Mid-Market Update: Futures were showing a nasty open throughout the night but improved dramatically ahead of this morning’s open. The action and clues from last night were suggesting an opening pop and drop and, heading into the second half of trading, that synopsis is playing out.
Pre-Market Update: The month of September is always a tricky month to trade despite the historical patterns for fall pullbacks. They can’t always be counted on, however, as Septembers over the past few years have been bullish, but history may be returning to normal.
Mid-Market Update: The bears have controlled today’s action and are now on track to win the week. A final hour rally by the bulls is possible as they have shown strength into the close over the past few days, but all signs are pointing towards continued weakness into next week.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls showed up in the final hour of trading and nearly got the sweep on Thursday.
Mid-Market Update: There is all kinds of bullish and bearish news to talk about so it’s hard to pick a starting point.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls showed some strength yesterday following the early morning weakness and avoided a late-day collapse to snap a two-session slide. The recovery in tech and the small-caps led the way, but the saber-rattling after the close is still a cause for concern.
Mid-Market Update: I had penciled-in some weakness for this morning’s open and was looking for a rebound by the second half of trading that could possibly propel the bulls for an end-of-week rally.
Pre-Market Update: Apple (AAPL, $97.99, down $0.37) launched its first new product category in four years yesterday and, by the looks of things, the Apple Watch is going to be a hit. However, consumers will have to wait until 2015 for the slick new device.
Mid-Market Update: I did a quick sentence on M&A activity in Monday’s Pre-Market Update and reiterated from earlier this summer that it was a theme that could carry the market higher throughout the back half of the year.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls put up a good fight but eventually lost Monday’s battle with the bears. It was the first Monday loss in six weeks for the blue-chips, but support held despite the losses, while tech and the small-caps showed strength on the day.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were slightly lower throughout the night but held steady into this morning’s open. Although the broader market has been weak for much of the first half, Tech and the small-caps have shown some strength.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls looked strong throughout the week, but the bears lingered around on the closes as the market faced two huge hurdles last week.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were slightly weak throughout the night but improved ahead of Wall Street’s open despite a nasty Nonfarm Payroll report.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls failed to hold their opening gains on Thursday after the market reached fresh all-time intraday highs. The bears showed up in the final hour of trading to ruin the party, but the pullback into the close was a result of nervousness over this morning’s Nonfarm Payroll numbers.
Mid-Market Update: The ECB (European Central Bank) was under pressure to do “something” with its initiatives to start a quantitative easing (QE) program of its own and they did by lowering the interest rates from 0.15% to 0.05%, or 10 basis points.
Pre-Market Update: The market was choppy on Wednesday, as Wall Street seemed nervous regarding what the central banks from around the world may or may not do regarding their interest rates and monetary policies. News that there was a cease fire between Russia and Ukraine gave the bulls an early lift, but when those reports turned out to be bogus, the concern turned back towards the ECB (European Central Bank).
Mid-Market Update: Futures were showing a strong start to today’s session but the market is mixed heading into the second half of trading as the indexes play role reversal.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls had the momentum at the start of Tuesday’s trading, but lost traction midway through the session after another run at all-times highs. The bears didn’t do much damage as the market ended mixed, but volatility was elevated as Wall Street (and Washington) got back to work.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were slightly higher on Sunday night despite the U.S. markets being closed on Monday as trading went on overseas. The global markets were slightly weaker, overall, on Monday as the rest of the world awaited Wall Street’s open this morning and futures again stayed green throughout last night.
Pre-Market Update: The market finished August with stellar gains and at all-time highs on Friday, as the last trading day of the summer came to a close. The summer doldrums were anything but, as Wall Street vacationed and missed an incredible rally like I predicted they would.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are trying to end a Friday hex as they have been about the only thing that has slowed the market down in August. Despite correctly predicting yesterday’s down day, I mentioned there were still bullish signs worth watching along with today’s close.
Pre-Market Update: Today is the last trading day in August, and I said coming into the week that the bears would need a miracle to win August given the bulls’ substantial lead. Yesterday’s feeble attempt by the bears barely caused a scratch with the little blood they drew, and today’s action should be a good tell of how next week might play out.
Mid-Market Update: The bears appearance was expected today as I gave everyone a heads-up there could be a pullback. Futures were lower throughout the night and got progressively worse ahead of this morning’s open confirming a rocky open.
Trade Alert: I’m still putting the finishing touches on today’s Mid-Market update as there are a few clues I’m watching to see how tomorrow and next week might play out.
Pre-Market Update: Wednesday was a day of rest for both the bulls and the bears, as the market traded in a tight range and finished flat for the most part. Tech traded to a fresh high but went unnoticed. Support held, so overall, it was a bullish session despite the lack of enthusiasm.
Mid-Market Update: Yes, it’s hump day and it’s also another bullish day for the portfolio. However, trading has been a little choppy as the bears are trying to get into the mix but the bulls are trying to hold positive territory into the close.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls continue to drop jaws and defy Wall Street’s gravity. Tuesday’s action produced fresh all-time highs, with the small-caps leading the way higher. Yes, the small-caps.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were mixed ahead of the overseas markets opening and when I wrapped up my late-night research but improved ahead of this morning’s open. It was a good sign the bulls were going to continue their romp to all-time record highs.
Pre-Market Update: The blue-chips extended their Monday win streak to five straight following an open and close into positive territory to start the week. The other major indexes followed suit, as they also finished in the green and once again left Wall Street feeling jealous.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were showing a strong open throughout the night and held up into this morning’s open. Monday’s have been good to the bulls over the past month and they are looking to extend that streak to 5-straight if current levels hold.
Pre-Market Update: It was a wild week that had bullish tones throughout, as the bulls managed to push fresh all-time and new 52-week highs ahead of Friday’s Fed comments.
Mid-Market Update: Wall Street rolled out the red carpet for Janet Yellen and she said all the right things to keep Friday’s action tame. While the possibility for volatility is there into the close, the tight action has been bullish although the indexes are currently mixed.
Pre-Market Update: The Dow jumped 60 points, or 0.4%, to end at 17,039. The blue-chips traded to a high of 17,074 and held the 17,000 level into the close. The next level of resistance is at 17,100 and the all-time high of 17,151.
Mid-Market Update: There will be “dovish” and “hawkish” rhetoric from the Fed Heads that Wall Street will be playing close attention to but I will be ignoring the noise as I have said to plan on a rally through month’s end. It doesn’t mean it will happen but new highs continue to be set despite today’s slight choppiness.
Pre-Market Update: The market finished Wednesday’s session mixed following the release of the FOMC minutes. The usual rhetoric was used on when interest rates might rise, but Wall Street is waiting to hear it from the horse’s mouth on Friday before committing new money to the bulls.
Mid-Market Update: I like striking the iron while it’s
hot and why I have added a few more short-term New Trades.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls continued their climb towards both previous and fresh all-time highs, as the four major indexes finished Tuesday in the green for the second straight session, with the Nasdaq powering higher for five straight sessions.
Mid-Market Updat: My Track Record shows I have been bearish on Kirkland’s in the past and with earnings on Thursday, I am looking at an option trade to play a possible 10% move in the stock.
Pre-Market Update: I have run out of toes and fingers to count on after hearing today’s headline throughout the year by many so-called market experts. Although the possibility of a market top could have been set yesterday, chances are that the bulls aren’t done, as the indexes continues to push my March, July and year-end fluff targets.
Mid-Market Update: The game plan for this week is much the same as last and it was good to see futures higher following my late night research. Even better, Tech is showing continued strength and is at fresh 52-week peeks and the small-caps are outperforming.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls avoided their first three-week losing streak in over a year after the market rallied throughout the week. Friday was a volatile session and that is usually the case with option expiration day, but geopolitical concerns also added to the mayhem.
Mid-Market Update: I mentioned there were 3 main clues I was watching this week to confirm if last week was a temporary bottom or not. The bulls have cleared 2 of the 3 hurdles with today’s test being the last.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls will be trying to put the finishing touches on a strong week, and August option expiration has been bullish in recent years.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are pushing the next layers of support after reclaiming the first waves on Wednesday. The bears have been in slight hibernation despite an appearance on Tuesday but seem to be waiting for all hell to break loose before their next visit.
Pre-Market Update: While the Wall Street pros are away, I’ve been putting my money in play, as it has been a busy week. Despite the “worry” over low trading volume, the market has had a bullish tone this week, and I have been trying to take advantage of it.
Mid-Market Update: Although Wall Street is bored, I’ve been grinding it out. The hard work is paying off as I was able to close 2 more triple-digit winners yesterday and have managed to avoid the pitfalls of the summer doldrums.
Pre-Market Update: The market traded in a tight range for much of Tuesday’s action, with both the bulls and bears trying to gain traction inside the current trading range. The bears eventually won the struggle, but the clues remain mixed on how the rest of the week might play out.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were higher throughout the night and ahead of Wall Street’s open which was a bullish sign following my weekend homework. While it is too early to say if the early August weakness has come and gone, the bulls are taking a step in the right direction with today’s follow-through rally.
Pre-Market Update: The bears gave Wall Street a scare last week as more slick-talking pros jumped ship, which culminated with Thursday’s test to the major moving averages (MAs).
Mid-Market Update: It has been an incredibly busy week with late nights and early morning wake-ups, but the action has been worth it.
Trade Alert: I’m adding a New Trade ahead of the midday Daily update as I am still working on it and watching the market action. However, I do want to get this out as I like the current action in the stock.
Pre-Market Update: The warnings signs that lower lows were in store continued to come on Thursday, and the bears used the final hour of trading to confirm them. The bulls made an opening run at resistance but went into defensive mode an hour later and ran for the hills into the close.
Trade Alert: I have a New Trade I like for a short-term play on possible further market weakness. I’m also ringing the register on the final third position of the World Wrestling Federation (WWE, $13.69, down $0.41) that returned 133%.
Mid-Market Update: Earlier this week, I profiled RealD’s (RLD, $9.10, down $0.15) upcoming earnings release and showed investors and option traders several different ways to play a possible 10% move in the stock and a possible triple-digit profit with the right option. It is part of my goal to teach you how to find profitable stock and option trades by showing you how to do research and chart work to better your odds of success and to give you a feel for how I trade.
Pre-Market Update: The market traded in a tighter range on Wednesday as Wall Street awaited word on what the European Central Bank (ECB) might do today regarding its current monetary policy.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are trying to keep the see-saw going as they are rebounding from yesterday’s drubbing. They have looked good for the most part following another bear attack at the open but there is still another half of trading to go.
Trade Alert: I have mentioned the Watch List is exploding with New Trade ideas and I am taking action on 2 favorites off my list.
Pre-Market Update: The Debbie Downers were once again running for cover as the bears made another attack at support on Tuesday. They succeeded by pushing lower lows for the week and the prior Friday lows.
Mid-Market Update: RealD (RLD, $10.47, down $0.15) will be reporting their numbers after the close today. The company is expected to earn a profit of $0.11, on average. The chance for an earnings surprise is high, as the 11 analysts that cover the stock have estimates ranging for a profit of $0.05-$0.17 a share.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls needed a big Monday win to slow the bears’ momentum and, after a sluggish start, the indexes made a run at resistance in the second half of yesterday’s trading session. The market held positive territory following the morning pullback and got stronger into the close as the blue-chips ended higher for the third straight Monday.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were foreshadowing a strong open throughout the night but weakened ahead of Wall Street’s open. It was an omen that the market would struggle.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls went into July looking strong but left the month looking weak. Of course, everything in between was a range-bound market that produced stair-stepping highs before the elevator drop on Thursday and follow through on Friday. The bulls had a decent lead entering the month, but the bears managed to break through several layers of support, which has caused some serious technical damage.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were volatile throughout the night and were higher ahead of the overseas market opening, but got progressively worse ahead of Wall Street’s open. Dow futures were down over triple-digits at one point, but made a dramatic turnaround following a weaker-than-expected Non-farm Payrolls number.
Pre-Market Update: The bears had their best outing since mid-April following an attack that left Wall Street speechless. Warnings signs have been showing up over the past few weeks, and I have talked about a “Whoa Nelly” event happening. Yesterday was that moment.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls spent the first 3 days of the month pushing record highs and came into today’s session with the monthly lead. However, the bears have only needed a half-session to erase those gains following the tight trading range in between.
Pre-Market Update: The market was volatile Wednesday but bounced off its lows after the zombies cut another $10 billion from their monthly bond buying spree while keeping interest rates unchanged.
Mid-Market Update: Twitter (TWTR, $46.79, up $8.20) sent the shorts sellers of its stock running for cover as shares are surging 21% today following an earnings beat-and-raise quarter.
Pre-Market Update: The market finished mixed again on Tuesday and ahead of today’s Fed news. The bears won the overall session but there were pockets of strength as the bulls held support. The mini-trading range from July continues to cause Wall Street confusion but don’t get too complacent as the breakout or breakdown forthcoming will be worth playing.
Mid-Market Update: Earnings season is at its height this week.
Pre-Market Update: With NFL training camps starting, I figured I would coin a new phase for the stock market and to applaud the bulls for their efforts on Monday. Although the bears got a slice of the pie by taking Tech and the small-caps lower, I mentioned it would be important for the blue-chips to start the week off with a win.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are in danger of dropping another Monday session and need a win today to get back their momentum. With a second half of trading to go, they are trying to make a push into positive territory following another back test to support at the open but the bears have other ideas.
Pre-Market Update: The market continued its run at record highs last week but Friday’s pullback gave the bears a split with the bulls for the weekly win. While the broader market held up well, the small-caps struggled with resistance and faded throughout the week.
Mid-Market Update: I mentioned this morning today’s action could decide the weekly win.
Pre-Market Update: The market traded in a relatively tight range on Thursday as a mixed bag of earnings weighed on the indexes. The bulls did manage to push higher highs which was a bullish sign while the bears pushed a slightly lower low on the small-caps. There were a number of earnings announcement following Thursday’s close that will help or hinder today’s session and the outcome will likely decide the weekly winner.
Mid-Market Update: Shares of Facebook (FB, $76.19, up $4.90) shares are trading at fresh 52-week peaks after announcing better-than-expected earnings following Wednesday’s close.
Pre-Market Update: The market ended mixed on Wednesday but the action was bullish overall as the bulls continue to push fresh highs. Second quarter earnings are coming in solid as 70% of the S&P 500 companies are topping top-line expectations.
Mid-Market Update: If you want to know why I trade options you will find no better reason than what I am about to show you. The hunt for the ultimate option trade is always on and I was fortunate enough to find an 800% return winner on Galena Biopharma (GALE, $2.99, up $0.09) earlier this year. Shares made a run to $7.77 back in January and the call options I recommended exploded on the move.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls reclaimed resistance on Tuesday after a steady run higher throughout the session. The closes were bullish as key technical levels were cleared but Apple’s (AAPL, $94.72, up $0.78) mixed results might weigh on the market if Wall Street shuns their solid results.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are continuing their rebound off Monday’s lows as they have managed to clear resistance and push fresh highs. Earnings have been mixed with some of the blue-chips taking a hit and Apple (AAPL, $94.32, up $0.38) is on deck after after today’s close.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls started Monday’s session behind the 8-ball following an opening attack by the bears but limited the damage by the close after holding support. The mini-trading range that has developed over the past 2 weeks has seen both sides struggle with support and resistance. This has frustrated Wall Street but bigger moves and a possible new trend are on the verge of developing.
Mid-Market Update: I have recommended bullish positions on Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG, $585.21, down $7.21) in the past when shares were under $100 and in the low triple-digits but it has been a few years since I have played the options due to their expensive premiums.
Pre-Market Update: The market rebounded on Friday following Thursday’s steep pullback to end the week on a positive note. The gains were enough to give the bulls the weekly win but the small-caps struggled as volatility has been elevated given the geopolitical events from around the world.
Mid-Market Update: The bulls are trying to extended their Friday win streak to 9-straight following yesterday’s pullback. If you include the Thursday ahead of the July 4 holiday, it would be 10-straight to end the week if the bulls hold their gains into the close.
Pre-Market Update: The geopolitical events from around the world came to a head on Thursday that forced a rush to safety on Wall Street. The Malaysian airline crash was the first worry but the selling pressure intensified after the market learned Israel had launched a ground attack on the Gaza Strip.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were weak throughout the night following fresh US sanctions on Russia by President you know who. While the market was choppy, things got worse following reports of a Malaysian airplane crash over the border of Ukraine. There is speculation the plan was shot down but many questions remain on the breaking news.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls pushed fresh highs on Wednesday but the divergence continued as the small-caps lagged once again.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were showing a strong open heading into Wall Street’s open following some good news from the Tech sector.
Pre-Market Update: Tuesday’s action was a hint of the possible upcoming volatility and the divergence was clearly visible during the session. The bulls got off to a decent start but the Fed’s comments caused a few more traders to jump off the bull bandwagon despite continued all-time highs.
Mid-Market Update: The zombies are gathered on the hill today to quiz Fed Head Janet Yellen on a variety of topics. Much of the rhetoric is stuff the market has already heard but it was interesting to hear the knuckleheads say biotech and social media stocks were a bit stretched.
Pre-Market Update: The bulls got off to a great start for the week as they ended their 3-straight Monday losing streak while pushing fresh highs. I mentioned the market had a good chance of ending higher on Monday and it was good to see the bulls follow through on their Friday win with the bears rolling over.
Mid-Market Update: Futures were showing a positive open throughout the night and into this morning’s open which gave Wall Street some hope a rebound rally might continue.
Pre-Market Update: Wall Street quickly turned jittery following the July Jailbreak and run to all-time highs to start the month. The musical chair analysts were spooked to start the week after raising their price targets for higher highs in June. Despite the prior confidence, the suit-and-ties were rushing for a seat ahead of the closing bells throughout the week.
Mid-Market Update: Bank stocks will be in focus all next week and shares of Wells Fargo (WFC, $51.81, down $0.38) started off the parade early after reporting earnings ahead of this morning’s opening bell.
Pre-Market Update: The market experienced a Keith Jackson moment on Thursday as he made today’s headline a famous quote for out of control situations. I have mentioned the recent triple-digit swings in the Dow and a rising VIX could spell heightened volatility into July and that is exactly what is happening.
Mid-Market Update: I normally wait until Friday’s to spin an office classic ahead of Wall Street’s open but today I felt the need to reach back in the archives to keep my emotions in check…
Pre-Market Update: The talking heads had their pompoms out on Wednesday as the bulls rebounded to clear the first waves of resistance. I mentioned there were a number of suit-and-ties panicking on the 2-day pullback but there were bullish signs the indexes would hold support and resume their push towards all-time highs.
Mid-Market Update: During a recent visit to Arlington, VA, I had the chance to visit The Container Store (TCS, $24.39, down $2.68) and my first impression was the company was paying a lot of rent to sell goods that aren’t too impressive.
Pre-Market Update: The bears made some more noise on Tuesday as the market tumbled for the second-straight session. The talking heads are calling the 2-day pullback a “selloff” but there were bullish signs ahead of the close that suggest the bulls may be taking a breather. However, if they continue to nap and the bears get more aggressive, further support levels could come into play.
Mid-Market Update: I do have two Profit Alerts on options that are up triple-digits so please read the trade instructions carefully.
