Indexes and ETFs
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,...

Traders Doubt Safety of Classic Safe Haven: Options Recap

Traders Doubt Safety of Classic Safe Haven: Options Recap

So much for utilities being a safe haven. The SPDR Utility Fund (XLU) has risen about 6 percent in the last month, making it the top-performing major sector. But yesterday, traders braced for a potential selloff: A block of 75,000 September 50 puts in XLU was bought...

Just How Bad Is the Mess Overseas?

Just How Bad Is the Mess Overseas?

Just how bad is the mess overseas? Pretty bad and likely getting worse. Global stocks are lagging domestic small caps by their worst ratio since late-2008. Just look at the TradeStation chart below comparing the iShares MSCI EFA fund (EFA) with the iShares Russell...

Oil bears double downside bet in key ETF: Options recap

Oil bears double downside bet in key ETF: Options recap

Disclosure: This post is intended for educational purposes only. Options trading may not be suitable for all investors. We just wrote about the drop in oil as the market braces for potential supply increases at next week's OPEC meeting. Almost simultaneously, a big...

Two sectors on breakout watch

Two sectors on breakout watch

This post is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered a trading recommendation. Two sector funds may be on breaking out as bullish sentiment returns to the stock market. The SPDR Materials ETF (XLB) and SPDR Healthcare ETF (XLV) spent the last...

Safe havens slammed as bulls charge: Midweek sector check

Safe havens slammed as bulls charge: Midweek sector check

The S&P 500 is showing signs of a breakout as investors pile into higher-risk stocks. Meanwhile, safe havens are getting slammed. Here's a breakdown of the best- and worst-performing industries over the last five sessions. Winners: Technology is leading the...

Don’s Notebook May 9, 2018

Don’s Notebook May 9, 2018

Don’s Notebook May 9, 2018 Producer prices open three straight days of inflation data. Today’s announcement, the Producer Price Index (PPI) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a family of indexes that measures the average change over time in the prices received...