Market Commentary
Index futures in balance.
- Inflation fears stoking weakness.
- Ahead is JOLTS data, Fed speak.
- Index futures lower, tech weighs.
What Happened: U.S. stock index futures auctioned lower, overnight, alongside fears of rising inflation. Most affected were heavily-weighted index constituents (e.g., Facebook, Netflix, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and Tesla), or stocks that have the most to lose in an environment that favors cyclical and value assets.
Adding, despite the Federal Reserve’s commitment to limiting talk of taper and rate hikes, traders are positioning themselves for a change in tone. Activity in the 98.00 put strike options, in the Eurodollar, suggests traders are betting on a potential surprise at the Jackson Hole symposium.
What To Expect: Tuesday’s regular session (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST) in the S&P 500 will open far from prior-range and -value, suggesting a limited potential for immediate directional opportunity. Reason being — a state of shock, as a result of a severe overnight drop.
Adding, during the prior day’s regular trade, the worst-case outcome occurred, evidenced by initiative trade below the $4,216.00 low volume area (LVNode). The HVNodes at $4,199.25, $4,190.75, and $4,177.25 (a major pivot) all were in play, yesterday.
Volume Areas: A structurally sound market will build on past areas of high volume. Should the market trend for long periods of time, it will lack sound structure (identified as a low volume area which denotes directional conviction and ought to offer support on any test). If participants were to auction and find acceptance into areas of prior low volume, then future discovery ought to be volatile and quick as participants look to areas of high volume for favorable entry or exit.
For today, participants can trade from the following frameworks.
In the best case, the S&P 500 trades sideways or higher; activity above the $4,169.75 overnight pullback high targets the $4,177.25 HVNode pivot. Initiative trade beyond the pivot puts in play the $4,191.25, $4,199.25, $4,211.50, and $4,224.75 HVNodes.
In the worst case, the S&P 500 trades lower; activity below the $4,177.25 pivot targets the $4,141.00 VPOC. Thereafter, if lower, participants may look for responses at the $4,137.25 and $4,122.75 HVNodes. Auctioning through $4,130.25 increases the odds of trade to the poor structure at $4,110.50.
POCs: POCs (like HVNodes described above) are valuable as they denote areas where two-sided trade was most prevalent. Participants will respond to future tests of value as they offer favorable entry and exit.
News And Analysis
Economy | The Fed is playing with fire by clinging to emergency policies. (WSJ)
Economy | Homebuying sentiment negative despite economic improvement. (MND)
Markets | Pipeline shutdown could push prices at the pump above $3 a gallon. (CNBC)
Economy | Near-term activity data unlikely to affect Fed’s policy rate outlook. (BLK)
Economy | COVID one year on, global infrastructure proves its resilience. (Moody’s)
Recovery | New U.S. COVID infections fall to the lowest level in 11 months. (FT)
What People Are Saying
Innovation And Emerging Trends
Markets | What happens to stocks after the Fed stops raining money? (WSJ)
Housing | Americans moved during the pandemic. Where did they go? (WSJ)
Commodities | The role of critical minerals in the clean energy transition. (IEA)
Markets | More whacks around the head for investors after jobs data. (BBG)
About
Renato founded Physik Invest after going through years of self-education, strategy development, and trial-and-error. His work reporting in the finance and technology space, interviewing leaders such as John Chambers, founder, and CEO, JC2 Ventures, Kevin O’Leary, businessman and Shark Tank host, Catherine Wood, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest, among others, afforded him the perspective and know-how very few come by.
Having worked in engineering and majored in economics, Renato is very detailed and analytical. His approach to the markets isn’t built on hope or guessing. Instead, he leverages the unique dynamics of time and volatility to efficiently act on opportunity.
Disclaimer
At this time, Physik Invest does not manage outside capital and is not licensed. In no way should the materials herein be construed as advice. Derivatives carry a substantial risk of loss. All content is for informational purposes only.