Monday 21 September 2015

VIX back in cooling mode

With US equities closing moderately mixed, the VIX was naturally back in cooling mode, settling -9.6% @ 20.14. Near term outlook is for continued equity upside to the sp'2030s.. which will likely equate to VIX 16/15s, before a floor is solidified. A new explosive wave in the VIX looks due into October.


sp'60min



VIX'daily3



Summary

*VIX saw a distinct smack down in the brief 15mins of AH action... hitting a low of 20.05.
--

VIX is set to be increasingly subdued into Wed/Thursday... the 16/15s look viable if sp'2030s.

*I am seeking to pick up a VIX call block in the 17/15 zone.. this Wed/Thursday.
--

more later... on the indexes

Closing Brief

US equity indexes closed moderately mixed, sp +8pts @ 1966. The two leaders - Trans/R2K, settled +0.8% and -0.2% respectively. Near term outlook is for continued upside to the sp'2030s.. which should equate to VIX 16/15s. From there... things should get real interesting.


sp'60min



Summary

*closing hour, minor chop.
--

A day of moderate swings...  importantly holding above last Friday's low.

Market looks set to push into the 1980/90s tomorrow.. with sp'2000s by Wed' lunch time. The 50dma in the 2030s remains an obvious target.

If Oil can rally to 49/50.. and China 3300/400s...   we will see sp'2030s.

-
*I'm content on the sidelines, but have 5 short-market targets ready to initiate...

--
more later... on the VIX

3pm update - net daily gains

After a few swings, most US indexes are set to close moderately higher, with the sp' set for the 1970s... along with VIX 20s. By Wednesday, we could easily be looking at sp'2000/2020 zone with VIX 18/17s. Best case for the bull maniacs would seem to be the sp'2030s with VIX 16/15s... briefly.


sp'15min



VIX'60min



Summary

A relatively quiet day...  what should be clear...

1. China threatens upside to the 3300/400s
2. Oil is powerfully strong.. especially relative to the USD.

Market looks like it wants to make one more push upward into Wed/Thursday.. test the 50dma (sp'2036).. and then FAIL.

-
*I've eyes on AAPL, DIS, and INTC, as individual stock shorts in the next cycle. Have been watching their relative option put chains today.... but better prices to short from.. still seem due.
-

back at the close

2pm update - mainstream confusion

US equities have filled the opening gap, with the sp' quickly rebounding from 1955 to 1967... a daily close in the 1970s remains probable. VIX remains subdued in the 21s...  sub 20s look a given by midweek. Gold remains weak, -$6, whilst Oil is powerfully higher, +3.0% in the $46s.... seemingly headed for 49/50.


sp'15min



USO, daily2


Summary

Little to add.

I realise many will be confused by today, but it seems the market is just trying to wash out both sides... as we battle back toward the 50dma... currently @ 2036.
-

*I remain tempted by Oil.. but really, I'm not in the mood to complicate things.
-

back at 3pm

1pm update - weaker bulls washed out

US equities are continuing to cool from the earlier high of sp'1979.. now u/c @ 1958. VIX remains very subdued in the 22s. Despite the USD +1.0% in the DXY 95.70s, Oil is showing some distinct strength, +2.7% in the $45s.


sp'15min



USO'15min



Summary

The strength in Oil is a major problem for those equity bears who think we can fall from here. If Oil can rally into the next EIA report this Wed' morning, the broader market will likely be able to battle upward.

No doubt some are getting riled at this post 11am wave lower.. but really.. market is likely just solidifying a floor
--

*I'm getting a little frustrated on the sidelines... I suppose I could just about stomach picking up a small USO-long this afternoon. Hmm.  Oh well, I can't short it.
-

12pm update - minor down cycle

US equities have naturally seen a morning peak of sp'1979, around the typical turn of 11am. All things considered, a daily close in the 1970s remains more probable than not... along with VIX 20s. With the USD +1.1% in the DXY 95.90s, metals are under pressure, Gold -$7... but Oil is very resilient, +2.4%


sp'15min



USO, daily2



Summary

*I am short term bullish Oil.... with USO to the low $16s... but I won't get involved on the long side for the remainder of this cycle.

Issue... if Oil can rally into Wed'.. with another net draw in the EIA report.. then it'll certainly help the broader market push into the sp'2000s.
--

Little to add

Unless we take out the Friday low, I've ZERO inclination to get involved until the sp'2000s.
-

VIX update from Mr T.



--
time for tea.. on what is a rather horrible grey & rainy day in London.

11am update - building gains

US equities continue to build gains, as equity bears are once again systematically ground out of the market. VIX is reflecting a market that is trying to resume 'normal service'... but the bigger weekly/monthy cycles remain utterly broken. Nothing has changed since the August break.


sp'60min



Summary

*I've adjusted a fair few charts today.. merely to reflect a higher low.. rather than last Friday's marginal break.

The point is... we do look headed higher into Wed/Thursday.... and it is from the 50dma (2030s).. that a sustained move to the downside will be more viable.
--

notable strength.. AAPL, +1.2%


I'd like to short AAPL from the 116/118 zone.... when sp'2030s. For now.. its one to merely watch.
-

time for an early lunch... back soon

10am update - opening gains

US equities open moderately higher, and look set to build gains into the afternoon. A daily close in the sp'1970s would keep the door open to a test of the 50dma in the 2030s later this week. VIX is naturally cooling, -3% in the 21s. Another loss of the 20 threshold looks due.


sp'60min


VIX'60min


Summary

*I've redrawn the hourly chart slightly. So long as we don't break the Friday low, I think its important to keep in mind we could merely have put in yet another higher low.
--

All things considered, those holding long across the weekend must be letting a huge sigh of relief at this mornings open.

--
I remain on the sidelines... am trying to be patient (to build short positions), as I do think there is a serious threat of 2030/50 zone.. before a decisive break lower.

The fact that China looks like it'll push upward to the 3300/400s would certainly help give the US/EU markets upward pressure into Wed/Thursday.
-

notable weakness, GDX -2.0%... as Gold -$6.... very weak relative to Oil/broader market.

stay tuned!

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. US equity futures have swung higher from earlier declines, sp +10pts, we're set to open at 1968. USD is on the rise, +0.5% in the DXY 95.30s. Metals are weak, Gold -$3. Oil is on the rebound, +1.0% in the $45s.


sp'60min


sp'daily5


Summary

So, overnight initial equity weakness... but we're now set to open moderately higher... a daily close, esp' in the sp'1970s will keep open the door to a test of the 50dma in the 2030s this Wed/Thursday.

*I am on the sidelines, am on a 'no-longs' policy from here onward... will be looking to build some short positions... but really, I'd like to wait until the the sp'2010/30 zone.

--
Doomer chat, Hunter with Holter



As ever, make of that... what you will.
--

Overnight Asia Action...

*Japan is CLOSED until Thursday.

China.. battled hard to overcome initial minor weakness, with the Shanghai comp' settling +1.9% @ 3156. The 3300/400s look due before the bear flag breaks... with viable downside to 2500/2000 in October.
-

Good wishes for Monday... and the week ahead :)
--

7.30am  sp +14pts.. 1972. The faster the market can push up... far better chance of re-taking the 2000s this week.

Seriously, even though I won't be taking any new longs in the current cycle, I really am cheering this nonsense higher.... I want a better level to short from !

notable strength:  AAPL +0.5% @ 114. I'd like to short from 116/118. There is huge resistance at the old broken floor of 119/120.

INTC +0.8% @ $29.25... I'd like a short in the 29.75/30.25 zone. The bigger target remains $22s... but that would need sp'1800... if not 1700s.
--