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
UK Stock Market Falls: EWU Slides by 0.4%
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) slid by 0.4% on October 12, 2015. The major pullback sectors were the energy and mining sectors on the day.
Interest Rate Woes Continue to Haunt the US Stock Market
Now that the Fed’s meeting is over, the timing of the rate hike has made investors anxious. The delay in the rate hike is a sign of the health of the domestic economy.
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).
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.
Travis Perkins Rebounded, Led EWU by 5.09%
Travis Perkins was at the top of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF on October 23, 2015, as analysts showed positivity toward the construction industry.
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.
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.
UK Stock Market Is Optimistic: Service Sector Slows Down
The rally in the US market boosted stock markets across the globe. The United Kingdom’s stock market stayed afloat on Monday, October 5.
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.
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.
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.
China’s Impact on EWU and the UK Market
China went through many important events recently—like the equity bubble burst, the cut in interest rates, the stock sell-off, and currency devaluation through the first half of 2015.
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.
Commodity Prices Soared Due to the Strong Stock Markets
The stock markets continued their rally on October 5. The markets rebounded when the rate hike uncertainty settled down and boosted the commodity prices.
UK Stock Market Stymies Awaiting a US Rate Hike in September
September 4 saw rises in none of the 109 constituent stocks of the EWU. The Fed’s rate-hike indecision impacted UK investors.
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).
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.
UK Services PMI, Draghi’s Reassurance Lifted EWU by 0.06%
Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, reaffirmed the ECB’s plan to provide a fresh monetary stimulus in December to boost inflation in the region if needed.
EWU Fell 0.23% and the UK’s Consumer Confidence Fell
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) fell by 0.23% on October 30. The United Kingdom’s consumer confidence index was released for October.
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).
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.
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.
Why Is the United Kingdom’s Stock Market Buoyant?
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) rose 1.1% on Thursday, October 8. On Thursday, 82 stocks rose out of EWU’s 109 constituent stocks.
Rolls-Royce Holdings and G4S Caused EWU to Fall 0.78%
Stocks of Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR) (RYCEY) fell on November 13, as the company had issued profit warnings and hinted about the possibility of a dividend cut.
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.
Uptrend Continues in Mining Stocks
The uptrend in mining stocks continued on October 2, 2015, as 85 of 109 stocks in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF returned positive gains on the day.
Chinese Economic Report Pressures the UK Market on September 14
September 14 was a gloomy day for the UK stock market as well, as the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) fell by 1.12%.
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.
Amec Foster Wheeler’s Steep Fall Pushed Down Energy Sector, EWU
Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) declared it will halve its dividends due to the fall in oil prices. Its trailing 5-day and trailing one-month returns were -20.1% and -28.3%, respectively, as of November 5.
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%.
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.
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.
Basic Material Stocks Top UK Stock Market, EWU Surges 2.31%
The UK private sector pay rose 4.4%, while the public sector rose 0.6%. This is anticipated to boost the consumer demand in the country.
China’s Contracting Manufacturing Activity Pressures UK Stocks
With the economic slowdown, a reduction in imports—especially oil—by China has become inevitable, affecting many of its trading partner countries. Consequently, trades of these countries with the UK may be affected.
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.
Randgold and Fresnillo Rebound Due to the Rise in Gold
Precious metals rose on September 24. The rise benefited Randgold Resources (RRS) and Fresnillo (FRES). They were among EWU’s top three performers.
Oil Prices Drive Energy Stocks Higher, EWU at 1% Gain
The UK stock markets were bright on Wednesday, October 28, ahead of the FOMC’s statement. Of the 109 stocks of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU), 90 ended up in positive territory.
SPY Falls 2.51% on Global Uncertainty
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) fell by 2.51% on Monday, September 28, 2015, while the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) fell by 4.95%.
Fiat Chrysler’s Tentative Agreement Added to EWU’s Rise
Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) rose by 4.6% on October 8 after the company confirmed its tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers Union.
UK Market Positive, EWU Rises by 0.06%
The UK market experienced a stock rally on Thursday, September 3, over a comment of the ECB Chief Mario Draghi regarding the ECB’s plan to fully implement its asset-buying program.
Glencore Rises and Chinese Consumer Sentiment Reaches a Year High
Chinese consumer sentiment rose to its highest in over a year in September 2015. The reading increased by 1.5% to 118.2 in September from August.
Pearson’s Woes Bring down the EWU ETF on October 21
Stocks at the bottom of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) on October 21 included Pearson (PSO), Weir Group (WEIR), and Anglo American (AAL).
UK Stock Market Continues its Downward Momentum as EWU Lost 1.75%
On September 18, the UK stock market experienced a fall in consumer staples. The financial sector also fell steeply.
Aberdeen Asset Management Leads While UK Stock Market Slides
Aberdeen Asset Management, the fund management group, was among the few finance stocks to make it to the positive territory of returns on October 26.
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.
Tullow Oil Leads EWU by 1.30%, EWU Down by 0.52%
Although oil prices rose across the US and the UK markets, along with the US oil inventory’s fall—which greatly benefited the energy sector—EWU dipped on August 31.
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).
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.
Intercontinental Hotels Group Rose by 6.9%
On October 20, Intercontinental Hotels Group traded at 2,471 pounds. It was well above its respective 20-day and 50-day moving averages.
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%.
EWU Goes Bullish over Mining, Commodity Stocks on October 7
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) rose 1.7% on October 7. Key stocks of the mining sector that rose that day were Anglo American, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto, Glencore, BHP Billiton, and Fresnillo.
Fall in UK Inflation Could Boost Consumer Spending
The fall in the United Kingdom’s inflation back to zero could boost consumer spending, especially in the consumer discretionary sector.
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).
Anticipation of Quantitative Easing Extension May Lift German Bonds
Arm Holdings (ARMH) was the top gainer of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) on September 25 with returns of 5.99%.
US Market Buoyant with Rise in Consumer Confidence
US consumer confidence rose unexpectedly for the month of September. The index rose to 103 in September from 101.3 in August.
EWU Rises as Bank of England Holds Firm on Interest Rates
The Bank of England’s MPC voted to hold interest rates at 0.5%, which strengthened the pound sterling against the euro and dollar. The EWU rose by 0.89%.
EWU Was Down by 0.23% with a Mixed Bag of Stock Performances
The iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) slipped by 0.23% on Friday, October 16.
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 Prices Make Up for Earnings Misses: Tullow Oil Rises 17.6%
Tullow Oil (TLW) traded at 235.5 pounds above its 50-day and 20-day moving averages. Its stock volume trade surged from 4 million stocks on November 2 to more than 12 million on November 3.
SABMiller Rises 1.30% on Proposed Takeover Bid by Anheuser-Busch
SABMiller (SAB) gained 1.30% and topped the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) on September 28.
Upbeat Earnings from Johnson & Johnson and 3M Boosted SPY
3M stock (MMM) jumped 5.2% after the company’s quarterly report beat analysts’ estimates.
Stock Upgrade Pushed First Solar to the Top of SPY
First Solar has earned 11 “buy” recommendations, eight “hold” recommendations, and one “sell” recommendation.
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.
Buoyant UK Stock Market Rose on Oil Price Rise
Russia’s meeting with Saudi Arabia regarding oil prices and its willingness to exchange views on the production and pricing strategy had a significant impact on oil prices this week.
Utilities and the IT Sector Shine on August 17
On August 17 the industrial sector, healthcare sector, IT (information technology) sector, and consumer discretionary sector showed positive returns.
Avon Leads SPY, Gains 7.72% on August 28
The stocks at the bottom of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) on August 28 were GameStop, Autodesk, and Mylan NV. These companies yielded -8.03%, -4.96%, and -2.18%, respectively.
Glencore Led the UK Stock Market on October 9
Stocks at the top of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom (EWU) on Friday, October 9, were Petrofac (PFC), Glencore (GLEN), and Anglo American (AAN).
Financial Services Take EWU Down
On August 20, the bottom four stocks of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) were ICAP (IAP), Prudential Financial (PRU), Hargreaves Lansdown (HRGLF), and Carnival (CUK).
UK Stock Market Perturbed by Global Concerns
The UK stock market is being affected by global concerns about sustainability, financial recovery, global consumption, commodities, and basic materials.
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.
SPY Closed with a 0.06% Gain after a Strong Week
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL) rose by 0.06% and 0.33%, respectively, on October 9.
How Has the Russian Stock Market Changed?
The Russian stock market is upbeat, which adds to the ruble’s strength.
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.
EWU Posted 0.41% Gain, Rising Core Inflation Improved the Outlook
Out of the 109 constituent stocks of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU), 99 stocks advanced on November 17.
UK Stock Market Upbeat as EWU Closes with a Gain of 2.31%
The UK stock market cheered owing to positive rallies across the Asian and US stock markets. The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) rose by 2.31%.
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.
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%.
Sharp Fall in Crude Oil Pulled UK Inflation Down to 0
The ONS stated on Tuesday, September 15, that the annual inflation rate fell back to zero in August. The lower fuel prices are one of the reasons behind it.
Utilities Shine on August 12: Are They a Good Investment?
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is one of the most popular and active ETFs in the US. It tracks the S&P 500 Index. SPY returned 0.12% on August 12, 2015.
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.
Component Sectors of SPY Continued Their Upward Trend
The past week saw one of the worst market performances in the US since the 2008 recession.
Nordstrom and Fossil Group Pulled Down SPY for a 1.1% Loss
Stocks at the bottom of SPY on November 13, 2015, were Fossil Group (FOSL), GameStop (GME), and Nordstrom (JWN). These stocks yielded -36.5%, -16.5%, and -15.0%, respectively, that day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
