Wednesday, November 22–Jim Wyckoff’s morning markets report
The marketplace has quickly digested the minutes from the last FOMC meeting of the Federal Reserve, which were released Wednesday afternoon. The FOMC minutes said the committee members noted the risk of higher-than-expected inflation and weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth. The FOMC minutes said more evidence is needed before the Fed shifts its stance on U.S. interest rates. The marketplace took that to mean the Fed will continue to pause on its rate hikes for a few months as it weighs incoming economic data. Markets showed little reaction Tuesday afternoon as the minutes contained no surprises.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index slightly higher after hitting an 11-week low Tuesday. Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading around $76.75 a barrel. Reports said OPEC may consider more oil-production cuts when the cartel meets this coming weekend in Vienna. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.373%.
U.S. economic data due for release Wednesday includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, durable goods orders, weekly jobless claims, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey and the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report.
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
December S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading. 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 this week’s high of 4,571.00 and then at 4,600.00. Support for active traders is seen at this week’s low of 4,520.00 and then at 4,500.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 5.5
December Nasdaq index futures: Prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading. 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 to bullish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at this week’s high of 16,122.50 and then at 16,250.00. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at this week’s low of 15,837.25 and then at 15,700.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
March U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are up and hit a two-month high 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 technical resistance is seen at 117 even and then at 118 even. Shorter-term support lies at the overnight low of 115 22/32 and then at this week’s low of 114 23/32. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
March U.S. T-Notes: Prices are 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 the November high of 109.20.0 and then at 110.00.0. Shorter-term technical support is seen at the overnight low of 109.07.5 and then at this week’s low of 108.26.5. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 6.0
EURO CURRENCY
The March Euro currency futures are weaker in early U.S. trading. Bulls still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are trending higher on the daily bar chart. 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 bearish early today. The Euro currency finds shorter-term technical resistance at this week’s high of 1.1020 and then at 1.1050. Shorter-term support is seen at 1.0900 and then at 1.0850. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 4.5
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
January Nymex crude oil prices are lower in early U.S. trading. The shorter-term moving averages are neutral early today as the 4-day is even with the 9-day. The 9-day is below the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI and slow stochastics) are neutral early today. Look for buy stops to reside just above technical resistance at this week’s high of $78.46 and then at $80.00. Look for sell stops just below technical support at this week’s low of $75.41 and then at $75.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
GRAINS
Grain futures prices were mixed in overnight trading. Not much new recently. Technicals remain overall bearish for corn and wheat, although my bias is that those markets have put in price bottoms, or are very close to doing so. Technicals are bullish for soybeans and meal as those markets are trending up.
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