November 10, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 has been on a tear the last two days after it was announced that Donald Trump will be the new President of the United States of America. With that said, we’re seeing investors shift out of certain sectors into new ones. For example, infrastructure related stocks, oil and gas, medical, and banking are some sectors that have benefited early on. However, the tech space has not been as strong.

The VIX actually rose a little, but is now trading well below 15. It was just a couple days ago where we saw the VIX trade above 20.

Stocks in play today included: 58.com (WUBA) -18%, Silver Wheaton Corp (SLW) -16%, Dryships (DRYS) +126%, and Top Ships (TOPS) +22%

Crude oil futures prices sold off a little, snapping a 3-day winning streak.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Union Pacific (UNP), which traded 2.5 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Asanko Gold (AKG), which saw 31.6 times normal options volume.

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

Key Earnings:
11 Nov 2016- JCP

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November 8, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed higher for the second straight day following a nine day losing streak. Of course, all eyes are on this evening’s US Presidential elections. From what we’ve witnessed over the past few weeks it seems like the market prefers Hillary over Donald. With the race very tight traders will be watching the futures as results start coming in.

The VIX was relatively flat given the uncertainty leading up to this evening’s elections. It closed today at 18.74.

Stocks in play today included: Hertz Global (HTZ) -22%, CVS (CVS) -11.5%, and Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) -22%

Crude oil futures prices closed relatively flat on this election day.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Kellogg (K), which traded 4.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in WPX Energy (WPX), which saw 6.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
8 Nov 2016- U.S. Presidential Election
9 Nov 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:300 AM ET
10 Nov 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
8 Nov 2016- DHI, JCI, OA, QVCA, SEAS, VRX, W, TRIP
9 Nov 2016- COTY, DISH, KITE, WEN, WWAV, NTES, SHAK, SPWR, TASR, TUBE, VRTU
10 Nov 2016- AZN, FLO, M, KSS, PRGO, PRTY, RL, WIX, BUFF, DIS, JWN, KORS, NVDA
11 Nov 2016- JCP

Key Conferences:
7 Nov 2016- Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference (runs till 11/9); Edison Electric Institute Conference (runs till 11/9)
8 Nov 2016- Baird Industrial Conference (runs till 11/10); Stephens Fall Investor Conference (runs till 11/9)
9 Nov 2016- RBC Capital Tech, Internet, Media/Telco Conference (runs till 11/10); UBS Building & Building Products Annual CEO Conference (runs till 11/9); Wells Fargo Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (11/10)

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November 6, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 finished the week on a nine day losing streak as fears of a Donald Trump Presidency is now very much in play. Over the last two weeks, Hillary Clinton has lost a ton of momentum and the market has reacted in a similar fashion. However, on Sunday, the FBI’s Comey announced that Hillary was free of any wrong doing pertaining to her emails, and we’re seeing a nice bump in the futures prices on Sunday. We shall see what happens on election day Tuesday.

The VIX gained more than 6 points on the week and closed above 22.50 on Friday.

Crude oil futures price sold nearly 10% on the week, closing below $50 and now roughly 15% off the 52-week highs.

Earnings will be heavy again, but the main event is clearly the election on Tuesday.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
8 Nov 2016- U.S. Presidential Election
9 Nov 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:300 AM ET
10 Nov 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
7 Nov 2016- AMC, ARIA, BID, CTSH, DF,ELNK, FDC, HSBC, HZNP, LC, MGM, RACE, ROK, ACAD, CRAY, CZR, FANG, HTZ, MAR, NWSA, PCLN
8 Nov 2016- DHI, JCI, OA, QVCA, SEAS, VRX, W, TRIP
9 Nov 2016- COTY, DISH, KITE, WEN, WWAV, NTES, SHAK, SPWR, TASR, TUBE, VRTU
10 Nov 2016- AZN, FLO, M, KSS, PRGO, PRTY, RL, WIX, BUFF, DIS, JWN, KORS, NVDA
11 Nov 2016- JCP

Key Conferences:
7 Nov 2016- Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference (runs till 11/9); Edison Electric Institute Conference (runs till 11/9)
8 Nov 2016- Baird Industrial Conference (runs till 11/10); Stephens Fall Investor Conference (runs till 11/9)
9 Nov 2016- RBC Capital Tech, Internet, Media/Telco Conference (runs till 11/10); UBS Building & Building Products Annual CEO Conference (runs till 11/9); Wells Fargo Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (11/10)

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November 3, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day lower, making it 8 straight losing sessions in a row. Many believe that the uncertainty in the upcoming US Presentational election has been the catalyst for the sell-off. With that said, based on the markets reaction, they are pro-Hillary. Unfortunately, she has been dropping in the polls because of all the alleged criminal activities she has been involved in.

The VIX absolutely surged today, closing 11.4% higher, at 22.08.

Stocks in play today included: Lannett Co. (LCI) -22%, WPX Energy (WPX) +11.9%, Ishares Nasdaq Biotech ETF (IBB) -3%

Crude oil futures prices have sold off about 9% this week, and are on a four-day losing streak.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Dynegy (DYN), which traded 4.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Tenet Healthcare Corp. (THC), which saw 166 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
4 Nov 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 Nov 2016- DUK, HUM, MSG, NRG, REGN, REV, RLGY, WLTW

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November 1, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day lower, on above average volume. The VIX surged above 20 at one point during the day as we enter what seems to be a very volatile week. With that said, we’ve got earnings going on, an FOMC meeting, along the US Presidential race coming down the stretch.

It appears that the current scandals surrounding Hillary Clinton are having an effect on the market. From what we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, the markets are pro-Hillary. As Donald Trump gains traction, the markets tend to react negatively towards that.

Stocks in play today included: Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX) +29% and Pitney Bowes (PBI) -18.4%.

Crude oil futures prices have sold off 10% over the last three trading sessions as they’re now approaching 1-month lows.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Finish Line (FINL), which traded 4.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Univar (UNVR), which saw 166 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
2 Nov 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
3 Nov 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
4 Nov 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
2 Nov 2016- ABC, ADP, AGN, BABA, BG, CRL, EL, FLOW, FUN, HST, KATE, NBL, NYT, ODP, SHOP, TWX, VMC, VOYA, VSI, ZTS, AIG, CLR, DVA, CTL, FB, FIT, FNF, FOX, G, GDDY, HOLX, HUBS, IAC, IL, LPLA, MET, MRO, PAA, QCOM, QTWO, RIG, TROX, TTWO, WFM, ZNGA
3 Nov 2016- AMAG, AMCX, APA, AVP, BLL, CHK, COMM, CS, CYBR, DDD, DNR, FIG, GOGO, H, HAR, LAMR, LDOS, LNG, LVLT, PNW, RGEN, SFM, SMG, TIME, AGO, ATVI, CBS, CSOD, FEYE, FLR, FOSL, GPRO, IMPV, INVN, KHC, LGF, LVS, MHK, MSI, NUS, OLED, SBUX, SWKS, SYMC, TIVO, TWLO, UBNT, WTW
4 Nov 2016- DUK, HUM, MSG, NRG, REGN, REV, RLGY, WLTW

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October 30, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 finished the week on a four day losing streak. This sets the stage for another busy earnings week along with the November FOMC Meeting. Not to mention, the US Presidential debate coming down the stretch (in less than 2 weeks). On Friday, the markets started to sell off after a report came out that the FBI was going to reopen an investigation on Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

The VIX has surged more than 20% since the previous Friday’s close and is now above 16.

Crude oil futures price sold off more than 4% on the week, closing below $50 and now roughly 6% off the 52-week highs. Moving on, gold futures prices rose .78% and T-Bond futures prices sold off more than 1.5% on the week.

Earnings will be heavy again, some key names to watch include: Gilead Sciences, Qualcomm, Starbucks, and Time Warner Cable.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
31 Oct 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET
1 Nov 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 Nov 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
3 Nov 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
4 Nov 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
31 Oct 2016- BSFT, CAH, CTB, DO, L, LL, LPX, MCY, WMB, ZBH, APC, DK, ENH, IDTI, NLS, RAIL, RYAM, TEX, THC, TSO, VNO

1 Nov 2016- ADM, BP, CMI, COH, DISCA, EMR, ETN, FIS, ICE, IRM, K, KBR, MOS, OXY, PFE, SHPG, TAP, UBS, CAVM, CERN, DATA, DNB, DVN, DXCM, DYN, EA, EIX, ETSTY, FIVN, FTR, GILD, HLF, ILMN, LOCK, MTW, MYGN, PXD, SBAC, TSRA, WBMD, WU, X, ZEN, ZG

2 Nov 2016- ABC, ADP, AGN, BABA, BG, CRL, EL, FLOW, FUN, HST, KATE, NBL, NYT, ODP, SHOP, TWX, VMC, VOYA, VSI, ZTS, AIG, CLR, DVA, CTL, FB, FIT, FNF, FOX, G, GDDY, HOLX, HUBS, IAC, IL, LPLA, MET, MRO, PAA, QCOM, QTWO, RIG, TROX, TTWO, WFM, ZNGA

3 Nov 2016- AMAG, AMCX, APA, AVP, BLL, CHK, COMM, CS, CYBR, DDD, DNR, FIG, GOGO, H, HAR, LAMR, LDOS, LNG, LVLT, PNW, RGEN, SFM, SMG, TIME, AGO, ATVI, CBS, CSOD, FEYE, FLR, FOSL, GPRO, IMPV, INVN, KHC, LGF, LVS, MHK, MSI, NUS, OLED, SBUX, SWKS, SYMC, TIVO,TWLO, UBNT, WTW

4 Nov 2016- DUK, HUM, MSG, NRG, REGN, REV, RLGY, WLTW

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October 26, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed relatively flat today in what is one of the busiest earnings week of the year. Last night we heard from Apple, which disappointed by posting its third straight quarter of declining iPhone sales. This put a damper on the Nasdaq composite today as it dropped about .7%.

In the after hours we got earnings out of Tesla Motors (TSLA), which is up more than 6% at the time of this writing. This morning we got earnings out Biogen (BIIB), which is a gain of nearly 4%.

Stocks in play today included: Edwards Lifesciences (EW) -17%, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) -9%, NCR +14.5%, and Akamai Technologies (AKAM) +14.6%

The VIX sold rose nearly 6%, closing at 14.24.

Crude oil futures prices sold off for the third straight day, and is now down more than 3% on the week.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in SolarCity (SCTY), which traded 2.1 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Western Union Company (WU), which saw 9.8 times normal options volume.

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

Key Earnings:
27 Oct 2016- AET, ALXN, AMT, APD, BMY, BOFI, BWA, BX, CAB, CELG, CL, CLF, CME, COP, DB, DOW, DPS, F, GNC, HACA, IP, LAZ, LLL, MJN, MO, MPC, NOK, NOV, PENN, POT, PX, SIRI, SWK, TMO, TPH, TPX, TROW, UPS, VW, WWE, AIG, AMZN, BIDU, CA, CBI, CRUS, CY, DLR, ELLI, EXPE, FLEX, FTNT, GOOGL, HIG, MCK, PFG, STRZA, SYK, SYNA, TWTR
28 Oct 2016- ABBV, AN, CVX, CBOE, HSY, MA, NWL, PSX, SNY, SHPG, TEN, WY, XOM, XRX, SIMO

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October 20, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 was relatively flat today on below average volume. That’s kind of surprising given that we’re starting to see a lot of earnings come in. Before the US market opened the news out of the ECB was that they were leaving key interest rates unchanged.

In the after hours we got earnings out of Microsoft (MSFT), which topped 1Q profit forecasts and traded 5% higher. In addition, Paypal (PYPL) also traded higher due to strong revenue numbers.

Stocks in play today included: NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) +4.18%, Varian Medical Systems (VAR) +3.28%, Dragonwave (DRWI) +94.5%, and Time Warner (TWX) +5%

The VIX sold off more than 4.5% and closed at 13.75.

Crude oil futures prices sold off about 2.3% today, but still closed above $50 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Iamgold Williams Sonoma (WSM), which traded 8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Infosys (INFY), which saw 3.4 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
20 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
21 Oct 2016- GE, HON, IPG, MCD, SYF, SAP, STI, MAN

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October 16, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week lower, making it two straight losing weeks in the index. Despite the sell-off many of the banks that reported did better than expected. With that said, earnings will be heavily watched this coming week. Some of the highlights include: Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Intel, McDonald’s, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, just to name a few.

On the international front, the European Central Bank will be meeting on the key interest rate.

Despite the market selling off a little… the VIX climbed to 16.12.

Crude oil futures prices rose again during the week as they’re now trading above $50 and very close to 52-week highs. OPEC met during the week, but per usual, good luck trying to get a read on what they’re trying to do. It seems like they’re constantly throwing mixed signals. Now, that doesn’t mean markets won’t react to their comments, just expect to see greater volatility.

Moving on, gold futures prices sold off slightly, making that two straight down weeks. In addition, T-bond futures prices sold off, making that 8 out of 10 losing days.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
17 Oct 2016- Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
18 Oct 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET
19 Oct 2016- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
20 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
17 Oct 2016- BAC, HAS, JBHT, CE, IBM, NFLX, UAL
18 Oct 2016- BLK, DPZ, GS, HOG, JNJ, KSU, UNH, WWW, TTS, SCHW, PM, RF, MTG, KSU, ADTN, CREE, HA, IBKR, INTC, ISRG, LLTC
19 Oct 2016- ABT, CP, DOV, GPC, HAL, MS, RAI, STJ, STX, SVU, TUP, USB, AXP, EBAY, CTXS, HNI, GGG, MAT, PKG, SLM, STLD, URI, XLNX
20 Oct 2016- BK, DAN, DGX, DHR, FITB, KCG, NUE, PH, PHM, PPG, TRV, TXT, UNP, VZ, WBA, WBC, AMD, ATHN, EFTC, KLAC, MSFT, MXIM, N, PYPL, RCI, RS, SLB, SWN
21 Oct 2016- GE, HON, IPG, MCD, SYF, SAP, STI, MAN

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October 13, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 continues to see it’s fair share of intraday volatility. Today we traded in nearly a 25 point range, settling .3% lower. Overall, the S&P 500 is down about 1% on the week. With that said, tomorrow should be an interesting day as many of the larger banks report earnings.

Stocks in play today included: Ulta Salon Cosmetics (ULTA) +11%, Tenet Healthcare (THC) +8.8%, and Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) -4.6%

The VIX continues to surge this week, despite the move lower in the market it actually dropped 2.5%, closing at 16.69.

Crude oil futures prices are up more than 1% on the week and trading above $50 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Iamgold Corporation (IAG), which traded 25.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in AO Smith Corp (AOS), which saw 3.2 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

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