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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.
Technical Analysis: Can Caterpillar Hold Its Gains?
by David Russell | Aug 16, 2023
Caterpillar has been leading a rally in industrial stocks, but now some traders may expect a pullback. Notice the gap to new record levels on August 1 after earnings beat estimates. CAT pushed to another high the following session but ... For more,...
Options Strategies for Earnings Season and Other Events
by David Russell | Aug 16, 2023
Quarterly earnings and other important events have the potential to trigger sudden moves in stock prices. Call and put options can help investors manage the risk of these catalysts by positioning for directional moves or hedging against declines. Key strategies...
Stocks Test Support as Blue Chips Take Leadership From Big Tech
by David Russell | Aug 14, 2023
Stocks are testing support as the venerable Dow Jones Industrial Average takes leadership from newer technology companies. The 138-year-old benchmark rose 0.7 percent between Friday, August 4, and Friday, August 11. The Nasdaq-100, on the other hand, fell 1.4 percent....
Tech Languishes Before CPI: Market Trends This Week
by David Russell | Aug 10, 2023
Downloads are available here. TradeStation’s ideas on TradingView are available here. Register for Market Trends here. Sizing Up the S&P 500 S&P 500 trying to hold 7/12 closing price. Momentum weakens as 10-day MA falls but longer-term...
Stocks Fall on U.S. Downgrade as a New Month Begins
by David Russell | Aug 7, 2023
Stocks began August to the downside as big earnings passed and Fitch Ratings downgraded the sovereign debt of the United States. The S&P 500 fell 2.3 percent between Friday, July 28, and Friday, August 4. It was the index's biggest decline since March, and its...
Chart of the Day: Alphabet Pulls Back After Earnings Rally
by David Russell | Aug 4, 2023
Alphabet jumped to a new 52-week high on strong results last week. Now it may be giving trend followers a potential opportunity. The first pattern on today’s chart is the bullish gap on July 26 after revenue beat estimates and its Cloud business surprised to the...
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
Chart of the Day: Oracle May Have Found Support
by David Russell | May 7, 2024
Oracle jumped to new highs almost two months ago. Now, after a pullback, the software giant may have found support. The first pattern on today’s chart is the gap higher on March 12 after earnings surprised to the upside. ORCL retraced the move and is starting to...
Netflix’s Covid Surge Fades and Banks Struggle: Earnings This Week
by David Russell | Jul 17, 2020
Earnings season has begun on a weak note as banks struggle and Netflix said its blistering growth will slow. The four biggest U.S. lenders -- JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC) and Wells Fargo (WFC) -- have issued quarterly results. JPM, C and...
Here’s How to Be Ready the Next Time Momentum Stocks Pull Back
by David Russell | Jul 15, 2020
Stocks had a dramatic and fast pullback this week. Here's an example of ways to find pullbacks when something like this happens. The screenshot below shows members of the Nasdaq-100 that pulled back to test their 20-day moving averages on Tuesday. This can be a simple...
Tesla, Netflix and These Other Tech Stocks Broke Out Yesterday
by David Russell | Jul 2, 2020
Tesla, Netflix and Amazon.com are leading a breakout in the technology sector as investors prepare for the Fourth of July weekend. The e-commerce giant, electric-car maker and streaming-video provider closed at new highs yesterday. But they weren't alone. Many smaller...
S&P 500 Has its Best Quarter Since 1998 After Roaring Back From Coronavirus
by David Russell | Jun 30, 2020
Stocks just finished their best quarter in a generation, rebounding sharply from the coronavirus pandemic. The S&P 500 surged 20 percent between its close on March 31 and today. Technology, consumer stocks and energy led the rally as investors hunted for bargains...





