In this video, after a rundown of the general markets and sectors, Tony brings you the latest options trade ideas. These include a number of bullish and bearish ideas, including DIS, AAPL, META, BA, LULU, and many more.
This video premiered on December 23, 2024.
Provaris Energy Ltd (Provaris, ASX.PV1) is pleased to provide an update on recent progress towards its priority activities in Norway aimed at developing Hydrogen Supply Chains into Europe and advancing the Company’s proprietary hydrogen carrier.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Term Sheet for Hydrogen Supply and Offtake progressing towards execution
During December 2024, Provaris , together with Uniper and Norwegian Hydrogen, made significant strides towards the finalization of a Term Sheet that outlines the key terms for negotiation of a long term Hydrogen SPA. This agreement targets a 10-year offtake contract for over 40,000 tonnes per annum of renewable green hydrogen from the Nordics to Germany.
The Term Sheet represents a critical milestone in Provaris’ plans to establish reliable, long term, and low cost hydrogen supply utilising Provaris’ proprietary H2Neo carriers and H2Leo barge technology.
The completion of the Term Sheet is imminent however final execution may be slightly delayed by the winter holiday period in Europe, which concludes on 2 January 2025. The Term Sheet also supports discussions established with shipyards for newbuilds and shipowners for Time Charter of the carriers.
Provaris and Uniper continue to focus on optimal shipping, compression, and import terminal solutions in North-West Europe, ensuring a flexible and efficient transport network. The collaboration with Norwegian Hydrogen, including the Fjord H2 project and other Nordic sites, aims to provide RFNBO-compliant hydrogen delivered in compressed form. These initiatives support Uniper’s hydrogen portfolio requirements and align with Provaris’ vision of delivering cost-effective, low-emission supply chains from production to end-user markets.
Restart of Prototype Tank Program at Fiskå Facility and completion of final Class Approvals.
Provaris has maintained regular engagement with the secured lenders and their appointed Advisor regarding the ongoing sale process of the Fiskå Facility and associated assets. While the process has taken longer than initially anticipated progress has been achieved over the past 6 weeks with finalization and title transfer to the new owner anticipated on or around 1st January 2025.
Securing a lease agreement for a portion of the Fiskå Facility’s production floor and associated office space will provide for a resumption of the Prototype Tank fabrication and testing program. The lease is close to finalization and will provide ample room for future growth, including the potential production of small-scale hydrogen storage tanks that can be an important step towards improving the operational economics for industrial hydrogen users.
Concurrently, Provaris has advanced negotiation of the key terms for an asset purchase agreement to acquire the installed Production Cell (including robotic arms, laser-hybrid welding equipment, pedestals, jigs and related tools) essential for the Prototype Tank construction. Owning these valuable production assets and associated intellectual property will strengthen Provaris’ manufacturing capabilities in Norway and potential licensing opportunities within Europe and Asia.
Click here for the full ASX Release
The Santa Claus rally has long been attractive to investors looking to end the year on a high note.
North American markets have already experienced robust growth throughout 2024, but the prospect of a year-end rally could offer one final opportunity for gains before heading into the new year.
The Santa Claus rally is a period between the final trading days of December and the first days of January when stocks tend to climb. While this seasonal uptick isn’t guaranteed, historical data shows that markets rise more often than not during this window, driven by investor optimism, low trading volumes and year-end portfolio adjustments.
This year, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) up over 27 percent year-to-date, spurred by significant growth in the technology, energy and financial sectors, investors are closely watching for signs that the rally will materialize once again.
As the holiday season unfolds, market participants are positioning to benefit from a potentially strong finish to 2024.
The Santa Claus rally typically occurs over the final five trading days of December and the first two trading days of January. This narrow window often yields modest, yet consistent, returns for investors who time the market correctly.
While the rally’s timeframe is traditionally short, its effects can ripple through the market into early January. Essentially, a strong performance during this period can set the tone for January.
However, the exact timing of the Santa Claus rally can vary. Some analysts suggest that the rally has started earlier in recent years as investors attempt to front run the effect by increasing their positions in mid-December. This shift may blur the lines between the Santa Claus rally and broader December market upswings.
Despite skepticism in some quarters, historical data supports the existence of the Santa Claus rally.
Since 1950, the S&P 500 has averaged a 1.3 percent gain during this period, with a positive performance nearly 80 percent of the time. For its part, the Nasdaq Composite Index (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) has performed even better, averaging gains of 3.1 percent during the same window all the way back to 1971.
This year markets turned down in mid-December, but as of Christmas Eve the Santa Claus rally seems to have arrived — the S&P 500 gained 1.1 percent that day alone, and the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.34 percent.
While the Santa Claus rally is well documented, not every year delivers the expected results.
Columnist Mark Hulbert has expressed skepticism about the event in the past, noting that there is no definitive evidence that the market consistently outperforms during this period.
“An analysis of the past century reveals that the stock market in the weeks prior to Christmas is no more likely to rally than at other times of the year. (I suggest investors) ignore any arguments based on an alleged Santa Claus Rally,” Hulbert warned in an opinion piece posted on MarketWatch in 2018.
In 2019, for example, the market experienced volatility in December, defying the usual pattern.
Other analysts have a more optimistic perspective. Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group, acknowledges that market reactions to US Federal Reserve decisions often spark volatility.
However, he believes that the recent selloff this year — which was driven by hawkish Fed commentary — could pave the way for a rally as investors return from holiday breaks.
“Markets have a really bad habit of overreacting to Fed policy moves,” Cox explained to TheStreet. “This seems more like, ‘I’m leaving for Christmas break, so I’ll sell and start up next year.’”
Jeffrey Hirsch, editor-in-chief of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, also has a bullish outlook for 2025.
Hirsch, who is the son of Yale Hirsch, the first person to record the Santa Claus rally, emphasized the significance of seasonal patterns, including the Santa Claus rally and the January Barometer.
In his view, if the S&P 500 posts gains in January, the market is likely to maintain positive momentum for the rest of the year. This perspective aligns with the historical analysis outlined in the Stock Trader’s Almanac, which shows the Santa Claus rally occurring approximately 80 percent of the time since 1950.
Despite the varying takes, many investors view the rally as a psychological phenomenon — one that influences market sentiment even if the returns are marginal.
Now that the Santa Claus rally seems to be underway, investors interested in joining in have a variety of options, including domestic markets, international diversification or targeted sector plays such as mega-cap tech stocks.
As always, consulting with a financial advisor and conducting thorough research remains essential. While the Santa Claus rally offers potential rewards, market conditions can shift quickly, making flexibility and prudence key to success.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Stock futures are trading slightly lower Monday morning as investors gear up for the final month of 2024. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.18%, alongside declines in Dow Jones Industrial Average futures and Nasdaq 100 futures, which dropped 0.13% and 0.17%, respectively. The market’s focus is shifting to upcoming economic data, particularly reports on manufacturing and construction spending, ahead of this week’s key labor data releases.
November was a standout month for equities, with the S&P 500 futures rallying to reflect the index’s best monthly performance of the year. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved all-time highs during Friday’s shortened trading session, with the Dow briefly surpassing 45,000. Small-cap stocks also saw robust gains, with the Russell 2000 index surging over 10% in November, buoyed by optimism around potential tax cuts.
As trading kicks off in December, investors are keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 index dropped 0.77% amid political concerns, while Germany’s DAX and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 showed smaller declines.
S&P 500 futures will likely continue to act as a key barometer for market sentiment, particularly as traders assess the impact of upcoming economic data and global market developments.
This 15-minute chart of the S&P 500 Index shows a recent trend where the index attempted to break above the resistance level near 6,044.17 but retraced slightly to close at 6,032.39, reflecting a minor decline of 0.03% in the session. The candlestick pattern indicates some indecisiveness after a steady upward momentum seen earlier in the day.
On the RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator, the value sits at 62.07, having declined from the overbought zone above 70 earlier. This suggests that the bullish momentum might be cooling off, and traders could anticipate a short-term consolidation or slight pullback. However, with RSI above 50, the overall trend remains positive, favoring buyers.
The index’s recent low of 5,944.36 marks a key support level, while the high at 6,044.17 could act as resistance. If the price sustains above the 6,020 level and RSI stabilizes without breaking below 50, the index could attempt another rally. Conversely, a drop below 6,020 could indicate a bearish shift.
In conclusion, the index displays potential for continued gains, but traders should watch RSI levels and price action near the support and resistance zones for confirmation.
The post Stock Futures Lower after S&P 500 futures ticked down 0.18% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.
Stock futures climbed on Wednesday, driven by strong performances from Salesforce and Marvell Technology, following upbeat quarterly earnings. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 215 points (0.5%), while S&P 500 futures gained 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advanced by 0.7%.
Salesforce surged 12% after reporting fiscal third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, showcasing robust demand in the enterprise software sector. Meanwhile, chipmaker Marvell jumped 14% after surpassing earnings estimates and providing optimistic fourth-quarter guidance, indicating resilience in the semiconductor industry.
This movement follows a mixed session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed with small gains, while the Dow dipped slightly. The broader market has experienced a modest start to December, contrasting with November’s robust rally, but analysts anticipate a resurgence in momentum. LPL Financial’s George Smith pointed out that December historically sees strong market performance, particularly in the latter half of the month.
However, economic data introduced some caution. ADP’s report revealed that private payrolls grew by just 146,000 in November, missing estimates of 163,000. This signals potential softness in the labor market, with investors now awaiting Friday’s November jobs report for further clarity.
Based on the provided stock chart, which appears to be a 15-minute candlestick chart for the S&P 500 Index, here’s a brief analysis:
The chart shows a clear upward trend, with higher highs and higher lows indicating bullish momentum over the analyzed period. The index has steadily climbed from a low of approximately 5,855 to a recent high of 6,053.58, suggesting strong buying interest.
Key resistance is observed near 6,050-6,053 levels, as the price has struggled to break above this zone in the most recent sessions. If the index breaches this level with strong volume, it could lead to further upward movement. Conversely, failure to break out may lead to a pullback, with potential support around the 6,000 psychological level and 5,980, where consolidation occurred previously.
The candlestick patterns show relatively small wicks, indicating limited volatility, which could imply steady market confidence. However, the bullish rally could be overextended, warranting caution for traders, especially if any negative catalysts emerge.
In summary, the short-term trend is bullish, but traders should monitor resistance levels and volume for signs of a breakout or reversal. It’s also essential to watch broader market factors, as indices are often influenced by macroeconomic data and sentiment.
The post S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, and Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.7% appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing Walmart and a financial technology firm, alleging they illegally forced drivers into using costly deposit accounts to receive their pay.
The agency alleges that Walmart and the vendor, Branch Messenger, forced the drivers, who were part of Walmart’s Spark Driver gig-work platform, to use Branch Messenger’s deposit accounts to collect their compensation — and would be terminated if they did not want to use this service.
The CFPB also alleges that Walmart and Branch Messenger misled workers about the availability of same-day access to their earnings, and that drivers had to follow a complex process to access their funds.
Even when they did access their funds, the CFPB alleges, the drivers faced delays or fees if they needed to transfer the money into an account of their choice — resulting in workers paying more than $10 million in fees since 2021 to transfer earnings.
“Walmart made false promises, illegally opened accounts, and took advantage of more than a million delivery drivers,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “Companies cannot force workers into getting paid through accounts that drain their earnings with junk fees.”
Walmart said in a statement that the CFPB’s suit was ‘riddled with factual errors’ and ‘exaggerations and blatant misstatements of settled principles of law.’
‘The CFPB never allowed Walmart a fair opportunity to present its case during their rushed investigation,’ it said. ‘We look forward to vigorously defending the Company before a court that, unlike the CFPB, honors the due process of law.’
In a statement, Branch Messenger said the CFPB’s suit ‘misstates the law and facts’ while omitting items designed to ‘mask the Bureau’s clear overreach.’
‘Despite the company’s extensive cooperation with its investigation, the CFPB refused to engage with Branch in any meaningful way about this matter, instead rushing to file a lawsuit,’ Branch said. ‘This approach makes clear that this litigation has nothing to do with the law or protecting workers and everything to do with the media attention garnered by a lawsuit involving one of the world’s biggest retailers.’
The CFPB has announced a flurry of rules and suits this month as the Biden administration winds down and the agency’s future is clouded by uncertainty. Last week, the CFPB sued three of America’s largest banks on accusations that they failed to curb fraud on the digital payments platform Zelle. The banks, as well as Zelle’s operator, which was also named in the suit, have denied the charges.
It also sued Comerica Bank for allegedly harming consumers enrolled in the federal government’s Direct Express federal benefits delivery program. Comerica has denied the charges and is countersuing the CFPB.
The agency also announced four separate rules, including one limiting bank overdraft fees that was immediately challenged by the banking industry.
NBC News earlier reported the agency had been weighing which rules to finalize before Republicans take control of all three branches of government. The GOP has signaled plans to defang the agency, while President-elect Donald Trump has named authors of Project 2025 — which calls for eliminating the CFPB — to influential positions.
Multibillionaire Trump donor Elon Musk, who is slated for a high-level cost-cutting role, has posted on his social platform X: “Delete CFPB.”
The IRS plans to issue automatic “special payments” of up to $1,400 to 1 million taxpayers starting later this month, the agency announced last week.
The payments will go to individuals who did not claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax returns for that year and who are eligible for the money.
The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable tax credit provided to individuals who did not receive one or more economic impact payments — more popularly known as stimulus checks — that were sent by the federal government in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The maximum payment will be $1,400 per individual and will vary based on circumstances, according to the IRS. The agency will make an estimated total of about $2.4 billion in payments.
“Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. “To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it.”
The new payments are slated to be sent out automatically in December. In most cases, the money should arrive by late January, according to the IRS.
Eligible taxpayers can expect to receive the money either by direct deposit or a paper check in the mail. They will also receive a separate letter notifying them about the payment.
Direct deposit payments will go to taxpayers who have current bank account information on file with the IRS.
If eligible individuals have closed their bank accounts since their 2023 tax returns, payments will be reissued by the IRS through paper checks to the mailing addresses on record. Those taxpayers do not need to take action, according to the agency.
The payments are only going to taxpayers who qualify for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit — particularly individuals who filed a 2021 tax return but who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit even though they were eligible, either by leaving that data field blank or entering $0.
Taxpayers who haven’t filed 2021 tax returns still have a chance to claim the credit. However, they must file by April 15, 2025, to claim the credit and any other refunds they are owed.
Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit will not count as income and interfere with eligibility for certain other federal benefits, including Supplemental Security Income, or SSI; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF; and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC.
The IRS provides more information on payment eligibility and amounts on its website.