that appears to be symmetrical.

A symmetrical triangle pattern is usually formed when there is indecision in the price movements and there is uncertainty among the buyers and sellers. This chart pattern represents a period of consolidation before the price breaks out or breaks down. In case a breakout occurs from the upper trend line, it is a strong bullish indication as it signifies the start of a new bullish trend.

Buy Level(s): The ideal buy level for DKS is if the stock has a daily close above the breakout level of the symmetrical triangle pattern, at around $114.00. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – DKS

DKS – Symmetrical Triangle Pattern

#5 Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT)

Sector: Consumer Defensive | Discount Stores

Reason: Formation of a Consolidation Area

A Consolidation Area is a price action contained between two parallel lines. It is formed by a lower line that connects the lows, and an upper line that joins the highs. A stock usually trades between the two lines of the consolidation area before finally breaking out from the upper rail.

Buy Level(s): The ideal buy level for TGT is above the price of around $174.00. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – TGT

TGT – Consolidation Area

#6 Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI)

Sector: Consumer Cyclical | Specialty Retail

Reason: Symmetrical Triangle Pattern Breakout

A symmetrical triangle is a chart pattern formed by two converging trend lines connecting a series of sequential peaks and troughs. These two lines result in the formation of a triangle that appears to be symmetrical.

A symmetrical triangle pattern is usually formed when there is indecision in the price movements and there is uncertainty among the buyers and sellers. This chart pattern represents a period of consolidation before the price breaks out or breaks down. In case a breakout occurs from the upper trend line, it is a strong bullish indication as it signifies the start of a new bullish trend.

Buy Level(s): The stock has currently broken out of a symmetrical triangle pattern. However, the ideal buy level for BBWI is if the stock closes above the immediate resistance level of $39.00. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – BBWI

BBWI – Symmetrical Triangle Pattern Breakout

#7 Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE: BURL)

Sector: Consumer Cyclical | Apparel Retail

Reason: Downtrend Channel Breakout

A downtrend or descending channel is the price action contained between downward sloping parallel lines. It is formed by two lines that are drawn by connecting the lower highs and lower lows of a stock’s price. Even though this is typically a bearish pattern, a breakout from the upper rail of this pattern is considered a good bullish indication.

Buy Level(s): The daily chart shows that the stock has currently broken out of a downtrend channel. However, there is a near-term resistance level for the stock. Hence, the ideal buy level for BURL is if the stock has a daily close above $162.80. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – BURL

BURL – Downtrend Channel Breakout

#8 Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R)

Sector: Industrials | Rental & Leasing Services

Reason: Breakout From an Ascending Triangle Pattern

An ascending triangle pattern is a bullish pattern formed by drawing a horizontal line along the swing highs, and a rising trendline along the swing lows. These two lines result in the formation of a triangle. A breakout from this pattern is typically a strong bullish indication.

Buy Level(s): The stock has currently broken out of an ascending triangle pattern. However, the ideal buy level for R is if the stock closes above the immediate resistance level of $90.50. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – R

R – Ascending Triangle Pattern Breakout

#9 Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA)

Sector: Consumer Cyclical | Internet Retail

Reason: Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout

A falling wedge pattern is formed by joining two downward-sloping, converging trendlines having a contracting range. The pattern appears to be wide at the top and continues to contract as prices fall. A breakout from a falling wedge pattern can indicate either reversal or continuation depending on where the pattern appeared in the trend.

A stock that has broken out of a falling wedge pattern would have gained momentum and would have the potential to move higher.

Buy Level(s): The stock has currently broken out of a falling wedge pattern. However, the ideal buy level for BABA is above the nearest resistance level of $84.50. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – BABA

BABA – Falling Wedge Pattern Breakout

#10 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)

Sector: Healthcare | Drug Manufacturers – General

Reason: Downtrend Channel Breakout

A downtrend or descending channel is the price action contained between downward sloping parallel lines. It is formed by two lines that are drawn by connecting the lower highs and lower lows of a stock’s price. Even though this is typically a bearish pattern, a breakout from the upper rail of this pattern is considered a good bullish indication.

Buy Level(s): The daily chart shows that the stock has currently broken out of a downtrend channel. However, there is a near-term resistance level for the stock. Hence, the ideal buy level for JNJ is if the stock has a daily close above $179.80. This is marked in the chart below as a green color dotted line.

Daily chart – JNJ

JNJ – Downtrend Channel Breakout

Happy Trading!

Trades of The Day Research Team

Where to Invest $99 [sponsor]
Motley Fool Stock Advisor's average stock pick is up over 350%*, beating the market by an incredible 4-1 margin. Here’s what you get if you join up with us today: Two new stock recommendations each month. A short list of Best Buys Now. Stocks we feel present the most timely buying opportunity, so you know what to focus on today. There's so much more, including a membership-fee-back guarantee. New members can join today for only $99/year.