Thursday, March 7–Jim Wyckoff’s morning markets report
The marketplace has mostly digested Fed Chairman Powell’s comments to a House of Representatives financial committee on Wednesday. The marketplace deemed Powell’s remarks as leaning a bit more dovish. He said it is likely the Fed will cut interest rates this year, as inflation has notably receded. The U.S. stock market rallied on Powells comments, while the U.S. dollar index sold off and Treasury yields dipped. Powell testifies before a Senate panel today.
In overnight news, China economic data saw the world’s second-largest economy’s imports in January and February up 3.5%, year-on-year, while its exports were up 7.1% in the same period. Those numbers were better than market expectations. A Wall Street Journal headline today reads: “China’s growth figures don’t add up.”
Traders are awaiting what is arguably the U.S. data point of the month that is out Friday morning: the February employment situation report from the Labor Department. The key non-farm jobs number is seen coming in at up 198,000 versus the rise of 353,000 seen in the January report.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index lower, on follow-through selling from Wednesday’s losses. Nymex crude oil prices are down and trading around $78.50 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently fetching 4.102%.
U.S. economic data due for release Thursday includes the weekly jobless claims report, the Challenger job-cuts report, the international trade in goods and services report, revised productivity and costs, consumer credit and monthly retail chain store sales data. U.S. President Biden delivers his State of the Union speech Thursday night.
STOCK INDEXES
June S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are a bit higher in early U.S. trading and are not far below this week’s contract and record high. Bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a four-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. The shorter-term moving averages (4-day, 9-day 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 5,200.00 and then at the contract high of 5,220.00. Support for active traders is seen at this week’s low of 5,124.25 and then at 5,100.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 5.5
June Nasdaq index futures: Prices are firmer in early U.S. trading and not far below this week’s contract high. Bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. 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. Short-term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at 18,500.00 and then at the contract high of 18,623.50. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at 18,200.00 and then at this week’s low of 18,075.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
June U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 18-day) are bullish early today. The 4-day moving average is above the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day is above the 18-day moving average. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bullish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at 122 even and then at 123 even. Shorter-term support lies at Wednesday’s low of 120 9/32 and then at 119 16/32. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5
June U.S. T-Notes: Prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading. Shorter-term moving averages (4- 9- 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. Oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are bullish early today. Shorter-term resistance lies at this week’s high of 111.23.0 and then at 112.00.0. Shorter-term technical support is seen at this Wednesday’s low of 111.02.5 and then at this week’s low of 110.21.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5
EURO CURRENCY
The June Euro currency futures are slightly down in early U.S. trading. 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 this week’s high of 1.0961 and then at 1.1000. Shorter-term support is seen at this week’s low of 1.0884 and then at last week’s low of 1.0844. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 4.5
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
April Nymex crude oil prices are weaker in early U.S. trading. 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 $80.00 and then at last week’s high of $80.85. Look for sell stops just below technical support at this week’s low of $77.52 and then at $75.84. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5
GRAINS
Grain futures prices were higher overnight on short covering and perceived bargain hunting. On tap today is the weekly USDA export sales report. On Friday comes the USDA monthly supply and demand report. Charts are still bearish for corn, wheat, soybeans, meal and bean oil. All the grain markets are trending down on the daily bar charts. However, my bias is that market bottoms in the grains are not far off.
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