December E-mini S&Ps (ESZ14 +0.04%) this morning are down -0.05% ahead of the minutes of the Oct 28-29 FOMC meeting, while European stocks are up +0.24% at a 1-1/2 week high as health-care stocks gained on speculation of increased M&A activity.

The average mid cap score is 58.92 this week, above the four week moving average score of 56.99.

The average mid cap score is 52.91, below the four week moving average score of 55.99. The average mid cap stock is trading -21.73% below its 52 week high, -7.24% below its 200 dma, has 7.95 days to cover held short, and is expected to post EPS growth of 18.6% next year.

Not all earnings surprises are created equal.

There are 5 stocks that are swimming against the tide.

NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP) received encouraging news when the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the FDA recommended the approval of the company’s hormone replacement therapy Natpara (rhPTH [1-84]).