The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is set to end October with a healthy 4.3% gain, which would mark the index's best month since gaining 4.8% in February. What's more, while it will be the Dow's seventh straight monthly gain -- a feat not accomplished in over five years -- the DJIA is pacing for the smallest return during a seven-month rally ever. Below, we take a look at previous monthly win...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are modestly higher this afternoon, but are sticking close to breakeven as traders weigh the latest batch of earnings reports. Nevertheless, the Dow and S&P are on pace for a seventh straight monthly gain, and their best month since February. The Nasdaq just touched another record high this morning, and i...Read More
GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) reports earnings after the close tomorrow, as the camera maker looks to build off recent bullish analyst attention. Below, we will examine GoPro's earnings history and how options traders are positioning themselves ahead of the event.At last check, GoPro stock is up 0.7% to trade at $10.41. The equity has pulled back from its most recent high near $12, but the drop was cau...Read More
Athleisure stocks are in focus today, after Under Armour (UAA) reported a big revenue miss and slashed its full-year profit and sales forecasts. Among the names we're watching are athletic apparel retailer Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) and yoga wear maker Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) -- both of which were trading near key technical levels heading into today's trading. Here's a c...Read More
U.S. stocks are trading higher this morning, as traders digest the latest round of earnings and await word on the Federal Reserve. Among the stocks making moves this morning are athletic retailer Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UAA), digital technology company and Apple supplier (for now) QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM), and drug concern Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (NYSE:VRX). Here's a closer...Read More
Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT) is still nowhere close to its 2015 record high of $51.90, with the shares last seen trading at $6.10. But in the previous two quarters, the company's earnings results have resulted in major one-day gains for the stock. By the numbers, FIT stock jumped 15% the day after earnings in August, and 12.1% after earnings in May. In fact, the equity has ended the session after earning...Read More
Healthcare stock Centene Corp (NYSE:CNC) has been charting a path higher over the last 12 months, up more than 49%. After hitting a record high of $98.72 in mid-September, the stock pulled back to its 80-day moving average. This trendline has had historic implications in the past, suggesting it could be a prime time to bet on the stock's next leg higher. The stock's longer-term surge has coincid...Read More
With third-quarter earnings season in full swing, analysts are weighing in on biotech EXACT Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS), food and beverage company Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ), and machinery stock Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ:CGNX). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of EXAS, MDLZ, and CGNX following the companies' earnings reports.EXACT Scienc...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on chip stock Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:CY), real estate investment firm (REIT) Omega Healthcare Investors Inc (NYSE:OHI), and big pharma name Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on CY, OHI, and MRK.Barclays Thinks CY Stock's Upside is Already Priced InCypress Semiconductor shares are down 2.6% ahead of t...Read More
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are pointed higher, as the blue-chip index appears ready to shake off yesterday's sluggish session and notch a seventh straight monthly gain. Pfizer (PFE) stock is powering the Dow ahead of the bell, thanks to an earnings beat. On the other hand, ugly guidance from Under Armour (UAA) is weighing on Nike (NKE) shares pre-market. Outside of earnings, the...Read More
The iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF (EWY) is having a better 2017 than most of the major U.S. equity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), up more than 38% year-to-date as of Friday's close. In fact, EWY registered a new 10-year high to end the week, topping out at $73.64 on an intraday basis.The runaway rally in EWY may come as a surprise to those who have followed the breathless (and seemingly...Read More
Despite a fresh all-time high for the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) in early trading, it was ultimately a rocky start to the week for U.S. stocks. Traders responded to the latest developments out of Washington, D.C. -- including reports that the House is considering a plan to gradually reduce the corporate tax rate, and federal conspiracy charges forformer Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his...Read More
Third-quarter pharmaceutical earnings and news -- such as Merck's recent catastrophe -- are continuing to make an impression on the market, and drug company Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is set to report results ahead of the opening bell tomorrow.Here's a closer look at PFE stock ahead of earnings, and how options traders have been positioning themselves on the Dow component.Pfizer stock has set a serie...Read More
Stocks are lower this afternoon, as political drama weighs down markets. Drugmaker Endo International plc - Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:ENDP) is enjoying a solid session, while specialty retailer Office Depot Inc (NASDAQ:ODP) and brand management firm Iconix Brand Group Inc (NASDAQ:ICON) are sinking. Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of ENDP, ODP, and ICON.Endo International Stock Soa...Read More
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) has rallied over 48% year-to-date to trade at $116.85, and hit a record high of $122.79 on Aug. 31. The company is scheduled to report fiscal second-quarter earnings after the close on Tuesday, and the stock has been solid after earnings in recent quarters. EA has moved higher in the session after earnings in five of the past six quarters, including a 12.7% surge i...Read More
The following is a reprint of the market commentary from the November 2017 edition of The Option Advisor, published on October 27. For more information, or to subscribe to The Option Advisor -- featuring 10 new option trades each month -- visit our online store.Long-time followers of our options recommendations will likely be familiar with the acronym F.A.R., which describes the ideal trajector...Read More
Reports of solid demand for Apple's iPhone X have a few Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) suppliers soaring today. Of note, Broadcom Ltd (NASDAQ:AVGO) and Qorvo Inc (NASDAQ:QRVO) stocks are moving higher, while shares of Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ:FNSR) are jumping on reports of possible Apple ties. What's more, AVGO, QRVO, and FSNR are all seeing unusual options activity this afternoon.AVGO Stock Secures...Read More
When trading options, there are numerous terms and concepts you must become familiar with in order to succeed. Today we will break down liquidity and slippage. To gain more insight on the subject,I spoke with Schaeffer's Senior Equity Analyst Joe Bell, CMT.What is liquidity and why is it important in options trading?JB: Liquidity refers to how quickly a stock or option can be bought or sold witho...Read More
Steel companies AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) and United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) are slated to release their third-quarter earnings tomorrow. Both stocks have been volatile over the past year, especially around earnings, and options traders are expecting more of the same this time around. Below, we'll take a closer look at AKS and X ahead of the quarterly updates. AKS Stock T...Read More
Third-quarter earnings season continues full speed ahead this week, with stocks like Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc (NYSE:DO) climbing higher on an earnings beat. Tomorrow morning, traders will digest results from sports apparel retailer Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UAA).Here's a closer look at UAA stock ahead of earnings, and how options traders have been positioning themselves on the retailer's shar...Read More