Market Commentary
Equity index futures, commodities, bonds, and the dollar were sideways to higher overnight.
- Some complacency? Let’s talk it out.
- Ahead: Misc data and Jackson Hole.
- Building a base for directional move.
What Happened: U.S. stock index futures auctioned higher overnight as investors continued to position themselves to better act on new monetary policy information.
Ahead is data on personal income (8:30 AM ET), consumer spending (8:30 AM ET), core PCE (8:30 AM ET), trade in goods (8:30 AM ET), University of Michigan sentiment (10:00 AM ET). Later, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium (10:00 AM ET).
What To Expect: As of 6:30 AM ET, Friday’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, on weak intraday breadth and divergent market liquidity metrics, the worst-case outcome occurred, evidenced by trade below the $4,484.25 high volume area (HVNode) pivot. This is significant because S&P 500 printed prices in a pocket of low-volume left behind by strong initiative buying earlier in the week. Given the overnight retracement, the index is back to basing for what may be strong directional resolve.
Balance (Two-Timeframe Or Bracket) Trade Is In Play: 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). Modus operandi is responsive trade (i.e., fade the edges), rather than initiative trade (i.e., play the break).
Further, the aforementioned trade is happening in the context of the important Jackson Hole event and a shift higher in the VIX futures terms structure into and through the August 26-28 event. The implications of these events on price are contradictory; to elaborate, extended positioning – which alone suggests risks are asymmetric – coupled with a pronounced shift in shorter-dated VIX expiries, warns of elevated near-term risks for equity market stability.
Moreover, for today, participants may make use of the following frameworks.
In the best case, the S&P 500 trades sideways or higher; activity above the $4,481.75 high volume area (HVNode) pivot puts in play the $4,495.00 untested point of control (VPOC). Initiative trade beyond the VPOC could reach as high as the $4,511.50 and $4,556.25 Fibonacci-derived price targets.
In the worst case, the S&P 500 trades lower; activity below the $4,481.75 HVNode pivot likely puts in play the $4,454.25 low volume area (LVNode), a ledge resolved during Monday’s breakout. Initiative trade beyond the LVNode could reach as low as the $4,427.00 VPOC and $4,393.75 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. Ledges: Flattened area on the profile which suggests responsive participants are in control, or initiative participants lack the confidence to continue the discovery process. The ledge will either hold and force participants to liquidate (cover) their positions, or crack and offer support (resistance).
News And Analysis
Previous COVID preventing infection better than shot.
Critical battle for support as rates risk pivoting higher.
Tax clash testing unity over President Biden’s agenda.
China planning to ban U.S. IPOs for some tech firms.
Southwest to cut fall flights following a tough summer.
Soviet Union collapse turned Russia into powerhouse.
European speculative-grade defaults may fall to 3.5%.
What People Are Saying
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.