(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Markets remained softer as investors and traders tip-toed with caution as the week opened. Hanging fears persisted as anticipation gripped the indices, awaiting another round of tightening. The indexes opened the shortened week with much apprehension: the energy stalemate in Europe (and around the world) and the continued Fed policy of tightening, all weighing heavily as the reality is getting ‘real.’ After two months of somewhat reassuring markets upticks, … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Inflation looms, interest rates rise and markets churn, turning negative…All battling the ‘conflagration’ of inflation. As the indices reveal weaknesses, investors and traders continue to hedge, moving into safe havens, with bonds a target. While the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell maintains the tightening course of deflating inflation, apprehension grips the markets roiling and disrupting long-term goals. Indices are squamish as the frustrated investor seeks to safeguard capital. As … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After three days of down indices, Wednesday turned positive, with help…as energy stocks came alive, and perked up and buoyed all markets. Until Wednesday, investors and traders were influenced by several negatives; rumblings of interest rates rising, the service industry is weaker than through. Even manufacturing news wasa pessimistic, as earnings numbers were not as expected. Brian Price, head of investment management at Commonwealth Financial Network noted: “The market … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stocks were mixed all week as stronger retail numbers by industry leaders were robust, surprising analysts and economists. As the week wore on more earnings emerged with less ‘gloss’ and the markets reacted with some ‘whipsawing.’ Blue Chip stocks were in the limelight off and on the first three days as no direction defined itself. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average showed some positiveness, while … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The markets Monday and Tuesday flowed aimlessly, neither gaining nor losing ground significantly..in anticipation. Investors’ and traders’ moods show no signs of direction, not affected by scattered earnings reports and future tightening by the Fed. And then Wednesday’s announcement came-soothing investors and traders alike and…with ‘good news.’ The July report showed inflation backed down to 8.5%. Six-tenths of a point sent the indices reeling…and up. The Nasdaq led the … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After a couple of opening August sessions, a good rally spiked all indices on Wednesday. The Nasdaq Composite led the way splurging 2.6% and giving confidence to investors and traders. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average showed gains of 1.6% and 1,3% respectively. The bearishness to start August was dusted away Wednesday amid several possible negative factors: Pelosi’s unauthorized visit to Taiwan and the lingering interest … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) It Did Happen…Jerome Powell unleashed another bit of tightening…a 0.75 percentage-point interest-rate increase on Wednesday, surprising no one, as even the sharpest economists predicted. He was quick to indicate that ‘more increases’ might be needed, and would come monthly. Investors and traders alike appeared to accept the news in stride sending the markets higher and welcoming the ‘help’ as a step in the only direction possible in controlling inflation. … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Tuesday’s ‘jack rabbit’ rise in the Dow Jones Industrial Average of 754 points is a huge boast of investor confidence amid flat showings by the indices over the past month. Investors and traders alike were swayed by a new release of earnings. Both the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 sported significant gains of 353 and 105 points respectively. Investors are buoyed by positive news that suggests the general … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The markets opened with uncertainty Monday, with little direction, as investors and traders were in anticipation of the inflation number to be announced early Wednesday. The Labor Department released those figures and the numbers roiled, as inflation soared to a 40 year high in the month of June at an alarming rate of 9.1%, an over-whelming figure. This is the fastest inflation since 1981. Just about every consumer product … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The three benchmark indices finished the first half of 2022 markedly lower, numbers that echo the economy. The S&P 500 fell 20.6%, the most in 52 years. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite led all indexes, dropping a note-worthy 29.5%, the largest decline ever. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 15.3%, with its value stocks suffering less. It too had the worst half since 1962. The interest hikes, supply problems, job … Read more…