Each of the stocks highlighted today have a ticker symbol and company name that begin with an “A”. No, I am not trying to toss a gimmick into my research; rather, I noticed that some of the best looking stocks showing up on my screens happen to start with an “A” (so I decided to have a little fun with the title).

AFAM – $45.10, Almost Family
The stock has a top relative strength rating and has been making new highs while the majority of all stocks collapsed over the past two months. The next test will be a new 52-week high on above average volume (further follow-through).

AVAV – $34.28, AeroVironment Inc.
The trending stock is about to challenge a new all-time high on above average volume. The ideal buy is closer to the 200-d m.a,, a place I first highlighted the young IPO as a “stock of interest” last June.

AIPC – $23.80, American Italian Pasta Co.
I highlighted the company last week in Strong Stock Charts at $15.95 per share, a 49% gain in one week.

APEI – $40.00, American Public Education
The stock displayed huge negative volume last week (on the weekly chart) but a closer look shows that the majority of this volume is coming while the buyers and sellers battle along the 200-d m.a. This stock first caught my eye last month in a post titled Three Stocks to Watch

AWK – $20.41, American Water Works Co., Inc.
The stock is trending higher on slightly larger volume and has held up well considering the carnage across the market. I prefer to see less daily volatility before it is to become a buy candidate on my watch list.

ATHN – $33.40, Athenahealth Inc.
The stock recovered the 200-d moving average for the first time in five months and is starting to gain momentum on higher volume.

Of the stocks listed Monday (Strong Stock Charts), The Ensign Group (ENSG) and TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS) have the strongest increases in institutional sponsorship from last reporting period to the most recent reporting period.

ENSG has witnessed a 26% surge in shares being held this period versus last period and a 303% increase in the value of shares bought versus the value of shares sold. TSYS shows a 24% surge in shares being held this period versus last period and an 81% increase in the value of shares bought versus the value of shares sold.

I know these aren’t the most exciting stocks when researching net income, revenues and cash flow but technically speaking, they have promise. Concentrate on the “up-days” versus “down-days” on the daily charts (up volume versus down volume) and take a look at the institutional numbers in greater detail:

ENSG – The Ensign Group, Inc.
Institutional Analysis:
Total Held by Institutions: 119
Money Market: 51
Mutual Fund: 64
Other: 4

New Positions: 39
Positions Sold: 4
Shares Held: 6.19M
Shares Held Previous Period: 4.91M +26%

Shares Bought: 1.69M
Shares Sold: 0.4M
Value of Shares Bought: $24.4M +303%
Value of Shares Sold: $6.1M

TSYS – TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
Institutional Analysis:
Total Held by Institutions: 203
Money Market: 107
Mutual Fund: 91
Other: 5

New Positions: 107
Positions Sold: 18
Shares Held: 30.5M
Shares Held Previous Period: 24.7M +24%

Shares Bought: 13.0M
Shares Sold: 7.2M
Value of Shares Bought: $100.4M +81%
Value of Shares Sold: $55.4M