October 11, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 saw its fair share of volatility, trading roughly in a 40 point range and closing the day down more than 1.2% In addition, today was one of the rare days where volume in the SPDR S&P 500 traded above its normal average. Earnings kicked off this morning with Alcoa, by most accounts, the quarter was worse than expected. The stock price dropped more than 11% on the day.

The week should pick up in terms of volume and volatility. Tomorrow we have the release of the FOMC minutes along with more earnings, highlighted by the banks on Friday.

Stocks in play today included: Illumina (ILMN) -25%, Rent-A-Center (RCII) -29%, and Apple (AAPL) +.25%

The VIX closed higher at 15.36, up nearly 2 points (14.8%).

Crude oil futures prices dropped about 1%, but still up on the week. The OPEC meeting is still ongoing and set to conclude on Oct 13.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM), which traded 7.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL), which saw 5.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
12 Oct 2016- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
13 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
12 Oct 2016- CSX
13 Oct 2016- DAL, LNN, MAR, PGR, AMD, KMG, FRC
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

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October 9, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week slightly lower on below average trading volume. However, things should pick up as earnings season kicks off on Tuesday with Alcoa. Also, we’ll be getting eps numbers out of some big banks including Wells Fargo and JPMorgan.

Some other big events for the week include the release of the FOMC Minutes and an OPEC Meeting.

Despite the market selling off a little… the VIX didn’t move much, closing the week at 13.48.

Crude oil futures prices rose more than 3% on the week. As mentioned earlier, OPEC will be meeting October 9 to 13th at World Energy Congress. It wouldn’t be a surprise if volatility increases surrounding this event.

Moving on, gold futures prices slipped more than 4% on the week. In addition, T-bond futures prices sold off 5-straight days and closing nearly 2% lower.

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

Key Economic Data:
12 Oct 2016- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
13 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
11 Oct 2016- AA, FAST, CUDA, HAWK, VOXX
12 Oct 2016- CSX
13 Oct 2016- DAL, LNN, MAR, PGR, AMD, KMG, FRC
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

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October 6, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 grinded higher on less than normal volume today. As mentioned yesterday, we’re sitting close to all-time highs. This, of course, sets the stage for tomorrow’s employment situation numbers. Interestingly, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is only implying a .6% move for tomorrow.

Stocks in play today included: Twitter (TWTR) -20%, Salesforce.com (CRM) +4.2%, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) -48.4%, and Genco Shipping (GNK) +47%.

The VIX closed below 13, dropping nearly 2% and closing at 12.84.

Crude oil futures prices climbed above $50 per barrel and are now sitting around 3-month highs. Again, this sets the stage for an interesting OPEC meeting which is set for Oct 8 to Oct 13. The meeting will on the Algiers deal which was informally agreed upon recently.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in MasTec (MTZ), which traded 24.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Dynergy (DYN), which saw 7.2 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
7 Oct 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

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October 5, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 bounced back after a two-day sell off. However, it’s worth noting that volumes were well below average. With that said, the S&P 500 is less than 2% shy of all-time highs. In respect to the Nasdaq, it’s even closer to all-time highs.

Stocks in play today included: Twitter (TWTR) +5.6%, Salesforce.com (CRM) -5.8%, Resolute Energy (REN) +20%, and KBR (KBR) +12.4%

The VIX closed below 13, dropping 3.4% on the day.

Oil prices are off to another hot start, up 3% on the week and closing in on 3-month highs. One can attribute the gains to bullish readings out of the API and DOE inventory reports.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in EP Energy (EPE), which traded 16.8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), which saw 20.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
6 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
7 Oct 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 Oct 2016- HELE, RT

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October 2, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week slightly higher. However, that doesn’t mean we didn’t see our fair share of volatility. In fact, if you look at the Dow Jones Industrials, they actually have had 6 straight triple digit closes. But we haven’t really seen much follow thru in either direction thus far. A day of weakness tends to be followed by a day of strength.

In respect to the upcoming schedule, there isn’t a whole lot going on in terms of earnings. Of course, we have our fair share of economic data and Fed speakers, but that’s really about it. China will be on holiday for the entire week.

Despite the market gaining on the week, the VIX actually rose a point from the previous Friday close, it finished Friday at 13.29.

The energy market reacted well to the most recent discussions out of OPEC. Crude oil futures prices were up nearly 8% on the week. This was mainly sparked by the belief that OPEC will follow thru on their informal agreement to cut production down. The official meeting is not till November.

Moving on, gold futures prices reversed nearly all of last week’s gains, dropping 1.62% In addition, T-bond futures prices saw a slight rise, closing the week .21% higher.

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

Key Economic Data:
3 Oct 2016- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
5 Oct 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
6 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
7 Oct 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 Oct 2016- DRI, MU
5 Oct 2016- MON, STZ, YUM
6 Oct 2016- HELE, RT

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September 29, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 sold off nearly 1%, as financial stocks were the main culprit. News out of Europe indicates that some of their banks might have exposure to too much risk. With the Wells Fargo scandal still fresh on the mind of traders, it didn’t take much for fears to enter the market.

Stocks in play today included: Deutsche Bank (DB) -6.7%, Credit Suisse (CS) -4.4%, NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) +17%, and Qualcomm (QCOM)

The VIX surged more than 13%, climbing 1.63 pts and closing at 14.02.

Oil prices continued their strength despite some worries that the OPEC cut agreement might not stick. With that said, the futures were up 1.4% today, adding to the more than 7% gains on the week.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Baker Hughes (BHI), which traded 5.1 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Deutsche Bank (DB), which saw 9.6 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
30 Sep 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

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September 28, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 is off to a strong week, up more than 1.1% so far. For a moment today, things started to look a little shaky, however; positive news out of the OPEC meeting caused oil prices to rise and the market followed with it. It appears that OPEC has come to an agreement to cut down on production.

Stocks in play today included: Amazon (AMZN) +1.6%, Tempur Sealy International (TPX) -22.4%, and National Beverage Corp (FIZZ) -7.3%

The VIX sold off more than 5%, closing at 12.39.

As mentioned earlier, oil prices surged today, more than 5% on hopes that an agreement has been reached amongst OPEC members to cut production down. Keep in mind, OPEC will be meeting in November, some market participants are not fully believing that OPEC will be able to follow through on this agreement and are questioning where the production will come from.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Western Gas Partners (WES), which traded 54.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Dave and Busters Entertainment Inc (PLAY), which saw 4.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
29 Sep 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 Sep 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 Sep 2016- CAG, PEP, CAMP, COST

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September 25, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week 1.2% higher. The markets reacted positively to the FOMC decision, with only two more meetings left, the chances of the Fed not increasing rates at all this year has gotten higher. With fear of a rate hike decreased, we’ve seen a sell off in VIX and risk-on attitude.

Of course, there are some interesting events coming up this week. For example, the first US Presidential Debate, and the big informal Opec Meeting, which is sure to drive volatility in the oil markets.

The VIX has gone from 17.50 back down to 12.29 over the last two weeks.

Crude oil futures prices surged about 3.5% higher on the week. It’s worth mentioning there is an informal OPEC meeting on the 26th to the 28th of this month. This, of course, this should heighten volatility in the crude futures market.

Moving on, gold futures prices had five straight positive days as it closed 2% higher. In addition, T-bond futures prices gained more than 1% on the week, and had five straight positive days.

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

Key Economic Data:
26 Sep 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
28 Sep 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
29 Sep 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 Sep 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
26 Sep 2016- CCL, CALM, SNX, THO, MTN
27 Sep 2016- FDS, NKE
28 Sep 2016- PAYX, PIR, ATU, IDT
29 Sep 2016- CAG, PEP, CAMP, COST

Key Conferences:
26 Sep 2016- Bank Leveraged Finance Conference (runs till 9/28)
27 Sep 2016- Dougherty Institutional Investor Conference (runs till 9/28)

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September 22, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 continued its ascent higher, as it closed up $0.65%. The NASDAQ closed at all time highs for the second straight session. With that said, volume was below average on both indices.

Stocks in play today included: Lumber Liquidators (LL) +6.8%, Seaworld Entertainment (SEAS) +7.8%, and Vipshop Holdings (VIPS) +9.7%.

The destruction of the VIX continued again for another session, dropping nearly 10% and closing a shade above 12.

Crude oil futures prices soared again today, making it four straight positive days. Over that period, crude futures prices have been up 5.6%

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in SunTrust Banks (STI), which traded 5.9 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Federated Investors (FII), which was 30.3 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Earnings:
23 Sep 2016- FINL

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September 21, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 raged higher today after the FOMC decided to leave rates unchanged. The S&P 500 closed the day more than 1% higher and the NASDAQ closed at all time highs. In addition, we also saw prices in treasuries and gold trade higher as well.

Stocks in play today included: Adobe (ADBE) +7%, Conns (CONN) +15.43%, and Shutterfly (SFLY) -11.9%

The destruction of the VIX was back in session as it dropped more than 12%,closing at 13.30.

Crude oil futures prices soared today, closing the day nearly 3% higher and finishing around $44 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Penn National Gaming (PENN), which traded 4.8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Dr. Pepper Snapple (DPS), which was 3.9 times normal options volume.

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

Key Earnings:
22 Sep 2016- AZO, RAD, SCHL
23 Sep 2016- FINL

Key Conferences:
Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference (runs till 9/22)

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