Thursday, December 22–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report
Global stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins. Trading volumes are likely to wane just ahead of the Christmas holiday over the weekend and as a massive winter storm pounds much of the U.S. and is heading for the east coast.
Rising Covid infections in China have the marketplace pensive late this week. Bloomberg reported China is experiencing 1 million new infections and 5,000 virus deaths each day, following the Chinese government’s relaxation of Covid restrictions.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly lower. Nymex crude oil prices are up and trading around $79.50 a barrel. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note is presently 3.651%.
U.S. economic data due for release Thursday includes the weekly jobless claims report, the third estimate of third-quarter gross domestic product, the Chicago Fed national activity index, leading economic indicators and the Kansas City Fed manufacturing survey.
–Jim
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
March S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are weaker 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 neutral to bearish early today. Today, shorter-term technical resistance comes in at 3,950.00 and then at 4,000.00. Support for active traders is seen at Wednesday’s low of 3,855.50 and then at this week’s low of 3,803.50. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 4.5
March Nasdaq index futures: Prices are slightly down 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 neutral to bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at this week’s high of 11,411.00 and then at 11,500.00. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at Wednesday’s low of 11,181.00 and then at this week’s low of 11,043.50. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
March U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are firmer 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 and 18-day. The 9-day is above the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral to bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at 129 even and then at Tuesday’s high of 129 22/32. Shorter-term support lies at this week’s low of 127 19/32 and then at 127 even. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5
March U.S. T-Notes: Prices are firmer 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 and 18-day. The 9-day is even with the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Shorter-term resistance lies at Tuesday’s high of 114.04.5 and then at this week’s high of 114.23.0. Shorter-term technical support lies at this week’s low of 113.09.5 and then at 113.00.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5
EURO CURRENCY
The March Euro currency futures are near steady in early U.S. trading. Bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a 2.5-month-old uptrend on the daily chart. The shorter-term moving averages for the Euro are neutral early today, as the 4-day is even with the 9-day. Both are above the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators for the Euro are neutral to bearish early today. The Euro currency finds shorter-term technical resistance at this week’s high of 1.0726 and then at the December high of 1.0807. Shorter-term support is seen at this week’s low of 1.0643 and then at 1.0600. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 5.0
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
February Nymex crude oil prices are up and hit a two-week high in early U.S. trading. The shorter-term moving averages are neutral early today as the 4-day is above the 9-day. The 9-day is even with 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 $80.00 and then at $82.00. Look for sell stops just below technical support at the overnight low of $78.30 and then at $77.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
GRAINS
U.S. grain futures were mixed to firmer in overnight trading. On tap today is the weekly USDA export sales report. Corn and wheat bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage. However, downtrends on the daily bar charts have been negated to suggest those markets have put in near-term bottoms. A major arctic blast in the U.S. midsection is boosting wheat futures, on notions the dormant crops could receive winterkill. Soybeans bulls have the chart edge, led by the recent surge in soybean meal futures, and both markets are in uptrends on the daily bar charts.
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