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The Strazza Letter

Fading Dollars

February 14, 2025

It was a busy week for stocks, but the most important price action was elsewhere.

The US Dollar is getting rocked as risk-on currencies catch big bids.

And it’s all happening at a critical level, that if violated, could mark a major shift in the intermarket landscape.

The one big question all investors should be asking themselves right now is simple…

“What is the best trade if this is a failed breakout in the dollar?”

 

In other words, what goes up the most if the dollar gets slammed back into the box?

Or even, what will be the best trends if the dollar heads back to the lower bounds of its range?

And I have some thoughts on this. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.

I was expecting the dollar to become a tailwind last year. It didn’t happen. A falling dollar was the one thing missing during the post-election rally. But I think it’s coming now.

When I think about a weak dollar, I think about international equities. The most offensive areas of the global stock market should fare well with a falling dollar. Emerging...

Alfonso’s Daily Note

Europe Hits New All-time Highs

February 14, 2025

When it comes to global equities, we’re seeing participation broaden in a way we haven’t seen in a long time.

Europe stands out with a growing list of countries ripping to new highs.

Just look at the German DAX and the London FTSE 350 both closing the week at their highest level in history.

 

If these two are ripping higher, how bad could things really be?

European banks are breaking out to their highest level since the Great Financial Crisis.

And it’s not just Europe. China’s back in gear, and even Latin America’s outperforming out of the gate this year.

Investors across the globe are embracing risk.

And if all these other countries are just starting to work, is the bull market going to end...

All Star Charts Gold Rush,
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(Commodities Weekly) Grab Your Popcorn, Folks: This Commodity is Breaking Out📈🍿

February 14, 2025

February is historically one of the best months of the year for commodities. This year is no different.

Coffee is like a freight train. It keeps chugging along to new all-time highs

Natural gas has rallied over 20% so far this month.

Dr. Copper is challenging a key level of interest and flirting with a multi-decade base breakout.

But what continues to stand out the most to us is the grain markets.

Last week, we outlined why we're buying...

All Star Options

We "APP-Loved" It

February 14, 2025

One for the good guys.

All it took was one "earnings trade" in $APP to get the vertical spreads scoreboard in the green YTD for 2025:

 

We never know which trade will be the one that delivers big gains. That's why it is so important to have a process for sizing our positions, allocating risk equally among ideas, and sticking to it. When we do this, the handful of big winners make up for all the small losers.

Here's a look at the six vertical spreads we've closed in All Star Options so far this year:

 

Prior to yesterday's exit, we were 0-for-5 on closed long vertical spreads. But now with one +320% win, the average return for every vertical spread we've exited in 2025 is $186 per $1000 invested, with an average hold time of 57 days. Not bad considering the 17% win rate!

At the risk of jinxing it, we've got another long vertical spread in $NET that is currently deep in the money and will likely add to the win total and increase our average gain per trade.

It isn't easy losing more times than we win. But sticking to the process and...

All Star Charts Premium

International Hall of Famers (02-14-2025)

February 14, 2025

Our International Hall of Famers list is composed of the 100 largest US-listed international stocks, or ADRs.

We've also sprinkled in some of the largest ADRs from countries that did not make the market cap cut. 

These stocks range from some well-known mega-cap multinationals such as Toyota Motor and Royal Dutch Shell to some large-cap global disruptors such as Sea Ltd and Shopify.

It's got all the big names and more–but only those that are based outside the US. You can find all the largest US stocks on our original Hall of Famers list.

The beauty of these scans is really in their simplicity.

We take the largest names each week and then apply technical filters in a way that the strongest stocks with the most momentum rise to the top.

Based on the market environment, we can also flip the scan on its head and filter for weakness.

Let's dive in and take a look at some of the most important stocks from around the world.

Here's this week's list:

...
Options Paid to Play

[Options P2P] Daily Digest 2/14/25

February 14, 2025

In today’s Daily Digest, we’ll review the following:

  1. No new positions today.
  2. Rolled EEM position to April options.
  3. No exits since the last report.
  4. Current status of open campaigns.
  5. Volatility Snapshot.

Let’s dig in!

Road Trip!

February 14, 2025

Consumer Data Points are all around you. What I’m looking for as I head to NYC for the weekend.

 

Hot Corner Insider

Point72 Raises Its TSEM Stake to 5.05%

February 14, 2025

Point72 Asset Management filed a 13G, reporting an increase in its stake in Tower Semiconductor $TSEM from 2.80% to 5.05%.

This represents a nearly 100% increase in its existing position, which is noteworthy.

Founded by Steve Cohen, the hedge fund is known for aggressive trading and deep research, managing tens of billions in assets.

Here’s The Hot Corner, with data from February 13, 2025:

 

A director at SLM Corp $SLM filed a Form 4 disclosing a significant purchase of company stock, an acquisition of shares worth $289,032 that signals confidence in the business.

Finally, Orbimed Advisors filed an original 13D reporting an 8.40% position in the newly issued Sionna Therapeutics $SION, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company researching medicines for cystic fibrosis.

Parties Are Better in Bull Markets: This Stock is Benefiting From It 📊🥳

February 14, 2025

In bull markets, consumers spend money. It's human nature.

MGM Resorts has been capitalizing on this increase in consumer spending, and the market is rewarding it.

After reporting a double beat on Wednesday evening, the stock had its best earnings reaction since 2009 on Thursday. 

It rallied 17.5% with a reaction score of 6.3. The reaction was sweet!

What's driving this strength? 

First of all, the company reported a 94% occupancy rate for the month of January. This is a record.

Second, they're anticipating a resurgence in China, which has been their primary driver for growth in recent years.

Finally, MGM is a share cannibal. Since 2021, they have repurchased 40% of total outstanding shares. 

This is one of the highest buyback rates in the entire market, and shareholders are loving it.

Let's talk about what else happened 👇

Here are the latest earnings reactions from the S&P 500: 

*click the image to enlarge it

As you can see, MGM Resorts International had the best earnings reaction on Thursday, and West Pharmaceutical Services had the worst.

Cisco Systems was...

All Star Charts Premium

Nasdaq100 Hits New All-time High

February 14, 2025

Yesterday we saw the Nasdaq100 close at new all-time highs, on an equally-weighted basis!

I keep being told that market breadth is weakening, mostly from people who haven't even bothered to count. 

So let me ask you...

Is the equally-weighted Nasdaq100 closing at the highest level in its entire history evidence of broadening strength, or a weakening market?

 

I'm old enough to remember when they were telling me that this was all just a "bear market rally" and that we shouldn't be buying stocks.

Then it was, "Only 6 stocks going up", so we shouldn't be buying stocks.

Now they're telling me that market breadth is weakening, when it's actually broadening, and that we shouldn't be buying stocks.

You know what we've been doing this entire bull market? We've been buying stocks, and laughing about it along the way.

You've had a front row seat to it all.

And this was just while it was mostly U.S. stocks doing well. Now we're seeing broadening participation all over the world, with areas like Latin America hitting new multi-month highs, Europe hitting all-time highs, and now Southeast Asia really getting going

Here is...

ETF Power Rankings Archives

🔎 This Theme Could Explode in 2025

February 14, 2025
📊 Daily ETF Overview 

Notice how green the top section of the thematics table has been.

The same themes continue to dominate; crypto stocks, speculative tech, gaming etc. China growth is also beginning to appear on this list of predominant themes.

While a large portion of Ark's funds are ranking green on our table, one notable exception is Ark's Genomic ETF $ARKG. Interestingly, it's beginning to transition to a lighter shade of red.

 

Volatility in the ETF is trading at multi-year lows, which could suggest an explosive move is around the corner.

This is an ETF that's on our radar, especially if it breaks to new highs.

 
ETF Power Rankings Archives

🔎 Communication Stocks Look Fantastic

February 14, 2025
📊 Daily ETF Overview 

Again, we keep pointing to how many different sectors there are showing relative strength and inhabiting the top area of our sector power rankings.

This points to a wide set of sectors participating, which is positive to see.

Noticeably, Large Cap Communications $XLC looks fantastic, breaking to new all time highs. So long as XLC is above the prior highs near 102, the bias is to the upside.

 
The Daily Number

The Daily Number 💯 Friday, February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

Today's number is... 22

The relative ratio of Home Construction vs S&P 500 has fallen to its lowest level in 22 months.

Here’s the chart:

 

Let's break down what the chart shows:

  • The blue line shows the relative ratio of the Home Construction Index $ITB vs S&P 500 $SPY

The Takeaway: One group that has been under selling pressure lately has been Home Construction, and we can highlight this weakness in a relative ratio versus the broader market.

Home Construction is one of the most crucial industry groups in America, as these stocks are highly cyclical. They act as an excellent gauge for growth and often act as a leading indicator for the broader market. 

Typically, when home construction stocks are trending higher, it's happening in an environment conducive to risk-seeking behavior. Right now, that is not the case, as this relative ratio is at its lowest level in 22 months. 

This does not bode well for risk assets, and if we're really in an environment where risk assets are trending higher and bulls are in control,...

The Strazza Letter

Where Is It Coming From?

February 13, 2025

The bid for Chinese equities has been relentless all year long.

Alibaba is up about 50% over the trailing month.

BYD Co is up about 30% in February alone.

Xiaomi Corp is making new all-time highs.

Even the iShares China Large Cap Index has rallied 20% off its January lows.

You get the point. China is red hot. 

With price action like this, you might start to wonder, “where is all the money coming from!?”

And the answer is probably a lot of places. Who knows.

But one area that has definitely become a source of funds for new China bulls… is India. 

 

This is a ratio chart of Chinese stocks vs Indian stocks, and it is flashing a textbook trend reversal in favor of China.

The relationship had been skewed toward India in a big way up until last year. In fact, Indian stocks have been outperforming China aggressively for almost a decade now. This all began back in 2016, so...

Alfonso’s Daily Note

The Uber of the Skies

February 13, 2025

Have you heard about these electric helicopter stocks?

They’re being called the "Uber of the skies," racing to launch air taxis in major cities sooner than most people expect.

Imagine skipping traffic as an air shuttle arrives to take you straight to the airport.

It sounds almost too good to be true.

But the reality is that there's some serious juice in these names.

One in particular that is setting up nicely is Archer Aviation $ACHR.

Just look at this chart.

 

After a strong run last year, it's been consolidating in a tight range, digesting gains before its next move.

This contraction in volatility often precedes wild moves, in either direction.

With a 16% short interest, the setup looks even better for the bulls to squeeze the bears.

...