July 7, 2016 Market Wrap Up

July 7, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading AVG, Crude Oil, Economic Data, FSLR, HUM, JWN, S&P 500, USO, VIX, WWAV

The S&P 500 was relatively flat today on below average volume. However, there were some interesting sectors in play. More specifically, healthcare, retail and foods. With that said, a lot of eyes and ears will be on tomorrow’s jobs report as the shortened trading week comes to a close.

Stocks in play today include: Humana (HUM) -10%, AVG Technologies (AVG) +30.9%, Whitewave Foods Company (WWAV) +18.6%, and First Solar Energy (FSLR) -9.9%

The VIX was down a little bit, closing at 14.76.

Crude oil futures got torched today. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down more than 4%, closing the day at 10.82.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Nordstrom Inc (JWN), which traded 6.7 times normal volume. We also saw a ton of bearish bets being placed in WellCare Health Plans, which traded 16.8 times usual volume.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

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

July 3, 2016 The Week Ahead

July 3, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Economic Data, FOMC, Gold, S&P 500, VIX

What a difference a week makes. The S&P 500 has gained more than 5% over the last 4 trading sessions, as it’s inching closer to yearly highs. With that said, the VIX on Friday closed at 14.77, that’s 42% off last Friday’s close of 25.76. Some believe the threat of contagion after Brexit was overestimated as it appears that the EU and UK plan on working closely together to assure some type of order.

Interestingly, Gold, often recognized as a safe haven also saw futures prices rise this week, nearly 2% and closing around 1340… which isn’t too far from the year to date high. Not to mention, US Treasury futures prices also rose more than 2% on the week. They too, are near the yearly highs.

Crude oil futures prices rose more than 3% on the week, at around $49 per barrel.

Outside of the FOMC minutes being released, we’ve got a pretty thin schedule coming up with markets being closed on Monday. With that said, have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Here is what is on tap for this upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
6 July 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
7 July 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
8 July 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 July 2016- WBA
7 July 2016- PEP, CUDA, HELE

June 30, 2016 Market Wrap Up

June 30, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Economic, FEYE, HBAN, HSY, MDLZ, S&P 500, TCK, VIX

The S&P 500 has been in pure buy mode over the last three sessions. With that said, the S&P 500 is up nearly 5% over the last three sessions.

Stocks in play today include: The Hershey Company (HSY) +16%, Mondelez International (MDLZ) +5.9%, and Fireeye (FEYE) +3.9%.

The VIX has seen the air out of it’s balloon, now trading well below 16, at at 15.63. Despite the drop in VIX and the surge in the stock market, the iShares Barclays 20+ Yr Treasury Bond (ETF) was up on the day.

Crude oil futures closed futures sold off today, after gaining 7% the previous two days. However, they’re still not that off the yearly highs, closing at $48.33.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Teck Resources (TCK), which traded 3.4 times normal volume. We also saw a ton of bearish bets being placed in Huntington Bancshares Inc (HBAN), which traded 7.0 times usual volume.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
1 July 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET

June 12, 2016 The Week Ahead

June 12, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, Events, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 closed the week relatively flat, however; earlier gains in the week were erased over the last two trading sessions as the S&P 500 lost more than 1%. With that said, volume was generally weak as the market awaits a week laced with heavy data. Most importantly, the FOMC announcement on Wednesday.

It’s expected that given the last jobs report, the Fed will not make any changes. However, market participants will be close attention to the language used as well the upcoming forecasts.

The VIX on Friday closed at 17.03, a massive jump from last Friday, indicating that traders are more uncertain how the market will react to the upcoming data.

Crude oil futures traded above $50 for three straight days this week but sold off over 4% the last two trading sessions to close a tad above $49 per barrel.

Here is what is on tap for this upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
14 June 2016- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
15 June 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
16 June 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET
17 June 2016- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 June 2016- BOBE, LAKE
15 June 2016- JBL
16 June 2016- KR, FNSR

Key Events:
13 June 2016- Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (runs till 6/17); JPMorgan Global China Summit (runs till 6/15), Stifel Industrials Conference
14 June 2016- Citigroup Industrials Conference (runs till 6/15); Credit Suisse Semi Supply Chain Conference (runs till 6/15); Morgan Stanley Financial Services Conference (runs till 6/15); Piper Consumer Conference (runs till 6/15); RBC Global Mining & Materials Conference (runs till 6/15); Wells Fargo Food/Retail Symposium (runs till 6/15); William Blair 36th Annual Growth Stock Conference (runs till 6/16)

June 5, 2016 The Week Ahead

June 5, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, Events, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 closed the week relatively flat, however; things got real interesting on Friday after a much weaker than expected jobs number. In fact, it was on of the worst numbers in years. With that said, many market participants now believe that the economy is too weak for the Fed to raise interest rates in June. This caused the market to sell off initially on Friday, but it managed to bounce back to modest losses.

The VIX on Friday hit a high of 14.66 only to see it sell off at the end of the day. The VIX was little changed for the week, closing at 13.47.

The OPEC meeting turned out to be a non-event. With that said, crude oil futures prices didn’t move much during the week. Currently, prices are 86% higher from their six month lows. As we stand, we’re a tad under $49.

Here is what is on tap for this upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
8 June 2016- EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET
9 June 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 June 2016- UNFI, THO, SIGM
7 June 2016- MIK, VNCE, VRX, PAY, PLAY, VRNT
8 June 2016- TLRD, RH
9 June 2016- SJM, MFRM, HRB

Key Events:
6 June 2016- Goldman Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference (runs till 6/7); Stifel Tech, Internet, and Media Conference (runs till 6/8)
7 June 2016- Bank America Global Telecom & Media Conference (runs till 6/9); Goldman Healthcare Conference (runs till 6/9); Jefferies Healthcare Conference (runs till 6/10); JP Morgan Auto Conference (runs till 6/7)
8 June 2016- Credit Suisse Global Energy Conference (runs till 6/9); Deutsche Bank 7th Annual Global Industrials & Basic Materials Conference (runs till 6/9)

May 30, 2016 The Week Ahead

May 30, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, Events, OPEC, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 had a solid week of gains, moving more than 2% higher. Not only that, we’re just less than 2% off the all-time highs. Another healthy sign was the influx of IPOs. Last week, we had five IPOs, a very strong number given the lack of inactivity we’ve seen in the space thus far this year.

With volume drying up and a shortened week ahead, it was no surprise to see the VIX sell off as much as it did. With that said, the VIX on Friday closed at 13.12, a drop of more than 2 points from the previous Friday close.

Crude oil futures prices traded above $50 for a brief moment last week. An impressive feat considering it’s 88% higher from the six month lows. As we stand, we’re a tad under $50 ahead of the OPEC meeting this week.

Here is what is on tap for this shortened 4-day trading week:

Key Economic Data:
31 May 2016- Personal Income & Outlays 8:30 AM ET
1 June 2016- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
2 June 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status 11:00 AM ET
3 June 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
31 May 2016- ASNA, NCS, TIVO, WDAY, ZOES, MDT
1 June 2016- KORS, VRA, BOX, LE
2 June 2016- CIEN, CONN, JOY, AMBA, AVGO, CMTL, FIVE, IDT, ZUMZ

Key Events:
31 May 2016- Deutsche Bank Financial Conference (runs till 6/1); KeyBanc Industrials & Auto Conference (runs till 6/2)
1 June 2016- Bernstein 32nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference (runs till 6/3); Bank America Global Technology Conference (runs till 6/2); Cowen 44th Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 6/2); DA Davidson 8th Annual Technology Forum; RBC Consumer & Retail Conference (runs till 6/2)

Lastly, for those observing, have a happy and safe Memorial Day.

May 24, 2016 Market Wrap Up

May 24, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, Events, S&P 500, USO, VIX, XLNX

The S&P 500 was in full panic buying mode today, as the index closed 1.37% higher. The catalyst? A better question, do we really need one anymore? All jokes aside, there was no real news that pushed the Dow, S&P 500, Russell 2000, and the Nasdaq. With that said, we’re not too far off the all-time highs.

It was no surprise to see the VIX sell off as hard as it did. Overall, the VIX closed at 14.42, closing the day 8.9% lower.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up more than 1.37% today. In addition, crude oil futures closed at 6 month highs. We’re now more than 80% higher off the 6-month lows.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Xilinx (XLNX), which was 5.2 times normal volume.

Here’s what’s left for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
25 May 2016- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET
26 May 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET
27 May 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
25 May 2016- BMO, TIF, COST, HPQ, LGF, NTAP
26 May 2016- ANF, DG, FRED, GME, PANW, SPLK, ULTA, VEEV, VNET

Key Events:
JP Morgan Technology Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 5/25); SunTrust Financial Services Conference (runs till 5/25); UBS Global Healthcare Conference (runs till 5/25)
Morgan Stanley China Conference (runs till 5/26); UBS Global Oil & Gas Conference (runs till 5/26); Wolfe Global Transportation (runs till 5/25)

May 15, 2016 The Week Ahead

May 15, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished lower for the third straight week, and is currently riding a 3-trading day losing streak. The NASDAQ has been down 14 out of the last 18 sessions, as is more than 5% off its year-to-date highs.

Overall, it feels like the market has lost some steam. However; we haven’t seen much selling pressure come in yet. Well, at least anything that has had some legs. This can easily be observed by the VIX. Despite the market being down again, the VIX was relatively unchanged, closing at 15.04.

Crude oil futures prices bounced back, closing the week nearly 4% higher. With that said, we’re almost back to the year-to-date highs.

This coming week we’ve got a decent amount of earnings from companies related to the retail space. This sector has been taking it on the chin over the last week or so, we’ll have to see if that bearish sentiment continues. In addition, we’ve got the FOMC Minutes along with a number of industry related conferences.

Key Economic Data:
17 May 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

18 May 2016- EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET

19 May 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

20 May 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
16 May 2016- VRTU, A, AKRX, VOXX

17 May 2016- HD, PLCE, TJX

18 May 2016- DSX, LOW, PGR, QIWI, TGT, CRM, CSCO, EXP, FLO, RXN, LB, TTWO, URBN

19 May 2016- DKS, AAP, SSI, WMT, ADSK, AMAT, BRCD, GPS, ROST, MENT

20 May 2016- FL, DE, CPB, BKE, HIBB

Key Events:
16 May 2016- Electrical Products Group Conference (runs till 5/18); Goldman Sachs Leveraged Financial Conference (runs till 5/18)

17 May 2016- Bank America/Merrill Transportation Conference (runs till 5/18); Barclays Americas Select Conference (runs till 5/19), Citigroup Internet, E-commerce & Digital Media Conference (runs till 5/18); JPMorgan Global Consumer & Retail Conference (runs till 5/18); JPMorgan Homebuilding & Building Products Conference (runs till 5/18)

18 May 2016- Needham Emerging Tech Conference (runs till 5/19)

May 8, 2016 The Week Ahead

May 8, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, Events, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished lower for the second straight week, as a majority of the key earnings are now behind us. The NASDAQ has been down 11 out of the last 13 sessions, as many of the tech and biotech names have been under pressure.

Although the market was down, the VIX actually dropped below the 15 level.

Crude oil futures prices were also relatively weak, dropping about 3% and closing below $45 per barrel. Right now, crude oil is about 3% off from the 6-month highs.

Gold futures have been on an absolute tear lately, they’re just 1.2% off the 12-month highs.

With some of the earnings winding down, there are a number of conferences to look out for. Check out the schedule below.

Key Economic Data:
11 May 2016– EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
12 May 2016– Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 May 2016– Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, PPR-FD 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
9 May 2016– BID, JD, TEVA, TSN, DNB, HTZ, INVN, JAZZ, RAX, SCTY, PRA
10 May 2016– DF, SODA, WWE, DIS, EA, JIVE, NUAN, RICK
11 May 2016– M, WEN, CA, JACK, NTES
12 May 2016– AER, KSS, MTW, PRGO, RL, JWN, NVDA, SHAK
13 May 2016– JCP

Key Events:
9 May 2016– Morgan Stanley E&P and Oil Service Conference (runs till 5/11)
10 May 2016– Citigroup Energy & Utilities Conference (runs till 5/11), Oppenheimer Industrials Growth Conference (runs till 5/11), SunTrust Internet & Digital Media Conference (runs till 5/11), Wells Fargo Industrials & Construction Conference (runs till 5/11), Bank America Global Metals, Mining & Steel Conference (runs till 5/12), Bank America Healthcare Conference (runs till 5/12)
11 May 2016– Jefferies Technology Conference (runs till 5/12)

May 5, 2016 Market Wrap Up

May 5, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading BABA, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, ENDP, GPR0, HLF, S&P 500, VIX, WFT, YY

The S&P 500 sold off for the third consecutive day, although; we closed nearly unchanged. For the most part, earnings related companies dominated the action today.

With that said, we got positive earnings out of Alibaba (BABA) this morning (+3.3%). In the after hours we got results out of Gopro (GPRO) -11.5%, Endo International (ENDP) -28.4%, and Herbalife (HLF) +14%.

The VIX sold off a little, closing the day at 15.91, a drop of nearly 1%

Crude Oil bounced back a little, snapping a 3-day losing streak and closing the day below $45 per barrel. It gave up a lot of gains in the afternoon, but still managed to end the day positive.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Weatherford International (WFT). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in YY Inc (YY), which saw 10.8 times usual options volume.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
6 May 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 May 2016- AGN, WLTW, WY, EXC

Holiday Sales Event!