September 14, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 was not able to hold onto gains today, as it closed slightly lower. The market is relatively flat on the week as it awaits the highly anticipated FOMC announcement next week. One thing is for sure, we’re starting to see more volatility as witnessed by the surge in the VIX over the last four trading days.

Stocks in play today included: Herbalife (HLF) +3.9%, Apple (AAPL) +3.5%, and Monsanto (MON) +0.39%

The VIX caught a bid and is now trading above 18.

Crude oil futures prices are having a rough week thus far. They’re down nearly 6% on the week, and down about 3% today.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in LyondellBasell Industries (LYB), which traded 3.9 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Level 3 Communications (LVLT), which was 5.5 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow and Friday:

Key Economic Data:
15 Sep 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
16 Sep 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
15 Sep 2016- ORCL

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August 3, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 recovered about half their losses from yesterday, closing the day .3% higher. With that said, volumes were well below average. The SPDR S&P 500 traded about 52 million shares, whereas on average it trades around 80-85 million.

Stocks in play today include: Genworth Financial (GNW) +28.7%, 3D Systems (DDD) +17.6%, Cray (CRAY) -30.4%, and Kate Spade (KATE) -18.7%

The VIX closed lower, now trading below 13 at 12.86.

Crude oil futures surged today, climbing over 4% and closing above $41 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Gap (GPS) and Michael Kors (KORS).

This evening we got earnings out of Tesla Motors (TSLA) -.96%, Tripadvisors (TRIP) -7.7%, and Herbalife (HLF) +2.86% to name a few.

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

Key Economic Data:
4 August 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
5 August 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 Aug 2016- DUK, K, MGM, NOK, PCLN, SEAS, SSYS, TEVA, TIME, VIAB, ANET, ATVI, CSOD, FLR, FSLR, IMPV, KHC, LGF, LNKD, OLED, TRUE, TTWO, ZG, ZNGA
5 Aug 2016- WY, WLTW, HSBC, CTSH, AES

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May 5, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 sold off for the third consecutive day, although; we closed nearly unchanged. For the most part, earnings related companies dominated the action today.

With that said, we got positive earnings out of Alibaba (BABA) this morning (+3.3%). In the after hours we got results out of Gopro (GPRO) -11.5%, Endo International (ENDP) -28.4%, and Herbalife (HLF) +14%.

The VIX sold off a little, closing the day at 15.91, a drop of nearly 1%

Crude Oil bounced back a little, snapping a 3-day losing streak and closing the day below $45 per barrel. It gave up a lot of gains in the afternoon, but still managed to end the day positive.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Weatherford International (WFT). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in YY Inc (YY), which saw 10.8 times usual options volume.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
6 May 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 May 2016- AGN, WLTW, WY, EXC

November 17, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat, after a surprising rally yesterday. With that said, there was a decent amount of trading volatility. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF had a range of 204.88 to 207.04.

A lot of attention has been focused on what the Fed will do next December. Not to mention, what’s happening overseas after the Paris attacks. Earlier today, a football match between Germany and Holland was cancelled due to security issues.

The VIX actually traded higher, closing at 18.65.

Stocks in play today, included GNC Holdings (GNC) -4%, Sunedison (SUNE) -32%, and Airgas (ARG) +29%.

The energy sector remains weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down nearly 2.2% today. It’s now just 5% off the 52-week lows.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance (ULTA). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in Herbalife (HLF) -2.19%.

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

Key Economic Data:
18 November 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM
19 November 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
18 November 2015- LOW, SPLS, TGT, CRM, GMCR, JACK, NTAP
19 November 2015- BBY, ADSK, GPS, ROST, NMBL, ZOES, SPLK
20 November 2015- ANF, FL

Key Events:
16 November 2015- UBS Global Technology Conference (runs till 10/19)
17 November 2015- Bank America Banking and Financial Services conference (runs till 11/18), Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference (runs till 11/18), Stifel Healthcare Conference (runs till 11/18)
18 November 2015- Barclays Global Auto Conference (runs till 11/19)