February 28, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The markets sold off a little today, as traders positioned themselves ahead of President Trump’s speech, which will be tonight. In addition, we received GDP numbers earlier in the session, which came in at 1.9% for Q4, a number that was below the estimates of 2.1%

Strong earnings performers included: The Priceline Group (PCLN) and Weight Watchers (WTW)

Weak earnings performers included: Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Perrigo Company (PRGO), and Target (TGT)

ETF Performers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.17%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.37%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.09%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Yandex (YNDX), which traded 3.1 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Outfront Media (OUT), which traded 6.9 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data
1 March 2017- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
2 March 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
28 Feb 2017- AZO, CNP, DDD, ENDP, NRG, NLNK, PAH, QVCA, SEAS, SHOO, TGT, VRX, AMBA, BUFF, CRM, DAR, ETSY, EVHC, HALO, LOGM, PANW, TSRO, UHS, VEEV, WTW
1 March 2017- AEO, BBY, CROX, DLTR, DY, IEP, KERX, LOW, MYL, ODP, WIN, AVGO, BOX, KIN, SHAK, XON, VSI
2 March 2017- ANF, BKS, BUD, BURL, JD, JOY, KR, TD, ZEUS, COST, HABT, MRVL, SGMS, WING

Key Events
27 Feb 2017- Mobile World Congress (runs till 3/2); Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference (runs till 3/2)

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February 26, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Week after week, the market continues to push through new all-time highs. Regardless, how hard the media tries to paint the picture that the new administration is a mess, the markets are telling us a completely different story.

How long with this dislocation last?

It’s really hard to say. However, on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrials managed to have its 11th straight record high close.

And you know what else?

The VIX continues to hangout below 12. On Friday, the VIX closed at 11.47. Looking forward into the week, traders will be watching GDP numbers along with earnings.

Moving on to gold and oil.

Crude oil futures closed the week higher, finishing up about 1.00%. In precious metals, gold futures prices finished the week higher, gaining more than 1.5%

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) +2.00%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.37%.

Some key earnings include: Priceline, Hertz, Salesfore.com, and Costco.

Here is a list of some events that traders will be following:

Key Economic Data:
27 Feb 2017- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET
28 Feb 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET
1 March 2017- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
2 March 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET.

Key Earnings:
27 Feb 2017- AES, AFSI, AMT, BID, EMES, HZNP, SSTK, DGI, EXEL, EOG, HTZ, KND, OKE, PCLN, PRGO, THC, WDAY, CST
28 Feb 2017- AZO, CNP, DDD, ENDP, NRG, NLNK, PAH, QVCA, SEAS, SHOO, TGT, VRX, AMBA, BUFF, CRM, DAR, ETSY, EVHC, HALO, LOGM, PANW, TSRO, UHS, VEEV, WTW
1 March 2017- AEO, BBY, CROX, DLTR, DY, IEP, KERX, LOW, MYL, ODP, WIN, AVGO, BOX, KIN, SHAK, XON, VSI
2 March 2017- ANF, BKS, BUD, BURL, JD, JOY, KR, TD, ZEUS, COST, HABT, MRVL, SGMS, WING

Key Events:
27 Feb 2017- JMP Securities Technology Conference (runs till 2/28); Mobile World Congress (runs till 3/2); Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference (runs till 3/2)

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February 22, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The markets closed mixed today on lower than expected volume. For the most part, we’ve been trending higher with no real hiccup to note of. That said, even the FOMC minutes were a non-event today. The VIX is still trading below 12, as it closed at 11.74.

Strong earnings performers included: Garmin (GRMN), Mobileye (MBLY), and Tesla (TSLA)

Weak earnings performers included: L Brands (LB), Hollyfrontier (HFC), and Terex (TEX)

ETF Performers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.56%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.17%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.14%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Liberty Interactive (QVCA), which traded 289 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Macquarie Infrastructure Company (MIC), which traded 2.3 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
23 Feb 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
23 Feb 2017- BSFT, APA, CHK, CRZO, EME, IRM, KSS, PF, SAFM, SFM, STOR, VALE, VAC, DYN, GPS, HLF, IMAX, INTU, JWN, OLED, SWN, ZOES
24 Feb 2017- CLMT, DOC, FL, HSC, IAG, JCP, PEG, KBR, RLGY, STAR

Key Events:
20 Feb 2017- CAGNY Consumer Conference (runs till 2/24)
22 Feb 2017- Barclay’s Industrials Conference (runs till 2/23); RBC Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/23)

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February 19, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Last week we wrote: “The markets keep rolling higher… seems like nearly every other day an all-time high is being made.” Well, not much has changed, as the all three averages posted gains of over 1% on the week.

Interestingly, the attention continues to stay more or less focused on politics than what’s going on in the financial markets. The VIX did gain on the week, moving from 10.85 to 11.49, however; that’s still relatively low given the political climate we’re in.

Moving on to gold and oil.

Crude oil futures closed the week lower, finishing down 0.76%. In precious metals, gold futures prices finished the week higher, gaining about .10%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.96%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.36%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.07%.

Some key earnings include: Tesla Motors, Wal-Mart, Hewlett Packard, Herbalife, and Home Depot.

Here is a list of some events that traders will be following:

Key Economic Data:
21 Feb 2017- PMI Manufacturing Index 9:45 AM ET
22 Feb 2017- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
23 Feb 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
21 Feb 2017- AAP, AER, BHP, CBRL, EXAS, EXPD, GPC, HD, HSBC, LL, M, MDR, MDT, PWR, WLK, WMT, EIX, CXO, FSLR, IRWD, LZB, NEM, PZZA, XPO
22 Feb 2017- DISH, GRMN, HFC, HST, LAMR, LYG, MBLY, NI, PNK, SBGI, SIX, TEX, TJX, TOL, WWW, CAKE, CLR, CLVS, ETE, ETP, EVHC, FIT, HPQ, LB, O, SQ, SUN, TROX, TSLA, TSRA
23 Feb 2017- BSFT, APA, CHK, CRZO, EME, IRM, KSS, PF, SAFM, SFM, STOR, VALE, VAC, DYN, GPS, HLF, IMAX, INTU, JWN, OLED, SWN, ZOES
24 Feb 2017- CLMT, DOC, FL, HSC, IAG, JCP, PEG, KBR, RLGY, STAR

Key Events:
20 Feb 2017- CAGNY Consumer Conference (runs till 2/24)
22 Feb 2017- Barclay’s Industrials Conference (runs till 2/23); RBC Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/23)

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February 14, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets closed at the highs today. Despite the best efforts by the media to portray that the country is politically in shambles. The money changers are bullish stocks and we’re seeing it in these averages… and we’re seeing it in the depleted VIX. At some point, stocks will be too rich to own, however; judging by the price action we’re not there yet.

Strong earnings performers included: Diebold Nixdorf (DBD), Retailmenot (SALE), and Molson Coors (TAP)

Weak earnings performers included: Generac Holdings (GNRC) and Fossil Group (FOSL)

The VIX closed lower today, and is now trading below the 11 mark, closing at 10.74.

ETF Performers: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.53%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.72%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.11%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR), which traded 6.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in IMAX Corporation (IMAX), which traded 22 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
15 Feb 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
16 Feb 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
15 Feb 2017- ANGI, GRPN, HLT, LAD, OZM, PEP, SHOP, SODA, SONS, WIX, WYN, AMAT, CAR, CBS, CC, CF, CSCO, CVA, GDDY, GRPN, HAWK, KHC, MAR, MRO, NLY, NTAP, NTES, PKD, SPWR, TIVO, TRIP, WMB, WPZ
16 Feb 2017- AVP, CAB, CHTR, ALXN, DF, DUK, EPAM, GNC, H, MGM, NCI, RS, TIME, TPX, WEN, ZTS, WM, ANET, BCOV, CUBE, DVA, ED, FLS, KEYS, TRUE, WWAV
17 Feb 2017- AAN, CPB, CTB, DE, FNMA, MCD, VFC, SJM, LPNT, FLR

Key Events:
14 Feb 2017- Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference (runs till 2/16)
15 Feb 2017- Leerink Global Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/16)

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February 12, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The markets keep rolling higher… seems like nearly every other day an all-time high is being made. For the S&P 500, that makes 3 straight weeks where it’s gained. Despite the majority of the media hating on the new President, the markets are painting a totally different picture.

President Trump has announced that he has plans to make some major changes to the tax code. Some market participants believe that this will benefit corporations greatly. This might explain some of the recent optimism in the markets.

Earnings continue to pour in. Thus far, they haven’t been especially great nor especially bad. One only needs to look at the VIX to get that picture. The VIX closed the week below 11, at $10.85.

Moving on to gold and oil.

Crude oil futures closed the week slightly higher, gaining the last three days and ending up .10%. In precious metals, gold futures prices finished the week higher, gaining more than 1.1%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.35%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.48%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.27%.

Some key earnings include: Teva Pharmaceuticals, T-Mobile, McDonald’s, and PepsiCo, Inc.

Here is a list of some events that traders will be following:

Key Economic Data:
14 Feb 2017- PPI 8:30 AM ET
15 Feb 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
16 Feb 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
13 Feb 2017- FDC, HCP, ON, TEVA, VSM, AMKR, BRKR, CRX, CSOD, FLO, GPOR, OMF, VNO
14 Feb 2017- AMAG, CS, DBD, DISCA, DPS, GNRC, FLIR, INCY, SALE, TAP, TMUS, TRU, VG, A, AIG, BYD, CALX, CSR, DVN, ENLK, ESRX, FANG, FOSL, HIVE, HUBS, LC, NBIX, VDSI
15 Feb 2017- ANGI, GRPN, HLT, LAD, OZM, PEP, SHOP, SODA, SONS, WIX, WYN, AMAT, CAR, CBS, CC, CF, CSCO, CVA, GDDY, GRPN, HAWK, KHC, MAR, MRO, NLY, NTAP, NTES, PKD, SPWR, TIVO, TRIP, WMB, WPZ
16 Feb 2017- AVP, CAB, CHTR, ALXN, DF, DUK, EPAM, GNC, H, MGM, NCI, RS, TIME, TPX, WEN, ZTS, WM, ANET, BCOV, CUBE, DVA, ED, FLS, KEYS, TRUE, WWAV
17 Feb 2017- AAN, CPB, CTB, DE, FNMA, MCD, VFC, SJM, LPNT, FLR

Key Events:
14 Feb 2017- Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference (runs till 2/16)
15 Feb 2017- Leerink Global Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/16)

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February 7, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets closed the day mixed on below average trading volume. One interesting note coming out of Bespoke, was that the S&P 500 has gone 80 sessions without a single down day of 1% or lower. Again, that’s pretty amazing considering all the media attention we’ve had surrounding US politics.

Some strong earnings performers included: Cardinal Health (CAH) and National Oilwell (NOV)

Some weak earnings performers included: Disney (DIS), Michael Kors (KORS), and General Motors (GM).

The VIX closed lower today, and is still trading below the 12 mark, as it ended the day at 11.29.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.67%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.74%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.24%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Denbury Resources (DNR), which traded 8.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Infinera Corporation (INFN), which traded 3.4 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for the rest of the week:


Key Economic Data:
8 Feb 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
9 Feb 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
8 Feb 2017- AXTA, CTSH, EXC, GRA, GRUB, HUM, LPX, RIO, OC, SNY, TWX, VOYA, DNB, FISV, GLUU, IRBT, LVLT, MC, PAYC, SCSS, TRMB, TYL, WFM, ZEN
9 Feb 2017- BATS, BWA, BZH, CLF, COTY, CVS, DNKN, K, KKR, KO, LIVE, MAS, MHK, OXY, PTEN, RAI, TDC, TWTR, VIAB, VRTU, WWE, YUM, ATVI, CERN, CYBR, EXPE, INFN, JCOM, LPLA, MNK, NCR, MPWR, NVDA, NWSA, P, RICK, UBNT, VRSN, WU, YELP, ZAYO, ZNGA
10 Feb 2017- AXL, G, MT

Key Events:
6 Feb 2017- Credit Suisse Financial Services Forum (runs till 2/8)
8 Feb 2017- Cowen 38th Annual Aerospace, Defense & Industrials Conference (runs till 2/9)
9 Feb 2017- KBW Winter Financial Services Symposium (runs till 2/10)

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February 5, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Overall, the markets were relatively flat during the week. With that said, earnings thus far haven’t been really exciting. We got some positive results out of Apple and Facebook. However, Amazon disappointed some, but nothing bad where it caused a significant sell-off in other areas of the market.

In economic news, the FOMC meeting resulted in no changes to the key interest rate. However, they still have a plan for several rate hikes this year. One important change in their language was that they are now saying that inflation will rise vs. expected too.

Outside of that, a lot of the media attention is around the first 100 days of President Trump.

Despite all the protesting and the media trying their best to make the new regime appear toxic, the market thus far is not buying into any of it. With that said, the VIX closed at 10.97 on Friday.

Going into the week, traders will be mainly focused on earnings.

Moving on to energy.

Crude oil futures closed the week pretty strong, having 3 out of 5 winning days and ending up 1.21%. 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) +1.23%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.31%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +2.33%.

Some key earnings include: Disney, Time Warner, Twitter, CVS, and Coca-Cola to name a few.

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

Key Economic Data:
7 Feb 2017- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
8 Feb 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
9 Feb 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
6 Feb 2017- BWP, HAS, L, NEWL, TSN, CBOE, SYY, DO, FOXA, HMN, LYB, MAC, TSO, YRCW
7 Feb 2017- ADM, BP, CAH, CDW, EMR, FIS, GM, ICE, KORS, MNK, NOV, SABR, TDG, TEN, VMC, AKAM, BWLD, DIS, GILD, GNW, JIVE, LITE, MCHP, MDLZ, NUAN, ORLY, PAA, PNRA, PAGP, PXD, TCS, TDW, TTWO, TWLO, ULTI, YUMC, ZG
8 Feb 2017- AXTA, CTSH, EXC, GRA, GRUB, HUM, LPX, RIO, OC, SNY, TWX, VOYA, DNB, FISV, GLUU, IRBT, LVLT, MC, PAYC, SCSS, TRMB, TYL, WFM, ZEN
9 Feb 2017- BATS, BWA, BZH, CLF, COTY, CVS, DNKN, K, KKR, KO, LIVE, MAS, MHK, OXY, PTEN, RAI, TDC, TWTR, VIAB, VRTU, WWE, YUM, ATVI, CERN, CYBR, EXPE, INFN, JCOM, LPLA, MNK, NCR, MPWR, NVDA, NWSA, P, RICK, UBNT, VRSN, WU, YELP, ZAYO, ZNGA
10 Feb 2017- AXL, G, MT

Key Events:
6 Feb 2017- Credit Suisse Financial Services Forum (runs till 2/8)
8 Feb 2017- Cowen 38th Annual Aerospace, Defense & Industrials Conference (runs till 2/9)
9 Feb 2017- KBW Winter Financial Services Symposium (runs till 2/10)

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February 2, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets closed the day relatively weak after the FOMC’s interest rate decision. With that said, earnings continue to dominate the news along with politics. After a hot start, the Dow Jones Industrial Averages are now down 4 out of the last 5 sessions.

Some strong earnings performers included: Philip Morris (PM) and Tableau Software (DATA)

Some weak earnings performers included: Fireeye (FEYE), Ralph Lauren (RL), and Amazon.com (AMZN)

The VIX closed higher today, but still below the 12 mark, as it ended the day at 11.93.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.26%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.04%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.56%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in RH (RH), which traded 3.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Cerus Corp (CERS), which traded 12.6 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
3 Feb 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
3 Feb 2017- AN, APO, HSY, WY

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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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