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Market Insights

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Indexes and ETFs
Don’t Forget About Mexico

Don’t Forget About Mexico

Everyone's focused on China, but don't forget about Mexico. That was a message on this week's Market Action webinar, and so far it's been playing out. In case you missed it, officials on both sides of the border have suggested a deal is close. They include White House...

Small Caps Trying to Break Out

Small Caps Trying to Break Out

Almost a month ago, Market Insights spotted a bullish triangle in small cap stocks. Today they're trying to break out. The chart below shows the tightening range on the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) over the last two months. Notice how it's made higher lows while...

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...

Tracking the Bears in China

Tracking the Bears in China

Global economic and financial issues are back in the forefront. Turkey's been the main story in the last week, but today China has some important headlines. Simply put, they're all negative. The country's economic reports for July had a triple-miss overnight:...

Turkish Turmoil Fuels the Volatility Machine

Turkish Turmoil Fuels the Volatility Machine

Bulls made money, bears made money. Turkey got slaughtered. That's pretty much what happened last week. The S&P 500 began with a steady climb on Monday and continued higher into Tuesday. That's when the bulls made money. On Wednesday and Thursday, the index...

As Expected, Volatility Hits Global Markets

As Expected, Volatility Hits Global Markets

Just two days ago, Market Insights said that "traders hankering for volatility may want to keep an eye on currencies and crude oil." Both of those events are now playing out. Oil came first, tumbling to a three-week low hours after the post. This morning,...

Traders Doubt Safety of Classic Safe Haven: Options Recap

Traders Doubt Safety of Classic Safe Haven: Options Recap

So much for utilities being a safe haven. The SPDR Utility Fund (XLU) has risen about 6 percent in the last month, making it the top-performing major sector. But yesterday, traders braced for a potential selloff: A block of 75,000 September 50 puts in XLU was bought...

Just How Bad Is the Mess Overseas?

Just How Bad Is the Mess Overseas?

Just how bad is the mess overseas? Pretty bad and likely getting worse. Global stocks are lagging domestic small caps by their worst ratio since late-2008. Just look at the TradeStation chart below comparing the iShares MSCI EFA fund (EFA) with the iShares Russell...

Oil bears double downside bet in key ETF: Options recap

Oil bears double downside bet in key ETF: Options recap

Disclosure: This post is intended for educational purposes only. Options trading may not be suitable for all investors. We just wrote about the drop in oil as the market braces for potential supply increases at next week's OPEC meeting. Almost simultaneously, a big...