The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 3%. The VIX remains at the bottom end of its 52-week range (13.66-48.00), yet a further decline in equities might spur gains.
Oil is falling this afternoon, off 0.7%, in conjunction with the decline in equities. Natural gas – down 26.7% YTD – is higher by 1.7%.
In currency markets, trading is muted today. EUR/USD is stuck in a 30-pip range during US trading, while USD/JPY has seemingly not moved all day.
Some other News and Numbers: – OSH up 19% to $25.74 – CONN up 16% to $19.17 – TSLA up 3.4% to $37.84 – GRPN holding at $15.26 after falling from $18.38 on Friday
The EU and ECB released a report that suggests the Portuguese economy will face a larger economic contraction than thought, resulting in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 115% in 2013. In 2010, it was 93%. Ireland may also have trouble getting its house in order as the Irish Fiscal Panel noted that 2012 growth has weakened and the country would need extra budget cuts to get to its target. Reports from the FT overnight suggest that Italy’s budget continues to cause consternation for which the Eurogroup recommends additional austerity – not politically tenable for PM Monti at the moment.
Not good news for Europe – but the market is taking it in stride. DJIA futures are down just 0.2%, while S&P futures are lower by 0.15%. NASDAQ futures are higher as a result of another 1.4% gain in Apple (AAPL) premarket trading – no doubt on news that Ashton Kucher will play Steve Jobs in a biopic. Crude futures, which saw large gains yesterday, pulled back – down 0.6% and back below $105 p/barrel.
The US$ is holding in ranges, close to 1.33 figure in EUR/USD, the 82 handle in USD/JPY, and 1.60 in GBP/USD.
Looking into tomorrow, S&P futures will look to 1,400, 1,408, and 1,411 as points of support. Markets look to be heading higher going into the earnings season, which kicks off with Alcoa next week.
Oil futures reversed recent weakness, popping 2% to $105 p/barrel. USD/JPY extended overnight weakness, dropping to the 82 figure – nearly 2 figures below the March high. EUR/USD is stuck in a channel, trading between 1.30 and 1.35 for much of this year. A rally above 1.35 could lead prices to extend to the 1.40 level.
Break-even: I break-even on this trade if JCP closes at $33.70 by May 18, 2012.
Unprofitable: This trade is unprofitable if JCP closes under $33.70 by May 18, 2012. The most I can the amount either spread can be worth $1.00 minus the amount I sold it for $.30 for a total of $.70.
Reason I Like This Trade: I wanted to take advantage of the fact that a customer bought 10,000 JCP May 38 Calls for $.91. I thought this was the prefect time to get LONG, but I always want to define my risk vs reward and would prefer not to buy premium in this environment, so I sold a Put Spread.
UPDATE 4.4.2012: Even with the huge sell-off in equities, I am sticking with this trade. It is currently worth $0.32 for a small losing position.
UPDATE 4.9.2012: With JCP selling off hard, this Spread is currently worth $.45. I think the stock can rally higher, and I guess this was another Call Buyer to get Short the stock. I will leave this spread on until earnings
UPDATE 4.16.2012: This Put Spread is currently worth $.49 and with the market uncertain, I might look to take this trade off right before earnings, but not until it.
UPDATE 4.23.2012 This Put Spread is worth $.60 and since it LONG premium I would take it off here.
Oil, which fell sharply last week to test support above $100, is rallying 1.6% to near the $105 p/barrel mark. Even natural gas futures are seeing a bid today as the front-month contract gains 1%.
Despite some usual signs of risk, currency markets are offering a muted reaction. EUR/USD is down 20 pips on the day to 1.3320, while USD/JPY has dropped 70 pips to 82.17.
In unusual options activity, there is interest in Carmax (KMX) April $34 calls, seeing large trading volume over the open interest. KMX is trading up 0.75%, while the April $34 calls are higher by 18%.
In overseas news, the FT is reporting that Europe’s largest banks will return funds from the ECB’s LTRO. According to the news, Italy’s UniCredit, France’s BNP Paribas and Société Générale, and La Caixa in Spain will begin repayment in December 2012 – the earliest possible date. EUR/USD is slightly lower, but holding above the 1.33-mark. USD/JPY continued its recent move lower, falling half a handle to 82.45.
Among commodities, crude futures are down $0.50 to the mid-$102’s. Seemingly in a perpetual decline, natural gas futures are down another 2%. Gold futures are lower by $5, trading at $1,667.50, now down over 12% from highs in September 2011.
Today, at 10 a.m. ET, ISM will release the March figures for its manufacturing index, while the Commerce Department will release February construction spending. Markets are expecting ISM Manufacturing to gain to a reading of 53.
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