Pre-Market Update: The major indices traded in negative territory for much of Tuesday’s session, although the bulls did make a run into greener pastures intraday. The bears made another attempt at cracking support, but it stuck like Chuck as the trading ranges continue.

Pre-Market Update: Although there were some pockets of strength, the market looked sluggish on Monday, with the bears getting the overall win. There were signs of weakness as well, as the financial stocks pulled back and the VIX stayed elevated.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls continued their May momentum, as they rebounded from a choppy week with a strong Friday to get the weekly win. The bandwagon-jumping could continue despite the indices closing in on the top of their trading ranges, as traders (and the Fed heads) continue to try to call a market top.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls held on to Thursday’s gains and recovered resistance, for the most part, but the market is still lower for the week. This morning’s nonfarm payrolls report will have an impact on the open, although today’s close could play a bigger role in deciding next week’s trend.

Pre-Market Update: The bears continue to take advantage of the nervousness on Wall Street and the pending unemployment report to push lower levels of support. This has been the worst two-day stretch since late January, and yesterday’s action may have been fueled by Janet Yellen’s comments about an inflated stock market.

Pre-Market Update: The bears snapped a two-session winning streak on Tuesday as they made their first appearance in May. Their return was expected, however, as resistance and the top of the trading ranges continue to hold ahead of Friday’s nonfarm payroll report.

Pre-Market Update: The market got off to a good start for the week, as the major indices made a run to the top of their trading ranges. Although the bulls failed to hold near-term resistance zones, the action kept the possibility for continued all-time highs into May alive.

Pre-Market Update: The bears got the last Monday win, as all of the major indices closed lower to start the week. The small-caps led the way and gave the first clue that a rocky week would be forthcoming. The VIX held 13.50 on Monday but bubbled higher on Tuesday despite another blowout quarter by Apple (AAPL). Shares ran to an intraday all-time high of $134.54 but finished the session lower by $2.

Pre-Market Update: The catcalls for a full-blown market correction got louder again on Thursday. The bulls got the April win, but the action in the small-caps was concerning. The broader market and tech enjoyed gains of 1% overall, but the Russell 2000 fell nearly 3% for the month.

Pre-Market Update: The Fed heads failed to inspire a rebound off of the lows on Wednesday, as the market closed at its near-term support levels. The dictionary word of the day is “transitory,” which is a word used by the zombies to describe economic growth. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)’s meeting minutes also revealed that its “calendar-based” guidance was officially retired, as they remain cautious on inflation risks as well.

Pre-Market Update: Geopolitical concerns caused market ripples on Tuesday, as reports surfaced that Iran had seized a U.S. ship. I mentioned in Monday’s Pre-Market Update that the recent saber-rattling around the globe could cause some uneasiness, and the volatility seen yesterday will likely get worse if the world remains on fire.

Pre-Market Update: The bears got a Monday win yesterday, which may have given us our first clue that this week could be a little rocky. The bulls held near-term support, but the action in the small-caps (and biotech) was concerning.

Pre-Market Update: Last week, I said to watch for four clues that would let us know if the bulls had more gas in their tank or if they were running on empty. The first bullish clue we got was last Monday’s win on the Dow, as the blue-chips recovered the 18,000 level and the 50- and 100-day moving averages.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls continued their assault on the tops of the trading ranges and all-time highs during Thursday’s rally. The bears made a little noise at the open, but the higher lows held support and led to higher highs into the close.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls regained resistance for the most part on Wednesday, with the VIX continuing its push to fresh 2015 lows. The bears seem to be retreating, but we still need to keep an eye on them, as they can strike at any time.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls tried putting a two-session win streak together but failed at holding Tuesday’s opening gains. Three of the four major indexes finished lower, but tech shined and the VIX stayed relaxed.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls recovered most of Friday’s losses and reclaimed resistance during Monday’s snapback rally. The bears are still lingering, however, and fresh support is just a sneeze away. The action should heat up throughout the week, with some of the larger blue-chip companies and a number of marquee tech names scheduled to report earnings.

Pre-Market Update: I often say that the bulls like to take the stairs higher, while the bears prefer to take the elevator down. Last week’s action stayed bullish throughout the week, with the bulls building solid gains through mid-April.

Pre-Market Update: The market finished lower on Thursday, but the losses were kept in check as fresh support held. The action was relatively mild, and the indexes stayed in a tighter range, with the bulls showing some strength late in the day.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls regained their footing on Wednesday, as all of the major averages finished higher. The gains have pushed the indexes to or above the tops of their trading ranges, and the all-times highs are in play once again.

Pre-Market Update: The market was choppy on Tuesday as the broader indexes showed strength, while tech and the small-caps pulled back.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls were cruising during the first half of trading on Monday, with the small-caps testing fresh all-time highs. The bears started making noise during the second half of trading and used a final-hour growl to get nearly a clean sweep. The broader market and tech failed to hold their gains, but the Russell avoided a loss, and first-quarter earnings season is now officially underway.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls showed strength last week, as the Dow started with a win on Monday. The VIX closed below 15 but was stretched for the second-straight session as the bottom of the trading ranges were tested. Wall Street sold on the nonfarm payrolls report from the previous Friday, but, when support held, it was a good sign.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls showed their resiliency as they moved towards the top of the trading ranges on Thursday, and tech showed continued strength to lead the way. The small-caps struggled and failed to join the party, but the VIX dropped below 13.50 to confirm possible higher highs.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls returned to their winning ways on Wednesday, as the market closed higher for the third time in the past four sessions. The final hour of trading was a little choppy, but the closes above resistance were bullish.

Pre-Market Update: The bulls failed at getting their third-straight win following Tuesday’s late-day slide in the market. The action in the small-caps was a bummer, as the index failed to hold fresh support. The talking heads took notice of the pullback into the close, but no major damage was done.

Pre-Market Update: The bears did some damage on Monday’s open as Wall Street rushed to sell stocks at the start of trading. They wanted to sell first and ask questions later, and it made for the perfect rebound. The bottoms of the trading ranges easily held, with the Dow and S&P 500 recovering their 50-day moving averages.

Pre-Market Update: Although the market was closed on Friday, the nonfarm payrolls report was released, and the results had a negative 1% impact on futures. The report came in much worse than expected, as just 126,000 jobs were added versus expectations for 250,000. The unemployment rate stayed flat at 5.5%, but more Americans are out of work. These results will certainly reheat the Fed’s interest-rate debate, but bigger concerns lay ahead if the bottoms of the trading ranges fail to hold.

Pre-Market Update: The first day of April was foolishly spent worrying about a major correction, as the talking heads were in overdrive throughout the session. The bears were growling, but the bulls’ planned traps held them back. While there is always the chance of lower lows, the game plan we had coming into this week is rounding out perfectly. Today’s action could provide the clues we are looking for regarding how the next week or two and the rest of April may play out.

Pre-Market Update: The bears got a slice of the quarterly pie following a late-day pullback on the Dow. The blue-chips failed at holding their first-quarter gains, as they stumbled at the March finish line. However, the other major indexes closed the quarter with gains following the late-day reshuffling.

Pre-Market Update: Wall Street blinked on Monday’s open and tried to get back on the bulls’ bandwagon as the market trended higher throughout the day. It was a great start to the week, as the bulls won their second-straight session and their fourth Monday session in the past five.