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Options Alert: Call Volume Spikes in Consumer Lender
by David Russell | Nov 6, 2024
Synchrony Financial jumped on strong earnings last month, and options traders seem to think the move will continue. Call volume in the consumer-lending company spiked to a four-year high yesterday, according to TradeStation data. Two contracts were especially active...
No ‘Stag’ and Not Much ‘Flation’? Market Trends This Week
by David Russell | Jul 18, 2024
Downloads are available here. TradeStation’s ideas on TradingView are available here. Sizing Up the S&P 500 S&P 500 has risen in 10 of the last 12 days. New records in nine of the last 10 days. Breadth widens: New 52-week highs increase...
Small Caps Surge as a Potential ‘Trump Trade’ Takes Shape
by David Russell | Jul 17, 2024
The stock market is changing quickly as investors anticipate potential rate cuts and a second Trump Administration. TradeStation data shows a dramatic shift away from large growth stocks in favor of smaller companies and value plays. Banks, financials, small caps,...
Stocks Jump to Another Record High With Rate Cuts Expected
by David Russell | Jul 15, 2024
Stocks keep climbing as inflation slows and as investors looked for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 rose 0.9 percent between Friday, July 5, and Friday, July 12. The index closed above 5,600 for the first time ever, one week after surpassing 5,500....
S&P 500 Crosses 5,600 as Pre-April Bullishness Returns: Market Trends
by David Russell | Jul 11, 2024
Downloads are available here. TradeStation’s ideas on TradingView are available here. Sizing Up the S&P 500 S&P 500 crosses 5,600 for first time Index up 6 straight sessions, longest since 11/6 Patterns similar to pre-April: Relative Strength...
Bulls in the China Shop? Options Surge Before Big Events
by David Russell | Jul 10, 2024
Options traders are getting active in Chinese technology companies like Baidu before two potentially important events. The first catalyst is at 8:30 a.m. ET tomorrow, when the U.S. Labor Department releases the consumer price index (CPI). It's the first reading of...
Stocks Keep Climbing as Lower Rates Push Growth Names Higher
by David Russell | Jul 8, 2024
Large growth stocks are leading the market to new highs again as investors anticipate lower interest rates. The S&P 500 rose almost 2 percent in the holiday-shortened week between Friday, June 28, and Friday, July 5. The index closed above 5,500 for the first time...
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
Software Powers Growth-Stock Comeback as 4th Quarter Begins
by David Russell | Oct 9, 2024
2024 is entering its homestretch, and large-cap growth stocks could be making a comeback. Technology, communications and consumer discretionaries are the three best-performing sectors in the last month, according to TradeStation data. That's important for at least two...
Chart of the Day: Palantir Stabilizes Above Old Highs
by David Russell | Mar 26, 2024
Palantir Technologies has advanced as investors embrace AI and non-government customers embrace its products. Is its current pullback offering an opportunity? The first pattern on today’s chart is the pair of rallies after the last two quarterly reports. Those may...
Chart of the Day: Nvidia and the Midcap Breakout
by David Russell | Mar 11, 2024
Megacap growth stocks like Nvidia have outperformed for years. But traders looking for the trend to change may see more evidence of a shift. Today’s idea considers three charts. The first shows how NVDA rallied 93 percent this year above its previous record high. It...
Troubled Trio? Why These Megacaps Are Faltering in 2024
by David Russell | Mar 5, 2024
The stock market is off to a roaring start in 2024, but three former leaders might be left behind. Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOGL) have dropped in recent weeks as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 rallied to new highs. They're now below chart levels that...
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...