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 29, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 29, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AMZN, Data, Dow Jones, Economic, education, NASDAQ, NWL, S&P 500, SUNE, trading, UPL, USO, VIX

The S&P 500 is up over 1% over the last two days on relatively low volume. With that said, we’ve got just two more trading days till the year is over. Will all three major indices finish positive? At the moment, NASDAQ and the S&P 500 are both positive. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is still down slightly.

The VIX continues to see a big sell off, it’s now trading around 16 and was down about 5% on the day.

Oil names caught a small bounce, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 2% after the API Inventory numbers came out in the after hours.

Stocks in play today included: Sunedison (SUNE) -9%, FXCM +26%, and Amazon (AMZN) +2.8%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NWL). We also saw aggressive put buying in Ultra Petroleum Corp (UPL).

As mentioned earlier this week, there isn’t much going on data wise.

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

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 23, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 23, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Economic, FCX, IRBT, JRJC, NKE, S&P 500, USO, VIX

If there was any doubt about having a Santa Claus Rally, it was erased today. The S&P 500 is up nearly 3% over the last three trading sessions. With that said, we are no longer negative on the year.

Tomorrow the markets will be open till 1pm ET. It should be a slow day, but you never know what headline might come out and cause an individual stock or ETF to really start moving. But don’t hold your breath.

The VIX continues to see a big sell off, it’s now trading below 16.

Oil names caught a bounce, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 5% today.

Stocks in play today included: Nike (NKE) -2.5% and Freeport-McMoran (FCX) +16%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in China Finance Online Co. (JRJC). We also saw aggressive put buying in Irobot (IRBT).

Here’s what is going on for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
24 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

December 22, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 22, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, ECA, Economic, GPK, NKE, S&P 500, USO, VIX

The S&P 500 closed higher, making it two straight days now. With that said, it appears that the Santa Claus rally is back on. We’ve nearly regained all of Friday’s losses. However, don’t be surprised to see a slowdown in volumes as we approach the Christmas Holiday.

Not to mention, the VIX has seen a big sell off over the last two trading days, it’s now below 17.

Oil names caught a bounce, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up about 1% today. However, we are still near the 52-week lows.

In after hours action, Nike (NKE) released earnings and the time of this post, the stock price is trading about 2% higher from the close. Micron also released, and the time of this post the stock price was trading 6% lower from the close.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Graphic Packaging Company (GPK). We also saw massive put buyers in Encana Corporation (ECA).

Here’s what is going on for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
23 December 2015- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

December 20, 2015 The Week Ahead

December 20, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, SPY, trading, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had a rough week following the FOMC decision to raise key interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. The reaction thus far has not been positive from the markets, the SPY dropped nearly 1% and is negative on the year.

The VIX actually dropped during the week, however; it still closed above 20 on Friday.

Crude oil futures continue to get hit, as they are now down more than 40% on the year and close to 20% on the month.

Will the selling pressure continue or will get the Christmas rally?

We will know soon enough. With that said, this is a shortened week due to the Christmas Holiday. Thursday is a half day and Friday we are off. Expect volumes to dry up or be low this week.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
22 December 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
23 December 2015- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
22 December 2015- CAG, MU, CAMP, NKE, PAYX

December 15, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 15, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AAP, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, ICPT, KCG, S&P 500, SPY, trading, USO, VIX, VRX, VSI

The S&P 500 closed higher, making it two straight up days after Friday’s sell off. In fact, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has regained nearly all of Friday’s losses. Of course, this sets the stage for tomorrow’s FOMC meeting. For now, the consensus is that they will raise rates, but we’ll know for sure what their intentions are in the afternoon.

The VIX took a hit today, dropping nearly 8 percent. With that said, it’s still trading above 20, going into the FOMC announcement.

Oil caught a bounce, making it two straight up days. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was about 1.5%.

Stocks in play today included Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) +17%, Advance Auto Parts (AAP) +6%, and Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT) +16%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Vitamin Shoppe (VSI). We also saw massive put buyers in KCG Holdings (KCG).

Here’s what is going on for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
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:
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 14, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 14, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HSY, HYG, S&P 500, SPY, USO, VIX

The S&P 500 closed higher, but it had a fair share of volatility before it decided its path. The SPDR 500 ETF (SPY) had wide range, trading between 199.95 to 203.05. There were reports that a “fat finger” caused the sudden market volatility.

Oil continues to dominate headlines, not to mention natural gas, which hit 13 year lows today. However, the United States Oil ETF (USO) did catch a small bounce today.

The VIX sold off a little after Friday’s massive spike. The VIX closed at 22.73.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Hershey Company (HSY). We also saw massive put buyers in the iShares iBoxx High Yield ETF (HYG).

Here’s what is happening the rest of the 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:
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 8, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 8, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ALMP, BABA, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, KMI, NGL, S&P 500, SAN, TIME, VIX, WYNN, YHOO

The S&P 500 closed lower, now making it four out of five down days. Oil has been dominating headlines as it has hit multi-year lows. In addition, many oil-related stocks were in play today, specifically, MLPs.

Kinder Morgan (KMI) -11%, NGL Energy Partners (NGL) -9%, Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) +1.7%.

In the after hours, we got news out of Wynn Resorts (WYNN), CEO, Steve Wynn announced that he bought 1 million shares in the open market. The stock is up more than 5%. Also, Yahoo (YHOO) announced that it will not plan to move ahead on the Alibaba (BABA) spinoff. The stock price is up more than 2.5% in extended hours trading.

The VIX took off, closing the day 11% higher at 17.60.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Time Inc (TIME). We also saw massive put buyers in Banco Santander (SAN).

Here’s what is going for the rest of the 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:
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 til 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)

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)

Holiday Sales Event!