Options Trader: Monday Outlook

To say we have a lot going on this week is a MAJOR understatement with a very full economic calendar, highlighted by a 2-day Fed meeting that hopefully will end in a pause or at most a quarter-point rate cut in order to give the dollar a chance to find a true bottom to stage a rally off of.

According to Briefing.com, here’s what we have to look forward to this week:

This is why we were fairly bearish going into the weekend. $118 oil, Consumer Confidence (or lack thereof) on Tuesday followed by high unemployment a low GDP on Wednesday could be a recipe for disaster and the Fed is going to look like they have no control over the situation if we don’t see some moderation from the previous levels. With GDP estimates ranging from 0.4% to 0.7%, it’s anyone’s guess where this will go mid-week.

The hits just keep on coming on Thursday with Auto Sales and Personal Spending AND Construction Spending AND the ISM each capable of tanking the markets all by themselves. Unemployment is always big on Friday and Factory Orders will be awful if they don’t show big improvements over last month. Feeling bullish yet?

Now let’s talk about earnings. Another 500 companies report this week and we’re going to be watching:

• Monday: BE Aerospace (BEAV) (a Boeing Buddy ™) already beat, Humana (HUM) had a beat, RadioShack (RSH) in-line, Tyson Foods (TSN) had a beat and are a buy if you think their +$600M feed cost won’t last, Verizon (VZ) (got ‘em) was in-line and Wrigley (WWY) had such a good beat that Warren Buffett is buying them! Later today we get NLY, AXS, BLDP, CHINA, CVD, EEP, FLS, MTH, PBI, STM, TZOO and Visa (V) (got ‘em hedged).
• Tuesday: ADM, Avon (AVP) (need ‘em), BYD, BP (taking the June $65 puts on this boost), BNI, CBS, Corning (GLW) (need ‘em), FDP, LEA, MSO, MA (spread would be nice), MHP, MHS, ODP, PCZ, RDN, RDSA, Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) (got ‘em), SPG, TheStreet.com (TSCM) (tempting short), TUES, US Steel (X) (we’re short), US and VLO, who will clue us in to XOM’s refinery earnings.

Wow, that’s just 2 days and we haven’t gotten to Tuesday night! Hopefully I’ll remember to do the rest later…

If oil can’t break $120 on this big push we may actually have a good week but that economic data is scary so we’ll continue to let our callers do most of the work for us (and take most of the risk!). It’s possible for the data to surprise up and the Fed to say they’re done and for the market to gain 1,000 points but I think it’s most likely we are at about the right level here, somewhere between 12,750 and 13,300.

Asian markets were mixed this morning with the Shanghai falling victim to 2.5% of profit taking. Japan finally got their inflation mojo back, with a 1.2% rate over the past 12 months, their highest rate in 10 years. This is not good news when you have a strong currency that may drop 10% very quickly…

Europe is also bursting with inflation but the markets there are in a good mood this morning with banks coming on strong. There are signs of dollar strength that are very encouraging for exporters. Barron’s reported on the dollar’s comeback this weekend (see Phil’s Favorites) and that is the number one thing to keep our eye on this week.

Our man Kirkorian is picking up 13% of Ford (F), a good sign as long as you don’t think he’s lost his marbles. Continental Airlines (CAL) says no to mergers but is really talking to British Airways (shhh) and it’s going to be one heck of an interesting week.

Let’s be careful out there!

Comments

[22342]

SIRI doesn't report tomorrow, do they??

[Slimsum]

YEP


On Apr 28 02:21 PM kskee wrote:

> SIRI doesn't report tomorrow, do they??

[User 168418]

sirius should delay there earning like the fcc delays it's merger approval.

[22342]

Are you positive, I've been seeing unconfirmed reports it's tomorrow as well as unconfirmed reports it's on May 27th?

[Slimsum]

seekingalpha.com/artic...


On Apr 28 03:43 PM kskee wrote:

> Are you positive, I've been seeing unconfirmed reports it's tomorrow
> as well as unconfirmed reports it's on May 27th?

[22342]

Wise guy, you think Philip Davis is the ultimate authority on earnings dates. Three different reputable sites all report different dates, and the Sirius website makes no mention of earnings...

[Philip Davis]

As indicated in the link, I'm going by usually reliable Briefing.com list but Kskee is right, nothing confirming on SIRI web site and last earnings weren't until 2/26 so May 27 does make sense.

[doho210]

I think Sirius reports earnings on May 02! At least thats what is at the top of the etrade sirius stock chart.

[22342]

www.reuters.com/articl...