Editor

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The market roared ahead Monday, in sync with Friday’s closing, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 400 points.  Investors and traders were seemingly  uplifted by a possible lower tightening figure, just maybe a 50 basis point increase for October.  Many feel that a ‘downward’ number would signify more caution and concern regarding the initiation of a recession.  Even after the Fed raised rates by 75 basis points three … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Peaks and Valleys marked a turbulent week as inflation ruled investors and traders. The markets floundered with anticipation of the release Thursday of the (dreaded) CPI figure for September, at 8.2%, just a bit below August’s 8.3%, hardly a positive. A smattering of corporate earnings in the financial area were somewhat negative as big banks showed lower profits and listless growth. As earnings emerged from several sectors, a majority … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After a whip-sawed week of ups and downs, investors and traders were looking for some ‘bit’ of good news to build some confidence. A positive jobs report showed employers added over 263,000 hires in September, pushing the unemployment rate down to 3.5%, from 3.7%. As this ‘good news’ is normally a booster for the market, it actually was a ‘downer,’ as it prompts the Fed to rethink the inflation … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stocks rebounded Monday, with the indices showing new found confidence, after months of whipsawing, sending multiple signals. The Bear disappeared for a while…with signs that just maybe October was saying good-bye to a frightful September. Monday’s indices surged, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average adding 765 points.. The S&P 500, benchmark index, tacked on 92 points. The Nasdaq Composite followed suit. And Tuesday seemed to find the groove that … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The Sleeping Bear Has Awakened…and Monday christened the slide.. The steep downturn Monday, after five days of sliding, the indices set new lows. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the way falling 329 points on Monday to close at 29260, and into Bear Territory. The index has fallen over significantly to give credence to entering ‘Bear Territory.’ The S&P 500 rested at a ‘new’ bottom at 3655. The Technology … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The week opened aimlessly with no evident direction as the indices sputtered, with an uneventful closing. Then came Tuesday, a day of reckoning and the indexes began to retreat as inflation took on a serious stand. Consumer apathy showed its ugly head and the reality that inflation is hardly budging. Traders and Investors stepped in and the carnage began, with major selling drilling the market , as the indexes … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Markets remained softer as investors and traders tip-toed with caution as the week opened. Hanging fears persisted as anticipation gripped the indices, awaiting another round of tightening. The indexes opened the shortened week with much apprehension: the energy stalemate in Europe (and around the world) and the continued Fed policy of tightening, all weighing heavily as the reality is getting ‘real.’ After two months of somewhat reassuring markets upticks, … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Inflation looms, interest rates rise and markets churn, turning negative…All battling the ‘conflagration’ of inflation. As the indices reveal weaknesses, investors and traders continue to hedge, moving into safe havens, with bonds a target. While the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell maintains the tightening course of deflating inflation, apprehension grips the markets roiling and disrupting long-term goals. Indices are squamish as the frustrated investor seeks to safeguard capital. As … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) After three days of down indices, Wednesday turned positive, with help…as energy stocks came alive, and perked up and buoyed all markets. Until Wednesday, investors and traders were influenced by several negatives; rumblings of interest rates rising, the service industry is weaker than through. Even manufacturing news wasa pessimistic, as earnings numbers were not as expected. Brian Price, head of investment management at Commonwealth Financial Network noted: “The market … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Stocks were mixed all week as stronger retail numbers by industry leaders were robust, surprising analysts and economists. As the week wore on more earnings emerged with less ‘gloss’ and the markets reacted with some ‘whipsawing.’ Blue Chip stocks were in the limelight off and on the first three days as no direction defined itself. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average showed some positiveness, while … Read more…