Stocks appear to be taking a breather after yesterdays aggressive gains. Home prices fell in 20 cities, but the decline was less then expected lifting stock futures right before the opening bell. It's a tough call on what the day holds.

Regardless of conditions, short term stock traders need proven tools to help them find companies most likely to outperform over the next 5 days. Our Short Term PowerRatings are one such tested and proven tool. Extensive statistically valid research into the inner nature of stock prices, since 1995, has proven that those stocks earning a 10 rating outperform others in the short term by a 14.7 to 1 margin.

Does this mean that every 10 rated stock will be a winner? Of course not, but it does clearly indicate that the odds are in your favor for out performance with top rated stocks. Our Short Term PowerRating screener kicked out some interesting 10 ranked names for this week. Here are the 5 top rated stocks for short term gains today:

Verso Paper Corp (NYSE:VRS - News)

Superior Well Services (NasdaqGS:SWSI - News)

Gilbraltar Industries (NasdaqGS:ROCK - News)

Lattice Semiconductor (NasdaqGM:LSCC - News)

Energy XXI (NasdaqCM:EXXI - News)

Learn more strategies for trading stocks in the short term with a free trial to our PowerRatings! The highest rated stocks have outperformed the average stock by a margin of more than 14 to 1 after five days! Click here to launch your free PowerRatings trial today!

For more trading strategies, go to TradingMarkets.com/reports.