January 3, 2016 The Week Ahead

January 3, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Dow Jones, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, NASDAQ, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 closed the year slightly negative, snapping a four year streak of positive returns. Unfortunately, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also suffered the same fate. On the other hand, the NASDAQ was able to post modest gains on the year.

The VIX actually closed the week higher, finishing 2015, above 18.

Crude oil futures prices dropped significantly again for the second straight year. The futures prices are currently trading well below $40 per barrel. Gold futures prices finished the year relatively flat.

We should get a sneak peek of what 2016 will be like on Wednesday, as the FOMC releases the minutes from their last meeting. With that said, volumes should slowly start picking back up.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
4 January 2016- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
6 January 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
7 January 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 January 2016- MON
7 January 2016- FINL, KBH, STZ, WBA, BBBY, HELE, SNX, TCS

Conferences:
5 January 2016- Citigroup Internet, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 1/7), Goldman Sachs Healthcare Conference
6 January 2016- Consumer Electronics Show (runs till 1/9), Goldman Sachs Energy Conference (runs till 1/7)

December 27, 2015 The Week Ahead

December 27, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Economic, education, SPY, trading, USO, VIX

And then there was four…that is, four more trading days left in 2015. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is in positive territory, however; these are those lowest returns seen since 2011.

In respect to news and events, there isn’t much on the table. In fact, there are no earnings this week and we only have a few economic releases. With that said, don’t expect much in the form of trading volume.

The VIX actually dropped nearly 5 points from last week, and is now sitting below 16.

Crude oil futures caught a small bounce during the week, however; prices are down a lot on the year. The United States Oil Fund (USO) is down more than 36% on the year.

Most traders will be taking this time to take a break from the markets. While others might spend their time reviewing their process, going over what worked, what didn’t, and what they can do to improve in 2016. If you’re still searching for your edge, we invite you to check out our training program. It was created by a team of industry recognized traders, aimed at helping those new (and even experienced) traders get the skills they need to compete in these ever changing markets.

Moving on.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
29 December 2015- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
31 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

December 13, 2015 The Week Ahead

December 13, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, education, FOMC, SPY, trading, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) snapped a 3-week winning streak in spectacular fashion, after seeing a decline of nearly four percent. All eyes are going to be on the upcoming FOMC meeting, will they raise rates or keep them unchanged? After this sell-off, will they put those thoughts on hold? We’ll have the answer on Wednesday.

The VIX absolutely exploded, closing the week at 24.39, a jump of nearly 10 points from the previous Friday close.

Crude oil futures hit a 7-year low after dropping more than 11% during the week. With that said, there seems to be no bottom in sight.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
15 December 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET
16 December 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
17 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 December 2015- FCEL, PAY
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 6, 2015 The Week Ahead

December 6, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, S&P 500, SPY, trading, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had its third straight winning week, and is now less than 1.2% off the 52-week highs. Despite the recent bullish action, the market has had its fair share of volatility. For example, we have had four straight +/- 1% in the S&P 500. It appears we are back to the ol’ good news is good…and bad news is good.

The VIX was relatively unchanged, closing the week at 14.88.

Crude oil futures closed below $40 a barrel after the OPEC Meeting. In general, the commodities market has been relatively weak compared to the equity market.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
10 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
11 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
12 December 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
07 December 2015- HRB
08 December 2015- AZO, CONN, COST, PLCE, KKD, PLAY
09 December 2015- FRAN, MW, VRA
10 December 2015- CIEN, ADBE, FNSR, NCS

Key Events:
07 December 2015- Raymond James Tech & Communications Conference (runs til 12/09), UBS Global Media & Communications Conference (runs til 12/09), Wells Fargo Energy Symposium (runs till 12/09)
08 December 2015- Barclays Global Technology Conference (runs til 12/09), Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference (runs till 12/09), Oppenheimer Healthcare Conference (runs til 12/09)

October 19, 2015 The Week Ahead

October 19, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Coca-Cola, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Ebay, Economic, Procter & Gamble, S&P 500, USO, VIX

The S&P 500 ended the week on an absolute tear. In fact, we’re up 3% on the month.

With that said, the VIX closed around 15, a signal that fear has subsided substantially over the last couple months.

Very impressive despite weakness out of the likes of Wal-Mart and the pharmaceutical companies.

Crude Oil futures closed the week lower after a nice run-up last week. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down more than 3% on the week.

Earnings season continues to pick up steam this week as we’ve got earnings from Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Ebay to name a few.

Key Economic Data:
20 October 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET
22 October 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 October 2015- HAL, HAS, VRX, MS, IBM, RMBS, VALE, STLD, ZION
20 October 2015- CMG, CREE, DFS, ILMN, IRBT, ISRG, NAVI, PKG, VMW, YHOO, HOG, SAP, UTX, VZ
21 October 2015- BA, GM, IPG, KMB, KO, STJ, SVU, TEX, CAKE, CCI, EBAY, MLNX, SNDK, TXN, URI, WFT
22 October 2015- BEN, CAM, CAT, DAN, CY, DGX, DNKN, DOW, DPS, FCX, LLY, JNS, LAZ, LUV, MCD, MJN, MMM, NDAQ, SWK, ALTR, AMZN, ATHN, COF, MSFT, QLIK, SYNA, T
23 October 2015- AAL, PG

October 11, 2015 The Week Ahead

October 11, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Delta, Earnings, Economic, education, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Netflix, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

October 11, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the week significantly higher, up over 3% and now trading above 2000. In fact, we’re just 5% off from the 52 week high and nearly 13% above the 52 week lows.

With that said, the VIX closed around 17, dropping more than 15% for the week.

Many attribute this move higher to the fact that the Fed is less likely to raise rates this year. In addition, incoming weak economic data makes it more likely we won’t see a rate hike any time in the near future. We’re back to the ol’ bad news is good for the market mantra.

Crude Oil futures closed the week at one month highs… nearly $3 away from 3-month highs. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up more than 8% on the week.

Earnings season picks up steam this week as we’ve got earnings from the likes of The Goldman Sachs Group, Delta Air Lines, Intel Corporation, General Electric, and Netflix to name a few.

Key Economic Data:
14 October 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
15 October 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey 10:00 AM ET
16 October 2015- Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

Key Earnings:
12 October 2015- INFY
13 October 2015- FAST, ADTN, CSX, INTC, JPM, LLTC
14 October 2015- BAC, BLK, DAL, WFC, NFLX, XLNX
15 October 2015- BX, C, FCS, GS, KEY, MAT, MTG, PM, PPG, SCHW, TSM, USB, AMD, SLB
16 October 2015- GE, HON, KSU

October 4, 2015 The Week Ahead

October 4, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, education, Events, S&P 500, trading, VIX

October 4, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the week higher, making it four straight days after seeing a full week of selling, last week.

With that said, the VIX closed above 20, where it’s been for over a month.

One could argue we’ve simply bounced from extreme oversold conditions. Of course, with China on holiday, that helped take some pressure off the markets.

Crude Oil futures were relatively unchanged this week, as prices are trading slightly above $45 per barrel. Interestingly, we also saw a pop in precious metals futures on Friday. Gold futures traded more than 2% higher.

Earnings season kicks off on Thursday, here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
6 October 2015- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
8 October 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2 PM ET

Key Earnings:
5 October 2015- TCS
6 October 2015- PEP, YUM
7 October 2015- MON, STZ
8 October 2015- DPZ, AA

Key Events:
5 October 2015 (runs till the 6th)- 18th Annual Cowen Therapeutics Conference
6 October 2015 (runs till the 9th)- Amazon Services Invent Conference

September 27, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 28, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, S&P 500, trading, VIX

September 27, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the week lower, however; the trading range was fairly narrow.

With that said, the VIX closed above 23, as 20 appears to be the new base.

A lot of attention has been placed on the biotech/pharma sector after presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, made some comments regarding prescription costs. The market took these comments as being a negative in the sector, and thus, have put prices under pressure.

Crude Oil futures were relatively unchanged this week, as prices are trading slightly above $45 per barrel.

Now, here’s what’s on tap, starting on Monday:

Key Economic Data:
28 September 2015- Personal Income & Outlays 8:30 AM ET
1 October 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing Index 10 AM ET
2 October 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 September 2015- COST
1 October 2015- MU

Key Events:
28 September 2015 (runs till 9/30)- Deutsche Bank Leveraged Finance Conference
28 September 2015 (runs till 9/30)- Johnson Rice Energy Conference
29 September 2015 (runs till 10/1)- American Gaming Association Global Gaming Expo
29 September 2015 (runs till 9/30)- Wolfe Research Power & Gas Leaders Conference

September 21, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 21, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, ETSY, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX, VRX

September 21, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the day higher, however; volume was very light. With that said, we did get some form of relief after Friday’s sell off.

Despite the lackluster volume, the VIX sold off rather harshly, ending the day down nearly 10% at 20.14

Crude Oil futures were relatively strong, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 3 percent.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying take place in Etsy Inc. (ETSY). The bears were out in Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX). In fact, the pharmaceutical space as a whole took a hit today after Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton, made some comments that were taken negatively amongst the sector.

September 14, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 14, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, trading, VIX

September 14, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the week slightly higher, however; all eyes will be on the FOMC meeting, which is on Thursday. With that said, the markets might trade choppy on light volume. In addition, the Jewish New Year, begins Sunday night and ends Tuesday night.

It’s now been four straight Friday’s where the VIX has closed above 23.

Crude Oil futures were relatively flat last week. But, we’re less than $7 from the multi-year lows.

Here’s what else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
15 September 2015- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM
16 September 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET
17 September 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 10:00 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET

Key Earnings:
16 September 2015- ARCW, ASNA, CBRL, FDX, ORCL
17 September 2015- ADBE, RAD

October 11, 2015 The Week Ahead

October 4, 2015 The Week Ahead

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September 21, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 14, 2015 The Week Ahead

Holiday Sales Event!