U.S. stocks are trading in a tight range ahead of the Christmas holiday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) last seen modestly lower on a negative earnings reaction for Nike (NKE). The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are also below breakeven, following lackluster economic data that includes a smaller-than-expected rise in durable goods orders last month and a lower-than-f...Read More
The U.S. stock market is on track for a weekly win ahead of the long holiday weekend, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) could seen even bigger gains during Christmas week, if history is any guide. And while this pair of real estate stocks tends to outperform alongside the SPX, streaming name Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is one of the worst stocks to own during the week of Christmas. Here's a closer look...Read More
Pizza delivery chain Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) is in focus this morning, after the company announced late Thursday that company founder John Schnatter is stepping down from the CEO role, with Steve Ritchie -- the company's current chief operating officer -- set to take his place effective Jan.1. Schnatter will remain in his role as chairman of the Louisville-based company. In...Read More
Brokerage firm KBW hiked its price targets on two homebuilder stocks today. Specifically, the firm lifted its target on KB Home (NYSE:KBH) shares to $33 from $31, and hiked its price target on Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) stock to $74 from $70. Both of the revised targets represent new-high territory for KBH and LEN. Below, we'll take a closer look at the pair of homebuilders -- and reveal which...Read More
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) CEO Vince McMahon has sold roughly 3.3 million shares, worth about $100 million, to fund a new entity named Alpha Entertainment LLC, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. The filing also said Alpha Entertainment plans to "explore investments opportunities... including professional football." As such, WWE stock as shed...Read More
The bitcoin bubble appears to be popping, with the cryptocurrency down almost 28% at last check on CoinDesk -- to trade at its lowest level since Dec. 6, and on track for its fourth straight drop. The sharp selloff is weighing on a number of bitcoin-exposed stocks in early trading, including finance firm Longfin Corp (NASDAQ:LFIN), beverage maker Long Island Iced Tea Corp (NASDAQ:LTEA), and blockc...Read More
Ahead of the long Christmas weekend, U.S. stock futures are searching for direction this morning. Just a day after Congress passed the GOP's tax bill, the House voted to approve a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown this weekend. Traders will also digest the latest economic data. Namely, personal income and durable goods orders both fell short of estimates for November, while the Universi...Read More
LONDON, 22 December 2017 - Leading UK personal finance site ThisIsMoney today publishes an interview with BullionVault director of research Adrian Ash."Unlike most other assets [gold] doesn't produce an income," says ThisIsMoney, part of British tabloid the Daily Mail's network, "and isn't used for much else beyond looking pretty and shiny."Asking "What is our fascination with gold?" the 25-minute...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) finished higher today, but ended well off its intraday peak -- and fell short of a record-setting 71st all-time closing high for 2017. Both the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) also finished in the black, led by energy and bank stocks. Traders cheered pledges by big-cap companies to boost wages after the Republican tax plan, and the focus...Read More
Subscribers to Schaeffer's Leverage service nearly tripled their money on our Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) December 52.50 call recommendation. Here's a closer look at what initially drew us to NKE stock, and how the successful options trade unfolded.When we recommended the call option on Monday, Nov. 6, Nike stock was trading near $56. The shares had recently broken out above the $55 level -- home to NKE'...Read More
With tax reform all but guaranteed, not to mention bitcoin attracting a fresh set of investors, optimism on Wall Street has hit fever pitch. In fact, the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) poll recorded its fifth straight increase in bullish respondents -- sending up a sentiment signal not seen in five years, according to Schaeffer's Quantitative Analyst Chris Prybal. Below, we ex...Read More
Financial stock Voya Financial Inc (NYSE:VOYA) is rallying to record highs today, and options volume is surging as a result. Call volume has hit the highest point in at least a year, with roughly 11,500 contracts traded -- blowing past the former 52-week high of 4,248 from April. In fact, call open interest on VOYA stood at just 8,994 before today. The most popular option by far is the May 55 call...Read More
Stocks are pushing higher today after a number of companies promised to use tax savings to increase worker wages. Among the names making the biggest moves are retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBY), utility stock PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), and drink producer Long Island Iced Tea Corp (NASDAQ:LTEA). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of BBBY, PCG, and LTEA. BBBY Stock Short Sal...Read More
While stocks could keep rising, investors are in store for what could be one of the slowest weeks of the year. Case in point: our earnings calendar features zero companies worth monitoring. And while there are a few economic reports to digest in the middle of the week, trading volumes could be muted for the holiday-shortened week -- especially with markets closed on New Year's Day the following Mo...Read More
U.S. stocks are trading higher this afternoon, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) picking up more than 100 points -- and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) trailing closely behind. The Dow is now on track for its 71st all-time closing high this year, which would put 2017 in the record books. Today's gains can be attributed to the passage of the Republican tax bill, wh...Read More
Markets will be closed next Monday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. While the S&P 500 Index (SPX) has historically outperformed during Christmas week -- in what is typically known as a "Santa Claus rally" -- we had Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White run the numbers to see which SPX stocks do well in the holiday-shortened week. Here's a closer look at real estate names Welltowe...Read More
The shares of Altaba Inc (NASDAQ:AABA) -- formerly Yahoo -- touched a record peak of $73.25 about a month ago. Since then, the tech concern has pulled back to its 40-day moving average -- a technical signal that's preceded gains for AABA stock in the past. Below, we take a closer look at Altaba shares to see if they could be flashing "buy," and examine how options traders are speculating on the eq...Read More
Shares of video game maker Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) have struggled following last month's controversial release of "Star Wars: Battlefront II". Today, analysts are chiming in, with Cowen and Company issuing a price-target cut to $104 from $106. The brokerage firm also lowered its profit forecast for the 2018 fiscal year, citing enough negative impact "to more than offset any strength elsew...Read More
Tech stock BlackBerry Ltd (NYSE:BB) is in focus this morning, as analysts respond bullishly to Wednesday morning's third-quarter earnings beat. Since last night's close, BB has racked up five price-target hikes from brokerage firms. The most notable price-target raise came from TD Securities, which gave the onetime handheld-device giant a lift to $14 from $12. However, after yesterday's rally up...Read More
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) shares sank yesterday amid news one of its restaurants in Los Angeles is being investigated by public health officials following customer complaints of illness. Despite this, RBC this morning weighed in by raising its price target on CMG stock to $330 from $320 -- calling for a 10.5% increase from last night's close of $298.67, and a move back up to familiar...Read More