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Perspectives and insights
What's the word on the markets? Get insights from E*TRADE investment strategists.
07/12/19
The US economy has been expanding for a record 121 months, but signs of weakness are emerging.
07/01/19
Investors stepped on the gas in June, confident that the Fed will lower rates in July.
06/28/19
With no prompting from the Fed, rates have been coming down all year long.
06/19/19
Despite pressure from the White House, the Federal Reserve opted to leave interest rates unchanged. But a rate cut could be in the offing by July.
06/13/19
Trade tensions with Mexico pose risks, but opportunistic investors can capitalize.
06/03/19
Equities sold off in May on escalating trade tensions and concerns about slowing global growth.
05/31/19
While equities often take center stage, the fixed income markets are also sending important signals.
05/23/19
Sabre rattling between the US and China has exacted a toll on semiconductor firms dependent on China for revenue.
05/17/19
The roller coaster ride is back. Here are three strategies investors can deploy to better stomach the market's ups and downs.
05/13/19
Although ramped-up trade rhetoric between the US and China has spiked market volatility, long-term investors should have little to fear.
05/10/19
A new round of US-imposed tariffs threatens to derail a potential trade deal with China. But that doesn't mean investors have to suffer.
05/08/19
A long roster of US IPOs scheduled for 2019 could raise more than $100 billion. How can investors participate in offerings that are often oversubscribed and difficult to access?
05/01/19
Stocks surged again in April on accelerating economic growth and positive earnings surprises. But May has historically acted as a speed bump for all manner of markets.
04/26/19
Quarterly earnings and guidance among S&P 500 firms are both trending downward. But there are still plenty of positive earnings surprises.
04/18/19
The US trade deficit narrowed 3.4% in February. Trade deficits get a bad rap, but history shows that a shrinking trade gap isn't all it's cracked up to be.
04/11/19
Brexit was sold as an escape from the bureaucratic clutches of the EU. But it could also mean fewer jobs and a decline in stature for the UK. So far it's been one big headache.
04/01/19
Large-cap stocks led the markets higher in March, capping off a stellar first quarter for equities. But an inverted yield curve could hint at trouble ahead.
03/29/19
Studies have pointed to a significant gender gap when it comes to investing. Four experts share their insight on get more women into the markets.
03/20/19
After raising interest rates nine times since 2015, the Fed has put the brakes on monetary tightening. The central bank's next move may hinge on economic growth prospects.
03/08/19
Female portfolio managers are a small but growing presence on the Street. Studies suggest women-run funds return as much—and in some cases, more—than those run by men.
03/01/19
The markets continued to gain steam in February, with gains across every economic sector But headline risks remain.
02/22/19
Tax season is here. But some taxpayers aren't getting the refunds they expected. What gives? And what should they do with those smaller checks?
02/15/19
Consumer confidence fell for the third consecutive month in January. Was it just a case of the jitters, or is something more significant at play?
02/08/19
The Federal Reserve has signaled a temporary break in its campaign of monetary tightening. While it's unclear how long this will last, past pauses have not always been kind to the markets.
02/01/19
Stocks staged a remarkable turnaround in January, with gains covering every sector and equity asset class. What changed from last month?
01/25/19
Fourth-quarter earnings season is here. While it's tempting to focus on the past quarter's results, it's guidance for the coming year that can often move stock prices.
01/18/19
The latest government shutdown has become the longest on record. Investors could feel the sting if the political standoff disrupts the economy.
01/02/19
December's market volatility made for a fitting end to the roller coaster ride of 2018. What might 2019 hold in store?
07/12/19
Beware the narrative: Headlines, sentiment sometimes mislead traders just before a market makes a move.
07/11/19
Can the beginning of the second half of the year signal what things will look like come December?
07/10/19
Relative strength can provide important clues about a stock's recent momentum.
07/09/19
"Stacked" moving averages can provide valuable insights into a stock's trends.
07/05/19
Traders shouldn’t be afraid to sell short, but they need to have open eyes—and iron-clad discipline.
07/03/19
No mo’ FOMO: One basic trading concept can help you avoid buying highs.
07/02/19
Many more IPOs are on the horizon in ‘19. What can we learn from the ones that already launched?
07/01/19
Stocks retreat despite healthy GDP growth and encouraging trade news
06/27/19
Six months to remember: Despite trade war and geopolitical turmoil, the US market is near record levels.
06/26/19
The Fed’s potential pivot to a rate-trimming environment could heat up some sectors more than others.
06/24/19
An olive branch from the White House and a less “patient” Fed helped propel stocks to new records.
06/20/19
Boeing’s latest surge could signal the stock has turned a corner—if it can sustain it.
06/19/19
Options volatility and price action combine to fill out trading picture in fast-moving stock.
06/18/19
Stocks in this industry may be poised to benefit from a potential recovery in small-caps and health care.
06/17/19
Stocks march in place as traders gear up for this week’s Federal Reserve meeting.
06/14/19
BYND soars into the Great Beyond—and back—while TSN ups the ante in the faux meat space.
06/12/19
The antitrust story may give swing-trading bulls what they like—multiple buying opportunities.
06/06/19
The trade war, from the other side: Alibaba shares show signs of wear and tear.
06/04/19
A semiconductor barometer has paused near a potential inflection point.
05/31/19
Exchange stocks pump up the volume, and the VIX signals less fear on the market’s most recent dip.
05/30/19
Tech stock in a bull-bear battle as price reaches a critical low.
05/29/19
Another big deal in the payment-processing space turbo-charges an already-hot industry.
05/24/19
Listening to what the market is telling you can sometimes help you look past conflicting headlines.
05/23/19
A big print on the options ticker highlights potential action in the industrial sector.
05/22/19
“iBuying” makes its presence felt in the housing industry. Will stocks follow?
05/21/19
Semiconductor stocks—one of the flashpoints in the trade war—are on the move.
05/17/19
Tech stock’s volatility drop sounds alarm for potential options play.
05/16/19
As tech continues to be the market’s jet fuel, traders may be looking at potential entry levels in high-flying names that recently lost altitude.
05/15/19
Beverage maker’s stock reaches key price level amid heavy put options trading.
05/10/19
Action in health benefits provider spikes amid dueling takeover narratives.
05/09/19
Deal or no deal: Semiconductor stocks poised for move as trade deadline looms.
05/07/19
Forgotten, but not gone: The VIX spikes as tariff talk makes surprise appearance on market stage.
05/06/19
Market near highs as traders digest earnings, Fed policy, and jobs data.
05/03/19
Best of both worlds? Some tickers may offer traders unexpected opportunities as relative strength rotates throughout the market.
05/02/19
Batter up: Range-bound stock looks for decisive blow as earnings approach.
05/01/19
Alphabet by the numbers: Volatility may yield opportunities for short-term traders.
04/30/19
Volume showdown: Options traders take a bite out of the big AAP, but stock traders mostly sit on sidelines.
04/26/19
Don’t go away: The fifth month of the year may not signal what you think it does—and the same goes for the January–April rally.
04/25/19
Traders may want to keep an eye on the Russell 2000 for signals about the broad market’s intentions.
04/24/19
The S&P 500 closed at a new record high yesterday, and traders loaded up on energy stock options.
04/23/19
“Medicare for All” had the health care sector reaching for the oxygen tank last week, but are its vital signals stabilizing?
04/22/19
The tech index sets news record as earnings season heats up.
04/18/19
After an initial earnings-season rally in financials, another industry takes center stage.
04/17/19
Greatest Hits: Past targets of the “Amazon effect” have sometimes ended up singing a bullish tune.
04/16/19
In or out? What yesterday’s options activity said about WTR.
04/15/19
Stocks continued to edge toward records as initial Q1 earnings topped estimates.
04/12/19
Waste management stock gets taken to curb, bounces back.
04/11/19
Yelp makes a noise: Options volatility implies possibility of big move.
04/10/19
Traders pile into call options in a range-bound internet stock.
04/08/19
Trade talk, jobs report helped boost stocks as earnings season approaches
04/05/19
Public spending has expanded, and construction materials stocks may be reaping the rewards.
04/04/19
An oil stock diverges from crude, while a social media titan makes a break for it.
04/03/19
With a little more than two weeks until expiration, someone makes a big options bet in a stock testing highs.
04/02/19
Q1 earnings season may have traders talking more about stocks with a certain trait.
03/28/19
The yield curve flipped, and the S&P 500 is having one of its best Q1s ever. What’s next for traders?
03/27/19
Sector gets wired Communications equipment stocks may not be sexy, but their returns sure have been lately.
03/26/19
High put-call ratio and intraday rally present interesting scenario for short-term traders.
03/25/19
A Friday yield-curve inversion takes some of the starch out of a Fed-fueled rally.
03/22/19
Wednesday’s Fed announcement hit bank shares but sent homebuilders soaring.
03/21/19
A volume surge isn’t necessarily what it first appears to be, but that doesn’t mean there’s no trade opportunity.
03/19/19
Trading when vs. trading why Timing isn’t everything—unless you’re a short-term trader.
03/18/19
Tech stocks boom as market erases pullback with biggest up week of the year.
03/15/19
The chart seems to say one thing, but the price history suggests something else.
03/14/19
Looking for discrepancies between price action and options volatility can sometimes tip you off to stocks that could move.
03/13/19
…in all the appropriate places. After pulling back for the past month, will Match Group find traders are ready to “swipe right?”
03/12/19
Airline stocks lose altitude on Boeing downturn, but is it just minor turbulence?
03/08/19
Stock, options provide different angles of approach to a potential trade opportunity.
03/07/19
Strong quarterly numbers from Target and other stores have contradicted recent retail sales data.
03/06/19
Can a stock known for its investment credentials also be a momentum pick for traders?
03/04/19
After a booming February, the market kicks of a new month near its late-2018 highs.
03/01/19
March may not be a particularly memorable month, but it kicks off an important period for the market
02/28/19
After laying low for a while, the tech sector shows signs of reasserting itself.
02/25/19
But stocks grind out another weekly gain as February draws to a close.
02/22/19
Important resistance levels loom for US stock indexes as trade negotiations near deadline.
02/21/19
Options activity surges in animal pharma stock as its price chart consolidates.
02/20/19
Communications services stock shows upside momentum as sector attempts to rotate out of the cellar.
02/19/19
Stocks kept climbing amid trade negotiations, border wall politics, and shutdown worries.
02/14/19
Oil shares have been on the vanguard of the stock market rebound, rotating from worst to (almost) first.
02/13/19
Latest round of trade talks shines light on commodity futures in limbo, and China-sensitive stock sectors.
02/12/19
A biopharma stock’s mega-surge triggers more action as traders sort out the aftermath.
02/08/19
A low-profile stock trounces some high-profile competition to become an unlikely momentum name.
02/07/19
Smart money and Chinese stocks Are IQ and other Chinese tech titans finally on the march?
02/05/19
Discount retailer’s options may have recently moved into an attractive selling zone.
02/04/19
Stocks breakout of a short-term consolidation phase as February gets underway.
01/29/19
This week’s US-China trade talks may or may not produce a meaningful deal, but they’ll almost certainly trigger some market action.
01/28/19
The stock market took a breather before heading into what looks to be an action-packed week.
01/25/19
Defense and aerospace stocks will put their early 2019 win streak on the line with next week’s earnings.
01/24/19
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, but it may shed some light on the market’s current pullback.
01/23/19
Even after the recent run-up, traders may be eyeing potential action in banking stocks.
01/17/19
Markets are a puzzle, and one missing piece can change the whole picture.
01/16/19
After a rough December, railroad stocks have recently made some industrial-strength up moves.
01/15/19
Did sellers over-imbibe after STZ’s earnings announcement last week?
01/11/19
Power on: Semiconductors have paced the tech sector in recent days.
01/10/19
The Russell 2000’s hot start to the year is nothing new—but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
01/09/19
An oil stock puts up interesting options numbers as crude reaches resistance.
01/08/19
With earnings approaching, health insurer consolidates after big move.
01/07/19
Market picks up where it left off Stocks rocked and rolled to start off 2019, but ultimately notched a gain for the week.
01/03/19
Was there some hidden bullishness in yesterday’s early stock market selling?
01/02/19
The market will likely be watching quarterly numbers closer than ever.
12/21/18
What has the stock market really tended to do around the end of the year?