October 11, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 saw its fair share of volatility, trading roughly in a 40 point range and closing the day down more than 1.2% In addition, today was one of the rare days where volume in the SPDR S&P 500 traded above its normal average. Earnings kicked off this morning with Alcoa, by most accounts, the quarter was worse than expected. The stock price dropped more than 11% on the day.

The week should pick up in terms of volume and volatility. Tomorrow we have the release of the FOMC minutes along with more earnings, highlighted by the banks on Friday.

Stocks in play today included: Illumina (ILMN) -25%, Rent-A-Center (RCII) -29%, and Apple (AAPL) +.25%

The VIX closed higher at 15.36, up nearly 2 points (14.8%).

Crude oil futures prices dropped about 1%, but still up on the week. The OPEC meeting is still ongoing and set to conclude on Oct 13.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM), which traded 7.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL), which saw 5.3 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
12 Oct 2016- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
13 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
12 Oct 2016- CSX
13 Oct 2016- DAL, LNN, MAR, PGR, AMD, KMG, FRC
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

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October 6, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 grinded higher on less than normal volume today. As mentioned yesterday, we’re sitting close to all-time highs. This, of course, sets the stage for tomorrow’s employment situation numbers. Interestingly, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is only implying a .6% move for tomorrow.

Stocks in play today included: Twitter (TWTR) -20%, Salesforce.com (CRM) +4.2%, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) -48.4%, and Genco Shipping (GNK) +47%.

The VIX closed below 13, dropping nearly 2% and closing at 12.84.

Crude oil futures prices climbed above $50 per barrel and are now sitting around 3-month highs. Again, this sets the stage for an interesting OPEC meeting which is set for Oct 8 to Oct 13. The meeting will on the Algiers deal which was informally agreed upon recently.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in MasTec (MTZ), which traded 24.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Dynergy (DYN), which saw 7.2 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
7 Oct 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

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August 23, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 crept higher today on below average trading volume. Not surprising, as it’s been the theme this entire month. Realized volatility in SPY over the last month has been 5-7% depending on which estimator you’re using. To put that in perspective, these are some of the lowest levels we’ve seen over the last four years.

Stocks in play today include: Clovis Oncology (CLVS) +28%, Best Buy (BBY) +20%, Tesla Motors (TSLA) +.85%, and J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) -8%.

Despite the rise in the market, the VIX actually closed the day higher, finishing the session at 12.38.

Crude oil futures bounced back a little from yesterday’s pullback, climbing more than 1% and closing near $48 per barrel. Talks are heating up on what OPEC nations will be doing in the future, thus adding additional volatility to the energy complex.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Mellanox Technologies (MLNX), which traded 9.3 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Concurrent Computer Corporation (CCUR) 52.1 times normal options volume.

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

Key Economic Data:
24 Aug 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM
25 Aug 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 Aug 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 Aug 2016- EXPR, GES, HPQ, PVH, WSM, WDAY
25 Aug 2016- FLS, EPAY, BURL, BRCD, DG, DLTR, GME, GLNG, JKS, MDT, SAFM, SHLD, SFUN, SDRL, SPLK, ZAYO, ULTA, TIF
26 Aug 2016- BIG

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August 4, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 traded slightly higher today and very weak volume. The SPDR S&P 500 traded about 45 million shares, whereas on average it trades around 80-85 million.

Stocks in play today include: Saexploration (SAEX) +356%, Helios and Matheson Analytics (HMNY) +35.7%, Metlife (MET) -8.7%, and CF Industries (CF) -12.35%

The VIX closed lower, now trading below 12.5 at 12.42, dropping 3.4% on the day.

Crude oil futures surged today, climbing over 2% and closing near $42 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in One Gas (OGS) at 43.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in PDC Energy (PDCE) at 16.4 times normal options volume.

This evening we got earnings out of Priceline (PCLN) +4% and Fireeye (FEYE) -17%.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

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

Key Earnings:
5 Aug 2016- WY, WLTW, HSBC, CTSH, AES

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August 3, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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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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March 29, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The market was on an absolute tear following comments out of Fed Chair Yellen this afternoon. More or less, she gave off the impression that there will be no upcoming rate hike at the April meeting. Of course, this was the signal for lift off. The SPY finished the day 1% higher, IWM closed nearly 3% higher, and the QQQ closed 1.5% higher.

The appetite for risk is back on, as witnessed in the VIX. The VIX closed down nearly 10%, below 14 at 13.82.

One sector which did not participate in the rally was Crude Oil. It was down more than 2%. This now makes for five straight losing days.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in TiVo (TIVO). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Arctic Cat (ACAT), which was 14.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Himax Technologies (HIMX) +16.3%, Conns (CONN) -24.6%, and Puma Biotechnology (PBYI) -20.8%

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

Key Economic Data:
30 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Report 10:30 AM ET
31 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
1 April 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
30 March 2016- MU, PAYX
31 March 2016- SONS
1 April 2016- BBRY

March 15, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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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 10, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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We had an extremely volatile day in the markets today. Things really got interesting after the ECB announced that they would be doing more in the form of QE to try to stimulate the economy. With that said, the DAX got hit with a 2.3% drop.

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had a low of 197.38, a high of 201.07, closing relatively flat at 199.54.

Oil was relatively flat. The United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day at 10.04.

The VIX closed above 18, down 1.58% on the day.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in PHH Corporation (PHH). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Rackspace Hosting (RAX), which was 2.1 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: J2 Global (JCOM) -19.5%, Barrett Business Services (BBSI) -35%, and Williams Companies (WMB) -8.3%

There are no key events on the schedule tomorrow.

March 9, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The equity markets bounced back from yesterday’s sell-off. However, it was a rather uneventful trading day to say the least. The SPDR S&P 500 had less than a point and a half range compared to the 2.6 ATR we’ve recently been used too.

Oil was able to regain all of yesterday’s losses. The United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day more than 5% higher, at 10.15.

The VIX is hanging out above 18, it closed the day slightly lower at 18.34.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in CONN’s Inc. (CONN). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Cabot Oil and Gas Corp (COG), which was 8.8 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Unisys Corporation (UIS) -27.7%, Air Transport Services (ATSG) +18%, and Peabody (BTU) +28%

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

Key Economic Data:
10 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
10 March 2016- BONT, CSIQ, BOOM, FNSR, PAY, ULTA

Key Conferences:
JPMorgan Aviation, Transportation, & Industrials Conference

January 20, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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It was another crazy day in the markets. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) opened the day at 185.03, hit a high of 188.06, and posted a low of 181.02. When the dust settled, it ended the day down 2.41 points or 1.28%. We’re close to being down 10% on the year.

The VIX continues to stay elevated, it closed above 27, however; it nearly hit 30 at one point during the session.

Crude oil futures prices are at decade lows, with no clear sign of support. We’re currently trading below $29 per barrel. Of course, this has taken a strain on the overall market. With that said, crude oil futures prices have suffered an even greater loss than equities so far this year.

Not only that, but we’ve gotten to the point where a gallon of gasoline is cheaper than a gallon of water and a gallon of milk.

Stocks in play included: Netflix (NFLX) -.45%, Exxon (XOM) -4%, Synaptics (SYNA) +27.3%, Twitter (TWTR) +5%

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Icici Bank (IBN). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Stone Energy (SGY).

Here’s what’s on tap for the rest of the week. Keep in mind, we’ve got an ECB decision tomorrow morning.

Key Economic Data:
21 January 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET
22 January 2016- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
21 January 2016- ALK, CP, LUV, VZ, ISRG, JBHT, MXIM, SBUX
22 January 2016- COL, GE, KSU, LM, SAP, SYF

Conferences:
20 January 2016- World Economic Forum in Davos (runs til 1/23)