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
Don’s Notebook May 1, 2018

Don’s Notebook May 1, 2018

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM report) came in lower than Street consensus at 57.3 (vs. estimates of 57.5-60.) This survey asks purchasing managers about the general direction of production, new orders, order backlogs, their own inventories, customer...

Bulls Return to Gaming Space: Options Recap

Bulls Return to Gaming Space: Options Recap

Two weeks ago, a options traders were bullish in a slot-machine maker. Yesterday, a similar transaction lit up a race-track and casino operator. Traders bought 6,000 June 31 calls in Penn National Gaming (PENN) for $1.25 in the middle of the afternoon. A block of...

Could have been worse: Earnings this week

Could have been worse: Earnings this week

It could have been worse. That's the good news for investors sifting through earnings this week. Just look at Facebook (FB). The social media giant got slammed by reports of data breeches last month, but it seemed to have little impact on first-quarter results last...

Once again, stocks hit resistance

Once again, stocks hit resistance

For the second week in a row, stocks advanced but stalled at a key level. This time it was the 50-day moving average, a seemingly magical level on the S&P 500 that everyone uses as a trend indicator. The index pushed above it on Tuesday, stayed there for the next...

Good, bad and ugly: Earnings this week

Good, bad and ugly: Earnings this week

It's the first big week of first-quarter earnings. Here are some big takeaways so far. Netflix (NFLX) is the flashiest name overall, spiking to new all time highs after adding 7.4 million subscribers in the first quarter. That's like signing up the entire Dallas-Fort...

Markets seem to be climbing a wall of worry

Markets seem to be climbing a wall of worry

This article is not a recommendation and is intended for educational purposes only. "Stocks climb a wall of worry." Most of us have heard the expression. Now it may be playing out before our eyes. After all, we've had worries. Trade wars with China. Presidential...

Stocks advance but hit resistance

Stocks advance but hit resistance

So much for a breakout in the S&P 500. The index began last week on a strong foot, only to stall at the top of its range since mid-March. Sellers materialized each afternoon to prevent the index from closing at its highs. Without that resistance, the S&P 500...

Suddenly energy is flying

Suddenly energy is flying

Energy's gone from forgotten to en fuego quicker than you can say "missiles over Damascus." Crude oil (@CL) hit $67.45 this morning, its highest level in 2-1/2 years. It's up almost 8 percent on the week, its biggest three-session rally since December 2016. There are...

A look behind yesterday’s wild session

A look behind yesterday’s wild session

This article is not a recommendation and is intended for educational purposes only. Yesterday was a roller coaster for the market, but it could suggest volatility will ease. S&P 500 futures (@ES) began the session down more than 30 points after China retaliated...