Get started

GDX

THE WEEK AHEAD: HAND SIT ON PREMIUM SELLINGAlthough VIX finished the week above the low volatility environment zone (<15) at 16.48, not much is enticing here from a premium selling standpoint at first glance. Earnings announcements are now down to a trickle, with the next quarter's announcements coming into range in the May cycle, militating in favor of putting on earnings-related volatility contraction plays closer to announcement since implied will in all likelihood expand running into them. ASHR (50/29), GDXJ (44/27), GDX (35/24), TLT (36/10), XLB (33/19) round out the top five exchange-traded funds sorted by rank; EWZ (12/38), XOP (26/32), OIH (27/32), ASHR (50/29), and USO (14/28) when sorted by 30-day implied, all below the >50/35 metrics I like to see out of these to put plays on, although I will continue to sell a bit of XOP premium here, since it's 30-day implied is nearly twice that of SPY's at the moment: the May 17th 30 short straddle's paying 2.99 (.75 at 25% max), nearly 10% of the Friday close share price of 30.06. On the majors end of the stick: SPY (28/16), QQQ (23/20), DIA (22/17), and IWM (19/21) -- all at the low end of their 52-week volatility ranges.
AMEX:ASHR
by NaughtyPines
Just admit that gold is at resistance and bearish!Just admit that gold is at resistance and bearish! The chart speaks for its self. The Russell 2000 ETF continues to deliver critical technical and longer-term price patterns for skilled technicians. Combining the IWM chart with the Transportation Index, Oil, Gold, and others provide a very clear picture of what to expect in the immediate future. Recently, we posted a research article about the Head-n-Shoulders pattern setting up in the $INDU. Again, the IWM chart is also showing a very clear Head-n-Shoulders pattern with critical resistance near $159.50 and support near $144.25. Our researchers, at Technical Traders Ltd., believe this right Shoulder will prompt a downside market move towards support near $144.25 before a downward sloping wedge pattern sets up. This first downward price leg will setup and congesting wedge formation that will, eventually, break to the upside and drive market prices higher. I also posted a Russell 2K ( IWM ) forecast here www.thetechnicaltraders.com
AMEX:GLDShort
by TheTechnicalTraders
Commodities and Transportation paint PictureOur ongoing efforts to dissect these markets and to help educated and inform traders has led us on an exploration path into the general market activities of two leading market indicators; Commodity prices and Transportation Prices. These two core elements of any regional or global economy are usually about 3~6 months ahead of the general markets. When viewing the Transportation Index, remember that transportation is key to any growing economy and a healthy economy. When an economy is doing well, the transportation sector will be busy shipping and delivering consumer product and staples as well as manufacturing equipment and supplies. When viewing the Commodity Index, remember the Supply and Demand equation where greater demand for commodities needed to manufacture, create, deliver or sell a product will drive prices higher as supply remains relatively constant, prices will increase. Therefore, the theory of today’s research post is “are Transportation and Commodity prices telling us anything important about the future stock market valuations?”. Let’s get into the research. First, the NASDAQ Transportation Index is painting a very clear picture that the upside price move starting near the end of 2016 drove prices well above historical normal ranges. Even today, we are well above historical ranges originating from the lows in 1998 and including the range expansion from the highs of 2007 to the lows of 2009. Given the premise that the Transportation Index would be highlighting increased economic activities across the planet and particularly those of more mature economies, one should expect that global trade/economic activity should be near all-time highs. What we would expect to find to help confirm our analysis is the price levels of general commodities would be increased to match the renewed optimism we believe is growing in the global markets. Obviously, if the global economies are doing well and trade/sales are increasing, then we would expect core commodity levels to increase as demand stays strong which we have seen this happen time and time again during economic cycles. GLD SLV GDX JNUG NUGT SIL GDXJ IYT XTN TPOR
AMEX:GLDShort
by TheTechnicalTraders
1