Market Commentary
Equity index futures are sideways and divergent.
- FOMC started the clock on tapering.
- Ahead: Claims and U.S. GDP data.
- NDX weak relative to RUT and SPX.
What Happened: U.S. stock index futures auctioned within prior range alongside positive earnings reports, infrastructure progress, China liquidity injections, and optimism that the Federal Reserve would not taper stimulus.
Adding, in a statement, Neil Dutta, head of U.S. economics at Renaissance Macro Research, explained: “The Fed is starting the clock on tapering. It is not happening now or even in September, but expect the pace of asset buying to slowdown late this year or early next.”
Moreover, participants should keep an eye out for data on initial and continuing jobless claims, U.S. GDP, as well as pending home sales and earnings.
What To Expect: As of 6:30 AM ET, Thursday’s regular session (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST) in the S&P 500 will likely open inside of prior-range and -value, suggesting a limited potential for immediate directional opportunity.
Adding, during the prior day’s regular trade, the best case outcome occurred, evidenced by resolve above the Volume Weighted Average Price (blue in color on the below profile graphic) anchored from the 2:00 PM ET Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcement.
This is significant because this metric paints the picture of who is winning, so to speak; simply put, since FOMC, the average buyer is in a better position.
Moreover, as evidenced by the developing 5-day balance area in the profile graphic below, participants are finding higher prices valuable as they position themselves for a directional move, given increased clarity over earnings, taper, and more.
Balance (Two-Timeframe Or Bracket): Rotational trade that denotes current prices offer favorable entry and exit. Balance-areas make it easy to spot a change in the market (i.e., the transition from two-time frame trade, or balance, to one-time frame trade, or trend).
The modus operandi, in light of the above, is responsive trade. Auctioning beyond the $4,416.75 overnight high (ONH) or $4,364.50 opens the window for follow-through. In such a case, participants ought to abandon their focus on responsive trade.
Overnight Rally Highs (Lows): Typically, there is a low historical probability associated with overnight rally-highs (lows) ending the upside (downside) discovery process. Initiative Buying (Selling): Buying (selling) within or above (below) the previous day’s value area. Responsive Buying (Selling): Buying (selling) in response to prices below (above) an area of recent price acceptance.
Internally speaking, after the Russell 2000 and Nasdaq 100 weakness in days prior, conditions improved markedly. Breadth, at the exchange level, was positive with a steady inflow into the stocks that were up, versus those that were down. However, though, weakness in the Nasdaq 100 returned this morning, a potential drag on any initiative activity in the coming session(s).
To note, quickly, we remember that as time passes, alongside the ebbing of post-FOMC volatility, there will be positive flows with respect to the unwind of options hedges.
Further, for today, participants can trade from the following frameworks.
In the best case, the S&P 500 trades sideways or higher; activity above the $4,393.75 high volume area (HVNode) pivot puts in play the $4,406.25 low volume area (LVNode). Initiative trade beyond the $4,406.25 LVNode puts in play the $4,416.75 ONH and $4,428.25 Fibonacci extension.
In the worst case, the S&P 500 trades lower; activity below the $4,393.75 HVNode puts in play the $4,381.75 LVNode. Initiative trade beyond the $4,381.75 LVNode could reach as low as the $4,364.50 LVNode and $4,341.75 micro-composite point of control (MCPOC).
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. POCs: POCs 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
Gold demand has yet to recover fully from COVID-19, says WGC.
MBS Recap: Fed hinted at a tapering, but bonds don’t really care.
The four biggest ways that the Robinhood app changed investing.
Biden’s two-front economic agenda made headway in the Senate.
China stocks rally as Beijing intensifies efforts to calm the market.
S&P Data: Growth is still on track despite rising COVID-19 cases.
U.S. corporate bond market near record pace as Fed taper looms.
Oversight of China payment companies likely boosts compliance.
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About
After years of self-education, strategy development, and trial-and-error, Renato Leonard Capelj began trading full-time and founded Physik Invest to detail his methods, research, and performance in the markets. Additionally, Capelj is a finance and technology reporter. Some of his biggest works include interviews with 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.
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.