You can call it more positive data or you can call it better expectations than what was out there in recent days. But today can be almost entirely chalked up to Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) beating earnings by so much. Oil inventories and a tame CPI report did not hamper the rally at all, nor did the FOMC minutes hinting at a Fed exit strategy. It looks like 29 of 30 DJIA components were higher at the end of the day.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 8,616.89 +257.40 (3.08%)
S&P 500 932.24 +26.40 (2.91%)
Nasdaq 1,860.90 +61.17 (3.40%)

Top Analyst Calls
Top Tech Analyst Upgrades

Armored vehicle maker Force Protection (NASDAQ: FRPT) has been slammed down to the single digits on fears that its sole product might be on the way out because of cuts in government spending. Who knows? The CEO says the company is doing fine, but the downtrending stock price is much more convincing. If the stock price is meant to make up lost ground, it should have no problem breaking out past $6, which it has not been able to do for the past few months. I'd avoid until the stock shows some strength.

Within the past few days, IDM Pharmacueticals (NASDAQ: IDMI) has had a huge run-up from under $1 to nearly $4 and a substantial drop to just under $2 -- all due to some positive drug news that was already known since November 2007, and of course the CEO's optimism about European approval. Do I believe the CEO? Yeah right! My distrust of CEOs is dwarfed only by my distrust of biotech CEOs! This company is not in the same league as other recently hot biotechs like Savient Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SVNT) and Rigel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RIGL). Avoid, with a short bias on any spikes.

When I wrote this article about A-Power Generation Systems (NASDAQ: APWR), all the variables were aligned for a great run-up. I wanted to hold, but the volume and share price didn't live up to my expectations, so I sold quickly. Now, this company, potentially the new First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) of wind energy, has nearly retraced to its original breakout area around $15, so the risk has gone down ... but so has the reward. If you're a long-term investor, this is a solid choice, but I need it to break its previous highs at $19 to make me a buyer again. Avoid, with a long bias if it breaks out.