Friday Options Recap: No Fireworks

Frederic Ruffy submits: Sentiment

Frederic Ruffy submits: SentimentThe major averages are modestly higher on a relatively slow day of trading Friday. The table was set for early losses on Wall Street after the latest Gross Domestic Product report showed the US economy growing at a 2.7 percent annual rate in the first quarter, which was less than the 3 percent that economists had forecast.

Frederic Ruffy submits: SentimentMajor averages slipped on disappointing earnings data early and are lower Thursday afternoon ahead of earnings from Intel (INTC) and JP Morgan (JPM).

Frederic Ruffy submits: Sentiment Market action remains uneventful, but stock market averages are holding modest gains on upbeat economic data Friday. The table was set for morning gains on Wall Street after a report showed the nation’s trade balance narrowing to $38.7 billion in October. Economists were looking for it to hold steady around $44.6 billion.

Frederic Ruffy submits: Sentiment Stocks slumped on mixed jobs data and renewed worries about European debt problems Friday. Market action was sluggish early after the Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 103,000 jobs in December, which was considerably less than the 150,000 increase that economists had expected.

Frederic Ruffy submits: SentimentTrading is orderly Monday. After the Dow’s 178-point nosedive Friday, the underlying tone of trading remained cautious early. The domestic economy was in focus after data showed personal spending up .7 percent and incomes .4 percent in December. Economists were looking for increases of .6 percent and .5 percent, respectively.

Frederic Ruffy submits: SentimentMajor averages are modestly lower in quiet trading Thursday. Economic news was in focus early and included a barrage of reports. Personal Incomes and Spending rose .3 percent and .4 percent in November. Economists were looking for increases of .2 percent and .5 percent, respectively.

Frederic Ruffy submits: SentimentWhat an exciting trading day this is not. The major averages slipped in morning action following a round of mixed economic news. Before the opening bell, the Labor Department reported that filings for jobless benefits declined by 3,000 in the week ended September 11. Economists were looking for an increase of 7,000.