Volatility..fractionally higher

The VIX closed higher by a little over 1%, to settle in the low 14s.


VIX'60min

VIX'daily

Summary

Its arguably there is a possible bull flag on the hourly chart, and with the daily VIX MACD cycle now ticking upward, the bias is towards at least a few days higher.

First VIX target is 15, and then 16.50.

Considering the near total lack of response in the Dow/SP' today - despite the transports getting destroyed, I'd guess the VIX won't even break into the 17/18s next week.

For the bears, this has to be a very disappointing day.

Closing Brief

A very tiresome day of near nothing. Despite the transports getting destroyed, everything else is holding up very well. The VIX continues to show a fearless market.


sp'60min

transports'60min

Summary

The main indexes are now completely disconnected from the 'old leader'. Whilst earnings warnings/downgrades continue to appear, the main market is able to just ignore it.

*with tomorrow being opex, I guess it'll be mostly a chop fest. I can't imagine any clear direction either way. No point anyone taking any new positions until next week.

A little more later.

3pm update - back to the doldrums

Another day where the opening minor declines decay away to next to nothing. Aside from the transports, there is nothing going on again.


sp'daily5

Trans, daily

Summary

I'm starting to get real tired of this again!

More after the close

12pm update - minor declines...its all noise

The minor declines are failing to hold for the main indexes. Meanwhile, the transports is getting destroyed. Yet, what does it matter, QE3 is underway, who needs to transport goods anymore? The Bernanke will keep the market propped up until 2014, yes?


sp'daily5

VIX, daily

Trans, daily

Summary

Its all minor noise, and frankly there is no sign of it looking much better for the bears tomorrow.

The VIX is again trying to tick higher on the daily cycle, but...really, its to be dismissed as noise.

Weak declines, almost as dull as yesterday.

Back at 3pm

10am update - morning weakness

Good morning. Some moderate declines for the main indexes but VIX remains only 5% higher so far.

*we await some econ-data at 10am, if its a little bad, then sp'1445 looks very reasonable to expect by 11am.


sp'60min

sp'daily5

Summary

We're still putting in relentless higher highs..and higher lows each cycle. I don't expect us to break below 1440 today/tomorrow. Considering the near total lack of sell side volume, there seems no reason why this market will start breaking lower lows.

I am short, but looking to bail in the low 1440s.

With tomorrow being quadruple opex, it'll be choppy, and a clear direction is unlikely. So, I'm seeking an exit today/tomorrow, and look to sit it out across the weekend.

back at 12pm

WTIC Oil - another potential red flag

WTIC Oil slipped 3.5% today to close in the $92s. We are close to breaking the broad weekly up trend since the June low of $77.


WTIC, daily

WTIC, weekly

WTIC, monthly

Summary

Today's close below the 50 day MA is pretty significant. There are certainly a lot of conflicting issues surrounding the crazy oil market. Whether its post-QE announcement depression (a case of 'post-QEAD'?), fears of Israeli action against Iran, or just an underlying weak global economy, the Oil market remains very mixed.

What is clear, we remain in a significant post June ($77 low) up trend. The monthly cycle is threatening of massively higher prices in the $150/175 range, but for now, first upside target is a daily close of $100.

Secondary upside target is to break the Feb'2012 high of $110.


Red flag for October?

The doomer bears should be seeking a weekly close <$90, although if it takes until the end of next week, that is fine too. Considering the recent weakness in the transports, could be close September with two red flags?


Deflationary pressures, despite the Fed

The petroleum based economy that we live in would certainly benefit from even a few months of Oil back in the low 80s/70s. The notion of Oil back in the 60s..even 50s, appears near impossible right now, not least with the middle east seemingly ready to explode at any time.

Long Oil, via UCO? Once the daily cycle levels out - whether its the end of this week or next, it would appear to be a very valid trade consideration, not least as a hedge against a 'Sunday night surprise' from the Israelis.

Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

A pretty dull day, with most indexes closing fractionally higher. With the VIX 2% lower in the 13s, this market is unquestionably still fearless, its all bizarrely remarkable.


IWM

Sp'daily5

Transports

Summary

Its been around 3 months since we closed significantly lower - see June'21. Until we see a similar down move, with VIX in the 18/20 range, the bears - not least the 'doomer' ones, are really still fighting a fierce up trend.

The underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) cycle continues to decline, but in price terms, we sure aren't seeing much of anything to the downside. We're a mere 13pts from last weeks QE3 peak.

I remain short, seeking an exit 1440/30.

I still can't see a break below the recent important low of 1397.

A little more later