The market is hot! Everything seems to be moving. After almost four years of a pretty non-volatile market, the recent volatility in the market has taken the interest of all traders. In a more volatile market one has to remember that a looser stop is absolutely necessary to avoid being shaken out of positions. While the risk is greater, in a volatile market return potential increases as well.

Several of my recent ideas remain around the opening price while others have been doing very well. However, I have to attribute some of these quick gains to general optimism from the market today. Because I have been very bullish on a variety of momentum names, these shoot up quickly on days like Wednesday. But it's a double-sided sword -- when the market gets hit, these things get hit harder. I believe that if proper risk controls are in place, most importantly a stop-loss, then trading these names is a much more lucrative game than gaming normal stocks.

Most of my ideas these days are technically-oriented and there's a pretty simple explanation for this: the market isn't cheap enough to turn up tons of value investments -- my primary fundamental-based investments. While I've managed turn to up a couple value ideas, most notably Earthlink (NASDAQ: ELNK) here, I've also managed to turn up several growth-based fundamental ideas such as American Science & Engineering (NASDAQ: ASEI) (which reported great earnings the other day) here.

Dealing with government agencies can sometimes be difficult, but there is a firm in Olathe, Kansas, that understands the process and moves you right to the head of the virtual line.

NIC Inc. (NASDAQ:EGOV) helps government agencies establish and maintain internet sites. It enters into long-term contracts with clients to design, build, and operate Web-based portals on their behalf. These portals enable businesses and citizens to access government information online and complete a variety of transactions, including license renewals, permit applications, record retrieval and form filing. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for some 2,200 state and local agencies that serve more than 60 million people across the United States.

The company pleased the Street last week, when it announced Q4 EPS of three cents and revenues of $18.8 million. Analysts had been looking for three cents and $17.2 million. Management also guided FY07 revenues to $80.0-$81.5 million, versus consensus of $77.29 million. The CFO remarked that 2007 portal margins should fall in the 45-47 percent range, as the firm continues to reinvest in the business. The news popped EGOV shares past 200-day moving average resistance into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside. Note that the 200-day curve is now supporting the price.

Brokers recommend the issue with three "buys" and one "hold". Analysts see a 50 percent growth rate, through the next year. The EGOV Price to Book ratio (3.45), Price to Free Cash Flow ratio (14.95), Operating Margin (22.62%) and Net Profit Margin (15.05%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 45 percent of the outstanding EGOV shares. Over the past fifty-two weeks, the stock has traded between $4.44 and $7.52. A stop-loss of $4.90 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.