Monthly Archives: February 2026
Commerzbank’s Norman Liebke says European gas prices stabilise as milder weather reduces storage withdrawals for weeks
Written on February 24, 2026 at 9:10 pm, by davin
European gas prices stabilized as mild weather slows storage withdrawals, but stocks remain low. A Hormuz disruption could choke LNG flows and spike prices—making cheap TTF call options a timely hedge. – vtmarketsmy.com
In February, the US Richmond Fed manufacturing index fell to -10, below the expected -4
Written on February 24, 2026 at 8:11 pm, by davin
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index sank to -10 versus -4 expected, signaling sharper factory contraction. With rising jobless claims, risks grow for stocks; consider hedges, watch VIX, Fed policy, ISM next. – vtmarketsmy.com
US wholesale inventories increased 0.2% in December, matching forecasts, data show
Written on February 24, 2026 at 8:11 pm, by davin
Stocks may get calmer: US wholesale inventories rose 0.2% in December, as forecast, signaling stability. With inflation at 2.7% and VIX low, rate-cut bets grow; tech/healthcare favored. – vtmarketsmy.com
After hitting channel resistance, Gilead Sciences stock pulls back; the biotech leader’s Nasdaq chart deserves close attention
Written on February 24, 2026 at 8:10 pm, by davin
Gilead’s stock has surged in a rising channel from $60 to near $158, then pulled back to $150. Watch $140–144 and $136–140 support; $160 resists. Options: calls, put spreads, puts. – vtmarketsmy.com
Cadence Design Systems fell 5.5% from Friday’s close, but remained in a bullish channel despite a rough session
Written on February 24, 2026 at 8:10 pm, by davin
CDNS slid in a steady down-channel, then broke out in late January on strong AI-driven earnings, rallying 15%. Watch breakout support near $230; consider calls for upside, puts for pullback entries. – vtmarketsmy.com
NBC’s Jocelyn Paquet says voided tariffs briefly lowered rates, but a universal 15% duty renewed pressure on the USD
Written on February 24, 2026 at 7:11 pm, by davin
Tariffs just whiplashed: Supreme Court nixed IEEPA duties, then Trump restored 15% tariffs to plug revenue gaps. Markets fear fiscal stress, VIX jumps, making volatility-focused options strategies attractive. – vtmarketsmy.com
December’s US S&P/Case-Shiller annual house prices rose 1.4%, below the 1.5% forecast
Written on February 24, 2026 at 7:11 pm, by davin
Home prices rose just 1.4% in December, missing forecasts—an early warning of a cooling economy. Softer inflation and slowing jobs boost rate-cut bets, impacting homebuilders, stocks, and volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
US housing price index rose 0.1% month on month in December, below the 0.3% forecast
Written on February 24, 2026 at 7:10 pm, by davin
Housing just blinked: U.S. HPI rose only 0.1% in December vs 0.3% forecast. That miss signals Fed hikes biting, boosting odds of sooner pauses/cuts, pressuring housing stocks and raising volatility hedging appeal. – vtmarketsmy.com
The US Redbook Index’s annual reading eased to 6.7% on February 20, down from 7.2%
Written on February 24, 2026 at 7:10 pm, by davin
Redbook growth slipped to 6.7%, hinting consumers are pulling back. That once foreshadowed weaker retail sales and a Fed pause. Now it’s back—consider XLY puts, SOFR futures, and VIX calls. – vtmarketsmy.com
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee expects more rate cuts this year once inflation clearly moves back toward 2%
Written on February 24, 2026 at 6:11 pm, by davin
Chicago Fed’s Goolsbee warns rate cuts wait: inflation progress stalled, policy may not be restrictive. With core at 3.8% and jobs strong, markets reprice for “higher longer,” boosting volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
