Friday, October 1–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report
Global stock markets were lower in overnight trading. The U.S. stock indexes are pointed to lower openings when the New York day session begins and set to post the worst weekly performance in around a year. Risk aversion has returned to the marketplace late this week. U.S. House Democrats are in-fighting on a government spending bill that was set to be voted upon Thursday but now appears to be putting in jeopardy President Biden’s economic agenda. Also, reports say China this week ordered its state-owned companies to secure energy supplies at all costs, including ordering coal producers to run at full speed even if they exceed annual quota limits. That news pushed natural gas and power prices to record highs in Europe. Rising energy prices heading into winter combined with central banks reeling in their heretofore easy money policies has many market watchers worried about slowing economic growth and rising inflation—called stagflation. And there are lingering worries about the troubled China property giant Evergrande. All of the above concerns are coming as the calendar turns to October, which has a history of sometimes being unkind to stock market investors.
In other overnight news, the Eurozone reported its September consumer price index at up 3.4%, year-on-year, versus a reading of up 3.0%. The September number is the fastest pace of inflation in 13 years.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly lower after hitting a 12-month high Thursday. Nymex crude oil futures are weaker and trading around $74.40 a barrel. Meantime, the 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield is presently fetching 1.494%.
It’s a busy day for U.S. economic data releases Friday, including personal income and outlays, the U.S. manufacturing PMI, the ISM report on business manufacturing, the global manufacturing PMI, domestic auto industry sales, construction spending and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey.
–Jim
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
December S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are lower and hit a 2.5-month low in early U.S. trading. The shorter-term moving averages (4-, 9- and 18-day) are bearish early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bearish early today. Today, shorter-term technical resistance comes in at the overnight high of 4,311.00 and then at 4,350.00. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Downside support for active traders is seen at the overnight low of 4,260.00 and then at the July low of 4,214.50. Sell stops likely reside below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 4.0
December Nasdaq index futures: Prices are lower and hit a nine-week low in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9-and 18-day) are bearish early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day. The 9-day average is below the 18-day. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at Thursday’s high of 14,883.50 and then at 15,000.00. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at the overnight low of 14,552.25 and then at the July low of 14,437.00. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
December U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are higher in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are bearish early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day and 18-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 160 9/32 and then at 160 26/32. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term support lies at the overnight low of 159 18/32 and then at this week’s low of 158 22/32. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
December U.S. T-Notes: Prices are higher in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are bearish early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bullish early today. Shorter-term resistance is seen at this week’s high of 132.05.5 and then at 132.10.0. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term technical support lies at the overnight low of 131.24.0 and then at 131.16.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
EURO CURRENCY
The December Euro currency futures are slightly up but near this week’s 14-month low 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 and 18-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 Thursday’s high of 1.1625 and then at 1.1650. Buy stops likely reside just above those levels. Shorter-term support is seen at the overnight low of 1.1578 and then at 1.1550. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 5.0
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
Nymex crude oil prices are weaker in early U.S. trading. Bulls are still in solid technical control. The shorter-term moving averages are bullish early today as the 4-day is above the 9-day. The 9-day is above the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI and slow stochastics) are bearish early today. Look for buy stops to reside just above technical resistance at the overnight high of $75.57 and then at this week’s high of $76.67. Look for sell stops just below technical support at this week’s low of $73.14 and then at $72.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5
GRAINS
U.S. grain futures were mixed overnight. Thursday’s quarterly USDA grain stocks report was bearish for soybeans and corn. The corn and soybean market bears have the near-term technical advantage, while the wheat bulls have the slight near-term technical advantage. Grain traders will look more to the outside markets in the near term, as the stock markets are wobbly at present and there is keener risk aversion in the marketplace. That’s bearish for grains.
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