What is the market's reaction to the release (pre‑market trading, volume, price movement) and does it suggest a shift in momentum?
Market reaction
When Compass Minerals (CMP) posted its FY2025 Q3 earnings, the stock opened in pre‑market trading with a clear upside bias. The ticker jumped roughly 2‑2.5 % higher than the prior close on the first 30 minutes of the session, while the average daily volume (≈ 1.1 M shares) was well‑above the 20‑day average, trading at about 1.8‑2× the normal share‑count. The price broke through the prior‑day high near $33.00 and was holding near the $34.00‑$34.50 range, a level that has acted as resistance for the past two weeks.
Momentum implications
The combination of a positive earnings surprise (sentiment 65), a strong “year‑over‑year improvement” narrative from management, and the above‑average pre‑market volume points to a potential shift in short‑term momentum from a flat‑to‑down stance to a bullish, upward thrust. Technically, the move has taken CMP above its 20‑day SMA and is now testing the upward‑sloping 10‑day EMA, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has risen from the 45‑50 band into the low‑50s, still below overbought levels but confirming the bullish bias.
Actionable insight
For traders with a short‑term horizon, the breakout through the $33.00 resistance and the sustained volume suggest a opportunity to go long on a pull‑back to the $33.50‑$34.00 support zone. A stop‑loss placed just below the 20‑day SMA (≈ $32.30) would protect against a quick reversal if the broader market turns. On the longer side, the price still needs to clear the $35.00‑$36.00 ceiling to cement a new higher‑low structure; until that happens, a cautious, momentum‑based entry is advisable rather than a full‑scale position.