Thursday 30 April 2015

VIX climbs into end month

With equity indexes unravelling, the VIX battled higher across the day, and into the monthly close, settling +8.7% @ 14.55 (intra high 15.29). With the sp'500 unable to hold the 50dma.. near term outlook is moderately bearish.. at least to the 2075/70 zone.


VIX'60min


VIX'daily3


Summary

Suffice to say.. despite sig' net daily declines for all equity indexes, the VIX remains at relatively low levels.

The big 20 threshold still looks out of range in the immediate term.
--

more later... on the main indexes

Closing Brief

US equity indexes closed significantly lower, sp -21pts @ 2085 (intra low 2077). The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled lower by -1.2% and -2.1% respectively. With April ending on a dour note, near term outlook is moderately bearish. It is highly notable that core rising support for the sp'500 will be around 2025 in May.


sp'60min


Summary

... and that is one third of the trading year now complete.

Clearly, a day for the bears across all indexes.

*I will cover the monthly indexes more later, but for now, suffice to say... Trans/R2K saw a sig' net monthly decline, whilst the sp'/dow/nas/NYSE comp' both managed moderate gains.
-

I remain on the sidelines... eyes on long Euro and Oil... but with the markets as they are... I'm starting to wonder about China... which is offering a rollover.. back to 4K.

--
more later... on the VIX

3pm update - ending the month on a downer

US equities continue to unravel (if slowly).. unable to hold the earlier low at the 50dma, with the sp'500 currently -20pts @ 2086. Next support is 2075/70.. with the 2072 low of April 17'th. Metals remain weak, Gold -$19. With the USD unable to rally, Oil has built sig' gains of 1.4% into the $59s.


sp'daily5



R2K, daily


Summary

*the second market leader - R2K, looks especially nasty... and is followed by the Trans... both net lower for the month.
--

So.. we have the R2K/Trans.. leading the way lower, and now the sp'500/Dow are both holding under their 50dma's.

... not exactly the most bullish of monthly closes, but still... new highs were hit for a number of indexes, and earnings broadly came in 'reasonable'.

-
notable weakness: AAPL -2.5%, although still net higher for April by around 0.8%
-


3.04pm.. The rats are getting real twitchy... with empty air to 2075/70.

Things really only get interesting if <2070... along with VIX 20s... but right now.. the latter looks especially difficult to hit.

*core support for May will be 2025... and certainly the giant 2K threshold.
--

2pm update - the two weak leaders

Whilst the broader market remains only moderately lower, there is notable sig' weakness in the two leaders - Trans/R2K, both on the daily and giant monthly cycle. A significant net monthly decline is somewhat suggestive of a problem in the months ahead.


R2K, monthly


Trans, monthly


Summary

*I thought a little side track into the bigger picture would be kinda interesting for this hour.
--

A notable 4 months lower of the past 6 for the 'old leader'.

With the two leaders set to close April net lower (all other indexes are set for net gains of around 1%), there is a hint of a viable sig' down wave this summer.

--
I continue to have eyes on FXE... as a long, however.. not at this price... nor time.


Looks like I'll have to wait until next Monday.. when we might see the 108s.. that would be an acceptable level.. at least to me!

1pm update - renewed weakness

US equities have got stuck at sp'2102.. with renewed downside to 2093. A break under 2090 will open up at the 2075/70 zone by the Friday close. Metals remain exceptionally weak, Gold -$21, with Silver -2.9%. Oil is holding borderline sig' gains of 0.9%.


sp'60min


sp'daily5


Summary

*note the lower bol' on the daily cycle.. along with the key low of 2072. If 2090 fails.. then we'll likely fall into the close.
-

Eyes on the VIX.. which is on the edge of breaking a new intra high (>14.53). Daily cycle is offering the 15.00 threshold by the close.
--

notable weakness: AAPL -2.6% in the $125s...  next sig' support is around $122/20.... and with the trend as it is, it would be indirectly supportive of sp'2070s.
-

As for what I'm doing, well, I don't like much of anything at these levels.. least of all... Oil.. or the Euro. 
-

*VIX breaks the morning high.... with sp'2091... looks like the 50dma will not be held.

12pm update - battling upward

US equities have seen a natural turn around 11am, with the sp' already having swung from the 50dma of 2090 to 2102. A daily/monthly close in the 2110s remains very viable... along with what remains a subdued VIX in the 13s. Metals remain weak, Gold -$23. Oil is building moderate gains of 0.8%.


sp'60min



FXE,15min



Summary

*I continue to have eyes on FXE.. having battle beyond where I was looking.. finally, it might be in cooling mode... into early May.
--

Not much to add... on what is likely just another day of moderate weakness.... only to conclude with latter day strength.

notable weakness: miners, GDX -2.7%.. as the metals end the month.. net lower.

--
VIX update from Mr T.



--
time for lunch

11am update - at least its not boring

US equities have completed an effective test of the 50dma of sp'2090. A latter day recovery looks probable. Metals remain extremely weak, Gold -$22, with Silver -3.5%. Oil is battling to hold moderate gains, +0.2% .


sp'daily5


Summary

So, a hit of the 50dma... but having taken out the Tuesday low of 2094.

Overall though, its probably the same old nonsense of early moderate weakness... only to conclude with a latter day recovery.

Its 11am... its time for a natural turn higher into the afternoon
--

notable weakness, pretty heavy vol' in AAPL, -2.0%, having hit the $125s   

--
I have eyes on the Euro... via FXE, which appears have put in a micro double top.

FXE, 15min


I've little interest in going long until the first gap zone.... seems viable late today... or early tomorrow.
-

11.11am... Euro breaks a little higher... hmm...

Meanwhile... equity indexes are seeing the expected upswing.

VIX looks maxed out at 14.53.... which is of course still a bizarrely low VIX.


11.32am... Not even lunch time and the indexes are getting close to turn green.. .. with sp'2102.

A daily/monthly close in the 2110s looks very viable... along with VIX 13s

10am update - end month weakness

Equity indexes open moderately lower, but as ever... there is the threat of a latter day recovery. There is notable weakness in the precious metals, Gold -$20, with Silver -4.0%. Oil is a touch higher, but looks vulnerable.


sp'daily5


GLD, daily


Summary

*price structure for the metals remains a bearish H/S formation, offering the giant $1000 threshold for Gold this summer.
--

A test of the 50dma of sp'2090 now looks possible... as we have a break of soft rising support. Thing is... if that is the case, the Tuesday low will be broken.... Hmm

Weakness all the way into the weekend?

notable weakness, AAPL -1.4% in the $126s... not looking so pretty.

--
I have eyes on USO and FXE... as viable long trades across the first half of May.

FXE 60min


Seeking an entry in the 108.70/50s. which seems viable today. The secondary lower (red) target is probably out of range.
-

10.37am.. so far... holding the 50dma of sp'2090.

Time is probably running out for the bears.. typical turn will be 11am... as ever.

VIX is already looking spiky in the mid 14s.


10.42am.. micro double top on the Euro.... USD set to rally... at least moderately today.

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. Futures are a little lower, sp -4pts, we're set to open at 2102. A break below the Tuesday low of 2094 looks unlikely. The sp' is set for a net monthly gain of around 2%. Metals are a touch higher, Gold +$2. Oil has early gains of 1.0%.


sp'60min


sp'monthly


Summary

Again its a case of early weakness, but there will be high chance of a latter day rally.. with a net daily gain... settling the month in the sp'2110s.. or even 2120s.

It is end month of course, and so expect some increasing price action this afternoon.

USD remains cooling, -0.4% in the DXY 94.70s... pretty incredible really. It does look that if the down cycle continues into June, we'll be pretty close to the secondary target zone of 90/89. From there... I think the trade becomes somewhat easier.... and that probably includes oil (short-side from 67/75).

*I was looking to go long Euro and/or long Oil this morning... however, the opening gains in both are something I am not going to chase.
--
notable strength: TWTR +1.4%.. but its surely a dead cat bounce... still looks headed for 36/34 zone before a real chance of levelling out.

Good wishes for end April trading!
-

9.45am Chicago PMI  52.3   vs. prev. 46.3

A much better level, but 52 is not exactly super bullish economy.
-

*notable weakness, metals. Gold -$19... end month washout!

Yet another down day for the USD

Whilst US equity indexes saw some moderate weakness, it was just another day for the USD, falling for the sixth consecutive day, settling -0.9% @ 95.32 (intra low 94.68). The first target zone of 93/92 is within easy range by mid May.. and increasingly, the 90/89s look possible in June.


USD, weekly



USD, monthly'3 - outlook


Summary

Little to add from recent days.

USD continues to cool from the recent high of DXY 100.71.... with the Euro continuing to rebound.

--
Looking ahead

Thursday will see the usual weekly jobs data, pers' income/outlays. Most notable, the Chicago PMI, Mr Market is expecting 50.0 against the previous 46.3. Another number under the recessionary threshold of 50 would be a problem for the macro-econ bulls.
--


Chatter from Riley and Heffernan... flash crash, closing of futures pits, and other stuff!


-

Battling away

It has been a useful few weeks for yours truly. I am staying clear of meddling in the main indexes (and especially the VIX) Instead, I'm focusing on currencies, Oil, and a few individual companies for earnings.

Next trade... seeking to go long Euro - via FXE, and perhaps pick up Oil-long again.... which looks set to break into the $60s.

Certainly, I remain concerned that equities will rally upward into mid June.. and right now, the USD is currently in sync with such an equity/Oil cycle peak this summer. A major retrace in late Q3 or Q4 still seems possible. For now though, I sure ain't shorting the main market.

Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

US equities closed weak, sp -7pts @ 2106 (intra low 2097). The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled lower by -1.2% and -1.0% respectively. Near term outlook offers a little further downside, but the broader trend remains bullish.. perhaps all the way into mid June.


sp'daily5



R2K



Trans


Summary

*notably, the two leaders - Trans/R2K, have both marginally broken the broader upward trend that stretches back to last October.
-

For the sp'500, it was a near perfect hit of soft rising trend... new historic highs look due... and its even possible we'll see a weekly close in the 2130s.

--
a little more later...

Wednesday 29 April 2015

VIX holds moderate gains

With equities seeing some weakness into the early afternoon, the VIX clawed higher (intra high 14.34), but settling +7.9% @ 13.39. Near term outlook is for continued broad equity upside.. which should keep the VIX pinned within the 14/11 zone into mid May.


VIX'60min



VIX'daily3


Summary

Little to add.

We continue to see sporadic little intraday spikes.. but the highs remain very low... in the low teens.

The big 20 threshold looks unlikely to be challenged until June.
--

more later... on the indexes

Closing Brief

US equities closed weak, sp -7pts @ 2106 (intra low 2097). The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled lower by a significant -1.2% and -1.0% respectively. Near term outlook offers a little further weakness, whilst the broader trend remains strongly bullish... with the sp'2170/80s viable by mid June.


sp'60min



Summary

Suffice to say.. an interesting and rather good day for yours truly.
--

Despite the net daily index declines, it remains the case that the equity bears just can't muster any significant.. or sustained downside.

VIX continues to reflect a market with next to zero concern about anything, least of all a GREXIT.

--
more later.. on the VIX

3pm update - clawing into the close

US equity indexes are battling for a positive net daily gain.. as market consensus is that the Fed won't raise rates until at least September. USD is seeing a sig' late afternoon bounce.. as the Euro cools. Metals are seeing increasing weakness, Gold -$5. Oil is similarly cooling, but still +2.5%


sp'60min



Summary

Interesting day.

It would seem the USD will claw upward into the close...

*I will consider going re-long Oil tomorrow... and/or long-Euro.. via FXE. Euro looks set for 1.17/1.20 by mid June.
-

Notable hyper-strength in Salesforce (CRM)... as Bloomberg post a story on a 'possible acquirer'...



Like the recent instances of TCK and DISCA (amongst others)... I would not be surprised to see CRM refute the story.. for the stock to collapse AH or early tomorrow.

Risky situation.... for those still long.. and holding overnight.
-

notable weakness: TWTR -8.2%.... utterly dire near term outlook.. at least to the 36/35s... if not the Dec' low of $34s.
-


3.18pm.. Equity chop... but clearly.. no sig' downside right now.. despite the USD holding well above the earlier lows.

Euro.. via FXE, 60min


I will have eyes on FXE tomorrow morning... gap zone looks an easy target.. to consider going long. Upside target is 1.17/1.20

2pm update - time for some fedspeak

The latest FOMC announcement is due, although no policy change/rate hike is now likely until September. Equities are already seeing something of a recovery, with a net daily gain viable for all indexes. Oil is starting to cool from the earlier high, as the USD is trying to bounce.


sp'60min


USO, 60min



Summary

... standing by....
-

notable weakness: BABA -3.5% in the low $82s... earnings are next week.  Hmmm
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2.02pm.. Initial reaction..

USD jumping up.... putting pressure on everything.. esp' metals/Oil


2.06pm.. spike floors on the smaller equity cycles... a net daily gain looks probable.

Meanwhile... TWTR still falling -7.4%... the $38s are imminent.    Next key support is 36/35... which will likely hold.


2.14pm...Every tick higher in the USD.... equities, oil, metals.... tick lower.... naturally.


2.28pm  USD having bounce from -1.4% to -0.8%.... interesting move... it'd seem the USD will probably start Thursday moderate higher... will be tempting short... or long Euro... via FXE.

..TWTR just keeps on falling -8.0% in the upper $38s.... no one wants to buy until 36/35.
-


2.45pm... oh lookie... Salesforce (CRM).. suspended.. after hyper-ramping for no known reason..



Like TWTR yesterday.. does someone know something? (do they have earnings today?)

.. no.. its not earnings.

1pm update - moderate weakness

US equities remain weak with the sp' -13pts @ 2101, and it remains a case of no significant downside. USD remains broadly weak, -1.2%... but susceptible to latter day (post FOMC) strength. Metals remain a touch weak, Gold -$2. Oil continues to build gains, +3.8%.


sp'60min



USO'60min


Summary

Oil is notably strong, with the latest EIA report pleasing traders that perhaps draw downs are coming in May/June.

*Having exited USO-long at $20.08.. I'm content to just watch for the rest of today.
--

FOMC is due at 2pm.... I'd expect some moderate market swings.. but broadly.. we look set to recover higher into the close.

--
notable weakness: TWTR -5.5% in the $39s
-

time for lunch :)

12pm update - holding pattern

US equities have naturally slipped into a holding pattern ahead of the FOMC announcement (due 2pm). Most indexes look set to resume higher after the latest Fedspeak. USD remains broadly weak, -1.2% in the DXY 94.80s. Metals are a touch weak, Gold -$3. Oil is building sig' gains of 3.0%.


sp'60min


USO, 60min


Summary

*I exited USO-long an hour ago... very content with the exit. Will consider going long on any sig' pull back.
--

Little to add.

Market looks set to trundle sideways into 2pm.

Regardless of any initial down wave... I'd still expect market to claw somewhat higher into the close.

-
notable weakness: -4.9% @ $40.20.... the CEOs appearence on clown finance TV has not exactly inspired the momo chasers to hit the buy button.

--
VIX update from Mr T. 



--
time to cook

11am update - USD continues to unravel

Whilst equities continue to see moderate weakness (but liable to turn positive this afternoon), there is notable sig' weakness in the USD, -1.0% in the DXY 95.10s (intra low 94.88). First target zone of 93/92s is clearly probable by mid May.


UUP, weekly


USO, 60min


Summary

*I will continue to use UUP as a way to highlight USD, since stockcharts don't offer intraday charts on the DXY.
--

So.... USD weakness continues... 93/92s now look easy to hit. Increasingly... the 90/89 secondary target looks viable in June.

If the USD can floor in June/July..... it would help make for a natural equity.. and Oil cycle top.

--
*I remain long Oil via USO... I am trying to give it some time to build gains before my next exit.

In any case... at least I'm not long TWTR, -4.5% in the low $40s.
-


11.07am.. EXITED long-USO... from 20.08....   moderate gain... it'll do.. will look to re-long.. on any pull back.

10am update - rinse... repeat

Again its a case of a moderately weak open, with no real downside power, a latter day recovery looks due. The market is set to enter a holding pattern until the FOMC announcement of 2pm. Metals are a little weak, Gold -$4. Oil is +0.3% ahead of the latest EIA report.


sp'daily5


Summary

*awaiting EIA report (due 10.30am)
--

A very disappointing open for those in bear land. Lousy GDP data... pre-market weakness of sp-13pts.... only to open -6pts.. and already in danger of turning positive!

Whether you want to blame the central banks, stock buy backs, or just plain crazy 'momo chasers',... this is no market for the bears.

-
notable weakness.... the hysteria stock that is TWTR...


An opening reversal candle.... but TWTR has a long day ahead... with the CEO to appear on clown finance TV in the 11am hour.

Market still seems more rattled by the early release of earnings, than the usual lousy earnings/outlook.

A daily close <$40 would be a real problem, and open up a likely move to the 36/35s. before flooring.

For now... I'm not getting involved in the TWTR nonsense.... but it remains a great deal of free entertainment.
-

stay tuned!


10.24am....  EIA report due.... with sp -11pts.

It remains notable that we're still well above yesterdays' low of sp'2094.

*TWTR unable to hold the $40 psy' level... it would seem 36/35 is due in early May.

 --
USD dropping like a rock... -1.1% the DXY 94s have now been hit...

10.30am.. EIA report.... 1.9 million barrel surplus... somewhat less than expected...

Oil is on the rise, +1.1%... still set for the $60 threshold.

*I remain long USO...seeking a move into the $20s 
-

10.35am.... NEWS update.... the Ben Bernanke is now a senion advisor at PIMCO.

... the irony.
--

USD -1.2%.... its helping prop up equities/commodities...

Oil climbing... +2.1%

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. Futures are a little lower, sp -5pts, we're set to open at 2109. Metals are weak, Gold -$3, with Silver -0.4%. Oil is -0.2%, ahead of the latest EIA report.


sp'daily5


Summary

*awaiting Q1 GDP data
--

We have an interesting day ahead.... not least with the Oil report at 10.30am.. and the FOMC at 2pm.

notable weakness: TWTR -2.6% in the low $41s. A daily close <$40 would be a real problem, and open up 'some weeks' in the mid/low $30s.

Casinos, WYNN -10%... lousy earnings.... MGM and LVS are following, -4%

Lumber liquidators -16% in the $27s. Did they not fix the toxic floors yet?
-

strength: GPRO +12% in the $51s... post earnings.. although it is notable that the stock was initially -5%.
--
Have a good day!


8.31am GDP:  0.2%..... vs 1.0% expected....

Lousy number... no question about it.

USD remains weak, -0.4% in the 95s. Already close to first target zone.

Equity indexes cooling a touch on the news.. sp -7pts..  2107.

... now its a case of what the FOMC statement is.... I'm guessing the market will manage to still broadly climb.


8.42am.. USD still rapidly cooling, -0.6% in the DXY 95.40s. We're now a ful 5% lower from 7 weeks ago.

At this rate.. we'll be back to the breakout zone of 90/89 by mid June. If that is the case, I'll be going long UUP for a hyper-wave ramp to the 120s.

We've not forgotten about Greece, or the other EU PIIGS have we?


9.04am.. watching clown finance TV.... Cramer looking a bit bashed up after his beloved TWTR is smacked lower by 20%...


Re: TWTR early release of results '... this was trolling.... it was a glitch in the system... its not Twitters fault'

-- comedy gold.
-

9.11am.. Indexes are snapping lower , sp -13pts... back to 2101. If yesterdays low of 2094 is taken out... then things will get interesting.

In any case... the market is awaiting the FOMC.. although that won't see any actual changes... will it ?


9.16am.. TWTR -3.7% in the low $40s.... is it time that Cramer is put on suicide watch yet? Ironically, he was even making a TWTR joke just now.. and then kinda back tracked with a 'too early?'

The underlying issue.. as with all things... one of 'fair value'.... and before items.. TWTR actually saw a Q1 loss of 25 cents.. rather than the 7 cents headline number.


9.37am.. sp -6pts... which is a pretty lame open for the bears.

Another down day for the USD

The USD - King of paper world, continued to cool, with a net daily decline of -0.8% @ DXY 96.29. The 93/92s are within easy reach by mid May. Secondary target zone of 90/89 looks viable by mid June. Broader hyper-upside to the 120s looks due on the next wave... beginning sometime this summer.


USD, weekly


USD, daily


Summary

Suffice to say.. the fifth consecutive net daily decline, and the DXY 95s are already close. The first target zone of 93/92s looks easy to hit within the next 2-3 weeks.

A retrace... and then a hyper-ramp

USD, monthly'3, outlook


The above chart should clarify what I am seeking in the mid term. Under no outlook do I see sustained trading under the old breakout level of 90/89.

After all, do you really think the Euro/Yen are not going to devalue faster than the USD? Then there is the issue of huge capital inflows to the USA... increasing the upward pressure.
-

*I am looking to be long the USD (via long equity positions, but also UUP long dated option calls).. this summer. I will be seeking an entry in the 90/89 zone... which looks just about possible in June.. before the first realistic opportunity of renewed upside.
--


Looking ahead

Wednesday will be pretty important, with Pending home sales and the latest EIA report. However there is also the first reading for Q1 GDP. Market is expecting 1.0% growth, vs the Q4 of 2.2%.

Further.. we have the latest FOMC announcement (due 2pm). No change in policy is likely. There will NOT be a post Yellen press conf.
--

Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

US equity indexes closed moderately mixed, sp +5pts @ 2114 (intra low 2094). The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled u/c and +0.5% respectively. Near term outlook remains bullish, with new historic highs due for all indexes. The VIX continues to reflect a market that has virtually no concern of anything.


sp'daily5



R2K



Trans


Summary

*a notable break of trend on the R2K, but the daily closing candle was somewhat bullish, offering a spike floor of 1242.
--

Not much to add. Most indexes merely saw a minor down cycle, but held within their broader upward trends. Only the R2K showed any significant downside.. but managed a relatively impressive net gain of 0.5%.

Overall... the broader  trend remains unquestionably bullish.

--
a little more later..

Tuesday 28 April 2015

VIX resumes cooling mode

With equities failing to hold the minor opening gains, and breaking lower in the early morning, the VIX spiked (intra high 14.23), but settled -4.8% @ 12.49. Near term outlook is for continued broad equity upside, which should keep the VIX pinned within the 14/10 zone.


VIX'60min


VIX'daily3


Summary

*opening black-fail candle on the hourly VIX cycle... with a following spike around 11am, as the market turned lower on 'Gulf ship' news'
--

Even with the Dow -120pts or so in the morning, the VIX could only spike into the low 14s... briefly.

VIX looks set to remain subdued into mid May. The big 20 threshold looks out of range until at least mid June.
--

more later... on the indexes