Why is VIX All Alone? No Friends, No Friends

12Dec3:52 pmEST

Stock Market Recap 12/12/16 {Video}

The following video is a brief, condensed version of the Stock Market Recap which I present each evening to members of Market Chess Subscription Services. In the longer version, I offer tons of actionable trade ideas, educational content, and in-depth objective analysis across all markets. If you enjoy my videos and blog posts, then please...

12Dec3:50 pmEST

The Restaurant Business

There are, indeed, quite a few stocks and sectors quietly hinting at staging a resurgence in 2017. Restaurant stocks would have to be included in that group, beyond the impressive action in fast food winners like JACK and WEN this year. When it comes to casual dining, CAKE is back in action and is still sporting a multi-year uptrend yet to be...

12Dec1:31 pmEST

Wargaming or Not

Shares of Lockheed Martin are dropping today after President-elect Trump said the F-35 program was too expensive. Other aerospace and defense plays are down, too, like NOC and RTN. On its face, the case certainly seems to be that the market is becoming sensitive to Trump's comments. However, it is worth noting that the aerospace and defense...

12Dec10:47 amEST

Fishing for Momentum

Stocks are a bit sluggish out of the gate this morning, with the FOMC later this week the likely cherry on top of 2016 before Christmas and New Year's empty out many a trading desk afterwards. In terms of identifying quality momentum, growth stocks have been taking a backseat to the rotations into value-oriented areas of the market of late,...

10Dec7:50 pmEST

Weekend Overview and Analysis 12/11/16 {Video}

The following video is a brief, condensed version of the full-length Weekend Video Strategy Session which I present each weekend to members of Market Chess Subscription Services. In the longer version, I offer tons of actionable trade ideas, educational content, and in-depth objective analysis across all markets. Please click here for more...

10Dec7:49 pmEST

Saturday Night at Market Chess Cinemas

Featuring a strong performance by a young Gary Busey, The Buddy Holly Story (1978) does a good job portraying the iconic rock legend from his meteoric rise to fame followed by his marriage and tragic death. Buddy Holly was a tremendous talent, and this film, along with La Bamba (1987), are certainly worth a viewing to look at the legendary...

09Dec11:07 amEST

A Little Something for the Scavengers

If you have been patiently waiting to pounce on some shorts, the natural instinct is of course to go after some very extended parts of the market which have surged, like small caps or financials, for example. Indeed, those short scalps could easily work over the weekend as a hedge versus existing longs. But it is also worth considering, in...

08Dec3:42 pmEST

Stock Market Recap 12/08/16 {Video}

The following video is a brief, condensed version of the Stock Market Recap which I present each evening to members of Market Chess Subscription Services. In the longer version, I offer tons of actionable trade ideas, educational content, and in-depth objective analysis across all markets. If you enjoy my videos and blog posts, then please...

08Dec3:38 pmEST

The Sky is Falling on Macau

I wrote about domestic casino operater RRR the other day. So, I wanted to follow-up on the abrupt sell-off today in the Macau-related players, namely LVS MPEL WYNN, even MGM, all getting clocked about an hour ago on news that Beijing was pushing back against Macau by slashing ATM withdraw limits. LVS MGM MPEL WYNN all suffered immediate and...

08Dec1:37 pmEST

Why is VIX All Alone? No Friends, No Friends

The typically-destitute VIX (CBOE Market Volatility Index, measuring "fear" as a proxy from the options market) is higher for the second day in a row, today up a reasonable amount considering indices are squeezing higher yet. When the VIX is below 20, as a general rule, and VIX futures are in contango, it is tough to get too excited about...