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Oct 22, 2018
Shipping Stocks Feels Tailwinds of Trade War

Shipping Stocks Feels Tailwinds of Trade War

The latest move in the ongoing trade war between U.S. and China saw the Trump administration announce that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the Universal Postal Union, a 144-year-old-treaty among 192 nations that helps set international postage rates.

The trading community considered this move as a bullish decision for international shipping rates. The result? Shipping stocks soared high on Monday and also helped garner a heavy dose of investor’s interest in overseas shipping stocks.

Top Ships Inc. (TOPS, $1.97) was the most notable runner amongst all the shipping stocks, as it recorded a +56% gain. Diana Containerships Inc (DCIX, $1.57), Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. (SINO, $1.26) and Globus Maritime Ltd (GLBS, $6.05) were some of the other top gainers, rising by +23.9%, +17.6% and +13.5%, respectively.

With a remarkable run at the onset of the week, traders are waiting to see if the surge in shipping stocks has the legs to carry forward or if the buying binge is just temporary. It's worth keeping an eye on. 

Related Ticker: TOPS

TOPS in +0.72% Uptrend, advancing for three consecutive days on September 02, 2026

Moving higher for three straight days is viewed as a bullish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future growth. Considering data from situations where TOPS advanced for three days, in 153 of 206 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.

Price Prediction Chart

Technical Analysis (Indicators)

Bullish Trend Analysis

The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 13 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.

Bearish Trend Analysis

The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on August 27, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on TOPS as a result. In 83 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 90%.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for TOPS turned negative on August 28, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 44 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 37 of the 44 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 84%.

TOPS moved below its 50-day moving average on August 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.

The 10-day moving average for TOPS crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 04, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 8 of 9 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 89%.

Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where TOPS declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 88%.

TOPS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on August 13, 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.

Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)

The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 48 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued 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 (0.045) is normal, around the industry mean (185.987). P/E Ratio (1.076) is within average values for comparable stocks, (25.407). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.000) is also within normal values, averaging (3.876). TOPS has a moderately low Dividend Yield (0.000) as compared to the industry average of (0.051). P/S Ratio (0.041) is also within normal values, averaging (4.782).

The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.

The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. TOPS’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.

The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 95 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable 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 99 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average 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 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. TOPS’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 40, placing this stock worse than average.

Notable companies

The most notable companies in this group are Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE:EPD), Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET), Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI), Targa Resources Corp (NYSE:TRGP), Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG), Plains All American Pipeline LP (NASDAQ:PAA), Antero Midstream Corp (NYSE:AM), CMB.TECH NV (NYSE:CMBT), Plains GP Holdings LP (NASDAQ:PAGP), Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG).

Industry description

Oil & Gas Pipelines industry includes companies that transport natural gas and crude oil through pipelines. These companies also collect and market the fuels. The pipeline segment could be considered as a midstream operation – functioning as a link between the upstream and downstream operations in the oil and gas industry. Some of the largest U.S. pipeline players include Enterprise Products Partners L.P, TC Energy Corporation and Energy Transfer, L.P.

Market Cap

The average market capitalization across the Oil & Gas Pipelines Industry is 17.17B. The market cap for tickers in the group ranges from 7.66K to 104.55B. ENB holds the highest valuation in this group at 104.55B. The lowest valued company is AVACF at 7.66K.

High and low price notable news

The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the Oil & Gas Pipelines Industry was 84%. For the same Industry, the average monthly price growth was 75%, and the average quarterly price growth was 41%. NFE experienced the highest price growth at 5,910%, while BANL experienced the biggest fall at -30%.

Volume

The average weekly volume growth across all stocks in the Oil & Gas Pipelines Industry was 51%. For the same stocks of the Industry, the average monthly volume growth was 49% and the average quarterly volume growth was -15%

Fundamental Analysis Ratings

The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows

Valuation Rating: 24
P/E Growth Rating: 52
Price Growth Rating: 45
SMR Rating: 54
Profit Risk Rating: 39
Seasonality Score: 9 (-100 ... +100)
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published General Information

General Information

a ship-owning company

Industry OilGasPipelines

Profile
Details
Industry
Marine Shipping
Address
20 Iouliou Kaisara Street
Phone
+30 2108128107
Employees
86
Web
https://www.topships.org
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