Events
Know Your Options: What Earnings Mean for Volatility

Know Your Options: What Earnings Mean for Volatility

One of the most predictable trends in the market is that implied volatility rises before big events. But do you know what this means and how to trade it? Here are the basics. Options price in the likelihood of a stock moving, either higher or lower. They get more...

Big Tech to the Rescue! Earnings this Week

Big Tech to the Rescue! Earnings this Week

The bears may have to wait before they get their pullback. That's how earnings season has shaped up so far. Big technology companies like Facebook (FB) and Microsoft (MSFT) surged higher after beating estimates. Several major industrials and notable consumer stocks...

Why the U.S. Dollar Is Pushing to its Highest Level in Two Years

Why the U.S. Dollar Is Pushing to its Highest Level in Two Years

The greenback surged yesterday as America's growth prospects kept outshining the rest of the world. Futures on the U.S. dollar index (@DX) ended Wednesday's session at 97.86, their highest close in more than two years. Two broad forces seem to be at work. One's a push...

Some of 2018’s IPOs Have Pulled Back As Uber Deal Approaches

Some of 2018’s IPOs Have Pulled Back As Uber Deal Approaches

Initial public offerings (IPO) are taking a pause before Uber's (UBER) huge deal next month. That makes it good time to review some of last year's deals. Several companies that went public in early 2018 or late 2017 have pulled back after pushing to new highs in...

Earnings Flashback: Highlights From the Fourth Quarter

Earnings Flashback: Highlights From the Fourth Quarter

First-quarter earnings season gets moving in a big way this week, with over 50 members of the S&P 500 slated to report. Analysts are negative in terms of growth, estimating that profits will shrink more than 4 percent. If that plays out as forecast, it would be...

Pinterest IPO Is Coming to the Market For Less Than Expected

Pinterest IPO Is Coming to the Market For Less Than Expected

The flood of initial public offerings (IPOs) continues, with attention now turning to a popular social-media service. Pinterest (PINS) announced yesterday it would issue 75 million shares for $15-17 each. Based on its 529 million share count, that translates into an...

Podcast: Is it Time for Stocks to Take a Breather?

Podcast: Is it Time for Stocks to Take a Breather?

Stocks have risen in 12 of the last 15 weeks. But now, will investors start to worry about an expected drop in earnings when companies announce results? This year's strongest industries -- semiconductors and solar energy -- are also reviewed.

What the Surge in Rails May Be Saying About the Economy

What the Surge in Rails May Be Saying About the Economy

Economists have worried about the economy slowing, but railroads are telling a different story. The Dow Jones US Railroads Index ($DJUSRR) rose more than 2 percent today to a new all-time high. They've helped the broader transportation index ($DJT) and industrial...

Lyft IPO to Price Higher than Expected Due to Strong Demand

Lyft IPO to Price Higher than Expected Due to Strong Demand

It will cost investors a little more than they thought to ride Lyft's (LYFT) initial public offering on Friday. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that the ride-sharing company has met with such strong demand for its IPO that the shares will likely price above...