Market Insights
Opportunity knocks for those with trading in their DNA.
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The Iron Condor Strategy: A Guide to Options Trading Neutral Markets
The iron condor is a commonly used strategy among experienced traders who wish to navigate neutral markets and tightly manage risk.
Stocks Keep Fighting Higher as Inflation Slows and Earnings Beat Expectations
Stocks kept fighting higher last month as inflation slowed and earnings beat estimates. The S&P 500 rose 1.5 percent in April, its third gain in the first four months of the year. The index has returned to challenge its February high, and is still above falling...
Chart of the Day: Will Alcoa Continue Lower?
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
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
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
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
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,...
Technology & Communication
Options Alert: Bears Could Be Active in Social Media Stock
Snap plunged on weak results last month, and some options traders may be targeting further downside. Check out this unusual activity from yesterday in the social-media stock: More than 29,000 November 6 puts traded, mostly for $0.17. About 16,000 December 8 puts...
Big Banks Announce Strong Results as Earnings Season Begins
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
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
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
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...