March 15, 2016 Market Wrap Up

March 15, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, MJN, MNK, NAVI, PCG, S&P 500, SPY, USO, VIX, VRX

It was a rather dull day in the equity markets, as traders await the FOMC announcement tomorrow. The S&P 500 is down less than half of a percent over the last two trading days.

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had a low of 201.05, a high of 202.07, closing relatively flat at 199.54.

Oil traded lower, the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day at 9.75, down about 1.2%

The VIX closed above 17, down less than half of a percent at 16.84.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Navient Corporation (NAVI), which was 16.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Mallinckrodt (MNK) -15.5%, Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) -51%, and Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN) +11%

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

Key Economic Data:
16 March 2016- CPI 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
17 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
16 March 2016- CTRP, FDX, GES, JBL
17 March 2016- ADBE, ARO, LE, MIK

Key Conferences:
14 March 2016- Citigroup CEO Conference (runs till 3/16)
15 March 2016- Bank of America Global Industrials and Autos Conference (runs till 3/18), Barclays Global Healthcare Conference (runs till 3/17)

March 13, 2016 The Week Ahead

March 13, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished the week higher by about 1%. Not only that, but it’s been up 8 out of the last 10 trading days. It is worth noting that it was a relatively slow week in terms of earnings and domestic economic headlines.

We did get some fireworks out of the ECB, as the announced plans of further QE. Thus far, the market has reacted positively towards this news.

Several things are clicking right now. For example, crude oil prices surged another 7% this week, closing in on $40 per barrel and sitting on 3 month highs.

The VIX is near yearly lows, at 16.50 and now lower overall year-to-date.

We’ve got a jam packed schedule, including the FOMC announcement. In addition, earnings out of Federal Express and Oracle to name a few.

Below you’ll find out what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
15 March 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
16 March 2016- CPI 8:30 AM ET, Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
17 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
15 March 2016- DDD, DSW, VRX, ORCL, TERP, QIWI
16 March 2016- CTRP, FDX, GES, JBL
17 March 2016- ADBE, ARO, LE, MIK

March 8, 2016 Market Wrap Up

March 8, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, EPE, GPRE, S&P 500, SDRL, UNM, URBN, USO, VIX

The equity markets declined for the first time in six trading days. With that said, we got some volatility back, with the S&P 500 dropping more than 1% and the VIX closing 7% higher at 18.67.

Oil has been on a tear of late, however; we did see some selling pressure today. The United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day down more than 4%, at $9.64.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Green Plains (GPRE). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Unum Group (UNM), which was 4.1 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Ep Energy (EPE) -17%, Seadrill (SDRL) -21%, and Urban Outfitters (URBN) +16%

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

Key Economic Data:
9 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
10 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
9 March 2016- COKE, SQ, VVUS, FRPT, ONCE, VRA
10 March 2016- BONT, CSIQ, BOOM, FNSR, PAY, ULTA

Key Conferences:
Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference (runs till 3/9)
Cowen & Co 36th Annual Healthcare Conference (runs till 3/9)
Deutsche Bank Media, Internet and Telecom Conference (runs till 3/9)
Piper Jaffray Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 3/9)
RBC Financial Institutions Conference (runs till 3/9)
JPMorgan Aviation, Transportation, & Industrials Conference (runs till 3/10)

March 6, 2016 The Week Ahead

March 6, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished Friday on a four-day winning streak, as we continue to see a contraction in market volatility. The S&P 500 is up more than 3% in the month of March and the VIX is trading below 17.

With that said, crude oil futures prices are up 20% over the last two weeks. They enjoyed a 5-day winning streak and are trading nearly $36 per barrel.

Domestically, we’ve got very little going on in respect to economic data and earnings. However, there are a decent amount of industry conferences. Those might be worth paying attention to for intraday opportunities given that there isn’t much else scheduled.

Here’s what’s on tap:

Key Economic Data:
9 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
10 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
7 March 2016- SHAK, UNFI, URBN
8 March 2016- DKS, VTL, NAV
9 March 2016- COKE, SQ, VVUS, FRPT, ONCE, VRA
10 March 2016- BONT, CSIQ, BOOM, FNSR, PAY, ULTA

Key Conferences:
7 March 2016- Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference (runs till 3/9), Sandler O’Neill West Coast Financial Services Conference (runs till 3/8), Cowen & Co 36th Annual Healthcare Conference (runs till 3/9), Deutsche Bank Media, Internet and Telecom Conference (runs till 3/9)
8 March 2016- Piper Jaffray Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 3/9)
RBC Financial Institutions Conference (runs till 3/9), JPMorgan Aviation, Transportation, & Industrials Conference (runs till 3/10)

March 3, 2016 Market Wrap Up

March 3, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading AXTA, CIEN, Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, JLL, POM, S&P 500, TUMI, VIX

For the first two months of the year, it seemed like the market was in turmoil. However, over the first three days of March, the market has been on a tear. We’ve seen the VIX practically implode, down 20% over the last three sessions.

The S&P 500 is up 3% in that short time span. Crude Oil is up about 5% as well. Interestingly, we’re also seeing a pop in gold prices, which are up 2% as well.

This sets the stage for tomorrow’s monthly jobs report. We could see continued momentum or a halt depending on how the numbers play out.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Axalta Coating Systems (AXTA), which was 4.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Ciena (CIEN) -17%, Pepco Holdings (POM) -1.3%, and Tumi Holdings (TUMI) +30%

Here’s what’s going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
4 March 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 March 2016- SPLS

Key Conferences:
Simmons Energy Conference

March 1, 2016 Market Wrap Up

March 1, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, FAST, IMGN, POM, S&P 500, TSLA, VIX, VRX

We had lift-off in the markets today, as the S&P 500 closed more than 2% higher on the day. Even more impressive, the Nasdaq closed more than 3% higher. The S&P 500 is nearly 10% higher than its February 11 lows.

Crude oil futures closed the day higher, trading comfortably above $34 per barrel. Of course, tomorrow we’ll have data from the Department of Energy on inventory levels. This is a report many traders will be paying attention to.

The VIX got clobbered, dropping more than 13% and closing at 17.70.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in ImmunoGen (IMGN). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Fastenal Company (FAST), about 5.9 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) -1%, Tesla Motors (TSLA) -3%, and Pepco Holdings (POM) -12%.

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

Key Economic Data:
1 March 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
3 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
4 March 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
2 March 2016- ANF, DSX, COSST, NOG
3 March 2016- BKS, BURL, CIEN, JOY, CIEN, KR, SSYS, AMBA, AVGO, NMBL
4 March 2016- SPLS

Key Conferences:
29 February 2016- BMO Metals & Mining Conference (runs till 3/3), JPMorgan High Yield Leveraged Finance Conference (runs till 3/2), Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 3/3)
2 March 2016- Simmons Energy Conference (runs till 03/4)

February 28, 2016 The Week Ahead

February 28, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, OPEC, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished the week slightly higher, adding to last week’s impressive gains. With that said, the VIX closed the week below 20, at 19.58.

Crude oil prices bounced, gaining nearly 10% on the week. We’ll have to pay attention if there is any news out of OPEC. Lately, OPEC related comments have had a huge weight on the price action in crude oil.

There are still a ton of earnings this week along with a decent amount of economic events.

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Earnings:
29 February 2016- AMC, BSFT, DDD, ENDP, HZNP, LL, NRG, NVAX, VRX, TASR, ATML, HTZ, JUNO, PTCT, WDAY, MBI, XON
1 March 2016- AZO, BCS, DLTR, JD, KATE, MDT, BOBE, ROST, VEEV
2 March 2016- ANF, DSX, COSST, NOG
3 March 2016- BKS, BURL, CIEN, JOY, CIEN, KR, SSYS, AMBA, AVGO, NMBL
4 March 2016- SPLS

Key Conferences:
29 February 2016- BMO Metals & Mining Conference (runs till 3/3), JPMorgan High Yield Leveraged Finance Conference (runs till 3/2), JMP Securities Technology Conference (runs till 3/1), Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference (runs till 3/3)
2 March 2016- Simmons Energy Conference (runs till 03/4)

February 23, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 23, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Earnings, Economic, KATE, MSI, PTCT, RYAAY, S&P 500, VIX, WHR

The S&P 500 was relatively weak the whole day, giving up nearly all of yesterday’s gains. Some attribute the weakness due to concerns out of China and Europe, as their markets closed lower as well.

A sell-off in crude oil didn’t really help the cause either. After a huge move up yesterday, crude oil futures prices gave up half of yesterday’s gains. We’re hovering in the low 30s…well off our recent lows of 26.

The VIX closed below 20 yesterday. However, with the weakness in the markets today, it jumped back above that 20 mark, closing 8% higher at 20.98.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Kate Spade and Company (KATE). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY), about 32.9 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Whirlpool (WHR) +6.5%, Motorola Solutions (MSI) +6%, and PTC Therapeutics (PTCT) -60%.

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

Key Economic Data:
24 February 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
25 February 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 February 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 February 2016- CC, CHK, LOW, MBLY, TGT, RLGY, AVG, CRM, ETE, HPQ, IMAX, NFX, NTES, RIG, SUN, TUMI, WLL
25 February 2016- APA, BBY, CHS, CPB, DPZ, GOGO, KSS, SAFM, SEAS, SFM, SN, VAC, VALE, WNR, ADSK, BIDU, BLOX, BMRN, HLF, INTU, KHC, PANW, STRZA, SPLK, UHS, WTW
26 February 2016- HLT

Key Conferences:
22 February 2016- Credit Suisse Energy Summit (runs till 2/25)
23 February 2016- Jeffries Media and Communications Conference (runs till 2/24), RBC Healthcare Conference (runs till 2/24)
24 February 2016- Wells Fargo Real Estate Conference (runs till 2/25), Wells Fargo Bank Investor Forum

February 21, 2016 The Week Ahead

February 21, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading Conferences, Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, VIX

The S&P 500 finished the week nearly 3% higher, now more than 100 points higher from our year-to-date low.

Despite steady gains in the equity markets, crude oil prices continue to see large up and down swings. A lot of this occurring because of recent OPEC rumors, on whether they’ll work together on constricting supply or not. With that said, crude oil prices did close the week slightly higher.

The VIX closed the week significantly lower, as it dropped from the 25 range to 20.53.

There are still a ton of earnings this week along with a decent amount of economic events (domestic and international).

Here’s what else is on tap:

Key Economic Data:
23 February 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 February 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
25 February 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 February 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
22 February 2016- AGN, DF, BHP, FIT, ONDK, MSI
23 February 2016- HD, LAMR, LXK, M, ODP, TOL, SJM, CAR, DWA, ETSY, HAWK, JAZZ, PRA, TROX, TX
24 February 2016- CC, CHK, LOW, MBLY, TGT, RLGY, AVG, CRM, ETE, HPQ, IMAX, NFX, NTES, RIG, SUN, TUMI, WLL
25 February 2016- APA, BBY, CHS, CPB, DPZ, GOGO, KSS, SAFM, SEAS, SFM, SN, VAC, VALE, WNR, ADSK, BIDU, BLOX, BMRN, HLF, INTU, KHC, PANW, STRZA, SPLK, UHS, WTW
26 February 2016- HLT

February 18, 2016 Market Wrap Up

February 18, 2016 tvcuser Education, Trading AVP, BCC, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, FRC, IM, JACK, S&P 500, VIX

It was a rather uneventful trading session today. For the most part, indices traded slightly lower, after posting solid gains in the previous three sessions. The S&P 500 is up about 5% over the last four trading days.

Despite the sell-off, we’re starting to see volatility come in. For example, the VIX actually sold off, even with the markets lower. It closed the day down 3% at 21.64.

With that said, crude oil prices have seen a nice bounce this week, up more than 10% on hopes that we’ll see production cuts out of OPEC. At the moment, there is a tentative agreement to freeze production, but we still have to wait and see on whether that will come into fruition.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Avon Products (AVP). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in First Republic Bank (FRC), about 51.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Boise Cascade (BCC) -29%, Jack In The Box (JACK) -16%, and Ingram Micro (IM) +23%.

Here’s what’s going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
19 February 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 February 2016- DE

Key Conferences:
CAGNY Conference
Barclay’s Industrial Conference