Volatility

Bank of America became the fifth major bank to report so far this earnings season, and it came in with better-than-expected results. The spotlight shines on Netflix this afternoon.

Earnings season kicks off today with a quartet of major banks reporting. The results so far point to a mixed picture, with strength at some balanced by weakness at others as we await more color from executives on the calls.

The day starts with investors re-evaluating the meaning of a “phase one” agreement with China amid varying news reports. The earnings season gets underway with a bang tomorrow.

When companies report quarterly earnings, the stakes can be high. A single earnings miss can dent an investment portfolio that’s concentrated. Here are a few ideas for managing idiosyncratic risk.

The market is in rally mode early Friday as optimism grows about possible progress in today’s trade talks. That said, there’s always a chance things could go south, so keep the seatbelts fastened.

It’s been hard to make sense of the news flow, and by this morning equities index futures had pared their losses as investors apparently strap in to see what actually happens.

Investors are once again more optimistic ahead of high-level trade talks that start tomorrow after Bloomberg reported that China is still open to a partial trade deal and a Financial Times article said the Asian nation has offered to boost its yearly purchases of U.S. farm products.

Trade talks start Thursday but the mood is negative on Wall Street this morning as negative reports in the news seem to dominate. A lower than expected inflation read is also in the mix.

When volatility rears its occasional head, some investors consider cashing out stocks. But are there better ways to ride out market volatility? Cameron May explains.

With earnings season still a week away and the jobs report behind us, trade talks are likely to take center stage this week as China and the U.S. resume negotiations.

> A volatile week comes to a close with a monthly jobs report that fell a bit short of consensus estimates. But the unemployment rate fell to a level not seen since 1969. How might this reflect on the U.S. consumer and on Fed policy?

Things seem to be getting a bit more stable this morning after two days of dramatic declines. Payrolls data looms large on Friday, but before that we get earnings from Costco later today.

All sectors finished lower Wednesday as concerns over weakness in manufacturing and fresh trade concerns weigh stock markets for the second straight day.

We’re seeing the slide continue today and global stocks took it on the chin. Lennar earnings offer some positive energy for the housing sector, and odds of a Fed rate cut are rising.

With uncertainty over trade talks, future economic growth, and political developments still lingering over the market, there are still positive elements to monitor such as solid earnings, strong job market, and low inflation.

The main worry with impeachment is whether the process might distract from trade talks or give China an advantage. Meanwhile, Nike earnings looked good and reinforced ideas that consumers are generally healthy.

What is a smart-beta ETF? Explore what qualifies as a smart-beta fund and what systems define this type of ETF.

Our chief market strategist breaks down the day's top business stories and offers insight on how they might impact your trading and investing.

Investors appear unsure of what to make of the past couple days of trade developments, as optimism about China and the United States sitting down at the negotiating table has been tempered with some troubling signs.

On Wall Street, investors this morning seem to be a bit upbeat, heartened by developments on the trade front and by yet another major economy cutting interest rates.

A Fed rate cut yesterday doesn’t appear to be helping the market much today. Existing home sales are due later this morning and other central banks left rates unchanged.

In a move widely expected by the market, the Federal Open Market Committee lowered the target fed funds rate 25 basis points to a range between 1.75% and 2%. This marks the second cut in as many months. Despite expectations, stocks fell on the news.

The Fed is widely expected to cut rates this afternoon, so there’s not much intrigue there. However, FedEx earnings last night might have raised some eyebrows as trade pressure seems to be affecting its business.

The Fed meets today with chances of a rate cut still high but down from where they were. Geopolitics are still front and center as people assess crude’s huge rally and wait for more news from the Gulf.

In these times of stock market volatility, many investors are looking for yield in fixed income and dividend stocks. However, there’s risk in these investments, too, so know what you’re getting into.

As trade war fears heat up between the U.S. and some of its major trading partners, some investors may be looking for tariff protection. Here are some things to consider as you aim for a “trade-war-proof” portfolio.

When volatility falls, many option traders turn to these five strategies designed to capitalize on depressed volatility levels.

Trading with your emotions during times of market volatility? Explore whether a robo-advisor may be able to help.

Looking for volatility exposure? Learn about volatility products including VIX options.

The average true range indicator could be a new arrow in your quiver of technical analysis tools.

Temporarily protect your retirement against volatility risk. Here are some retirement- planning strategies.

Structural changes in the loan market over the last decade have shifted many loans from the balance sheets of big banks to those of institutional and retail investors. What risks might these loans pose to investors?

Got stock options? Set goals and have a plan. Here are three steps to consider for your equity compensation plan.

CD investing isn’t limited to walking into your local bank branch and opening an account. Learn the potential benefits and risks of brokered CDs and how they differ from bank-issued CDs.

February’s market seems poised for more possible volatility as investors watch how geopolitical issues like Brexit and U.S.-China tariff tensions unfold. Meanwhile, Q4 earnings season, now underway, is presenting a mixed bag and the government shutdown continues.

Though January was marked by a steady climb in the stock market after a December selloff, the month seemed charged with uncertainty as major geopolitical questions remained unanswered and consumer confidence appeared to waver.

Learn about several emerging macroeconomic risk areas that could impact the financial markets in 2019.

Volatility data is focused on the long term. Traders are focused on the short term. There is a way to convert volatility data so it can be useful for the trader.

Turmoil struck the markets in December as the Fed raised interest rates again. Stocks sank sharply amid worries about the economy, China tariffs, and more potential rate hikes next year.

Does volatility worry you when it comes to the stock you've received as compensation? Learn tips to help manage this valid concern.

Here’s why you need to keep your retirement money growing even when you’re already using it (hint: inflation and longevity).

Investors can expect more volatility in December, when the stock market could react to a number of events.

The October's stock saw volatile trading that had investors on a rock ride as earnings season got underway. The Nasdaq plunged into correction territory in a sudden late-month slide.

The recent rise in volatility means it could be time to talk about strategies designed to capitalize on elevated volatility levels.

New to stock investing? Learn the basics of stocks, earnings, dividends, and how a stock’s value is determined.

The recent wave of volatility might serve as a reminder of the importance of using a diversified investment trading approach. Here are some tips to avoid possible traps in these choppy markets.

Using volatility and market statistics is one of many keys to successful stock market trading. Learn how to incorporate them into your investment strategy.

Learn how option straddles and strangles can give you exposure to implied volatility.

With the earnings calendar tools available on the TD Ameritrade thinkorswim Platform, you can be in the know when it comes to the earnings season.

Learn about the dynamics of foreign exchange volatility, and where to find currency volatility data.

Learn about “black swan” events and how you can attempt to protect yourself and your portfolio from adverse shocks.

Looking ahead to the second half, it’s possible that politics in Washington and Q2 earnings could help set the tone. Can strength seen in the first half conti

The U.S. presidential election cycle theory of the stock market says that the market moves based on the year of the president's term. Is there any proof?

Learn to use the Bollinger Bands volatility indicator when measuring overbought and oversold conditions in stocks and indexes.

Implied volatility tends to be mean reverting. But what does that really mean? Learn how options traders can potentially benefit from monitoring implied volat

When trying to select the right option strategies, which do you choose? Looking to IV percentiles for clues to VIX levels may help.

ETFs have matured but they’re not done evolving. Morningstar’s Scott Burns urges income-seeking investors to expand their minds and their research.

Volatility’s tendency to level out after a spike can present strategy opportunities, especially selling strategies found with strangles and iron condors.

Use volatility to pick an options strategy to speculate on a given direction, rather than to replace fundamental analysis and charts to determine potential.

Study intermarket analysis, specifically bonds, for potential clues on the next leg for Federal Reserve policy and stock market reaction.

Trying to time the market? Add sentiment analysis to your stock trading approach to help narrow the time horizon around an underlying security’s move.

Check out short-term options pricing to gain a sense of how the underlying stock could move around an earnings release. You can track straddles or use the TD

Out-of-the-money call options may be hard to trade when volatility is low, but there are good opportunities for cheaper options trades during market extremes.