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Dollar Tree (DLTR)


By Michael Cintolo, Vice President of Investments and Editor of Cabot Market Letter and Cabot Top Ten Report
From Cabot Wealth Advisory, 10/2/08 Sign up for free Cabot Wealth Advisory e-newsletter

This company is a slow, steady grower that's been acting superbly in recent weeks...and it's sitting at a great entry point.

It's Dollar Tree (DLTR), the discount retailer, which sells a variety of common goods (beauty care, home goods, etc.) for a buck. Here's what I wrote about the company in Cabot Top Ten Report back on December 1:

"Discount retail remains in favor and Dollar Tree is one of the leaders in the group, making its second appearance in Cabot Top Ten Report in the past month. The company operates 3,500 deep-discount stores across the country, selling a bunch of basic consumables (beauty products, candy, decorations, toys and so on) for about a buck each. The overall story might not be sexy, but it's simple: Consumers, even those with money to spare, are cutting back, with many going to discount locations to pick up necessary items. Dollar Tree's earnings report last week confirms that trend--revenues rose a solid 12%, while earnings advanced 24%, ahead of estimates and miles ahead of its general retail peers. That pushed the stock toward new-high ground, and led to estimate hikes across the board. It's not going to be a big winner, but it should do well in this environment."

Since then the stock has crept higher, but generally has remained in a very tight trading range. I like that the stock popped higher on great volume in mid-January after a fellow discount retailer reported a great quarter. Now the stock is prepping for a breakout—I think you could buy half your normal position here, keep a tight stop-loss just under 41, and possibly look to average up on a powerful move above 44. 

Just be aware that earnings are due out February 25, so if you're still holding it at that point, and don't have a profit cushion, you might trim ahead of the report—no use taking a big risk in this environment. For now, the set-up looks terrific, so if you're game, pick up a few shares.

Editor's Note: Michael Cintolo is the editor of Cabot Top Ten Report, which discovers the 10 strongest stocks in the market each week. The Report routinely beats the market by finding strong leaders like these past picks: In 2005, Hansen Natural gained a whopping 570%. In 2006, NutriSystem was up an amazing 480% in 11 months. In 2007, DryShips was up 510% in 10 months. Even during last year's bear market, Cabot Top Ten Report has found winners in stocks like Cleveland-Cliffs, which doubled in four months, Continental Resources, which rose 160% from its recommendation to its peak, and Walter Industries, which rocketed from 42 in January to 112 in early July. Click the link below to discover the strongest stocks in the market today.

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