January 10, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets were relatively mixed today, as volumes were below average. We saw strength out of the Russell 2000 and Nasdaq. However, the Dow Jones Industrials finished red, and the S&P 500 was about flat.

It was a pretty slow day for the most part. One stock that active traders were following was Enteromedics (ETRM), a low float stock that closed the day more than 40% higher, on 21 million shares of volume. Just six days ago, this stock was trading under $2 per share, and today it closed at $27.70, talk about a short squeeze.

Despite the market being mixed, the VIX continued it’s sell off, as it closed below 11.50.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.12%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.07%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.43%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Insulet Corporation (PODD), which traded 26.8 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Enbridge (ENB), which traded 2.9 times normal option volume.

Check out what’s left on the schedule below:

Key Economic Data:
11 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
12 Jan 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
13 Jan 2017- PPI-FD 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings Release Dates:
11 Jan 2017- KBH, SVU
12 Jan 2017- FCEL, TSM
13 Jan 2017- BAC, BLK, INFY, JPM, PNC, WFC

Key Conferences:
ICR Exchange Consumer Conference (runs till 1/11); JPMorgan Healthcare Conference (runs till 1/13); Needham Growth Conference (runs till 1/12)

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January 2, 2017 The Week Ahead

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As many expected, volume was relatively light going into the last trading week of 2016. With that said, it should be noted that equities in general had a very impressive year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up roughly 13% on the year, the S&P 500 approximately 10%, and the Nasdaq was up more than 7%.

We enter a shortened trading week, however; it should be a busy month with the inauguration of President-Elect Trump happening near the end of the month.

Despite the volume output, the VIX managed to climb steadily the final week, closing 2016 at 14.04.

Crude oil futures had an impressive comeback in 2016, after hitting a low in February, they gained more than 100%, closed the year above $50 per barrel and right near their 52-week highs.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +2.27%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.12%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.88%.

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Here are a list of events that traders will be watching:

Key Economic Data:
3 Jan 2017- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
4 Jan 2017- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
5 Jan 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
6 Jan 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 Jan 2017- SONC
5 Jan 2017- MON, STZ, WBA, RT, HELE, PSMT, SCHN

Key Conferences:
4 Jan 2017- Citigroup Internet, Media, Telecom Conference (runs till 1/5)
5 Jan 2017- JPMorgan 15th Annual Technology Forum at CES; Stephens, Oppenheimer, RBC Capital at CES; CES (runs until Friday, the 8th)

December 26, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Russell 2000, and Nasdaq all managed to close the week higher. Keep in mind, volume was especially light due to the holidays. The only real question left: Will the Dow Jones Industrial Average close above 20k? It’s right there, on Friday, it closed at 19,933.81.

No surprise, with the VIX closing at 11.44 on Friday. As we enter the lightest schedule of the entire year. With just four trading days left, there are no major earnings to report or major economic announcements.

Equities are not the only market enjoying 52- week highs. In fact, crude oil futures prices finished near their 52-week highs on Friday.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.09%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.04%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.11%.

We hope everyone has been enjoying their holidays and with only four trading days left on the year, this is a great time to take a step back and review your trading. Ask yourself, what you’ve could have done to improve and what steps you’ll take to do it in 2017. If you feel like you’ve got weaknesses in your game, we’re here to help. With that said, we encourage you to check out our trading courses here.

The economic events for the week include:

Key Economic Data:
29 Dec 2016- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET

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December 18, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq traded slightly lower on the week. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to have its sixth straight week of gains. All in all, major indices are all hanging around 52-week highs as we approach the Christmas holiday.

Being that it is Christmas week, one could expect volumes to lighten and volatility to be relatively low. No surprise, with the VIX closing at 12.20 on Friday.

Crude oil futures prices were nearly 1% higher on the week, as they are not to far off 52-week highs. Sentiment has been bullish ever since Non-OPEC and OPEC members agreed to make production costs.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +0.96%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.31%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -2.13%.

Here are some important events worth watching during the week:

Key Economic Data:
21 Dec 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
22 Dec 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, GDP 8:30 AM ET, Philly Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 10:00 AM ET
23 Dec 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 Dec 2016- LEN
20 Dec 2016- BBRY, CCL, DRI, FDS, GIS, KMX,NAV, FDX, NKE, SCS
21 Dec 2016- ACN, FINL, LNN, PAYX, CAMP, BBBY, MU, RHT
22 Dec 2016- CAG

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December 4, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all closed the week lower after posting several weeks of impressive gains. It’s too early to tell whether this is the beginning of something more significant or simply just a pull back from record highs. One things for sure, there isn’t much on the schedule in terms of domestic economic events and earnings.

In respect market volatility, the VIX closed at 14.12 on Friday.

With that said, traders will closely be watching the ECB Policy Meeting, as well as comments out of President-Elect Trump. He’s made some recent comments on potentially taxing domestic businesses that leave the U.S. and try to sell their products back into the country. Of course, this could impact some publicly traded companies dramatically.

Crude oil futures responded well following the OPEC meeting. Crude oil futures prices rose more than 12% and are not to far off from 52-week highs. Energy related companies also saw huge bid as well.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +11.3%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -1.01%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.42%.

Here are some important events worth watching during the week:

Key Economic Data:
6 Dec 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
7 Dec 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
8 Dec 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
5 Dec 2016- COUP
6 Dec 2016- AZO, BMO, BOBE, HDS, MIK, TOL, PLAY, SIGM
7 Dec 2016- LULU, XRX, COST, HRB, UNFI
8 Dec 2016- CIEN, FRED, HOV, VNCE, AVGO, FNSR
9 Dec 2016- MTN

Key Conferences:
5 Dec 2016- Barclays Discretionary Conference (runs till 11/6); Goldman Sachs European Industrials Conference (runs till 11/7); KeyBanc Consumer Conference (runs till 11/7); UBS Media Communications Conference (runs till 11/7); Raymond James Technology Conference (runs till 11/7)
6 Dec 2016- Cowen Energy & Natural Resources Conference (runs till 11/7); Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference (runs till 11/7)
7 Dec 2016- Barclay’s Technology Conference (runs till 11/8); Citigroup Healthcare Conference (runs till 11/8)

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November 27, 2016 The Week Ahead

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The S&P 500 closed the week on record highs on a shortened trading week. However, stealing some spotlight has been the Russell 2000, which is now running on a 15-session winning streak. It’s up an impressive 20% on the year. The Nasdaq also performed well, gaining nearly 1% on the week, however; it was on very light trading volume.

Market participants will closely be watching the retail sales numbers that come out of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are also a decent amount of retailers reporting earnings as well. You can find the earnings schedule below.

In other news, OPEC will meeting on November 30th. Per usual, these meetings are such wild cards, there is no use in trying to predict how they will turn out. One thing we should expect is greater volatility in the energy stocks and futures.

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) +2.02%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.34%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -3.07%.

Here are some important events worth watching during the week:

Key Economic Data:
29 Nov 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET
30 Nov 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
1 Dec 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 Dec 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
28 Nov 2016- VNET,
29 Nov 2016- TIF, MNK, DSX, ADSK, FSC, GWRE, SPLK
30 Nov 2016- AEO, TITN, BOX, BV, GES, LZB, NQ, PVH, SMTC
1 Dec 2016- CIBC, DG, EXPR, KR, AMBA, ASNA, GII FIVE, SWHC, ULTA, WDAY, ZUMZ
2 Dec 2016- BIG, FRED

Key Conferences:
28 Nov 2016- Bank of America Merrill Lynch Leveraged Finance Corporation Conference (runs till 11/30); Credit Suisse Tech, Media and Telecom Conference (runs till 12/2)
29 Nov 2016- Citigroup Basic Materials Conference (runs till 12/1); Jefferies Energy Conference (runs till 11/30); Piper Healthcare conference (runs till 11/30); FBR Investor Conference; FBR Investor Conference
30 Nov 2016- Credit Suisse 4th Annual Industrials Conference (runs till 12/1); JPMorgan Financial Tech & Speciality Forum
2 Dec 2016- Bank America Auto Dealer Day Conference

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January 3, 2016 The Week Ahead

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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

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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