March 19, 2024

The NightCap

The Market: We expected to see a tight trading range until the FOMC statement but instead we saw buyers in advance of the statement as the S&P 500 (SPY) pressed higher.  The the announcement came and there was a sharp sell-off but buyers came right back and all 4 major market indices on the WSC Scoreboard finished above the pre-FOMC announcement highs. As was expected by many, the FOMC left the Fed Fund Rates unchanged but, based on the comments, it appears a rate hike is on the table for December if the data warrants.  We also saw the committee…

The NightCap

The Market: Overall a dull session as the markets remainder in a tight range for the entire day but we expect to see volatility in many individual names as this will be a very active earnings week with many big names reporting.  As always we will highlight the names that reported after the close as well as those scheduled to report pre-market tomorrow but please remember that you can often  look ahead a few days under the Events Calendar section. If an active earnings wasn’t enough, we also have an active Economic Calendar with the FOMC Statement and Rate decision…

China & Buffett support stong session

The Market: A strong overnight session in China which was triggered by changes to the latest monetary policy report and also on reports that China will overhaul state-owned enterprises helped get the market started and then Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) helped fan the fire by first purchasing Precision Cast Part (PCP) for $235/share in cash and then during an interview noted that he likes IBM (IBM) and answered a question about if he is buying that people should check the SEC filings in the coming days.  The Dow (DIA) led today’s rally. Energy (XLE) was the biggest…

FOMC statement & new Chair tomorrow

Index & Sector performance 3/18/14 The Market: We would not be shocked to see the market meander overnight and into tomorrow until the FOMC statement and Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s first press conference.  While we do not expect there to be a great difference in message or tone from the Fed, do not be surprised if the market uses this opportunity to send a message to Yellen if there is something that is not liked. In the meantime, traders should watch  today’s high of 1867ES as a break could be signaling a move to 1880ES and the index should see…

Analyst Comments

Analyst comments for Monday (11/19/12)  See the Upgrades/Downgrades section for complete & cleaner list Upgrades Company    Symbol    Brokerage Firm    Upgraded to:    Price Target ($) CSC    CSC    Deutsche Bank    Buy    46 Randgold Resources    GOLD    RBC Capital     Outperform    N/A Enerplus Resources    ERF    RBC Capital     Outperform    18 Agnico-Eagle    AEM    RBC Capital    Outperform    69 PetSmart    PETM    Barclays    Overweight    75 Dean Foods    DF    Goldman Sachs    Buy    22 Agilent    A    Goldman Sachs    Buy    59 Bruker     BRKR    Goldman Sachs    Buy    19 Barclays    BCS    Goldman Sachs    Buy    N/A Flowers Foods    FLO    KeyBanc    Buy    25 Actuant    ATU    KeyBanc    Buy    N/A Provident    PFS    Sterne Agee    Buy    15…