With multiple 200-point rallies and declines last week, this market is almost impossible to invest in for the long term. Indeed, this is a trader’s market. In fact, on Wednesday alone, the S&P 500 swayed from gains and losses 40-plus times in a single day. The banks, including Bank of America (BAC), Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS), usually are in the middle of all of this.

Each week, at Stockpickr.com, we compile our best ideas for stocks that could shoot higher in the coming week in the Rocket Stocks portfolio.

We have some solid picks for this week.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT): Despite falling almost $100 from its 52-week high, shares of Potash represent both a great short-term trading and a long-term buying opportunity for both trades and investors alike. Potash manufactures and sells phosphate fertilizers, animal feed supplements and nitrogen fertilizers and feed products. It also produces 25% of the world's potash, a fertilizer that provides nutrients and disease resistance to various agriculture crops.

Here are a few things traders and investors may want to consider: Since the world population has more than doubled since 1950 and is expected to grow from 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion by 2050, it is only natural that more mouths to feed will increase demand for Potash worldwide. Additionally, as global income rises in Asia and other developing regions, millions of people are switching from starch-based to protein-based diets, thus increasing demand of grain products to feed livestock. Potash recently reported record second-quarter earnings of $2.82 per share, a 250% increase from the second quarter of 2007. Potash prices in the third quarter are trading significantly higher than they were a year earlier, as increased demand and lower input costs fuel profit margins.

International Coal (ICO): West Virginia-based International Coal is a large producer of metallurgic coking coal, which is used as a reducing agent in smelting iron ore and is an essential element in the manufacturing of steel. The company has increased metallurgical production from 100,000 tons in 2006 to 2 million tons in 2008. Forecasts show that by 2010, the company will produce 2.6 million tons.

Year over year, its international pre-metric ton prices have increased substantially. In fact, its largest international consumers such as India, China and Russia are having massive coal shortages, which are forcing sharp increases in imports. With 94% of its 2008 orders committed, these additional orders will definitely boost future revenue. The company is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings after Wednesday's market close. Its shares have lagged the coal sector overall since its initial public offering two years ago, and, with a 15% short position, they could see a nice move up.

Apple (AAPL): Competitor Research In Motion (RIMM) reported extremely weak sales, but we still like Apple. The company has $25 in cash in the banks and zero debt and is poised to capitalize off RIM's weakness. Additionally, Apple is starting to take substantial share in the desktop and notebook computer markets.

For more ideas, including Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), Mosaic (MOS), Family Dollar Stores (FDO), KBR (KBR), State Street (STT), make sure to check out this week's Rocket Stocks portfolio.

To find the snapbacks and potential breakouts on a regular basis, check out these Stockpickr portfolios, which I use in my own research each week:

Always check the Biggest Percentage Losers, a list of stocks that lost big the day before, because they can snap back hard.

When you check this list on Stockpickr, you can see which stocks are owned by the quality hedge funds and mutual funds. Pay attention to those. The funds will be buying at the lower prices and likely supporting the stock.

Ditto for the 52-week-low list. You must check the above two lists every day if you hope to find volatile stocks that can snap back

Biotech Short Squeezes: Dendreon and others can often be found in this category.Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume: These are potential breakout plays.

Stockpickr's System Trades of the Day: These are trades triggering that day in various back-tested trading systems we've developed.

Stocks With Unusual Options Activity: Perhaps someone knows something?

Latest Activist Situations: These are stocks that hedge funds are accumulating shares of and demanding change in. Believe me, these hedge funds piggyback each other. And once they start rocking the boat, things happen quickly. This should be on the must-view list.

One final place to frequent is the Answers section on Stockpickr, where ideas such as those presented in this article are thrown around daily. And you can further discuss your ideas and share opinions in Stockpickr's Member Forums section.

Posted on Sept. 29, 2008