Experts offer their insights on the U.S. and global markets

Successful investing begins with being informed. Read the insights of top Schwab professionals and keep up with the daily flux of the stock market.

US Market Commentary

Filtering the Market Using Technical Analysis

Identify and evaluate potential trade opportunities using technical analysis tools, including trendlines, moving averages, volume, and more.
June 11, 2025

Options Strategy Spotlight: Long Call vs. Bull Call Spread

With so many bullish options strategies to choose from, how do you know which is right for your next trade? We'll compare two bullish options strategies in order to assist you with the decision-making process.
June 11, 2025

Using Bookmap on thinkorswim®

Bookmap is a charting application available on thinkorswim that offers visual insight into real-time market data. Traders can use it to better visualize supply, demand, and volume.
June 11, 2025

"Yen-Carry" Anniversary Nears, but Worries Fade

Summer re-runs are popular on TV, but a repeat of last August's "yen-carry" market upheaval isn't likely on the schedule. A shift in positioning by investors is one reason.
June 10, 2025

2025 Mid-Year Outlook: U.S. Stocks and Economy

The U.S. economy and stock market face a confluence of challenges in the second half of the year, keeping the bar relatively (but not restrictively) high for outperformance.
June 9, 2025

Mid-Year Outlook: International Stocks and Economy

Investors may revisit international exposure in their portfolios amidst reduced market reactions to tariff announcements, uncertain U.S. policy and lagging U.S. stock performance.
June 6, 2025

We're Here When You Need Us

Through periods of volatility, our unwavering focus remains on serving you.
June 6, 2025

3 Strength Indicators for Assessing Stock Momentum

Deciding if a trend is forming—and how strong it might be—can make or break a trade. Here are three strength indicators technical traders use to assess a stock's momentum.
June 6, 2025

Charting Seasonality in thinkorswim® desktop

Identifying market or stock patterns can help inform trades. Here's how traders create seasonality charts with thinkorswim® desktop.
June 6, 2025

Using the Gold/Silver Ratio to Measure Sentiment

The gold/silver ratio tends to increase amid market uncertainty. It is one of several indicators, like the VIX, that can gauge investor sentiment.
June 6, 2025

Fixed Income Outlook: Cool and Cloudy

Bouts of volatility may continue in the second half of 2025 as bond market investors navigate evolving tariff policy, U.S. government debt, and economic uncertainty.
June 4, 2025

3 Smart Skills for Informed Trading

Trading involves multiple skills, and traders can potentially improve their trading acumen—and potentially their results—by following these tips that may be associated with more balanced returns.
June 3, 2025

Are Tariffs Over? Court Ruling Isn't the End

Trump's tariffs now face a legal battle. Tariffs may be less arbitrary and reduced in severity or duration, but the next steps are complicated and likely to extend uncertainty.
May 30, 2025

Credit Spreads: Under the Radar, but Influential

Corporate credit spreads, whether investment grade or high yield, can often hint at hiccups in the stock market and the economy. But they tend to keep a low profile.
May 29, 2025

Understanding Share Classes

A look at the differences between stock share classes—and why they matter.
May 27, 2025

Nvidia on Deck with Tariffs, Blackwell Sales Eyed

Nvidia, the biggest AI chip firm, reports Wednesday. Blackwell chip demand, tariffs, and guidance all could help determine how shares respond after a volatile two months.
May 27, 2025

No Hard Feelings: Soft vs. Hard Divide Persists

There is still a wide divergence between hard and soft data, and a recovery in the latter is likely to be weak absent a meaningful reduction in policy uncertainty.
May 27, 2025

Data Decoder: Deciphering Messages in Key Reports

A host of data influences the market, including jobs and GDP. Learn how savvy investors decipher their meaning and what they watch for beneath the surface.
May 22, 2025

Using Chart Divergences to Make Trading Decisions

When technical indicators and price changes that normally correlate instead move apart, known as chart divergences, it can be a signal to potentially adjust a trading strategy.
May 20, 2025

Why International and Why Now

The shifting change in market leadership to international outperformance may call for a portfolio review to assess overexposure risks.
May 19, 2025

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