Everyone knows volatility has been low in 2017, but last week was ridiculous. By one measure, which is shown below, it is the lowest stock market volatility we have ever recorded. On the other hand, S&P 500 Index (SPX) historical volatility (HV) temporarily moved above a key level, sending up a signal not seen since 2007. Below, I'll consider whether that means anything going forward.Last Week's R...Read More

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) jumped out of the gate, but lost steam as the session progressed, eventually ending modestly lower. Aside from ongoing North Korea jitters, traders digested disappointing consumer confidence and housing data, and an afternoon speech from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. In her remarks, Yellen said the central bank may have overestimated the strength of the labor mar...Read More

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) pulled back on Monday, as part of a broader tech-sell off. The e-commerce giant, which is reportedly entering the smart glasses industry, has not closed north of the $1,000 per-share level since July 28. However, if past is precedent, AMZN stock could be headed back above this key millennium mark in the final three months of 2017. Below, we'll take a closer look...Read More

U.S. stocks are trading cautiously higher this afternoon, as the Dow attempts to bounce back from a three-day losing streak. Among the names in the spotlight today are beleaguered credit agency Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX), apparel retailer L Brands Inc (NYSE:LB), and biopharmaceutical company PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTCT). Here's a quick look at what is moving shares of EFX, LB, and PTCT.E...Read More

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been charting a path steadily higher over the past 12 months, up nearly 29%. Today, the stock is trading up 0.2% at $73.40, not far from its Sept. 18 record high of $75.97. Since then, the Dow stock has pulled back to their 40-day moving average -- a trendline that has served as a springboard over the last year. If past is precedent, MSFT could take aim at n...Read More

We've been keeping a close eye on the struggles of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock since the company's Sept. 12 product unveil. Since their Sept. 11 close of $161.50, AAPL shares have shed 5.4% to trade at $152.74, performing even worse than normal in September. If that wasn't bad enough, our market research recently discovered two warning signs for the iPhone maker, if history should repeat. AA...Read More

It's been a great quarter for the S&P 500 Index (SPX), which popped above 2,500 for the first time ever. The third quarter has also been kind to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), which touched a record high as recently as Thursday, Sept. 21. Both indexes are set for an eighth straight quarter in the black, with the SPX and DJIA pacing for gains of 3.3% and 4.7%, respectively. Below, we take...Read More

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

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

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