January 5, 2016 Market Wrap Up

January 5, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading AAPL, Conferences, Crude Oil, CRUS, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FIT, FOMC, MCHP, MNKD, S&P 500, trading, VIX

The S&P 500 had its first up day of the new year, however; it’s still down more than 1% from yesterday’s sell off. A really shaky start, which makes tomorrow’s FOMC minutes a potential market changer.

In addition, the Consumer Electronics Show continues tomorrow. Companies are presenting their new products to this huge public forum. A good showing can boost stock prices higher. On the other hand, a poor showing can really drive stock prices lower, as witnessed with FitBit (FIT) today.

The VIX sold off slightly, closing the day slightly below 20.

Crude oil futures prices have not faired better, they’re down about 3% over the first two trading days of the year.

Stocks in play today included: Apple (AAPL) -2.5%, Fitbit -18.4%, and ManKind (MNKD) -48.4%

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Microchip Technology (MCHP). We also saw aggressive put buying in Cirrus Logic (CRUS) .

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

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 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 17, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 17, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ATVI, Data, Earnings, education, ETE, FOMC, KBIO, P, RWLK, S&P 500, SFL, SPY, TK, TOO, trading, VIX

The S&P 500 closed lower, a day after the FOMC announced that they would be raising key interest rates. Initially, futures were trading higher pre-market. However, as the day progressed things got uglier. In fact, we saw some heavy selling pressure in the after-hours session. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF closed the day down more than 1.5%.

Surprisingly, the VIX didn’t really blast off, only gaining about 6% and closing below 19.

Oil names took a hit, not a surprise, as crude oil futures closed below $35 per barrel. Some oil and gas names also took a hit. For example, Teekay Offshore partners (TOO) was down over 50% after they announced that they would be cutting their dividend.

Stocks in play today included: Kalobios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO) -53%, Teekay (TK) -57%, Pandora (P) +13%, and ReWalk Robotics (RWLK) +80%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) and Activision Blizzard (ATVI). We also saw massive put buyers in Ship Finance International (SFL).

Here’s what is going on for tomorrow:

Key Earnings:
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

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 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

November 19, 2015 Market Wrap Up

November 19, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AGN, education, FOMC, KBIO, MDT, NKE, S&P 500, SPY, SUNE, trading, USO, VIX, VRX

The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat, after a monster rally yesterday, where the market reacted positively to the FOMC minutes.

Interestingly, the VIX actually is trading around 17 and we are less than 2% off the highs in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF.

Stocks in play today, included Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) +15%, Sunedison (SUNE) -11%, and Kalobios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO) +367%. Also, in the after hours, Nike (NKE) announced a new $12 billion share repurchase program and a raise in dividends. The stock is up more than 3% in the after hours.

The energy sector remains weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was flattish today. It’s now just 5% off the 52-week lows.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Allergran (AGN). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in Medtronic (MDT).

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

20 November 2015- ANF, FL

November 15, 2015 The Week Ahead

November 15, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ANF, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, FOMC, JWN, M, SPY, TGT, USO, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has been on a 3-day sell off, closing the week 3.5% lower. It’s hard to point to exactly what caused the sell of, but per usual, there are a number of theories ranging from profit taking to weak retail sales numbers. What looked like a sure December rate hike, now appears less uncertain.

As mentioned retailers took a hit. Nordstrom (JWN) -19%, Macy’s (M) -17%, Target (TGT) -8%, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) -12% … just to name a few. Could this be the catalyst to put a rate hike on hold? We shall see. One thing though, we’ll be getting the FOMC Minutes transcript on 11/18, which should shed some light on the matter.

The VIX shot off like a rocket, and is now trading above 20.

November 8, 2015 The Week Ahead

November 8, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, SPY, trading, USO, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) is less than 1% off its all-time highs. However, there wasn’t much reaction from Friday’s job numbers. A surprise in job growth followed in a drop in the unemployment rate dropped to 5%.

This of course sets the stage for a potential interest rate hike when the FOMC meets in December.

Surprisingly, the VIX closed lower, finishing below 15.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) had a rough week, dropping nearly 4% on the week.

It’s a relatively slow week in regards to economic data. With that said, there aren’t that many big names reporting earnings either. However, eyes and ears will be on Fed speakers as they give possible hints on what their next move will be.

Key Economic Data:
12 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 November 2015- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
9 November 2015- ACI, DISH, PCLN, ISIS, JAZZ, LEAF, RAX, SUNE, TERP
10 November 2015- BZH, QIWI, VOD, FOSL, EXEL
11 November 2015- M, PAH, NTES
12 November 2015- DSX, VIAB, AMAT, CSCO, IGT, KSS

September 17, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 17, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading education, FOMC, PCP, S&P 500, trading, UAL, USO, VIX

September 17, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 finished the day nearly flat after the much awaited FOMC meeting. Of course, there was a great deal of volatility, the S&P 500 had a range of 1986.73 to 2020.86. With the FED deciding to leave rates unchanged, we should continue to have uncertainty in the market.

With that said, what happens in other markets globally is back in play. Eyes will be shifted back to the European and Asian markets for early indications on how we’ll trade.

The VIX was actually below 18 at one point in time; however, it did rally back to 21.14 at the close.

The energy sector was relatively flat today; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down less than 1%.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in United Continental Holdings (UAL). Options that saw bearish put buying were in Precision Castparts (PCP).

There are no major economic news or earnings tomorrow. However, we should see some interesting action towards the close, due to triple witching.