December 27, 2015 The Week Ahead

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And then there was four…that is, four more trading days left in 2015. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is in positive territory, however; these are those lowest returns seen since 2011.

In respect to news and events, there isn’t much on the table. In fact, there are no earnings this week and we only have a few economic releases. With that said, don’t expect much in the form of trading volume.

The VIX actually dropped nearly 5 points from last week, and is now sitting below 16.

Crude oil futures caught a small bounce during the week, however; prices are down a lot on the year. The United States Oil Fund (USO) is down more than 36% on the year.

Most traders will be taking this time to take a break from the markets. While others might spend their time reviewing their process, going over what worked, what didn’t, and what they can do to improve in 2016. If you’re still searching for your edge, we invite you to check out our training program. It was created by a team of industry recognized traders, aimed at helping those new (and even experienced) traders get the skills they need to compete in these ever changing markets.

Moving on.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
29 December 2015- International Trade 8:30 AM ET
31 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

December 20, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had a rough week following the FOMC decision to raise key interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. The reaction thus far has not been positive from the markets, the SPY dropped nearly 1% and is negative on the year.

The VIX actually dropped during the week, however; it still closed above 20 on Friday.

Crude oil futures continue to get hit, as they are now down more than 40% on the year and close to 20% on the month.

Will the selling pressure continue or will get the Christmas rally?

We will know soon enough. With that said, this is a shortened week due to the Christmas Holiday. Thursday is a half day and Friday we are off. Expect volumes to dry up or be low this week.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
22 December 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
23 December 2015- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
22 December 2015- CAG, MU, CAMP, NKE, PAYX

December 17, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed lower, a day after the FOMC announced that they would be raising key interest rates. Initially, futures were trading higher pre-market. However, as the day progressed things got uglier. In fact, we saw some heavy selling pressure in the after-hours session. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF closed the day down more than 1.5%.

Surprisingly, the VIX didn’t really blast off, only gaining about 6% and closing below 19.

Oil names took a hit, not a surprise, as crude oil futures closed below $35 per barrel. Some oil and gas names also took a hit. For example, Teekay Offshore partners (TOO) was down over 50% after they announced that they would be cutting their dividend.

Stocks in play today included: Kalobios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO) -53%, Teekay (TK) -57%, Pandora (P) +13%, and ReWalk Robotics (RWLK) +80%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) and Activision Blizzard (ATVI). We also saw massive put buyers in Ship Finance International (SFL).

Here’s what is going on for tomorrow:

Key Earnings:
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 15, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed higher, making it two straight up days after Friday’s sell off. In fact, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has regained nearly all of Friday’s losses. Of course, this sets the stage for tomorrow’s FOMC meeting. For now, the consensus is that they will raise rates, but we’ll know for sure what their intentions are in the afternoon.

The VIX took a hit today, dropping nearly 8 percent. With that said, it’s still trading above 20, going into the FOMC announcement.

Oil caught a bounce, making it two straight up days. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was about 1.5%.

Stocks in play today included Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) +17%, Advance Auto Parts (AAP) +6%, and Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT) +16%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Vitamin Shoppe (VSI). We also saw massive put buyers in KCG Holdings (KCG).

Here’s what is going on for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
16 December 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
17 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 13, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) snapped a 3-week winning streak in spectacular fashion, after seeing a decline of nearly four percent. All eyes are going to be on the upcoming FOMC meeting, will they raise rates or keep them unchanged? After this sell-off, will they put those thoughts on hold? We’ll have the answer on Wednesday.

The VIX absolutely exploded, closing the week at 24.39, a jump of nearly 10 points from the previous Friday close.

Crude oil futures hit a 7-year low after dropping more than 11% during the week. With that said, there seems to be no bottom in sight.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
15 December 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET
16 December 2015- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM ET, Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
17 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 December 2015- FCEL, PAY
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

December 6, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had its third straight winning week, and is now less than 1.2% off the 52-week highs. Despite the recent bullish action, the market has had its fair share of volatility. For example, we have had four straight +/- 1% in the S&P 500. It appears we are back to the ol’ good news is good…and bad news is good.

The VIX was relatively unchanged, closing the week at 14.88.

Crude oil futures closed below $40 a barrel after the OPEC Meeting. In general, the commodities market has been relatively weak compared to the equity market.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
10 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
11 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
12 December 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
07 December 2015- HRB
08 December 2015- AZO, CONN, COST, PLCE, KKD, PLAY
09 December 2015- FRAN, MW, VRA
10 December 2015- CIEN, ADBE, FNSR, NCS

Key Events:
07 December 2015- Raymond James Tech & Communications Conference (runs til 12/09), UBS Global Media & Communications Conference (runs til 12/09), Wells Fargo Energy Symposium (runs till 12/09)
08 December 2015- Barclays Global Technology Conference (runs til 12/09), Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference (runs till 12/09), Oppenheimer Healthcare Conference (runs til 12/09)

November 30, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively weak, as traders came back from Thanksgiving break. With that said, we still finished the month higher. On the other hand, energy, the United States Oil Fund (USO) finished the month down more than 12%. In addition, gold, the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) was down nearly 7% on the month.

There was a decent amount of attention on retail names, stats for Black Friday and Cyber Monday were hitting the tape. Unfortunately, Target (TGT) had issues with their website today, the stock price was down 1.3%. Here’s how other retailers fared: Wal-Mart (WMT) -1.6%, Gap (GPS) -2.3%, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) -3.8%, and Amazon (AMZN) -1%.

The VIX finished the day a point higher, closing the month at 16.13.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in ADT (ADT). We also saw massive put buyers in Urban Outfitters (URBN), which was down over 5%.

Here’s what is going for the rest of the week:

Key Economic Data:
01 December 2015- ISM Manufacturing 10:00 AM ET
03 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
04 December 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
01 December 2015- BMO, BOBE
02 December 2015- AEO, AVGO, ARO, VMEM
03 December 2015- EXPR, G, SHLD, AMBA, BKS, FIVE, ULTA
04 December 2015- HOV

Key Events:
30 November 2015- Credit Suisse Industrial Conference (runs till 12/3), Credit Suisse Tech, Media, Telecom Conference (runs till 12/3)
01 December 2015- Citigroup Basic Materials Conference (runs till 12/2), Cowen 4th Annual HealthCare Conference, Cowen 5th Annual Ultimate Energy Conference (runs till 12/2), Goldman Sachs Metals & Mining Conference (runs till 12/2), Piper Jaffray HealthCare Conference (runs till 12/2)
03 December 2015- Wells Fargo Boston Gaming Forum
04 December 2015- American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

November 29, 2015 The Week Ahead

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The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had its second straight winning weak, and is now less than 1.2% off the highs. However, that doesn’t mean that every sector is participating in the rally. For example, energy continues to lag. With that said, we’re starting to see more sector rotation as investors try to figure where to best park their funds.

The VIX was relatively unchanged, closing the week at 15.12.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) finished the week relatively higher, however it’s still 50% off the 52-week highs.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
01 December 2015- ISM Manufacturing 10:00 AM ET
03 December 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
04 December 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
30 November 2015- BLOX, NQ
01 December 2015- BMO, BOBE
02 December 2015- AEO, AVGO, ARO, VMEM
03 December 2015- EXPR, G, SHLD, AMBA, BKS, FIVE, ULTA
04 December 2015- HOV

Key Events:
30 November 2015- Credit Suisse Industrial Conference (runs till 12/3), Credit Suisse Tech, Media, Telecom Conference (runs till 12/3)
01 December 2015- Citigroup Basic Materials Conference (runs till 12/2), Cowen 4th Annual HealthCare Conference, Cowen 5th Annual Ultimate Energy Conference (runs till 12/2), Goldman Sachs Metals & Mining Conference (runs till 12/2), Piper Jaffray HealthCare Conference (runs till 12/2)
03 December 2015- Wells Fargo Boston Gaming Forum
04 December 2015- American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

November 25, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat and with little volume. Of course, this made sense, the markets will be closed tomorrow in the US, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Given the anemic volume, it was also not a surprise to see the VIX close lower, finishing the day at 15.19.

Now, there was a ton of economic data that came out this morning. Durable goods came in better than expected. In addition, jobless claims were at the low end of expectations. Personal income was inline along with new home sales.

As mentioned yesterday, low float stocks continued to be the soup de jour. With volume drying up due to the holiday, traders have been feasting on stocks like Aeterna Zentaris (AEZS) +48%, Opexa Therapeutics (OPXA) +6%, Vital Therapies (VTL) +9%, and KaloBios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO) +45%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was flat today after geopolitical headlines dominated the news yesterday.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Constellium (CSTM).

The market is closed tomorrow, but here is what we have for the rest of the week:

Key Earnings:
27 November 2015- BLOX

From all of us at TVC, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

November 24, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat, however; that doesn’t mean we didn’t have a fair share of volatility. Before the U.S. session was open, the futures were down a decent amount, following reports that a Russian fighter jet was shot down by Turkish forces. But as the day progressed, the geopolitical fears subsided and the market got back on track.

Despite a flattish close, the VIX rose slightly, closing at 15.93.

Low float stocks have been the soup de jour this week. With volume drying up due to the holiday, traders have been feasting on stocks like Aeterna Zentaris (AEZS) -10%, Opeca Therapeutics (OPXA) +12%, Vital Therapies (VTL) +5%, Anavex Life Sciences (AVXL) -6.5%, and Sientra (SIEN) +14% … just to name a few.

The energy sector caught a bounce; the United States Oil Fund (USO) as geopolitical concerns dominated the world news.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Agilent Technologies (A). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in American Capital (ACAS).

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

Key Economic Data:
25 November 2015- Durable Goods 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income 8:30 AM ET, New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
25 November 2015- DE
27 November 2015- BLOX