July 23, 2017 The Week Ahead

Nearly all major indices closed the week higher, except for the Dow Jones Industrials, which was due to weakness seen in IBM, General Electric, Home Depot, and Goldman Sachs.

The VIX closed right near 52-week lows, at 9.36 on Friday.

However, for the most part, earnings have been decent thus far. Going into next week, we’ll be on the lookout for earnings numbers from: Facebook, Alphabet, Amazon, Intel, and Coca-Cola to name a few.

In addition to a busy earnings schedule, traders will be focused on economic data being released. The most important being the FOMC Meeting Announcement and GDP.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 0.54%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +0.58%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.34%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +1.40%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.61%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.91%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +2.13%.

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

Economic Releases:
24 July 2017- PMI Composite Flash 9:45 AM ET; Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

26 July 2017- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 Am ET; FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET

27 July 2017- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

28 July 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 July 2017- ARNC, HAS, HAL, ITW, LII, MAN, MAS, SWK, VFC, APC, CDNS, GOOGL, HXL, MC, RE, SANM

25 July 2017- AKS, BIIB, CAT, DD, DGX, DPZ, FCX, GM, HCA, IPG, JBLU, KMB, LLY, LW, MCD, NEM, PCAR, PHM, PNR, STX, SVU, TRWO, TRU, UTX, WAT, AKAM, AMD, AMGN, CB, CMG, DLB, IRBT, ESRX, JNPR, QTS, RHI, SFLY, T, TXN, UHS, ZION, X

26 July 2017- ALK, ANTM, BA, BAX, DHI, F, FLIR, GD, GLW, HES, HLT, HSY, IR, KO, LEA, LH, NDAQ, NOC, NYCB, PSA, ROK, SIX, STT, TMO, TUP, WM, BWLD, DFS, EW, FB, FFIV, GILD, HST, HUBG, IMAX, KIM , KN, LPSN, LRCX, KIM, MAA, MLNX, NOW, ORLY, PYPL, RCII, TSCO, VAR, VRTX, XLNX

27 July 2017- ADP, ALLY, ALXN, AMT, BMY, BSX, BWA, CELG, CHTR, CLF, CMCSA, COP, DNKN, DOW, DPS, EQT, EVR, GNC, HUN, IP, IVZ, JCI, KKR, LAZ, LUV, MA, MAS, MO, NLSN, PG, RTN, SIRI, TWTR, UPS, VLO, VZ, WWE, ZBH, ALGN, AMZN, BIDU, BYD, CERN, EA, EIX, ELLI, EXPE, GIMO, HIG, INTC, KLAC, LOGM, MAT, MHK, NOV, RSG, SBUX, VRSN, WDC

28 July 2017- ABBV, APA, BEN, BHGE, COG, COL, CVX, HCN, IRM, LYB, MRK, PEG, WY, XOM

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 20, 2017 Market Wrap Up

All eyes were on the ECB this morning, as the group decide to leave key interest rates unchanged. Overall, the the markets closed flattish today.

Appliance retailers took a hit today after Sears and Amazon agreed to a partnership. Shares of the Home Depot, Lowes Companies, and Whirlpool closed sharply lower.

Earnings highlights included: eBay -4.9%, Microsoft +1.34%, and Visa +1.04%

The VIX closed below ten, an indication that there isn’t much fear in the markets at the moment.

Index ETF movers: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.01%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +0.01%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.07%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +0.13%

Commodity and futures related ETF movers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.83%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.29%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.15%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Obsidian Energy (OBE), which traded 4.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Franklin Resources (BEN), which traded 2.3 times normal option volume.

Key Earnings:
20 July 2017- GPC, KEY, PM, SAP, UL, UNP, COF, EBAY, ISRG, MSFT, SWKS, V
21 July 2017- C, FRC, JPM, PNC, WFC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 18, 2017 Market Wrap Up

The markets were mixed today, entering the second week of earnings season. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 all closed modestly higher, while the Dow Jones moved lower.

Earnings highlights included: Netflix +13.54%, Goldman Sachs -2.6%, and Johnson & Johnson +1.75%

The VIX closed below ten, an indication that there isn’t much fear in the markets at the moment.

Index ETF movers: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.05%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -0.26%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.24%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +0.67%

Commodity and futures related ETF movers: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.95%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.87%. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.70%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Internap Corporation (INAP), which traded 452 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Impinj Inc (PI), which traded 7.9 times normal option volume.

Key Economic Data:
19 July 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
20 July 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Business Survey 8:30 Am ET

Key Earnings:
18 July 2017- AMTD, BAC, GS, JNJ, LMT, NVS, PGR, UNH, CSX, IBM
19 July 2017- MS, NTRS, TMUS, USB, AA, AXP, CCI, HAWK, QCOM, STLD,
20 July 2017- GPC, KEY, PM, SAP, UL, UNP, COF, EBAY, ISRG, MSFT, SWKS, V
21 July 2017- C, FRC, JPM, PNC, WFC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 16, 2017 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , ,

The markets are heading into earnings season at record high levels. Focus will be on earnings, as well as, the upcoming vote on the healthcare bill.

Some comments out of the Fed’s Yellen have been the catalyst for the rise in the market over the last few trading sessions.

The VIX closed at 9.51 on Friday, closing in the 52-week low which is 9.37.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +1.42%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +0.88%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +1.03%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +3.16%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +5.38%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.50%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.29%.

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

Key Economic Data:
19 July 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
20 July 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Business Survey 8:30 Am ET

Key Earnings:
17 July 2017- BLK, JBHT, NFLX, SCSS
18 July 2017- AMTD, BAC, GS, JNJ, LMT, NVS, PGR, UNH, CSX, IBM
19 July 2017- MS, NTRS, TMUS, USB, AA, AXP, CCI, HAWK, QCOM, STLD,
20 July 2017- GPC, KEY, PM, SAP, UL, UNP, COF, EBAY, ISRG, MSFT, SWKS, V
21 July 2017- C, FRC, JPM, PNC, WFC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 9, 2017 The Week Ahead

It was another slow week for traders as the markets grinded higher. Politics dominated the headlines, most notably the first meeting between President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. That said, earnings are around the corner again and kick off with the banks on Friday.

The Nasdaq traded relatively flat. We’ve noted that over the last couple of weeks funds have been rotating out of some of them, but it appears that has leveled off for now.

The VIX closed at 11.19 on Friday, a sign that traders are not overly concerned with the markets.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.31%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -0.46%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.68%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +0.12%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.19%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -2.14%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -2.57%.

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

Key Economic Data:
12 July 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
13 July 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; PPI 8:30 AM ET
14 July 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET; Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET; Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

Key Earnings:
10 July 2017- HELE, CUDA, VOXX
11 July 2017- PEP, AIR
12 July 2017- FAST, OZRK, MSM
14 July 2017- C, FRC, JPM, PNC, WFC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 4, 2017 The Week Ahead

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve started to see some sector rotation, while the S&P 500 has been relatively flat that hasn’t been the case for Nasdaq stocks as they’ve been under pressure of late. Banks are starting to show strength after passing the stress test last week.

The overall stock market has posted impressive gains over the first 6 months of 2017. On the other hand, the oil sector has been relatively weak. The United States Oil Fund is down nearly 18% year-to-date.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.40%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +0.72%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.29%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -3.12%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +7.73%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -2.96%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.92%.

There isn’t much on the earnings schedule for this shortened week of trading.

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

Key Economic Data:
5 July 2017- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET;
6 July 2017- International Trade 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
7 July 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
5 July 2017- YUMC, PSMT

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

June 25, 2017 The Week Ahead

The markets returned back to it’s winning ways this week, all major indices closed higher lead by the Nasdaq. The VIX closed at 10,02 on Friday, creeping back towards historic lows.

The healthcare sector was the strongest leader, the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) gained nearly 10% on the week.

Despite the media scrutinizing the administration and oil prices down over 20% on the year the markets seem unfazed. No one knows if and when a correction will occur. We’ll be looking at GDP numbers on Friday for insight on how the overall economy has been performing.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.20%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) 0.51%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.08%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +2.24%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -4.11%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.13%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.08%.

Earnings highlights for the week include: Nike, Micron Technology, and Walgreens.

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

Key Economic Data:
26 June 2017- Durable Goods 8:30 AM ET;
28 June 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
29 June 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
26 June 2017- SCHN
27 June 2017- INFO, FDS, CAMP, KBH
28 June 2017- GIS, MON, PAYX, UNF, PIR, SHLM
29 June 2017- CAG, RAD, STZ, WBA, MU, NKE

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

June 20, 2017 Market Wrap Up

The markets cooled off today after a hot start to start the week. All major indices declined; however, trading volumes were below average. We had earnings today from Lennar +2.4%, Adobe Systems +3.7% and Fedex +.95%

The VIX moved up nearly 5%, closing at around 10.86

Index ETF movers: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.65%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.03%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.24%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -0.78%

Commodity and futures related ETF movers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.86%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.90%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.21%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Golden Star Resources (GSS), which traded 3.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), which traded 2.6 times normal option volume.

Key Economic Data:
21 June 2017- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
22 June 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
23 June 2017- PMI 9:45 AM ET; New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
21 June 2017- ORCL, SCS, KMX, WGO, ATU
22 June 2017- SNX, SONC, APOG, BKS
23 June 2017- BBRY

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

June 18, 2017 The Week Ahead

The markets ended the week after a week that included an FOMC rate hike. On Friday, we saw a sharp sell-off in Walmart, Supervalu, Costco, Kroger, Post Holdings, and Target due to the announcement that Amazon.com would be buying Whole Foods.

A possible catalyst going into the week will be the investigation of President Trump as there are reports that he is being investigated for obstruction of justice.

Despite this, the VIX closed at 10.38 on Friday, a decline from the previous Friday’s close.

Here are how some of the most traded ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.32%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.00%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.42%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -1.31%

Here is how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.63%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.57%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.00%.

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

Key Economic Data:
21 June 2017- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
22 June 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
23 June 2017- PMI 9:45 AM ET; New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
20 June 2017- LEN, ADBE, FDX,
21 June 2017- ORCL, SCS, KMX, WGO, ATU
22 June 2017- SNX, SONC, APOG, BKS
23 June 2017- BBRY

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

June 15, 2017 Market Wrap Up

We saw a broad market sell off today in all major indices. However, volumes were below average, a day after the FOMC decided to raise the key interest rate. That said, we should see some added volatility near the close as tomorrow is Quad Witch and the quarterly rebalance of the S&P 500.

The VIX moved up 2.44% higher, closing at 10.90.

Index ETF movers: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.19%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -0.51%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.07%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -0.44%

Commodity and futures related ETF movers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.54%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.16%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.42%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in AK Steel Holding (AKS), which traded 3.4 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Depomed Inc (DEPO), which traded 4.0 times normal option volume.

Key Economic Data:
16 June 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses