Market Insights
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Has the Market Gotten Stuck After a 6-Month Run?
by David Russell | Oct 20, 2025
Stocks are moving sideways as investors wait for news on tariffs, the economy and earnings.
Chart of the Day: Will Alcoa Continue Lower?
by David Russell | Apr 24, 2023
Alcoa rallied early last year after the Ukraine war threatened aluminum supplies. It’s struggled since and now some traders may expect further pushes to the downside. The first pattern on today’s chart is the series of lower highs since August (marked with red...
Breakout or Breakdown? Stock Movement Grinds to a Halt as Investors Wait and See
by David Russell | Apr 24, 2023
Stocks have stopped moving as investors wait for more news on corporate earnings and interest rates. The S&P 500 slid 0.1 percent between Friday, April 14, and Friday, April 21. If that percentage change sounds small, consider that the index fluctuated less than...
Inflation Fades, Earnings Beat and Stocks Push Higher
by David Russell | Apr 17, 2023
Stocks keep pushing higher as inflation fades and earnings beat expectations. The S&P 500 rose 0.8 percent between Friday, April 7, and Friday, April 14. It was the fourth gain in the last five weeks. Several data points suggested further slowing of inflation, the...
Technical Analysis: Merck Could Be Breaking Out
by David Russell | Apr 14, 2023
Merck surged in late 2022 and consolidated during the first quarter. Now the drug maker could be breaking out. The first pattern on today’s chart is the rally between mid-October and early January, which included a breakout to new record highs. MRK then pulled back...
Technology Rallied in March as Interest Rates Eased and Outlooks Improved
by David Russell | Apr 3, 2023
Technology stocks are rallying again as interest rates fall and fundamentals improve. The S&P 500 rose 3.5 percent in March, while the Nasdaq-100 surged 9.5 percent. That 6 point lead by the Nasdaq was its widest margin of outperformance since early 2009,...
S&P 500 Challenges Falling Trendline: Market Trends This Week
by David Russell | Mar 30, 2023
Downloads available here and here. Anchored VWAP and Keltner pullback here. Also: multidata crossover strategy. Register for Market Trends here. Next session is Thursday, May 4. Sizing Up the S&P 500 S&P 500 holds rising trendline, tries to...
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
AI Stocks May Show Signs of Stalling After Big Rally
by David Russell | Jun 24, 2024
AI stocks could be showing signs of fatigue as the end of the second quarter approaches. The S&P 500 rose 0.6 percent in the holiday-shortened week between Friday, June 14, and Friday, June 21. It was the third consecutive positive week, with more than 70 percent...
Big Banks Announce Strong Results as Earnings Season Begins
by David Russell | Jan 16, 2020
Earnings season is off to another strong start, thanks to big banks and financials. JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C) and Morgan Stanley (MS) all reported strong quarters. A combination of banking, trading and investment management drove the...
This Social Media Upstart Just Got a Lot of Attention in the Options Market
by David Russell | Jan 15, 2020
Suddenly the bulls are logging into Pinterest. The social-media upstart had record call volume yesterday as options traders positioned for a potential move higher. The activity came after a report showed growing user traffic. PINS' user base rose 9 percent to 82.4...
From Bear to Bull in a Few Months: Charting Tesla’s Stunning U-Turn
by William Owens | Jan 14, 2020
Never argue with price action. Look no further than Tesla for an example of why traders love technical analysis. If you haven't noticed, Elon Musk's electric-car disrupter made a dramatic U-turn last year. It's more than doubled since the summer, punishing short...
Stocks Begin the New Decade With Technology Still Leading the Rally
by David Russell | Jan 13, 2020
Stocks began the new decade on a strong note as investors stuck with technology despite saber-rattling in the Middle East. The S&P 500 rose 0.9 percent between Friday, January 3, and Friday, January 10. It was the first full week of 2020 and the 12th positive week...




