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An Unexpected Positive in Housing

An Unexpected Positive in Housing

There was a rare green shoot in housing today. Mortgage applications for buying a home rose 7 percent last week (seasonally adjusted), according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. It was the biggest gain since an increase of 10 percent in mid-April. Another report...

Retail & Railroads: Options Recap

Retail & Railroads: Options Recap

Here's a breakdown of some big options spreads from Tuesday. Both reflected continued optimism about the economy. First, a put ratio spread in the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT): A block of 50,000 27-July 48 puts was bought for $0.36. Some 100,000 27-July 47 puts were...

Bulls pivot back to energy: Midweek sector check

Bulls pivot back to energy: Midweek sector check

The S&P 500 is bouncing at its 50-day moving average as the market drifts into the dog days of summer. Here's a breakdown of the best- and worst-performing industries so far this week. Winners: Energy is surging with life as crude oil (@CL) rallies to a new...

How a bull’s playing sneaker earnings: Options recap

How a bull’s playing sneaker earnings: Options recap

Last quarter iconic sneaker maker Nike (NKE) surprised to the upside. One big options trader seem to expect more good news  tomorrow night. Here's a breakdown of the complex, high-risk complex strategy that appeared yesterday afternoon: 4,100 6-July 73.50 calls were...

In search of millennial melt-ups: Fitbit

In search of millennial melt-ups: Fitbit

Earlier this week we highlighted GoPro (GPRO) as a "millennial melt-up" stock. Today's name is Fitbit (FIT). Before discussing FIT, here's what we're looking for: Stocks under $10 that younger investors can afford. Companies that younger investors would recognize. No...

Retail giving tech a run for its money

Retail giving tech a run for its money

After a violent rally in retail, can the consumer dethrone Tech? Five of the 10 best performing members of the S&P 500 this week are retailers or apparel names: Under Armour (UA) Kohl's (KSS) Macy's (M) Hanesbrands (HBI) Gap (GPS) ETFs tracking the space, like...

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...

Why furniture bulls may expect an earnings pop

Why furniture bulls may expect an earnings pop

Will a high-end furniture stock go higher? At least one big trader seems to think so. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, peddles four-figure sofas, rugs and cabinets. Yesterday someone bought 5,000 June 110 calls for $5.75 and sold an equal number of June 120...

Don’s Notebook May 29, 2018

Don’s Notebook May 29, 2018

In today’s Morning Market Briefing, presenter Fausto Pugliese of CyberTrading University cautioned about “forcing” trades today since he expected a slower market following the Memorial Day market holiday. “Do not be aggressive today” was his warning. The S&P Core...