What makes a stable stock?

[Andy_Trade]

What are some characteristics of a stock that is stable and doesn't and won't tend to be too jumpy from one day to the next?

How does market cap, volume ect. play a role in this?

Thanks

 

[hoodooman]

I think ever increasing earnings per share plus a fat dividend would do it. I'ed like to find some right now.

 

[stock_trad3r]

EPCC has virtually no down days

check it out

 

[hoodooman]

EPCC:
Like I said. Ever decreasing earnings

 

[nutmeg]

PRU

 

[hoodooman]

PRU. That's more like it.

 

[gobar]

drug and insurance industry... like MRK, ONXX, SEPR, UNH...

 

[Andy_Trade]

but what are the characteristics? I'm not interested in price direction entirely either, just stability from one day to the next. Not too jumpy.

thanks.

 

[El OchoCinco]

Defensive Income stocks hardly budge over time and pay decent dividends.

Look at major utilities like SO...

 

[Don Bright]

I might disagree about Drug stocks, they are waaay to "Newsy" - one day curing cancer, next day causing cancer, LOL.

Simple checking on Ivolatility.com for low Vol. stocks will certainly be a good way to start. Public Utilities tend to be low vol.

Trading volume and Market Cap can be deceiving since since low volume might mean no interest and a stable price or it might mean wide spreads and wild moves because no one is providing liquidity.

FWIW,

Don