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Perfect Storm Handing Nasdaq its Worst Month Since 2008

Perfect Storm Handing Nasdaq its Worst Month Since 2008

A perfect storm of negatives is handing the Nasdaq-100 its worst month since the financial crisis. The technology-heavy index lost 11 percent of its value between the end of September and yesterday's close. Depending on where this October ends, it'll compare with...

Is This the Bottom?

Is This the Bottom?

The Dow was down 832 points yesterday, or over 3 percent – with the technology sector leading the market down, as the NASDAQ was off over 4 percent. The good news is the VIX futures are a bit muted on this big move – and the U.S. economy is stronger than ever with no...

The Message Behind Yesterday’s Volatility Spike

The Message Behind Yesterday’s Volatility Spike

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...

A Tough Slog For Banks, With a Happy Ending

A Tough Slog For Banks, With a Happy Ending

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...

Why Stocks Move: Macro Trends

Why Stocks Move: Macro Trends

This post is part of a series about the catalysts for stock movements. It’s based on a series of talks at TradeStation’s Master Class learning sessions.  On Wednesday, we examined the process of investor rotation. That's when stocks move based on shifts...

Bulls Regain Footing Above Key Level

Bulls Regain Footing Above Key Level

Stocks rebounded last week as the bulls regained their footing at a key level. The S&P 500 rose 1.2 percent between Friday, September 7, and Friday, September 14. It was the biggest weekly gain in two months, with more than two-thirds of the companies in the index...

Suddenly, Bulls Return to Global Markets

Suddenly, Bulls Return to Global Markets

After months of pain, global stocks and assets are trying to rebound. The last two sessions have brought a sudden flow of positive news. So far, it seems to be shifting sentiment away from trade wars and currency crises to optimism and value hunting. We're seeing that...

Check Out This Stunning Divergence in Tech

Check Out This Stunning Divergence in Tech

Software versus semiconductors. It's a major split running down the middle of the technology sector. The chart below compares the performance between the iShares North American Software ETF (IGV) and the Market Vectors Semiconductor ETC (SMH) since the start of 2016....

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades: Levels on the S&P 500

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades: Levels on the S&P 500

Ever heard the saying that "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades?" It means coming close to a goal isn't good enough for most projects. But it can be good enough when it come to charting the S&P 500. Last week, for instance, Market Insights surveyed...