Global
Tracking the Bears in China

Tracking the Bears in China

Global economic and financial issues are back in the forefront. Turkey's been the main story in the last week, but today China has some important headlines. Simply put, they're all negative. The country's economic reports for July had a triple-miss overnight:...

Turkish Turmoil Fuels the Volatility Machine

Turkish Turmoil Fuels the Volatility Machine

Bulls made money, bears made money. Turkey got slaughtered. That's pretty much what happened last week. The S&P 500 began with a steady climb on Monday and continued higher into Tuesday. That's when the bulls made money. On Wednesday and Thursday, the index...

As Expected, Volatility Hits Global Markets

As Expected, Volatility Hits Global Markets

Just two days ago, Market Insights said that "traders hankering for volatility may want to keep an eye on currencies and crude oil." Both of those events are now playing out. Oil came first, tumbling to a three-week low hours after the post. This morning,...

Oil and Currencies in Play as China Stumbles

Oil and Currencies in Play as China Stumbles

Oil, China and currencies: They’re all in play today as a slew of global events sweep markets. Market Insights recently detailed how President Trump’s trade policies weakened business confidence overseas. Last week we cautioned the slowdown — especially in China —...

How to Manage Risk in a Teetering Giant: Options Recap

How to Manage Risk in a Teetering Giant: Options Recap

Disclosure: This post is intended for educational purposes only. Options may not be suitable for all investors. What happens if you want to own a stock but are worried about short-term volatility? Use options -- that seemed to be the answer from a big investor...

Don’t Forget about Iranian Sanctions Early Monday

Don’t Forget about Iranian Sanctions Early Monday

President Trump's trade spat with China has gained a lot of attention this week, but don't forget U.S. sanctions on Iran take effect on Monday, August 6. The measures will obviously have an impact on energy. The only trouble is no one really seems to know what it will...

Can China Spend Its Way out of Trade War?

Can China Spend Its Way out of Trade War?

In case you didn't notice, China gave emerging markets and commodities a shot in the arm yesterday by announcing a series of stimulus measures. What's going on? Why's the world's second-largest economy turning to Keynesianism at a time when the U.S. is enjoying some...

Housing and Brazilian Fintech: Options Recap

Housing and Brazilian Fintech: Options Recap

What does a Texas home builder have in common with a South American tech stock? Both saw gushes of bullish options activity on Thursday. First, DR Horton (DHI). The housing company headquartered between Dallas and Fort Worth reports earnings on July 26. Options...

Headlines Keep Pressuring Oil Higher

Headlines Keep Pressuring Oil Higher

News events keep pushing oil higher. Last month, Iranian sanctions were the story. Now traders are focusing on a disruption in Norway as oil workers go on strike. Libyan supplies are also being kept off the market as civil war halves the country's crude production....

So Much for a Trade War Killing Stocks

So Much for a Trade War Killing Stocks

The economy is strong, earnings are near and a trade war might be priced in. That kept stocks rising last week. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5 percent in the holiday-abbreviated week between June 29 and July 4. More than four-fifths of of the companies in the benchmark...