Investors awaited comments from Fed officials for clues on the next policy moves, after the previous day's mild inflation report fueled rate cut hopes and drove major indexes to fresh record highs.Options market data suggested a positive view on the S&P 500 for May, though longer-dated butterflies spreads pointed to a gradual bearish shift. Upside room kept expanding in QQQ, with expectations for a 2.2% rally priced in by late May. For small-caps, bullish flows continued in the Russell 2000, with expectations for a 1.2% rally by month-end.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ saw open call interest rise 2.4% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts increased 5.6% over the same period.For call options, investors sold the most

The latest U.S. data releases showed April CPI and retail sales cooled, with the CPI report prompting markets to price in a faster pace of Fed rate cuts this year.Options market data suggested a continued positive outlook for the S&P 500, though longer-dated put buying remained. Upside room kept expanding in QQQ, with expectations for a rally over 1.3% priced in by May 20 expiration. For small-caps, bullish flows continued in the Russell 2000, with expectations for the index to hold above 210 through June 21.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ saw open call interest rise 0.9% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts increased 1.7% over the same period.For call options, investors sold the most

Previous U.S. data releases showed persistently elevated inflation, leading markets to price in a slower pace of Fed rate cuts this year. Meanwhile, comments from Fed Chair Powell later on became the focus.Options market data suggested a more positive view on the S&P 500, with institutional positioning for the index to hold above 520 through June 14 expiration. Upside room continued to open up in QQQ. For the small-cap Russell 2000, there was room left for a 2.4% rally this week, while expectations capped downside below 2.4% by June 21.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ saw open call interest decline -0.3% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts rose 0.6% over the same period.For call options, investors sold the most

Investors awaited this week's inflation report for clues on the Fed's policy path. Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar index declined.Options market data suggested the S&P 500 ETF could see a pullback of over 1.5% priced in by May 17 expiration. For QQQ, there was room left for a 2.2% rally this week, while a 4.2% decline was expected. The small-cap Russell 2000 had room for a 1.4% decline priced in for the week.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ saw open call interest decline -2.9% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts decreased -0.5% over the same period.For call options, investors bought the most $SPY 20241220 680.0 CALL$  with a 680 strike, adding 18,000 cont

Data showing a cooling jobs market revived hopes for Fed rate cuts later this year, boosting U.S. stocks. Home Depot and Caterpillar led the rally as the Dow notched its longest winning streak since December 2022 with 9 straight gains.Options market data suggested the S&P 500 ETF may have topped out around 521, with expectations for a decline of over 1.9% priced in by June 21 expiration. For QQQ, near-term upside was adjusted higher while longer-dated put buying continued. The small-cap Russell 2000 saw room for more upside into late May, with expectations capping gains in IWM below 6.8% by May 24.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ saw open call interest rise 2.3% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts increased 3.9% over the same

Rising Treasury yields and mixed corporate earnings impacted market sentiment, though the Dow Jones rose for the sixth straight session, reclaiming the 33,000 level.Options market data showed muted trading across the major index ETFs, with most activity concentrated in front-week options set to expire, suggesting retail traders were the main participants.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall reflected a bullish trading sentiment, with sellers of put options dominating. Open call interest declined -1.4% over the past 5 days. Open put contracts increased 12.2% over the same period.For call options, the most actively traded was the $SPY 20240509 521.0 CALL$  w

Traders are looking for more clues on whether the Fed could start cutting rates. After a pullback in April, stocks have rebounded recently on renewed hopes for Fed rate cuts this year, with corporate earnings for the first quarter also providing some optimism so far.Options market data suggested the S&P 500 ETF may have topped out around 520, with any pullback limited to less than 4.8%. For QQQ, downside expectations continued to be tempered, with a decline of less than 2.2% priced in by June 21 expiration. Small-cap Russell 2000 looked to have topped as well, with expectations for the index to trade below 208 by mid-May.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall reflected a bearish trading sentiment, with sellers of put opti

The surprisingly cool U.S. April jobs report stoked hopes for an earlier start to Fed rate cuts, sending the VIX fear gauge to a one-month low and pushing Treasury yields lower. Apple rallied nearly 6%, leading tech stocks higher.As the S&P 500 gradually rose, options market data showed continued adjustments to hedge put positions by raising strike prices. For QQQ, downside expectations for May were lowered, with a decline of less than 2.7% priced in by May 31st expiration. Small-cap Russell 2000 options saw active buying of calls, implying expectations for the index to trade above 205 by June 21.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall reflected a bullish trading sentiment, with sellers of put options dominating. Open call

The surprisingly cooler U.S. April jobs report stoked hopes for an earlier start to Fed rate cuts, sending the VIX fear gauge to a one-month low and pushing Treasury yields lower. Apple rallied nearly 6%, leading tech stocks higher.Options market data suggested expectations for reduced volatility in the S&P 500 near-term, with a sideways bias this week and potential for the index to finish Friday below 509. QQQ saw continued buying of longer-dated downside protection. For small-caps, Russell 2000 options positioned for a range-bound move, with expectations for the index to trade between 194-210 into June.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall reflected a bullish trading sentiment, with sellers of put options dominating. O

Major U.S. stock indexes rallied, with Tesla surging 15% and boosting the consumer discretionary sector. Apple rose 2.5% on an analyst upgrade, though investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision and April jobs report.The Fed will hold its two-day policy meeting on April 30-May 1, with several officials previously signaling no urgency to cut rates. Markets are pricing in a 97.6% chance of the central bank standing pat.Options market data suggested expectations for reduced near-term volatility in the S&P 500, with a downside bias this week. For QQQ, focus was on bets for an outsized move in either direction, with expectations of a 1%+ decline or 3%+ rally over the next two weeks. Small-cap Russell 2000 options saw continued accumulation of far-dated

Major U.S. stock indexes opened higher on Monday (29th), led by Tesla and Apple among the mega-caps, though investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision later this week.Options market data showed expectations for reduced near-term volatility in the S&P 500, with a decline of no more than 2.9% priced in by May 6th. QQQ expectations were aligned with the SPY. For small-caps, the Russell 2000 options saw continued accumulation of far-dated put positions, implying a potential 5.5% drop by early June.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall reflected a bullish trading sentiment, with sellers of call options dominating. Open call interest declined -1.1% over the past 5 days. Open put co

Market attention shifted to earnings season, with U.S. stocks extending their rally. Spotify's shares surged 11.4% after beating Wall Street's Q1 expectations and issuing an upbeat Q2 guidance. UPS rose 2.4% as the delivery giant's profits exceeded forecasts.Options market data showed continued accumulation of far-dated put options on the S&P 500, with fresh call open interest dwindling, implying expectations of another 5% decline over the next two months. For QQQ, far-dated puts kept adding, suggesting a move of over 3.7% is priced in by May 17th. On small-caps, Russell 2000 options saw further build-up of far-dated put positions, indicating a potential 4.5% drop by early June.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall refle

Market attention has shifted towards earnings season, with the U.S. stock market extending its rally. Spotify's stock surged 11.4% after exceeding Wall Street's first-quarter expectations and issuing an optimistic second-quarter guidance. Delivery giant UPS rose 2.4% after beating profit forecasts.Option market data shows that S&P 500 options continue to bet on far out-of-the-money put options, with call open interest shrinking, expecting a 5% decline over the next 2 months. QQQ options continue to bet on far out-of-the-money puts, expecting volatility over 3.7% before May 17th. Small-cap Russell 2000 options continue to add far out-of-the-money put positions, anticipating a potential 4.5% decline by June.Details: $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$<

Market attention shifted to earnings season, with U.S. stocks extending their rally. Spotify's shares surged 11.4% after beating Wall Street's Q1 expectations and issuing an upbeat Q2 guidance. UPS rose 2.4% as the delivery giant's profits exceeded forecasts.Options market data showed continued accumulation of far-dated put options on the S&P 500, implying expectations of another 5% decline over the next two months. For QQQ, far-dated puts kept adding, suggesting an 8% drop is priced in over the same period. On small-caps, Russell 2000 options saw further build-up of far-dated put positions, indicating a potential 4.5% decline in May.Details:The S&P 500 ETF (SPY) options overall reflected a bullish trading sentiment, with sellers of put options dominating. Open call interest declin

With Middle East tensions easing, investors await tech giants' earnings reports and key U.S. inflation data as the S&P 500 reclaims the 5,000 level, ending a six-day plunge. Tech stocks led the broader market rebound, as investors pinned hopes on whether the "super earnings week" can live up to lofty AI expectations.Options market data shows narrowing expected gains for the S&P 500 options, with gains under 2.2% by May 10th. QQQ's expected trading range widens, with continued buying of straddle combinations. Small-cap Russell 2000 options see increased bets on longer-dated put options, suggesting a potential 5.6% decline before June.Details:For the $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options, the overall traded sentiment is bullish, with sell

Fading rate cut hopes and geopolitical uncertainties fueled a sell-off in large tech stocks, leading to a Black Friday for US stocks. The S&P 500 broke below the 4,000 level. The Nasdaq saw its sixth consecutive day of declines, the longest losing streak in over a year. American Express lifted the Dow Jones to close higher.Options market data showed expectations for a narrowing decline in the S&P 500, with a drop of less than 4.4% expected by May 17th. For QQQ, the expected decline narrowed, with a 2.1% drop projected by May 17th. For small-caps, Russell 2000 options implied a tightening range, with a 1.5% decline and 6.7% upside cap expected for May.Details:The $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ options overall showed a slightly bullish tra

Impacted by hawkish Fed rhetoric, strong economic data, and rising Treasury yields, the S&P 500 saw its first five-day losing streak since October 2022 this week. Semiconductor stocks sold off heavily, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunging, hurt by TSMC's downbeat outlook weighing on overall chip growth expectations.Options market data showed diverging investor expectations for the future. S&P 500 options reflected slightly bullish sentiment, but upside was expected to be limited near-term. Nasdaq options had a slightly bearish tilt, with investors positioning for relatively contained downside risks. For small-caps, Russell 2000 options trading indicated bullish sentiment, with investors mainly taking defensive stances by selling puts.Details:The

Investors are focused on earnings season, with risk sentiment impacted by tensions in the Middle East and hawkish Federal Reserve. Selling intensified in April. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 declined for the fourth consecutive trading day, the longest streak in over four months.Travelers Companies (TRV) plunged 7.41%, becoming one of the biggest drags on the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices. United Airlines soared over 17% after forecasting stronger-than-expected numbers for the quarter, boosting the NYSE Arca Airline index by 3.82%, its best single-day gain since February 6.Options market trading data show that investors are starting to take both long and short bets. S&p 500 options have a bullish bias, and investors are buying straddled portfolio games to accelerate short-term shifts.

After Fed Chair Powell hinted that the central bank is not in a rush to cut rates, U.S. Treasury yields rose on Tuesday (16th), with the 2-year yield briefly touching 5%. U.S. stocks were volatile before closing mixed, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite falling for the third straight day, while the Dow Jones snapped a six-day losing streak, led by UnitedHealth.Options trading data shows diverging investor expectations for the future. SPY options reflect a slightly bullish sentiment, with investors betting on limited upside in the short-term. QQQ options have been bullish on June far-dated calls for two straight days, though remaining bearish near-term. For the small-cap Russell 2000 ETF, investors are primarily defensive, selling put options.Details:

The Middle East unrest and stronger-than-expected retail sales data weakened expectations for Fed rate cuts, causing the VIX fear gauge to surge, and stocks continued to fall on Monday (15th). The Dow Jones fell for the sixth consecutive trading day, with the S&P 500 index and Nasdaq both closing below their 50-day moving averages.The S&P 500 index options market overall had a slightly bullish sentiment. The number of call options held increased rapidly, but put option open interest remained above the one-year average level. The most favored new call options were the September expiry 600 strike calls, reflecting investors' expectations that the S&P 500 index will rise nearly 19%. For put options, investors used a spread strategy, expecting the S&P 500 index to fall no more