February 22, 2015
This past week was the quietest on Wall Street since the start of the year. Volumes were light in most sessions despite the geopolitical news and February expiration cycle. Stocks finished the week with modest gains as a deal for Greece to remain in the Euro-Zone kept equities moving higher. Investors ignored most economic data and sent small caps and the benchmark S&P 500 to another round of all-time highs. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) finished the week up 0.6% and the Blue Chip-heavy Dow Jones Industrial Average’s ($DJI) rose a modest 0.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq (QQQ) led the gains up 1.3% and the small caps (RUT, IWM) rose 0.7%. All four major indices are up modestly for the year with the tech sector leading the charge mainly on the back of Apple (AAPL).
With equities up only moderately for the week, Option volatility only fell slightly. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell another 2.6% and dropped below support at its 200-day moving average. The ‘Fear Gauge’ is low but still above levels from last year when stocks were at all-time highs. Treasury yields firmed up this past week as more upside in stocks in the had investors continuing the migration to ‘Risk-On’ mode. Oil futures (/CL) continued to fall on supply concerns. The two biggest daily moves were Wednesday and Friday. The price of crude fell sharply Wednesday on anticipation of the one day delayed (due to the Monday holiday) government report on supply that was expected to hit a record high. As expected, Thursday's report showed an 80-year high for inventories of crude.
Consumer sector news was favorable with a drop in initial jobless claims. But housing and industrial production are sluggish. Meanwhile, inflation is low and the Fed appears to be inclined to keep policy rates low. The upcoming week is full of economic data and a final push on some key corporate results. Housing has been mixed and winter months have sizeable seasonal factors. Traders will be watching for news on existing home sales, new home sales, and pending home sales. New price data will post for Case-Shiller and FHFA. Manufacturing also has been soft and the durables report on Wednesday will garner attention. The Fed is balancing the labor market with inflation data. So, this week's CPI report could affect Fed decision making. Second revision to fourth quarter GDP growth will also be posted. Fed Chair Yellen is also due to give her semi-annual monetary policy testimony to Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Major Earnings for the Upcoming Week:
Monday:
A.M. – AU, CTB, DISH
P.M. –AGU, ESRX, THC, VVUS
Tuesday:
A.M. – AMT, BMO, CMCSA, DPZ, DYN, HD, KATE, M, ODP, SPWR, TOL, VRX, VAL
P.M.– CLR, CLGX, FSLR, HPQ, PZZA, SINA, WBMD
Wednesday:
A.M. – CPB, CHK, DLTR, LOW, SODA, TGT, TJX
P.M. – CRM, DRYS, LB, RIG, TIVO, WDAY
Thursday:
A.M. – BUD, DDD, GOGO, KSS, RBS, SHLD, TWI, TD
P.M. – CROX, GPS, HLF, JCP, ROST, SWN, YOKU
Friday:
A.M. –N/A
Economic Releases (2/23 – 2/27):
Monday:
7:30 am CT – Chicago Fed Activity Index
8:45 am CT– PMI Services Flash
9:00 am CT – Existing Home Sales
9:30 am CT – Dallas Fed Mfg. Survey
Tuesday:
8:00 am CT – S&P Case-Shiller HPI
9:00 am CT– Consumer Confidence
9:00 am CT – Fed’s Yellen Speaks
9:00 am CT – Richmond Fed Mfg. Index
12:00 pm CT – 2-Year Note Auction Results
Wednesday:
6:00 am CT – MBA Purchase Applications
9:00 am CT – New Home Sales
9:00 am CT – Fed’s Yellen Speaks
9:30 am CT – Oil Inventories
12:00 pm CT – 5-Year Note Auction Results
Thursday:
7:30 am CT – Weekly Jobless Claims
7:30 am CT – Consumer Price Index
7:30 am CT – Durable Goods Orders
8:00 am CT – FHFA House Price Index
9:30 am CT – Natural gas Inventories
11:40 am CT – Fed’s Lockhart Speaks
12:00 pm CT – 7-Year Note Auction Results
Friday:
7:30 am CT – GDP
8:45 am CT– Chicago PMI
9:00 am CT – Consumer Sentiment
9:00 am CT – Pending Home Sales Index
Fed’s Dudley Speaks
Fed’s Mester Speaks
Fed’s Fischer Speaks |