Technician Michael Ashbaugh notes that many investors are showing a "fear of heights" that is increasingly evident on any signs of market weakness. The editor of The Marketwatch Technical Indicator feels these concerns are "understandable" given the market rise in recent months.

Futher, on a near-term basis, he agrees that the U.S. markets are "showing signs of tiring" and technical price action suggests a corrective phase is "more likely than not."

However, he states, "Setting aside the day-to-day price action, the longer-term backdrop remains distinctly bullish. With recent gains, the U.S. markets have staged a valid break to multiyear highs, and randomly calling market tops - or even raising near-term caution flags - has been counterproductive." He continues, "Market weakness will mark an opportunity, not a threat." Meanwhile the advisor is sees the oil service sector as particularly favorable.

He observes, "Several oil & gas equipment stocks remain technically well-positioned." Four issues that he suggests deserve attention are Universal Compression Holdings (NYSE: UCO), Dawson Geophysical (NASDAQ: DWSN), Omni Energy Services (NASDAQ: OMNI) and Bolt Technology (NYSE: BTJ).

He notes, "These companies aren't oil drillers, but instead, provide the equipment or services to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Technically speaking, each has a somewhat different backdrop."

Ashbaugh continues, "However, the one common trait is that each has recently touched multiyear highs on strong volume, while the subsequent consolidation has come on lighter volume. That means the group remains well positioned for further gains."

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Technical gains for oil equipment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.