Friday 22 August 2014

Volatility slips into the weekend

With US indexes seeing minor chop into the Friday close, the VIX was naturally muted, settling -2.5% @ 11.47. Near term outlook is for sp'2010/20s, which should equate to VIX 10s. The VIX saw a net weekly decline of -12.8%.


VIX'daily3


VIX'weekly


Summary

*the 10th daily decline in 11 days
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A third consecutive net weekly decline for the VIX. The recent peak in the 17.50s now looks a long way up, and we might not be at those levels again until October.
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more later... on the indexes

Closing Brief

US indexes ended the week on a subdued note, sp -3pts @ 1988. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, both settled u/c.  Near term outlook remains bullish, with the sp'2000s still likely, with broader upside to 2030/50 by late September.


sp'60min


Summary

So... a third consecutive net weekly gain for the sp'500.

It is highly notable that the upper weekly bollinger will be in the 2030s next week (its climbing around 10pts a week).. it won't be too hard for the bull maniacs to push the market into the 2010/20s by early September.

For me, the only issue is whether we can hit 2030/50 zone before October.

I realise for many out there... it remains a tough market to remain level headed about...

*I remain on the sidelines...for me..that is probably the better policy right now.

Have a good weekend everyone
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more later.. on the VIX

3pm update - minor chop into the weekend

Despite Jackson Hole, it turned out to be a rather dull end to the week. The sp'500 looks set for next weekly gains of around 1.75%....and a further 1% looks very viable next week. Metals are ending the week on a minor bounce, Gold +$3, whilst Oil is still -0.4%


sp'60min


Summary

The broad upward channel from the Aug'7th low of sp'1904 continues to comfortably hold.

Sure, the bulls failed (a little surprising) to break sp'2000 today, but overall, net weekly gains of 1.75% are very decisive on any basis.

VIX looks set to close the week on a down note... it will make for the 10th daily decline in 11 days.


3.13pm.. hourly MACD (blue bar histogram) looks floored. Nothing decisive yet, but considering the underlying trend, Monday looks set for further upside.

The sp'2000s have taken longer than I thought likely (sure seemed viable in July)...  but...anyway...next week. Shouldn't make any difference to those still holding long-indexes.

VIX turns red... -1.4%.. low of the day.


3.34pm.. The minor chop continues...

Dow set for a net weekly gain of around 2%... 350pts or so....a powerful gain. 

2pm update - afternoon minor chop

US equities are still seeing very minor chop. A daily close in the sp'1985/95 now looks assured. Metals are a little higher, Gold +$2. Oil is weak, but above the earlier low, -0.5%.


sp'60min


Summary

*VIX melting lower, now -0.7%.. set for a weekly decline of around -11%
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Little to add, on what is turning out to be a very uneventful day.
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Airlines building gains, DAL +1.7%

1pm update - Fibonacci upside

US equities continue to see very minor chop, with the sp' holding the low 1990s. A daily close in the 2000s looks somewhat difficult. Metals are attempting a small bounce, Gold +$2. Oil remains weak.. -0.7%


sp'daily3 - fib levels


Summary

Yes..its just one of many upside outlooks, but hey... a 1.6x extrapolation of the recent down wave...offers the sp'2040s in September.. and I think that is a very valid target.

Certainly though, that will likely take at least another 2-3 weeks.
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Watching clown finance TV...

One of the doomers turns bullish... with (I believe) a target of sp'2300 by year end.


Another bear capitulates, make of that... what you will.

12pm update - minor chop

US equities see a micro wave down to sp'1984... but there remains the incessant underlying upward pressure. A daily close in the 2000s now looks unlikely, but still, the weekly cycles will be putting in a major net gain. Oil is still on the slide, -1.1%.


sp'60min


Summary

With Jackson hole out of the way for another year... bulls have a clear run now until the next major econ-data point.... monthly net jobs.. but that is two full weeks away.
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Notable strength in airlines, DAL, UAL, both +1% or so.

..time to see what the cheerleaders on clown finance TV are saying....


12.20pm... GMCR.. I'd not noticed... I guess people still like coffee huh?

Market back in melt mode.. .sp'1990.... hourly charts offering 1995 in the immediate term. 


12.32pm.. Notable strength, R2K +0.3%.... easy upside of another 1% across the next day or two.

As noted yesterday, the daily spike-floor candle, STRONGLY favours the bulls into next week.

VIX +1.3%... still set to close red.

11am update - post hole depression

With Yellen saying nothing of note, the market is seeing micro chop. New index highs are very viable this afternoon.. with a weekly close of sp'2000. Metals are again starting to slip, Gold -$2, whilst Oil is now borderline significant declines, -0.9%


sp'60min


Summary

Clearly, the market has managed to get through the FOMC minutes of Wednesday, and now Jackson Hole..without ANY significant damage.

Primary target remains the upper bollinger on the weekly cycle.. currently in the 2020s, and that will likely jump into the 2030s next week.

...indeed, at the current rate, by mid Sept' , the 2040/50s look very viable, and that would make for a far better short level.

Notable weakness, Oil/gas drillers, RIG -1.7%, SDRL, -1.3%
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time to cook!



11.04am minor weakness... but it all feels tedious.

I see a lot of counts out there, touting a sub'4 of 3... but really...difficult to fathom the micro nonsense.

What is clear...broader trend is UP...as is reflected in the VIX that generally remains sub teens.

10am update - Yellen at the hole

Equities open with some minor weak chop, but certainly nothing for the equity bears to get excited about. Considering the bigger weekly cycles, the sp'2000 threshold is most certainly very viable today. Oil remains weak, -0.6%


sp'60min


Summary

...standing by for the Yellen.
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Looking at the hourly cycle, equity bears just need a Friday close <1980.. to break the channel... that will open up two gaps... 1972... 1958.

On no outlook do I see the 1940s being broken below until October.
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10.08am.. Well, the speech is released, and the algo-bots are churning on it.

Its starting to get real tedious again...micro chop. Even a test of the lower channel - 1980 at the close.. looks difficult.

Maybe there is a Q/A later..where Yellen might say something 'stupid' ?


10.27am... minor chop.

Why wouldn't we see sp'2000s this afternoon?

Its not looking good for those seeking a down wave beginning today.

My concern is we'll just keep battling higher..to the upper weekly bollinger... currently 2022...and only slip back to 2000 (would make for a natural support).
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VIX showing absolutely ZERO concern... set to close red... net weekly decline -10%


10.47am.. tiresome micro chop....  absolutely nothing for bears to get excited about.

Notable strength: airlines, DAL, UAL, both +1%

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. Futures are fractionally lower, sp -1pt, we're set to open at 1991. Metals are trying to bounce, Gold +$2. Oil remains weak, -0.4%. Fed chair Yellen is due to speak at Jackson Hole at 10am... and Mr Market will certainly be listening!


sp'daily5


Summary

We have a very interesting day ahead.

There remains threat of a reversal, not least since we're now close to the upper bollinger on the daily cycle.

Best case for the bears... a 2-3 day down cycle of 1.5/2.0%... to sp'1960/50s..with VIX 15s.

Worse case... continued melt into the 2000s... 2010/20 by end month.
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End week doom chatter from Hunter



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Good wishes for Friday trading!

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9.37am... ohh the humanity, sp -0.2%....the drama!

Airlines are fine though, UAL +1.4%


9.45am.. VIX +4%..but really... that is minor... so far this month, VIX is -26%

The Mighty bullish Dow

It was just another day to the upside for the US equity market. Most notable, the Dow, which is so far up 2.3% this week, and 2.9% for the month. Further upside into September seems very likely, with an upside target zone of 17300/500.


Dow, weekly



Dow, monthly'2, rainbow


Summary

The mighty Dow is indeed presenting a powerful bullish candle this week, and it will make for the third consecutive weekly gain, and an important close above the weekly 10MA.

The bigger monthly chart was offering the first outright bullish green candle since last December, this afternoon. The daily close was blue, but still, unquestionably bullish.


Looking ahead

Friday will be all about Yellen at Jackson Hole. I'm not even sure if we'll get a live stream of the speech. Regardless, market will want to make a play for the giant sp'2000 threshold.

 *next sig' QE is not until next Tuesday.
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Continuing to sit on the sidelines

Just consider that last Friday morning we were in the low sp'1960s. I exited long at 1962... a mere few hours later.. we were 1941. I'm a touch annoyed at not holding long another week, but really, I'm tired.

If we get a pull back to sp'1960/50s.. I'll pick up an index long for a trade into September, otherwise... I'm content to sit it out until the current multi-week up wave completes in mid/late September.

Keep in mind that I've not shorted the equity indexes since last summer, so..if I do go short this September, it'll be something of a major trade for me.


...and now for something rather different.

I noticed the following this evening (via gizmodo.com) A 7min short 'Dust', filmed just a few miles to the east of yours truly. Fans of Alan Rickman will be especially pleased...  enjoy...



Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

US indexes settled moderately higher, sp +5pts @ 1992. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled -0.4% and +0.2% respectively. Near term outlook is for the sp'2000s, with 2010/20s viable by late August.


sp'daily5


R2K,


Trans



Summary

The most notable aspect of today, the morning rebound in the R2K. An early decline of -1.0%, but managing to quickly claw to flat...and settling a touch higher.

The sp' breaking a new historic high is merely reflective of what the Nasdaq accomplished last week. Dow/Trans both look set to set to follow within days.
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a little more later...