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Stock Chart Alert: CAAS Continues Surge, Watch SORL
The Shanghai Index soared 64.33 (+2.89%) points overnight. The Chinese stock market may be turning an important corner. Over the last week, certain Chinese stocks have surged to the upside in dramatic fashion. China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAAS) is a good example of this surge. On the first trading day of 2012 the stock was at $3.33. It hit $5.00 today. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/wUFWul
Gold Mining Stocks Must Be Traded
There are so many traders and investors that believe that the gold mining stocks will automatically trade along with gold, the precious metal; this is not always the case. Every stock has its own set of issues that it will face. Very often the price of gold and the gold mining stocks will trade in tandem with each other, however, there will be times when the mining stocks will lag and other times when they will lead the price of gold. Each different gold mining stock must be followed and watched closely on an individual basis. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/wiaG5O
The One Financial Stock That Everyone Should Follow
Since late 2007, it is the large financial stocks that have moved the major stocks market indexes higher and lower. Traders and investors must remember that the problems facing the economy have been in the banking and financial sectors. The one financial stock that everyone must follow extremely close is J.P. Morgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM). ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/AnMTqC
The Semiconductor Sector Is Still The One To Follow
These days the technology sector is predominantly dominated by Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Amazon.com Inc (NYSE:AMZN). When an investor wants to know if the tech stocks are trading higher they will usually just look at one of these market leaders; however, it is the semiconductor sector that is still the technology barometer. Traders can simply follow the Market Vectors Semiconductor ETF (NYSEARCA:SMH) for a good indication of the sector. When this sector breaks out, or breaks down it is likely that the rest of the sector will soon follow. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/wvUtUq
Agriculture Stocks Are Stuck In The Mud
This morning, most of the leading agriculture stocks are coming under early selling pressure. This industry group is trading into heavy resistance on the daily charts. The Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (NYSEARCA:MOO) is a good way to track the agriculture sector. Today, the MOO is trading lower by 0.39 cents to $48.66 a share. This important ETF has a lot of daily chart resistance around the $50.00 level. Short term traders should watch for intra-day support around the $48.50, and $48.00 levels. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/wmWi0F
Stock Market Update: Preparing For The Next Surge
After the new year started with a substantial rally, the markets have been in sleep mode. Two consecutive days of flat action has the pros salivating over the likelihood of further upside. Today, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) is trading at $127.56, -0.07 (-0.05%). Let's explore the bullish case on the market. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/vZ1wzy
Has It Stopped Raining On The Cloud Computing Stocks?
Many of the leading cloud computing stocks have come under some sharp selling pressure throughout the month of December. Cloud computing leaders such as Salesforce.com inc (NYSE:CRM) and VMWare Inc (NYSE:VMW) have been extremely weak. These stocks are holding up well today considering the major stock indexes are coming under some selling pressure this morning. CRM is still trading above its recent low that was made on December 21, 2011 at $94.09 a share. If this stock fails to hold this level on a closing basis it could signal that further declines are coming. CRM is trading below all of its important daily chart moving averages which puts the stock in a weak technical position on the charts. The chart of VMW is a little bit better at this time. VMW is trying to form a higher low pullback pattern on the daily chart, this is a short term bullish formation. The stock still has major overhead resistance around the $86.00 and $92.00 levels. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/AvsnzK
Energy Stocks Run Out Of Steam
This morning, all of the leading energy stocks are coming under some selling pressure. Leading stocks such as Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM), and Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVS) have been exceptionally strong as of late, therefore, a pullback today is due. These market leaders are trading lower today by over 1.0 percent. Short term traders can watch for intra-day support on XOM around the $85.00 and $84.70 levels. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/z7hdx6
Stock Market Action: Natural Gas On Radar
After some early selling, the markets have floated back to the positive side. This is not surprising as light volume plays a key role in an up market. In addition, the S&P 500 broke out of a triangular range yesterday. This means further upside in the next week is likely. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) is trading at $127.58, +0.09 (+0.07%). The action today is known as consolidation. This is also a bullish signal for the next week with an upside SPY target of $129.50. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/z1ORUc
Coal Stocks Are Not Looking So Hot
This morning, all of the leading coal stocks are coming under some mild selling pressure. This sector continues to trade below the important daily chart 50 moving average, this puts the sector in a weak technical position. Traders can look at how the Market Vectors Coal ETF (NYSEARCA:KOL) has under-performed the major stock indexes and the rest of the energy sectors. Traders can watch for intra-day support on the KOL around the $33.20, and $32.25 levels. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/wZNldw
The European Indexes Still Look Ugly
A couple of weeks ago the European Central Bank (ECB) created a new lending facility to the banks in Europe. The European banks could borrow capital from the ECB at 1.00 percent for up to three years. Since the program began there have been over 523 banks that have taken advantage of the lending facility. Many traders and investors expect this to help the stock markets in the European Union, however, the charts on these indexes still look very ugly.
...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/ydUpNE
New Fed Transparency Buys Time For The Stock Markets
This afternoon, the Federal Reserve Bank announced that they would be more transparent regarding their balance sheet in 2012 and beyond. The central bank also said that they would release each Federal Open Market Committee member’s individual forecasts for the appropriate level on the target federal funds rate in the fourth quarter of the current year and the next few years. Currently, the Federal funds rate has been held at zero to a quarter percent since December 2008. The federal funds rate is the overnight lending rate from the Federal Reserve to the large major banks such as J.P. Morgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC), and Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC). ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/z6cHFR
Oil Breaks Out And Is Positive For Stock Market
The stock market continues to rejoice in the new year. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ are all sharply higher on the day. The upside is being fueled by optimism on the global economy. This is mainly stemming from Europe. As the Euro gains traction, the Dollar has fallen sharply. The weakness in the Dollar is helping commodities push higher. Oil is having a monster day with the United States Oil Fund LP (ETF) (NYSEARCA:USO) trading at $39.45, +1.34 (+3.52%). This big jump in oil is partly due to the weak Dollar and optimism on the global economy and also due to issues with Iran. Threats are continuing to be floated from the Iranian military over the Straights of Hormuz. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/x7DRRz
Stock Market Rally Could Be Seen On Charts Last Week
The triangle pattern broke to the upside on the S&P 500 today. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) is trading at $128.21, +2.71 (+2.16%). This breakout was expected based on the bullish pattern formation seen last week. In addition, new money flow was likely to enter the market on light volume. The combination of all these factors spelled rally. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/sT5wf1
Semiconductor Stocks Are Sending Out Warning Flags
The semiconductor sector is a very important group of stocks that traders should follow closely. Often the semiconductor stocks will lead most technology stocks higher and lower. Since December 19, 2011 the Semiconductor Holders ETF (NYSEARCA:SMH) has rallied higher by $2.47 a share. This morning, the SMH is trading higher by 0.72 cents to $31.15 a share. Traders must watch for very important daily chart resistance around the $32.00 area. Since October and November 2011 this has been an important resistance level for the SMH. Short term traders can watch for intra-day resistance on SMH around the $31.40 level. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/rVenVl
$100 Oil Will Eventually Hurt The U.S. Economy Again
WTI oil has now traded above $90.00 a barrel since late October 2011. While high energy prices used to signal global economic demand and strength; it is still a direct tax on consumers. These days high oil is affected by geopolitical events, weather, and the obvious action in the U.S. Dollar Index. At this time, oil has a war premium built in due to the Iranian threats and sanctions in the Middle East. Since 2008, whenever oil has traded around the $100.00 level for any considerable amount of time it has caused problems for the economy and this time around should not be any different. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/twebT2
This Is When You Should Trade
The First Hour Is For The Day Traders
Active markets are always the best markets for trading. Anyone who has ever traded these markets for a considerable amount of time knows that the first hour to ninety minutes is the best part of the trading day. This is a time period when there is volume in the market and the key support and resistance levels are great for trading. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/vREe9G
Professional Boxer, Doctor... Now It's The Traders Turn!
What Does It Take To Master The Markets? Many times in my career I have encountered new traders who believe they have the ability to master the markets after reading a book on trading, or even because they have obtained some form of degree. Most often the first question I ask them is; are you a fundamental trader? Fundamental traders are those who generally read a companies balance sheet, (example-EPS, PE, EBITDA, book value, etc.) or perhaps they are a technical trader which is someone who uses charts of past prices, patterns, and stock market cycles. More often then not the trader is unsure of a specific methodology and is typically dependent on someones opinion to invest or trade a stock, usually from a book or talk show. Within minutes, I realize that the new investor or trader is grasping onto a dream encompassing an optimistic hope mode. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/sOOlfD
Markets Start Higher, Europe Is Still The Wildcard
This morning, the S&P 500 Index e-mini futures are trading higher by 6.75 points to 1217.75 per contract. Later today, the European Union leaders and the IMF will meet in Brussels, Belgium to discuss an additional 200 billion in euro funding. This seems to be lifting the markets a little this morning. We shall soon see if these markets can hold up into the close. Europe is still facing many headwinds and the markets have a history of selling off after these European meetings. Traders must be prepared for anything as the volatility could remain high. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/sVSecn
Airlines Take Off, How High Can They Go?
This morning, all of the leading airline stocks are trading higher. Since the sharp oil decline earlier this week the airline stocks have rallied. Most of these stocks are now getting a little short term overbought and extended, at this time these stocks may need to pullback or consolidate soon. Traders must be remember that the holiday season is usually a bullish period for the airline stocks and most other stocks in the transportation sector. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/tK7hNs
Gold Miners Try To Dig Out The Ditch
Throughout this week, the leading gold mining stocks have come under heavy selling pressure. The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX) has declined from $56.00 a share on December 12, 2011 down as low as $51.57 a share yesterday. That is a major drop for the ETF in less than a week by anyone’s standards. This morning, the GDX is trading higher by $1.05 to $52.75 a share. The daily chart is short term oversold so a near term technical bounce should not be ruled out. The GDX also has a lot of short term daily chart support around the October lows. Traders can watch for intra-day support on the GDX around the $53.25, and $54.00 levels. ...continue reading here:http://bit.ly/t9ZssI
Key Stocks Positioned For Big Moves
The markets are hovering around the flat line as all eyes remain on Europe. Europe has been quiet this week and that is making investors uneasy. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) $122.28, +0.57 (+0.47%). While the S&P 500 is slightly higher on the day, the technology tracking ETF, PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1 (ETF) (NASDAQ:QQQ) is trading at $54.81, -0.08 (-0.15%). ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/uZQpKx
Casino Stock Crap Out Again
The big casino stocks are all coming under selling pressure again. The catalyst for the decline in the casino stocks is once again caused by the weak Shanghai Index (China). The Shanghai Index finished lower last night by over 2.00 percent. Most of the revenues for the casino stocks come from the Macao market. If China and the rest of Asia begin to slow down further this will hurt the large casino stocks that operate in that region. The leading casino stocks are not growing in the United States as the economy is still somewhat depressed. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/uX5a5E
Financials Catch Morning Bid, Can It Last?
This morning, all of the leading financial stocks are trading higher. When the financial stocks rally it is usually a good sign that the major stock market indexes will hold up. Traders should follow Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE:XLF) closely. The XLF has started higher by 0.16 cents to $12.73 a share. Short term traders should watch for intra-day resistance around the $12.75, and $12.90 levels. If the XLF starts to retreat from the morning highs it is a good chance that the stock market indexes are going to give back the early morning gains. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/vASpow
Bank Stocks Strong, Signaling Market Up Move
As the markets continue to trade lower on the day, bank stocks remain extremely strong. This is very unusual as usually downside is headed by the financial sector. Today, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is trading at $31.78, +0.49 (1.57%). Across the board, bank stocks are flat to higher. What does it mean? ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/sLxMzo
Commodities Crash: Buy Levels Revealed
The markets are down again today. The selling is not massive but it is the third drop in a row. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) is trading at $121.79, -1.32 (-1.07%). The big driver to the downside today is clearly commodities. Almost every single commodity is dumping sharply. Everything from oil to gold and silver. While these drops are massive, smart investors and traders are starting to look for the buy level. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/s9uuD2
Airline Stocks Trade Higher
This morning, the leading airline stocks are trading slightly higher on the session. The catalyst for the small move higher in the leading airline stocks is due to the falling price of crude. When oil declines the airline stocks have a tendency to catch a bid and bounce. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/v0C8Tr
2011 Is The Year Of The Broken Stocks
All of the major stock indexes topped out in early May of 2011. At that time, the S&P 500 Index traded as high as 1370.58, meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded as high as 12,876.00. This morning the S&P 500 Index is trading around the 1220.00 area and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading around the 11,910.00 level. It is safe to say that the major stock indexes have come under some serious selling pressure during the second half of 2011. The main catalyst for the market declines in 2011 is the large number of broken stocks that we have seen. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/uRxJ2b
Profit From The Retail Sales Numbers
Retail sales for November came in at 0.2%. This number was a disappointment to the market but ultimately had little impact on stocks outside the retail sector. The S&P 500 is trading up 5 points on the day, just shy of a half-percent gain. All eyes continue to be on Europe and at 2:15pm ET today, the Federal Reserve will release their policy statement on interest rates. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/rKQIU7
The Bernank Is On Deck
This afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will announce there interest rate policy statement. Most traders and investors are expecting the Federal Reserve to keep the Fed funds rate (overnight lending rate to the large banks) at zero percent. It is important to note that the Fed funds rate has been at zero percent since December 2008. Many investors are waiting to hear if the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke mentions another plan to implement QE-3. While this action is not anticipated to happen at this time, the Bernank may hint that quantitative easing is possible in the future. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/t76DUb
Casino Stocks Struggle On China Weakness
All of the leading casino stocks have really struggled since July 2011. This weakness in the casino stocks is likely due to a slowdown in the Chinese market. Last night, the Shanghai Index (China) ended the trading session lower by 1.87 percent. This was a new 52 week low for this important emerging market economy. The large casino stocks have been doing very well in Macao, China. If the Macao market begins to slow down this could hurt the casino stocks further. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/siU9fU
Retail Stocks Hang Tough Despite Market Decline
This afternoon, the major stock market indexes are all declining sharply lower. Many of the leading stock sectors are all under selling pressure. The retail stocks are also trading lower this afternoon, however, they are holding up better than many of the other leading stock indexes. Many traders and investors will trade the Retail Holders Trust (NYSE:RTH). This popular ETF is trading lower by $1.07 to $111.80 a share. This decline in the RTH is around 1.0 percent which is much better than the 2.0 percent decline in the S&P 500 Index. This tells us that the RTH is showing some decent relative strength during the trading session. The RTH is also trading above the daily chart 50, and 200 moving averages which is another sign of daily chart strength. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/txORSV
Today: Market Analysis And Keys To The Trade
The markets are seeing red today. New worries are popping up over Europe and the debt crisis. This is causing the Dollar to spike higher and in response, the markets are falling. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:SPY) is trading at $123.77, -2.26 (-1.79%). ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/v3CzuS
Integrated Energy Losing Steam
This morning, all of the leading integrated energy stocks are coming under selling pressure along with the major stock indexes. The energy sector accounts for nearly 15.0 percent of the S&P 500 Index, therefore, this index is extremely important as it holds a lot of weight in the market. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/rxwQtl
Deflationary Pressures Are Everywhere This Morning
When the precious metals decline, there is a very good chance that deflation is taking hold. This morning, both gold and silver are declining sharply lower. The SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD) are trading lower by $4.49 to $161.96 a share. This is a decline of 2.60 percent for the GLD and this signals deflation in the stock market. The iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV) is trading lower by $1.00 to $30.33 a share. The SLV is declining lower by 3.25 percent and this is also signaling deflation in the market today. Traders can watch for short term intra-day support on the GLD around the $160.40 area. The SLV will have some short term intra-day support around the $29.80 area. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/t5D4TD
Agriculture Stocks Are Still Stuck In The Mud
This morning, all of the major stock market indexes are trading sharply higher. For the most part, the rally is broad based as most important stock sectors are climbing. The one sector that is struggling and continuing to show weak relative strength is the agriculture sector. Many of the leading stocks in this sector are actually trading lower as the major stock indexes climb. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/vnl1iC
Reason: Stocks Freak As Draghi Is No Bernanke
The market collapsed lower today as the new ECB chief Mario Draghi told markets he would not save the day. Expectations had been high for the ECB to come in and buy bonds from Italy and other stressed nations. It was clear in the short term, the ECB will not do this. The markets fell on this news with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 100 points on the day. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEARCA:DIA) is trading at $120.84, -1.18 (-0.97%) . ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/t9sk1w
Commodity Stocks Drop On The Back Of Dollar Strength
This morning, all of the leading commodity stocks are coming under sharp selling pressure. The catalyst for the decline in the commodity sectors and the major stock market indexes is the stronger U.S. Dollar. Today, the U.S. Dollar Index futures (DX Z1) are trading higher by 0.40 cents to $78.95 per contract. To make a long story short, when the dollar rallies higher the major stock and commodity sectors will deflate and trade lower. Every trade is essentially a trade on the U.S. Dollar at this time. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/s36dnX
Financial Stocks Are Steering The Ship
All of the leading financial stocks are coming under some selling pressure this morning. The important Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE:XLF) is finally declining after an eight day rally. On November 25, 2011 the XLF was trading as low as $11.73 a share. Today the XLF is trading lower by 0.21 cents to $13.12 a share. Even with today's decline in the XLF this ETF is still $1.39 higher than it was on November 25, 2011. All in all, the XLF is still holding up well on the daily chart at this time. Traders can watch for some short term intra-day support around the $13.05, and $12.84 levels. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/sKsrol
Key Stock Setups, Movers And Shakers
As the markets hover on the flat line, some key names are heading towards master levels. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) continues to be one of the strongest stocks in the market. It made a new all time high today at $194.50. At this point, the stock is extended but has its eyes set on $200.00 per share. That will be the next resistance level that matters. ...Continue reading here: http://bit.ly/u0XSPw