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Bears Growling as Bulls Push 52-Week Highs

Monday, January 30th, 2012

9:00am (EST)

Picking a market top or market bottom is never easy because charts can only help so much.  As an option trader, we must deal with time expiration so we have to be right within a certain time frame.  We also have to factor in the global markets, cross-current tensions, interest rates, defaults, saber rattling, and other headline risks.  However, when all of those factors work in your favor, you can have an incredible ride.

We were probably the only newsletter which called for the Dow to challenge 13,000 back in November.  Now that we are here, picking the next trend is a little more difficult because there are a new set of circumstances.  The market knows where it will be in 6 months.  We don’t and neither do the pros but we have called this one right once the indexes broke out of their trading range 4 months ago.  

Trading ranges can last weeks or months and we must now figure out what February and March will bring but the trend is still up and we have outlined support levels to watch on the way down.  We have said we expect a pullback in February (which starts Wednesday) but last week’s Fed announcement could have been a wildcard for the bulls. 

Sure, at some point, the market will get a pullback.  The suit-and-ties and talking heads have been calling for one all month, but the trend is still up and there are a lot of support layers the bears will have to crack to change that.  The market didn’t set new 52-week highs, yet, but the bulls came close.  We also like to call the overshoot to the upside the “fluff” and it’s quite possible if the bulls continue with their momentum, the market will hit our upper-end targets before the pullback.  Either way, we are enjoying the ride and we have our seatbelts fastened.

The Dow fell 74 points, or 0.6%, to settle at 12,660 on Friday.  The blue-chips tested a low of 12,630 midday but held short-term support at 12,600 which had been prior resistance…

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If you are not a subscriber but would like to read more please click here.  We are one of the fastest growing stock options trading advisors on the internet and we are one of the very few option newsletters which posted a powerful 2011 return.  In fact, we have NEVER had a losing year since forming in 2007 and we are off to an incredible start for 2012. 

We offer 2-3 powerful call or put option trades each week (depending on market conditions) aimed at triple-digit returns for our Daily newsletter which is 17-1 for January, including 6 triple-digit winners!  Our Weekly Wrap Covered Call Portfolio strides for double-digit returns on a monthly basis and is 23-0 on winning trades in 13 months, including 7-0 for January 2012.

 

MomentumOptionsTrading.com Weekly Wrap for 1/29/12

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

11:00pm (EST)

1.  Market Summary 

2.  Alfac (AFL) On Deck

3.  Earnings 

4.  Weekly Wrap Portfolio Update 

5.  Week Ahead

(To view the charts, please log into the Members Area and go to the Weekly Wrap Premium section.)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =  

If you are not a subscriber but would like to read more please click here.  We are one of the fastest growing stock options trading advisors on the internet and we are one of the very few option newsletters which posted a powerful 2011 return.  In fact, we have NEVER had a losing year since forming in 2007 and we are off to an incredible start for 2012. 

We offer 2-3 powerful call or put option trades each week (depending on market conditions) aimed at triple-digit returns for our Daily newsletter which is 17-1 for January, including 6 triple-digit winners!  Our Weekly Wrap Covered Call Portfolio strides for double-digit returns on a monthly basis and is 7-0 for January.  Even better, we could go 8-0 in February.  Sign-up now and receive access instantly to our stock options trading recommendations!

Bears Hold Weekly Edge

Friday, January 27th, 2012

1:15pm (EST)

We said no Greece deal would weigh on the market this week and perhaps keep the reins on the bulls.  If the closing bell sounded right now, the week would end mixed with Tech showing the only positive finish.  

The Dow came into the week at 12,720 and is at 12,646, down 88 points.

The S&P 500 started Monday at 1,315 and is currently down  5 points to 1,313.

The Nasdaq began the week at 2,786 and is at 2,808, up 3 points. 

Over a quarter of the S&P 500 companies have announced earnings this week and next week  marks the height of the season before we start tapering off.  Some of the companies we will be watching like a hawk next week include Aflac (AFL, $48.70, down $0.08), Amazon.Com (AMZN, $195.20, up $1.88), Broadcom (BRCM, $35.20, down $0.09) and United Parcel Service (UPS, $75.98, up $0.14) on Tuesday.

Wednesday, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG, $364.80, down $1.01), Electronic Arts (EA, $17.91, up $0.25), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR, $52.61, up $3.27), Hershey (HSY, $61.37, down $0.16), Las Vegas Sands (LVS, $49.22, up $0.25) and Qualcomm (QCOM, $57.62, down $0.20) will announce their quarterly results.

Thursday and Friday will also feature some companies of interest and these are some of the main stocks we actively follow just to name a dozen or so.

We continue to chuckle when we hear that stock picking is a lost art, which we have heard for the last 3 months.  We must be doing something good to hit 17-out-of-18 wininng trades to start the year for our Daily and to go 23-0 over the last 13 months for our Weekly Wrap covered call trade Portfilios.

We have some last minute updates to the 2 new trades we added this morning as we have added our exit targets.  Let’s go see where we are at inside the Members Area

January has been incredibly good to us and we will cover the charts for the indexes and our current trades on Sunday night in our Weekly Wrap and Monday morning for the Daily.  We have a busy weekend of homework but it isn’t “work” because we have been banking profits all month long.  Until then, have a great weekend everyone!

Bulls Challenge Highs, Bears Finish on Top

Friday, January 27th, 2012

9:00am (EST)

The bulls made a run at the April/ May 2011 highs on Thursday and now the Wall Street pros and talking heads are calling for a pullback.  Funny thing is, they have been calling for a correction all month.  Economic news was decent and earnings once again came in above expectations but Wall Street was right, the market “pulled back” yesterday.

A bigger-than-expected jump in durable-goods orders, which came in at 3% versus expectations for a rise to 2%, was the good news.  The semi-bad, unemployment edged-up as Initial Claims jumped 21,000 to 377,000.  This is still below 400K and we said to watch this rise in January.  If claims can stay below 400,000 in February, and maybe improve, then the bulls might still have some gas in the tank. 

After 4 steps forward, housing took one step back as sales of new single-family homes fell for the first time in four months in December.   This was expected in our books as homebuyers usually focus on the holidays in December if they didn’t rush to get into the new house by Christmas or knew the paperwork wouldn’t be finished in time.

If we can get some rebound numbers in February, which starts next Wednesday, then the rally might have further to run.  It’s been a warm winter here on the Left Coast this year.

As far as the official numbers -

The Dow dropped a double-deuce (22 points), or 0.2%, to close at 12,734.  The blue-chips reached a peak of 12,842, which triggered our 12,800 target we gave back in November, while the low was 12,695.

The S&P 500 slipped 8 points, or 0.6%, to settle at 1,318.  The index kissed 1,333 but traded outside our 1,325-1,350 zone after touching a low of 1,313 with an hour to go in yesterday’s session.

The Nasdaq fell 13 points, or 0.5%, to finish at 2,805.  Tech traded up to 2,834 and held our 2,800 target after kissing 2,794.  We have said to watch 2,887 which is the 52-week high for the index and have mentioned a run to 3,000 could come on fluff.

The S&P Volatility Index (VIX, 18.57, up 0.26) traded down to 16.80 at the open and we have been saying for months the VIX was would move from the mid-30’s, down to 22.50, and then down to 15 on a continued run by the bulls.  The “fluff’ should get the VIX down to 15 but we also realize the VIX could trade down to 12.  For news subscribers, a declining VIX is bullish.

A few weeks ago we said to be prepared for a pullback in February which doesn’t start until next Wednesday and the first full week of February isn’t until next Monday.  With ALL of the suit-and-ties, talking heads, and everyone else going on record this week and saying this week is the top, maybe the market ignores them until February officially starts.   

This leaves a lot of room for a run past resistance and the “fluff” could give Wall Street fund managers fits because they are already underperforming the market.  This could also get some money off the sidelines from individual investors.  The market could also get some positive Greece news today or next week which could also extend a possible 4-week rally into next but the bulls have to hold their lead today which we will cover in the afternoon update.

Then again, the market could pull back but it will take a lot to change the TREND and we have support pegged. 

We have closed 3 more winning call option trades this week for profits of 114%, 58% and 107%.  We may close one or two more trades today and our 2012 CLOSED Track Record is now 16-1 for the Daily and 7-0 for the Weekly Wrap.  Let’s keep the momentum going.

Futures are lower as we head to press and look like this:  Dow (-55), S&P 500 (-6), Nasdaq (-7).  Subscribers, check the Members Area for the updates.   

Bulls Better Bears Following Bernanke Babble

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

9:00am (EST)

Although we do a lot of homework, it’s amazing how easy it has been to bet against the Wall Street pros and Debbie Downers this year and since last August.  We reminded you yesterday in early November when the Dow was at 11,800 and on the verge of breaking down like a rented mule the blue-chips would still rally 1,000 points. 

We have also been saying a close above 1,300 on the S&P 500 would get the index to 1,325-1,350 on fluff.  We reminded readers Sunday night in our Weekly Wrap it was only a 2% move from Friday’s closing price to our top-end short-term target.

We also said yesterday, it would be interesting if Tech could muster a close above 2,800.  We have been telling you to circle 2,887 which is the 52-week high for the Nasdaq and to pencil-in a possible trip to 3K for the index.

We said in October when the VIX was above 30 it was headed to 22.50.  From there we said a run to 15 could come.

The market is making us look like geniuses right now (although it can humble us in a New York minute) and as an option trader, it’s important to strike the iron while it is hot.  No one knows where the market is headed today, tomorrow, or next week but chart work does help.  Following the VIX does help.  Listening to the talking heads get it all wrong does help.

We are saying this because we have the best job in the world and more and more of you are learning our trading style through our option trading manual and videos which is awesome to see.  Like we say, what else are you going to do when you retire?  If you learn to trade with us now, the education we will give you will last a lifetime.  Our special offer will expire at the end of the month and we give you the details below…

The market surged higher on Wednesday but not the way Wall Street expected.  Instead of Apple (AAPL, $446.66, up $26.25) leading the way, it was Big Ben who said the Fed was ready to turn on the money presses if needed.  In fact, here was his money quote that put the bulls in a frizzy:

“I don’t think we’re ready to declare that we’ve entered a new, stronger phase at this point.  If the situation continues with inflation below target and unemployment declining at a rate which is very, very slow, then the logic of our framework says we should be looking for ways to do more”.

Bingo.  The rest of the trading session was bear history.

The Dow jumped 81 points, or 0.6%, to settle at 12,757.  The blue-chips traded down to 12,580 which stretched short-term support at 12,600.  The high for the day was 12,778, or a double-deuce (22 points) from our 12,800 target.  There is room for a run to 13,000 but we are getting nervous. 

The S&P gained 11 points, or 0.9%, to finish at 1,326.  The low for the session was 1,307 which was slightly above support at 1,300.  The high was 1,328 and the index closed within our 1,325-1,350 zone.  There is a chance 1,375 comes into play put the market genie may not grant us that wish before a pullback comes.

The Nasdaq added 32 points, or 1.1%, to end at 2,818.  Tech traded up to 2,822 and is 70 points away from making new 52-week highs.  The bulls will need to add another 2% without Apple’s help which could be asking for a lot unless shares are headed to $500 by month’s end.

Special Note:  Our one-year deal will expire in 6 days and here are the details.  If you sign-up for a 1-year membership to our Daily newsletter, we will include a 1-year subscription to the Weekly Wrap which is priced the same as our Daily.  We will also include our option trading manual “How to Trade Options on Momentum Stocks” at no charge (an $899 value!) and shipping is on the house.  The course also includes our “Momentum Stocks Watch List” which details over 1,000 stocks and dozens of sectors.  Your subscription will also include our monthly/ bi-monthly videos which cover chart work, current trades, and possible new ones we don’t mention in the newsletter or Watch List.

We have set up a special tab on our subscription page where you will see both the Daily and the Weekly in a package deal that reads Annual Subscription to Daily and Weekly Wrap.

https://secure.momentumoptionstrading.com/amember/signup.php

Do the paperwork and we will send out our option trading courses to you within 24 hours and provide you access to our videos right away.

The Weekly Wrap went 16-0 in 2011 and is 7-0 to start 2012. The winning trades for January were:  SGMS +6%, VVUS +17%, F +8%, AA +7%, CLNE +27%, DNDN +18%, MGM +19%.

In 2011, we traded Vivus 3 times for the Weekly Wrap for gains of 18%, 14%, and 17% as the stock stated the year at $9.73 and ended at $9.75.  Now it’s at $12 and we are still riding the wave.  By writing call options on 4 different options trades ( 1 for 2012), we were able to book profits of $122, $130, $125 and $161.  Folks, that is $538 in profits on a stock that stayed flat or a return of 55% using call options.

The savings on this package is 67% and we will not offer this deal again in 2012.  For those of you on monthly memberships, time to super-size.  Tell your friends.    

We have 2 NEW TRADES we are releasing this morning and we are going to try to get them at the open using limit prices.  Subscribers, check the Members Area for details and keep your boots to the ground.  We have 10 other current trades we are trying to lock down profits in. 

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2012 Closed Trades:
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Trader Comments:

    REGINA L.
    I just want you to know that I love the way you write and explain everything. I am new to this, and have lost 50% of my account until I met you guys. Iit is slowly coming back. I will be calling to set up a year
    of membership rather than the one quarter. Thanks again, and LOVE YOU ALL.

    STEVE T.
    Rick, I appreciate the advice. I think I will just sit back and utilize your selections only for awhile. This will obviously save me a great deal of money in commissions. I have gone thru your entire site including the video on money management. This has brought me to the stark realization that I have been trading too much for too little. I definitely have not been "swinging for the fences", but I also think I have been getting impatient with trades and getting out too fast. This has no doubt caused me too trade too much. I like, and definitely agree on, the advice on money management. Thanks for the help.

    SCOTT H.
    Thank you!!! I held on to the NFLX position since Nov. 13 at a cost of $1.89. Sold ½ on April 14th for a 540% return and the other ½ upon earnings for 702% return. Total profit of $11,615 a 621% return. Keep the recommendations coming and thanks to you and your team for the service you provide.

    PETER G.
    Rick & Team, GREAT Call on NKE for my two trading accounts:
    1) Entry at .65, out at 1.45, 1.55 Profit = $415
    2) Entry at .60, out at 1.75, 1.50 Profit = $485

    LAWRENCE O.
    Hey Rick! Here is an update on what your picks have done in my accounts.

    1) Great call on the JoyG March 55. I bought when you said, then bought again on one of the dips. Booked 80+% profit. Made enough to pay for your service for years to come.

    2) Also booked profits on your Berk Feb 74 (80%) and threw a major chunk of change at the March 75’s (190+%). I would have never known that Buffet's stock had split if it weren’t for your service. Bought the shares also for the long haul. Won’t look at them for another 20 years. Great job on getting us in before the indexes did.

    3) Took profit on your Imax March 12.5. 20 cent trailing stop at 1.90 yesterday. Not sure what the profit on that was, but profit is profit.

    I see that you took a loss on some of these. It’s all good. I look to trade your “ideas” not your exact calls. I THANK YOU! For your ideas and commentary. Keep up the good work. And keep those ideas coming.

    C.J.
    Loving this subscription so far! I got into the BRK feb 76 calls the day you talked about right before the split...now up over 300% (0.70 to 2.475)! Keep the good picks coming and let's see some OSIS and EMC upside soon! Just wanted to share my positive enthusiasm on your newsletter...it gives us individual investors great ideas on not only the options market, but also the broader equity market! Case in point is BRK...I can't always read the breaking business news but its easy to read your twice daily updates on my smartphone...helped me get some BRK shares immediately after the split which I will hold for the long haul! Thanks again!

    SHAUN
    Aloha Rick - Thank you so much for the great CL pick. I am not sure if there was buy-out/merger news or what but at 3PM today Colgate-Palmolive absolutely EXPLODED to the upside, and my calls turned into green candy when they went from 1.40 to 3.8 in a matter of seconds! I even sold a few for over 4.0! Much thanks and keep the solid picks up my friend, honestly. Only a fool would scoff at 267% gains... Peace!

    MICHAEL K.
    I like the fact that you ask for comments from subscribers. Good customer service. By the way, am enjoying the service so far. Some good
    profitable calls. Keep up the good work.

    PARAG P.
    Woo hoo! Out for 50% on WMT this am. Making up for my depression for getting out of pcln for a 30% gain monday :( you the man! any word on the manual? My friend Mike ( who I sent to your service) told me he emailed you about your integrity in reporting fills. I echo that sentiment big time.. keep it up! Cheers!

    JAY P.
    Hi Rick, as a new member all I can say is, 'show off' LOL, with PCLN.

    MIKE
    Rick, I am a new subscriber to your service, and I want to say I am impressed. I am impressed by your results, but more than that I am impressed by your reporting of your fills. You could have easily said you got that Wal-Mart call today for 80 cents, instead you reported 98 cents! Good job and keep it up, I watched the reporting of the fills first, and then I subscribed. Thank You.

    TRISH D.
    Hi, good morning. I jumped the gun a little on this one (PCLN). But still made $1,675.00 profit!! Very happy!! Keep up the good work!! Thanks.

    MIN L.
    Hi there, I have joined recently, and I am very happy to tell you that I am up over $10,000 on your picks in a month. I started on 10/7 with the Intel pick. I'll be your member for life. Please don't quit on us. Also, I am learning a lot about options. I didn’t get in your recent APOL and that gold trade and only had one loss on CHK. I appreciate all the DD you do. I enjoy your market commentaries. Best advice site period, and I have tried a few here and there. Again, you guys rock!

    JOE G.
    Thanks be to Momentum Options Trading for providing me with some fantastic wins. I just started with this service and am up nearly 50% in less than a month. There have been losses, but if I manage them properly, I will continue the best efforts given on the blog (in which there are no complaints). What a great cause for humanity. I feel more confident about my trades and continue to play the wins. Best of all, I am now keeping my regular paychecks in the bank! Thank you!

    GREG F.
    Rick - I wanted to say thanks for getting me started on the right foot with your service. I have made six trades since starting on October 22, 2009. Five are winners and One loser netting me $6,245. Thanks again and keep the trade recommendations coming.

    NOEL
    I got into the Nike 60 Call at 1.85, sold at 5.00, also bought a 55 put at 1.05, but got stopped out at .35. What a ride! $2830.00 in the black even with the put. It's right at 100% return. I hope earnings season coming up is going to look like this trade.

    TODD F.
    Nice call on Nike. I think I'll go buy a pair with my profits! : ) I did the straddle for safety but still made 62% on the trade. Not bad for less than 24 hours. If Goldman is right, then the Nov 70s or 75's could be a steal today.

    PAUL H.
    What a sweet way to get introduced to Momentum. My first trade based on your picks and it a 2X. Thank you!

    NOEL
    “Limit order was set at 1.60 on RIMM so it sold. I may have left some money on the table but you can't go broke making a profit. That was a fun trade. Thank you. Good call. I’ve been watching and trading Rick's advice since March. It’s usually a fun ride, but I give him heck when it's wrong to. :) ”

    CHRISTIAN
    “Your service rocks! I made bank on Dendreon last week! The other thing I have to say is that it took me quite a while to find a REAL options trading service like yours. Most of what’s out there is 99% scam and very sketchy. Momentum Options Trading is the first service I found that I can trust and seriously make money with.”

    JOHN
    “I made $420.00 on ANF in 2 days. Thanks for the trade and updates on getting out of the trade.”

    CHARLES M.
    “I did follow a lot of your trades with 1-2 contracts per trade and YTD I’m up 108%. I try not to follow blindly by not entering all of your trades and sometimes entering the ones you don’t. I entered AIG a few weeks ago against recommendation – that one hurt.”

    BRYAN C.
    “I have been following you for several months and am interested in the new service. I hate to see the free service go away but as they say, “all good things must come to an end”. My ability to join will be greatly influenced by the monthly fee so I’m very curious to see the new prices. Thanks for making April a great month for me and my family.”

    JOHN H.
    “I have really enjoyed the past month since finding your blog. You have made some great calls. I would appreciate info. on the new options mentoring program. Thanks.”

    JEFFREY
    “Hi Rick, I have been following your blog for several months now and I would like to be including on the list for your new service and to receive more information about it. And yes I was a Dendreon winner with your tips. Turned $280 into $7700, and literally saved my butt.”

    ED
    “I made over 6k on your Dendreon trade, and I’m very interested in learning how you pick and trade options. Sign me up.”

    GREG
    “Rick – Wow what a day! I got in at the Dendreon calls at $2.25. Thanks to for your advice. I appreciate that. This company has a lock on this type of therapy and no one else in the world is close. Kind of reminds me of the type of companies that Peter Lynch and Warren Buffet suggest that investments be made in. Companies that can build a moat around their business model, that allows them to charge a premium for their product or service. In other words - a monopoly.”

    KEN
    “Hi Rick, Thank you so much for the Dendreon trade, I made almost $10,000 with that trade with a little over $2,000 investment. You have shown me the power of options trading. Again, thank you so much for all your inputs.”

    GARETT
    “Hi Rick, thanks for the encouragement to play the dendreon calls! did freaking great! Got in the first lot at $1.44 on 3-24-09, sold at $2.45, 70% not bad. Bought it back at $2.30 on 4-7-09 closed out on 4-14-09 for 454% gain! Wow! I love it when that happens. So, thanks the encouragement to get back in when others were saying sell, sell, sell. Keep up the good work.”

    TERENCE
    “Rick – Thanks for Dendreon – it has made all the headlines today! I missed on RIMM earlier, but I’ve been holding onto DNDN calls since 3rd week March. Of course today it all paid off today, as DNDN rocketed up.”

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