Orthodontic Centers of America

OCA

Company. "OCA is the world's leading provider of integrated business services to orthodontic and pediatric dental practices. The company develops orthodontic and pediatric dental centers and supports the business operations and marketing aspects of its affiliated practices, thereby allowing affiliated orthodontists and pediatric dentists to focus on delivering quality patient care." (company website)

Buy. Since reporting earnings last week, OCA has been jumping higher on big volumes, continuing an uptrend that began after OCA bottomed for the year at the end of October. This is happening despite the company reporting a loss compared to a profit for the previous year. I guess investors foresee a burgeoning market for braces in the coming year.

Sell. After such a big run-up yesterday, I would have been surprised if it did not pull back some today. Sure enough, it opened a bit higher and then began to drift lower. I decided to take modest profits while they were still available.