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The Basics of Options
by David Russell | May 12, 2024
Options are an important tool for many retail investors. They can either replace trading shares, or make it easier to position oneself in stocks. Let’s consider the first things options traders need to know. An Option’s Price Is Usually Called ‘Premium’ ...
AI Boom Fades as Fundamentals Weaken: Earnings Recap
by David Russell | Apr 30, 2024
Most of the big earnings reports have now occurred, and so far they've done little to boost the market. Companies like Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Netflix (NFLX), Caterpillar (CAT) and Intel (INTC) reported profits above Wall Street estimates. However...
Nasdaq Surges as Traders Buy the Dip Before Fed Meeting
by David Russell | Apr 29, 2024
Stocks are rebounding as key earnings beat estimates and investors get comfortable with fewer rate cuts. The S&P 500 rose 2.7 percent between Friday, April 19, and Friday, April 26. The Nasdaq-100 jumped 4 percent. Those were the biggest weekly gains for both...
Energy Stocks Pull Back But Are Still Leading This Year
by David Russell | Apr 17, 2024
Energy stocks have led the market this year, and now they've pulled back. The S&P Select Energy SPDR fund (XLE) jumped to $98.97 last Friday -- the highest level in almost a decade. It pulled back this week and touched $93.73 before bouncing. That was just $0.04...
Options Alert: Traders Position for Potential Drop in Uranium Miner
by David Russell | Apr 16, 2024
Uranium miner Cameco has been stuck at an old high, and one big options trader is bracing for a potential drop as earnings approach. This large transaction was detected yesterday in CCJ, unfolding in several blocks over the course of the afternoon: Some 30,000 May 45...
Stocks Pull Back Before Inflation Data and Earnings Season
by David Russell | Apr 8, 2024
Stocks began the second quarter with a pullback as investors worried about higher interest rates and geopolitical risk. The S&P 500 fell almost 1 percent between Thursday, March 28, and Friday, April 5. (Markets were closed on March 29.) It was the biggest weekly...
Chart of the Day: Are Regional Banks Turning Higher?
by David Russell | Apr 4, 2024
Regional banks had a big surge in late 2023. Now, after a period of consolidation, some traders may expect further gains. The first pattern on today’s chart of the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF is the falling trendline along the highs of January and early March....
Top Stocks for Options Trading
Technology & Communication
AI Boom Fades as Fundamentals Weaken: Earnings Recap
by David Russell | Apr 30, 2024
Most of the big earnings reports have now occurred, and so far they've done little to boost the market. Companies like Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Netflix (NFLX), Caterpillar (CAT) and Intel (INTC) reported profits above Wall Street estimates. However...
Chart of the Day: Palantir Stabilizes Above Old Highs
by David Russell | Mar 26, 2024
Palantir Technologies has advanced as investors embrace AI and non-government customers embrace its products. Is its current pullback offering an opportunity? The first pattern on today’s chart is the pair of rallies after the last two quarterly reports. Those may...
Chart of the Day: Nvidia and the Midcap Breakout
by David Russell | Mar 11, 2024
Megacap growth stocks like Nvidia have outperformed for years. But traders looking for the trend to change may see more evidence of a shift. Today’s idea considers three charts. The first shows how NVDA rallied 93 percent this year above its previous record high. It...
Troubled Trio? Why These Megacaps Are Faltering in 2024
by David Russell | Mar 5, 2024
The stock market is off to a roaring start in 2024, but three former leaders might be left behind. Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOGL) have dropped in recent weeks as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 rallied to new highs. They're now below chart levels that...
Chart of the Day: Can Intel Keep Running?
by David Russell | Jan 18, 2024
Intel has been rallying on hopes of a turnaround, and some chart watchers may see potential for more upside. The first pattern on today’s chart is the series of lower highs since December 27. The chipmaker has tested the falling trendline over the last week. Could a...