Loose Ends While we'd love to explore the slight advance of index futures this morning, we're overdue for updates for our most recent trading ideas. So, we'll look at the broad market another time. For now, let's revisit GigaMedia Limited, Alphatec Holdings, Biodel, and a few others just to make sure we're on the same page, beginning with GigaMedia (GIGM). It's our freshest trading idea, issued only last Wednesday (the 20th) after the breakout effort from late March had been revived. Of course, the bullish effort stalled that very same day (figures), and the stock was stuck near $1.44 for the next three sessions. Everything changed for the better yesterday, however, as that bigger uptrend was renewed and GigaMedia shares marched on to higher highs. GIGM looks as compelling now as it did then, perhaps even more now that it's notched a higher high. If you aren't already in, this is one where being a little late to the party isn't really a problem. Some if you may choose to wait until the stock clears the 200-day moving average line as well as a key resistance level, both at $1.62. That's not entirely necessary, in our view, but understandable. Just don't tarry when and if it happens, as odds are good a lot of other traders are ready to make the same move. Our next newest trade was/is Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (ATEC) - an alert we posted back on Wednesday, April 6th when it was trading at $2.96. Since then the stock's made its way up to $3.10, reaping us about a 4.7% gain. Though the intended timeframe with these trading ideas is a short-term hold, this is one that may have kept most of you in the position at least through now. We hope it has anyway, and even if it hasn't, you may want to consider a re-entry based on the way Alphatec has set up a base above the key resistance level at $2.88. It almost looks as if ATEC is testing the waters for another breakout move past $3.12, where it's made highs since the initial surge on the 6th. Indeed, with the upper boundary of the bearish August gap still at $4.35, coupled with the fact that this small cap had been trading as high as $7.00 about a year ago, there's still a solid bullish case here.... and a justifiable longer-term holding as long as it's making good progress. What about AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AVNR), Amarin Corporation plc (AMRN), Biodel Inc. (BIOD), and AXT, Inc. (AXTI)? You can finish our follow-up thoughts on recent trades here.   Important Updates From the Community Ten out of ten breakouts that don't have this are ultimately doomed for failure. Good thing GigaMedia Limited, WebMediaBrands, and CDC Corporation have it. For far too freakin' long now, gold (the commodity) has been going higher just 'cause it's going higher. Worse, it's been dragging a lot of gold stocks with it whether they deserved it or now. At some point though, gold (the commodity) has to justify its price, as do gold stocks. When and if they can't, guess what happens? Here's the really ridiculous part about the whole thing though - the hefty size of the extreme runup recently may not matter yet. Crazy moves foster even crazier moves. Dennis' has the scoop on four gold plays, and how they fit into the bigger, crazy gold picture. And yeah, silver's in the same boat. Despite a 10% drubbing yesterday, odds are good that frenzied investors are gonna' get right back on this other metal horse. Ben Axler slices and dices his favorite silver play. Ok - I'll get off the soapbox now. I'm just sayin' it's a herd mentality at this point. I'll make a deal with you.... I'll acknowledge there's more to life than charts if you acknowledge there's more to life than fundamentals. Now, look at these charts and tell me if they jive with the fundies. [And on a side note, if it's true that a chart's history can't predict it's future, then how can a company's earnings history predict its future any better? Earnings are no more and no less consistent than charts are... assuming there are any earnings to review.] Alright - sorry. I'll get off my soapbox again. If you really, really think the market as well as the economy is headed to hell in a handbasket, here's a strategy. On the other hand, if it's rampant inflation that's going to cause it, then maybe this whole food/grocery idea sucks. By and large though, these companies have figured out how to keep costs and growth in the right balance.   We Value Your Feedback Got comments, questions or suggestions? We want to hear from you. Send us your feedback. 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