Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are down over 100 points this morning, as markets react to plummeting oil prices and lingering concerns over the U.S. tax overhaul. Crude futures are extending yesterday's slide this morning, with December-dated oil down 1.1% at $55.10 per barrel, ahead of today's weekly inventories data. Meanwhile, the Dow is once again being dragged down by General El...Read More
Thanksgiving week is always a low-volume trading week, with markets open less than four days (Friday is a half-day for U.S. stocks). This week, I'll look at what stocks have done in the past during the week of Thanksgiving, while also finding which stocks tend to do well during the holiday week.Stocks During Thanksgiving WeekThanksgiving week itself tends to be bullish. Over the past 50 years, the...Read More
by David RansonDavid Ranson's Tactical Asset Selector report "Seeking Better "Balance" in a Stocks-Bonds Portfolio shows, tradeoff between risk and return in a mix of stocks and bonds can be shifted favorably by including a suitable third asset such as gold.To download the PDF versionseeking-better-balance-in-a-stocks-bonds-portfolio-tactical-asset-selectorRead More
It was a negative session on Wall Street today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) falling in step with General Electric (GE) -- which slumped to its lowest point since late 2011. And while a positive earnings reaction for Home Depot (HD) helped pull the Dow and S&P 500 Index (SPX) off their intraday lows, sinking oil prices kept stocks in the red.Meanwhile, ahead of a Wall Street Journa...Read More
There's been notable options trading activity on media stock CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) today. At last check, calls and puts were both crossing at a rate projected to be three times the average daily volume, and total open interest on the security is now at a 52-week high. The vast majority of this volume comes from massive spread activity at the weekly 11/24 75-strike call and put, some of which...Read More
U.S. stocks are continuing their pullback this afternoon, as General Electric (GE) continues its disastrous decline. Among the stocks making big movesare restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ:BWLD), entertainment streaming service Roku Inc (NASDAQ:ROKU), and technology infrastructure concern Switch Inc (NYSE:SWCH). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of BWLD, ROKU, and SWCH.BWLD High...Read More
It's no secret the stock market has cooled off recently, as traders fret about tax reform, corporate earnings, and General Electric (GE). In fact, at its session low today, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) was trading south of its 20-day moving average. The last time the SPX ended below this trendline was Aug. 30, meaning it hasn't been breached for 52 trading days -- the longest streak in years. Below, we...Read More
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that beat estimates, but the sporting goods retailer warned 2018 profit could drop by as much as 20%. This last data point may be what has DKS stock down 5.5% today to trade at $24.94 -- and options traders targeting new lows by week's end.At last check, 19,177 puts and 14,868 calls had changed hands on DKS -- 10 ti...Read More
It's been a rough month so far for electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA). The stock is staring at a November loss of 6.4%, triggered by a post-earnings bear gap on Nov. 2, which sent the shares below their 200-day moving average for the first time in 2017. Below, we'll take a look at the recent media coverage of the automaker, and how TSLA options traders are aligned ahead of a big event...Read More
Dow component Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) willreport fiscal first-quarter earnings after the close tomorrow. While fellow Dow stock Home Depot (HD) just reported an earnings beat, Cisco Systems must contend with its rather ugly earnings history. Below, we will examine Cisco Systems' earnings trends and how options traders are positioning themselves with the tech stock.At last check, CSCO...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) have all bounced from their morning lows, but stocks remain well below breakeven. General Electric (GE) stock remains front and center, as the shares sink to fresh five-year lows and overshadow an impressive earnings report from fellow Dow component Home Depot (HD). Also dragging the Dow and SPX lower is a sh...Read More
U.S. stocks are trading lower this morning, as traders eye the latest inflation data and a mixed bag of retail earnings. Among the stocks making moves today are home improvement and supply store Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD), British telecom company Vodafone Group Plc (NASDAQ:VOD), and pharmaceutical concern Loxo Oncology Inc (NASDAQ:LOXO). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of HD, VOD, and...Read More
Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) delivered disappointing third-quarter earnings in late October, driving the travel stock to gap below a trendline that's contained pullbacks since 2013. EXPE also gapped below its 160-day moving average, which had held for most of the stock's recent rally, and the equity is now staring at a negative year-over-year return, underperforming the broader equities market. The...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on embattled Dow stock General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), cancer treatment specialist BeiGene Ltd (NASDAQ:BGNE), and cruise operator Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE:RCL). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on GE, BGNE, RCL stocks.GE Stock Slapped With DowngradesIn the wake of General Electric's worst one-day percentage drop since 2009, Independen...Read More
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are pointed lower this morning, despite a big earnings beat from component stock Home Depot (HD). In economic news,the producer price index (PPI) rose 0.4% in October and 2.8% year-over-year, surpassing consensus estimates. This inflation data will be at the forefront of investors' minds as Fed Chief Janet Yellen joins a number of her global counterpart...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on blue chip retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT), consumer lending name Navient Corp (NASDAQ:NAVI), and soda giant The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of WMT, NAVI, and KO. Bullish Bias Builds Ahead of Walmart EarningsWalmart stock yesterday reached an all-time high of $91.98 before closing at $90.99, up mor...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) started the week on a positive note, as a pre-earnings lift from Home Depot (HD) helped overshadow a staggering loss for General Electric (GE) -- with the stock logging its biggest one-day percentage decline in more than eight years. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) also closed modestly higher amid a bare economic calendar, though there's...Read More
Stocks are trading just above breakeven this afternoon, with upside limited by continued tax plan uncertainty. Among the stocks making big movesare drug concern Zymeworks Inc (NASDAQ:ZYME), e-commerce company Baozun Inc (NASDAQ:BZUN), and toymaker Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of ZYNE, BZUN, HAS.Zymeworks Stock Tops NYSE on J&J Licensing DealZYME stock is a...Read More
Retailers will remain in the spotlight this week, with a handful of big-box and apparel stores reporting earnings. Among them is Victoria's Secret parent L Brands Inc (NYSE:LB), which is slated to report third-quarter figures after the close on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Below, we'll take a look at LB stock and why recent options buyers don't have history on their side.LB stock has rebounded roughly 39%...Read More
Roku Inc (NASDAQ:ROKU) has been on fire since its late-September initial public offering (IPO). This breakout price action is continuing today, with the shares up 35.1% to trade at $44.86 -- earlier hitting a record high of $47.49 -- on news Japan-based Funai Electric will start including the streaming service in its Philips-branded smart TVs. The surge has sparked a flood of options activity, too...Read More