(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) The three benchmark indices finished the first half of 2022 markedly lower, numbers that echo the economy. The S&P 500 fell 20.6%, the most in 52 years. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite led all indexes, dropping a note-worthy 29.5%, the largest decline ever. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 15.3%, with its value stocks suffering less. It too had the worst half since 1962. The interest hikes, supply problems, job … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Across the board, this week stocks have edged lower, with the high-techs being abused to a greater degree. Investors and traders alike are worried about the future tightening and the effects of the early moves by the Federal Reserve. Chairman Jerome Powell has warned that with the already imposed rate increases and the expected future increases that the economy could ‘soften’ and lead to a more sustained fall and … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Markets opened cautiously Thursday as investors and traders were digesting a week filled with much concerning financial news, and the slide began. Stocks began to react with ‘sincerity’ as downward moves were apparent in all sectors, and affected all indices with concern. The S&P 500 was off 3.,8%, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rocked, off 737 points. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite fell 4.6%, leading the sliding Indices. ‘Fateful … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Big news in the job market, as more than 390,000 new jobs were posted this week, giving traders and investors renewed confidence. Also, signs of the economy beginning to ‘chill’ as seen in several areas, namely the housing market supply. Consumer spending slowed, as saving accounts began to steady as the Fed keeps tightening and is undeterred in its mission to control and bring down inflation. Jerome Powell has … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Friday was a Bull…All indices scored higher, with reassurances that…maybe the bear is pausing, or even backing off. As was expected positive earnings and good news in general ‘pushed’ the investor into a comfort zone for the first time in many months–all the way back to November 2020. This is good news in several sectors such as household spending, the liberal use of pent-up savings accounts, and of course … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Trying to elude the Bear…With the indices suffering their eighth consecutive weekly loss and skidding into ‘Bear’ territory, investors have become ‘shell-shocked’ and eager to divest. Already nervous over inflation, Covid-19 peaks, the frustrating Ukraine War, turmoil in the trading market deepens with the depressing conditions. As stocks got hammered all week, with few peaks, and mostly valleys, a cautious rally late Friday nudged the Dow a little higher. … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Another dizzying week of peaks and valleys, with the indices finishing lower…again. Every sector of the market was breached, even the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite could not escape finishing in the red. Its weekly loss was 2.8%, after whipsawing all week and finally gaining some of the ‘loss’ back late Thursday and into Friday. The index hit a low, down 8.5% early in the week, recovering nearly 6% of the … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) It was a soft week for all indices, with apprehention festering over tightening, Covid increases, and the war. Investors are clouded with decisions of what to buy and when to buy–many sectors are looking negative. The S&P 500 lost .57% to close at 4123.34. The tech focused Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.40% to finish at 12144.66, and the ‘steady’ Dow Jones Industrial Average was off .30%, ending the week at … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Russia’s war of destruction in Ukraine has disrupted and curtailed many ‘grain’ products from one of the world’s top grain-exporting regions, pushing up prices for wheat and corn. The loss in exports from the Black Sea region has pushed wheat prices up about 40% this year. Other big crop-producing countries, such as South America, are also affecting the supply shortage. Worldwide demand remains strong for food, fuel made from … Read more…

(Justin Vaughn, Editor, Options Trading Report) Worries about slowing corporate earnings (so far most incoming earnings look good) and Federal Reserve’s plan to rapidly raise interest rates, dragged the Dow Jones Industrials to their worst day since 2020. Friday’s declines, which worsened throughout the day undid gains from earlier in the week, affecting all markets. The broad-based S&P 500, fell at least 1% for the third consecutive, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index lost at … Read more…