September 10, 2018 The Week Ahead

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It was a rough week for U.S. stocks, specifically the tech heavy Nasdaq. Semiconductors like KLAC, MU, and AMAT were all under heavy selling pressure. Pot stocks remained active, as Tilray gained over 30%

Other notable stock movers over the week included: ZUO -24.9%, RH -19.7%, ULTA +16.9%, and FB -8.2%

Here are how some of the most widely traded index ETFs performed over the week:
Powershares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -2.84%, SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.93%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) -0.18%, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) -1.06%

We’ll see if the President’s recent comments regarding trade with China escalate and put a further scare into the markets… just in time for Halloween.

The VIX closed at 14.88 on Friday, a gain of 13.5%

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Here are how some futures and commodity ETFs performed over the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -3.19%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -1.77%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.36%

Economic Releases:
12 Sep 2018- PPI- FD 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET

13 Sep 2018- CPI 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET

14 Sep 2018- Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET; Industrial Production 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
10 Sep 2018- HOV, CASY, SONO

11 Sep 2018- FRAN

12 Sep 2018- COOL, TLRD, SAIC, PVTL

13 Sep 2018- KR, ADBE, VNCE, ORCL

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March 9, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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The markets were mixed today, with the all indices gaining except for the Russell 2000 which sold off slightly. Making news today was the energy market and the ECB meeting, which turned out to be a non-event. However, it’s worth noting that volume was above average in all major indices today.

Strong earnings performers included: Signet Jewelers (SIG) and Orbital ATK (OA)

Weak earnings performers included: Stratasys (SSYS) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)

The VIX closed higher today, at 12.30, a gain of 3.71%

ETF Performers: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.31%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.80%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.59%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Arch Capital Group (ACGL), which traded 50 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in AmTrust Financial (AFSI), which traded 7.8 times normal option volume.

The only scheduled event worth noting for tomorrow is the employment situation

Key Economic Data:
10 March 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

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October 13, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 continues to see it’s fair share of intraday volatility. Today we traded in nearly a 25 point range, settling .3% lower. Overall, the S&P 500 is down about 1% on the week. With that said, tomorrow should be an interesting day as many of the larger banks report earnings.

Stocks in play today included: Ulta Salon Cosmetics (ULTA) +11%, Tenet Healthcare (THC) +8.8%, and Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) -4.6%

The VIX continues to surge this week, despite the move lower in the market it actually dropped 2.5%, closing at 16.69.

Crude oil futures prices are up more than 1% on the week and trading above $50 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Iamgold Corporation (IAG), which traded 25.7 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in AO Smith Corp (AOS), which saw 3.2 times normal options volume.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

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November 17, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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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)