Market News

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Monday’s market was about more record index highs, as the S&P 500 hit another new record and the Dow Jones Industrial Average crested 43000 as the index marched up 200 points. Technology stocks were the buzz of the day as the Magnificent 7, chip stocks and big favorites blazed to many new levels, back on track after many weeks of ‘whip-sawing.’ Bitcoin was actively rising to the $67,000 range … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The September Jobs report was better than expected, surprising economists and even the Fed and snuffing out any speculation of another half percent rate cut. Recession thoughts are disappearing as the labor market charges ahead. The unemployment rate has remained steady at near 4.1%, with 254,000 jobs added in September. As the Labor Market continues to ‘chug-along’ with no signs of weakening, and inflation cooling, prospects for Mr.Powell’s hopes … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stocks rebounded last Thursday and Friday as the good news overrode negative news… Labor perked up as jobless claims were less than expected and demand for durable goods orders was strong. The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped up 260 points Thursday with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite tracking up 0.45% and 0.6% respectively. Friday the Dow Jones hit another high for the “37th time this year.” More … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After all the hoopla, after Mr. Powell’s giant release of the half point rate cut, markets drifted with the indexes all closing a slight bit higher for the week, but very uneventful. Still the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a new record high, over 42000 after a spirited move on Wednesday, supported by good data on Labor and lower interest rates. By Friday it was back to a ho-hum … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Word on the Street is Picking Up Steam….The Federal Reserve ‘could’ cut a half point. According to the CME FedWatch tool Friday afternoon “there is a 47% chance that the Fed would cut rates to a range of 4.75% to 5%.” Both the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 showed week ending gains with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 surging 6% and 4%, far better than the first four … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After an erratic month, stocks on all exchanges surprisingly finished higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month up 1.8%, while the S&P 500 advanced 2.3% and the robust heavy tech Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.6%. Friday was the tipping point as the techs and chips and value stocks all firmed up after a topsy-turvy four weeks. As data confirmed, inflation is slowing, labor is cooling and retail … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) This week’s menu is again filled with several pertinent reports. Tuesday will see the release of the Case-Shiller Home Price index for June, with The National Association of Realtors releasing its “Pending Home Sales Index” for July. The NAR report will focus on ‘housing activity’ as both releases will define the present housing market conditions. Also coming up after market close on Wednesday will be the much awaited earnings … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After a wild market all last week, up and down and topsy-turvey, who would believe it was the best week of this year, yet it was!! Peaks and valleys turned into consecutive daily gains with the indexes all positive. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for the week added 2.9%, while the S&P 500 was up 3.9%. The heavy technology Nasdaq Composite led all indexes with a surge of 5.3%, … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Peaks and valleys ruled the markets last week as investors and traders fought through a topsy-turvy sell off. After all the ups and downs of the weeks’ trading, indexes were just above where the ‘ride’ started. The standard-bearer S&P 500 after all the juggling still finished up 12% so far this year, a remarkable gain amidst the volatility of the recent market. “The market is apt to be volatile … Read more…