December 1, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day lower, however; some sectors performed much better than others. For example, we saw a lot of weakness in tech stocks, the Nasdaq was down 1.36% on the day. While energy related names did fairly well off the momentum of yesterday’s OPEC meeting.

With that said, we saw a bid in the VIX, as it closed above 14, at 14.07.

Crude oil futures have been on an absolute tear over the last two days off the strength of the OPEC meeting. They’re now trading above $50 per barrel and just 5% off the year to date highs. Overall, crude oil futures are up more than 12% over the last two sessions.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Microsemi Corp (MSCC), which traded 2.4 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in McCormick and Co (MKC), which saw 15.9 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
2 Dec 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
2 Dec 2016- BIG, FRED

Key Conferences:
Credit Suisse Tech, Media and Telecom Conference
Bank America Auto Dealer Day Conference

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November 29, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day positive on relatively low trading volume. Overall, it was a really slow day in terms of news. In the background, traders were paying attention to what was being said at the Robin Hood Conference. In addition, they were also reacting to headlines from OPEC affiliates, as OPEC is set to meet tomorrow.

With little going on, the VIX sold off mildly, closing the day below 13, at 12.90.

Crude oil futures gave up all of yesterday’s gains, and then some. Per usual, mixed signals out of OPEC had traders feeling like it might be difficult for the cartel to come to an agreement. Of course, these OPEC meetings are pure wild cards. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Zayo Group Holdings (ZAYO), which traded 3.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Michaels Companies (MIK), which saw 30.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
30 Nov 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
1 Dec 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 Dec 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
30 Nov 2016- AEO, TITN, BOX, BV, GES, LZB, NQ, PVH, SMTC
1 Dec 2016- CIBC, DG, EXPR, KR, AMBA, ASNA, GII FIVE, SWHC, ULTA, WDAY, ZUMZ
2 Dec 2016- BIG, FRED

Key Conferences:
28 Nov 2016- Bank of America Merrill Lynch Leveraged Finance Corporation Conference (runs till 11/30); Credit Suisse Tech, Media and Telecom Conference (runs till 12/2)
29 Nov 2016- Citigroup Basic Materials Conference (runs till 12/1); Jefferies Energy Conference (runs till 11/30); Piper Healthcare conference (runs till 11/30); FBR Investor Conference; FBR Investor Conference
30 Nov 2016- Credit Suisse 4th Annual Industrials Conference (runs till 12/1); JPMorgan Financial Tech & Speciality Forum
2 Dec 2016- Bank America Auto Dealer Day Conference

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November 27, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week on record highs on a shortened trading week. However, stealing some spotlight has been the Russell 2000, which is now running on a 15-session winning streak. It’s up an impressive 20% on the year. The Nasdaq also performed well, gaining nearly 1% on the week, however; it was on very light trading volume.

Market participants will closely be watching the retail sales numbers that come out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are also a decent amount of retailers reporting earnings as well. You can find the earnings schedule below.

In other news, OPEC will meeting on November 30th. Per usual, these meetings are such wild cards, there is no use in trying to predict how they will turn out. One thing we should expect is greater volatility in the energy stocks and futures.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +2.02%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.34%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -3.07%.

Here are some important events worth watching during the week:

Key Economic Data:
29 Nov 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET
30 Nov 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
1 Dec 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 Dec 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
28 Nov 2016- VNET,
29 Nov 2016- TIF, MNK, DSX, ADSK, FSC, GWRE, SPLK
30 Nov 2016- AEO, TITN, BOX, BV, GES, LZB, NQ, PVH, SMTC
1 Dec 2016- CIBC, DG, EXPR, KR, AMBA, ASNA, GII FIVE, SWHC, ULTA, WDAY, ZUMZ
2 Dec 2016- BIG, FRED

Key Conferences:
28 Nov 2016- Bank of America Merrill Lynch Leveraged Finance Corporation Conference (runs till 11/30); Credit Suisse Tech, Media and Telecom Conference (runs till 12/2)
29 Nov 2016- Citigroup Basic Materials Conference (runs till 12/1); Jefferies Energy Conference (runs till 11/30); Piper Healthcare conference (runs till 11/30); FBR Investor Conference; FBR Investor Conference
30 Nov 2016- Credit Suisse 4th Annual Industrials Conference (runs till 12/1); JPMorgan Financial Tech & Speciality Forum
2 Dec 2016- Bank America Auto Dealer Day Conference

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November 23, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500, Dow, and Russell 2000 closed on record highs today. Of course, volume was light ahead of Thanksgiving. The big economic news was the release of the FOMC minutes. At the moment, the market is pricing in a rate hike for the December meeting. In addition, the dollar index saw its highest close in over a decade.

The VIX was relatively unchanged as it closed at 12.43.

Crude oil futures were relatively unchanged, all eyes will be on next week’s OPEC meeting. Overall, crude oil futures are up on the week in hopes that the meeting results in some type of production cut.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in ON Semiconductor (ON), which traded 13.8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Waste Connections (WCN), which saw 9.9 times normal options volume.

The markets are closed tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holiday and will be open till 1 PM ET on Friday. With that said, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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

Key Economic Data:
25 Nov 2016- International Trade In Goods 8:30 AM ET

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November 22, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day higher, and is now up nearly 1% on the week. With that said, we’re sitting right around 52-week highs. The Dow traded above 19000 for the first time ever, and the Russell 2000 is now up 13-straight days. This is a shortened week for the markets, there will be no trading on Thursday for Thanksgiving, and Friday will be a shortened day as the markets close at 1 PM ET.

Expect volumes to die down. However, the FOMC minutes will be something closely watched tomorrow by traders.

The VIX continues it’s decline and is now trading below 12.50, today it closed at 12.41.

There has been a ton of headline news surrounding crude oil futures, with the OPEC meeting set for later this month. At this point in time, it’s hard to believe any rumors, so we’re in a wait and see mode. Crude Oil futures caught a bid on Monday in hopes of a production cut.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Autoliv (ALV), which traded 23.1 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Titan Machinery (TITN), which saw 41.9 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
23 Nov 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM
25 Nov 2016- International Trade In Goods 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
23 Nov 2016- DE

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November 20, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 is up nearly 5% over the last two weeks and is now sitting around 52-week highs. Although the markets have seem to have embraced a Trump Presidency, a large portion of the country appears divided. Despite protests going on throughout the country, volatility in the market is rather low as witnessed by the VIX, which closed at 12.85 on Friday.

Now, the Russell 2000 has outshined both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. The Russell 2000, was up nearly 3% on the week and is up more than 8% on the month. On the other hand, the Nasdaq is actually down on the month, but it did gain more than 1.3% on the week.

Here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +5.63%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.98%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.67%.

It should be a pretty slow week, the markets are closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving, and are partially open on Friday. One bit of information that market participants will be closely following is the FOMC minutes which will be released early in the week. Even with that event, one should expect volumes to be relatively low.

Here is what the shortened week looks like:

Key Economic Data:
22 Nov 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
23 Nov 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM
25 Nov 2016- International Trade In Goods 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
21 Nov 2016- JACK, PANW, VIPS, BRCD
22 Nov 2016- BKS, BURL, CBRL, CPB, DLTR, SIG, GME, HPE, HPQ, UBRN, VEEV, NMBL
23 Nov 2016- DE

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November 17, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed near its 52-week highs today as the market keeps on rolling. The FOMC hinted that they are very close to raising rates, possibly in December. It appears that market is preparing for a rate hike, and based on the price action they’re OK with it.

One of the more active names today was Dryships (DRYS), -90%, it traded in a range between 10.80 to 54.15, finally closing at $11. The stock price was trading under five bucks a couple weeks ago and as high as $100 per share this week. The sector as a whole was on fire for a couple weeks, but it seems like the party is over for the shippers.

The VIX has dropped significantly over the last two weeks, as the market is not as worried about a Trump Presidency.

Crude oil futures prices sold off a little, and have sold off on four out of the last five trading days.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Restoration Hardware (RH), which traded 3.5 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in G III Apparel Group (GIII), which saw 7.5 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Earnings:
18 Nov 2016- ANF, BKE, FL

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November 15, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 was up today on lower than average volume, however; the move was large enough to erase the previous two losing sessions. The Nasdaq had a nice bounce today, over the last week or so, the FANG stocks have not performed well relative to the market.

One of the more active names today was Dryships (DRYS), +66%, it traded in a range between 45.40 to 102, finally closing at $73. Many attribute the move to the low float, and an extremely high short interest ratio. The sector in general, has been on a tear after it was announced that Donald Trump would become the 45th President of the United States of America.

The VIX got crushed today, dropping nearly 8% and closing below 13.50, at 13.37.

Crude oil futures prices caught a bid today, rising nearly 6% and snapping a 3-day losing streak. Keep in mind, that API numbers are this evening, and DOE numbers are tomorrow.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in US Bancorp (USB), which traded 2.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Resource Capital Corporation (RSO), which saw 6.7 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
16 Nov 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:300 AM ET
17 Nov 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
16 Nov 2016- TGT, LOW, CSCO, NTAP, LB
17 Nov 2016- BBY, HP, SPLS, WMT, AMAT, CRM, GPS, INTU, MRVL, NUAN, POST, ROST
18 Nov 2016- ANF, BKE, FL

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November 13, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 bounced back from last week, rising more than 3.5% during a very eventful week in the U.S. Early on Wednesday, it was declared that Donald Trump would become the 45th President of the United States of America. Early signs point to his presidency having an inflationary impact on markets. Certain sectors related to infrastructure and banking have performed well early on.

The Russell 2000 has outperformed the S&P 500, while the Nasdaq was relatively flat on the week.

The VIX was trading above 22 just a week ago, now it’s back to trading around 14. On Friday it closed at 14.17.

Crude oil futures price sold nearly 2% on the week, closing below $44, and are now roughly 16% off the 52-week highs. On the other hand, gold futures prices slid heavily over the week. When the dust settled, gold futures prices were down more than 6% on the week.

Key Economic Data:
15 Nov 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
16 Nov 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:300 AM ET
17 Nov 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 Nov 2016- INFO, ZOES, AAP, AR,
15 Nov 2016- DKS, HD, JD, MBLY, TEVA, VOD, ZBRA, SSYS, TJX, ARMK, BZH, A
16 Nov 2016- TGT, LOW, CSCO, NTAP, LB
17 Nov 2016- BBY, HP, SPLS, WMT, AMAT, CRM, GPS, INTU, MRVL, NUAN, POST, ROST
18 Nov 2016- ANF, BKE, FL

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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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