IBD Podcast Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MviVsorHya8

Topics covered:
1) 0:00 Announcements
2) 0:30 Market Commentary and Index Review (Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and Russell 2000)
3) 8:40 Stock Review – Watch List/General Ideas/Commentary: KRE (ETF), CC, EMN, AIR, ARCH, XOP (ETF), DVN, APA, FANG, EOG
4) 12:30 Stock Review – Semiconductors: SMH (ETF), TSM, MU, PI, ON, TSEM, ACLS, UCTT
5) 15:30 Stocks near buyable ranges: MP, BCTX
6) 18:20 Conclusion/Summary

Market Summary:
As many of you know, I like to look at the positives and negatives in the market and adjust my investment levels accordingly. Current negatives: The Fed is still hawkish, the Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 are below their 50-day moving averages, and there are very few stocks setting up. Some positives: The Nasdaq Composite held its 200-day this week, bearish sentiment is starting to rise, and although the major indexes were down this week, it occurred on lighter volume than the previous week. That doesn’t mean the selling is over, but at least it’s a potential sign that it could be slowing down. Conclusion: Stay defensive, be patient, and keep things light. By defensive, I don’t mean bearish. The economy is still strong, but we just need to be patient and wait for healthier conditions to show up.

I’m mainly waiting for more bases to form and for overall improvement in the price action of growth stocks. I am noticing that some stocks are firming up, but it’s not as broad based as I would like to see. In this video, I review a few sectors and stocks that are still holding up well. If you decide to trade any of these ideas, just make sure to get a strong entry point and manage risk. The reason I suggest using lighter than normal positions is that I still expect some volatility over the near-term and lighter positions can help keep you from getting tossed around in this market. Again, just be patient. Some strong opportunities will show up but it’s important to remain disciplined until conditions improve. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Unusual Option Activity
1/14/22 Tesla (TSLA) buyer of 2000 March $1450/$1475 call spreads
1/14/22 Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) seeing 18,000 March $335 puts bought into morning rally for $8M
1/14/22 Oil Services ETF (OIH) with the April $195 puts sold to open this afternoon for $8.10, over 2500X
1/14/22 Pacira Biosciences (PCRX) unusual buyers this afternoon of 400 February $60 calls for $5.60 to $6.20 to open
1/14/22 US Steel (X) with 5000 February $29 calls bought to open today $0.63 to $0.69
1/14/22 Freeport (FCX) with 2000 February $43 puts sold to open for $2.25 this afternoon
1/14/22 Taiwan Semi (TSM) seeing 5500 March $150 calls bought $4.80 to $5.10
1/14/22 Micron (MU) with 2000 February 4th (W) $102 calls bought $1.44 to $1.47 this morning
1/14/22 Tower Semi (TSEM) with the July $42/$30 bull risk reversals bought today for $3.20, closing some January deep ITM calls
1/14/22 Holly Frontier (HFC) seeing a block of 2000 June $45 OTM calls bought for $1.20 to open late-day
1/13/22 Facebook (FB) buyer 3000 Feb. 4th (W) $335/$365 call spreads targets earnings 2-2
1/13/22 Zscaler (ZS) buyer of 300 June $250 puts for $29.60
1/13/22 Nvidia (NVDA) February $255 puts active early 3400X for near $3M in premium
1/13/22 LAM Research (LRCX) size buyer 725 February $730 calls for $36.95 adjusts some $670 calls, also seeing 400 March $830 calls open
1/13/22 Freeport McMoRan (FCX) with 1000 March $44 puts sold to open for $2.90 to $2.87 after the upside call buys yesterday
1/13/22 Healthcare ETF (XLV) with 9200 March $134 puts sold to open $3.15
1/13/22 Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) with 35,000 March $380 puts bought trading over $50M in premium