Morning Market Outlook 20260819

US stock index futures were trading higher Wednesday morning after significant declines across Asian markets, with Japan down more than 3%, China more than 5%, and Korea nearly 6%. The VIX rose Tuesday but remained insufficient to trigger buy signals for the S&P 500, Nasdaq, or Russell 2000, which remain on sell signals. New sell signals also appeared across major Canadian and US ETFs, including total-market, small-cap, and semiconductor ETFs.

Crude oil and energy stocks continued moving higher, while gasoline prices approached their July highs. The transcript also highlights declining US savings rates, a new intraday high in the 30-year Treasury yield, and the potential market impact of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes. Nvidia remains on a buy signal but would generate a sell signal below $217.44. Overall, the message is to remain cautious while monitoring market signals, interest rates, commodities, and geopolitical developments.

Stephen Whiteside
Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260814

Markets Hit New Highs as Key Resistance Levels Approach

U.S. and Canadian markets remain firmly positioned at or near record highs, with the Canadian market, S&P 500 and Vanguard Total Market ETF making new highs. The Nasdaq 100 is also advancing, while energy stocks are among the strongest performers as crude oil has gained nearly 6% on the week. The VIX remains subdued, suggesting options traders continue to have confidence in the market. Semiconductors are higher but have not yet generated a new weekly buy signal, while bonds and gold remain relatively quiet.

The broader message is that the market trend remains positive, but several key areas are approaching resistance. Bitcoin continues to struggle below its 50-day moving average and the FlyPaper Channel, with $62,500 identified as important support and $75,000 as a potential upside target if the July high is broken. Among major ETFs, Canadian financials and telecoms are showing strength, while U.S. indexes continue testing higher targets. Overall, Friday’s market is expected to open quietly, with traders watching key resistance and support levels for the next directional move.

Stephen Whiteside
Friday, August 14, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260813

Stock Market Today: New Bank Buy Signals & Major Price Targets

U.S. stock index futures were trading above fair value ahead of Thursday’s open, while commodities were slightly lower. The VIX reached new lows for the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000, indicating limited concern among options traders. The major development was the Canadian banks returning to buy signals, while the TSX 60 approached its $54.69 price target. U.S. markets remained largely unchanged, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq still needing to break to new highs.

Gold and gold stocks continued to perform strongly, with several price targets reached and opportunities to lock in profits. Semiconductors remained on a buy signal but showed some bearish signs as professionals sold into the close. Individual stocks produced several notable moves, including Super Micro, which surged more than 19% and reached two price targets, while Nokia generated a new buy signal. Nvidia remained stuck near $225, with $237.50 as the next target if resistance is broken

Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, August 13, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260812

Stock Market Outlook: Why Wednesday Could Be Very Interesting

U.S. stock index futures are trading higher Wednesday morning, led by the Nasdaq, while crude oil, gold, and silver are also moving higher. Investors are awaiting CPI data, which could alter the market’s direction. CoreWeave and Super Micro are also trading higher following earnings. The market remains relatively calm, with the VIX showing no major change and options traders not appearing particularly concerned.

A key focus today is the potential for short-term trend changes associated with the current moon cycle and other celestial activity. While these cycles are not used as direct trading signals, they can serve as an additional timing tool to anticipate possible changes. Technical signals remain mixed: energy sectors are generating new buy signals, semiconductors are improving, Meta has returned to a buy signal while Alphabet has moved back to a sell signal. Traders should continue watching trend changes, resistance levels, and whether professional investors regain control of individual stocks.

Stephen Whiteside
Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260811

Energy, Gold & Silver Surge: What the Market Is Signaling Now

U.S. stock index futures are pointing slightly higher Tuesday morning, led by the Nasdaq, while commodities are mixed. Crude oil, gasoline and natural gas returned to buy signals Monday, with U.S. energy stocks gaining 4.66% and Canadian energy stocks rising 3.69%. Gold, silver and mining stocks also continued higher, while falling bond prices pushed yields higher. The major U.S. indexes remain below last week’s highs, leaving the market waiting for confirmation of another breakout.

A key theme is the relationship between price signals and professional investor activity. Advanced Micro Devices returned to a sell signal without professional investors taking control, while NVIDIA reversed after approaching its $225 target despite professionals maintaining control. Canadian energy stocks showed a similar pattern, with professionals retaining control through recent sell signals. The presentation also highlights renewed strength in software stocks, including new highs for Palantir and PATH, while the market awaits inflation data later in the week.

Morning Market Outlook 20260810

S&P 500, Nasdaq & TSX: Key Levels Traders Need to Watch

The market begins the week without major signs of stress, with the fear index on a sell signal across the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell. Major index ETFs are sitting near recent highs after Wednesday’s bearish reversal, making breakouts the key levels to watch. The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow and broader market all have higher mathematical targets if their recent highs are exceeded. Commodities also remain an important area of strength, particularly precious metals and their mining stocks.

The individual-stock picture is more selective. B2Gold delivered a powerful move higher, while Barrick, Equinox and other gold-related stocks continue to show strength. SpaceX rebounded sharply and could see further upside if Monday provides follow-through, while NVIDIA and Palantir are approaching key targets. Semiconductor stocks remain on buy signals, but professional investors have not yet taken control, creating a reason for caution. The key message is to follow the trend while waiting for confirmation at important resistance levels.

Morning Market Outlook 20260807

US Market Roundup
Wall Street took a breather after its recent run, with the S&P 500 slipping modestly while the **Nasdaq Composite** also finished slightly lower. The PHLX Semiconductor (SOX) Index lost ground as chip stocks struggled to hold early gains, and the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) eased lower, suggesting investors remained relatively calm despite the pullback. The main drag came from a combination of sharply higher oil prices, rising Treasury yields, and cautious positioning ahead of the closely watched U.S. employment report. Fresh earnings releases also kept traders selective, encouraging profit-taking after record highs rather than triggering widespread selling. Overall, it looked more like a pause for digestion than a meaningful shift in the market’s broader trend.

Under the surface, sector performance painted a mixed picture. Energy stocks benefited from the jump in crude prices, while parts of the technology sector, particularly semiconductor names, lagged and weighed on broader market performance. Corporate earnings continued to create sharp moves in individual stocks, with companies delivering stronger-than-expected results attracting buyers while disappointing reports were punished quickly. Even so, market sentiment remained constructive, as declining volatility and the absence of panic selling suggested investors still view recent weakness as a normal consolidation following a strong advance. With economic data and inflation expectations remaining front and center, traders appear willing to stay invested while waiting for the next catalyst to determine whether the rally has further room to run.

Canadian Market Roundup
Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index gave back a small portion of its recent record-setting advance, edging modestly lower as investors locked in profits after a strong rally. Weakness in technology and consumer discretionary shares outweighed support from higher commodity prices, leaving the market little changed by the closing bell. **Gold** continued to attract buyers on safe-haven demand, while **crude oil** climbed sharply as supply concerns and geopolitical tensions pushed energy prices higher. Even with those supportive commodity moves, traders remained cautious ahead of key North American employment data, choosing to trim risk rather than chase stocks at fresh highs. The session ultimately reflected a healthy pause, with investors weighing earnings results, rising bond yields, and the next potential catalyst for the Canadian market.

Beneath the surface, the market told a more interesting story than the headline index suggested. Energy stocks held up well thanks to stronger oil prices, while technology names retreated after leading much of the recent advance. Financial shares remained resilient, reflecting continued confidence in Canada’s major banks, even as valuations have climbed to multi-year highs. Among individual companies, earnings continued to separate winners from losers, with investors rewarding upbeat outlooks and showing little patience for disappointing results. Trading activity remained concentrated in Canada’s large-cap resource and financial names, underscoring where institutional money continues to flow. Despite the slight decline in the TSX, overall sentiment stayed constructive, with the modest pullback viewed more as consolidation than the beginning of a broader shift in market direction.

Morning Market Outlook 20260806

Stock Market Outlook: Bearish Reversal or Buying Opportunity?

Markets were relatively quiet in the pre-market ahead of U.S. jobless claims, with investors continuing to focus more on the AI theme than economic data. Stephen Whiteside reviewed Wednesday’s bearish reversal across the TSX, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100, noting that while the signals were not particularly strong, traders should watch whether markets confirm the reversal or invalidate it by closing above the previous day’s highs.

The video also highlighted continued earnings-driven volatility, including sharp moves in Palantir, Shopify, and SpaceX, along with new sell signals in the energy sector as crude oil softened. Gold stocks strengthened as miners rallied, while bond and currency markets stabilized. The update concluded with a review of new buy and sell signals across Canadian and U.S. markets and a reminder that market timing remains essential as investors navigate changing trends.

Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, August 6, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260805

US Market Recap

U.S. stocks extended their rally on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both finishing at fresh record highs while the Nasdaq Composite delivered another standout gain, marking its strongest four-day stretch in more than a year. The PHLX Semiconductor (SOX) Index surged nearly 7% as investors piled back into chipmakers, reinforcing optimism around artificial intelligence spending. Meanwhile, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) moved lower, reflecting a drop in demand for downside protection as confidence improved. Strong corporate earnings, upbeat AI-related forecasts, easing oil prices, and growing hopes for reduced tensions in the Middle East combined to give buyers plenty of reasons to stay engaged, helping broad market momentum build throughout the session. (Reuters)

Technology and semiconductor shares once again set the pace, with companies tied to artificial intelligence attracting the strongest buying interest. Palantir soared after delivering impressive results and raising its outlook, while Caterpillar climbed on better-than-expected earnings, showing that strength wasn’t limited to the tech sector. Falling crude oil prices also helped support transportation, consumer, and industrial names by easing inflation concerns and taking pressure off Treasury yields. Market breadth improved as gains spread across more sectors, suggesting investors were becoming more comfortable adding risk rather than concentrating solely on the largest technology stocks. Although valuations remain a topic of debate, the prevailing mood was decidedly optimistic, with earnings growth and improving sentiment outweighing lingering macroeconomic concerns.

Canadian Market Recap

Canada’s stock market enjoyed a strong session on Tuesday as the S&P/TSX Composite Index surged 1.6% to a fresh record close, posting its biggest one-day gain in more than three months. Investors embraced risk after signs of easing geopolitical tensions helped improve sentiment across global markets, while solid corporate earnings added another layer of support. Technology and mining shares led the advance, taking advantage of renewed demand for growth and resource stocks. Gold prices firmed, giving a lift to precious metals producers, while crude oil remained supportive for the energy sector despite recent volatility. The combination of stronger commodity prices and improving confidence created a broad-based rally, allowing the TSX to outperform many of its global peers during the session. (Reuters)

Leadership was widespread, with technology and metal mining stocks delivering the strongest gains, while energy companies also contributed as oil prices stabilized. Financial shares participated in the rally, adding to the market’s momentum and reinforcing the view that buying interest extended well beyond a handful of sectors. Among the busiest stocks by trading volume were familiar Canadian heavyweights, including Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy, Manulife Financial, and Toronto-Dominion Bank, reflecting active participation from both institutional and retail investors. By the closing bell, the tone had shifted firmly toward optimism as investors focused on encouraging earnings, resilient commodity prices, and expectations that a calmer geopolitical backdrop could continue supporting Canadian equities in the near term.

Stephen Whiteside
Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Morning Market Outlook 20260804

Stock Market Rally Continues: New Buy Signals Are Appearing

Wall Street kicked off the new month with a powerful rally as easing geopolitical tensions and a sharp drop in crude oil prices lifted investor confidence. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5% to finish just shy of its record high, while the Nasdaq surged 2.1% as large-cap technology stocks led the advance. Semiconductor shares also regained some footing, pushing the PHLX Semiconductor (SOX) Index up just over 1% after a volatile stretch. Meanwhile, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) retreated, reflecting a noticeable decline in demand for downside protection as investors embraced risk. Lower Treasury yields added to the positive tone, with cooling inflation worries giving growth stocks another tailwind. ([AP News][1])

Technology and communication services were among the strongest performers, with the Magnificent Seven once again setting the pace. Amazon rallied strongly to reclaim a market capitalization above $3 trillion, while Microsoft and Alphabet also posted solid gains as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence recovered. Nvidia advanced nearly 3%, helping stabilize chip stocks ahead of another busy round of earnings reports from AMD and other semiconductor companies. Outside technology, airlines and other fuel-sensitive businesses benefited from falling oil prices, while energy shares lagged as crude retreated sharply. Overall, the session reflected renewed optimism rather than outright exuberance, with investors encouraged by easing geopolitical risks but still watching earnings, inflation, and Federal Reserve expectations closely.

Stephen Whiteside
Tuesday, August 4, 2026