The NightCap
The Market: Global concerns sparked an initial move lower in early trading but the markets found support near the $2070 region in the SPX and then managed to finish the session slightly higher. Energy (XLE) was the clear leader on the WSC Scoreboard followed by Retail (XRT) and Materials (XLB). Transportation (IYT) lagged hurt by the State Department’s travel ban issued late Monday in response to the recent geopolitical events. After making a low in late August, the XLE rallied until early November and has since held in well consolidating below the November 6th high. XLE may be setting up…
Weak ADP data helps market gap
The Market: The market gapped and continued higher for the first hour of trading which the news attributed to a weak ADP number which could keep the Fed from raising interest rates anytime soon. After the first hour of trading the major indices began to lose ground and, while they all finished up on the day, they were all also well off their highs. Leading on the WSC Scoreboard was Retail (XRT) which was the only sector to finish up by over 1% followed closely by Technology (XLK) which closed up 0.97%. The only two losing sectors on the day…
Market continues to grind
Index & Sector performance 2/19/15 The Market: The slow grind into options expiration continues with the S&P 500 (SPY) and Dow (DIA) finishing slightly lower while the Russell 2000 (IWM) finished slightly higher and the NASDAQ (QQQ) led. We would expect to potentially see volatility tomorrow not only due to options expiration but also potential headline risk out of Europe. Overall a mixed session as yesterday’s sector leader to the upside, the Utilities (XLU), was today’s downside leader finishing 1/13% lower while Technology (XLK) followed closely by Consumer Discretionary (XLY) led to the upside. With only Flash Manufacturing PMI tomorrow,…
S&P snaps 2 day losing streak
Index & Sector performance 2/10/15 The Market: The S&P 500 snapped a 2 day losing streak with a solid rally closing up over 1% on the session while the NASDAQ led the charge finishing up over 1.50% helped by Apple (AAPL) which closed at a fresh all time highs. The Russell 2000 (IWM) was the laggard but still managed to finish up 0.67%. All the sectors on the WSC Scoreboard were higher with the exception of Energy (XLE) which was taking its cue from Crude’s slide today after running into the 50 day SMA. Utilities (XLU) was the biggest gainer…
Big follow through session
Index & Sector performance 12/18/14 The Market: Following on the rally after the FOMC statement release yesterday, today gaped higher and never looked back with the S&P 500 (SPY) finishing up 2.50%. Yesterday’s leader, the Russell 200 (IWM), was today’s laggard but still finished up 1.45%. Unlike previous sessions where the markets seem to take their cue from Oil, today the markets rallied even while oil continued its slide. Again as would be expected on a day like today, all of the individual sectors were higher with Technology (XLK), HealthCare (XLV), Industrials (XLI), Financials (XLF), and Materials (XLB) all finishing…
This down day came with volume
Index & Sector performance 7/8/14 The Market: *** Administrative Note: Due to traveling, this will be the last update for the week. *** A second straight day lower for all 4 broad market indices on the WSC Scoreboard but setting today apart from other recent down days was a noticeable pick-up in volume. Leading the charge to the downside was the NASDAQ (QQQ) and Russell 2000 (IWM) both finishing 1.2% lower. We remain cautious on the overall broad market and as noted in last night’s report are watching the IWM closely. Its failure to lead and make new highs with…
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…