Market Insights
Bringing you the trading news around the world.
The Basics of Options
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’ ...
Is Inflation Making a Comeback as the Fed Looks to Cut Interest Rates?
The stock market has been optimistic about inflation since late 2023, but price pressures may be returning as the Federal Reserve considers interest-rate cuts. The price of energy, shelter and materials have quietly risen in the last month. The increases follow months...
Stocks Hesitate as Inflation Returns Before the Fed
Stocks could be hesitating before a key Federal Reserve announcement on Wednesday. The S&P 500 slid 0.1 percent between Friday, March 8, and Friday, March 15. The index has lost value for two consecutive weeks, which hadn't happened since the current rally began...
Chart of the Day: Nvidia and the Midcap Breakout
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...
Chart of the Day: Royal Caribbean May Be Attempting a Breakout
Royal Caribbean Cruises has spent more than two months consolidating, but it may be getting ready to move again. The first pattern on today’s chart is the trendline along the closes of December 28 and January 31. RCL ended yesterday above it, which could make some...
Troubled Trio? Why These Megacaps Are Faltering in 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...
New Highs Continue in the Stock Market as AI Boom Widens
Stocks keep rallying as investors look for the AI boom to drive earnings and the broader economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.9 percent between Friday, February 23, and Friday, March 1. The index closed above 5,100 for the first time. Technology led the advance. "We have...
Technology & Communication
Chip Selloff Hammers Growth Stocks. Is the AI Boom Over?
Chip stocks like Nvidia led the market to new highs last earnings season. The opposite could be happening this time. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 9.2 percent between Friday, April 12, and Friday, April 19. It was the index's biggest weekly drop in almost...
Chart of the Day: CrowdStrike Pulls Back
CrowdStrike has been making new 52-week highs as the broader market languishes. Now after a quick pullback, some traders may look for the cybersecurity stock to continue higher. The first pattern on today’s chart is the bullish gap on August 31 after results and...
Options Alert: Calls Surge After Chinese Travel Stock Reverses Off Lows
Chinese stocks have struggled lately as tension grows between Washington and Beijing. However, at least one trader seems bullish on travel stock Trip.com. Heavy volume was detected in the November 38 calls, with more than 24,000 contracts changing hands for $0.15....
Options Alert: Call Spread Targets New Highs in AMD
Advanced Micro Devices has climbed in the last two weeks, and options traders are looking for more gains through mid-November. Heavy volume was detected yesterday in two calls expiring next month. The trades occurred in dozens of blocks between about 1pm and 3pm ET....
Chart of the Day: Are Chips Losing Their Edge to Software Stocks?
Semiconductor stocks have surged this year, thanks in large part to Nvidia. But they could be losing relative strength to software makers within the technology sector. Today’s main chart focuses on the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), which closely tracks the...