Week of December 31st Stock Market Watch

There is just one more trading day left in what has been a wild ride for stocks this December. Typically, when we get close to year-end, trading volume and volatility dies down. However, that has not been the case this year. In fact, the day after Christmas the Dow had its largest gain in history (+1,000 pts). Despite the gains stocks had after Christmas, they still finished relatively flat on the week.

Here are some of the main concerns investors are having right now:

  • The government shutdown
  • Rising interest rates
  • Trade disputes with China (tariffs)
  • Fears of an economic downturn
  • Loss of confidence in the Federal Reserve Bank
  • Crashing oil prices
  • Uncertainty with Brexit

The VIX closed at 28.34 on Friday. That said, traders appear to embracing the shift from low volatility to high.

Here are how some of the most actively traded index ETFs performed over the week: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.23%, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) +0.81%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) +0.69%, Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) +0.45%

Here are how some of the most actively traded commodity and interest rate ETFs performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.95%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.26%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +1.53%

This is a shortened week for the stock market, as it’s closed on New Years Day.

Economic Releases:
3 Jan 2019- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET

4 Jan 2019- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
3 Jan 2019- RECN

4 Jan 2019- LW

From all of us at TVC, have a happy, healthy, and profitable New Year.

Week of November 5th Stock Market Watch

Stocks temporarily bounced back last week, as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 2.4%.

Concerns about trade, politics, the global economy, and earnings are creating uncertainty in the market.

The Federal Reserve is meeting Nov 8th to announce its interest rate decision. Fears of rising rates have also hurt stocks recently.

Stocks making moves last week included Under Armour +31.8%, NXP Semiconductors +18.51%, and General Electric -17.8%.

Traders begin to speak about volatility, especially if the VIX, the market’s fear index, is trading above 20. The VIX closed below 20, despite Friday’s sell-off.

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Here is how some futures and commodity related ETFs performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -7.1%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -2.6%. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -.10%

Economic Releases:
9 Nov 2018- PPI Fed 8:30 AM ET

7 Nov 2018- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET

8 Nov 2018- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET

9 Nov 2018- PPI Fed 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
5 Nov 2018- D, L, RACE, SEAS, SHO, CAR, BKNG, ELF, FMC, MAR, MYL

6 Nov 2018- CVS, EMR, LLY, RL, ZBRA, DATA, ETSY, GDDY, GLUU, INFN, JAZZ, TWLO, WEN, ZG

7 Nov 2018- DF, GRPN, DISH, HUM, KORS, ODP, ROK, AAOI, ADT, CSOD, CTRP, CYBR, HUBS, IAC, PRU, ROKU, QCOM, TIVO, TRIP, WYNN, ZAYO

8 Nov 2018- CAH, DT, DHI, DISCA, LNG, NICE, PRGO, WP, ATVI, CTL, DIS, HDP, HTZ, SWKS, TTD, VRTU, YELP

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