Several drug stocks made outsized moves this week
The Dow is on pace to score a seven-day winning streak -- its longest winning streak since November -- to close out the week in the black, thanks to a combination of cooling inflation data and rising oil prices. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq should log solid weekly wins as well, with the latter eyeing a six-day winning streak of its own. President Donald Trump made noise once again, after pulling the U.S. from President Obama's Iran nuclear deal, and healthcare stocks could move on Trump's speech on drug pricing. Elsewhere, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is set for its its longest weekly losing streak since mid-2016. Nevertheless, these three charts could spell trouble for stocks soon.
Checking In On FAANG Stocks
Although lower today, Apple (AAPL) stock continued to stay hot and notched its longest winning streak since July. Facebook (FB), in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal in March, reshuffled its executive board, creating a new team dedicated to blockchain and privacy.
Amazon (AMZN) and Netflix (NFLX) were both highlighted for their bargain bin options, while the former's omnipresence likely motivated Walmart's (WMT) deal for Flipkart. Amazon also found its way into the news with a new wrinkle to its Sears (SHLD) partnership, and a former executive that was integral in its Whole Foods integration left the company for Snap (SNAP).
Drug Stocks In the Spotlight
Several drug stocks made noise this week, both good and bad. Options traders piled on Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) after an earnings beat and face-lift, although Halozyme Therapeutics (HALO) wasn't so lucky on the earnings front. Array Biopharma (ARRY) gave off a bullish signal of its own before earnings, while T2 Biosystems (TTOO) and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (ARWR) burned shorts after some bullish analyst attention.
Tenet Healthcare (THC) remained red-hot -- and a steal at that -- but Exelixis (EXEL) was gutted after subpar cancer drug results. Cardinal Health (CAH) got a boost yesterday ahead of President Trump's speech on drug prices today.
Big Week for Oil, Solar Stocks
The energy sector found itself in the news often this week amid rising oil prices and Trump's Iran decision. Oil stocks Anadarko Petroleum (APC) and Callon Petroleum (CPE) both scored record highs, and remain a bargain on the options front. Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) was less fortunate, sent lower after a downgrade from BofA-Merrill Lynch. Meanwhile, solar stocks and Elon Musk-led Tesla (TSLA) also remained in focus after a landmark California solar mandate.
Dow Stocks Making Noise, Plus Other Movers And Shakers
Analysts waxed optimistic on McDonald's stock (MCD), with this key level turning into a battleground among options traders. Walt Disney (DIS) stock turned lower despite an impressive quarterly earnings beat, and options traders kicked rocks. Microsoft (MSFT) also drew a flurry of options traders, mostly of the bullish variety.
Square (SQ) continued its torrid pace, with many toasting the roll-out of Square for Restaurants. Roku (ROKU) is eyeing its best week of 2018 after posting first-quarter earnings and revenue beyond analyst expectations. The ever-volatile Riot Blockchain (RIOT) is looking for a win, too, after earning its first "buy" rating.
Retail In Focus Next Week
Next week will be a big one for the retail sector. Home Depot (HD), Walmart (WMT), and Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) will report earnings, and monthly retail sales data is expected later in the week.