Friday, September 16–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report
Global stock markets were mixed but mostly lower overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed to lower openings and two-month lows when the New York day session begins. The marketplace is more anxious late this week, after absorbing a hot U.S. consumer price index report on Tuesday. Traders are focusing on next week’s FOMC meeting that begins Tuesday and ends Wednesday afternoon. The FOMC is expected to raise the key U.S. Fed funds rate by 0.75% in the Fed’s effort to tamp down problematic price inflation. Also, a very dour earnings report from Federal Express Thursday has helped to dampen investor spirits to end the trading week.
In overnight news, the Eurozone reported its consumer price index for August at up 9.1%, year-on-year, which was in line with market expectations.
The key outside markets today see Nymex crude oil prices near steady and trading around $85.25 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is up in early U.S. trading. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is fetching 3.463%. The 2-year U.S. Treasury note yield climbed to 3.901%, which is the highest level since 2007.
U.S. economic data due for release Friday is light and includes the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey and Treasury international capital data.
–Jim
U.S. STOCK INDEXES
December S&P 500 e-mini futures: Prices are lower and hit a two-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 and 18-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 Thursday’s high of 3,977.50 and then at 4,000.00. Support for active traders is seen at 3,850.00 and then at 3,800.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-day Market Rating: 4.0
December Nasdaq index futures: Prices are lower and hit a two-month 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 12,000.00 and then at Thursday’s high of 12,268.75. On the downside, shorter-term support is seen at 11,800.00 and then at 11,600.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0.
U.S. TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES FUTURES
December U.S. T-Bonds: Prices are lower and hit a three-month low in early U.S. trading. Prices are in a six-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart and bears have the solid advantage. 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 to bearish early today. Shorter-term technical resistance is seen at the overnight high of 131 25/32 and then at Thursday’s high of 132 9/32. Shorter-term support lies at the June low of 130 27/32 and then at 130 even. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
December U.S. T-Notes: Prices are slightly lower and hit a contract low in early U.S. trading. Prices are in a six-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart and bears have the solid technical advantage. 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 to bearish early today. Shorter-term resistance lies at the overnight high of 114.22.0 and then at 115.00.0. Shorter-term technical support lies at the contract low of 114.10.5 and then at 114.00.0. Sell stops likely reside just below those levels. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.0
EURO CURRENCY
The December Euro currency futures are slightly lower in early U.S. trading. Bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. The shorter-term moving averages for the Euro are neutral early today, as the 4-day is above the 9-day and 18-day. The 9-day is even with the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators for the Euro are bearish early today. The Euro currency finds shorter-term technical resistance at 1.0100 and then at 1.0150. Shorter-term support is seen at 1.0000 and then at the contract low of .9935. Wyckoff’s Intra Day Market Rating: 4.5
NYMEX CRUDE OIL
October Nymex crude oil prices are slightly higher 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 below the 18-day moving average. Short-term oscillators (RSI and slow stochastics) are neutral to bullish early today. Look for buy stops to reside just above technical resistance at $87.50 and then at this week’s high of $90.19. Look for sell stops just below technical support at $84.00 and then at $83.00. Wyckoff’s Intra-Day Market Rating: 5.5
GRAINS
U.S. grain futures were lower overnight. Keener risk aversion in the general marketplace to end the trading week has the bulls standing on the sidelines. Corn and soybean market bulls still have the near-term technical advantage. Wheat bears still have the slight overall near-term technical edge, but the bulls are working on fledgling price uptrends. Seasonal factors for corn and soybeans lean bearish as both crops are set for harvest in the U.S., which means farmer selling and commercial hedge pressures.
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