Tag Archives for " Nasdaq Composite "

Semiconductor Stocks May be Hitting the Ceiling

In this stock market update video I focus on the semiconductor sector. I start off reviewing the Nasdaq Composite Index and one of its key indicators. I then look at both the Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX).

Finally I check in on the top 6 semiconductor stocks of SMH. These are Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), Intel (INTC), Nvidia (NVDA), Applied Materials (AMAT), Micron Technology (MU) and Texas Instruments (TXN). These 6 companies account for 42% of the holdings in SMH.

The SOX Index and 4 of the top 6 holdings in the SMH are bumping up against key resistance levels. With this happening after a very extended rally, the caution flags are out.

Is the Chart’s Story Clear or Confusing?

This post is a repeat of one I published over two years ago.  The title of that July 2014 post was “When you look at the chart, what do you see?” Some of the details might not be current but the idea sure is.  So what is the chart’s story?

It’s interesting to read the financial press. They always give a reason for the market’s action.  I can almost picture them sitting around and trying to figure out what they are going to say for any given day.  So the Dow was up 28.7 pts yesterday, what did they say?

Reuters: “Stocks managed to score modest gains on Friday, but the S&P 500 posted its biggest weekly drop since April as investors showed only mild enthusiasm after getting their first glimpses of earnings.”

Bloomberg: “U.S. Stocks advance as Internet rally offsets Portugal”

MarketWatch: “The U.S. stock market closed higher on Friday after the main benchmarks picked up steam in late afternoon, trimming weekly losses.” Continue reading