Best and Worst Global Stock Markets in 2020

The complexion of U.S. stock market performance in 2020 takes on a different hue when expanding the lens to include additional global stock markets. That’s because, in contrast to the U.S., many of the world’s highest-profile stock markets are down in 2020—some of them significantly.  The caveat is that U.S. markets aren’t up that much … Continued

Shanghai Sprang High on Beijing’s Blessing

Chinese stocks have been ripping higher the last couple weeks, and were stoked further on July 6, when the Chinese government appeared to give its blessing for the recent surge in speculative behavior. An article printed in the state-owned China Securities Journal last week suggested that Chinese citizens should look forward to the “wealth effect … Continued

Trading the Escalating Trade War

Prior to 2020, the United States and China were embroiled in a trade war that made relations between the world’s two largest economies thorny, at best. Developments in the current calendar year, mainly as a result of the spread of COVID-19 out of China, have added a new layer of complexity to a relationship that … Continued

China’s Neutral Price Action

Testing the strength of a strangle in the FXI  For the past 10 years, U.S. stock markets have tended to move in a single direction: up. This has been a challenge for options sellers with a neutral assumption on the market. Strategies like strangles have been tested on their upper breakevens through the past 10 … Continued

Trading China’s Coronavirus (Part 6)

Backtesting Country ETFs vs. International ETFs Key Coronavirus Updates: The World Health Organization (WHO) has put forward an official name for the new coronavirus: COVID-19 The estimated number of global coronavirus infections has risen to more than 45,171 with at least 1,115 associated fatalities A record 103 new fatalities were reported on Feb. 11, the … Continued

Trading China’s Coronavirus (Part 3)

Diversifying with International ETFs Key Coronavirus Updates: Estimated number of global coronavirus infections has risen to 7,792 with 170 associated fatalities The 2002-2003 SARS epidemic achieved 6,000 total infections in 47 days, whereas the Wuhan coronavirus has achieved that same milestone in only 19 days Several countries have reported coronavirus infections in citizens who never … Continued