Renee Blakely
Disclosure: I am in full compliance with all ethics and other policies for Market Realist research analysts. I am not invested in securities that I cover on Market Realist.
More From Renee Blakely
How the Tech Sector and Downbeat Earnings Hobbled SPY
Total System Services landed at the bottom of SPY after it reported earnings of $0.57 per share, compared to the company’s estimated EPS of $0.60.
SPY Slid by 1.1% on Fed’s Decision to Keep Interest Rate Unchanged
The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X both fell by 1.1% and 3.3%, respectively, on January 27, after the Fed’s decision not to hike.
Upbeat Earnings from Johnson & Johnson and 3M Boosted SPY
3M stock (MMM) jumped 5.2% after the company’s quarterly report beat analysts’ estimates.
Huntington Bancshares Landed at the Bottom of SPY on Merger Deal
Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) plunged 8.5% on Tuesday, January 26, after the bank announced its plan to acquire FirstMerit (FMER) in a deal worth $3.4 billion.
Rebound in Oil Prices Pushed SPY Up 1.4%
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) bounced back by 1.4% and 4.1%, respectively, on Tuesday, January 26.
Tyco International to Tie Up with Johnson Controls
Tyco International (TYC) and Johnson Controls (JCI) revealed on Monday, January 25, 2016, that they are going to merge. The news raised TYC stocks that day, while JCI fell 3.9%.
SPY Ended High, Rose by 2.1% as Oil Prices Advanced
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) rose by 2.1% and 6.2%, respectively, on January 22, 2016.
Southwest Airlines Posted Profits while Southwestern Energy Led SPY
Southwest Airlines (LUV) gained 0.5% on January 21 while Delta Air Lines (DAL) went up 1.8% on the day.
Verizon Communications Saw Gains on Upbeat Earnings
Verizon Communications’ revenue grew 3.2% in its latest quarter, amounting to $34.3 billion.
The Energy Sector Led SPY with a Sharp 3.1% Gain
Energy sector stocks also made it to the top three of the SPY. Southwestern Energy (SWN), CONSOL Energy (CNX), Kinder Morgan (KMI), and Range Resources (RRC) skyrocketed.
SPY Rose 0.6% as Oil Prices Changed Direction
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) marched upwards on Thursday, January 21, 2016, registering 0.6% and 1.2% gains, respectively.
Sluggish Economic Data May Have Shaken Upbeat Consumer Sentiment
Consumer sentiment for January 2016 looked positive at 93.3 compared to its prior reading of 92.6, but the economy’s strength is still in question.
Upbeat Quarterly Results of JPMorgan Chase Boosted US Equities
All the component sectors of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF ended in green territory after JPMorgan Chase’s quarterly results turned out better than expected.
SPY Jumped 1.6%, Rise in Oil Prices Bolstered US Equities
January 14, 2016, saw a rally in the US equities represented by SPY and SPXL. The US dollar rose as the market showed optimism and oil prices picked up.
Anheuser-Busch Raises Acquisition Funds with Corporate Debt Sale
Brewing giant Anheuser-Busch (BUD) (AHBIF) raised funds for the acquisition of rival SABMiller (SBMRY) on Wednesday by selling $46 billion of bonds.
Chipotle’s Plan to Woo Back Customers Propelled It to Top of Spy
Stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on January 13 were Southwestern Energy (SWN), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), and Range Resources (RRC).
All of SPY’s Sectors Ended in the Red as Oil Struggles Persisted
All the sectors of the SPY turned red on the day. Stocks belonging to the consumer discretionary sector, the technology sector, and the energy sector saw major drops.
SPY Down 2.5% as Brent Fell below $30 for First Time in a Decade
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) retreated on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, after a short lift that lasted for two days.
Macy’s Clinched Top Position in SPY
Stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on January 11 were Macy’s (M), Kohl’s (KSS), and HCA Holdings (HCA).
Freeport-McMoRan Was SPY’s Worst Performer with a 20.3% Fall
Analysts believe that the sharp decline in Freeport-McMoRan was triggered by Arch Coal’s (ACI) bankruptcy filing.
US Stock Market Took a Break from Its Downward Trend
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) managed to end slightly higher on Monday, January 11, with returns of 0.1% and 0.06%, respectively.
Financial Services Were the Weakest Link in SPY Last Week
With a downward broad market movement on January 8, all the component sectors of SPY ended in the red.
Alcoa Falls 2.4%: What Happened to AA Last Week?
As growth in China slows, the demand for these commodities reduces, and both revenues and profit margins for Alcoa and other stocks are directly affected.
US Job Report Lifted the Dollar while Gold Lost Its Luster
Given such a strong labor market report, investors are anticipating a raise in the federal funds rate. And the US dollar already displayed strength.
After Its Early Gains Fade on China Concerns, SPY Ends Low
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) fell 1.1% and 3.3%, respectively, on Friday, January 8, 2016.
What Were SPY’s Top Stocks?
The stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on January 7, 2016, were GAP (GPS), EQT (EQT), and Constellation Brands (STZ).
Gold Soared and GDX Rose by 4.4%, Oil Reached New Lows
Amid rising volatility, investors preferred safe havens. Gold rose by 1.4% and settled at $1,103.90 per ounce. The prices of the Treasury bonds rose by 0.2%.
US Markets Were Turbulent, SPY’s Major Sectors Fell by 2.4%
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) fell by 2.4% and 7.1%, respectively, on Thursday, January 7, 2016.
SPY Down 1.3%, Futures Markets Fell as Global Concerns Worsened
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) fell by 1.3% on January 6, 2016. SPY’s component sectors bled as global concerns intensified this week.
Stock Upgrade Pushed First Solar to the Top of SPY
First Solar has earned 11 “buy” recommendations, eight “hold” recommendations, and one “sell” recommendation.
Tech Stocks Face Downgrades, Amazon.com Fell by 5.8%
The trailing one-year return of Amazon.com was 110.8% on January 4, 2016. The stock earned 38 “buy,” nine “hold,” and no “sell” recommendations.
Will Oil Glut Continue in 2016 with OPEC’s Production Policy?
Some member countries of OPEC—namely, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—support the policy to keep oil output high in order retain market share against non-OPEC producers.
Oil Has Reason to Rebound as OPEC Tensions Rise
Saudi Arabia and Iran are the two major oil-producing countries of OPEC. Tensions between them have escalated after Saudi Arabia’s mass execution on Saturday, January 2, 2016.
Healthcare Stock Mallinckrodt Emerged as One of the Top Stocks
The stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF on December 30, 2015, were Allegheny Technologies (ATI), Mallinckrodt (MNK), and Tesoro Corporation (TSO).
The Energy and Materials Sectors Landed at the Bottom of SPY
Let’s disucss the changes in the component sectors of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). All sectors turned red on Wednesday after oil prices took a nosedive.
The SPY ETF Stumbled Due to the Rout of Oil Prices
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF stalled their rally on Wednesday, December 30, with falls of 0.7% and 2.1%, respectively.
Technology Sector Rallied on Advances in Amazon and Qualcomm
Qualcomm surged 2.6% on December 29 after the company announced that it had signed a 3G and 4G Chinese patent license agreement with Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment company.
McGraw Hill Financial Surged 2.6% as Financial Services Rebounded
McGraw Hill Financial (MHFI) traded at $100, which was above its moving average values.
Vertex Up 3.2% as Healthcare Sector Continued to Lure Investors
XLV went up 1.2% on Tuesday, December 29. Its top stocks included Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), St Jude Medical (STJ), Cerner (CERN), and Biogen (BIIB).
Home Price Index Sent Real Estate Sector ahead of SPY
All the component sectors of the SPY marched into green territory as the market turned bullish on economic data and the oil price rebound.
SPY Rose 1.1% on Oil Price Rebound and Upbeat Consumer Confidence
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) jumped 1.1% and 3.3%, respectively, on Tuesday, December 29.
Alphabet and Ford Motor Might Partner in Self-Driving Cars
Alphabet (GOOGL) and Ford (F) might create a joint venture to build self-driving cars. It would use Google’s technology to develop the automated driving technology and Ford’s manufacturing expertise.
Freeport-McMoran Is Biggest Loser for Moving Averages, Returns
Freeport-McMoRan’s (FCX) trailing one-year return is the lowest at -70.7%. The stock had a steep fall on December 28, after its executive chairman stepped down.
Materials Sector Falls with China’s Industrial Profits
The materials sector, represented by the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), fell 0.7% on December 28. This followed a fall in Chinese industrial profits in November 2015 for the sixth straight time.
Netflix and Amazon Shined Bright in Wall Street in 2015
The top performing stocks to date–December 23—include Netflix (NFLX), Amazon.com (AMZN), First Solar (FSLR), Total Systems Services (TSS), and NVIDIA (NVDA).
Valeant and Pfizer Kept Healthcare in the Limelight
In November, Pfizer (PFE) and Allergan (AGN) confirmed their merger deal to form the world’s biggest drug company by sales. This was the largest deal of 2015.
Bright Opportunities for the Financial Sector in 2016
The financial and financial services sectors are represented by the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETFand the Financial Services Select Sector SPDR, respectively.
Cablevision Systems Topped the Consumer Discretionary Stocks
As of December 23, 2015, the stocks with the highest trailing-one-year returns were Cablevision Systems, Starbucks, Electronic Arts, and Expedia.
Examining the SPY ETF and how US Stocks Performed in 2015
As we enter 2016, let’s review how Wall Street and US stocks, represented here by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), responded to global events throughout 2015.
Moving Average Analysis of the Industrial Sector
The stocks hardly traded at prices that crossed their moving average values. The only exception was Fastenal. It traded at $40.08.
Slight Rise in Oil Prices Helped SPY Rise for the Second Day
SPY and SPXL continued to rise for the second consecutive day as oil prices displayed some stability on Tuesday, December 22. USO rose by 1.0%.
The Stocks of ONEOK Soared Owing to Its 2016 Outlook
The stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on Monday, December 21, 2015, were ONEOK (OKE), Tenet Healthcare (THC), and Consol Energy (CNX).
Moving Average Analysis of the Consumer Staples Sector
The consumer staples sector outperformed the market. On Monday, December 21, 2015, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rose 1.1%.
Technology and Healthcare Sectors Advanced as Stocks Rebounded
The technology sector, represented by the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF, rose by 1.0% on December 21 as the stocks of Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet rose.
The SPY ETF Rose 0.8% despite a Continued Fall in Oil Prices
On Monday, December 21, 2015, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) rose by 0.8% and 2.8%, respectively.
Moving Average Analysis of the Healthcare Sector
The healthcare sector was the least impacted component sector of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). XLV fell to 1.9% on December 18, 2015.
All of SPY’s Component Sectors Ended in Red
All of the component sectors of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) turned red on December 18. Concerns of a global economic slowdown caught investors’ attention.
Friday’s Fall in US Stocks Erased Earlier Weekly Gains
US stocks represented by SPY and SPXL fell on Friday, December 18. The oil ETF fell by 0.7% due to the oil supply glut. US WTI crude fell by $0.22.
Rating Upgrade Leads Consol Energy (CNX) to Top SPY Position
Consol Energy (CNX) was upgraded from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating by the analysts at Deutsche Bank (DB). CNX rose 3.5% yesterday.
SPY Heavily Weighed Down by the Energy and Materials Sectors
All the component sectors except utilities in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) fell in yesterday’s trade. The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) fell 2.5%.
US Stocks Fall as Oil Prices Plunge Again
US stocks represented by SPY and SPXL fell in yesterday’s trade. SPY and SPXL fell 1.5% and 4.4%, respectively.
Windstream Holdings Emerges among SPY’s Top Stocks
SPY’s top stocks on December 16, 2015, were First Solar, Windstream Holdings, and Joy Global. They rose 9.7%, 6.2%, and 6.1%, respectively, on the day.
Crude Inventories Pull Energy Sector Down, Utilities Soar
The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF fell 0.7% on December 16 due to a drop in crude oil prices following a heavy buildup in crude oil inventories.
The Fed’s Long-Awaited Decision to Raise Rates Sent SPY Soaring
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) rose 1.5% on December 16, 2015, as Federal Reserve members concluded their two-day meeting about the interest rate direction.
SPY Rose as Federal Reserve’s Rate Hike Met Market Expectations
Except for the energy sector and the material sector, all the component sectors of SPY rose on the release of the FOMC statement about its rate hike decision.
Analyzing SPY’s Stocks, Noble and ENSCO Rose
On December 15, the stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) were ENSCO (ESV), Noble (NE), and Mallinckrodt (MNK). ENSCO rose by 8.0%.
Rate Hike Expectations Propelled Financial Stocks Higher
Many banks and financial service providers’ stocks rose on December 15. US investors picked the stocks with the expectation of the zero interest rate policy.
SPY Soared High through All of the Component Sectors
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) rose by 1.1% and 3%, respectively, on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
First Solar Clinches Top SPY Position
First Solar (FSLR) rose 5.7% yesterday after 195 nations attending the Paris climate change conference reached a historic agreement to cut emissions to address climate change.
Consumer Staples Sector Stands Out
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) led the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) with a gain of 1.0% in yesterday’s trade.
Consumer Stocks and the Technology Sector See Huge Gains
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) rose 1.0% and 0.5%, respectively, in yesterday’s trade.
US Stocks Follow Oil’s Rebound, SPY Rises 0.51%
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull and Bear 3X Shares ETF (SPXL) rose 0.51% and 1.7%, respectively, in yesterday’s trade.
Moving Average Analysis of SPY’s Utilities Sector
The average ETF weight of the electric utilities stocks in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 0.08%. Their beta value is less than 1, and thus they’re less volatile.
Energy and Healthcare Sectors: The Highlight of SPY
Eight of the 11 component sectors of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) rose on Thursday, December 10, 2015. The energy and healthcare sectors led, while the utilities and materials sectors were the decliners.
EWU Lifted by Commodity Stocks to End in Positive Territory
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index (EWU) managed to rebound as commodity stocks regained some of their lost ground. Glencore and Rio Tinto did well.
Dow Chemical and Du Pont Lift the Material Sector to Gain 3%
Dow Chemical (DOW) and Du Pont (DD) each jumped 11.9% on December 9, 2015, as the chemicals companies were reported to be in talks concerning a merger.
Falling Sectors Outnumbered Advancers and Dragged SPY Down
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) fell 0.78% and 1.9%, respectively, on Wednesday, December 9, 2015.
Autozone Beat Earnings Estimates, Clinched Top Position in SPY
The stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on December 8 were Autozone (AZO), NRG Energy (NRG), and Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN).
Alexion Pharmaceuticals: A Top Stock of SPY
The healthcare sector was the top performing component sector of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on December 8. XLV rose by 0.2% on the day.
Energy and Material Sectors Are Susceptible to the Macro Environment
The energy and material sectors are impacted first when it comes to China’s economics, the US trade and GDP data, and oil’s demand and supply dynamics,
Keurig Green Mountain’s Yields Skyrocket as Company Goes Private
Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) jumped 71.9% on Monday, December 7, as the coffee machine maker announced that it will be acquired by private investor group JAB Holding Companies.
Avon Products Blasts off on December 4, but NGR Energy Crashes and Burns
The stock price target of Avon Products was raised from $4.67 to $6 by Citigroup analysts, who also gave the stock a “Buy” rating.
Off We Go: Tech Sector Finds the Wild Blue Yonder on December 4
The Technology SPDR ETF (XLK) gained by 2.5% on Friday, December 4, 2015. The performances of the constituent stocks of the tech sector were upbeat.
Oil and Gas Pipeline Kinder Morgan Tailspins on December 4
The West Texas Intermediate fell by 2.7%, settling at $39.97 per barrel on December 4. The plunge in oil left the energy sector with a yield of -0.6%.
Financial Sector Catches a Rate Hike Tailwind on December 4
The financial sector gained big on December 4 as the prospects of a rate hike increased following the day’s jobs report.
Gung-Ho US Employment Scene Catapults SPY on December 4
On December 4, SPY SPXL surged by 1.95% and 5.79%, respectively. The day was very important because it saw the release of the crucial US employment report.
Avago Technologies Led SPY as Its Earnings Beat Estimates
Avago Technologies creates semiconductors, and is a key supplier to Apple and Samsung. Avago’s adjusted EPS for the quarter ended November 1 came in at $2.51.
Shire Led EWU as the Healthcare Sector Rallied on December 2
On December 2, stocks at the top of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index were Merlin Entertainment (MERL-LON), Shire (SHP-LON) (SHPG-LON), and GlaxoSmithKline.
Yahoo! Hogged the Limelight as it Made Its Way in SPY
On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, the stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) were Avon Products (AVP), Yahoo! (YHOO), and Qualcomm (QCOM).
Utility Was the Second Biggest Drag on SPY as NRG Energy Crashed
The six-month beta of the stocks of AES, PPL, Public Service Enterprise, and Entergy was less than one. Meanwhile, NRG Energy’s six-month beta was around one.
All the Component Sectors of SPY Ended in Red Territory
Here, let’s examine the percentage changes in the performance of component sectors of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) as of December 2, 2015.
Fed Chair’s Hawkish Tone on Rate-Hike Led SPY Lower
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) fell 1.02% and 3.2%, respectively, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015.
Why Have Joy Global and Cummins Sunk to the Bottom of SPY?
Joy Global and Cummins plunged -13.2% and -7.9%, respectively, on December 1. Bank of America analysts downgraded JOY from “neutral” to “underperform.”
Computer Sciences Spin-Off Put It at the Top of SPY
Stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on November 30 were Computer Sciences (CSC), NRG Energy (NRG), and Newmont Mining (NEM).
Which Stocks Are at the Top of SPY?
The stocks at the top of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on November 27 were Avon Products (AVP), Kroger (KR), and Endo International (ENDP).
Retailers Weighed Down the Consumer Discretionary Sector
Retailers including Urban Outfitters (URBN), Under Armour (UA), and Gap (GPS) fell by 2.7%, 2.6%, and 2.5%, respectively, on November 27, 2015.
SPY Rose Slightly, Witnessed the Energy Sector Sell-Off
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) rose by 0.11% and 0.36%, respectively, on Friday, November 27, 2015.
EWU Managed Slight Gains following the Rise in Oil Prices
EWU gained 0.06% on November 24, 2015, boosted by the rally in energy stocks that followed tension in the Middle East and concerns of terrorism threats.
Consumer Confidence Is at Its Weakest since September 2014
November’s consumer confidence level is the lowest since September 2014, indicating a lack of confidence in consumers’ perceptions of the job market.
Tyson Foods (TSN) Leads SPY on Quarterly Gains
On November 23, Tyson Foods (TSN) closed at $48.09, which is well above its 100-day, 50-day, and 20-day moving averages of $44, $44, and $45, respectively
