The Trump Volatility Trade: Nordstrom, Intel, Cognizant Technology, and Biotech

President Trump will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, February 28th. Traders will no doubt have notepads ready to jot down the latest corporate targets of Trump’s wrath and praise. Trump’s words and tweets move markets, yet recent impacts have not lasted and have even worked in reverse of expectations. It is … Read more

QSR Picks Popeyes And Leaves El Pollo Loco As the Last Chicken Standing

So it was true after all. Restaurant Brands (QSR) was indeed drooling over the secret recipes of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLKI). Today, PLKI soared 19.1% to $78.73/share and a $1.6B market cap, just short of the $79 ($1.8B market cap) that QSR promised to pay for acquiring PLKI. When I discussed the merits of a … Read more

Above the 40 (February 17, 2017) – The S&P 500’s Stubborn Determination

AT40 Status: 64.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 Status: 70.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX Status: 11.5 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) stumbled out the gate and struggled in slightly negative territory for much of the day. A … Read more

Above the 40 (February 13, 2017) – S&P 500 Follow-Through Finally Ends Bearish Divergence

AT40 Status: 66.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 Status: 69.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX Status: 11.1 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary For the first time since December, the S&P 500 (SPY) has displayed strong follow-through to a break out to fresh … Read more

Above the Forty (AT40 – February 3, 2017): The S&P 500 Bids to End Bearish Divergence

AT40 Status: 60.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 Status: 68.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX Status: 11.0 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary Nothing says “strong sentiment” like a stock market that actually rallies on a strong U.S. jobs report: the fear of … Read more