Pfizer (PFE) is one of the biggest pharmaceutical names in the world, boasting a market cap of more than $214 billion. After absorbing some very big acquisitions over the years, Pfizer became a stodgy old company whose returns barely kept pace with the market. But perhaps those days are behind Pfizer, and the excitement over…
DetailsRandom movements in the stock market are very tough to explain, but once we understand the role that sentiment plays, these moves make sense. Remember, stocks move along a spectrum marked by fear and greed, and a chart can clearly show these emotions. Plug in several sentiment-related indicators, and you’ll be able to read the…
DetailsBuying insurance is one of those “necessary evils” that we all dread shelling out for but are super thankful we have it when we need it. If you break a leg, get in a car accident, or come home to find your computer and jewelry gone, you practically want to hug your insurance policy. Of…
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March has been a rough month for traders and investors, so during today’s webinar, I talked about the very different trends we have started to see develop. With some markets up and others down this is truly a stock picker’s environment, and given the continued accommodation per the Fed, stocks are still the place to…
DetailsOne group that has been struggling lately is the semiconductor sector. Led by Intel, this group has often led bull and bear moves within the tech-heavy Nasdaq and even for the SPX 500. Last week was a tough one for Intel – analysts slashed earnings estimates and Intel warned that they will miss their numbers…
DetailsA big week is upon us as the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meets for their second two-day session. In anticipation of their meeting, market volatility is elevated somewhat, because so many traders are anxious to learn what direction the Fed will take their interest rate policy. There is general consensus that the Fed may…
DetailsIt has to be frustrating to be a bear in this market. Just when it seems that the market has reached its breaking point and will plunge to new lows, it instead turns tail and heads higher. In fact, ever since the correlation bubble popped in January 2012, there have been a slew of reasons for…
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The retail sector has certainly provided the stock market with its fair share of ups and downs. As fickle as the consumer is, we have seen some names take off over the past few months while others have been saddled with weaker margins, little guidance, complaints about a stronger dollar, and just plain lousy inventory.…
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Today we stepped back a bit and looked at the charts to assess the damage done in this latest barrage of selling. Tuesday was vicious. From the outset, there was no room to bid in this market – the rough news from Europe and Asia really hammered any opportunities into oblivion. Furthermore, yesterday’s bounce was…
DetailsUnderstanding technical analysis is an art form that is shaped by experience – and it is critical for trading options. As a charting veteran, I have evaluated thousands of charts, a daily ritual that typically includes 100 charts in a single day. That may seem exhausting, but it is required if I want to perfect…
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