May 29, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Another week… another all-time high. That’s what it feels like for market participants as the market continues to slowly push higher. It’s been 231 trading days without having a 5% drawdown from our peak, making this the longest streak since 1996.

What will give?

It seems like the media is trying its best to portray the President and his regime a failure. But traders and investors are playing a different tune. That said, a large chunk of the earnings are behind us and we are entering the slow days of summer.

After climbing above 15 a couple weeks ago, the VIX is now below 10, after closing at 9.81 on Friday.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +1.43%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +1.11%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +1.33%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +2.45%

Oil prices fell during the week, in a classic– buy the rumor and sell the news scenario following the OPEC meeting.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -1.91%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.19%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.95%.

No trading on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule for the week:

Key Economic Data:
30 May 2017- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET
01 June 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
02 June 2017- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
30 May 2017- ENS
31 May 2017- KORS, VRA, BOX, HPE, PANW, SMTC, OLLI
01 June 2017- CIEN, DG, EXPR, AVGO, BOOT, GWRE, LULU, VMW, WDAY, ZUMZ
02 June 2017- HOV

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May 21, 2017 The Week Ahead

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All major stock indices sold off this week. Despite still trading near all-time highs, we saw our first real taste of volatility on Wednesday when the S&P 500 plunged 1.82%.

Market fear erupted when rumors of a Trump impeachment started making the rounds. Some believe the rally in the stock market this year has been driven by expectations that Trump’s economic policies would boost business.

Some media outlets painted the picture that Trump’s administration was in serious trouble, putting additional selling pressure on stocks. That said, the markets did rally on Thursday and Friday.

Interestingly, on Wednesday, the VIX had one of it’s largest percentage gains on record, popping more than 46%, moving from 10.65 to 15.59. The VIX ended up closing at 12.04 on the week.

The coming week is packed with economic data including GDP, FOMC Minutes and the 172nd OPEC Meeting.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.28%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.08%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.59%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -0.55%

Oil prices rebounded but are still down more than 10% on the month. Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) +5.33%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.91%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +2.20%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
23 May 2017- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
24 May 2017- PMI Composite Flash 10:30 AM ET; Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM
25 May 2017- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
26 May 2017- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; GDP 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
22 May 2017- BAH, A
23 May 2017- AZO, CBRL, DSW, TOL, INTU, TTWO, UVV
24 May 2017- AAP, LOW, TGI, TIF, GES, HPQ, NTAP, PSTG, PVH, UHAL, WSM
25 May 2017- ANF, BBY, BURL, DLTR, SIG, BRCD, COST, GME, MRVL, PDCO, SPLK, VEEV, VNET, ZOES

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May 14, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market saw a minor sell off during the week. All but one major average finished lower, the Nasdaq. That said, sell-offs have been few and far between. The VIX actually had its lowest reading since 1993 this week; however, managed to close above 10, at 10.40 on Friday.

Earnings have been decent with some few exceptions. For example, Macy’s fell 18.5%, and J.C. Penney Company dropped 17.12%. That said, more retailers will be announcing next week, they include: Wal-Mart, Gap Stores, Urban Outfitters, and Target.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.30%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.06%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -0.36%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +0.77%

Oil prices rebounded but are still down more than 10% on the month. Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) +3.00%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.87%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.15%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:


Key Economic Data
16 May 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET; Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
17 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET,
18 May 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings
15 May 2017- TRVG, VIPS
16 May 2017- DKS, HD, SINA, SPLS, SSYS, TJX, VRTU, JACK, URBN, STV
17 May 2017- AEO, QIWI, TGT, CSCO, FLO, LB, SNPS
18 May 2017- BONT, EXP, MNRO, RL, SSI, WMT, AMAT, CRM, GPS, MCK, ROST
19 May 2017- CBD, DE, FL

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May 7, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market shows no signs of slowing down. It’s been resilient to say the very least. That said, the next obstacle comes this Sunday, with the French presidential election being the catalyst. The markets are hoping that Emmanuel Macron wins, who represents the establishment. On the other hand, if Marine Le Pen pulls off the upset, we could see an increase in market volatility on Monday. That said, the markets aren’t betting on it, on Friday, the VIX closed at 10.57.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.68%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -0.05%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.33%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +1.44%

Earnings continue to flow, some of the interesting names reporting include: Disney, Snap Inc., Yelp, and Electronic Arts.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -5.66%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.87%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -3.11%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
10 May 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
11 May 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET
12 May 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET; Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
08 May 2017- JD, LBTYA, NWL, ON, ONDK, SYY, TSN, AMC, EOG, FN, HTZ, MAR, P, TSO
09 May 2017- AGN, CBOE, DF, DISCA, DUK, RESI, SEAS, TDG, VRX, BUFF, DIS, EA, FOSL, JAZZ, MCHP, NEWR, NVDA, PCLN, TRIP, TRUE, TWNK, YELP, ZAYO
10 May 2017- COTY, CROX, IPXL, MYL, SODA, TIME, VSI, WIX, FOXA, HOLX, LPSN, SNAP, WFM, SYMC
11 May 2017- KSS, OA, M, SNK, TPB, VSTO, JWN, CA, JAG
12 May 2017- GOLF, JCP

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April 30, 2017 The Week Ahead

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The stock market posted impressive gains over the week, largely lead by a favorable French vote and somewhat decent earnings. The Nasdaq had four of its bigger firms report earnings: Amazon.com (AMZN) +2.94%, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) +3.10%, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) +7.44%, and Intel (INTC) -0.47%. All but Intel posted impressive gains on the week.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +1.49%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +1.35%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +1.87%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +2.59%

Despite politics drawing a lot of attention, the markets don’t seem to be fazed. The VIX closed at 10.82 on Friday.

Some of the largest publically traded companies in the world will report this week. They include: Apple, CVS, Pfizer, Tesla, and Facebook.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -0.78%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -0.96%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -1.26%.

Below you’ll find what is else is 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

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April 23, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Stocks rebounded across all major indices over the week. On Sunday, the world will shift their attentions to the upcoming French elections. Of course, depending on the outcome, it could create some much needed volatility for traders. However, the markets have proven to be resilient. Recent shocks like Brexit and the Trump presidential victory have only lead to short-lived bursts in volatility.

Outside of the French election, earnings will dominate the headlines, along with the release of the GDP numbers on Friday.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) +0.89%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) +2.67%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.43%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) +1.66%

With the market posting strong gains, the VIX fell back to below the 15 level, closing Friday’s trading session at 14.63.

Some of the largest publically traded companies in the world will report this week. They include: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Exxon, and Procter & Gamble.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) -7.28%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.06%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) -0.24%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
25 April 2017- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
26 April 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
27 April 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET
28 April 2017- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 April 2017- HAL, KMB, HLX, AA, ESRX, CDNS, NEM, RMBS, SLCA, SWFT, SANM, WHR, ZION
25 April 2017- AKS, CAT, CIT, CNC, DD, FCX, GLW, KO, LLY, LMT, MCD, MMM, PCAR, PHM, PNR, R, TRU, CB, CMG, COF, CREE, DFS, JNPR, SYK, T, TXN, UHS
26 April 2017- ANTM, BAX, DPS, HES, HSY, NDAQ, NOC, NSC, ROK, PG, SLAB, SONS, STT, STX, TWTR, UTX, X, WM, WRK, WYN, AMGN, CAVM, BWLD, FFIV, NOW, ORLY, PYPL, SAM, TSCO, XLNX
27 April 2017- ABBV, APD, BMY, BSX, BWA, CELG, CMCSA, CME, DOW, F, GRUB, IP, IRM, JCI, LAZ, LLL, LUV, MPC, POT, SIRI, SPG, UAA, UNP, UPS, AIV, AMZN, BIDU, EXPE, GOOGL, GPRO, INTC, MLNX, MAC, MSFT, SBUX, VRTX, WDC
28 April 2017- CL, COG, CVX, GM, GT, HST, LYB, PSX, SYF, VFC, XOM, WY

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April 16, 2017 The Week Ahead

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Stocks were sluggish over the 4-day trading week, as all major indices closed sharply lower.

Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -1.24%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.37%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) -1.01%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -1.24%

The VIX gained 24%, closing at the highest level we’ve seen year-to-date, at 15.96. Some market pundits are jumping for joy, calling this the return of volatility. However, it might be premature given that upcoming earnings will dictate where the market goes next.

That said, we’ll be hearing from the likes of: Netflix, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, American Express, Ebay, and General Electric– to name a few.

Here are how some futures/commodity related ETF’s performed: United States Oil Fund (USO) +2.49%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +1.87%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +2.87%.

Below you’ll find what is else is on the schedule:

Key Economic Data:
18 April 2017- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET; Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
19 April 2017- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
20 April 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM
21 April 2017- PMI Composite Flash 9:45 AM ET; Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
17 April 2017- NFLX, CUDA
18 April 2017- BAC, GNC, GS, HOG, JNJ, RF, SCHW, UNH, CAMP, IBKR, IBM, ISRG, LRCX, NAVI
19 April 2017- BLK, AMTD, HBAN, GPC, MS, TXT, USB, AXP, EBAY, QCOM, URI, VMI, CSX, CP
20 April 2017- BK, BX, DGX, DHI, NUE, PM, KEY, PPG, TRV, VZ, MAT, NCR
21 April 2017- GE, HON, COL, KSU, IPG, MAN, SLB, SWK, WBC

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April 9, 2017 Market Wrap Up

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Most major indices sold off a little bit over the week, however; given the political headwinds (US launching missiles against Syria) it was a rather slow week of trading. Here are how some of the most popular ETF Indices performed: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) -0.23%, iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) -1.43%, SPDR Dow Jones Industrials Average ETF (DIA) +0.02%, and PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ) -0.31%

The VIX did move higher on the week, closing at 12.87, a rise of 1.34 points from the previous Friday close.

ETF Performers: United States Oil Fund (USO) +3.01%, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +0.21%, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +0.62%.

The markets will be closed on Friday, in observance of Good Friday. However, earnings kick off on Thursday, which could bring some volatility into the markets. Companies that will be announcing on Thursday include the likes of Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Outside of that, this shortened week could be slow, with potential outliers coming from political and geopolitical headlines.

Check out the dates below for a detailed look at the weekly schedule.

Key Economic Data:
12 April 2017- EIA Petroleum Status 10:30 AM ET
13 April 2017- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; PPI 8:30 AM ET
14 April 2017- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET; Retail Sales 8:30 AM

Key Earnings:
11 April 2017- OZRK
12 April 2017- FAST, PIR
13 April 2017- APOG, C, JPM, WFC

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March 29, 2016 Market Wrap Up

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The market was on an absolute tear following comments out of Fed Chair Yellen this afternoon. More or less, she gave off the impression that there will be no upcoming rate hike at the April meeting. Of course, this was the signal for lift off. The SPY finished the day 1% higher, IWM closed nearly 3% higher, and the QQQ closed 1.5% higher.

The appetite for risk is back on, as witnessed in the VIX. The VIX closed down nearly 10%, below 14 at 13.82.

One sector which did not participate in the rally was Crude Oil. It was down more than 2%. This now makes for five straight losing days.

On the options front, we saw large call buying activity in TiVo (TIVO). In addition, we saw heavy put buying in Arctic Cat (ACAT), which was 14.2 times usual options volume.

Stocks in play included: Himax Technologies (HIMX) +16.3%, Conns (CONN) -24.6%, and Puma Biotechnology (PBYI) -20.8%

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

Key Economic Data:
30 March 2016- EIA Petroleum Report 10:30 AM ET
31 March 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
1 April 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
30 March 2016- MU, PAYX
31 March 2016- SONS
1 April 2016- BBRY

November 5, 2015 Market Wrap Up

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The S&P 500 closed the day relatively flat and near all-time highs. In fact, both the SPY and QQQ are near their highs on the year.

This sets the stage for an interesting Jobs number tomorrow. Will the market have a blow off top or will the numbers be used as an excuse to sell? We shall see tomorrow morning.

Of course, traders continue to monitor what FED speakers are saying ahead of their December meeting.

Interestingly, the VIX got hit a little, dropping about 3%, and closing at 15.05.

The energy sector was weak; the United States Oil Fund (USO) was down nearly 2.5% today. USO is still nearly 50% off its yearly highs.

On the options front, we saw large blocks of BAC weekly straddles traded. Someone believes that the banks, more specifically, Bank Of America will move big tomorrow but are unsure in which direction it will be.

Here’s what’s on tap tomorrow:

Key Economic Data:
6 November 2015- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 November 2015- HUM, HZNP