Daily Equity & Market Analysis
Published: Aug 01, 2025
This content is for informational purposes only. This should not be construed as solicitation. The general public should consult their financial advisor for additional information related to investment decisions.

Daily Summary

Copper Struggles on Tariff Announcement

Copper had a historically bad day as the tariff landscape evolves

Utilities Continuing to Show Utility

Thursday’s action (7/31) wrapped with Utilities finishing July as the best performing sector for the month.

Weekly Video

07/30/2025

Weekly rundown with NDW analyst team covering all major asset classes.

Weekly rundown with NDW analyst team covering all major asset classes.

Copper prices have had quite a busy few weeks. In fact, we most recently wrote about copper putting in quite a historic green day as President Trump first mentioned the metal could be exempt from possible tariff implementation. Most recently, Copper cratered to pre-summer levels after it was announced that raw “input” materials (unrefined copper) would be exempt from tariffs, while other goods (copper wiring, pipes, etc.) wouldn’t be as lucky. On the news, HG/ slipped over 20%... its worst day ever dating back to mid-1989. As you may expect, this coincided with the metal moving back into a negative trend on its default PnF chart.

Wednesday’s featured article talked about a lack of defined leadership within a weakening commodity group. Gold and crude oil were the focus of that article, lacking commentary on industrial metals which have struggled to earn prolonged group-wide relative strength against other parts of the asset class. The historic decline for Copper does little to help that case as we open August, with representative CPER showing relative weakness against domestic benchmark SPXEWI. The fund returned to a sell signal on its respective 3.25% RS chart, its first since November of last year.

Another important relationship is between Copper and Gold. In the last copper focused article, we highlighted the fact that despite the overall risk-on market environment so far in 2025, GLD has maintained a string of buy signals against CPER due to its intense strength over the last few years. With this week’s move, CPER posted its third consecutive sell signal against GLD on its 3.25% RS chart, matching relative lows dating back to March of 2020. That was, of course, the start of an intense rally as the world re-opened from the pandemic… a catalyst not present in the current situation. Regardless, following RS signals for this relationship has been quite additive since the early 90’s, and the continued relative dominance from gold is quite notable despite its recent consolidation.

For those of you with exposure to copper, continue to exercise caution. In a similar fashion to our advance after a historic up day for HG/ post tariff announcement, normalization could be in store as many names find themselves in oversold territory. The move lower also confirms recent commentary that commodities are a group lacking defined price leadership. Also know that the space will undoubtedly be a group driven in the near-term by headlines, making it easy to get caught up in a tariff guessing game… 

Domestic Equity indices capped off the first month of Q3 positively with the Nasdaq Composite (NASD) leading the way, up 3.70%, while the S&P 500 (SPX) added 2.17%. With indices pushing the new highs during July, the usual culprits – Technology and the Magnificent Seven, along with other risk-on sectors – took much of the limelight. Intriguingly enough, Thursday’s action (7/31) wrapped with Utilities finishing July as the best performing sector, both on the cap or equal weighted front. Year-to-date, Utilities checks in as the best performing sector within the Invesco Equal Weighted lineup and second best within the cap weighted SPDRs lineup.

Within the NDW DALI Sector Rankings, Utilities have ranked 5th or higher within the rankings (out of 11) since the beginning of March. On the Asset Class Scores page, confirmation of the sector’s strength is found as the group has scored above 4 (out of 6) for much of the past 12 months.

Positive action during this week’s trading was assisted by the first major week (of two) of earnings within the sector. While some stocks rallied to overbought positioning on earnings, others provided further positive technical developments.

The lists below were developed by utilizing the Security Screener on the NDW Platform and highlight high technical attribute optionable stocks within Utilities; separating them into two groups – ones to watch and ones that are actionable based on their current technical picture. Note that stocks that have yet to report earnings are highlighted in blue, and potential exposure to these names should be assessed post-earnings. Examples from both lists are discussed below.

American Electric Power (AEP) – Electric Utilities – AEP rallied to a new all-time chart high at $114 Wednesday (7/30) after beating expectations and backing its full-year guidance. Prior to the rallying this week, AEP returned to a buy signal and moved back into a positive trend during last week’s trading, increasing the stock up to a 3 for 5’er. The stock maintains near-term relative strength versus the market and peer group, while ranking within the top third of the Electric Utilities sector matrix. Considering this week’s action brought the stock into overbought territory, those seeking exposure are best served by looking for a pullback to the mid to upper $100 range before considering. Initial support lies at $98, the bullish support line and a level the stock held back in May. Year-to-date, AEP is up 22% (through 7/31) and currently maintains a yield of roughly 3.3%.

As noted with AEP, stocks within the list shown above have rallied into overbought territory, and exposure to these stocks would be better considered on a pullback or following a period of price consolidation allowing the 10-week trading band to normalize.

Southern Company (SO) – Electric Utilities – While net income was light relative to a year ago, Southern beat on earnings and affirmed its full-year guidance after reporting earnings after Thursday (7/31). Ultimately, SO reversed into Os at $93 before rebounding into Thursday’s close, pulling the stock back from its all-time high reached on 7/22 at $96. SO has maintained at least a 3 technical attribute rating since April 2024, moving up to its current attribute rating of 4 after returning to a buy signal and shifting back into a positive trend to kick off July. From a relative perspective, SO has maintained a long-term market RS buy signal since March 2020 and currently ranks within the top third of the Electric Utilities sector matrix. Those seeking exposure to the stock can consider so here on a pullback as well as in the lower $90 range. Prior resistance at $93 and $91 may be seen as near-term levels of support, while additional may be found in the $88 to $89 range. Year-to-date, SO is up 14% (through 7/31) and currently maintains a yield of 3.1%.

As noted prior, the stocks shown within this list are action based on their current technical picture. While some have reported already, those stocks that have yet to report should be evaluated post-earnings. For further questions pertaining to today’s piece or the Utilities sector, reach out to david.clark@nasdaq.com.

Featured Charts:

 

Portfolio View - Major Market ETFs

 

 

Market Distribution Table The Distribution Report below places Major Market ETFs and Indices into a bell curve style table based upon their current location on their 10-week trading band.

The middle of the bell curve represents areas of the market that are "normally" distributed, with the far right being 100% overbought on a weekly distribution and the far left being 100% oversold on a weekly distribution.

The weekly distribution ranges are calculated at the end of each week, while the placement within that range will fluctuate during the week. In addition to information regarding the statistical distribution of these market indexes, a symbol that is in UPPER CASE indicates that the RS chart is on a Buy Signal. If the symbol is dark Green then the stock is on a Point & Figure buy signal, and if the symbol is bright Red then it is on a Point & Figure sell signal.

 

Average Level

29.53

< - -100 -100 - -80 -80 - -60 -60 - -40 -40 - -20 -20 - 0 0 - 20 20 - 40 40 - 60 60 - 80 80 - 100 100 - >
                       
             
Buy signalief
       
             
Buy signalgsg
       
             
Sell signaldvy
       
             
Buy signaliwm
       
             
Buy signalIJH
       
             
Buy signalagg
       
       
Buy signalfxe
 
Buy signalshy
Buy signalrsp
Buy signallqd
     
       
Sell signalicf
 
Buy signalgcc
Buy signaldia
Sell signaldx/y
 
Buy signalONEQ
 
       
Buy signalefa
 
Buy signalijr
Buy signaleem
Buy signalUSO
Buy signalSPY
Buy signalVOOG
 
       
Sell signalGLD
 
Buy signaltlt
Buy signalVOOV
Buy signalhyg
Buy signalQQQ
Buy signalXLG
 
< - -100 -100 - -80 -80 - -60 -60 - -40 -40 - -20 -20 - 0 0 - 20 20 - 40 40 - 60 60 - 80 80 - 100 100 - >

 

AGG iShares US Core Bond ETF
USO United States Oil Fund
DIA SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF
DVY iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index ETF
DX/Y NYCE U.S.Dollar Index Spot
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
FXE Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Trust
GLD SPDR Gold Trust
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
ICF iShares Cohen & Steers Realty ETF
IEF iShares Barclays 7-10 Yr. Tres. Bond ETF
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corp. Bond ETF
IJH iShares S&P 400 MidCap Index Fund
ONEQ Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index Track
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust
RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF
IWM iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF
SHY iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Tres. Bond ETF
IJR iShares S&P 600 SmallCap Index Fund
SPY SPDR S&P 500 Index ETF Trust
TLT iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
GCC WisdomTree Continuous Commodity Index Fund
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF
VOOV Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF
   

 

Long Ideas

Symbol Company Sector Current Price Action Price Target Stop Notes
OLLI Ollies Bargain Outlet Holding Inc. Retailing $136.63 120s 150 102 5 for 5'er, top 25% of favored RETA sector matrix, LT pos mkt RS, buy on pullback, Earn. 8/28
DRI Darden Restaurants, Inc. Restaurants $201.67 hi 190s - mid 210s 262 178 5 TA rating, top 50% of REST sector matrix, LT RS buy, consec buy signals, buy-on-pullback
WPM Wheaton Precious Metals Corp Precious Metals $91.51 mid 80s - low 90s 108 75 5 for 5'er, top half of PREC sector matrix, LT pos peer RS, spread triple top, buy on pullback, Earn. 8/7
DG Dollar General Corp. Retailing $104.90 100s to mid 110s 133 86 4 TA rating, top 33% of RETA sector matrix, LT peer RS buy, consec buy signals, buy-on-pullback, Earn. 8/28
BSX Boston Scientific Corporation Healthcare $104.92 99 - 108 133 91 5 for 5'er, top 25% of HEAL sector matrix, LT pos mkt RS, spread triple top
TSCO Tractor Supply Company Retailing $56.95 upper 50s 66 50 3 for 5'er, top half of favored RETA sector matrix, LT pos mkt RS, buy on pullback
HLT Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc Leisure $268.08 260s - low 280s 364 216 5 TA rating, top 50% of LEIS sector matrix, LT RS buy, LT pos trend, consec buy signals, buy on pullback.
RPM RPM, Inc. Chemicals $117.41 110 - 120 150 99 5 for 5'er, top half of favored CHEM sector matrix, LT pos mkt RS, bullish catapult, pos trend flip, 1.7% yield
VEEV Veeva Systems Inc. Healthcare $284.20 274-lo 300s 348 232 5 TA rating, top 10% of HEAL sector matrix, recent shakeout, buy-on-pullback
AEM Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Precious Metals $124.36 hi 100s - mid 120s 172 102 4 for 5'er, top third of PREC sector matrix, spread triple top, 1.3% yield

Short Ideas

Symbol Company Sector Current Price Action Price Target Stop Notes

Removed Ideas

Symbol Company Sector Current Price Action Price Target Stop Notes
HWC Hancock Whitney Corp Banks $59.72 hi 50s - lo 60s 83 50 HWC fell to a sell signal Friday. OK to hold here. Raise stop to $52.
UAL United Airlines Holdings Inc. Aerospace Airline $88.31 hi 80s - low 90s 116 79 UAL has fallen to a sell signal. OK to hold here. Maintain $79 stop.
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. Retailing $75.20 mid-to-hi 70s 91 65 URBN fell to a sell signal Friday. OK to hold here. Maintain $65 stop. Earn. 8/26

Follow-Up Comments

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NDW Spotlight Stock

 

AEM Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. R ($125.22) - Precious Metals - AEM is a 4 for 5'er that ranks in the top third of the precious metals sector matrix. On its default chart, the stock has completed two consecutive buy signals, most recently breaking a spread triple top to reach a new all-time high. Long exposure may be added in the upper $110s to mid $120s and we will set our initial stop at $102, which would take out two levels of support on AEM's default chart. We will use the bullish price objective, $172, as our target price. AEM also carries a 1.3% yield.

 
128.00                                                   X     128.00
126.00                               X       X           X     126.00
124.00                               X O     X O X       X     124.00
122.00                               X O     X O X O 7   X     122.00
120.00                               X O     6 O X O X O X   Mid 120.00
118.00                               X O X   X O X O X O X     118.00
116.00                               X O X O X O   O   O       116.00
114.00                               X O X O X                 114.00
112.00                               X 5 X O X                 112.00
110.00                           X   X O   O X                 110.00
108.00                           X O X     O X                 108.00
106.00                           X O X     O X                 106.00
104.00                           X 4 X     O                   104.00
102.00                           X O X                       102.00
100.00   X   X               X   X O X                     Bot 100.00
99.00   X O X O X       X   X O X O X                       99.00
98.00   X O X O X O X   X O X O X O X                       98.00
97.00   X O   O X O X O X O X O X O X                       97.00
96.00   2     O   O X O 3 O X O   O X                       96.00
95.00   X         O X O X O       O                         95.00
94.00   X         O   O X                                   94.00
93.00   X             O                                     93.00
92.00   X                                                   92.00
91.00   X                                                   91.00
90.00   X                                                   90.00
89.00   X                                                   89.00
88.00   X                                                   88.00
87.00   X                                                   87.00
86.00   X                                                   86.00
85.00   X                                                   85.00
84.00 O X                                                   84.00
83.00 O X                                                   83.00
82.00 O                                                     82.00

 

 

CRK Comstock Resources ($16.41) - Oil - CRK fell to a sell signal and a negative trend Friday when it broke a triple bottom at $17.50. The stock continued lower to $16.50, where it now sits against support. The negative trend change will drop CRK to an unfavorable 2 for 5'er.
CRM Salesforce Inc. ($250.84) - Software - CRM dropped Friday to break a double bottom at $252, marking a second consecutive sell signal. This 1 for 5'er moved to a negative trend in March and sits in the bottom half of the software sector RS matrix. The weight of the technical evidence is weak and deteriorating. Further support can be seen at $236 and $232. Overhead resistance may be seen initially at $272 and $276.
HOOD Robinhood Markets, Inc. Class A ($100.11) - Wall Street - HOOD shares moved lower today to break a double bottom at $98 to mark its first sell signal. This 5 for 5'er has been in a positive trend since April and on an RS buy signal versus the market since February 2024. HOOD shares are trading in actionable territory. From here, support is offered at $91.
HQY HealthEquity, Inc. ($90.83) - Healthcare - HQY reversed back down into a column of Os on Friday, completing a bearish triangle at $94 and reaching an intraday low below $91. The 3 for 5'er shifted down from a 4 on Friday after moving into a negative trend. HQY is still rated a hold, but the technical picture continues to show signs of deterioration. Long exposure should be avoided. Initial resistance is between $99-$100, with additional resistance at $106.
INTC Intel Corporation ($19.25) - Semiconductors - INTC dropped Friday to break a double bottom at $19. This ends a streak of two consecutive buy signals for the 1 for 5'er that has been in a negative trend since March. The weight of the technical evidence is weak and deteriorating. Weekly momentum also just flipped negative, suggesting the potential for further downside. Further support can be seen at $18.50 and $18. Overhead resistance may be seen initially at $24.
NOG Northern Oil & Gas Inc. ($25.03) - Oil - NOG fell to a sell signal on Friday when it broke a double bottom at $25. The move adds to an already weak technical picture as NOG is a 1 for 5'er that ranks in the bottom half of the oil sector matrix. From here, the next level of support on NOG's chart sits at $20, the multi-year low it reached earlier this year.
OHI Omega Healthcare Investors Inc ($39.81) - Real Estate - Shares of OHI broke a quadruple top at $40 for its third consecutive buy signal. The 4 for 5’er could be considered on a pullback or consolidation given its intraday overbought/oversold (OBOS) reading north of 80%. Extremely strong support lies at $36 while resistance from all-time highs lies at $44. The stock also offers a strong yield of 6.90%.
SHOP Shopify Inc ($118.60) - Retailing - SHOP broke a double bottom at $118 to initiate a shakeout pattern. The stock is a 5 for 5'er that ranks within the top quintile of the Retailing sector matrix. From here, the action point for the shakeout pattern would be upon a reversal back into Xs at $122, while the pattern would be complete upon a triple top break at $130. Support lies at $112, while additional can be found in the $102 to $104 range.
TSLA Tesla Inc. ($302.97) - Autos and Parts - TSLA broke a double bottom at $300 for a second sell signal following a second test of the bearish resistance line. The stock continues to maintain a 2 technical attribute rating and trade in a negative trend. From here, support lies at $292 and in the $270 range.
UAL United Airlines Holdings Inc. ($84.50) - Aerospace Airline - UAL broke a double bottom at $87 to return the stock to a buy signal as shares fell to $83. The stock maintains a 4 technical attribute rating and ranks within the top half of the Aerospace Airline sector matrix. From here, support lies in the $80 to $81 range, while additional can be found at $77 and $72.
URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. ($75.15) - Retailing - URBN broke a double bottom at $73 to initiate a shakeout pattern. The stock is a 5 for 5'er that ranks within the top decile of the Retailing sector matrix. From here, the action point for the shakeout pattern would be upon a reversal back into Xs at $76, while the pattern would be complete upon a triple top break at $79. Support lies at $69, while additional can be found at $66 and $64, the bullish support line.

 

Daily Option Ideas for August 1, 2025

Calls
New Recommendations
Name Option Symbol Action Stop Loss
Apple Inc. - $202.38 O: 25J200.00D17 Buy the October 200.00 calls at 12.55 192.00
Follow Ups
Name Option Action
Dell Technologies Inc Class C ( DELL) Sep. 130.00 Calls Stopped at 9.30 (CP: 7.85)
Puts
New Recommendations
Name Option Symbol Action Stop Loss
Best Buy Co., Inc. - $64.12 O: 25V65.00D17 Buy the October 65.00 puts at 5.60 70.00
Follow Up
Name Option Action
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ( BMY) Sep. 48.00 Puts Initiate an option stop loss of 2.20 (CP: 4.20)
Enphase Energy Inc ( ENPH) Sep. 40.00 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 6.95 (CP: 8.95)
Gitlab, Inc. Class A ( GTLB) Sep. 45.00 Puts Initiate an option stop loss of 3.90 (CP: 5.90)
Bath & Body Works Inc. ( BBWI) Sep. 32.50 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 3.10 (CP: 5.10)
United Parcel Service, Inc. ( UPS) Oct. 100.00 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 15.15 (CP: 17.15)
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc ( BJ) Nov. 110.00 Puts Stopped at 8.20 (CP: 7.50)
Carmax Group ( KMX) Sep. 65.00 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 7.40 (CP: 9.40)
The Clorox Company ( CLX) Oct. 125.00 Puts Initiate an option stop loss of 4.40 (CP: 6.40)
Danaher Corporation ( DHR) Oct. 200.00 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 9.10 (CP: 11.10)
Robert Half Inc. ( RHI) Sep. 40.00 Puts Initiate an option stop loss of 3.50 (CP: 5.50)
Salesforce Inc. ( CRM) Nov. 260.00 Puts Raise the option stop loss to 20.20 (CP: 22.20)
Covered Writes
New Recommendations
Name Option Sym. Call to Sell Call Price Investment for 500 Shares Annual Called Rtn. Annual Static Rtn. Downside Protection
KKR & Co. L.P $ 146.58 O: 25J145.00D17 Oct. 145.00 8.50 $ 67,351.00 31.25% 24.63% 4.94%
Still Recommended
Name Action
Hims & Hers Health Inc. ( HIMS) - 66.18 Sell the September 55.00 Calls.
IonQ Inc. ( IONQ) - 39.87 Sell the October 42.00 Calls.
MARA Holdings Inc. ( MARA) - 16.08 Sell the December 18.00 Calls.
Palantir Technologies Inc. Class A ( PLTR) - 158.35 Sell the August 145.00 Calls.
General Motors ( GM) - 53.34 Sell the December 55.00 Calls.
NetApp, Inc. ( NTAP) - 104.13 Sell the December 110.00 Calls.
Affirm Holdings, Inc. Class A ( AFRM) - 68.56 Sell the August 66.00 Calls.
Micron Technology, Inc. ( MU) - 109.14 Sell the November 110.00 Calls.
The Following Covered Write are no longer recommended
Name Covered Write
No Additions to This Section

 

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