Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Dow Jones Industrial Average On Edge With Fed, GDP in Focus

2 Warning Signs for Bulls

Apr 29, 2015 at 8:31 AM
facebook X logo linkedin


After a choppy session on Tuesday, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are pointed lower ahead of the bell. Volatility could pick up steam as the day wears on, with a handful of market-moving events scheduled for release -- including the advance reading on first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) and the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) policy decision. Speaking of volatility, Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) is down 2% in electronic trading, after plunging 18.2% yesterday afternoon following an early release of the firm's first-quarter earnings.

And now, on to the numbers...

150429OV1

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are more than 19 points below fair value.

Market Statistics

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.1 million call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 714,654 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio edged down to 0.64, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.63.

150429ov2

150429ov3

Currencies and Commodities

  • The U.S. dollar index is 0.1% lower at 95.98.
  • Ahead of today's weekly inventories update, crude oil is off 0.6% at $56.73 per barrel.
  • Gold, meanwhile, is down 0.5% at $1,207.40 per ounce.

150429OV1

Earnings and Economic Data

Today's packed economic docket includes the FOMC policy announcement, the advance reading on first-quarter GDP, pending home sales, and the weekly crude inventories update. Baidu (BIDU), Anthem (ANTM), Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Garmin (GRMN), Glu Mobile (GLUU), GrubHub (GRUB), Hess (HES), Hologic (HOLX), Humana (HUM), Level 3 Communications (LVLT), Linn Energy (LINE), Lumber Liquidators (LL), Marriott (MAR), MasterCard (MA), Meritor (MTOR), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Northrop Grumman (NOC), NXP Semiconductors (NXPI), Shutterfly (SFLY), Spirit Airlines (SAVE), Starwood Hotels (HOT), Suncor Energy (SU), Time Warner (TWX), Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Waste Management (WM), Whiting Petroleum Corp (WLL), and Yelp (YELP) will take their turn in the earnings limelight. To see what else is on this week's agenda, click here.

Overseas Trading

Asian markets finished mostly lower, as caution set in ahead of today's policy decision from the FOMC. Both South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gave back 0.2%, while China's Shanghai Composite closed fractionally higher, amid a flurry of reports about the central bank's Pledged Supplementary Lending program. Markets in Japan were shuttered for holiday.

European benchmarks are in the red at midday, as traders digest the latest round of corporate earnings reports and a disappointing bond auction in Germany. At last check, the French CAC 40 is off 0.5%, while London's FTSE 100 and the German DAX are both 0.3% lower.​

150429OV1

Unusual Put and Call Activity

Due to technical issues, the Unusual Put and Call Activity charts are unavailable today. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 
 

You have the chance to join one of Bernie's most exclusive programs, complete access at HUGE savings!

As we prepare for a new administration to take the reins in Washington, the near-term market landscape is rife with uncertainty.

The Federal Reserve has already hinted at the turbulence ahead, lowering its interest rate outlook for 2025.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other transformative sectors have unlocked incredible profit potential.

But these opportunities are fleeting, and timing is everything. That's where Quick-Hit Trader comes in.

Quick-Hit Trader is designed for precision and speed, getting you in and out of the market in a flash. While other investors scramble to navigate volatile conditions, you'll have access to expertly curated trades that leverage these rapid shifts to deliver explosive profits in short order.

This is your chance to capitalize on the fast-moving market like never before. Are you ready to make your move?