The US stock market opened strongly this morning, bouncing back after a sharp two-day pullback last week. MoneyShow's Tom Aspray's analysis suggests large-cap stocks may lead the next rally phase and he has two favorite Dow stocks. 

The stock market put in a strong performance Friday with almost 3,000 advancing stocks vs. less than 1,000 declining stocks. The sharp rebound from last Thursday's early slide makes the second scenario I outlined last week now look more likely.

The Dow Industrials picked up strength last week as it did close higher for the week unlike the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100. The weekly relative performance analysis has indicated that since early in 2012 the SPDR Diamond Trust (DIA) has been underperforming the S&P 500.

Since the start of 2012 the Spyder Trust (SPY) is up 21% versus just a 14.7% gain for the SPDR Diamond Trust (DIA). There are now some early signs that this may be changing. Another strong close Monday should signal a rally above last week's highs similar to what happened in March 2012.

The German DAX Index is very strong early Monday and looks ready to complete its corrective pattern as it continues to lead the US market higher. The stock index futures are also showing nice gains in early trading.

Two stocks look ready to help lead the Dow Industrials higher as they have strong weekly technical patterns.

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Chart Analysis: The weekly chart of the SPDR Diamond Trust (DIA) shows that it dropped to its lowest level of the month last Thursday at $138.06.

  • Friday's nice gain appears to have reversed the downside momentum as the Dow Industrials A/D line (see chart) moved back above its WMA.
  • The weekly chart shows that resistance from the 2012 highs, line a, is still being tested.
  • A close above $140.40 should signal a surge to the upside with monthly pivot resistance at $141.71.
  • The quarterly R2 pivot level is at $143.56 with the weekly starc+ band at $144.57.
  • The weekly relative performance has been in a downtrend since early 2012 but the RS line closed last week above its WMA.
  • The downtrend, line b, is being tested and the RS line has formed higher lows, line c.
  • The weekly OBV turned up last week and a move through key resistance at line d, would be quite positive.
  • There is initial support now in the $138-$138.70 area with monthly pivot support now at $137.12.

The weekly chart of International Business Machines (IBM) shows a broad trading range, lines e and f, that goes back to early 2012.

  • IBM hit the weekly starc+ band in late January when it reached a high of $208.54.
  • On a close above this level the 127.2% Fibonacci target is at $218.
  • A weekly close above the all-time high at $211.79 has upside targets in the $238-$242 area.
  • The weekly relative performance peaked in late 2011 and still shows a pattern of lower highs, line g.
  • The RS line is trying to bottom, line h, but needs to move above its WMA its previous peak to confirm a bottom.
  • The weekly OBV shows a much more bullish formation as it broke through resistance, line i, in the middle of January.
  • The OBV has now retested the breakout level and will look very strong with another higher close this week.
  • There is initial support now at $200 to $198.11. IBM gapped above the quarterly pivot at $197.64 to start off the year and this now is important support.

NEXT PAGE: A Tasty Stock

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The weekly chart of McDonald's Corporation (MCD) broke its weekly downtrend, line a, in the middle of last month.

  • The recent high in MCD at $96.23 was very close to the weekly starc+ band, which is now at $99.30.
  • The relative performance is trying to bottom after reaching long-term support at line c.
  • The RS line is now above its WMA but needs a stronger rally to confirm a bottom.
  • The weekly on-balance volume (OBV) confirmed the price breakout as it overcame the resistance at line d.
  • The OBV has retested the breakout level and turned up last week.
  • The daily OBV (not shown) is also above its WMA.
  • There is minor support at $94.50-80 and then at $93.19-$93.28 and the monthly pivot.

What it Means: Hewlett Packard Company (HPQ) gave the Dow an unexpected boost last week but there are quite a few other Dow stocks like IBM and MCD that appear to have completed their corrections.

The strong weekly and monthly OBV analysis supports a bullish outlook. IBM hit the initial buy level from early February and those not long could still buy it. MCD also looks favorable and currently yields 3.20%

How to Profit: For the SPDR Diamond Trust (DIA), go 50% long at $139.56 and 50% long at $138.74, with a stop at $134.91 (risk of 3%). On a move above $142, raise the stop to $137.84.

For International Business Machines (IBM), per the Feb. 4 column, should be 50% long at $198.16 (the 2/21 low was $198.11), add 50% long at $200.44. Use a stop at $194.55.

For McDonald's Corporation (MCD), go 50% long at $94.72 and 50% long at $94.04. Use a stop at $90.44 (risk of 4.1%).