February 28, 2016 The Week Ahead

February 28, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, OPEC, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished the week slightly higher, adding to last week’s impressive gains. With that said, the VIX closed the week below 20, at 19.58.

Crude oil prices bounced, gaining nearly 10% on the week. We’ll have to pay attention if there is any news out of OPEC. Lately, OPEC related comments have had a huge weight on the price action in crude oil.

There are still a ton of earnings this week along with a decent amount of economic events.

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
1 March 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
3 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
4 March 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 February 2016- AMC, BSFT, DDD, ENDP, HZNP, LL, NRG, NVAX, VRX, TASR, ATML, HTZ, JUNO, PTCT, WDAY, MBI, XON
1 March 2016- AZO, BCS, DLTR, JD, KATE, MDT, BOBE, ROST, VEEV
2 March 2016- ANF, DSX, COSST, NOG
3 March 2016- BKS, BURL, CIEN, JOY, CIEN, KR, SSYS, AMBA, AVGO, NMBL
4 March 2016- SPLS

Key Conferences:
29 February 2016- BMO Metals & Mining Conference (runs till 3/3), JPMorgan High Yield Leveraged Finance Conference (runs till 3/2), JMP Securities Technology Conference (runs till 3/1), Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 3/3)
2 March 2016- Simmons Energy Conference (runs till 03/4)

February 23, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 23, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Earnings, Economic, KATE, MSI, PTCT, RYAAY, S&P 500, VIX, WHR

The S&P 500 was relatively weak the whole day, giving up nearly all of yesterday’s gains. Some attribute the weakness due to concerns out of China and Europe, as their markets closed lower as well.

A sell-off in crude oil didn’t really help the cause either. After a huge move up yesterday, crude oil futures prices gave up half of yesterday’s gains. We’re hovering in the low 30s…well off our recent lows of 26.

The VIX closed below 20 yesterday. However, with the weakness in the markets today, it jumped back above that 20 mark, closing 8% higher at 20.98.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Kate Spade and Company (KATE). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY), about 32.9 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Whirlpool (WHR) +6.5%, Motorola Solutions (MSI) +6%, and PTC Therapeutics (PTCT) -60%.

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

Key Economic Data:
24 February 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
25 February 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 February 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 February 2016- CC, CHK, LOW, MBLY, TGT, RLGY, AVG, CRM, ETE, HPQ, IMAX, NFX, NTES, RIG, SUN, TUMI, WLL
25 February 2016- APA, BBY, CHS, CPB, DPZ, GOGO, KSS, SAFM, SEAS, SFM, SN, VAC, VALE, WNR, ADSK, BIDU, BLOX, BMRN, HLF, INTU, KHC, PANW, STRZA, SPLK, UHS, WTW
26 February 2016- HLT

Key Conferences:
22 February 2016- Credit Suisse Energy Summit (runs till 2/25)
23 February 2016- Jeffries Media and Communications Conference (runs till 2/24), RBC Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/24)
24 February 2016- Wells Fargo Real Estate Conference (runs till 2/25), Wells Fargo Bank Investor Forum

February 21, 2016 The Week Ahead

February 21, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished the week nearly 3% higher, now more than 100 points higher from our year-to-date low.

Despite steady gains in the equity markets, crude oil prices continue to see large up and down swings. A lot of this occurring because of recent OPEC rumors, on whether they’ll work together on constricting supply or not. With that said, crude oil prices did close the week slightly higher.

The VIX closed the week significantly lower, as it dropped from the 25 range to 20.53.

There are still a ton of earnings this week along with a decent amount of economic events (domestic and international).

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
23 February 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 February 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
25 February 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 February 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
22 February 2016- AGN, DF, BHP, FIT, ONDK, MSI
23 February 2016- HD, LAMR, LXK, M, ODP, TOL, SJM, CAR, DWA, ETSY, HAWK, JAZZ, PRA, TROX, TX
24 February 2016- CC, CHK, LOW, MBLY, TGT, RLGY, AVG, CRM, ETE, HPQ, IMAX, NFX, NTES, RIG, SUN, TUMI, WLL
25 February 2016- APA, BBY, CHS, CPB, DPZ, GOGO, KSS, SAFM, SEAS, SFM, SN, VAC, VALE, WNR, ADSK, BIDU, BLOX, BMRN, HLF, INTU, KHC, PANW, STRZA, SPLK, UHS, WTW
26 February 2016- HLT

February 18, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 18, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading AVP, BCC, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, FRC, IM, JACK, S&P 500, VIX

It was a rather uneventful trading session today. For the most part, indices traded slightly lower, after posting solid gains in the previous three sessions. The S&P 500 is up about 5% over the last four trading days.

Despite the sell-off, we’re starting to see volatility come in. For example, the VIX actually sold off, even with the markets lower. It closed the day down 3% at 21.64.

With that said, crude oil prices have seen a nice bounce this week, up more than 10% on hopes that we’ll see production cuts out of OPEC. At the moment, there is a tentative agreement to freeze production, but we still have to wait and see on whether that will come into fruition.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Avon Products (AVP). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in First Republic Bank (FRC), about 51.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Boise Cascade (BCC) -29%, Jack In The Box (JACK) -16%, and Ingram Micro (IM) +23%.

Here’s what’s going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
19 February 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 February 2016- DE

Key Conferences:
CAGNY Conference
Barclay’s Industrial Conference

February 16, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 16, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading ADT, CHGG, Conferences, CYH, Data, Earnings, Economic, GOGO, KMI, PMTS, Russell 2000, S&P 500, VIX

The equity markets started the week off with a strong start, up more than 1.5% in the S&P 500. In addition, the Nasdaq and Russell 2000 posted gains greater than 2% respectfully. The gains held from last night’s session, as the Shanghai Index gained more than 3% along with a boost in crude oil futures prices.

The gains in oil came after an announcement that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Venezuela agreed “freeze” output. However, those gains faded as the news was not as bullish sounding as a production cut.

Despite the risk on appetite, the VIX only dropped about 5% and closed above 24.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Chegg Inc (CHGG). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in CPI Card Group (PMTS), about 51.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Gogo (GOGO) -29%, Community Health Systems (CYH) -22% and ADT (ADT) +49%.

We also saw a ton of SEC filings from funds, updating their status on new and old positions. For some stocks, these have the potential to move stock prices. For example, after the close, Berkshire Hathaway announced a stake in Kinder Morgan (KMI), which popped more than 6% higher in the after hours session.

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

Key Economic Data:
17 February 2016- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
18 February 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
19 February 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
17 February 2016- DPS, GRMN, TMUS, PCLN, SHOP, BLMN, HST, BRCD, CF, CYH, GDDY, JIVE, MAR, MRO, NTAP, NVDA, SPWR, WMB, PKD
18 February 2016- CAB, DAN, DISCA, DUK, HOT, LNG, MGM, MPEL, WM, WMT, PCG, AMAT, JWN, SAM, WAGE
19 February 2016- DE

Key Conferences:
15 February 2016- CAGNY Conference (runs till 2/19)
17 February 2016- Barclay’s Industrial Conference (runs till 2/19)

February 11, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 11, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading BAC, China, Conferences, Data, Economic, EV, JCOM, RNF, S&P 500, TSLA, VIX

The Equity markets have not seen a green day in five days, as we’re down nearly 5% over this period. With that said, we did see a slight bounce off the lows in the S&P 500. Overall, it was very controlled selling, we traded in a range between 1810 and 1847.

With China on holiday, a lot of the focus was on Fed Chairman Yellen’s testimony and the action in the crude oil market. Now, the Chairman’s testimony was unable to spark a rally. Luckily, crude oil was able to catch a bounce late afternoon after hovering below $27 per barrel.

The bounce was attributed to some chatter out of OPEC. The UAE Energy Minister mentioned that he would be open to discussing supply cuts, according to the Wall Street Journal. Of course, that was enough to turn crude oil around and enough to reduce some of the losses in the equity markets.

The VIX traded above 30 at one point, closing the day 7% higher at 28.14.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Rentech Nitrogen Partners (RNF). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Eaton Vance Corp (EV), about 12.4 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: J2 Global (JCOM) +16%, Tesla (TSLA) +5.8%, and Bank of America (BAC) -5.6%

Here’s what’s going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
12 February 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Conferences:
12 February 2016- KBW Financial Conference

February 9, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 9, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Data, DB, Earnings, Economic, ETE, FLY, S&P 500, VIAB, VIX, ZIOP

It was a pretty dull day in the markets, given all the volatility we’ve seen lately. The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged. It appears that traders are waiting for tomorrow, as Janet Yellen takes the stage and addresses congress on the state of the economy.

Any chance of a potential rally was thwarted due to the weakness in energy prices. Crude Oil is at the lowest levels of the year. The cash market closed below 28, losing nearly 6% today. We’re down nearly 15% over the last four trading sessions.

Despite heavy selling pressure in oil and the equity market being relatively flat, the VIX didn’t really know where to go. When the smoked clear, it closed above 26.50, a gain of 2%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Ziopharm Oncology (ZIOP). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Fly Leasing Limited (FLY), about 5.6 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Viacom (VIAB) -21%, Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) +14.5%, Deutsche Bank (DB) -.8%

As mentioned earlier, traders will be paying attention to FED Chairman Yellen as she testifies to Congress tomorrow.

Also, here’s what else is going on this week:

Key Economic Data:
11 February 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
12 February 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
10 February 2016- ARMH, TWX, EXPE, IRBT, TWTR, WFM, ZNGA, MYL, LOCK, FNF
11 February 2016- AVP, BTU, BWA, CAG, GNC, K, MOS, NOK, PEP, RIO, SHPG, TAP, TIME, WWAV, AIG, ATVI, CBS, CYBR, FEYE, GRPN, INFN, P, QLIK, RSG

Key Conferences:
8 February 2016- Credit Suisse Financial Services Forum (runs till 2/10)
9 February 2016- Bank America Merrill Insurance Conference (runs till 2/11), Goldman Sachs Tech Conf (runs till 2/11), Goldman Sachs Insurance Conf (runs till 2/11)
10 February 2016- Leerink Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/11)
11 February 2016- KBW Financial Conference (runs till 2/12)

February 8, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 8, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading BLMN, China, CHK, Conferences, CVS, Data, DIS, Earnings, Economic, ETE, KO, PENN, S&P 500, VIX, WMB

The Chinese markets were closed today in celebration of their new year. With that said, many traders believed that volatility would come in during their holiday break. Well…that clearly wasn’t the case today. The S&P 500 sold off 1.4% and the NASDAQ was down more than 1.8%.

We continue to see weakness in Biotech, Technology, and the MLP sector. It probably doesn’t help that commodities are also weak. Most importantly, crude oil, which settled below $30 per barrel.

It’s not a real surprise to see the VIX trade above 25 today, finishing the day 11% higher and closing at 26.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Penn National Gaming (PENN). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Bloomin Brands (BLMN), about 58 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Chesapeake Energy (CHK) -33%, Energy Transfer Equity (ETE), and Williams Companies (WMB) -35%.

We’ve got earnings from Coca-Cola (KO) and CVS Pharmacy (CVS) tomorrow, along with Disney (DIS). Overall, earnings have been pretty weak this quarter. Let’s see if that trend changes at all.

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

Key Economic Data:
11 February 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
12 February 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
9 February 2016- CVS, KO, MAS, VIAB, WYN, AKAM, DIS, NCR, NUAN, PNRA, WU
10 February 2016- ARMH, TWX, EXPE, IRBT, TWTR, WFM, ZNGA, MYL, LOCK, FNF
11 February 2016- AVP, BTU, BWA, CAG, GNC, K, MOS, NOK, PEP, RIO, SHPG, TAP, TIME, WWAV, AIG, ATVI, CBS, CYBR, FEYE, GRPN, INFN, P, QLIK, RSG

February 7, 2016 The Week Ahead

February 7, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, trading, VIX

The S&P 500 had a rough week, selling off about 3%. As the market continues to remain weak this year. The NASDAQ has hit five month lows, as some earnings come in disappointing. For example, Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn, and Microsoft have all reacted poorly to earnings.

Not to mention, we’ve seen weakness in the Asian markets, jobs data, and crude oil prices. Let’s see if we catch a break in volatility, as China prepares to celebrate their new year and closing their markets.

The VIX closed the week higher, right above 23.38.

Crude oil prices sold off this week, down nearly 8% and not too far off our most recent lows. We’re barely trading above $30 per barrel.

On the economic front, there isn’t that much on the schedule. However, there are a ton of earnings on the schedule.

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
11 February 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
12 February 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
8 February 2016- L, HAS, FOX, PAA, YELP
9 February 2016- CVS, KO, MAS, VIAB, WYN, AKAM, DIS, NCR, NUAN, PNRA, WU
10 February 2016- ARMH, TWX, EXPE, IRBT, TWTR, WFM, ZNGA, MYL, LOCK, FNF
11 February 2016- AVP, BTU, BWA, CAG, GNC, K, MOS, NOK, PEP, RIO, SHPG, TAP, TIME, WWAV, AIG, ATVI, CBS, CYBR, FEYE, GRPN, INFN, P, QLIK, RSG

January 18, 2016 The Week Ahead

January 18, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading BAC, Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, GS, IBM, MS, NFLX, S&P 500, SBUX, trading, VIX

The S&P 500 continues to see heavy selling pressure this year, as we’re already down 8% thus far. Many attribute it to the slowdown in China; The Shanghai Composite Index is down more than 17% year-to-date.

In addition, crude oil prices continue to drop. They’re down over 20%, early in the new year. Cash crude oil prices are currently trading below $30 per barrel.

The VIX actually didn’t change much from last week, closing above 27.

For a four-day trading week, it’s pretty busy. On Tuesday, we’ll get China retail sales and GDP numbers. On Thursday, we’ve got the ECB interest rate decision. On top of that, we’ve got a ton of earnings being reported.

Reporting this week: Netflix (NFLX), Bank of America (BAC), Morgan Stanley (MS), IBM, Goldman Sachs (GS), Starbucks (SBUX), and a whole lot more.

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
20 January 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET
21 January 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET
22 January 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 January 2016- BAC, MS, SCHW, UN, UNH CREE, IBKR, IBM, LLTC, NFLX
20 January 2016- EAT, GS, FFIV, XLNX
21 January 2016- ALK, CP, LUV, VZ, ISRG, JBHT, MXIM, SBUX
22 January 2016- COL, GE, KSU, LM, SAP, SYF

Conferences:
20 January 2016- World Economic Forum in Davos (runs til 1/23)