NetApp Breaks Out of 2-Year Downward Trend
Some investors prefer to focus on fundamental analysis while others prefer technical analysis. Still others prefer to use a combination of the two analysis styles. This is where Tickeron falls, using both analysis styles. In our opinion, technical factors tend to have a greater influence over the short term while fundamentals are more important over the long run.
Sometimes we see stocks with good fundamentals that enter a downward trend and have a hard time breaking out of it. That is what happened with computer hardware manufacturer NetApp (NTAP). NetApp peaked up near $82 back in September ’18—the prices on the chart below are adjusted for dividend payments. The downward cycle started and over time a trend channel formed that defined the different cycles within the overall downward trend. The stock would eventually hit a low of $33.50 back in March.
The rally off of the March low has moved NetApp back above $60 and it appears that the most recent pop has moved the stock out of the downwardly sloped channel it was caught in for two years.
I have written about NetApp several times over the last few years and I can tell you that the fundamental indicators have been good during this whole time—even as the stock was trending lower. From an article I wrote in November ’18, I can tell you that the company was averaging EPS growth of 21% per year and was expected to see earnings grow by 24% in fiscal 2019.
NetApp’s profitability measurements at the time were impressive. The return on equity was 40.6% and the profit margin was at 19.6%. The operating margin was at 17.15% back then and that was above average compared to other companies.
Flash forward to the current readings and we see that the ROE is at 141.7%, the profit margin is at 20.9%, and the operating margin is 16.6%. These are all still at very impressive levels and instead of a P/E ratio up at 94 like it was in 2018, the P/E ratio is under 20 now.
The decline in the stock caused the sentiment to shift from a slightly bearish position to an extremely bearish position over the last two years. From the article in 2018 I can tell you that there were 29 analysts following the stock with 14 “buy” ratings, 13 “hold” ratings, and two “sell” ratings. At this time there are 27 analysts covering the stock with eight “buy” ratings, 17 “hold” ratings, and two “sell” ratings. The buy percentage dropped from 48.3% to 29.6%.
Short sellers have also increased their bearish posture. In November ’18 the short interest ratio was 3.89 and now it is 8.4. The average short interest ratio falls in the 3.0 range, so the reading from two years ago was slightly higher than average and the current reading is tremendously higher than average.
In addition to the factors listed above, TIckeron's AI platform found additional bullish signals for the stock.
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Harry Richardson — Algorithmic Trader & Strategy Developer Harry is an algorithmic trader specializing in impulse and breakout trading strategies across cryptocurrency and equity markets. With more than 10 years of experience in developing automated trading systems, he focuses on building structured algorithms designed to capture momentum while maintaining strict risk control. His approach combines quantitative analysis, real-market execution, and continuous performance monitoring. Vitalii prioritizes risk management, drawdown control, and strategy stability over short-term optimization, ensuring algorithms are adaptable to changing market conditions. He has developed and tested hundreds of automated strategies, working extensively with live trading environments, forward testing, and portfolio-level algorithm management. His work centers on transforming trading ideas into fully operational, scalable automated systems.
NTAP sees MACD Histogram crosses below signal line
NTAP saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on August 20, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 instances where the indicator turned negative. In of the 47 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for NTAP moved out of overbought territory on August 19, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In of the 47 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at .
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on August 24, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on NTAP as a result. In of 85 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where NTAP declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
NTAP broke above its upper Bollinger Band on August 03, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 7 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where NTAP advanced for three days, in of 314 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 289 cases where NTAP Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. NTAP’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 91, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (26.596) is normal, around the industry mean (22.477). P/E Ratio (28.844) is within average values for comparable stocks, (121.995). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.060) is also within normal values, averaging (2.051). Dividend Yield (0.011) settles around the average of (0.019) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.316) is also within normal values, averaging (109.588).
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Provides data management and storage solutions
Industry ComputerCommunications
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