Overview
The market presented 80 continuation breakout signals on February 16, 2026, offering traders a diverse selection of technical setups across multiple sectors. Today’s scan quality is above average, featuring several stocks testing new 52-week highs with strong institutional backing and well-defined supply/demand zones.
The standout characteristic of today’s candidates is the concentration of aerospace, semiconductor, and cybersecurity plays, all showing momentum with relative volume confirmation. However, traders should note that several top candidates are positioned at supply zones, requiring precise entries and disciplined stop placement.
Top 5 Picks
ATI ($143.93) — Aerospace/Defense
Technical Setup: ATI presents the strongest continuation setup of the day, trading just 0.4% below its 52-week high after a powerful 104.4% run from the yearly low. The stock is up 3.0% today with above-average relative volume (1.1x) and sits in the “between” zone context—ideal for continuation momentum. With demand firmly established at $137.00 (strength 7.0) and no immediate supply overhead, ATI has clear blue sky ahead. The 6.1% monthly ATR indicates healthy volatility for swing trades.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Zone | $143.50 – $144.50 |
| Stop Loss | $136.40 |
| Target 1 | $152.00 |
| Target 2 | $160.00 |
Institutional Backing: 749 institutional funds provide strong support, indicating smart money confidence in this aerospace play.
CIEN ($303.92) — Telecom-Fiber Optics
Technical Setup: CIEN has delivered an extraordinary 260.1% rally from its 52-week low and continues to show strength. Trading just 1.6% below its yearly high, the stock gained 3.7% today while positioned in the “between” zone with no immediate supply resistance overhead. The demand zone at $261.31-$271.62 carries impressive strength (7.9), providing a safety net for pullbacks. The 3.8% monthly ATR and 8.2% average daily range offer excellent swing trading potential.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Zone | $302.00 – $305.00 |
| Stop Loss | $290.00 |
| Target 1 | $320.00 |
| Target 2 | $340.00 |
Institutional Backing: With 1,303 institutional holders (INST classification, B2 bucket), CIEN enjoys substantial institutional support, reducing downside risk.
CRWD ($429.64) — Computer Software-Security
Technical Setup: CrowdStrike is testing supply resistance at $436.74-$439.69 after a strong 4.4% advance on 1.1x relative volume. While positioned “at_supply,” the stock has proven demand support at $402.83 (strength 5.6) just 5% below current levels. The massive institutional following and 4.3% average daily range make this a liquid, tradable setup. The key is waiting for a break above $439.69 to confirm continuation or taking a bounce play off the demand zone on any pullback.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Zone | $440.00 – $442.00 (breakout) |
| Stop Loss | $425.00 |
| Target 1 | $455.00 |
| Target 2 | $475.00 |
Institutional Backing: An exceptional 2,946 institutional funds own CRWD, representing one of the most widely held cybersecurity plays in the market.
ARM ($125.28) — Electronic-Semiconductor Fabless
Technical Setup: ARM is positioned perfectly “at_demand” with the $123.71-$124.61 zone just 0.53% below current price. The stock advanced 2.5% today and sits 25.3% above its 52-week low with room to run toward the $129.74-$130.37 supply zone (3.56% upside). The 5.7% average daily range provides excellent profit potential, though the lower relative volume (0.5x) suggests waiting for confirmation of increased buying interest.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Zone | $124.50 – $126.00 |
| Stop Loss | $123.00 |
| Target 1 | $130.00 |
| Target 2 | $135.00 |
Institutional Backing: 742 institutional funds provide solid support for this chip designer.
CASH ($92.45) — Finance-Savings & Loan
Technical Setup: CASH surged 4.7% today and is positioned “at_demand” with daily support at $89.86-$91.08 (strength 6.6) just 1.48% below current levels. Supply resistance at $93.73-$94.42 is within striking distance (1.38% away), creating a tight risk/reward setup. The 4.0% average daily range and strong demand base make this an attractive short-term continuation candidate in the financial sector.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Zone | $92.00 – $93.00 |
| Stop Loss | $89.50 |
| Target 1 | $95.00 |
| Target 2 | $98.00 |
Institutional Backing: 442 institutional funds hold positions, providing credibility to this regional financial play.
Honorable Mentions
- AGCO ($140.49) — Agricultural machinery play at supply resistance; 808 institutional funds but needs breakout confirmation above $144.63
- ATR ($142.58) — Containers/packaging sector trading near 52-week high; positioned between zones with clean chart structure
- AZZ ($140.24) — Electrical equipment manufacturer 0.7% from 52-week high; 541 institutional funds backing the continuation
- BETR ($31.36) — Finance/mortgage services up 7.5% but at supply; small institutional base (96 funds) increases risk
- CCSI ($29.61) — Enterprise software making new 52-week highs (+9.7%); strong momentum but needs consolidation
Strategy Summary
Today’s continuation breakout scan delivers high-quality setups concentrated in aerospace (ATI), telecommunications infrastructure (CIEN), cybersecurity (CRWD), and semiconductors (ARM). The standout feature is the number of stocks trading within 2% of 52-week highs while maintaining strong institutional support.
Key sectors represented: Technology and industrial sectors dominate, with particular strength in defense, chip manufacturing, and enterprise software—all benefiting from current macroeconomic trends.
Risk/reward assessment: ATI and CIEN offer the cleanest risk/reward profiles with clear demand support and no immediate overhead supply. CRWD requires more patience for supply breakout confirmation. Position sizing should account for the varying ATR percentages, with ATI and CIEN showing more manageable volatility profiles for conservative traders. Overall, today’s setups favor continuation strategies with 5-7% profit targets and tight stops below recent demand zones.