May 23, 2017 Market Wrap up

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The stock market closed the day higher, extending its streak to 4 straight winning days. That said, trading volumes have been below average as we await some key economic data this week — FOMC minutes tomorrow and GDP on Friday.

After trading above 16 last week, the VIX is now back below 11 as it closed at 10.72.

One sector that should be active over the next few days is the oil complex. OPEC is set to come together in two days for its 172nd meeting. Many are speculating that the oil ministers will issue out more production cuts.

ETF movers: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.95%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.67%. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.63%.
On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in ConAgra Brands Inc. (CAG), which traded 5.2 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Dollar General Corporation (DG), which traded 4.2 times normal option volume.

Key Economic Data:
24 May 2017- PMI Composite Flash 10:30 AM ET; Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM
25 May 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 May 2017- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; GDP 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
24 May 2017- AAP, LOW, TGI, TIF, GES, HPQ, NTAP, PSTG, PVH, UHAL, WSM
25 May 2017- ANF, BBY, BURL, DLTR, SIG, BRCD, COST, GME, MRVL, PDCO, SPLK, VEEV, VNET, ZOES

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May 17, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The stock market saw its first taste of volatility on the year, all major indices dropped on above average trading volume: Dow Jones Industrials -1.78%, S&P 500 -1.82%, Nasdaq -2.57%, and the Russell 2000 -2.78%

The VIX exploded, gaining 4.83 points and closing at 15.48, an increase of 45% from yesterday’s close.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.79%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.46%. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.82%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Colgate Palmolive (CL), which traded 7.4 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Michaels Companies (MIK), which traded 19.7 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
18 May 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
17 May 2017- AEO, QIWI, TGT, CSCO, FLO, LB, SNPS
18 May 2017- BONT, EXP, MNRO, RL, SSI, WMT, AMAT, CRM, GPS, MCK, ROST
19 May 2017- CBD, DE, FL

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May 14, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market saw a minor sell off during the week. All but one major average finished lower, the Nasdaq. That said, sell-offs have been few and far between. The VIX actually had its lowest reading since 1993 this week; however, managed to close above 10, at 10.40 on Friday.

Earnings have been decent with some few exceptions. For example, Macy’s fell 18.5%, and J.C. Penney Company dropped 17.12%. That said, more retailers will be announcing next week, they include: Wal-Mart, Gap Stores, Urban Outfitters, and Target.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.30%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.06%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.36%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +0.77%

Oil prices rebounded but are still down more than 10% on the month. Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) +3.00%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.87%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.15%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:


Key Economic Data
16 May 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET; Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
17 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET,
18 May 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
15 May 2017- TRVG, VIPS
16 May 2017- DKS, HD, SINA, SPLS, SSYS, TJX, VRTU, JACK, URBN, STV
17 May 2017- AEO, QIWI, TGT, CSCO, FLO, LB, SNPS
18 May 2017- BONT, EXP, MNRO, RL, SSI, WMT, AMAT, CRM, GPS, MCK, ROST
19 May 2017- CBD, DE, FL

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May 11, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The stock market saw its first taste of volatility; however, selling pressure subsided and stocks closed modestly lower. The VIX traded as high as 11.23 but closed at 10.60 on the day. Earlier this week, the VIX had its lowest reading since 1993.

Some of the more well known retailers released some poor earnings: Nordstrom -11%, Macy’s -16.8%, and Kohls -7.5%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.81%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) unch. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.40%.
On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Babcock and Wilcox Enterprises (BW), which traded 5.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Telefonica (TEF), which traded 8.1 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data
12 May 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET; Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
12 May 2017- GOLF, JCP

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May 2, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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Stocks ended up higher on the day, except for the Russell 2000, which sold off 0.57%, however; the Nasdaq touched all-time highs yet again. The VIX actually closed green, up 4.75% on the day, at 10.59.

Earnings will be the story for the entire week. That said, the FOMC has their key interest rate meeting; however, it is expected that they will not make any changes.

At the time of this writing, this is how some of them stand: Twilio (TWLO) -30%, Apple (AAPL) -1%, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) -0.25%, Akamai Technologies (AKAM) -9.7%, and Fireeye (FEYE) +10.3%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.27%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.51%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.02%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in New York Reit (NYRT), which traded 30.5 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Hologic (HOLX), which traded 19.6 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data
03 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting 2:00 PM ET
04 May 2017- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
05 May 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
02 May 2017- ADM, AET, CHTR, COH, COP, CVS, EMR, ETN, EXLS, FIS, HCA, HCP, HLT, LL, MA, MOS, MRK, PFE, SABR, SHOP, AAPL, AKAM, APC, BYD, CSOD, DVN, FEYE, FSLR, FTR, GILD, EVHC, GDDY, HUBS, MDLZ, MTCH, OCLR, OKE, TEX, TWLO
03 May 2017- ADP, CDW, CLX, DLPH, EL, FLOW, GRMN, GRPN, HUM, ICE, MCK, NYT, RAI, S, SBGI, SO, TAP, TWX, YUM, AIG, ARRS, ANSS, CAKE, CATM, CF, CRUS, CXO, DDD, FB, FIT, GLUU, LNT, KHC, LVLT, PXD, PRU, RIG, TIVO, TSLA, WMB
04 May 2017- APA, CHD, CHK, D, FLR, INCY, IT, K, OXY, ZTS, VIAB, WLTW, ATVI, CBS, LOGM, MET, MRO, PKI, VECO
05 May 2017- CNP, CTSH, HCN, MC

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April 30, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market posted impressive gains over the week, largely lead by a favorable French vote and somewhat decent earnings. The Nasdaq had four of its bigger firms report earnings: Amazon.com (AMZN) +2.94%, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) +3.10%, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) +7.44%, and Intel (INTC) -0.47%. All but Intel posted impressive gains on the week.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +1.49%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +1.35%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +1.87%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +2.59%

Despite politics drawing a lot of attention, the markets don’t seem to be fazed. The VIX closed at 10.82 on Friday.

Some of the largest publically traded companies in the world will report this week. They include: Apple, CVS, Pfizer, Tesla, and Facebook.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.78%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.96%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.26%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
03 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting 2:00 PM ET
04 May 2017- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
05 May 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
02 May 2017- ADM, AET, CHTR, COH, COP, CVS, EMR, ETN, EXLS, FIS, HCA, HCP, HLT, LL, MA, MOS, MRK, PFE, SABR, SHOP, AAPL, AKAM, APC, BYD, CSOD, DVN, FEYE, FSLR, FTR, GILD, EVHC, GDDY, HUBS, MDLZ, MTCH, OCLR, OKE, TEX, TWLO
03 May 2017- ADP, CDW, CLX, DLPH, EL, FLOW, GRMN, GRPN, HUM, ICE, MCK, NYT, RAI, S, SBGI, SO, TAP, TWX, YUM, AIG, ARRS, ANSS, CAKE, CATM, CF, CRUS, CXO, DDD, FB, FIT, GLUU, LNT, KHC, LVLT, PXD, PRU, RIG, TIVO, TSLA, WMB
04 May 2017- APA, CHD, CHK, D, FLR, INCY, IT, K, OXY, ZTS, VIAB, WLTW, ATVI, CBS, LOGM, MET, MRO, PKI, VECO
05 May 2017- CNP, CTSH, HCN, MC

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April 26, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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After enjoying a record setting day yesterday, some stock indices took a breather. However, the Russell 2000 bucked the trend and closed the day positive. Over the last couple of trading sessions, the VIX has gotten beat up, as its now trading below 11 at 10.85.

The catalyst?

Looks like the French election, which happened on Sunday was the reason global markets rose on Monday. Earnings have been okay thus far, and President Trump is pushing towards policies that will boost business sentiment.

Earnings will continue to be heavily watch, here are some names that reported: Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS) -5.52%, Procter & Gamble (PG) -2.52%, Seagate Technology (STX) -16.83% and Twitter (TWTR) +7.91%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.97%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.55%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.49%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Sientra Inc. (SIEN), which traded 10.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Agios Pharmaceuticals (AGIO), which traded 5.4 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
27 April 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET
28 April 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
26 April 2017- ANTM, BAX, DPS, HES, HSY, NDAQ, NOC, NSC, ROK, PG, SLAB, SONS, STT, STX, TWTR, UTX, X, WM, WRK, WYN, AMGN, CAVM, BWLD, FFIV, NOW, ORLY, PYPL, SAM, TSCO, XLNX
27 April 2017- ABBV, APD, BMY, BSX, BWA, CELG, CMCSA, CME, DOW, F, GRUB, IP, IRM, JCI, LAZ, LLL, LUV, MPC, POT, SIRI, SPG, UAA, UNP, UPS, AIV, AMZN, BIDU, EXPE, GOOGL, GPRO, INTC, MLNX, MAC, MSFT, SBUX, VRTX, WDC
28 April 2017- CL, COG, CVX, GM, GT, HST, LYB, PSX, SYF, VFC, XOM, WY

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April 13, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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All major indices sold off today, with the Russell 2000 being the most heavily hit, dropping over 1% on the day. That being said, earnings season popped off with three major banks releasing results: Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) -3.33% , JPMorgan Chase (JPM) -1.17% and Citigroup -0(C) -0.8%

Keep in mind, some of the major banks will be releasing earnings on Thursday. Until then, expect to see political headlines dominate the news. More specifically what’s been happening with Syria and relations with Russia.

Where is the VIX in today’s action?

The VIX closed at 15.96, the highest levels we’ve seen year to date. Maybe the market is bracing for more political headwind or expecting earnings to come in flat this quarter.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.18%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.31%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 0.48%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in DHT Holdings Inc. (DHT), which traded 10.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Oshkosh Corporation (OSK), which traded 44.8 times normal option volume.

The markets are closed tomorrow in preparation of the Easter holiday. However, there are some economic releases on Friday, you can check out the schedule below.


Key Economic Data
14 April 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM EST; Retail Sales 8:30 AM EST

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April 11, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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Stocks slipped lower today, with the Russell 2000 being the only major indice closing positive. With that said volumes were relatively low across the board. With the Easter holiday coming, it’s expected to see a slowdown as we only have two more trading days left in the week.

Keep in mind, some of the major banks will be releasing earnings on Thursday. Until then, expect to see political headlines dominate the news. More specifically what’s been happening with Syria and relations with Russia.

Where is the VIX in today’s action?

It appears that traders are finding more reason to hedge. Whether that’s anticipation of earnings, geopolitical risks increasing or domestic policies falling out of favor. That said, the VIX closed +7% higher, closing above 15, at 15.07.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +.27%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.95%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 1.45%.
On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in MSG Networks Inc (MSG), which traded 10.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Ambev SA (ABEV), which traded 161 times normal option volume.

Here is what else traders will be watching tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
12 April 2017- EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET
13 April 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; PPI 8:30 AM ET
14 April 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET; Retail Sales 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
12 April 2017- FAST, PIR
13 April 2017- APOG, C, JPM, WFC

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March 30, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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After last week’s selling pressure, the markets are back to embracing the grind, the grind higher that is, as all major indices closed up higher. In terms of news, it was a relatively light day. However, we did get real GDP numbers, which came in at 2.1%

Where is the VIX in all of this?

The VIX is back below 12, closing at 11.54. With that said, fear has subsided a great deal since last week.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +1.93%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.81%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.72%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Manpower Group (MAN), which traded 9.2 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Omnicom Group (OMC), which traded 8.1 times normal option volume.

Tomorrow is the end of the quarter, which might create some added volatility.

Key Economic Data:
28 March 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET
29 March 2017- Pending Home Sales Index 10:00 AM ET
30 March 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
31 March 2017- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

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