School Articles

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1. Calm markets

U.S. stock futures are edging up and European markets are mixed in early trading. Many investors are noting that the markets have been surprisingly calm in the last few weeks.

In fact, this spring has been one of the most tranquil periods for American stocks since the 1960s.

In Asia, most key stock markets declined, but Chinese indexes edged up.

2. Stocks to watch -- Google, Humana

Shares in Google (GOOGL, Tech30) could see higher trading volume Wednesday as the company holds its annual meeting for shareholders. Some are demanding that the company fully disclose all of its spending on lobbying. There will be a vote on the issue during the day.

Shares in insurance giant Humana (HUM) are moving up as investors expect it will increase its premiums on some Texas health plans by as much as 30%. Other insurers are proposing similar plans.

3. Economic announcements

On the economic side, the U.S. Census Bureau is releasing trade balance data at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Data on crude oil inventories will come out at 10:30 a.m. Ahead of the release, crude prices are declining by about 1% to trade aroud $60.60 per barrel.

At 2 p.m., the U.S. Federal Reserve is releasing its Beige Book. The publication offers anecdotal information on the state of the economy.

4. Greece

The crisis over Greece's enormous debts is coming to a head. Its international creditors are expected to present an agreed list of reforms to Greek officials later Wednesday, according to reports.

The European Central Bank announces its latest policy decision but is unlikely to make any change. More attention will be focused on what ECB President Mario Draghi has to say about the situation in Greece.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:  

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1. Stock market overview

U.S. stock futures are moving higher and most European markets are firmer in early trading.

Asian markets ended with mixed results, but the Shanghai Composite stood out after shooting up by nearly 5% Monday. Investors appear to be betting even more heavily that China will take measures to stimulate its economy after another batch of weak data.

On Friday, the main U.S. stock markets closed the month of May with a loss. The Dow Jones industrial average declined by 116 points, the S&P 500 fell 0.6% and the Nasdaq closed 0.6% lower.

2. Market movers -- Altera, AstraZeneca, Roche

Shares in Altera (ALTR) are rallying by about 8% premarket as reports say Intel (INTC, Tech30) will soon announce a takeover deal for the company worth roughly $17 billion. Intel will reportedly pay $54 per share.

Shares in AstraZeneca (AZN) and Roche (RHHBF) are rising by about 2% in Europe after each company reported encouraging results from tests of new cancer treatments. Reports from the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference in Chicago suggest the clinical trials could reflect a major breakthrough in using the body's immune system to treat cancer.

3. Greece's problems rumble on

Investors are keeping an eye on Greece this week as the country approaches another debt deadline on Friday. Many doubt whether the country will have enough money to repay its debts this month.

"Early June payments are likely to be made but the chances that enough cash can be found under mattresses or behind cupboards to get through the whole month are remote," said Kit Juckes, a market strategist at Societe Generale.

Meanwhile, traders are expressing concern about the Greek prime minister's opinion article in French newspaper Le Monde, where he accused "certain institutional actors" of "submitting absurd proposals" that are hurting Greece.

The euro was slightly weaker against the dollar.

4. Economics

New data out of Europe showed the manufacturing sector continues to improve, as previously forecast.

In the U.S., the government will publish personal income and spending numbers at 8:30 a.m. ET.

New U.S. monthly manufacturing data will be released at 10 a.m.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:  

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

{sl_advpoll id='1' width='250' center='1' title='POLL'}

1. Don't sell in May

Anyone following the market mantra "Sell in May and go away" would have missed out on some decent gains this month.

The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 are both up by about 1.6%, and the Nasdaq has surged by 3.2%.

But it doesn't look like the indexes will hold onto all those gains on the final trading day of the month.

U.S. stock futures are edging down ahead of the open.

2. International markets overview

European markets are all declining in early trading, with renewed nervousness about the fate of Greece setting the tone. A German newspaper quoted the head of the International Monetary Fund as saying that it was possible Greece would have to leave the eurozone.

In Germany, the benchmark Dax index is declining by about 1%.

Asian markets ended with mixed results. The mood in China has calmed down after a large pullback Thursday, following stellar gains so far this year.

Hyde Chen, an equity analyst at UBS Wealth Management, said profit taking, as well as investors holding back ahead of a rush of IPOs next week, had contributed to the volatility.

3. GDP galore

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will release a new estimate for first quarter GDP at 8:30 a.m. ET. The original estimate showed the U.S. economy grew by just 0.2% in the first three months of the year, which was well below expectations. Many now predict the economy may have actually shrunk in the first quarter.

Friday also saw disappointing GDP readings from Switzerland and Sweden. The Swiss economy contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter after a sharp appreciation in the currency slammed exports.

Many economists are also expecting a negative reading for Brazil's GDP, which is set for release Friday.

4. Earnings and economics

Big Lots (BIG) is reporting ahead of the open.

The University of Michigan will update its monthly consumer sentiment index at 10 a.m. ET.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:  

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1. Red across the board

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower, European markets are mostly in the red, and Chinese stocks have suffered a major drop.

Both the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen indexes fell by over 5% Thursday, though this comes on the heels of a stunning rise. The Shenzhen has surged by as much as 100% since the start of 2015, easily making it the world's top performing stock market.

The generally negative mood in the market follows a positive Wednesday where the Dow Jones industrial average gained 121 points, the S&P 500 rose 0.9% and the Nasdaq closed with a 1.5% gain.

Benchmark U.S. indexes are trading near all-time record highs.

2. Earnings

Retailers Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and Express (EXPR) are reporting ahead of the open.

Gamestop (GME) will report after the close.

3. Economics

The U.S. government is posting weekly jobless claims at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Government data on pending home sales from April will be released at 10 a.m.

Later in the morning, Wall Street will get the latest information on natural gas and crude oil inventories.

4. Google Conference

Google (GOOG) is kicking off its annual two-day developer conference, where it will showcase its latest techy innovations. It's expected to unveil a spruced up Android operating system.

Watch Google shares as investors react to the latest announcements.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:  

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1. Stock market overview

U.S. stock futures are holding steady following a Tuesday pullback. Investors seem to have been concerned about an upcoming interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve.

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all declined by about 1%. Still, stocks are not far from their all-time highs.

In Europe, all the main indexes are pushing up in early trading. Asian markets ended with mixed results.

2. Currency focus

The International Monetary Fund has declared the Chinese yuan is "no longer undervalued," after spending years criticizing China for keeping its currency from strengthening too much against the U.S. dollar.

China's yuan, also called the renminbi, has risen about 0.5% against the U.S. dollar in the last year.

The dollar is a bit weaker Wednesday versus a range of other currencies. The euro is strengthening.

3. Smokin' stocks

Shares in Imperial Tobacco Group (ITYBY) are edging up by about 1.5% in London after the company announced it had received regulatory approval to acquire some cigarette and e-cigarette brands from Reynolds American (RAI) and Lorillard (LO).

"The announcement puts an end to over 10 months of uncertainty about whether the deal would be signed off," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets in the U.K.

This comes as BrandZ publishes an annual ranking showing that the Marlboro cigarette brand remains one of the most valuable in the world, worth more even than the Facebook (FB, Tech30) brand. Marlboro cigarettes are sold by Altria (MO) in the U.S. and Philip Morris International (PM) overseas.

4. Potent politics

Investors will be watching political moves in Europe as G7 finance ministers begin a three-day meeting in Dresden, Germany.

"Greece is likely to feature prominently in the discussions, and traders will keep a close eye on headlines emerging from the sit-down for direction cues," said Ilya Spivak, a currency analyst at DailyFX.

Investors in the U.K. have also been watching "The Queen's Speech," where Queen Elizabeth II outlines the new government's legislative agenda.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:  

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1. Taking stock

U.S. stock futures are holding steady.

On Thursday, the S&P 500 inched up by 0.2% and closed at a fresh record high. The Dow Jones industrial average ended unchanged, while the Nasdaq moved up by 0.4%.

In Europe, stock markets are muddling along in early trading, with no clear direction. The FTSE 100 is moving up a bit, but most other indexes are declining.

Investors are watching as the top central banker in Europe -- Mario Draghi -- gives a speech in Portugal about inflation and unemployment. And Fed chair Janet Yellen is due to give a speech about inflation at 1 p.m. ET.

2. Asia overview

Nearly all Asian markets ended Friday with gains.

Chinese indexes closed out the week after a stunning rise. The Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen indexes are up a whopping 8.1% and 12%, respectively.

Calm is returning to Hong Kong after a roller coaster ride. Hanergy's (HNGSF) market capitalization dropped by $19 billion in one hour on Wednesday, and trading in its shares remain suspended.. The company has yet to provide an explanation for the collapse in its value.

In Japan, the central bank said it would maintain its monetary stimulus program at the same pace and predicted the moderate economic recovery would continue.

Analysts don't expect an increase in stimulus anytime soon.

3. Earnings

Campbell Soup (CPB), Foot Locker (FL) and Deere (DE) are reporting ahead of the open.

4. Economics

The U.S. government will provide an update about monthly consumer inflation at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

Technical Analysis Lesson 2 - The Basic Assumptions

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook: