The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO) still maintains a pretty low profile with investors, despite racking up a banner 2017. ROBO shares have gained about 34% year-to-date, and the fund -- which started trading in October 2013 -- topped $1 billion in assets under management in early August. The fund's ascent has been supported by massive inflows; per etf.com, ROBO's AUM ballooned by 738...Read More
FAANG stocks sold off on Monday, with shares of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) shedding 4.5% -- their biggest one-day percentage loss since Nov. 3. With FB reacting to Mark Zuckerberg's scrapped plans for a new class of stock , the shares had lost roughly $26 billion in market cap at their intraday low. And while it's still too early to tell, the equity is pacing for its worst week since December, even...Read More
Last month we featured Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:REGN) as two stocks to watch in September, as both biotechs historically outperformed for the month. However, they've so far bucked this trend, underperforming since the end of August, ready to close September in the red. On the other hand, data suggests ALXN and REGN could both redeem...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is higher at midday, as markets attempt to rebound from a three-day losing streak. However, the Dow is well off its intraday highs, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) briefly turned negative, amid re-emerging concerns about North Korea. Meanwhile, traders are digesting a surprise drop in new home sales, which fell to an eight-month low...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on software firm Red Hat Inc (NYSE:RHT), biopharmaceutical company ProQR Therapeutics NV (NASDAQ:PRQR), and Israeli tech concern Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ:TSEM). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of RHT, PRQR, and TSEM. Red Hat Gaps Higher on Earnings, GuidanceRed Hat received no fewer than 10 price-target raises after reporting bet...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on bank stock JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), restaurant chain Cheesecake Factory Inc (NASDAQ:CAKE), and biotech Genocea Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:GNCA). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of JPM, CAKE, and GNCA.Deutsche Bank Downgrades JPMorgan ChaseDeutsche Bank downgraded JPMorgan Chase to "hold" from "buy," saying the Fed's plan to g...Read More
Stocks appear to be stabilizing following yesterday's risk-off session. Among specific stocks in focus today are semiconductor name NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), Ann Taylor parent Ascena Retail Group Inc (NASDAQ:ASNA), and biotech Axovant Sciences Ltd (NASDAQ:AXON). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of NVDA, ASNA, and AXON. China AI Push Lifts NVIDIA StockShares of NVIDIA are a...Read More
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are pointed modestly higher today, as the index tries to stabilize after falling for a third straight day. Tech stocks are attempting to stage a rebound, and traders are also awaiting a handful of Fed speeches scheduled for today, including the highly anticipated speech from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Traders will also hear from Cleveland Fed President Lor...Read More
United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) made headlines earlier in September after striking a $30 billion deal to acquire Rockwell Collins. In addition, the U.S. Senate passed a fiscal 2018 defense policy bill, worth nearly $700 billion. Pending approval from President Trump, the bill could give the defense sector a boost. UTX has backpedaled from its mid-July peak just shy of $125, but the pull...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell for a third straight day, as jitters related to North Korea sent stocks spiraling. Specifically, the rogue nation's foreign minister said President Trump had effectively declared war on the country, giving it the right to shoot down U.S. bombers. In addition, the tech sector -- including Apple and fellow FAANG stock Facebook -- sold off, pressuring...Read More
Though earnings season has mostly wrapped up, memory chip maker Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) will report its fiscal fourth-quarter results after the close tomorrow night. Micron has a history of making outsized moves following its earnings reports. Below, we will take a look at how Micron stock typically reacts after earnings, and how options traders are preparing for the big event.Histori...Read More
Tech stocks have taken a tumble lately, led by a steep slide in Apple (AAPL) shares. Since touching a record high of $146.59 on Friday, Sept. 15, the PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) has pulled back close to 2.7%. Likewise, the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) touched an all-time peak of $59.17 on Tuesday, Sept. 19, but has subsequently slid 2.3%. Today, both tech-based exchanged-traded fun...Read More
U.S. stocks are lower this afternoon, after North Korea says the U.S. declared war. Among the names in the spotlight today are sports apparel retailer Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UAA), car parts distributor Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC), and social media giant Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR). Here's a quick look at what is moving shares of UAA, GPC, and TWTR.Under Armour Stock Scores Rare Upgrade Under...Read More
Barring any big sell-offs this week, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is pacing for a monthly gain -- a rarity, considering September is one of the weakest months for stocks. Looking ahead to October, the SPX has averaged a monthly gain of 0.9% -- near the top of the pack. Drilling down on specific names, Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) and Delta Air Lines, Inc.(NYSE:DAL) are two of the best stocks to o...Read More
Delivery expert United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) has been grinding higher since the financial crisis, touching a record high in late 2016. And while UPS stock experienced a significant bear gap in early 2017, the shares have been rising fast in recent months, as rival FedEx trades near all-time highs. Options traders appear extremely hopeful of the security's continued ascent, too. Starti...Read More
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is lower at midday,as markets eye another threat from North Korea. The country's foreign minister said President Trump's recent comments that Kim Jong Un's regime "won't be around much longer" were a declaration of war. As such, the isolated nation said it has "every right to make countermeasures, including the right to shoot down United States strategic bom...Read More
It's the tail end of earnings season, but there are still a handful of high-profile names left to report. Athletic apparel retailer Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), for instance, is scheduled to release its quarterly results after tomorrow's close. Today, NKE call options are trading at an accelerated clip, and it looks like one trader may be hoping to capitalize on inflated implied volatility levels ahead of...Read More
The following is a reprint of the market commentary from the October 2017 edition of The Option Advisor, published on September 22. For more information, or to subscribe to The Option Advisor -- featuring 10 new option trades each month -- visit our online store.It was just a couple of months ago in this space that we touched on the predictive powers of the group of investors known in the weekl...Read More
Analysts are weighing in on healthcare stocks Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX) and Tenet Healthcare Corp (NYSE:THC), as well as clothing designer VF Corp (NYSE:VFC). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of DGX, THC, and VFC.Raymond James Downgrades Quest Diagnostics StockQuest Diagnostics shares are down 7.1% out of the gate at $94.89, after Raymond James downgraded...Read More
U.S. stocks are pulling back this morning as the dollar weakens. Among specific stocks in focus today are social media site Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), as well as biotech stocks Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ICPT) and NewLink Genetics Corp (NASDAQ:NLNK). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of FB, ICPT, and NLNK. FB Shares Dip on Stock Plan UpdateFacebook stock is down 0.6% at...Read More