Last week, the spotlight of worry was back on Greece’s solvency. This week it is Spain’s turn again to spook us. Greece, Spain, and Italy are in economic disarray, and the prospect of growing their way out of trouble appears unlikely given the recessionary forces. Even emerging market darlings like Brazil, China, and India are struggling. Although U.S.

smartindale / Tag: AAPL, ETF, IDU, iShares, IYC, IYE, IYH, IYI, IYJ, IYK, IYM, iyw, IYZ, linkedin, MON, NTES, sectors, SEM, SLM, SPY, UTHR, VIX / 0 Comments

Last week was horrible, while today was quite good, albeit on low volume.  What happened?  Let’s review the facts.

Last week, the S&P 500 dropped over -4% to close Friday at the key support at 1295, off nearly -8% from its April high.  Mid-cap Growth was the worst style/cap, down -6.2%.  The best was Large-cap Value, off -4.3%.

david / Tag: AAPL, AGCO, ALL, CVI, FB, HLF, JPM / 0 Comments

When something is confusing or incomprehensible, a person might say, “It’s all Greek to me.” Well, that’s exactly what investors have been saying for the past several days—in the market’s inimitable way. Despite promising economic and corporate news in the U.S., the headline risk from Europe has been just too much to bear. It is keeping the bulls at bay, and front and center for an encore performance is Greece.

smartindale / Tag: Tags: BXS, CSCO, DMD, ETF, FB, GRPN, IDU, iShares, IVR, IYC, IYE, IYH, IYI, IYJ, IYK, IYM, iyw, IYZ, JPM, linkedin, LNKD, NTES, sectors, SPY, VIX / 0 Comments

A weekend of more election surprises in Europe, as a socialist candidate won a key state vote in Germany, threatening Prime Minister Angela Merkel‘s stance on austerity in the Eurozone. The Greek “leadership” has all but abandoned hope of forming a new elected government, likely requiring yet another vote.

david / Tag: AFL, DTV, MPC, DFS / 0 Comments

Last week I noted that there wasn’t much new to say about the stock market and its drivers lately, but like washing your car tends to attract rain, my comments were immediately followed by anger-driven election results in France and Greece. Both of these elections were about a rejection of austerity mandates placed upon a citizenry already feeling severe pain. The thought process is, “If the U.S.

smartindale / Tag: AH, CAMP, DIOD, ETF, FOSL, FRME, IDU, IRF, iShares, IVR, IYC, IYE, IYH, IYI, IYJ, IYK, IYM, iyw, IYZ, linkedin, MTD, PANL, sectors, SPY, STX, VIX / 0 Comments

Today’s trading began amidst a multitude of unpleasant factors.

david / Tag: UTHR, SRI, WDC, GPOR / 0 Comments

Have you noticed that there hasn’t been much new to say about the stock market and its drivers lately? Bears are weary from calling tops that don’t follow through, and bulls are hesitant to inject more cash until they have a more inspiring catalyst. So, we’re pretty much left to wonder whether the overworked mantra “Sell in May and go away” will be a self-fulfilling prophecy…or a contrarian catalyst for the bulls to get busy again.

smartindale / Tag: AAPL, AH, ALR, AZPN, COL, CRBC, DFS, ETF, GMCR, ICON, IDU, INOD, iShares, IYC, IYE, IYH, IYI, IYJ, IYK, IYM, iyw, IYZ, linkedin, MGLN, NFLX, PRXL, sectors, SIX, SPY, VIX, VMW / 0 Comments