The NightCap
The Market: An initial gap higher was immediately sold but an afternoon surge helped the Dow, S&P and NASDAQ finish higher while greatly paring losses in the Russell 2000. Downside momentum seems to be waning and today’s mixed session is likely pointing to a bottom. In all likelihood that bottom will only be short-term but we will have to see how the action takes place. Ideally, for the start of a move higher, we would like to see a gap down (or strong move lower in early trading) tomorrow which takes us near or below today’s lows which is again…
Volatility & Chop continues
The Market: Volatility continues to be the name of the game which is why you can have a 40+ point day like today and still have the S&P 500 within a range/wedge. While it is possible that we extend today’s rally by gaping higher tomorrow, it is not our expectation and if we do open higher tomorrow we would watch the downward sloping 20 day SMA as resistance. Overall, a light Economic Calendar this week Thursday and Friday having the most significant data points (Unemployment Claims, PPI, and Consumer Sentiment). Reported EPS 9/8/15 After the Close: …
S&P 500 holds 200 day SMA
The Market: Sorry no comments tonight — traveling the remainder of this week. Reporting EPS After the Close this week: Reporting EPS Pre-Market this week: Analyst Comments:
Major Market Indices down near or over 2%!
The Market: We warned in last week’s update that we viewed the pattern in the market as one that warranted caution. In the short term we view the market as very oversold and due for a bounce. Ideally we would like to see a failed rally in the Futures overnight that results in a gap down in the cash index which provides an opportunity to get long in early trading. It is also worth noting that the SPY closed right at the 200 day SMA & EMA which should act as support — even if only short term. Looking…
Market Shrugs off initial gap down
Index & Sector performance 5/28/15 The Market: Today started with a gap down but the major indices on the WSC Scoreboard were able to rally back to near flat on the session with the NASDAQ (QQQ) leading to the downside. After two very volatile session, it appeared the market used today to take a breather. FYI, tomorrow is the last trading day of the month. Transportation (IYT) was the clear loser on the WSC Scoreboard as it finished nearly 1% lower on the session. We generally do not look to catch falling knifes and YTD the IYT has not been…
Greece rules headlines in slow session
Index & Sector performance 2/9/15 The Market: Losses across the WSC Scoreboard with the Russell 2000 (IWM) leading the way followed by the Dow (DIA), which was affected by McDonald’s (MCD) finishing down 1.35% after reporting a drop in January sales of 1.8%. Otherwise traders seem focused on the continued fighting between Greece and the Eurozone. Energy was the only sector on the WSC Scoreboard to finish higher but it wasn’t by much and was helped by Oil continuing its recovery. Today’s biggest laggard was HeathCare (XLV) which finished down 1.18% followed by Transportation (IYT) down 0.99% and Utilities (XLU)…
Can EPS decouple market from Oil?
Index & Sector performance 1/12/15 The Market: We noted in the Thursday end-of-day write-up that the strong gains had to do with positive comments from Mario Draghi as well as Oil prices managing to stabilize for the second straight session. Unfortunately after managing to hold in Friday, Oil prices resumed their recent slide today finishing below $46/per barrel. As we have noted in other write-ups and you can see elsewhere, Oil’s sharp decline brings in concern over global growth and particularly U.S. earnings. Speaking of earnings, Aloca (AA) is scheduled to kick off the earnings season tonight and below you…
QQQs lose 2% – now sit on 50 day SMA
Index & Sector performance 9/25/14 The Market: Strong down session across the board which saw the NASDAQ (QQQ) lead the way lower finishing down over 2%. QQQ was hurt by Apple (AAPL) which is reportedly facing consumer issue regarding its new iPhone6 and iOS but some media outlets also pointed to concerns over rates and Russia as causes for trader pessimism. The Dow (DIA) and QQQ are now sitting on their 50 day SMA’s while the S&P 500 (SPY) lost its 50 as of today. With one day left in the trading week it will be interesting to see how…
China growth concerns weigh on market
Index & Sector performance 9/22/14 The Market: The markets started the week off lower with many pointing to weak economic data out of China as well as comments from the Chinese finance minister stating there will be no major policy adjustments as the cause. Leading the way lower was the Russell 2000 (IWM) which remains the clear underperfomer for the year with the Dow (DIA) not too far behind but at least positive YTD. Multiple sectors closed the day down over 1% with Retail (XRT) leading the way finishing the session 1.59% lower. The XRT is now again over 1%…