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Stocks Break September Curse as Rates Fall and AI Boom Spreads
by David Russell | Oct 1, 2024
Stocks had their first positive September in five years thanks to lower rates, AI and Chinese stimulus. The S&P 500 rose 2 percent between Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 30. It was the ninth gain in the last 10 months, with the index closing above 5,700...
Inflation Fades, Earnings Beat and Stocks Push Higher
by David Russell | Apr 17, 2023
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
by David Russell | Apr 14, 2023
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
by David Russell | Apr 3, 2023
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,...
Chart of the Day: Apple Pulls Back After a ‘Golden Cross’
by David Russell | Mar 29, 2023
Apple clawed to a six-month high last week. Is it done or will prices continue higher? The first pattern on today’s chart is the price level around $156. AAPL peaked there on March 6 and bounced there yesterday. Some chart watchers could think ... For more,...
Will American Express Run Again? A Big Options Trader May Think So
by David Russell | Mar 28, 2023
American Express has dropped along with other financials this month, but one big investor is using options to stay long the name. Check out this large trade that occurred shortly before noon yesterday: A block of 34,843 April 125 calls was sold for $37.88.An equal...
Stocks Hold a Potentially Key Level as Fed Takes a Less Hawkish Stance
by David Russell | Mar 27, 2023
Stocks could be trying to stabilize as investors look for the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 1.4 percent between Friday, March 17, and Friday, March 23, its second straight positive week. The index has moved sideways for the past...
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
Chart of the Day: Can Intel Keep Running?
by David Russell | Jan 18, 2024
Intel has been rallying on hopes of a turnaround, and some chart watchers may see potential for more upside. The first pattern on today’s chart is the series of lower highs since December 27. The chipmaker has tested the falling trendline over the last week. Could a...
Is It Time to Sell Apple? Investors Could Be Shifting to Value Stocks Again
by David Russell | Sep 28, 2021
Technology stocks like Apple are under pressure as higher interest rates sends investors back to "value stocks." In a replay of moves earlier in the coronavirus rebound, financials, energy and transportation companies are jumping. Technology, communications,...
Chart of the Day: More Upside in Advanced Micro Devices?
by David Russell | Sep 23, 2021
Advanced Micro Devices rallied hard on strong results in late July. Now almost two months later, the chip stock may be ready for another move. Notice the slow and lazy pullback since early August, which resolved with a quick test under $100 on Monday. AMD came within...
Cybersecurity, Business Apps, Medical Software: Recent IPOs Are Pulling Back With the Market
by David Russell | Sep 21, 2021
Initial public offerings (IPOs) have been active lately as new technology companies come to market. Several names are pulling back along with the S&P 500 yesterday, which may create opportunities for investors. Many of these companies are in fast-growing corners...
Options Alert: Call Buyers Target Breakout in Up-and-Coming Cloud Stock
by David Russell | Sep 8, 2021
Datadog, an 11-year old cloud-computing firm, broke out to new highs last month. Today, options traders looked for the rally to continue. More than 20,000 call options changed hands at the 140 strike, plus another 5,000 at the 142 strike. Four contracts accounted for...