SchaeffersResearch.com Market Observations

All 3 indices accelerate in late trading, but the week still finishes with a loss

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:17:00 GMT

U.S. stock futures spent another day see-sawing between positive and negative ground, after the morning started on a positive note stemming from a Wall Street Journal report that Citigroup's (C) board of directors was meeting to consider auctioning off parts of the bank...(Read More)

Bunge Limited (BG) puts have been twice as popular as calls on the ISE recently

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Pessimistic options players have targeted agribusiness issue Bunge Limited (BG: sentiment, chart, options) lately...(Read More)

Examining the importance of the Consumer Price Index

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:42:00 GMT

During the past year, the media has flash-carded the terms inflation, stagflation and now deflation, thanks to the October Consumer Price Index (CPI), in an attempt to extrapolate potential economic scenarios...(Read More)

Examining technical and sentiment indicators for Toyota Motor (TM) and Honda Motor Co. (HMC)

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:05:00 GMT

As I prepare to purchase a new car this weekend, I couldn't help but notice the number of automakers announcing job and production cuts...(Read More)

Examining technical and sentiment backdrops for the agribusiness sector

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:52:00 GMT

The oil sector wasn't the only commodity-related bubble to pop in 2008. The agribusiness group has suffered a hefty beating since the middle of the year, as investors have flown the coop on this group in search of greener pastures...(Read More)

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) put volume spikes following Citigroup's announcement

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:25:00 GMT

The financial sector is besieged on all sides this week, with Citigroup (C) debating putting itself on the auction block, KeyCorp (KEY) cutting its dividend, and J.P...(Read More)

This cosmetics stock has plunged sharply in the past month, attracting a slew of bears

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Like many other companies that rely on an influx of consumers' discretionary income, Avon Products, Inc...(Read More)

Skeptical options speculators swarm Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (STP), as the stock hits new lows

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

In last week's edition of Trading Tools, I examined Oracle Corporation (ORCL), as it appeared on the Zacks Most Active Options filter...(Read More)

The credit-card company could be hit with downgrades after offering a very cautious outlook

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

For a while there, it looked like Visa Inc. (V: sentiment, chart, options) was relatively well-protected from the financial crisis...(Read More)

After 2 days in the red, U.S. stocks turn positive

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:23:00 GMT

After a tumultuous week in the red, it seems the Street is trying something new - positive territory...(Read More)

Salesforce.com (CRM) battles unwinding bullish sentiment to avoid another steep decline

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:00:00 GMT

After the close last night, Salesforce.com (CRM: sentiment, chart, options) reported that third-quarter net income rose to %2410.1 million, or 8 cents per share, from %246.5 million, or 5 cents per share, last year...(Read More)

Next week brings us earnings from Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Texas Industries, Inc. (TXI), Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), and Tiffany & Co. (TIF)

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:51:00 GMT

Schaeffer's Looks Ahead: Earnings from Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Texas Industries, Inc...(Read More)

A contrarian look at Agrium (AGU)

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:40:00 GMT

This week, I decided to head on over to our Contrarian Stock Screener to find a bearish pick...(Read More)

Are Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) in the holiday spirit?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:15:00 GMT

U.S. stock futures are higher this morning, indicative of a potentially positive start to the regular session of trading...(Read More)

Economic concerns continued to punish U.S. stocks, with all 3 indices plunging on the day

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:28:00 GMT

Stocks zigged and zagged on both sides of the breakeven line today, as Wall Street was treated to yet another day of bleak economic data and troubling equities news...(Read More)

Despite its status as an outperformer, pessimism surrounds Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:55:00 GMT

Amid this uncertain market environment, it's not often you hear about stocks with the potential to muscle higher...(Read More)

Are put players cheering Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.'s (EGLE) recent fall from grace?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:15:00 GMT

Options players have preferred pessimistic positions on Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc...(Read More)

Examining technical and sentiment indicators for The Gymboree Corporation (GYMB)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:04:00 GMT

Investors have flocked to The Gymboree Corporation (GYMB: sentiment, chart, options) today...(Read More)

Pessimism is running high among option players, despite solid price action

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:32:00 GMT

Like the rest of its peers on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, McDonald's Corporation (MCD: sentiment, chart, options) has endured some choppy price action this year...(Read More)

Option volume more than doubled on shipping sultan DryShips Inc. (DRYS) yesterday

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:55:00 GMT

As reported in this morning's Opening View, options traders from both sides of the Street bombarded bulk-shipping behemoth DryShips Inc...(Read More)

Put volume soars on Pulte Homes (PHM) following poor October housing starts data

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:40:00 GMT

Just when the credit crisis and trouble with the financial sector had taken center stage on Wall Street, the housing sector reminded investors why they dare not forget about this troubled section of the market...(Read More)

Can this slumping defense stock benefit from multiple international skirmishes?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:18:00 GMT

We'll spare you our lame jokes about "defensive" stocks, but we do find it interesting that defense-sector names haven't held up better amid the recent market turmoil...(Read More)

As unemployment claims rose to a 16-year high, stocks dropped

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:23:00 GMT

U.S. stocks sank this morning, as the weekly jobless claims rose, revealing new economic concerns...(Read More)

Examining option player sentiment using volume put/call ratios

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:19:00 GMT

Two weeks before Halloween 2008, I warned investors to be wary of the upcoming investing climate due to the lack of capitulation shown by option volume indicators...(Read More)

American International Group is one of 8 troubled U.S. financial firms, says Friedman analyst

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:50:00 GMT

Forget the %24700-billion bailout -- analysts at Friedman Billings Ramsey & Co...(Read More)

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Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:41:00 GMT

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Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:41:00 GMT

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