S&P500 Index
Most Recent
Why Powell Didn’t Cut Interest Rates
The Fed left the federal funds rate unchanged at 1.5%–1.75% yesterday, as expected. Furthermore, the interest rate could remain the same in 2020.
Tech Stocks Drive the S&P 500 to Record Highs
This year, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) have risen 19.2% and 35.5%, respectively. What’s driven this rally?
Dow Jones and SPY Trade Lower, Retail Data Disappoints
All of the major indexes and ETFs are trading lower today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen by 44 points or 0.16% at the time of this writing.
Dow Jones, S&P 500 Move towards Record Highs
The Dow Jones Industrial Index (DJIA) and the S&P 500 gained momentum in the second half of the week ending on October 11, 2019.
AMZN Surge: Impact on Amazon Investor Relations?
Shares of tech giant Amazon (AMZN) are trading 1.3% higher today. Does the surge hint at a turnaround in sentiment and Amazon investor relations?
Is Amazon a ‘Buy’ ahead of Its Q3 Earnings Results?
Tech giant Amazon has been a solid wealth generator for investors. It’s risen 450% in the last five years and has returned 1,700% in the last decade.
Houthis, the EIA, and PMI: Could Crude Oil Fall to $40?
Today at 10:30 AM ET, the US Energy Information Administration released its weekly inventory data. Today at 12:44 PM ET, WTI crude oil futures lost 2.2%.
AAPL, MSFT, and CSCO Drag Dow Jones Lower
Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Cisco (CSCO) fell today, bringing the Dow Jones Industrial Average down. Here’s why investors are concerned.
Weekly Update: Trade Talk Uncertainty and Gold Prices
Last week (ended September 20), gold rose 1.1% and settled at $1,507.30 per ounce. Meanwhile, the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) rose 2%.
Goldman Sachs: Expect Volatile October, Rising Gold
Yesterday, Goldman Sachs’ strategist warned of high volatility in October. Based on Goldman Sachs’ data, since 1928 volatility in October is 25% higher.
Blackstone Strategist: Brace for Bear Market!
Blackstone’s strategist Joseph Zidle warned investors of trouble in the equity market. He said the Fed could disappoint Wall Street.
Will Tech Stocks Turn Bearish after Their Q3 Earnings?
While tech stocks fell sharply in late 2018, they surged again in 2019. How could the market react if tech stocks post lower-than-expected earnings?
How the Fed and Saudi Arabia Could Affect Gold Prices
Yesterday, gold prices rose around 1%, or $15.90, following drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil facilities on September 14.
Where Oil Could Head after Attacks on Saudi Arabia
On September 14, drones attacked Saudi Arabia Aramco’s oil-infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s oil production has fallen by 50%.
John Bolton Exits, Will Oil Fall to $20?
With John Bolton’s removal, the US and Iran might resume diplomatic talks. US-Iran talks might increase the bearish sentiments for oil.
Jim Cramer on Trump’s Stimulus, Recession, and AMZN
President Trump’s claims of a strong economy are based on the unemployment rate. The August US unemployment rate was 3.7%, just up from a 49-year low.
Bill Ackman: Top Bets amid Recession Fears
Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, is well known in the hedge fund industry for his various investment strategies.
Trump: ‘Think What Happens to China When I Win’
Until now, the US economy under Trump’s presidency has performed well. However, the trade war has led to a slowdown outside the US.
Morgan Stanley: Don’t Expect a Rebound in the Market
On August 27, in an interview with CNBC, Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson reiterated his earlier target of $2,750 for the S&P 500 Index (SPY) in 2019.
Could Trump Push Gold Prices to $2,000?
Gold closed at $1,541 per ounce yesterday. Despite Trump’s reassurances that trade talks are progressing, bond markets seem to be preparing for a recession.
Trump Thinks He Should Have Imposed Higher Tariffs
When asked yesterday whether he had second thoughts on the trade war with China, Donald Trump replied, “Yeah! sure. Why not?”
Can Investors Expect a ‘Black Monday’ Tomorrow?
Tech and semiconductor stocks have significant exposure to China during this trade war. Investors should expect these stocks to trade lower on Monday.
Asian Debt Crisis: Should Investors Be Concerned?
In a report released this month, Mckinsey discussed the Asian debt crisis. The Asian financial system has been exposed to a higher risk.
Why Shiller Says the Fed Made a Mistake
On August 20 in an interview with CNBC, economist Robert Shiller said the Fed’s rate cut had created fear in the markets.
Why Dalio Thinks There’s a 40% Chance of Recession
Ray Dalio forecasts a 40% chance of recession before the 2020 presidential election. He said the economy could head for its worst in two to three years.
How Hong Kong, Argentina News Could Affect the US
Recent developments in Hong Kong and Argentina could be important for US equity markets. Argentina’s turmoil could boost the S&P 500’s valuation.
Morgan Stanley: The Fed May Be Left with One Option
Morgan Stanley expects the Fed will gradually move back to the zero interest rate policy it had between 2009 and late 2015.
Ray Dalio’s Trade War: ‘Not Investing in China Is Risky’
In a video yesterday, Ray Dalio said investors should bet both on the US and China in this trade war, pointing to enormous growth in China’s market.
What to Expect from eBay’s Q2 Earnings Results
eBay (EBAY) is set to announce its second-quarter earnings results on Wednesday. Analysts expect it to post revenue of $2.67 billion in the quarter.
What’s Expected for ServiceNow Stock in Q2 2019
Earnings season is here, and analysts and investors are waiting with bated breath to see if companies meet Wall Street estimates. FactSet data suggests most companies’ earnings will decline, particularly in the technology sector. However, several companies, especially in the mid-cap category, are seeing robust revenue and earnings growth. Enterprise software provider ServiceNow (NOW) is one […]
Dropbox Is Up Over 20.0% in 2019: How the Market Compares
Shares of leading cloud storage company Dropbox have gained close to 13.0% since April 2019. Dropbox shares have now gained 20.5% since the start of 2019.
HP Stock Has Underperformed the Broader Indexes This Year
Shares of leading hardware technology company HP (HPQ) have gained close to 11.2% since the start of June. Despite its recent gains, HP has risen just 1.5% since the start of 2019.
Has Oil Helped the S&P 500?
In the last week, the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has risen 0.7%, the third least among SPDR ETFs.
What’s Limited Your Energy ETF Losses This Week?
US crude oil active futures have fallen 0.6% in the last week, possibly dragging down or limiting XOP, XLE, OIH, and AMLP, which have returned -1.4%, 0.7%, 1.3%, and 0.7%, respectively.
Intuit Stock Has Outperformed Broader Markets This Year
Intuit (INTU), a financial technology solutions company, has risen over 27.0% in 2019.
Is the Strengthening Dollar Affecting US Earnings Again?
The tech sector’s earnings season has been better than what was expected earlier this year, when expectations were dulled by the quickly deteriorating global economy.
Will Oil’s Weakness Continue into June?
Oil’s fundamentals, broader market dragged on prices On May 28, US crude oil prices rose 0.9% and settled at $59.14 per barrel, ~10.8% below the highest closing level for active US crude oil futures since October 31, 2018. In the trailing week, US crude oil active futures fell 6.3%. Last week, the rise in inventories […]
Palo Alto Networks Stock Slumped 5.4% Yesterday
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) fell 5.4% on May 23 to close trading at $215.79.
US-China Trade Tensions: Is There an End in Sight?
While investors were looking forward to an end to the ongoing trade war between the US and China in this month’s negotiations, things took an uglier turn.
How Broader Markets Affected Oil Last Week
Last week, US crude oil June futures fell 0.5% and closed at $61.66 per barrel on May 10.
Chinese Tech Stocks Getting Crushed Out of the Gate on Monday
Are we back to having a trade war?? Trump’s tweet indicates we may be.
Has the Broader Market Helped Oil Keep Its Pace?
In the trailing week, XLE rose 1.4%. XLE was the largest gainer among the SPDR ETFs that break the broad market into subsectors.
Markets Crash in 1Q – April Fool’s
Decent earnings combined with low expectations are fueling rally after rally – not to mention the ever elusive promise of a China deal.
Analyzing Oil’s Rise in Q1
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) has risen 4.8% and has underperformed the SPDR ETFs in the first quarter.
Trafigura: Oil Prices Will Rise to $70 in 2020
On March 25, US crude oil prices fell 0.4% and settled at $58.82 per barrel. Concerns about global economic growth might have dragged oil prices.
Where US Crude Oil Could Head by the End of March
On March 21, US crude oil’s implied volatility was 24.9%, which was 6.7% below its 15-day average. Usually, lower implied volatility supports oil prices.
Why the NASDAQ Reached a Five-Month High on March 20
The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index (QQQ) is on track to post its 12th weekly gain in 13 weeks.
Is Oil’s Rise Purely Based on Supply Deficits?
DIA, SPY, and IVOO rose 1%, 1.7%, and 0.9%, respectively, in the trailing week. US crude oil May futures rose 1.8% during this period.
How Will the Fixed Income Market Fare in 2019?
The US fixed income market saw a strong close to 2018.
Welcome (Back) To the Stock Market Clown Show
With the major indices pushing higher and higher, we need to again look at whether any new money should be put to work here.
NASDAQ Continues to Slide, Bull Markets Approach 10th Anniversary
Tech stocks and broader markets have been on a roll this year despite risks. However, the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index (QQQ), as well as the broader S&P 500 Index (SPY), fell for the third consecutive session.
Warren Buffett Says He Hasn’t Beaten S&P 500 in Recent Years
Legendary investor Warren Buffett said in an interview with CNBC that he finds it difficult to beat the S&P 500 (SPY).
The NASDAQ Just Crossed a Key Level
Markets rallied on February 22 following more signs of a trade deal between the two biggest economies, the United States and China, and the Fed’s dovish tone at a meeting.
Sell or Short Deckers, Cintas, and Garmin NOW
Don’t sell all of your stocks and head for the hills, but do add some shorts to the group or at least sell these silly stocks that lifted all boats.
Will Oil Overcome President Trump’s Dislike?
On February 25, US crude oil prices fell 3.1% from the highest closing level for active US crude oil futures since November 12.
Will the 2019 Market Rally Continue?
Is the rally in January a sign of things to come in 2019, or will we face another significant sell-off like in 2018?
Oil Fell on Trump’s Tweet this Morning
This morning at around 9:12 AM ET, US crude oil futures were down almost $1.20 from last week’s closing level.
Where US Crude Oil Could Be until March 1
On February 21, US crude oil’s implied volatility was 27.6%, which was ~10% below its 15-day average.
Wall Street: Oil Bulls’ New Friend
On February 14–21, XLE rose 0.8%—the third-lowest rise among the SPDR ETFs that break the broad market into subsectors.
The Volatility Index Suggests the Markets Are Complacent Again
Tech stocks edged higher yet again on February 20, extending the gains in the NASDAQ as the markets closely examined the Fed’s tone.
What Did 2018 Bring for Moat Stocks?
Moat companies (MOAT) (FB) (INTC) or moat stocks are companies that have an advantage over their competitors in the industry.
Chesapeake Energy: ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’ after Its Q4 Earnings?
On February 27, Chesapeake Energy might report an adjusted net income of $0.18 per diluted share based on analysts’ consensus estimates.
Where US Crude Oil Could Be Next Week
On February 7, US crude oil’s implied volatility was 31.4%, which was ~10% below its 15-day average.
Have US Equity Indexes Made Oil’s Fall Sharper?
The Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 2%. XLK was the outperformer among sector-based SPDR ETFs.
Will US Crude Oil Maintain the $54 Level on February 5?
On February 4, US crude oil prices fell 1.3% and settled at $54.56 per barrel. US crude oil active futures made an intraday high of $55.75.
Analysts Might Have Helped Oil’s Rise
On January 24–31, XLE rose 2.6%—the sixth-largest rise among the SPDR ETFs that break the broad market into subsectors.
ConocoPhillips Stock Rises following Its Q4 Earnings Results
On January 31, ConocoPhillips (COP) reported adjusted EPS of $1.13 for the fourth quarter, a fall of 17% on a sequential basis.
Natural Gas Is Heading for More than a Four-Month Low
On January 30, at 6:05 AM EST, natural gas March futures fell 1.7% from the last closing level.
HES Stayed Above Its 50-Day Average ahead of Its Earnings Release
On January 28, Hess Corporation (HES) stock closed 2.5% above its 50-day moving average.
Oil Might Feel Pressure from US-China Trade Talks on January 28
Between January 18 and January 25, US crude oil March futures fell 0.6% and closed at $53.69 despite a fall in the US dollar.
Natural Gas Prices: What Could Happen on January 24?
On January 24, at 5:39 AM EST, natural gas prices have risen 1.7% from the last closing level.
US Oil Production Growth Might Slow Faster than Expected
The oil rig count could keep rising until at least March. By the second quarter, US crude oil production growth might slow down.
The Top Five Losses in the Energy Space Last Week
Between January 11 and January 18, upstream stock Laredo Petroleum (LPI) fell the most among our set of selected energy stocks.
Why Natural Gas Has Fallen 10% on January 22
On January 22, natural gas February futures fell to an intraday low of $3.13 per MMBtu, which is ~10% below the last closing level.
ConocoPhillips’ Earnings Might Fall ~28% in Q4 2018
ConocoPhillips’ (COP) adjusted EPS might fall ~28% in the fourth quarter on a sequential basis based on analysts’ consensus estimate.
What Does the IEA Think about the Oil Market?
On January 17, US crude oil March futures fell 0.5% and settled at $52.36 per barrel. In the trailing week, US crude oil prices fell 1%.
EIA Inventory Data Might Concern Oil Bulls
In the week ending January 4, US crude oil inventories were 8% higher than their five-year average—the same as the previous week.
Oil Traders: Goldman Sachs Expects a Slowdown
On January 14, US crude oil February futures fell 2.1% and settled at $50.51 per barrel. The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) fell 0.2%.
Upstream Sector Rose Last Week
On January 4–11, the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) rose 6.2%—the second-largest gainer among major energy ETFs.
Where US Crude Oil Might Head Next Week
On January 10, US crude oil’s implied volatility was 40%, which was ~25% below its 15-day average.
Broader Market Might Have Pushed Oil Higher
On January 3–10, XLE rose 7.7%—the third-largest gainer among the SPDR ETFs that break the broad market into subsectors.
Investing Defensively Can Lose You a Fortune
I bet you may have heard a lot about investing defensively while the market faded.
Will Natural Gas Stay above $3?
On January 8, natural gas February futures rose 0.8% and settled at $2.96 per million British thermal units.
Falling Inventories Didn’t Help Oil’s Rise
Since the latest EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) data were released on January 4, US crude oil February futures have risen 1.2%.
Oil: Famous Recession Indicator Might Be a Concern
On January 2, US crude oil active futures settled at $46.54 per barrel—2.5% higher than the last closing level due to short covering.
2018 Was the Worst Year for Stocks since the Financial Crisis
2018, especially the second half, was a rough year for stocks. In fact, it was the worst year for stocks in a decade.
A Large Fall in EIA Data Might Help Oil Prices to Rise
In the week ending on December 21, US crude oil inventories were 7% higher than their five-year average—unchanged from the previous week.
Oil: 2018 Might Be the Worst Year since 2016
So far in 2018, US crude oil prices have fallen 25%. Crude oil prices are in the red on a year-to-date basis for the first time since 2016.
Will the Rebound in Oil Prices Be Short-Lived?
On December 26, US crude oil active futures settled at $46.22 per barrel—8.7% higher than the lowest closing level since June 21, 2017.
Oil’s Disaster: What Can Investors Expect?
On December 20, US crude oil February futures fell 4.8% and settled at $45.88 per barrel—the smallest closing level since July 21, 2017.
Analyzing the Energy Sector Last Week
On December 7–14, US equity indexes ended in the red. Last week, IVOO, SPY, and DIA fell 2.7%, 1.3%, and 1.2%, respectively.
China’s Economic Data Might Drag Oil Prices
On December 14, China reported the November industrial output growth at 5.4% on a year-over-year basis—the lowest growth since early 2016.
Will Trade Based on Buying Natural Gas and Selling Oil Unwind?
On December 11, natural gas January futures fell 3% and settled at $4.41 per million British thermal units.
Are the Cuts by OPEC and Non-OPEC Countries Failing to Boost Oil?
On December 10, US crude oil January futures fell 3.1% and settled at $51 per barrel.
OPEC’s Cut: How Long Oil’s U-Turn Might Continue
On December 6, US crude oil January futures fell 2.6% and settled at $51.49 per barrel. OPEC is waiting for Russia’s nod.
Which Oil-Weighted Stocks Might Be Most Affected by OPEC Meeting?
On December 5, US crude oil January futures fell 0.7% and closed at $52.89 per barrel.
Russia’s Production Cut Decision Could Make or Break Oil Prices
OPEC members have provisionally decided to implement production cuts but are waiting for Russia to agree to a cut.
What Caused the Upside in Natural Gas Prices?
On December 4, natural gas January futures rose 2.7% and settled at $4.457 per million British thermal units.
Why Devon Energy Fell in November
In November, Devon Energy (DVN) fell 16.6%—the biggest decline on our list of upstream stocks.
Moat Stocks Continue to Outperform Broader Markets
The Morningstar US Wide Moat Focus Index continued to perform better than the US market in November.