Individuals Institutional

Call toll-free 800.328.1267

Market Insights

Opportunity knocks for those with trading in their DNA.
Curiosity creates opportunity. Insights create strategy. Born traders create their destiny.

Markets
Looking Behind the Numbers as Stocks Test Old Highs

Looking Behind the Numbers as Stocks Test Old Highs

The S&P 500 hit a new all-time high yesterday, slightly above its previous record in January. Many things have changed since that previous peak. Then, stocks drifted upward in a mindless and complacent bubble. Now, they've proven themselves with two strong...

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...

Big Trade in a Little Gaming Stock: Options Recap

Big Trade in a Little Gaming Stock: Options Recap

A small gaming stock has pulled back hard following a big rally, but now the bulls are back. Remember Scientific Games (SGMS)? It's a provider of gambling-technology like slot machines and lottery systems. But it was also viewed as a key beneficiary to the U.S....

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...

Options Recap: Are Airlines Ready to Fly?

Options Recap: Are Airlines Ready to Fly?

Are airlines ready to take off? Some options traders seem to think so. The ARCA Airline Index ($XAL) rose 2.2 percent Monday, its biggest gain in over a month. The move on the heels of strong weekly bookings data and followed a broader rally in the transportation...

Greek of the Week: Gamma

Greek of the Week: Gamma

This is the second installment of a four-part series about options Greeks that will appear on Market Insights between now and Labor Day week. Last week, we looked at delta. Delta measures how much an option changes in price when the underlying stock or ETF fluctuates....

Stocks Keep Climbing as Confidence Builds

Stocks Keep Climbing as Confidence Builds

Stocks keep inching higher as confidence builds. The S&P 500 rose 0.6 percent between Friday, August 10, and Friday, August 17. It was the seventh positive week in the last eight, and the second-highest weekly close in history. The big stories are the U.S. economy...

Here’s How Much Money Someone Made in Apple on Friday

Here’s How Much Money Someone Made in Apple on Friday

There's a reason why people trade options in Apple (AAPL). Check out this massive call spread that took shape in the tech giant during Friday's session. Roughly 81,400 August 215 calls were purchased in thousands of small blocks. Buyers paid $1.03 on average. A...

Not All Tech is Rolling Over

Not All Tech is Rolling Over

Earlier today, Market Insights highlighted the general weakness in technology. But there's one huge exception to that statement: Apple (AAPL). Tim Cook's smart-phone behemoth made a new high this morning, and has set new records in nine of the 13 trading sessions this...