August 20, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 20, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, CPN, Disney, Earnings, education, Facebook, GLD, Merck, S&P 500, trading, Twitter, VIX

August 20, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 got absolutely destroyed today; despite no real news. Nonetheless, we were down over 2% and the VIX exploding up over 25% and closing at 19.14.

We saw big sell-offs in Facebook -5%, Disney -6%, Twitter -6%, and Merck -4.5%.

Of course, all eyes will be on China this evening for indication of how the U.S. Markets will open up.

One big winner today, was the precious metal gold. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), was up nearly 2%. Proving that during volatile markets, gold is still considered a safe haven. On the other hand, crude oil futures hit a multi-year low, down over 55% in 12 months.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Calpine Corp (CPN). We also saw bearish option activity in Splunk, Inc.

Tomorrow is August options expiration.

Here’s what else is going on:

Key Earnings:
21 August 2015- DE, FL

August 18, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 18, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, DFS, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, IDTI, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

August 18, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day mildly lower; despite a sell-off in China last nite. Interestingly, some commodities like crude oil actually were up. Generally, weakness out of China has a negative effect on commodities. However, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 1%.

The VIX was actually up a decent amount given the lackluster day; it was up nearly 6%, closing at 13.71.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Discover Financial Services (DFS). We also saw bearish option activity in Integrated Device Technology Inc (IDTI).

Tomorrow could see better action, we’ve got earnings from Staples, Target, and Lowes to name a few. In addition, the FOMC will be releasing their minutes.

Here’s what else is going on:

Key Economic Data:
19 August 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
20 August 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 10 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 August 2015- TGT, LOW, SPLS, NTAP
20 August 2015- BRCD, CRM, GPS, HPQ, MSG, INTU, MRVL, ROST, TUES
21 August 2015- DE, FL

August 16, 2015 The Week Ahead

August 16, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, risk, S&P 500, trading, VIX

August 16, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended Friday’s action on the plus side. However, there was a fair share of volatility, as we saw a 50 point range between highs and lows in the S&P 500 this week.

In respect to risk, market participants will be watching any further developments out of China. Their decision to devalue the Yuan caused the markets here to sell off. This in turn, saw the prices of many commodities tumble.

Despite all this volatility, the VIX is back below 13, closing at 12.83.

We’ve got earnings out of Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, Deere, and Hewlett-Packard to name a few. In addition, we’ll be receiving the FOMC minutes.

August 13, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 13, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HIG, S&P 500, trading, URI, USO, VIX

August 13, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day lower; almost in opposite fashion as yesterday. The market was up strong in the pre-market after positive comments out of China. However, those gains withered away by the close.

The VIX actually dropped, closing at 13.49.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in The Hartford Financial Services (HIG). We also saw bearish option activity in United Rentals (URI).

The energy complex was weak again, the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day at $14.09.

Here’s what else is going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
14 August 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

August 12, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 12, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Apple, China, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HAS, NVS, S&P 500, Skyworks, Sunedison, trading, USO, VIX

August 12, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day higher; however, there was some heavy volatility that went with it. We saw nearly a 40 point swing from the high to low today. The market saw heavy selling pressure in the morning, a reaction to China’s back to back currency devaluation.

With that said, the VIX jumped above 16.25, but settled the day down, closing at 13.61.

We also saw some wild swings in stocks. For example, Apple moved nearly $6 off the lows, Sunedison $3 off the lows, and Skyworks Solutions rebounded $4 off the lows.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Hasbro Inc (HAS). We also saw bearish option activity in Novartis AG (NVS).

The energy complex was weak again, the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day negative.

Here’s what’s else on tap for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
13 August 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
14 August 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

Key Earnings:
13 August 2015- COTY, FLO, KSS, AMAT, JWN, KING, PRTY

Key Conferences:
13 August 2015- Jefferies Industrial Conference

August 11, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 11, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ALLY, China, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FCAU, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

August 11, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 was down more than 1% today. Mainly a reaction to last night’s announcement out of China. They decided to devalue their currency, which put a ton of pressure on companies that export to China. For example, shares of Apple were down nearly 5%.

We saw weakness in Gopro -9%, Apple -5%, Sunedision -13%, to name a few.

With that said, it was no surprise to see the VIX jump over 12%, closing the day at 13.71. Now, a 13.71 VIX reading is not exactly screaming panic, with that said; we would need to see further selling pressure in order to see it move higher.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU). We also saw bearish option activity in Ally Financial (ALLY).

The energy complex was extremely weak, the United States Oil Fund (USO), was down more than 3%. For the most part, we’ve generally seen airlines perform well on this weakness.

August 9, 2015 The Week Ahead

August 9, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Data, Dow Jones, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, Shanghai, trading, VIX

August 9, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended Friday’s action down for the fourth time in the last five trading sessions. Even worse, the Dow Jones Industrials has suffered its seventh straight losing session.

In respect to risk, market participants will be watching the Shanghai Composite, along with earnings.
Thus far, earnings have not been good enough to push the market to new highs.

Despite the uncertainty, the VIX barely climbed, closing the week at 13.39. With that said, many market technicians believe that the market is having a hard time holding major support levels. However, we are in the dull days of summer, which could explain the low volatility readings.

August 6, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 6, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading BRCM, CVX, DSX, Earnings, Economic, education, OXY, S&P 500, trading, VIX, XOM

August 6, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed lower today, now making four out of the last five trading sessions. We’ve seen several companies in various sectors, specifically, media, technology, and healthcare report bad earnings.

We saw weakness in Walt Disney Company, Comcast, Time Warner, Starz, and Twenty-First Century Fox. In addition, the Ishares Nasdaq Biotech ETF (IBB) was down over 4%.

With that said, it was no surprise to see the VIX jump over 10%, closing the day at 13.77. Now, a 13.77 VIX is not exactly screaming panic, we would need a further sell-off for that to occur.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Diana Shipping Inc (DSX). We also saw bearish option activity in Broadcom Corp (BRCM).

The energy complex held up, considering the weakness we saw in other areas in the market. We saw some strength in XOM, CVX, and OXY to name a few.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
7 August 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
7 August 2015- CVC

August 4, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 4, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Apple, China, CRUS, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Netflix, RAD, trading, VIX

August 4, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed lower for the third straight trading session. However, as mentioned yesterday, we’re not too far off the yearly highs.

A lot of the sell-off can be attributed to the sharp decline in Apple shares, dropping more than 3%, more than six points off the 200-day moving average. On the bright side, Netflix hit 52-week highs, after announcing a date on when it will enter Japan and catching a few price target raises.

Interestingly, the Chinese market rebounded last night. Which was good enough to see commodity prices rebound slightly.

The VIX saw a slight pop, closing the day at 13, a move of 3.5%.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Rite Aid Corp (RAD). We also saw bearish option activity in Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS).

August 3, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 3, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Apple, China, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, SRPT, trading, URBN, VIX

August 3, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed negatively today, causing the index to drop below its 50 and 100 day moving averages. As mentioned yesterday, traders have been focused on China’s market and economic data.

With that said, we saw weaker manufacturing data from them, which caused commodity prices to tumble.

Crude oil futures are now at 3 month lows after dropping nearly 3%. In addition, gold futures are near 12-month lows.

Despite the negative tone, the VIX was only up around 4%, closing at 12.56. Interestingly, Apple saw a pretty sharp sell off, down over 2% and trading below its 200-day moving average for the first time since 2013.