November 15, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has been on a 3-day sell off, closing the week 3.5% lower. It’s hard to point to exactly what caused the sell of, but per usual, there are a number of theories ranging from profit taking to weak retail sales numbers. What looked like a sure December rate hike, now appears less uncertain.

As mentioned retailers took a hit. Nordstrom (JWN) -19%, Macy’s (M) -17%, Target (TGT) -8%, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) -12% … just to name a few. Could this be the catalyst to put a rate hike on hold? We shall see. One thing though, we’ll be getting the FOMC Minutes transcript on 11/18, which should shed some light on the matter.

The VIX shot off like a rocket, and is now trading above 20.

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November 12, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 saw some heavy selling pressure, closing the day down nearly 1.5%. Keep in mind, we had a very strong October, almost leading us back to the highs.

Will we break the highs, or did the market rally too fast too soon? These are questions traders are asking. In addition, eyes and ears are on Fed officials. We had six speak today on the economy and possible Fed actions.

Many believe there is a 50-50 chance that we will see a rate hike in December. However, it almost appears that opinions change almost every day.

Stocks in play today, included Fitbit (FIT) -7.3%, Sunedison (SUNE) -6.3%, and Allergran (AGN) -3%.

It should come to no surprise that the VIX surged; however, it was a pretty big move, up more than 2 points and closing at 18.37.

The energy sector was weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down nearly .3% today.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in MPLX LP (MPLX). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in Shake Shack (SHAK).

Here’s what’s on tap tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
13 November 2015- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
12 November 2015- DSX, VIAB, AMAT, CSCO, IGT, KSS

November 10, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day higher, snapping its four day losing streak. Overall, it was a generally slow day.

It appears that market participants are digesting what a potential rate hike is going to mean.

Stocks in play today, included Apple (AAPL) -3.2%, Flotek (FTK) -41%, Sunedison (SUNE) -21.5%, and Mallinckrodt (MNK).

Interestingly, the VIX sold off a lot…now trading at 15.29.

The energy sector was flat; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down nearly .5% today. USO is still nearly 50% off its yearly highs.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in EBay (EBAY). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX)

Here’s what’s on tap tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
12 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 November 2015- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
11 November 2015- M, PAH, NTES
12 November 2015- DSX, VIAB, AMAT, CSCO, IGT, KSS

November 8, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) is less than 1% off its all-time highs. However, there wasn’t much reaction from Friday’s job numbers. A surprise in job growth followed in a drop in the unemployment rate dropped to 5%.

This of course sets the stage for a potential interest rate hike when the FOMC meets in December.

Surprisingly, the VIX closed lower, finishing below 15.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) had a rough week, dropping nearly 4% on the week.

It’s a relatively slow week in regards to economic data. With that said, there aren’t that many big names reporting earnings either. However, eyes and ears will be on Fed speakers as they give possible hints on what their next move will be.

Key Economic Data:
12 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 November 2015- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
9 November 2015- ACI, DISH, PCLN, ISIS, JAZZ, LEAF, RAX, SUNE, TERP
10 November 2015- BZH, QIWI, VOD, FOSL, EXEL
11 November 2015- M, PAH, NTES
12 November 2015- DSX, VIAB, AMAT, CSCO, IGT, KSS

November 5, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat and near all-time highs. In fact, both the SPY and QQQ are near their highs on the year.

This sets the stage for an interesting Jobs number tomorrow. Will the market have a blow off top or will the numbers be used as an excuse to sell? We shall see tomorrow morning.

Of course, traders continue to monitor what FED speakers are saying ahead of their December meeting.

Interestingly, the VIX got hit a little, dropping about 3%, and closing at 15.05.

The energy sector was weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down nearly 2.5% today. USO is still nearly 50% off its yearly highs.

On the options front, we saw large blocks of BAC weekly straddles traded. Someone believes that the banks, more specifically, Bank Of America will move big tomorrow but are unsure in which direction it will be.

Here’s what’s on tap tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
6 November 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 November 2015- HUM, HZNP

November 3, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day higher as it continues to grind higher and near all-time highs. In fact, both the SPY and QQQ are near their highs of the year. However, the iShares Russell ETF (IWM) is nearly 8% off its highs.

Coming into the day, there was news that ATVI was going to be acquiring KING for more than $5 billion. This evening, we got earnings out of Tesla (TSLA), which was up 9% in after hours trading.

Interestingly, the VIX climbed today, gaining nearly 3% and closed at 14.54.

The energy sector was strong; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 4% today. USO is still nearly 50% off its yearly highs.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Nimble Storage (NMBL).

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

Key Economic Data:
4 November 2015- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
5 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
6 November 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 November 2015- AGN, AVP, KORS, TWX, WEN, CF, FEYE, FB, QCOM, RIG, MRO, HOLX
5 November 2015- AMCX, AZN, CELG, COTY, DUK, GOGO, HFC, KATE, RL, TAP, ANET, CYBR, DATA, DIS, DWA, GLUU, NUS, SWKS, TRIP, WTW
6 November 2015- HUM, HZNP

November 1, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 finished the week relatively flat, however; it finished the month nearly 7% higher. In fact, the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) is less 2% off the all-time highs.

With that said, the VIX closed around 15, a signal that there isn’t much fear in the market at the moment.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 4% on the week, and flat for the month. We continue to see a divergence between the energy and equity markets.

On the earnings front we’ll see releases out of the likes of Disney, Facebook, Qualcomm, and Ralph Lauren to name a few.

Key Economic Data:
2 November 2015- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
4 November 2015- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
5 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
6 November 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET
30 October 2015- Personal Income 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
2 November 2015- CLX, CTB, D, DO, EL, L, KBR, NBL, V, SYY, AIG, CAR
3 November 2015- DISCA, MOS, ZTS, TASR, SALE, EMR, ATVI, CBS, GRPN, X, ZNGA, HLF
4 November 2015- AGN, AVP, KORS, TWX, WEN, CF, FEYE, FB, QCOM, RIG, MRO, HOLX
5 November 2015- AMCX, AZN, CELG, COTY, DUK, GOGO, HFC, KATE, RL, TAP, ANET, CYBR, DATA, DIS, DWA, GLUU, NUS, SWKS, TRIP, WTW
6 November 2015- HUM, HZNP

October 28, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day higher as it continues it’s epic surge higher this month. To date, we’re up more than 8% on the month. With that said, the FOMC meeting was as expected. They decided not to touch the key interest rates, but will revisit the idea in December.

Earlier this morning we had earnings results out of Walgreens (WBA) -10.7%, Starwood Hotels (HOT) +6.2%, and T-Mobile (TMUS).

The VIX continues to get clobbered, it was down more than 7%, now trading at 14.33.

The energy sector was strong; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 7% today. It will be interesting to see if it rallies along with the market. There has been some dislocation between the energy and equity markets over the last month.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Flextronics (FLEX). We saw bearish option activity in Oasis Petroleum (OAS).

This evening we got earnings results from GoPro (GPRO) -11%, Amgen (AMGN) +1.3%, and Paypal (PYPL) -3%.

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

Key Economic Data:
29 October 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 October 2015- Personal Income 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 October 2015- AET, CLF, COP, ESV, JAH, JCI, KERX, MO, NOK, MTH, TEVA, TWC, VALE, ZBH, BIDU, EA, LNKD, MOBL, SBUX, WU, SCTY
30 October 2015- ABBV, CVS, XOM, MYL, CVX, CL, ETN

October 27, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat, it appears that the market is awaiting further news from the FOMC meeting tomorrow.

Earlier today we got earnings results from Pfizer (PFE) +2.4%, Merck (MRK) +1%, and Du Pont (DD) +2.7%.

This evening we got earnings out of Apple (AAPL) -1%, Gilead Sciences (GILD) flat, and Twitter (TWTR) -11%.

The VIX continues to show few signs of panic, as it closed the day at 15.43.

The energy sector was relatively weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down more than 1% today.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in YRC Worldwide (YRCW). Options that saw bearish put buying in Chesapeake Energy (CHK).

In other news, Walgreens (WBA) announced that they are buying Rite Aid (RAD) for $9.41 billion.

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

Key Economic Data:
28 October 2015- FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
29 October 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 October 2015- Personal Income 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
28 October 2015- GRMN, HLT, HOT, IMAX, IP, LVLT, MDLZ, NOV, TMUS, VLO, WBA, VW, AMGN, ATML, CRUS, FFIV, GPRO, LOCK, WMB, PYPL, NE, MUR, CAVM
29 October 2015- AET, CLF, COP, ESV, JAH, JCI, KERX, MO, NOK, MTH, TEVA, TWC, VALE, ZBH, BIDU, EA, LNKD, MOBL, SBUX, WU, SCTY
30 October 2015- ABBV, CVS, XOM, MYL, CVX, CL, ETN

October 25, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 continued its hot streak, closing the week up more than 2%. In fact, the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) is up more than 7% on the month. Not only that, but we’re about 15% of this year’s lows.

The NASDAQ also got a giant boost after getting good earnings out of the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.

With that said, the VIX is below 15, a signal that there isn’t much fear in the market at the moment.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down more than 6% on the week. We continue to see a dislocation from the equity market and the energy market.

This is an extremely busy week in regards to earnings and economic data. Key economic information that will be released includes GDP and an FOMC meeting announcement.

On the earnings front we’ll see releases out of the likes of Apple, Starbucks, Twitter, GoPro, Exxon, and Pfizer to name a few.

Key Economic Data:
26 October 2015- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
27 October 2015- Durable Goods 8:30 AM ET
28 October 2015- FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
29 October 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 October 2015- Personal Income 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
26 October 2015- CHKP, XRX, BRCM, CAKE, HIG, PMCS, PRE
27 October 2015- AKS, AMTD, BEAV, BMY, CMCSA, CNX, COH, DD, F, GLW, GRUB, HUN, KKR, LXK, MAS, MRK, UPS, PFE, WYN, AAPL, AKAM, ESRX, APC, GILD, INFN, MAC, PNRA, SFLY, TER, TWTR, VDSI
28 October 2015- GRMN, HLT, HOT, IMAX, IP, LVLT, MDLZ, NOV, TMUS, VLO, WBA, VW, AMGN, ATML, CRUS, FFIV, GPRO, LOCK, WMB, PYPL, NE, MUR, CAVM
29 October 2015- AET, CLF, COP, ESV, JAH, JCI, KERX, MO, NOK, MTH, TEVA, TWC, VALE, ZBH, BIDU, EA, LNKD, MOBL, SBUX, WU, SCTY
30 October 2015- ABBV, CVS, XOM, MYL, CVX, CL, ETN