Category: Commentary

  • What Can Dividends Do for You?

    The S&P 500 is currently 1.3% away from its all-time closing high of 2130.82 set on May 21, 2015. But did you know that the S&P 500 Total Return Index made a new all-time high yesterday? The difference is the … Continue reading →

  • Market Update: Thursday, April 21, 2016

    Major averages little changed; bond yields jump with oil prices.S. equities closed slightly higher on Wednesday, though the moves in the bond and WTI crude oil markets grabbed headlines. Despite a weekly inventory report that showed a smaller than expected … Continue reading →

  • A Closer Look at Dow’s 18,000 Level

    With the all-time high of 2130.82 now only 1.4% away for the S&P 500, the question is: Will it be able to break out to new highs? One thing to note is the 2,100 level has been very firm resistance … Continue reading →

  • Protected: Bi Line Test

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

  • Market Update: Wednesday, April 20, 2016

    Indexes split as financials outperform again. Tuesday’s trading saw the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both close at 2016 highs, while declines in technology and consumer discretionary stocks led the Nasdaq lower. Materials was the best performing sector on the … Continue reading →

  • Why a Golden Cross on the Dow Might Not Be a Good Thing

    A popular technical chart pattern is the golden cross. This happens when the faster moving 50-day moving average (MA) crosses above the slower moving 200-day MA. The consensus is that a golden cross is a bullish development, as the name … Continue reading →

  • Market Update: Tuesday, April 19, 2016

    Markets shake off early sell-off; Dow closes above 18,000. Stocks reversed a first-hour drop and rose throughout the session on Monday; the Dow finished above 18,000 for the first time since last summer, led by WTI crude oil and the … Continue reading →

  • A Historical Look at Tax Day

    Today is Tax Day (unless you are in Massachusetts or Maine where Patriots’ Day gives you an extra day to file), and although no one likes paying taxes, a look back on tax rates may provide some solace. When examining … Continue reading →

  • Putting the Crude Oil Bear Market and Volatility in Context

    Crude oil is once again in the news. This time it has dropped after the OPEC meeting in Doha ended without a deal. There was optimism that an oil production freeze could be put in place, but after Iran walked … Continue reading →

  • Market Update: Monday, April 18, 2016

    Equities end strong week on down note. The major averages closed slightly lower on Friday, as financials posted a loss for the first time in over a week. Energy stocks also underperformed, dragged down by a 2.5% drop in the … Continue reading →