(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) April Fools Day kicked off a second quarter, following a blazing January-February-March. Twenty two record setting new highs for the indices, leaving no doubt that the ‘bull’ is alive and rearing its head. After finishing 2023 at a torrid pace 2024 opened and continued strong throughout the first quarter. Monday’s opening was scattered as the Dow Jones Industrial Average drifted lower, while the Nasdaq Composite was a bit higher. … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After a sizzling first four days last week, with the indices blazing new records, Friday took a breather, easing back. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 had nice gains for the week rising 2% and 2.3% respectfully. The Nasdaq Composite surged with the heavy tech index up 2.9% as the magnificent seven and ‘tag-alongs’ were actively strong. As Mike Bailey, director of research at FBB Capital … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) For the second week in a row, stocks took a beating with all three indexes dropping…Last weeks CPI (Consumer Price Index) doused investors and traders’ short term outlook with concerns the Fed will react more positively to a rate hike in the short term. Even the University of Michigan sentiment survey report for March showed less optimism, lower than expected from economists. Yields on the 10-year U.S. Treasury edged … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stock prices are floating in the atmosphere… It seems stock splits are out of style, as stocks keep ‘climbing the mountain.’ Once upon a time …in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s when a stock reached near $100.00, serious talk of splitting shares was commonplace on the street, and in the boardroom. Stockholders looked forward to splits and receiving more shares, along with more potential of stock appreciation as shares … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) March Opened With the Bulls Marching On…All sectors contributed to an active upward market. Friday finished with all indexes setting record highs after four months of running hot. It was the “16th weekly gain in 18 weeks for the S&P 500.” Even the Russell 2000 index, (The smaller value stock index) followed suit catching ‘fire’ along with the big guys. “Things don’t go up forever. You need some sort … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) September finished off with the S&P 500 losing 4.9%, dragging the index down for the year, from 20% up to finish the third quarter up 12%. Treasuries have continued their torrid pace, edging upward, pushing the 10-year note up to 4.8%, giving equities ‘a hard road to hold.’ As Treasuries remain strong, attracting serious capital from investors and traders, the stock market interest wanes, unable to sustain upward moves. … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The S&P 500 just finished its worst three week loss cycle since March 2023, with the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average following lower. High techs (and high flyers) led the losers, as the sell-off spared no sectors. For the year the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 have surged ahead 27% and 13% respectively, while in September both have fallen 5.4% and 3.8%, stunning numbers and hopefully … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Last week finished on a ‘sour note,’ as the high techs lost steam on Friday, jolting the indexes lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 289 points while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined slightly, 1.2% and 1.6% respectively; (for the week the Dow Jones was positive). As the market opened Monday, the bond market swept stocks aside, as Treasuries were ‘supreme,’ hitting a 16 year high, attracting … Read more…