PowerRatings Best of the Requests: BP, IBM, BAC

Stocks closed mostly lower yesterday on bank earning worries and negative growth statements by the International Monetary Fund. However, strong reports from Apple and Credit Suisse this morning have stock futures trading in positive territory.

Despite the strong earnings from crucial companies, the macro economic picture is still painted with a gloomy brush and not everything is rosy on the earnings front. UPS announced figures that missed estimates and predictions of higher unemployment and lower new home sales bring confusion to an otherwise upbeat pre open.

Truth is, enough uncertainty remains to potentially create chaotic conditions. Long term stock traders need proven tools to help them choose stocks that have the best odds of top performance over the longer term. The Long Term PowerRatings are one such proven tool.

For those of you unfamiliar with our Long Term PowerRatings here is a brief overview. High rated stocks have proven to outperform their low rated brethren by a statistically relevant factor. In fact, 9 rated stocks have been proven, via significant testing, to possess a 79.1% chance of being higher one year later. Those with a 10 rating have proven to have an 81% chance of closing higher one year later. On the other hand, those with a low rating have shown to be simply too volatile, thus risky for the prudent long term investor. These low rated stocks can and do experience extreme price moves that potentially can work for or against you, however the fact remains that this type of volatility is simply too risky for conservative long term investment.

Let's take a closer look at a sampling of the Long Term PowerRating communities most requested stocks.

BP Plc (BP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - This oil and gas giant is the second most requested PowerRated stock on the screener. It has earned a 5 Long Term PowerRating. The company reported a huge loss of $3.3 billion dollars in their fiscal fourth quarter due to tumbling oil prices. In addition, currency conversion issues and Russian tax problems furthered weighed the company down. Despite the negative results, they still maintain a strong dividend yield and have been very steady technically. Price is channeling between $38.00 and $40.00/share, hugging the 50-day SMA currently at 39.54.

Bank of America (BAC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - A crucial money center institution is the number one most requested stock on the screener today. It is a highly volatile and uncertain issue being awarded the lowest possible Long Term PowerRating of 1. Despite a positive earnings report, the bank has rekindled confusion due to fears of it being crushed by bad debt. However, an erratic uptrend is showing on the chart with price being above the 50-day SMA.

International Business Machine (IBM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) - This giant technology company earned a spot on the most requested list with a 4 Long Term PowerRating. The company announced decent 1st quarter results with Earnings up 4%, Gross Profit Margin up 1.9 points and 16 service deals of over $100 million each. However, Net Income and Revenue were down in the quarter due to currency conversion and slowing worldwide economic growth. Shares have been in a nice uptrend since March 9th, recently breaking above the 200-day SMA located at 98.59. Resistance may have been found at the $102.55 range, time will tell.

Learn what you need to know as an active investor looking to invest in companies with a history of financial strength and a track record for growth. Click the link above or call us at 888-484-8220 extension 1 to get your copy of the "5 Secrets to Successful Stock Investing" today!

David Goodboy is Vice President of Business Development for a New York City based multi-strategy fund.