April 27, 2017 Market Wrap Up

Stocks ended up higher on the day, except for the Russell 2000, which sold off about -0.16%. The Nasdaq hit record highs, as many of the big are set to report earnings this eventing.

At the time of this writing, this is how some of them stand: Amazon (AMZN) +5%, Alphabet (GOOGL) +4.3%, Microsoft (MSFT) -0.33%, and Intel (INTC) -2.65%. That said the Nasdaq is up in the after hours about 0.5%.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.19%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.03%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.37%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in LPL Financial Holdings (LPLA), which traded 2.9 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Treehouse Foods Inc (THS), which traded 13.2 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
28 April 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
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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July 28, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed relatively flat ahead of a heavy earnings schedule and the aftermath of the FOMC meeting.

Stocks in play today include: Cirrus Logic (CRUS) +19.2%, Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) +7.7%, Infinera (INFN) -33.6%, and GNC Holdings (GNC) -25%.

The VIX closed lower, now trading below 13 at 12.72.

Crude oil futures are down 6 straight days, trading barely above $41 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in FireEye (FEYE), which traded 4.9 times normal volume. We also saw a ton of bearish bets being placed in Seadrill (SDRL), which traded 2.2 times usual volume.

This evening we got earnings out of Amazon (AMZN) +4.3%, Alphabet (GOOGL) +6.3%, Expedia (EXPE) -3.5%, and Eastman Chemical (EMN) -6.6% to name a few.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
29 July 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 July 2016- ABBV, AN, BUD, CBOE, CPN, CVX, LYB, MRK, NWL, PSX, SAVE, UPS, WG, XOM

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April 21, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The market was relatively weak today, with the Dow Jones Industrials, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closing in the red. For the most part, earnings have been somewhat mixed.

This evening we got results out of Starbucks (SBUX) -5.4%, Microsoft (MSFT) -2.5%, and Alphabet (GOOGL) -3.8%. This might weigh down the Nasdaq tomorrow.

The VIX caught a bid, closing the day at 13.95. This is the fourth straight close under 14, and the second lowest closing print of the year.

Crude Oil has had a nice bounce off Sunday’s lows, following an unproductive Doha meeting. WTI Crude closed the day above 41, at 41.08.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in CDK Global (CDK). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Tidewater Inc (TDW), which saw 6.9 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Biogen (BIIB) +5%, Viacom (VIAB) +13.8%, and Intrexon (XON) -26.4%.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

Key Earnings:
22 April 2016- CAT, GE, KMB, MCD, SYF, STI

January 31, 2016 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 had its second straight positive week. It was a rough month for indices, with some of them seeing their worst monthly declines in over five years. Volatility may come in as the Chinese market will be on break to celebrate their new year, which happens in less than two weeks.

If you recall, weakness in the Asian markets was causing the heavy selling in January. Not to mention weakness in oil prices.

The VIX waited till Friday to sell-off hard. Overall, it closed lower, right above 20.

Crude oil prices are more than 10% higher than their monthly lows. Gaining more than 5% on the week and closing above $33 per barrel. Is it a dead-cat bounce or have prices finally started to stabilize?

Reporting this week: Exxon Mobil (XOM), Alphabet (GOOGL), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), Yahoo (YHOO), Merck (MRK), and much much more.

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
1 February 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
4 February 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
5 February 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
1 February 2016- AET, CAH, HAIN, SOHU, SYY, APC, GOOGL, TSO, MAT, GGP, AGNC
2 February 2016- ADM, ADT, ALLY, BAX, BEAV, CIT, DOW, EMR, KORS, LAZ, LYB, MNK, PFE, RCL, UBS, UPS, XOM, CMG, ILMN, YHOO, TDW, CHRW
3 February 2016- ADP, APO, BEN, CBG, CBOE, CMCSA, ENR, ETN, GM, IP, KLIC, MRK, NOV, BWLD, CCK, CDNS, GPRO, MET, NXPI, SFLY, YUM
4 February 2016- AZN, ABC, COP, COTY, DLPH, GRUB, ICE, OXY, PENN, RL, WFT, BMI, DATA, DECK, LNKD, LGF
5 February 2016- ATHN,CME, TSN, WY