Cannabis and chip stocks were the hot ticket items this week
The Fed's third rate hike of the year, combined with D.C. drama and a poorly received speech from President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, put pressure on stocks this week. While the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are eyeing weekly losses, the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is set for a weekly win, thanks to a resurgent tech sector. On the flip side, the Dow and SPX are pacing for monthly gains, while the IXIC is on track for a September loss.
Apple Shines Among Dow Stocks
Although the Dow is headed toward a weekly loss, it is still on track for monthly and quarterly wins. Blue chip Nike (NKE) reported earnings on Tuesday, and options traders beforehand braced for a volatility crush. General Electric (GE) continued to prove why it was booted from the Dow, after it sunk to a fresh nine-year low on Monday. Apple (AAPL) kept the Dow and Nasdaq afloat in the middle of the week, but the best may be yet to come for the FAANG stock in October.
Cannabis Still the Hot-Ticket Item
Weed stocks continued to make a splash on Wall Street. Options traders piled on Cronos Group (CRON) stock, which has more than quintupled year-over-year. Drugmakers are getting in on the fun too, with Intrexon (XON) developing a low-cost cannabinoid strain. And later in the week, GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) and its CBD-based drug was given the lowest classification from the the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
For healthcare names that are passing on grass, the week still had its share of movers and shakers. Skin specialist XBiotech (XBIT) scored a big win with a European patent, while Tandem Diabetes (TNDM) continued its blistering pace.
Tech, Chip Stocks Make Noise
The strong action out of the tech sector was fueled by the usual suspects. Payments processor Square (SQ) got yet another lofty price target, while CyberArk Software (CYBR) found a fan in Morgan Stanley. Nvidia (NVDA) joined in on the fun too, with one analyst seeing 50% upside for the chip stock.
As the usual winners kept winning, the usual losers kept losing. This means Intel (INTC) dipped once more after Raymond James stepped to the sideline. In fact, the analyst waxed bearishly on the entire semiconductor sector, although it appears no one told Analog Devices (ADI).
This 'n' That
Several retail stocks made headlines this week. Canada Goose (GOOS) and PVH (PVH) both popped on new "buy" ratings from D.A. Davidson, which remarked: "the mall is NOT dead." The brokerage firm also waxed bullishly on TJX Companies (TJX) as options bulls piled on. Lastly, history says luxury retailer could have room to run.
Elsewhere, two airlines stocks could soon take flight. Several penny stocks made outsized moves this week too, while Tesla's embattled CEO Elon Musk prepares to face heavy legal scrutiny from the Securities and Exchanges (SEC) commission.
Stocks to Avoid Next Month
Next week marks a new month and a new quarter. As fall hits full swing, here are some stocks that could cool off in October. Also, as midterm elections near, check out this presidential cycle statistic.