May 2, 2017 Market Wrap Up

Stocks ended up higher on the day, except for the Russell 2000, which sold off 0.57%, however; the Nasdaq touched all-time highs yet again. The VIX actually closed green, up 4.75% on the day, at 10.59.

Earnings will be the story for the entire week. That said, the FOMC has their key interest rate meeting; however, it is expected that they will not make any changes.

At the time of this writing, this is how some of them stand: Twilio (TWLO) -30%, Apple (AAPL) -1%, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) -0.25%, Akamai Technologies (AKAM) -9.7%, and Fireeye (FEYE) +10.3%

Now, here is how some of the other closely followed ETFs did on the week: United States Oil Fund (USO) -2.27%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.51%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.02%.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in New York Reit (NYRT), which traded 30.5 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Hologic (HOLX), which traded 19.6 times normal option volume.

Here is what is left on the schedule:

Key Economic Data

03 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting 2:00 PM ET
04 May 2017- International Trade 8:30 AM ET, Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
05 May 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
02 May 2017- ADM, AET, CHTR, COH, COP, CVS, EMR, ETN, EXLS, FIS, HCA, HCP, HLT, LL, MA, MOS, MRK, PFE, SABR, SHOP, AAPL, AKAM, APC, BYD, CSOD, DVN, FEYE, FSLR, FTR, GILD, EVHC, GDDY, HUBS, MDLZ, MTCH, OCLR, OKE, TEX, TWLO
03 May 2017- ADP, CDW, CLX, DLPH, EL, FLOW, GRMN, GRPN, HUM, ICE, MCK, NYT, RAI, S, SBGI, SO, TAP, TWX, YUM, AIG, ARRS, ANSS, CAKE, CATM, CF, CRUS, CXO, DDD, FB, FIT, GLUU, LNT, KHC, LVLT, PXD, PRU, RIG, TIVO, TSLA, WMB
04 May 2017- APA, CHD, CHK, D, FLR, INCY, IT, K, OXY, ZTS, VIAB, WLTW, ATVI, CBS, LOGM, MET, MRO, PKI, VECO
05 May 2017- CNP, CTSH, HCN, MC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

August 4, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 traded slightly higher today and very weak volume. The SPDR S&P 500 traded about 45 million shares, whereas on average it trades around 80-85 million.

Stocks in play today include: Saexploration (SAEX) +356%, Helios and Matheson Analytics (HMNY) +35.7%, Metlife (MET) -8.7%, and CF Industries (CF) -12.35%

The VIX closed lower, now trading below 12.5 at 12.42, dropping 3.4% on the day.

Crude oil futures surged today, climbing over 2% and closing near $42 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in One Gas (OGS) at 43.6 times normal option volume. In addition, we saw heavy put buying in PDC Energy (PDCE) at 16.4 times normal options volume.

This evening we got earnings out of Priceline (PCLN) +4% and Fireeye (FEYE) -17%.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
5 August 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
5 Aug 2016- WY, WLTW, HSBC, CTSH, AES

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

July 28, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 closed relatively flat ahead of a heavy earnings schedule and the aftermath of the FOMC meeting.

Stocks in play today include: Cirrus Logic (CRUS) +19.2%, Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) +7.7%, Infinera (INFN) -33.6%, and GNC Holdings (GNC) -25%.

The VIX closed lower, now trading below 13 at 12.72.

Crude oil futures are down 6 straight days, trading barely above $41 per barrel.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in FireEye (FEYE), which traded 4.9 times normal volume. We also saw a ton of bearish bets being placed in Seadrill (SDRL), which traded 2.2 times usual volume.

This evening we got earnings out of Amazon (AMZN) +4.3%, Alphabet (GOOGL) +6.3%, Expedia (EXPE) -3.5%, and Eastman Chemical (EMN) -6.6% to name a few.

Here’s what’s on tap for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
29 July 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 July 2016- ABBV, AN, BUD, CBOE, CPN, CVX, LYB, MRK, NWL, PSX, SAVE, UPS, WG, XOM

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

June 30, 2016 Market Wrap Up

The S&P 500 has been in pure buy mode over the last three sessions. With that said, the S&P 500 is up nearly 5% over the last three sessions.

Stocks in play today include: The Hershey Company (HSY) +16%, Mondelez International (MDLZ) +5.9%, and Fireeye (FEYE) +3.9%.

The VIX has seen the air out of it’s balloon, now trading well below 16, at at 15.63. Despite the drop in VIX and the surge in the stock market, the iShares Barclays 20+ Yr Treasury Bond (ETF) was up on the day.

Crude oil futures closed futures sold off today, after gaining 7% the previous two days. However, they’re still not that off the yearly highs, closing at $48.33.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in Teck Resources (TCK), which traded 3.4 times normal volume. We also saw a ton of bearish bets being placed in Huntington Bancshares Inc (HBAN), which traded 7.0 times usual volume.

Here’s what’s left for tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
1 July 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET