VIX sharply lower on the week

With equities rebounding from a Monday low of sp'1980 to a Fri' high of 2072, the VIX saw broad weakness across the week, settling +2.6% @ 17.29 (intra low 16.06). Across the week, the VIX declined by a very significant -17.5%.


VIX'daily3

VIX'weekly

Summary

The last nine trading weeks have been the most volatile in the VIX since autumn 2011.

Even though the VIX closed below the key 20 threshold, there is arguably an underlying upward pressure... more recently 'inspired' by renewed concerns about Greece.


Can VIX spike into the 30s.. or even 40s?

It remains the big unknown in the near term... not least ahead of the ECB QE-pomo program for the EU.

If the equity bulls can break the Dec' high of Dow 18103.. along with sp'2093... then VIX will melt to the low teens.. or even a little lower.  Seasonally, the next best opportunity for the equity bears will be from late April-June. Until then.. things will likely remain somewhat 'relatively' subdued'.

*as things are, I have ZERO interest in being long the VIX in the immediate term.

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more later... on the indexes

Closing Brief

US equities saw some moderate weakness into the close on yet another 'spooky' Greek news report, sp -7pts @ 2055 (intra high 2072). The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled lower by -0.4% and 0.3% respectively. Near term outlook is broadly bullish.


sp'60min

Summary

*a somewhat weak closing hour, but overall, the net weekly gains are VERY powerful, and do not favour the bears next week.
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Regardless of the weak close, the bull maniacs did manage a clear break of key resistance of sp'2064... along with another daily close above the 50dma.

Been an interesting..  somewhat profitable, and certainly.. entertaining week...........

Have a good weekend!
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*the usual bits and pieces across the evening.. to wrap up the week!

3pm update - a powerful week for the bull maniacs

US equities look set for minor chop into the weekend. What is far more important though, the sp'500 is set for a net weekly gain of around 3%. Metals remain weak, Gold -$33, whilst Oil is holding gains of 1.8%.


sp'60min

Summary

So... a little chop this afternoon... but more than anything... a HUGE net weekly gain... and the Monday morning low of sp'1980 is now a full 4% lower.
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Notable weakness, miners, the ETF of GDX -5.2% 

GDX, daily

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back at the close... to wrap up the week... unless the ECB open their mouth before then!

2pm update - minor weakness

US equities have seen a minor down wave from sp'2072 to 2062. Hourly cycles are set for a bearish cross into the weekend, but it will do essentially nothing to what has been a hugely bullish week. Metals remain very weak, Gold -$32, with Silver -3.9%.


sp'60min

Summary

Yes.. some will be calling for a cycle peak.. and downside from here.. but the weekly candles argue strongly against it.

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Notable strength: TWTR +16% in the $48s

12pm update - holding above old resistance

US equities are holding moderate gains, but far more importantly... are above key resistance of sp'2064. A weekly close in 2065/75 zone would be very bullish for next week. Metals remain within what is a likely new multi-month down wave, Gold -$35. VIX is melting lower, -2% in the 16.50s.


sp'daily5

GLD, weekly'3, outlook

Summary

*the metals sure look weak, new multi-year lows look due this spring, and there remains a viable target zone of Gold $900/875 by late summer.. before a key floor is in. No doubt though.. .the Gold bugs will be calling a floor this afternoon, much like the previous 1000 days.
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As for equities... we look set to close above resistance... offering the sp'2100s in the current wave.

Notable strength: BAC, +4.9%
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VIX update from Mr T.


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time for tea.... back at 2pm

11am update - no failure

US equities have stabilised from a marginally shaky open.. and have built moderate gains into the sp'2070s..  around 1% from breaking a new historic high. Metals continue to unravel... Gold -$32.. making for a net weekly decline of -4% or so. Oil is holding gains of 1.3%.


sp'60min

Summary

The hourly cycle is somewhat interesting, with the break above resistance of sp'2064... but really....

...reflect on the following for a few minutes...

Dow, weekly

Effectively.. a 900pt swing from the Monday morning low.. a HYPER bullish weekly candle... of the 'bullish engulfing' type. The strongest up swing in a very long while.
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*having dropped TWTR (long) at the open, I am content to be out for the weekend. It is time for Gold Rush yet?

10am update - break of resistance... and fail?

US equities break key resistance of sp'2064... but have already turned fractionally red. Bull maniacs could do with a daily net gain... otherwise there is a real threat of a notable failure. Metals are sharply lower, Gold -$24. Oil is holding gains of 1.4%... but as ever... is highly vulnerable to turning lower.


sp'60min

Summary

*I exited TWTR at the open.. @ $46.20 (long calls from $41.50 yesterday)... it makes up for last Friday's rather annoying 'sell into the weekend' trade. Its been a long.... long time since I meddled in any of the momo stocks.
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So... opening gains... but its looking a little shaky... eyes to the VIX....

Equity bears really could do with the ECB opening its mouth today... but that is of course an impossible thing to predict.

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Notable gains in TWTR

So.. an earnings jump into the first target zone of 45/47, having been churning out a base for around 2 months.
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10.15am.. Indexes battling hard to hold gains.... next level.. upper daily bol...@ sp'2075. 

Metals continue to sink, Gold -$29... having broken below key support of GLD 120

Pre-market Brief

Good morning. Equity futures are broadly flat - ahead of the jobs data, we're set to open at 2062. Metals are weak, Gold -$7. Oil is higher by 1.3%.


sp'daily5

Summary

*awaiting jobs data...
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Unless we close back under the 50dma today, equity bears have nothing to tout.. its been a failed week.... having ramped from a Monday morning low of sp'1980.

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Notable early gains, TWTR +10% in the $45s, after far better than expected earnings data.

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Update from Carboni


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Have a good Friday!

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8.31am Net job gains: 257k  , headline rate of 5.7%

Arguably a goldilocks number, market will be pleased about it...

sp +5pts, 2067... BREAKING key resistance of 2064.

Gold snaps sharply lower, -$16... as market confidence increases and need for 'relics' is reduced.


8.45am..sp' holding gains of 6pts...  2068...

Gold -$18
Oil battling higher, +1.8%

TWTR building early gains +11% in the $46s


9.31am.. EXITED TWTR (long).. at $46.20.... intentionally stopped out.

*was an earnings trade.... and I'm done for the week.

USD cooling... for a little

After seven months of consecutive net monthly gains, the USD appears to be settling into a cooling phase... which could easily last some weeks. A weaker USD will especially help take the downward pressure off Oil, but regardless of any minor retrace, the USD remains the best of the 'dirty paper'.


USD, monthly

Summary

A January high of 95.85.. and now we're in the 93s. Certainly, there is a viable (and very natural) retrace to the breakout level of the 87s.. where the monthly 10MA will be in March/April.

Unquestionably though.. the USD is in the early phase of a multi-year up wave. I'm looking for at least the DXY 120 level. Others - not least Armstrong, appear to be seeking 160 as a baseline target.... which is a pretty bizarre thought!


As for US equities...

sp'weekly7

We have a VERY bullish weekly candle now.. a classic 'bullish engulfing' type... having broken below last weeks low.. but now above last weeks high. A green candle bodes for a break >sp'2064 tomorrow... and eventually into the 2100s.


Looking ahead

Friday will largely be about the monthly jobs data. Market is expecting 230k net gains, with a static headline jobless rate of 5.6%. Those targets do not look overly optimistic, and I expect them to be met.

There is also consumer credit data at 3pm
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Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

US equities higher for the third day of four this week, sp +20pts @ 2062. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled higher by 0.9% and 1.4% respectively. Near term outlook is bullish into the monthly jobs data, with a viable weekly close in the sp'2070s... with VIX 15/14s.


sp'daily5

R2K

Trans

Summary

US equities sure have seen some rather volatile chop since early December... but if the bulls can break above sp'2064 tomorrow... it bodes for renewed upside.

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a little more later...