Credit: Shutterstock photoAfter the open… 2014 draws to a close, and the markets have become a giant sprawling court of King Bull. Though King Bull didn't expand his territory as much in 2014 as in 2013, his reign appears no less secure. If anything, the combination of low oil prices and improving US employment numbers means the King is likely to extend his reign another year - perhaps as or more likely than at any time since the reign began. The S&P 500 is up 0.17%.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil has fallen below $53 per barrel, and oil services company Civeo ( CVEO ) continues to implode, but the King's court remains in high spirits. Tonight we raise a glass to empowered consumers and the higher corporate earnings they bring.
Here are your Wednesday morning market metrics. Industries doing well today include Airlines Specialty Retail and Multiline Retail. Industries showing weakness include Energy Equipment, Independent Power and Oil & Gas.
The VIX is up 1.8% to 16.22 after closing on Monday at 15.92. The most active option strikes are for Atlas Energy ( ATLS ) with 28K January 50 calls changing hands. The total put-call volume ratio is 1.03, (190,406/196,143). NYSE Adv/Dec 1,685/1,253. Nasdaq Adv/Dec 1,388/975.
Julian Close has been a business writer since the first day of the twenty-first century, having written for PRA International and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping. He graduated from Davidson College in 1993 and received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin College in 2011. He became a stockbroker in 1993, but now works for Fresh Brewed Media and uses his powers only for good. You can see closing trades for all Julian's long and short positions and track his long term performance via twitter: @JulianClose_MIC .
This article was originally published on MarketIntelligenceCenter.com
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
