Volatility

The market appears set to resume its bid for a 3000 close in the SPX today after just missing it yesterday on worries about trade with China. Optimism about reopenings remains the major theme.

With businesses across the nation reopening and positive news on the development of a possible coronavirus vaccine, investor optimism seems to be fueling a rally in stocks.

Shares have gained this week on economic optimism as U.S. states begin to reopen, while investors and traders have also been encouraged by the possibility of more economic stimulus.

The market took a pause in pre-opening bell trading amid a deluge of data. Jobless claims remain near historic highs, but are down from previous week.

The momentum turned higher early Wednesday after Tuesday’s closing skid. Strength came in part from Lowe’s and Target earnings, along with a rise in crude prices.

Investors are scrutinizing earnings from Walmart and Home Depot this morning and awaiting the latest tidings from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell after yesterday’s ferocious rally. Walmart saw a big boost from e-commerce.

Markets have a firm tone overseas and in U.S. futures trading this morning as investors focus on calming words from Fed Chairman Powell in an interview and hopes for progress on a vaccine.

Trade tensions between U.S. and China plus lower than expected drop in retail sales send equity futures lower, ahead of the open.

Worse-than-expected weekly jobless claims numbers underscore sobering commentary yesterday from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.

Excitement about the economy slowly starting to reopen has boosted shares in recent days. But there seems to be a sense among traders and investors that the economic recovery may have a ways to go.

As businesses start opening up slowly, investors seem to show more optimism in stocks. Equity futures are higher ahead of the open, oil is moving higher, and volatility appears to be declining.

The new week begins with the market catching its breath following Friday’s impressive rally. Focus this week shifts away from earnings and toward economic reopenings.

As expected, the Labor Dept. reported a massive spike in unemployment Friday morning. But with the bad news essentially baked in, index futures extended this week's rally in the early going. With the number out of the way, attention may turn back to earnings, trade talks, and the timing of economic reopening.

A profit-taking pullback in crude seems to be short-lived as export data out of China helped give markets a lift in the early going. But tomorrow's Labor Dept. Report is expected to show a hefty spike in unemployment.

A comeback rally enters its third day, with equity indices flashing green in the early going, and crude oil looks set to enter its 6th up day in a row. But data from ADP confirmed what most investors already knew—payrolls contracted sharply in April. How might this seeming dichotomy play out?

There’s a firmer tone this morning as strength in crude seems to be leading the way higher. The crude rally could reflect hopes for a return to more normal times as some states reopen. Disney and Beyond Meat lead earnings parade later.

he week ahead is likely to be dominated by the troika of GM and Disney earnings along with Friday’s looming payrolls data for April. The market is starting off on shaky ground after Friday’s ugly finish.

May is off to a rocky start with technology heavyweights leading the stock market lower. Added pressure on China brought back trade war memories which may have also played a role in the market’s dive.

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?

After April's record-breaking stock rally, what might the market do for an encore? As earnings results from two FAANG members—along with a few energy giants—drag the market down, the new month doesn’t appear to be starting out well.

It’s the busiest earnings day of the busiest earnings week of the quarter, and Amazon and Apple earnings cap things off this afternoon. A host of strong earnings last night, including from Microsoft and Facebook, are in focus this morning.

In a widely-expected non-move, the Federal Reserve held steady on the fed funds rate as COVID-19 keeps a lid on commercial activity in the U.S. In its statement, the central bank pledged to keep rates at essentially zero until "full employment returns."

Earnings data typically grab the headlines in April, but this year, markets are still weighing the impact of coronavirus on the economy, as well as the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary stimulus.

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

Political season really takes off in March with a host of Democratic presidential primaries. This might become more of an influence on market action as the weeks go by, along with some late-breaking earnings, coronavirus fears, and a Fed meeting.

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.

As the 2020 calendar flips to February, volatility has returned to the market in the form of deadly virus. Meanwhile, earnings season rolls on, as do impeachment hearings. Fed testimony also ahead.

Volatility could return to the picture in 2020 as the U.S. election approaches even while Brexit and China trade issues continue to spin their webs.

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.

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?

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.