4 IT Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

WINDERMERE, Fla. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

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Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

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With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.

FleetCor Technologies (FLT)

This is an independent global provider of specialized payment products and services to businesses, commercial fleets, oil companies, petroleum marketers and government entities in countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. This stock is trading up 2.6% at $47.29 in recent trading.

Today's Volume: 1.05 million

Average Volume: 407,105

Volume % Change: 384%

Shares of FLT are trending higher today after Citigroup upgraded the stock citing the company's strong third quarter results and forward prospects. The firm raised its price target to $56 from $49.

From a technical perspective, FLT is bouncing higher here right off some near-term support at $47 with above-average volume. This move has started to push FLT into breakout territory, since the stock has challenged some near-term overhead resistance at $47.97. At last check, FLT has hit an intraday high of $49.49 and volume is well above its three-month average action of 407,105 shares.