September 21, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 21, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Crude Oil, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, ETSY, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX, VRX

September 21, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 ended the day higher, however; volume was very light. With that said, we did get some form of relief after Friday’s sell off.

Despite the lackluster volume, the VIX sold off rather harshly, ending the day down nearly 10% at 20.14

Crude Oil futures were relatively strong, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 3 percent.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying take place in Etsy Inc. (ETSY). The bears were out in Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX). In fact, the pharmaceutical space as a whole took a hit today after Presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton, made some comments that were taken negatively amongst the sector.

September 17, 2015 The Week Ahead

September 17, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading education, FOMC, PCP, S&P 500, trading, UAL, USO, VIX

September 17, 2015 The Week Ahead

The S&P 500 finished the day nearly flat after the much awaited FOMC meeting. Of course, there was a great deal of volatility, the S&P 500 had a range of 1986.73 to 2020.86. With the FED deciding to leave rates unchanged, we should continue to have uncertainty in the market.

With that said, what happens in other markets globally is back in play. Eyes will be shifted back to the European and Asian markets for early indications on how we’ll trade.

The VIX was actually below 18 at one point in time; however, it did rally back to 21.14 at the close.

The energy sector was relatively flat today; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down less than 1%.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in United Continental Holdings (UAL). Options that saw bearish put buying were in Precision Castparts (PCP).

There are no major economic news or earnings tomorrow. However, we should see some interesting action towards the close, due to triple witching.

September 10, 2015 Market Wrap Up

September 10, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading AVP, BLL, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

September 10, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day higher after experiencing a great deal of volatility. We went from positive to negative and then back positive. The market actually gapped up overnight, however; it lost a lot of steam. Especially, when rockstar hedge fund manager David Tepper got on CNBC and made some rather bearish comments about the market.

For now, it seems like the weight of what happens in the Asian markets have had less of an influence. Possibly because we’ve got an FOMC meeting next week. It appears that the market is waiting to hear what their next move will be.

The VIX closed at 24.37, down nearly two points on the day.

The energy sector caught a nice bounce, as the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed nearly 3% higher.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Avon Products (AVP). Options that saw bearish put buying were in Ball Corporation (BLL).

Here’s what’s going on for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
11 September 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
11 September 2015- KR, MFRM

Key Events:
Morgan Stanley Industrial CEO Unplugged Conference
Bank of America Annual Canada Mining Conference

September 9, 2015 Market Wrap Up

September 9, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading ADSK, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, S&P 500, THC, trading, USO, VIX

September 9, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 was not able to follow through after yesterday’s move higher. Now, for a large part of the day it looked like it was going to be smooth sailing; however, when it was all said and done we witnessed a 40 point swing with the market closing nearly 1.5% lower.

For some time, our focus has been on the Asian markets. They’ve had a huge influence on how we’ve traded here. In addition, the FED meeting is coming up in about a week or two. With that said, that’s what traders are waiting and watching.

The VIX closed at 26.23, up nearly five points from the day low.

The energy sector saw some heavy selling pressure, as the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed 3.4% higher.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Autodesk Inc. (ADSK). Options that saw bearish put buying were in Tenet Healthcare (THC).

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

Key Economic Data:
10 September 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
11 September 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
10 September 2015- LULU, FNSR, RH, ZMZ
11 September 2015- KR, MFRM

Key Events:
8 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Barclay’s CEO Energy Power Conference
8 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Barclay’s Global Consumer Staples Conference
8 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Citigroup Global Tech Conference
8 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- JPMorgan Small/Mid Cap Conference
8 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Bank of America 2015 Gaming and Lodging Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Bank of America 2015 Media Communications & Equipment Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Cowen Global Transport Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Goldman Sachs Global Retail Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/10)- Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference
9 September 2015 (runs til 9/11)- Morgan Stanley Industrial CEO Unplugged Conference
10 September 2015 (runs til 9/11)- Bank of America Annual Canada Mining Conference

September 3, 2015 Market Wrap Up

September 3, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Economic, education, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

September 3, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 was up modestly today, which was expected given that we’ve got a holiday coming up, while China is currently observing their own.

Before the opening bell, the ECB announced that they would be willing to inject further stimulus if there is continued weakness in the global economy. For the most part, the news was perceived as bullish by the market. However, early day gains were given back as we reached the close.

The VIX closed at 25.61, down nearly six points from the first of the month.

The energy sector saw modest recent gains, as the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed 1.67% higher.

Tomorrow is expected to be a slow day, as many traders will be taking part or the entire day off.

But here’s what’s going on:

Key Economic Data:
4 September 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

September 1, 2015 Market Wrap Up

September 2, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, PFE, PMI, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX, YELP

September 1, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 got absolutely smoked today, down nearly 3 percent. The market was weak overnight because of poor data out of China, PMI was worse than expected. Interestingly, the SPY straddle going into Monday was implying a 2.6% move. With that said, not too many traders were expecting this kind of volatility heading into Labor Day.

The VIX closed at 31.40, up more than 10%. Not only that, but the VIX remains in backwardation. This is when near term futures are more expensive than farther dated futures.

VIX Futures Term Structure

The energy sector saw a big sell-off after seeing recent gains. The United States Oil Fund (USO) is down nearly 9%.

August 27, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 27, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Earnings, Economic, FCX, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX, WFC, WLL

August 27, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 showed some nice bounce today after yesterday’s big spike higher. The market jumped after solid GDP numbers; and it’s now up more than 6%, about 150 points away from the yearly highs.

Of course, all eyes will be on China to see how their markets open.

The VIX closed at 26.10, down 13.9%. That’s well off our recent high of 42 and change.

The energy sector saw a huge bounce today. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 10%. Is this a dead cat bounce or is the near term bottom in? Only time will tell.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Whiting Petroleum (WLL). We also saw bearish option activity in Wells Fargo Bank (WFC).

In after hours action, activist investor, Carl Icahn disclosed a stake in Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX). The stock is up over 50% in extended hours trading.

Here’s what else is going on:

Key Economic Data:
28 August 2015- Personal Income 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
28 August 2015- BIG

August 18, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 18, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, DFS, Earnings, Economic, education, FOMC, IDTI, S&P 500, trading, USO, VIX

August 18, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day mildly lower; despite a sell-off in China last nite. Interestingly, some commodities like crude oil actually were up. Generally, weakness out of China has a negative effect on commodities. However, the United States Oil Fund (USO) was up nearly 1%.

The VIX was actually up a decent amount given the lackluster day; it was up nearly 6%, closing at 13.71.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Discover Financial Services (DFS). We also saw bearish option activity in Integrated Device Technology Inc (IDTI).

Tomorrow could see better action, we’ve got earnings from Staples, Target, and Lowes to name a few. In addition, the FOMC will be releasing their minutes.

Here’s what else is going on:

Key Economic Data:
19 August 2015- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET, FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
20 August 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 10 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 August 2015- TGT, LOW, SPLS, NTAP
20 August 2015- BRCD, CRM, GPS, HPQ, MSG, INTU, MRVL, ROST, TUES
21 August 2015- DE, FL

August 13, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 13, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading China, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HIG, S&P 500, trading, URI, USO, VIX

August 13, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day lower; almost in opposite fashion as yesterday. The market was up strong in the pre-market after positive comments out of China. However, those gains withered away by the close.

The VIX actually dropped, closing at 13.49.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in The Hartford Financial Services (HIG). We also saw bearish option activity in United Rentals (URI).

The energy complex was weak again, the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day at $14.09.

Here’s what else is going on tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
14 August 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

August 12, 2015 Market Wrap Up

August 12, 2015 tvcuser Education, Trading Apple, China, Conferences, Data, Earnings, Economic, education, HAS, NVS, S&P 500, Skyworks, Sunedison, trading, USO, VIX

August 12, 2015 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 finished the day higher; however, there was some heavy volatility that went with it. We saw nearly a 40 point swing from the high to low today. The market saw heavy selling pressure in the morning, a reaction to China’s back to back currency devaluation.

With that said, the VIX jumped above 16.25, but settled the day down, closing at 13.61.

We also saw some wild swings in stocks. For example, Apple moved nearly $6 off the lows, Sunedison $3 off the lows, and Skyworks Solutions rebounded $4 off the lows.

On the options front, we saw bullish call buying in Hasbro Inc (HAS). We also saw bearish option activity in Novartis AG (NVS).

The energy complex was weak again, the United States Oil Fund (USO) closed the day negative.

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

Key Economic Data:
13 August 2015- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET
14 August 2015- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET

Key Earnings:
13 August 2015- COTY, FLO, KSS, AMAT, JWN, KING, PRTY

Key Conferences:
13 August 2015- Jefferies Industrial Conference