Market Insights
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Bullish and Bearish: Key Points About Vertical Option Spreads
Vertical spreads are one of the most common strategies in the options market because they can generate leverage with limited risk. This article will consider key points about bullish and bearish spreads. Vertical spreads involve two "legs" on the same underlier to...
Investors Survive a Turbulent October, Shifting to New Stocks as Interest Rates Climb
Stocks held their ground during a turbulent October as investors focused on new areas that could lead in the market's next cycle. The S&P 500 rose 8 percent, advancing for the first time in three months. The move came after a higher-than-expected inflation report...
Stocks Keep Climbing Before the Fed: Will Jerome Powell Finally Slow Down?
Will Jerome Powell finally hit the brakes? Stocks could be moving like the Federal Reserve is near the end of its rate-hiking cycle. The S&P 500 rose 4 percent between Friday, October 21, and Friday, October 28. It was the second weekly gain of at least 4 percent,...
Options Traders Look for Marathon Oil to Keep Running
Marathon Oil is the third-best performer in the S&P 500 this year, and options traders seem to think it will keep running. Check out this large complex trade in the Houston-based energy driller: 15,423 January 24 calls were sold for $6.70.15,423 January 21 puts...
Stocks Try to Bounce Before a Huge Week of Earnings
Stocks are trying to bounce as investors await key earnings and hope for slower rate hikes. The S&P 500 rose 4.7 percent between Friday, October 14, and Friday, October 21. It was the biggest weekly gain since June, with every major sector advancing. More than...
Chart of the Day: Is Walmart Squeezing Toward a Breakout?
Walmart has squeezed into a tight range after a big drop in the spring. Now some traders may be looking for a potential breakout. The main pattern on today’s chart is the falling trendline along the highs of April, August and September. WMT remained consistently below...
Stocks Keep Sliding as Inflation Spreads and Earnings Fail to Impress
Stocks keep falling as inflation remains high and earnings disappoint. The S&P 500 fell 1.6 percent between Friday, October 7, and Friday, October 14. It was the fourth negative week in the last five as the index flirts with its lowest levels since late 2020....
Technology & Communication
Stocks Pause Near Record Highs Before Inflation, Earnings
Stocks are pulling back as traders wait for key inflation data and the start of earnings season. The S&P 500 fell 1.5 percent in the holiday-shortened period between Friday, December 29, and Friday, January 5. It was the first drop in 10 weeks, ending the index's...
Trio of FANG Stocks Flirts With Breakouts as Big Events Approach
Remember FANG stocks? Three members of this elite club may be flirting with breakouts before some big events. Netflix (NFLX), Facebook (FB) and Amazon.com (AMZN) are less than 1 percent from their highs for the year. The trio has quietly outperformed the broader...
Bull Markets Climb a Wall of Worry, Once Again
"Bull markets climb a wall of worry." The old adage proved true again today as the S&P 500 breaks out to new highs. Investors ended last week fearing higher tariffs against China before the G20 Summit in Osaka. Then President Trump withdrew the threat after...
Disney, Microsoft Led the Dow Higher in the Second Quarter
Today's the last day of the second quarter. A pair of blue-chip disruptors led the market higher during the period. Walt Disney (DIS) and Microsoft (MSFT) were the best performers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average since the end of March. DIS surged 25 percent as it...
Videogame Bulls Fight for Key Level: Options Recap
Videogame stocks are still hurting from last year's selloff in tech. But now options traders are defending a key level in major stock. We're talking about Activision Blizzard (ATVI), which makes titles like Call of Duty, Candy Crush and Overwatch. The stock briefly...