The markets were up, getting a strong start to the week. Technicals were solid, and volume was pretty much close to average.

Pre-market futures signaled a strong start. Economic news didn’t deter prices when they came out, and the market backed and filled in the morning after a gap opening. They then moved higher mid-morning, getting to the highs of the session at around 11:30. They pulled back into the lunch hour and shortly thereafter, but snapped back in the last couple hours, although in a slower, more tedious manner, but did manage to close near the upper end of the range.

The Dow closed over 12,700 at 12,720, up 108. The S&P 500 was up 15.62, and the Nasdaq 100 up 17.11. Even the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOXX) was up 1.56 today.

Technicals were nearly 24 to 9 positive on New York on advance-declines, and about 22 to 9 on Nasdaq. Up/down volume was more than 4 to 1 positive on New York with more than 1.5 billion traded. Nasdaq traded more than 1.8 billion, with a more than 2 ½ to 1 positive ratio on up/down volume.

TheTechTrader.com board was mostly higher, led today by the solar energy group. JA Solar (JASO) at 28.20 was up 4 on 7 million. Solar Fun Power (SOLF) at 17.68 was up 4.64 on 5 million. Canadian Solar (CSIQ) was up 2.66 on 1.5 million.

Jones Soda (JSDA), which we mentioned favorably last week, has gone up more than 10 points from its low on Wednesday, and closed at 31.54, up 3.32 on 9.4 million.

Other stocks of note, Global Solutions (GSOL) was up 1.52, closing at about 18 ½, the highest level in a couple months. Portfolio position Research Frontiers (REFR) closed at a new 3-year high at 12.58, up 84 cents with a late surge. Rochester Medical (ROCM) was up 78 cents, and former Chart of the Week and portfolio position Radio Shack (RSH) tagged another new multi-year high, up 81 cents to 28.57 on nearly 4 million. Sigma Designs (SIGM) had a terrific day, gapping up and closing up 1.31 on more than 1 million shares.

On the downside, Dendreon (DNDN) continued getting hammered, down another 1.53, closing at 15.72 on 27 ½ million shares. Other than that, all other stocks that were down on our board were down just small fractions.

Stepping back and reviewing the hourly chart patterns, the indices continued to work their way higher, and now are in a position to challenge the highs for the year on the Nasdaq 100, about 18 points away from that, although they are at new highs for the year on the S&P 500 and Dow.

So, a solid start for the week and augurs well for higher prices. However, options expiration occurs on Friday, and we may have some mid-week volatility.

Harry Boxer is a technical consultant to many Wall Street hedge funds and large institutional traders, and author of TheTechTrader.com, a real-time diary of his day, swing and intermediate-term trades. For more of Harry Boxer, sign up for a free 15-day trial to his Real-Time Technical Trading Diary, or sign up for a free 30-day trial to his Top Charts of the Week service.