January 29, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Unless something drastic happens, the month of January will be another strong month for the stock market. However, how long can this low volatility environment continue? After all, it seems like there is one political protest after another in the US, with some uncertainty and concerns about the new President. With that said, the market is telling us something different from what the news is saying. It’s actually pretty wild if you consider that the VIX closed at $10.58 on Friday. Going into the week, traders will be watching earnings and what comes out of the FOMC announcement.

Moving on to energy:

Crude oil futures closed pretty flat on the week, having two out of five winning days. On the other hand, gold futures prices finished the week down more than 1.3%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) 0.09%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.26%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.36%.

Some key earnings include: Apple, Amazon, Exxon, United Parcel Service, Visa and Mastercard to name a few.

Here are a list of events that traders will be watching:

Key Economic Data:
30 Jan 2017- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET
1 Feb 2017- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
2 Feb 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM
3 Feb 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
30 Jan 2017- EPD, BAH, BOFI, GGG, GGP, PFG, RMBS, SANM
31 Jan 2017- ABC, AET, ALLY, CIT, CNX, COH, HCA, HOG, LLY, LYB, MA, MAN, NDAQ, NUE, PCAR, PFE, S, UA, UPS, VLO, XOM, XRX, AAPL, AMD, APC, CB, CHRW, EA, ILMN, OLN, X
1 Feb 2017- ANTM, ADP, BAX, D, IP, JCI, MO, MPC, MPLX, MTOR, TUP, WEC, AVB, CAVM, CRUS, FB, HOLX, IAC, LM, MAA, MET, MLNX, NXPI, QRVO, SFLY, SYMC, TSCO
2 Feb 2017- S, AZN, BSX, CME, COP, DB, EL, ETN, IP, MMP, NOK, NOV, PM, RDSA, RL, SIRI, VOD, WFT, AMGN, AMZN, CMG, DATA, CY, DATA, DECK, FEYE, FTNT, GIMO, GPOR, V
3 Feb 2017- AN, APO, HSY, WY

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January 26, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets closed the day relatively mixed. The S&P 500, Dow, and Russell 2000 closed negative. While the Dow Jones Industrials and the Nasdaq closed the day up. We finally saw Dow 20k the other day.

Some strong earnings performers included: Wynn Resorts (WYNN), Southwest Airlines (LUV), and L3 Technologies (LLL)

Some weak earnings performers included: Alphabet (GOOG), Starbucks (SBUX), and Juniper Networks (JNPR)

The VIX continues to move lower, it closed at 10.63, down nearly 2% on the day.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +1.95%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.34%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.93%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in YUM China Holdings (YUMC), which traded 26.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in NutriSystem Inc. (NTRI), which traded 17.6 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for tomorrow:

Key Earnings Release Dates:
27 Jan 2017- ABBV, APD, BEN, CL, CVX, HON, UBS

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January 24, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets closed the day relatively strong. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrials, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all finished green. With that said, the Dow Jones Industrials are less than 100 points from 20k.

Some strong earnings performers included: Alibaba Group (BABA), Du Pont (DD), and Kimberly Clark (KMB)

Some weak earnings performers included: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and AK Steel (AKS)

The VIX continues to move lower, it closed at 11.07, down nearly 6% on the day.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.44%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.69%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.45%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in CONE Midstream Partners (CNNX), which traded 15.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in LSB Industries Inc (LXU), which traded 10.5 times normal option volume.

Earnings will continue to be the theme for the rest of the week and the next couple. Check below:

Key Economic Data:
25 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
26 Jan 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
25 Jan 2017- BA, EAT, FCX, HBAN, HES, PG, NSC, NVS, NYCB, PGR, ROK, SC, STT, TXT, UTX, CCI, EBAY, FFIV, LRCX, LVS, MCK, PUB, QCOM, URI, VRTX, WDC
26 Jan 2017- AEP, ALK, BHI, CAT, CELG, DGX, DOV, DOW, F, HP, JBLU, LEA, LLL, LUV, MJN, NOC, RCI, EFTC, FLEX, GOOG, INTC, JNPR, KLAC, MSFT, PYPL, SBUX, SYNA, SWFT, VMW
27 Jan 2017- ABBV, APD, BEN, CL, CVX, HON, UBS

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January 22, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The weekend was highlighted by mass protests across the globe for Women’s March. Whether you’re into politics or not, a new regime was sworn into office on Friday, January 20, 2017. Given the love/hate relationship the new President has with the media, it’s caused him to be very active on social media. With that said, his tweets on specific sectors and stocks has already proven to add volatility. All of this could potentially lead to greater day trading opportunities.

Outside of that, earnings will be one of the key areas traders will be focused on during the week.

Crude oil futures closed up nearly 2%, having three out of four winning days. On the other hand, Gold futures prices finished the week on a two-day winning streak, gaining a shade under 1% on the week.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.3%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -1.60%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.0%.

Some key earnings include: Yahoo, Alibaba, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ford, Intel, Alphabet, Microsoft and Starbucks to name a few.

Here are a list of events that traders will be watching:

Key Economic Data:
24 Jan 2017- PMI Manufacturing Index 9:45 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
25 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
26 Jan 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
23 Jan 2017- BOH, HAL, MCD, PETS, YHOO
24 Jan 2017- AKS, BABA, DD, DHI, EXP, GLW, JNJ, KMB, LMT, VZ, SAP, WAT, AA, COF, CREE, DFS, HA, NAVI, STLD, STX, SYK, TXN
25 Jan 2017- BA, EAT, FCX, HBAN, HES, PG, NSC, NVS, NYCB, PGR, ROK, SC, STT, TXT, UTX, CCI, EBAY, FFIV, LRCX, LVS, MCK, PUB, QCOM, URI, VRTX, WDC
26 Jan 2017- AEP, ALK, BHI, CAT, CELG, DGX, DOV, DOW, F, HP, JBLU, LEA, LLL, LUV, MJN, NOC, RCI, EFTC, FLEX, GOOG, INTC, JNPR, KLAC, MSFT, PYPL, SBUX, SYNA, SWFT, VMW
27 Jan 2017- ABBV, APD, BEN, CL, CVX, HON, UBS

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January 16, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market closed the week somewhat mixed. The S&P 500 was relatively flat, while Dow Jones closed the week negative and the Nasdaq finished about 1% higher. With that said, we should volumes pick up as earnings season starts to heat up.

In addition to earnings, we’ve got the ECB rate decision on Thursday and the Inauguration of Donald Trump on Friday.

Crude oil futures closed the week down nearly 3%, having just two of five winning days. On the other hand, Gold futures prices finished the week on a five-day winning streak, gaining 2.3% on the week.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.34%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.37%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +2.18%.

Some key earnings for this shortened week of trading include: IBM, Netflix, Morgan Stanley, General Electric and Goldman Sachs to name a few.

Here are a list of events that traders will be watching:

Key Economic Data:
18 Jan 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
19 Jan 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
17 Jan 2017- CMA, EDU, INFO, MS, OZRK, UNH, ADTN, CSX, IBKR, LLTC, UAL
18 Jan 2017- FAST, AMTD, GS, C, SCHW, USB, FNB, NFLX, SLM
19 Jan 2017- BBT, BK, CHKP, JBHT, KEY, AXP, IBM, SWKS, PBCT
20 Jan 2017- CFG, COL, GE, KSU, RF, SLB, SYF

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January 12, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets were relatively weak today as all major indices finished the day lower. However, it’s important to note that volumes were below average. In fact, there wasn’t really much going on today. Tomorrow should be a little different as we’re expecting earnings out of some big banks.

The VIX closed the day slightly higher at 11.54.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +1.5%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.22%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.36%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Zayo Group Holdings (ZAYO), which traded 6.2 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Veeco Instruments (VECO), which traded 25.6 times normal option volume.

Check out what’s left on the schedule below:

Key Economic Data:
13 Jan 2017- PPI-FD 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
13 Jan 2017- BAC, BLK, INFY, JPM, PNC, WFC

Key Conferences:
JPMorgan Healthcare Conference (runs till 1/13)

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January 10, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets were relatively mixed today, as volumes were below average. We saw strength out of the Russell 2000 and Nasdaq. However, the Dow Jones Industrials finished red, and the S&P 500 was about flat.

It was a pretty slow day for the most part. One stock that active traders were following was Enteromedics (ETRM), a low float stock that closed the day more than 40% higher, on 21 million shares of volume. Just six days ago, this stock was trading under $2 per share, and today it closed at $27.70, talk about a short squeeze.

Despite the market being mixed, the VIX continued it’s sell off, as it closed below 11.50.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.12%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.07%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.43%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Insulet Corporation (PODD), which traded 26.8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Enbridge (ENB), which traded 2.9 times normal option volume.

Check out what’s left on the schedule below:

Key Economic Data:
11 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
12 Jan 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 Jan 2017- PPI-FD 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
11 Jan 2017- KBH, SVU
12 Jan 2017- FCEL, TSM
13 Jan 2017- BAC, BLK, INFY, JPM, PNC, WFC

Key Conferences:
ICR Exchange Consumer Conference (runs till 1/11); JPMorgan Healthcare Conference (runs till 1/13); Needham Growth Conference (runs till 1/12)

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January 9, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market closed at all-time high levels on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrials nearly touching 20k intraday. For the most part, trading volumes were light during the first four days of the new year. One should expect trading volumes to pick up as we enter earnings next week. Specifically, we’ll be hearing from some of the bigger names in the banking sector.

Interestingly, fear in the market has nearly disintegrated, as the VIX closed at 11.32 on Friday.

Crude oil futures closed the week on a 3-day winning streak, but ended up nearly unchanged overall. With that said, prices are near their 52-week highs.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.34%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.61%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.32%.

It appears that bank earnings will be one of the more important events, which will happen on Friday. We’ll be hearing from Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan.

Here are a list of events that traders will be watching:

Key Economic Data:
11 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
12 Jan 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 Jan 2017- PPI-FD 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
9 Jan 2017- CUDA, APOL, GPN, VOXX
10 Jan 2017- LW
11 Jan 2017- KBH, SVU
12 Jan 2017- FCEL, TSM
13 Jan 2017- BAC, BLK, INFY, JPM, PNC, WFC

Key Conferences:
9 Jan 2017- ICR Exchange Consumer Conference (runs till 1/11); JPMorgan Healthcare Conference (runs till 1/13).
10 Jan 2017- Needham Growth Conference (runs till 1/12)

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January 5, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets saw their first down day of the new year. The Dow Jones Industrials and Russell 2000 all finished lower. However, the Nasdaq was able to finish out the day positive. Keep in mind, volumes are still relatively light this week as traders are slowly getting back in the groove.

The VIX continued it’s sell off, as it closed below 12 at 11.67.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +1.04%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.57%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.55%.

Stocks in play today included: Palo Alto Networks (PANW) +3.10%, Kohls (KSS) -19%, and CEB Inc. (CEB) +20.92%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Host Hotels and Resorts (HST), which traded 4.9 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Mallinckrodt (MNK), which traded 3.6 times normal option volume.

Check out what’s left on the schedule below:

Key Economic Data:
6 Jan 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

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January 4, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets are coming into 2017 on a two-day winning streak. Once again, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is creeping in on 20k. Volumes today were relatively light, despite get some fresh data from the FOMC, more specifically, the release of the minutes from the last meeting.

Judging by how the VIX performed, there wasn’t much of a surprise in the Fed minutes. With that said, the VIX closed at 11.85, a drop of nearly 8%.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +1.49%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.39%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.39%.

Stocks in play today included Kohl’s, which announced some poor holiday sales numbers in the after-hours. At the time of this writing the stock price was down nearly 9%. With that said, several other retailers were taken down with it. This includes: Macy’s -7%, Nordstrom -2.7%, and Dillards -1.6%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in PTC Therapeutics (PTCT), which traded 2.1 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF), which traded 5.1 times normal option volume.

Check out what’s left on the schedule below:

Key Economic Data:
5 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
6 Jan 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
5 Jan 2017- MON, STZ, WBA, RT, HELE, PSMT, SCHN

Key Conferences:
5 Jan 2017- JPMorgan 15th Annual Technology Forum at CES; Stephens, Oppenheimer, RBC Capital at CES; CES (runs until Friday, the 8th)

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