Volatility

As a new president takes office, optimism permeates Wall Street following strong results from Netflix and Morgan Stanley. Investors await tomorrow’s weekly claims report.

Stock market starts the week with focus on Bank of America and Goldman Sachs earnings. Investors are also turning their attention to Janet Yellen’s confirmation hearings and tomorrow’s inauguration.

Netflix has been in the right place at the right time as quarantined consumers looked for distractions through much of 2020. Tuesday we'll find out how the ebbs and flow of new subscriber growth ended the year.

President-elect Joe Biden announces details of his stimulus plan, and earnings season kicks off with mixed results from JP Morgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo.

A more potent merger-and-acquisition environment, along with busy capital markets, might lend some of the big investment banks a hand as Q4 earnings approach.

Big banks are set to kick off earnings season tomorrow, and next week a new administration is set to take over. Markets could be in for a sort of "transition day."

2020 was a challenging year for investors. But 2021 might be a challenge as well—for different reasons. Here’s a look at the opportunities and risks.

The traditional start of earnings season is just two days away, and in the meantime Wall Street has its eyes on events in Washington and a pretty mild inflation reading. Crude is up and small caps have been leading the charge lately.

The market looks like it’s attempting another turnaround Tuesday with many investors anticipating a strong earnings season. Data and earnings are a bit light today, so Washington could remain in focus.

A thin data and earnings picture to start the week could put a lot of the focus on events in Washington. That’s potentially contributing to the early rise in volatility and slump in stocks.

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 apparently have more clarity now that the results of Georgia’s Senate runoffs are known, solidifying Democrat control in Washington and increasing expectations of more stimulus to come.

As results from the Senate runoff in Georgia come in, markets begin to reflect what may be the new order. Early winners include banks and small caps, but Big Tech begins the day in the hole.

The market is taking a train down to Georgia today, with investors focused on voting results there and possible ramifications for U.S. tax policy. In the meantime, things could be a bit wobbly today after a selloff to start the year. A test of yesterday’s lows is possible.

Starting the new year fresh can be a great idea. Despite the drop and pop we saw last year, it may still be a good time to think about resetting your trading strategies and get a fresh start.

The new year appears to be kicking off right where the old one ended, with strength in stocks. Volatility is up a little, however, so caution could be the watchword, especially ahead of tomorrow’s Georgia Senate elections.

Trading volumes might be light today as it’s the last trading day of the year and many investors and traders have closed the books for the year.

The day starts with most of the indicators pointing higher. Crude, stocks, yields all are in the green early, and focus could again be on Washington as the Senate contemplates a bigger stimulus check.

Washington is in focus today after the House passed a bill raising direct payments to $2,000. Senate approval seems less likely. Meanwhile, hotel and airline stocks shined yesterday, and the 737-MAX takes to the skies.

Stocks appear poised for a positive beginning to a short holiday week. There’s little data and basically no earnings of note to track, but thin volume could cause sharper market moves at times.

In a shortened session ahead of the Christmas holiday, markets are getting an early lift as a Brexit deal looks close. Aside from that, the same worries around stimulus and the virus continue to be front and center.

During a major economic event, it may be a good time to revisit your portfolio. It could mean rethinking long-term objectives, reexamining your risk tolerance, or taking a moment to self-reflect.

It’s been a wild year on Wall Street, but December could bring a bit more calm. The market is roughly balanced between hopes for 2021 strength thanks to vaccines, and worries about mounting virus cases and slipping economic data.

Selling covered calls and cash-secured puts can help investors generate additional income, increase their probability of success, decrease their volatility of returns, and lower their overall risk when compared to buying stock.

The night of Nov. 3 and any aftermath of the election is likely to set the tone for November. Look for possible “risk-off” trading if results are close or contested, but also be on the watch for retail earnings, the Fed, and possible vaccine data as the month continues.

When faced with high volatility, many options traders turn to these five strategies designed to capitalize on elevated volatility levels.

Like most financial advisors, robo-advisors recommend portfolios based on investors’ long-term financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Because robo-advisors generally use algorithms to make investment decisions, they avoid emotions and generally charge lower fees.

How can skew offer insight into market sentiment? Implied volatility between out-of-the-money put and call options is almost always skewed depending on whether there’s panic to the downside or upside.

It’s been a wild year so far with the pandemic, and now a presidential election is just a few weeks away. Between election news, earnings season, and hopes for a vaccine, October seems to promise plenty of action. And volatility.

Investors see volatility rising in September as election approaches, meaning the market might start to feel the impact.

The “financial independence, retire early” (FIRE) movement was all the rage in 2018 and 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about a lot of things. Has the upheaval in 2020 changed the desire to FIRE? And how might retirement plans be affected by the current situation?

Special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) have been around awhile, but they’ve gotten some new attention in 2020. Here’s a look at the mechanics and risks for investors involved in blank-check companies.

Trying to figure out your financial planning during a time of market volatility? Learn how to stick to your financial goals.

A good defense is the best offense, right? It’s sometimes true for investing as well. Here’s what investors should know about defensive investing and defensive sectors.

Are you an investor who follows the daily or weekly ebb and flow of your retirement accounts? If so, market downturns might be a bit unsettling at times. But what if instead of focusing on today’s bottom line you focused instead on outcomes—your progress toward your goals? Here’s how.

The escalating coronavirus pandemic that triggered a bear market in U.S. stocks in early 2020 looks to have tipped us into a possible recession. How can you prepare for and invest during a recession and bear market?

Learn about the Bollinger Bands technical indicator and how it can help identify volatility and overbought/oversold conditions in stocks and indices.

The monthly U.S. Employment Situation report—commonly called the jobs report—is perhaps the most closely watched fundamental indicator for traders and investors. Here’s why.

Tariffs have been part of American economic history from the country’s origins. Are tariffs good or bad for investors?

Should you switch from trading long options strategies to short options strategies when volatility levels are high? Sometimes prices are high for a reason.

All investments experience market volatility, which is why retirement portfolio strategies should focus on allocating assets across investments of different risk levels.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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?

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.