Aspen Technology (AZPN)

Company. Aspen Technology is "a leading supplier of software and services to the process industries." (company website)

Buy. Aspen Technology reached a 52-week low of $1.75 in November 2002, climbed to $3.70 in January, then dropped back down to $2.11 in March. Aspen broke the $5 barrier in June and July, but then fell back to $2.27 in August. AZPN once again broke $5 in October.

I bought after AZPN made another jump up to $6 and the ADX trend line was rising, indicating a strong trend.

Sell. Last week AZPN suddenly jumped near $8. In view of its rather volatile history, I decided to hedge my bets and put in an order to sell half my shares, if the price should rise to $8.25. At that price, my profit would be more than $2 per share.

This morning AZPN made another strong surge upward and the order executed.

Now (1½ hours after the market opened) AZPN is trading near $9. Go, AZPN, go!