Pre-Market Update: The indexes traded in a tighter range on Thursday, with the bulls recovering from a two-session skid. The bias to the upside was a bullish sign despite the worries over this morning’s jobs report.
Buy Discovery Laboratories (DSCO, $1.68, up $0.02) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are trying to bounce back from a two-day drubbing, as they have shown strength throughout the day. The bears are still having trouble with the near-term support that has acted as a nice base over the past two weeks.
Take profits and sell to close half of the GOGO May 20 calls at current levels.
Pre-Market Update: The bears made another attempt at cracking support on Wednesday, as the indexes tested fresh lows for the week. However, the bulls continue to hold a strong base of support that has formed in recent weeks following the continued run to all-time highs.
Buy Dot Hill Systems (HILL) common stock at current levels.
Buy Limelight Networks (LLNW) common stock at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of TiVo (TIVO, $11.58, up $0.33) are up 3% today and have traded to a high of $11.92 following a better-than-expected quarter.
Buy to open the ATML May 9 calls (ATLM150515C00009000, $0.40, down $0.05) at current levels.
Take profits and sell to close the second half of the TIVO May 12 calls at current levels.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls took a breather on Tuesday as the market stayed weak throughout the session. Near-term support held despite the heightened geopolitical concerns, and there are several other big events that will come into play during the rest of the week.
Take profits and sell to close AT&T (T) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Smith & Wesson Holding (SWHC, $13.05, down $0.69) are volatile today and will likely be on the move again tomorrow, as the gun-maker will be reporting earnings following the close.
Take profits and sell to close the WU May 20 calls at current levels.
$0.85 Stop Limit triggered on the WU March 19 calls.
Pre-Market Update: The Nasdaq closed above 5,000 for the third time in its history on Monday. It was the first time Tech has closed above 5,000 in 15 years and is certainly this morning’s headline news. While many on Wall Street say they aren’t surprised by the close, hardly any of them predicted that it would happen. Needless to say, the most hated rally in the history of Wall Street continues.
Buy to open the GOGO May 20 calls (GOGO150515C00020000, $0.85, up $0.10) at current levels.
Buy Flextronics (FLEX) common stock at current levels.
Buy to open the FLEX July 13 calls (FLEX150717C00013000, $0.50, down $0.05) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Each Monday, I try to list companies that are reporting earnings during the current week. The announcements tend to move individual sectors, and the market in general, as sentiment grows bullish or bearish on a stock or outlook.
$1.30 Stop Limit triggered on the CHRW April 75 calls.
For the Wall Street pros who went short last month, they have to be worried, as hype of Nasdaq 5,000 gains (and loses) steam. February was an incredible month for the market, and the current momentum is being questioned heading into March.
Pre-Market Update: Wall Street was hoping for a pullback last week during, as the final trading week in February has traditionally been a soft one for the market. The suit and ties were trembling from January’s selloff and were hesitant to put fresh cash to work despite the rebound off of the lows to start last month.
Buy to open the TIVO May 12 calls (TIVO150515C00012000, $0.42, up $0.02) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: The bears are trying to end the month on a high note, but that is a serious understatement given the market’s performance for February. The selling pressure coming into the month was extreme, and Wall Street was bracing for lower lows.
Pre-Market Update: The bears slept all through the month and will be glad when February is over. Thursday’s action was mixed once again, although Tech and the small-caps continued their climb to fresh record highs.
Sell to open the BBRY March 11 weekly calls (BBRY150306C00011000, $0.24, up $0.05) at current levels.
Sell to open the JDSU March 14 monthly calls (JDSU150320C00014000, $0.23, down $0.02) at current levels.
Buy to open the YHOO April 47 calls (YHOO150417C00047000, $0.80, up $0.05) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: The market action today has played out much the same way that it has all week. Trading has been choppy as we wind down the last week of February.
Take profits and sell to close the AXP March 84 calls at current levels.
$0.55 Stop Limit triggered on the CHRW March 75 calls.
Pre-Market Update: Wednesday was another choppy day for the indexes, as the bulls and bears each got a piece of the market pie. The mixed close was slightly bullish despite the continued bearish sentiment on Wall Street.
Buy to open the WU April 20 calls (WU150417C00020000, $0.36, up $0.10) at current levels.
Buy to open the AXP March 84 calls (AXP150320C00084000, $0.75, up $0.19) at current levels.
Buy to open the AXP April 87.50 calls (AXP150417C00087500, $0.56, up $0.19) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Futures have shown lower starts each day this week, with the indexes testing support on the open before pushing new highs. This is usually a bullish signal, and today’s session is following suit.
Take profits and sell to close half of the GOGO March 18 calls at current levels.
Pre-Market Update: Fed Chair Janet Yellen gave all of the right comments on Tuesday to keep the bullish momentum going, with round two coming today. My “fluff” targets for February continue to come into play as the indexes blaze their way towards further record highs.
Buy to open the FLEX April 12 calls (FLEX150417C00012000, $0.67, up $0.12) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Wall Street has not been as “patient” as the Fed would like as the debate over interest rates continues. Janet Yellen is speaking today and told the zombies that when the Fed removes the word “patient” from its meeting minutes, that it would not automatically signal a rate hike.
The Stop Limit of $1.30 has triggered on the second half of the BSX March 15 calls.
Pre-Market Update: The blue-chips fell for the second Monday in a row, but there were pockets of strength that held together in what the experts are now calling a fragile market. I mentioned that the bearish talk would heat up this week, but the bulls are looking large and are still in charge.
Buy to open the CHRW March 75 calls (CHRW150320C00075000, $0.50, up $0.05) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: I mentioned this morning that fourth-quarter earnings were entering their final stretch as we wind down the season. However, there are still plenty of names to watch this week and into March as companies with different fiscal years report their numbers. April marks the start of first-quarter earnings season, so the cycle will repeat itself into May and June.
The bears will be looking for revenge this week, as the last part of February is historically bearish. The bad news for the bears is that the bulls broke out of a four-month long trading range, and they have momentum.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls continued to push fresh all-time highs last week as geopolitical concerns and Greece’s debt struggles eased.
Buy to open GOGO March 18 calls (GOGO150320C00018000, $0.45, up $0.05) at current levels.
Buy to open GRUB March 45 calls (GRUB150320C00045000, $0.55, up $0.21) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Although the bulls have been looking good, I was expecting a slight pullback today, and possibly into next week, as February expiration day has been extremely bearish in recent years.
The Stop Limit of 60 cents has triggered on the second half of the SNE March 28 calls.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls had another successful session on Thursday despite the mixed action as the bulls continue to push fresh highs. Today is February option expiration, so the action could increase as traders square up positions.
Mid-Market Update: We have a couple of trades that will be in play after today’s close and on Friday with earnings. Given the risk/reward with these trades, I have decided to take half profits in a few other trades to reduce some of our exposure.
Pre-Market Update: The Fed minutes provided a little relief from Wednesday’s selling pressure, although the bears still got the victory.
Take profits and sell to close Limelight Networks (LLNW) at current levels.
Buy to open the MRVL May 18 calls (MRVL150515C00018000, $0.50, flat) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Fossil Group (FOSL, $80.89, down $18.43) are tanking by 18% after the company missed Wall Street’s earnings estimates and offered a lowered outlook.
$1.25 Limit Order triggered on the first half of the BSX March 15 calls.
$0.85 Stop Limit triggered on the second half of the HLT April 29 calls.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls bucked the odds of a lower session following President’s Day and scored a rare win start the week. Of course, last week’s momentum has given Wall Street new life, as traders were eager to get back to work. With many of them already behind the eight-ball, the pressure is on to perform.
Mid-Market Update: Although the bulk of fourth-quarter earnings season has passed, there are a number of notable companies reporting earnings this week. Inside is a look at some of the names, and possible trades, I’m looking at this week.
Geopolitical concerns overshadowed earnings and economic news last week as the bulls and bears battled over near-term support and resistance levels.
Pre-Market Update: Geopolitical concerns overshadowed earnings and economic news last week as the bulls and bears battled over near-term support and resistance levels.
Buy to open May 20 calls (WU150515C00020000, $0.41, up $0.12) at current levels.
Buy to open the WU March 19 calls (WU150320C00019000, $0.40, up $0.15) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: I will be watching the action into the close and I have a New Trade ahead of the long three-day weekend on a stock that’s showing strength.
Pre-Market Update: You could almost feel the bulls’ energy going into Wednesday’s close and the enthusiasm carried over into Thursday. The indexes pushed, and cleared, the top of the multi-month trading ranges and look poised for a continued breakout.
Buy Array BioPharma (ARRY, $8.17, up $0.25) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: I have shares of HealthCare REIT (HCN, $77.55, up $0.31) on my watchlist, as crucial levels of support and resistance have come into play.
Pre-Market Update: Wall Street was expecting some good news concerning Greece on Wednesday, but the country’s debt shenanigans will likely last into next week before another “real” game plan is established. There was some good news after the close as negotiations continued, and a relief rally could follow if Greece’s debt is reshuffled once again.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT) have tripped all-time highs this morning following a breakout on a bevy of good news.
Take profits and sell to close half of the HLT April 29 calls (HLT150417C00029000, $0.80, up $0.20) at current levels.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls rebounded on Tuesday and are back on track to test all-time highs, as concerns over Greece’s debt were eased. Wall Street was encouraged by the possibility of positive talks between Europe’s top brass regarding the country’s debt crisis, but nothing has been resolved.
Buy to open the BSX March 15 calls (BSX150320C00015000, $0.45, up $0.08) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Cyber security is an issue that is here to stay, and there are a number of ways to play the industry. Stocks like Symantec (SYMC), FireEye (FEYE) and Fortinet (FTNT) can be used to play the dangerous hacking and phishing game, and they are good names that I have traded previously.
Pre-Market Update: The bears won another Monday session following another backtest to support and the 50-day moving averages. The bulls made some noise mid-day as they tried to regain their momentum from last week, but the slight rally failed at clearing resistance.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were lower throughout the night and into this morning’s open, suggesting a rough session for the bulls. Although the action has favored the bears so far, I’m hopeful that there will be a rebound into the close today, as the lows of the major indices have held.
The bears made another attempt at cracking prior support levels as well as the 10-year uptrend lines at last Monday’s open and had January’s momentum going into February. However, the action turned on a dime following a test to the 200-day moving averages, as the major indexes held support and the bottom of their trading ranges while the bulls got a rare Monday win.
Pre-Market Update: The bears made another attempt at cracking prior support levels as well as the 10-year uptrend lines at last Monday’s open and had January’s momentum going into February. However, the action turned on a dime following a test to the 200-day moving averages, as the major indexes held support and the bottom of their trading ranges while the bulls got a rare Monday win.
Buy to open the T March 36 calls (T150320C00036000, $0.26, up $0.10) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: I stayed up late last night to watch the futures market and to get a head start on this weekend’s homework. The action was mixed at midnight but improved ahead of the opening of overseas markets. This gave me a good feeling that higher highs were in store.
Pre-Market Update: The market rallied on Thursday ahead of this morning’s Nonfarm Payrolls report. The bulls are pushing the tops of the three-month trading ranges and are looking for a breakout. The bears are hoping for some discouraging news concerning jobs this morning to slow the momentum.
Take profits and sell to close half of the CBOE March 67.50 calls at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are rebounding from yesterday’s late-day ambush and are pushing the final layers of resistance before new highs possibly come into play. The turnaround from Monday’s lows has been even more impressive, but that will mean nothing if resistance holds.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls were rallying into Wednesday’s close before a last minute curveball from the European Central Bank (ECB) concerning Greece’s debt derailed their momentum. Although the market has seen and heard this song and bailout dance before, Wall Street quickly sold the news and headed for the sidelines.
Buy to open the CBOE March 67.50 calls (CBOE150320C00067500, $0.80, up $0.18) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Walt Disney (DIS, $101.69, up $7.59) are giving the Dow a lift after the company beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations.
Take profits and sell to close half of the BSX March 15 calls at current levels.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls rallied for the second-straight session to clear resistance and prior support. The bears are still lurking, as they made an appearance on Tuesday, but the momentum off of Monday’s lows has been strong.
Buy to open the MRVL March 17 calls (MRVL150320C00017000, $0.50, up $0.06) at current levels.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of iRobot (IRBT, $32.02, down $0.12) are on the verge of a major move ahead of the company’s earnings release on Wednesday.
$11.50 Stop Limit triggered on the Rave Restaurant Group (RAVE) position from October 2013.
$1.25 Stop Limit triggered on the second half of the OPK March 11 calls (OPK150320C00011000, $1.10, down $0.60).
Pre-Market Update: The bulls escaped Monday with a win despite an opening attack by the bears in an otherwise choppy session. The action was frustrating for Wall Street, but it was also a good clue that a bottom could be forming, as the trading ranges stayed intact.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are trying to recover from an opening morning dip that pushed the Dow to a fresh two-month low. The bears have since lost their grip as the major indexes have rebounded, but they still have the momentum and the second half of trading to go.
The bears pushed the bottom of the trading ranges and won the month of January following last week’s pullback. The bulls rebounded late in the week, but Friday’s session ended on a low note. The January and December lows are once again in play following the late-day drubbing.
Pre-Market Update: The bears pushed the bottom of the trading ranges and won the month of January following last week’s pullback. The bulls rebounded late in the week, but Friday’s session ended on a low note. The January and December lows are once again in play following the late-day drubbing.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls showed some fight on Thursday and are trying to pull a Tom Brady comeback out of the hat ahead of the weekend. Barring a miracle, the bears are on track to log a January win, as the major indexes will likely remain below their 2015 starting points at the end of today’s session.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls recovered the losses from the previous session during Thursday’s surge past resistance and prior support. The bears will likely win the month of January, but the bulls will be looking to keep their momentum heading into February.
Mid-Market Update: Alibaba (BABA, $89.09, down $9.36) and Qualcomm (QCOM, $63.06, down $7.93) are the latest victims to see their share prices fall after announcing earnings.
Pre-Market Update: The Fed ruined the bullish rebound on Wednesday, as the market pulled back following the release of its meeting minutes.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Apple (AAPL, $117.46, up $8.32) are soaring roughly 8% today after the company announced an absolute blowout quarter following Tuesday’s close. The bulls needed it after yesterday’s selloff, as they are looking to reclaim resistance on the news.
Pre-Market Update: The bears made some noise on Tuesday and pushed prior support after taking a week off. The bulls made a slight rebound off of the lows, but the trading ranges continue, with volatility once again in focus.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Caterpillar (CAT, $79.36, down $6.67) and Microsoft (MSFT, $42.87, down $4.14) are down 8% and 9%, respectively, after announcing earnings.
Pre-Market Update: The market traded with less volatility on Monday despite some choppiness, as the Dow stayed within a 200-point range for the second-straight session.
