Monday, December 23, 2024
The stock market’s daily movement has begun to normalize, at least compared to March. The major stock indexes are moving about 2% per day on average, significantly higher than what we’ve become used to. Keep in mind: it’s far more typical to see daily moves of 1% or less. Of course, a market crash will […]
Options trading continues to be very active in this market, even though daily volatility of stocks moves has dropped in recent weeks. Index and ETF options remain popular methods for trading market direction. They are also very useful instruments for hedging long stock portfolios. For instance, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) can be used as […]
Although the market has been extremely volatile, it doesn’t mean investors are only looking at directional trades in which they try to make money on big market moves. There are plenty who are still want to generate a regular income from their investments. Of course, dividend stocks are the primary form of income generation through […]
As the reality of COVID-19 sets in, many nations around the globe are digging in for a prolonged battle against the virus. Of course, this isn’t a traditional fight: it involves quarantines, social distancing, and significant disruptions to our usual way of life. Even as many companies and schools temporarily close, it’s been business as […]
It’s not hyperbole to say that this is as crazy as the financial markets ever get. There may have been more shocking news items in 2008 (Lehman going bankrupt), but the huge daily swings we have seen in stocks and other asset classes are unprecedented. A market that has frequent, huge swings in prices is […]
With stocks in a bear market and potentially more selling ahead, the Fed has cut interest rates to 0% and started a new $700 billion quantitative easing program. This could cause a substantial amount of volatility in the market, but especially in rate sensitive sectors like financials. In fact, a trader just bought a large […]
The market sold off sharply this week into correction territory on fears of the global impact of COVID-19. Options volumes were through the roof as expected as traders and investors rushed to get in and out of positions, including hedges. Volatility soared, with the VIX (S&P 500 volatility index) trading at 2-year highs. A popular […]
