shares of CKE Restaurants (CKR) soared more than 27% on explosive volume on report that private-equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners has agreed to take the restaurant private for about $619 million. In fact, you could be sitting on over 30% gains right now if you’ve bought the stock immediately followed our January 29, 2010 “Swing Trader Bulletin” bullish signal.

Ariba Inc (ARBA) broke out to fresh high for the year. Initially profiled in our September 4 “Swing Trader Bulletin“, the long setup had gained more than 15% less than 2 weeks and remained well positioned.

Tech Data Corp (TECD) broke out to new multi-year high today. Initially profiled in our July 14 evening “Swing Trader Bulletin”, the long setup had gained more than 33% less than 2 months and remained well positioned.

Stocks traded marginally lower as the sluggish afternoon session continues. Despite the overall weakness, shares of Vical Inc (VICL) - a potential buy candidate featured in our August 11 “Swing Trader Bulletin” - jumped more than 3.3% to $4.07. The long position is holding an unrealized gains of more than 15% so far.

Stocks pulls back Friday after a surprise slide in consumer sentiment. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 150 points, or 1.6%, with about two hours left in the session. The decline looks and feels terrible but it didn’t surprise us at all because, as a matter of fact, our “U.S. Market ETF Trading Map” had recommended subscribers to lock in profits and went on cash on August 11, 2009.