Category Archives: Dashboard

MONDAY:   More earnings coming up and oil gets a boost from Goldman Sachs to start the week. Hopefully there will be no major surprises so we can get some trades done this week to end the May 2016 option cycle

TUESDAY:   After yesterday’s unexpected 1% gain, the early futures trading is at least holding on, in part helped by strong earnings from Home Depot. Clearly, the consumer is buying something.

WEDNESDAY:  Remember Monday’s gain? Funny thing about that. Well maybe not so funny if you took the bait on Monday. This morning the futures are flat as we await some earnings news and maybe think a little about some news of rising prices and their role in inflation and in shaping the FOMC’s thoughts

THURSDAY: For a change, some decent earnings news greets investors as the morning begins as traders weigh the FOMC’s greater than anticipated hawkishness

FRIDAY:.  This monthly option cycle finally comes to an end and there’s some hope for rollovers or assignments as futures are slightly higher







MONDAY:   Not too much going on this week, but retailers are reporting earnings and they’re not expected to be very good, maybe even below lowered expectations. Well, at least we have oil higher this morning

TUESDAY:   Markets point toward a higher open this morning as oil is also showing some strength. The real test comes as retailers are now reporting numbers and the weak are getting weaker. If the big players are the same, the market probably won’t react kindly

WEDNESDAY:  After yesterday’s 222 point gain, coincidentally while oil also headed much higher, this morning may give a small portion back. That portion could change as big retailers begin their flow of earnings reports starting today.

THURSDAY: Up 222 on Tuesday, down 217 yesterday. Well, at least that’s a net gain of 5. This morning’s futures are mildly higher, as is oil, trying to recover from yesterday’s retailer shock

FRIDAY:.  The week looks as if it wants to end on a flat note, having been punctuated mid-week by equally large and opposite moves. More retail next week, but maybe we’re now prepared for the moribund consumer and the economy he created







MONDAY:   Lots of earnings reports this week, but not too many of consequence. That happens next week as retailers begin to report. In the meantime, the week will end with an Employment Situation Report and we’ll find out whether there are more people in a position to be spending their money

TUESDAY:   Market picked up 100 points yesterday and looking to lose the same today. Why? Because Tuesday. Does there need to be a reason? Earnings, oil, interest rates? Maybe none of the above

WEDNESDAY: More heavy losses appear to be in store as the futures are trading and both oil and commodities are weak, as we await the ADP Report that could give some insight into Friday’s Employment Situation Report.

THURSDAY: Oil led the way down yesterday, but in this morning’s early trading, while it is again sharply higher, the S&P 500 futures have been giving up on their substantial early gains, so hold on.

FRIDAY:.  Today’s Employment Situation report could spell the difference for the week, which is already down enough to notice and heading a bit lower before this morning’s announcement.







MONDAY:   It’s a big week ahead with lots of earnings, an FOMC Statement release and the GDP, but markets look like they may open the day flat

TUESDAY:   Stocks recovered nicely from their lows yesterday to finish fairly flat. This morning’s open looks to be the same, even as most of the days right before the FOMC Statement release for the past few years have been strongly positive.

WEDNESDAY: Last night’s large earnings disappointments seem to be offset by stronger oil prices in the futures trading, as we get ready for the FOMC Statement release in the afternoon

THURSDAY: Last night’s closing bell brought some decent earnings after a no surprise FOMC Statement release. This morning, as oil is flat, the market is trying to give up all of the small gains for the week.

FRIDAY:.  After yesterday’s big Icahn inspired decline, the week looks as if it may come to a quiet end







MONDAY:   The week opens with no surprise. Oil producers failed to come to the agreement that was rumored. The real surprise is that markets are cautious in their give backs of last week’s oil inspired gains. Maybe we’ll concentrate on earnings, instead.

TUESDAY:  Another good day appears to be at hand, even as earnings aren’t reflecting anything other than being able to meet or exceed lowered expectations. Meanwhile oil is up strongly again as Doha is all but forgotten

WEDNESDAY: Stocks managed a gain yesterday. This morning it’s being given back, but not by as much as the decline in oil might have ordinarily resulted in. Maybe earnings will keep the illusion going, a the bar to be disappointed is lowered even further.

THURSDAY: Maybe another quiet day awaits, as more earnings pour in, although yesterday the earnings related news wasn’t all bad, The strategy of under promising and then meeting those lowered expectations seems to be working, however, as stocks have been steadily climbing higher, although oil’s ascent can’t be minimized.

FRIDAY:.  Markets followed oil lower yesterday, but started seeing some large earnings related declines during the session and then some more disappointments after the close. Futures this morning, however, are not reflecting overnight damage







MONDAY:   Earnings get started for real on Wednesday morning with JP Morgan Chase, otherwise it may be more of the same until and maybe even after then: Oil and speculation over when interest rates are going to move higher

TUESDAY:  Well, yesterday was really confusing. You may try to look for reasons, but it could be hard to explain the gap higher, the loss, the rebound and then the final move to close the day at a loss. Today, looks like a breather at the open to give us some time to reflect.

WEDNESDAY: Earnings season starts in earnest this morning with JP Morgan Chase leading off, as futures are again strongly higher following yesterday’s oil related surge, which itself was based on the premise that Saudi Arabia and Russia will agree to cut back their own oil production regardless of Iran’s intent

THURSDAY:  2 days of big gains, and almost 3, if Monday had,t turned around may be getting ready for a rest today. Maybe. There are more big bank earnings ahead and even as oil is asleep today, the market went higher without it yesterday.

FRIDAY:.  Markets look loke they may continue yesterday’s flat close, but still having left it a good week, without any earnings relatyed damage. Now its up to the promise of lower oil output to rule over the following week.







MONDAY:   With GDP announced on Good Friday being a little stronger than expected, this week’s Employment Situation Report, if strong, could send the signal that another interest rate hike is going to be upon us. Is that good or bad for stock markets?

TUESDAY:  Janet Yellen speaks today and other Federal reserve Governors follow during the rest of the week leading up to Friday’s Employment Situation report, as the morning looks to continue yesterday’s ennui.

WEDNESDAY: Janet Yellen’s dovish tone yesterday has the rally continuing today in the pre-open, as the futures are also continuing to head its own way, apart from the direction of oil

THURSDAY: After 2 days of Janet Yellen induced optimism, the futures may be signaling a little break as we await tomorrow’s Employment Situation Report to see whether or not the economy is also taking a little break

FRIDAY:.  Just ahead of the Employment Situation Report release, futures are lower, but there’s no telling what a surprising number in either direction will lead to







MONDAY:   Another flat start to the day to start a news free and shortened trading week

TUESDAY:  Markets are calm in the early futures trading as news of terror attacks in Belgium greeted them during what was expected to be a quiet week leading up to Easter

WEDNESDAY: After a calm day yesterday, despite the lack of calm around the world, today appears as if it may be another day of relative quiet.

THURSDAY: Another sharp drop in oil may be in store today, but yesterday’s market didn’t follow in quantity, only direction

FRIDAY:. 







MONDAY:   Maybe oil takes a back seat this week as the FOMC Statement is released and Janet Yellen holds a press conference. With no one expecting a change in rate policy we may get an idea of how far ahead the Federal Reserve’s crystal ball can see

TUESDAY:  We may be back to normal today as oil is down considerably and stock futures are following, as the FOMC begins their meeting.

WEDNESDAY: In the hours before yet another FOMC meeting that is being the described as “the most important in some time” markets didn’t have their usual pre-celebration the day before and are looking as if they’ll start the day off flat

THURSDAY: Stock futures have been all over the place this morning, while oil moves moderately higher. In the meantime, traders in stocks, metals and bonds can ponder what yesterday’s FOMC Statement release and Janet Yellen’s comments really mean as far as the health of the US economy goes.

FRIDAY:. 







MONDAY:   There’s very little on tap this week as we prepare for next week’s FOMC. It will be interesting to see whether the commodity led rally can continue in the absence of fundamental reasons

TUESDAY:  Today oil is heading lower and so are stocks. What a surprise.

WEDNESDAY:  Another surprise. Oil heads higher and stocks follow as the futures are unfolding this morning. Hard to believe that there was once a time when the relationship between the two wasn’t as clear cut.

THURSDAY: Oil flat, markets flat. What else do I have to say/ Maybe next week’s FOMC will be a change of theme

FRIDAY:. Futures much higher as we get ready to end the end, while oil is moderately higher. The theme goes on







MONDAY:   Oil lower, world wide markets down to start the week and an an Employment Situation Report to end it. Momentum has us moving higher, but let’s see how the week can begin with the burdens of the morning

TUESDAY:  Futures are pointing sharply higher a day after it seemed to disconnect from oil. After oil turned nicely higher during  yesterday’s mid-session, the market started a sharp decline. Today, they’re again traveling together, at least to get started

WEDNESDAY:  A great day yesterday is being followed by some flatness in the futures, but those futures seem to be ignoring weakness in oil.

THURSDAY: A flat day yesterday without too much evidence of the market following where oil was going. This morning appears to be another flat day as we await tomorrow’s Employment Situation Report.

FRIDAY:. Futures were again flat this morning, but this time the Employment Situation Report loomed, but still the week looked to close higher for  the third consecutive week.







MONDAY:   Oil lower, world wide markets down to start the week and an an Employment Situation Report to end it. Momentum has us moving higher, but let’s see how the week can begin with the burdens of the morning

TUESDAY:  

WEDNESDAY:  

THURSDAY: 

FRIDAY:. 







MONDAY:  Oil gets set to start the week about 3.5% higher, so that can only mean one thing for our market and the futures are up sharply, as well

TUESDAY:  Another large move yesterday and it was another large move higher. Today may be a day of rest and consolidation while we try and figure out what has changed to make such a difference over the past week.

WEDNESDAY:  Oil led the market much lower yesterday and it looks like it will be trying to do the same again today.

THURSDAY:  Shanghai was down almost 7% overnight and oil futures are lower this morning. You might think that out stock futures would be reeling. But following yesterday’s reversals in oil and the market, this morning futures are surprisingly flat ahead of tomorrow’s GDP

FRIDAY:. Futures are up nicely again this morning, following oil’s lead, as we await the GDP release that could confirm lots of things regarding the direction and magnitude of economic growth







MONDAY:   Happy President’s Day

TUESDAY:   Markets look to open the week on the heels of a 7% gain in the Nikkei and strong gains in Shanghai, amid some reports of an OPEC agreement to freeze oil production.

WEDNESDAY:  A reversal in oil, taking it much lower, didn’t do the same for stocks. This morning futures are moderately higher. Although nothing of substance has changed, there may be some good signs in the rear view mirror, even if there are none ahead

THURSDAY:  Following yesterday’s gain, the market is now positive for February 2016. Who would have believed it possible? This morning could add some more!

FRIDAY:. The February 2016 option cycle looks like it may come to a quiet end, just as was the case yesterday, following some tumultuous days of trading. A little bit of stability may be just the thing for a more sustainable move higher.







MONDAY:   Look out below, as oil is taking the futures for a sharp ride down, although not as bad as it had been earlier in the morning

TUESDAY:   Stocks recovered partially from yesterday’s large loss and looks to open flat this morning as the Nikkei fell 5.4% overnight and crude oil is sharply higher. The only question is “which way do i go?” as there is nothing but confusion for investors

WEDNESDAY:  Another nice mid-day comeback yesterday gives some reason for hope ahead of Janet Yellen’s Congressional appearance today. Maybe that’s why futures are up sharply in anticipation of the return of the dovish sounding Yellen

THURSDAY:  Oil plunging, negative interest rates, European banks in turmoil. What could that possibly hold in store as markets get ready to open this morning following yesterday’s late sell-off? Good guess. Futures are headed much lower as we get prepared to strap in for the opening bell

FRIDAY:. This is yet another in a series of weeks in which the end couldn’t come soon enough. This morning, however, there’s some sense that there could be a small bounce. Maybe