Category: Commentary

Ratio analysis is one way to measure how extended one asset is to another. You can do this by dividing the price of one asset by another asset and plotting it out over time. A ratio that stands out right … Continue reading →

Indexes flat as investors continue to weigh earnings. The major indexes opened and closed almost exactly where they ended the day prior, as market participants digested mixed earnings reports from bellwethers in the financial sector. Thursday’s trading saw no sector … Continue reading →

Hard to believe it, but April is nearly half over already. As we noted at the start of the month, April is historically one of the strongest months for the S&P 500. In fact, over the past 10 years it … Continue reading →

Bank stocks lead market higher. The major averages advanced on Wednesday, led by financials after J.P. Morgan reported better than expected earnings. Traditionally defensive sectors were left behind in the rally, as consumer staples, telecom, and utilities all closed lower. … Continue reading →

The latest Beige Book (released today, April 13) suggests that the U.S. economy is still growing near its long-term trend, and that the drag on U.S. manufacturing and exports from a stronger U.S. dollar and weaker energy prices may be … Continue reading →

If you thought you only had two days to go to get your taxes in (Friday is April 15), take a breath. Due to a calendar event that happens about once every seven years, taxes aren’t due until April 18 … Continue reading →

Stocks gain as oil posts 2016 high. Equities moved up on Wednesday, boosted by a 4.1% rise in WTI crude oil, which closed the day at $42.12/barrel. All 10 sectors finished higher on the day, with the biggest gains coming … Continue reading →

At LPL Research, we have been thinking about the upcoming interim OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) meeting, regarding the long discussed idea of a freeze on output, and the fact that issues within OPEC are typically determined by … Continue reading →

Stocks take last hour dive to finish in the red. Major averages rallied to kick off the week, but were brought down by a late-day sell-off, as investors turned cautious ahead of a barrage of earnings due out later this week. … Continue reading →

In recent years, we have cited an earnings season pattern for stocks in which the S&P 500 has tended to perform better during periods when companies are reporting quarterly earnings than during periods when they are not. We have referred … Continue reading →