December 15, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 15, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AAP, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, ICPT, KCG, S&P 500, SPY, trading, USO, VIX, VRX, VSI

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 14, 2015 Market Wrap Up

December 14, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HSY, HYG, S&P 500, SPY, USO, VIX

The S&P 500 closed higher, but it had a fair share of volatility before it decided its path. The SPDR 500 ETF (SPY) had wide range, trading between 199.95 to 203.05. There were reports that a “fat finger” caused the sudden market volatility.

Oil continues to dominate headlines, not to mention natural gas, which hit 13 year lows today. However, the United States Oil ETF (USO) did catch a small bounce today.

The VIX sold off a little after Friday’s massive spike. The VIX closed at 22.73.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in the Hershey Company (HSY). We also saw massive put buyers in the iShares iBoxx High Yield ETF (HYG).

Here’s what is happening the rest of the 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:
16 December 2015- FDX, JOY, JBL, PIR, ORCL
17 December 2015- ACN, RAD, GIS, SAFM, RHT
18 December 2015- BBRY, DRI, KMX, LEN

November 30, 2015 Market Wrap Up

November 30, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ADT, AMZN, ANF, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, GLD, GPS, S&P 500, TGT, trading, URBN, USO, VIX, WMT

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

November 29, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, SPY, trading, USO, VIX

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

November 25, 2015 Market Wrap Up

November 25, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AEZS, CSTM, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, KBIO, OPXA, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX, VTL

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

November 24, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading A, ACAS, AEZS, AVXL, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, OPXA, S&P 500, SIEN, trading, USO, VIX, VTL

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

November 22, 2015 The Week Ahead

November 22, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Data, Earnings, Economic, education, SPY, trading, USO, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) nearly regained all of last week’s losses, closing the week 3.3% higher. We are once again near our highs. Will we break through or sell off again? That is the question. However, we’ve got a shortened week, as the markets are closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

With that said, we’ve got a decent amount of economic data the first three days of the week. But expect volumes to be low as traders prepare to be on holiday.

The VIX sold back down, closing at 15.47.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) did not bounce, closing the week lower and just 4.5% off the 52-week lows.

Here’s what is on tap this coming week:

Key Economic Data:
23 November 2015- Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 November 2015- GDP 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET
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:
23 November 2015- BRCD, PANW, YY, GME, MNK, TSN
24 November 2015- HPQ/HPE, TIVO, VNET, DSW, TIF, SIG, CBRL
25 November 2015- DE
27 November 2015- BLOX

November 19, 2015 Market Wrap Up

November 19, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AGN, education, FOMC, KBIO, MDT, NKE, S&P 500, SPY, SUNE, trading, USO, VIX, VRX

The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat, after a monster rally yesterday, where the market reacted positively to the FOMC minutes.

Interestingly, the VIX actually is trading around 17 and we are less than 2% off the highs in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF.

Stocks in play today, included Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) +15%, Sunedison (SUNE) -11%, and Kalobios Pharmaceuticals (KBIO) +367%. Also, in the after hours, Nike (NKE) announced a new $12 billion share repurchase program and a raise in dividends. The stock is up more than 3% in the after hours.

The energy sector remains weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was flattish today. It’s now just 5% off the 52-week lows.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Allergran (AGN). In addition, we saw bearish bets being placed in Medtronic (MDT).

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

20 November 2015- ANF, FL

November 17, 2015 Market Wrap Up

November 18, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ARG, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, GNC, HLF, S&P 500, SPY, SUNE, trading, ULTA, USO, VIX

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)

November 15, 2015 The Week Ahead

November 15, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ANF, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, Events, FOMC, JWN, M, SPY, TGT, USO, VIX

The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has been on a 3-day sell off, closing the week 3.5% lower. It’s hard to point to exactly what caused the sell of, but per usual, there are a number of theories ranging from profit taking to weak retail sales numbers. What looked like a sure December rate hike, now appears less uncertain.

As mentioned retailers took a hit. Nordstrom (JWN) -19%, Macy’s (M) -17%, Target (TGT) -8%, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) -12% … just to name a few. Could this be the catalyst to put a rate hike on hold? We shall see. One thing though, we’ll be getting the FOMC Minutes transcript on 11/18, which should shed some light on the matter.

The VIX shot off like a rocket, and is now trading above 20.