Monday, April 3–Jim Wyckoff’s morning markets report
Global stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward mixed openings when the New York day session begins. The weekend surprise OPEC-plus cut in its collective crude oil production by just over 1 million barrels a day is on the front burner of the marketplace to start the trading week. Oil prices spiked on the news, with Nymex crude oil prices presently up nearly $3.94 a barrel at $79.60.
“It’s a shock move by OPEC-plus as the cartel had previously vowed to maintain a steady supply. This is a significant reduction in a market in which supply was expected to be tight for the second half of 2023,” said Nigel Green of the deVere Group. “The production cuts could see prices close to $100 a barrel due to demand from a reopening China and as Russia has slashed production due to sanctions from the West. The dramatic cut will only add to pressing global inflationary squeezes.”
The OPEC oil-production-cut also raises the specter of higher inflation in the coming months that could force central banks to keep their interest rates higher for longer.
The other key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly higher. The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield is presently fetching 3.513%.
It’s a busier day for U.S. economic data released Monday, including the U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI), the ISM report on business manufacturing, the global PMI, construction spending and domestic auto industry sales.
–Jim
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
June S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are slightly lower in early U.S. trading. Prices hit a six-week high Friday and closed at a technically bullish weekly and monthly high close. A price uptrend is in place on the daily bar chart. The shorter-term moving averages (4-, 9- and 18-day) are bullish early today. The 4-day moving average is above the 9-day. The 9-day is above the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Today, shorter-term technical resistance comes in at the March high of 4,142.50 and then at 4,175.00. Support for active traders is seen at 4,100.00 and then at Friday’s low of 4,078.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 5.0
June Nasdaq index futures: Prices are weaker in early U.S. trading after hitting an eight-month high Friday. Prices Friday also closed at a technically bullish weekly and monthly high close. A price uptrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9-and 18-day) are bullish early today. The 4-day moving average is above the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day average is above the 18-day. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral to bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at the March high of 13,311.50 and then at 13,500.00. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at Friday’s low of 13,057.50 and then at 12,900.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
June U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are a bit 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 even with the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral to bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at Friday’s high of 131 17/32 and then at 132 even. Shorter-term support lies at the overnight low of 130 12/32 and then at 130 even. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5
June U.S. T-Notes: Prices are weaker in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are neutral early today. The 4-day moving average is below the 9-day. The 9-day is above the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bearish early today. Shorter-term resistance lies at Friday’s high of 115.03.5 and then at 115.10.0. Shorter-term technical support is seen at the overnight low of 114.18.0 and then at last week’s low of 114.07.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
EURO CURRENCY
The June Euro currency futures are slightly up in early U.S. trading. Bulls have the firm near-term technical advantage. The shorter-term moving averages for the Euro 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 for the Euro are neutral early today. The Euro currency finds shorter-term technical resistance at the March high of 1.0983 and then at 1.1000. Shorter-term support is seen at the overnight low of 1.0835 and then at last week’s low of 1.0797. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 5.5
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
May Nymex crude oil prices are sharply higher and hit a two-month high in early U.S. trading. Bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in an uptrend on the daily bar chart. The shorter-term moving averages are bullish early today as the 4-day is above the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day above the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI and slow stochastics) are bullish early today. Look for buy stops to reside just above technical resistance at the overnight high of $81.69 and then at $83.00. Look for sell stops just below technical support at $78.00 and then at $77.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 7.0
GRAINS
Grain futures prices were mixed to firmer overnight. The big jump in crude oil prices is benefitting the grain market bulls. Better risk appetite in the general marketplace recently is also bullish for grains. Soybean and corn market bulls have the chart edge. Meantime, SRW wheat bears have the firm overall near-term chart advantage and HRW bulls have the slight edge amid a price uptrend in place.
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