Tag: S&P 500 (CME:SP500)

Stocks Lower On Threat Of Government Shutdown

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Hello Traders everywhere. Once again the threat of a U.S. Government shutdown is pushing stocks lower. At a rally in Phoenix, AZ last night President Donald Trump said, "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall."

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

Wall Street also has its sights set on Jackson Hole, Wyoming this week, where a coalition of central bankers are meeting for the Federal Reserve's annual Economic Policy Symposium.

Both Fed Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi are set to speak on Friday. Yellen will likely discuss weak inflation and the Fed's plan to rein in its balance sheet. Strategists doubt that the Fed will initiate any significant policy changes or increase rates with the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index making slow gains over the past few months.

Key levels to watch next week: Continue reading "Stocks Lower On Threat Of Government Shutdown" →

Stocks Turn On Bannon's Exit

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Hello Traders everywhere. The stock market was trading and trending lower for the day to close at a four-day low when all of the sudden it reversed course. The cause for the reverse, news that White House strategist Steve Bannon was dismissed from his duties by President Donald Trump.

I can't recall such a clear and distinct turnaround caused by news from the White House like today; it sure came out of nowhere.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

Oil prices jumped higher Friday as the stock market strengthened and the U.S. dollar weakened. However, crude oil futures remain on track to close the week down as traders are still worried about the global oil glut.

Key levels to watch next week: Continue reading "Stocks Turn On Bannon's Exit" →

Market May End The Year Where It Is Today, But You Can Still Make Money

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


A number of market participants have begun making year end predictions about where they believe stocks will finish. The predictions have the market finishing higher, lower, a lot higher, a lot lower, and right where it is today. Basically, no one really knows how the stock market will finish 2017 because no one can accurately predict the future.

But, when we look at the past, predictions have been made which aren’t as optimistic. Based on historical data a Goldman Sachs analyst has noted that when stock valuations have been where they are today, the market returns have been in single digits or negative.

Year-to-date the S&P 500 is already up 10.5%, which again compared to historical averages is an above average return. Furthermore, history tells us that we have market pull backs of 5%, 10%, and 15% rather often; about every 3 months, 8 months, and 14 months. We have not seen a 10% or 15% pullback in 2017. Continue reading "Market May End The Year Where It Is Today, But You Can Still Make Money" →

Stocks Gain As Global Tension Eases

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Hello traders everywhere. Stock markets around the globe are posting gains today as the tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have eased a bit. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are both posting 1% gains with the DOW trailing closely on their heels.

Concerns over a rise in OPEC crude production has pushed oil down little over 1% to 48.13, its lowest level in slightly over two weeks. Check out Robert Boselego's recent article on OPEC's production numbers and where he sees the price of oil heading.

Gold has retreated from its Friday high of 1298.10 and is currently trading lower for the day coming under pressure from a strengthening dollar.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 12.4, down about 20%. The index posted its largest weekly gain since December 2015 last week as the North Korea situation escalated.

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "Stocks Gain As Global Tension Eases" →

The Endless Wait Continues

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Hello traders everywhere. What are we waiting for you ask, inflation to pick up steam. The Labor Department announced Friday that the Consumer Price Index edged up 0.1% last month, versus expectations of a 0.2% gain. Traders scour the inflation data looking for clues on the Fed's next monetary policy move. It's going to be hard for the Fed to raise rates with weak inflation.

Market expectations for a December rate hike fell after the CPI data was released. Just 38% of investors expected the central bank to rates again at the end of the year, down from about 45%, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool.

Do you think they are going to raise rates if inflation remains stagnant?

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "The Endless Wait Continues" →