Monday, November 29–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report
Global stock markets were mixed in overnight trading, with Asian shares mostly lower and European shares mostly higher. The U.S. stock indexes are pointed to solidly higher openings when the New York day session begins, after suffering sharp losses Friday. The marketplace is a little less spooked about the new Omicron strain of Covid than it was Friday, but by no means can trader and investors attitudes be termed upbeat to start the trading week. Reports now say the Omicron strain may be more mild than the previous ones, and that vaccines are likely to work on the new variant but may need tweaking. Still, right now there are more questions than answers on the matter and that’s likely to keep market participants on edge for at least the near term. That’s bullish for safe-haven assets like gold, the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasuries. Some countries have closed their borders to foreigners, even though the World Health Organization says that’s premature. More than a few market watchers say the Omicron scare is overblown and markets are likely to settle down quickly.
The general sell off in the raw commodity futures markets Friday, led by crude oil, has some wondering if the inflation scare has peaked. It’s really too early to suggest such. How the commodity markets trade this week will provide better clues. Good rebounds in the commodity markets this week, including crude oil, would point to inflation remaining elevated and even problematic.
The key “outside markets” see Nymex crude oil prices sharply higher and trading around $71.75 a barrel, on a rebound after Friday plunging to a nearly two-month low of $67.40. The U.S. dollar index is slightly up. Meantime, The yield on the U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 1.521%.
U.S. economic data due for release Monday includes pending home sales and the Texas manufacturing outlook survey.
–Jim
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
December S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are higher on a corrective bounce after hitting a nearly four-week low on Friday and closing at a bearish weekly low close. A near-term price uptrend on the daily bar chart has been negated to suggest a near-term market top is in place. The shorter-term moving averages (4-, 9- and 18-day) are neutral early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day is even with the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Today, shorter-term technical resistance comes in at 4,650.00 and then at 4,675.00. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Downside support for active traders is seen at 4,600.00 and then at last week’s low of 4,577.25. Sell stops likely reside below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 6.0
December Nasdaq index futures: Prices are higher in early U.S. trading and seeing a bounce after Friday’s sharp losses that produced a bearish weekly low close. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9-and 18-day) are neutral early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day average is above the 18-day. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at the overnight high of 16,253.75 and then at Friday’s high of 16,436.00. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at the overnight low of 16,038.00 and then at Friday’s low of 15,988.00. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
December U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are lower in early U.S. trading, on a corrective pullback from Friday’s sharp gains that produced a bullish weekly high close. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are neutral early today. The 4-day moving average is above the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at the overnight high of 162 22/32 and then at Friday’s high of 163 1/32. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term support lies at 161 even and then at 160 16/32. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
December U.S. T-Notes: Prices are lower in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are neutral early today. The 4-day moving average is above the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Shorter-term resistance is seen at the overnight high of 131.02.0 and then at Friday’s high of 131.10.5. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term technical support lies at the overnight low of 130.20.5 and then at 130.16.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
EURO CURRENCY
The March Euro currency futures are slightly lower in early U.S. trading. Bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. The shorter-term moving averages for the Euro are bearish early today, as the 4-day is below the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators for the Euro are neutral early today. The Euro currency finds shorter-term technical resistance at Friday’s high of 1.1356 and then at 1.1407. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term support is seen at the overnight low of 1.1294 and then at 1.1250. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 4.5
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
Nymex crude oil prices are sharply higher in early U.S. trading. The shorter-term moving averages are bearish early today as the 4-day is below the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI and slow stochastics) are neutral to bullish early today. Look for buy stops to reside just above technical resistance at the overnight high of $72.16 and then at $73.00. Look for sell stops just below technical support at $70.00 and then at the overnight low of $69.20. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
GRAINS
U.S. grain futures were firmer in overnight trading, on corrective bounces from Friday’s losses. The keener risk aversion in the marketplace at present is likely to at least somewhat limit buying interest in the grains for the near term. On tap today is the weekly USDA export inspections report.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any traders and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature.
Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%): 1. Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you.
Jim Wyckoff