Market Insights
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How to Trade SPY Options
by David Russell | Aug 15, 2025
SPDR S&P 500 ETF isn’t just the most active product in the stock market – it’s also the most traded in the options market. Learn more here.
Markets Are Always Changing. TradeStation Can Help You Keep Up
by David Russell | Feb 21, 2022
https://youtu.be/XFpGTDYJHOM?t=90 Growth or value? Fear or greed? Financial markets are always changing. However, conditions can be diagnosed using a handful of key indicators and approaches. This free education video teaches how TradeStation's award-winning platform...
Russia and Inflation: Stock Market Negativity Hasn’t Been This High in How Long?
by David Russell | Feb 18, 2022
Negativity is surging in the stock market as investors worry about Russia, inflation and the Federal Reserve. Only 19.2 percent of investors described themselves as "bullish" in the latest weekly poll by the American Association of Individual Investors. It was the...
Options Alert: Call Buyers Look for Top-Performing Energy Stock to Keep Running
by David Russell | Feb 17, 2022
Energy stocks are leading the market in 2022, and yesterday options traders were active in one of the top-performing names. Check out this large transaction in oil-and gas-driller Devon Energy (DVN): A block of 21,163 April 50 calls were sold for $6.78.The trader...
Travel Stocks Are Jumping as the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues to Fade
by David Russell | Feb 16, 2022
After more than a year of waiting, travel stocks may finally be recovering. Companies including Walt Disney (DIS), Expedia (EXPE) and Airbnb (ABNB) have rallied sharply in the last month. Their gains have bucked weakness in the broader market as investors braced for...
Chart of the Day: Is This Gold Mining Giant Headed for a Breakout?
by David Russell | Feb 14, 2022
Last week, we cited the potential breakout in the SPDR Gold ETF. Today’s chart shows a similar pattern in miner Barrick Gold. First, consider the series of lower highs since August 2020. Then notice how the price action Friday and today violated this downward...
Stocks Hit Another Wall as Inflation Fears Hammer the Nasdaq Again
by David Russell | Feb 14, 2022
Investors are starting to worry that the Federal Reserve is behind the curve and will need to hike rates aggressively to slow inflation. The S&P 500 was positive for most of last week, but slid into the red on Friday afternoon. It ended with a drop of 1.8 percent...
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
Technical Analysis: What If Apple Holds This Price Level?
by David Russell | Dec 11, 2022
Megacap technology stocks like Apple have dragged on the market amid disruptions in China. But what if the iPhone giant manages to bounce? Could it give the bigger indexes a boost? The main pattern on today’s chart is the $140 level. This price first had importance on...
The Message Behind Yesterday’s Volatility Spike
by David Russell | Oct 5, 2018
Yesterday was a reminder for traders who forgot what volatility feels like. The S&P 500 had its biggest drop since June 25, and Cboe's Volatility Index ($VIX.X) had its biggest spike over the same period. Even more impressive, TradeStation data showed 23.6 million...
Cannabis Craze Drives Activity: September at TradeStation
by David Russell | Sep 28, 2018
The cannabis craze swept markets in September, with TradeStation clients riding the wave. Canadian marijuana firm Tilray (TLRY) was the third-busiest stock on our platforms this month, catapulting from No. 24 in August. Related companies Canopy Growth (CGC) and Cronos...
A Tough Slog For Banks, With a Happy Ending
by David Russell | Sep 27, 2018
There was a day when higher interest rates lifted financials. But not anymore. Selling in the sector has been intense, with 64 of the 67 members of the SPDR Financial ETF (XLF) down so far this week. Banks, insurers and asset managers have all taken a beating. (Don't...
IPOs Keep Coming in September
by David Russell | Sep 24, 2018
Initial public offerings (IPOs) are running at their quickest pace in years. Have you been watching? Volume at the end of August was already close to the total for all of 2017, according to data from ClickIPO. In fact, if you include Spotify's (SPOT)'s unusual direct...





