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us10y and the secondary wave of inflation.before you read any further, read my post from april: --- it has been awhile since i've given a public update on the us10y and my general theory about where i believe these rates are headed. back in april of 2023, i gave an upside target of 5.9% for the us10y. as of today, i'm raising the range for that upside target into the window between 6-9%, going into the end of 2024. i'm aware that jpow has mentioned in the last few fed meetings that he has no intention of raising the rates any further, but i'm seeing a significant development on many of the charts this week which tells me otherwise. so i'm calling him out on his bluff. --- us10y w5 algo = 6-9%
TVC:US10Y
by notoriousbids
Controlled Sideways Trends Ahead of EarningsThe Giant Banks and Credit Card companies benefit the most from the Federal Reserve Board's overnight interest rate hikes. As the FRB increases its lending rate, it allows big banks and credit companies to increase their interest rates to consumers, small businesses, etc. That usually means higher revenues. NYSE:V is in a sideways trend that is not as consistent as would be ideal ahead of its earnings report in about 3 weeks. However, HFTs are aware of the tendency for credit card companies to prosper during high interest-rate markets. Study the candlestick patterns: Note the quick reversal back down after a higher price level was reached. Note the rebound the same day when price dropped out of the lows of this sideways trend. There is control in this pattern which is typical of Professional trading activity.
NYSE:V
by MarthaStokesCMT-TechniTrader
Fed Policy Trajectory and Interest Rate OutlookCBOT: Micro 2-Year Yield ( CBOT_MINI:2YY1! ), Micro 10-Year Yield ( CBOT_MINI:10Y1! ) and Micro 30-Year Yield ( CBOT_MINI:30Y1! ) The latest US jobs report showed that employers added 216,000 jobs for December while the unemployment rate held at 3.7%, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That compared with respective market estimates of 170,000 and 3.8%. On Thursday, the BLS will release December’s CPI data. The prevailing market expectation is 0.3% monthly increase for headline CPI, up from 0.1% in November. The Federal Reserve sets monetary policy to support price stability and full employment. New data shows that the US economy is very resilient, and maybe slightly overheated with the upbeat job market. After hiking interest rates 11 times and pausing for 2 times, the Fed now has a dilemma. “To cut, or Not to cut”, this is a trillion-dollar question. In this 3rd installment of new year outlook for major asset classes, I will discuss what opportunities may lie ahead for bonds and interest rate derivatives. FYI: The first writing was a year-end review for metal commodities – Gold, Copper, and Aluminum. If you haven’t read it yet, you may follow the link here: The second writing was New Year outlook for US equities – the benchmark market indexes Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. 2023: what’s the dominating market narrative? Last year, the Fed raised interest rates four times for a total of 100 bps. This was a slower pace comparing to the year before, where we saw seven rates hikes and 400 bps in total. To the surprise of most analysts, businesses continue to expand and hire new workers under tightened credit. Inflation could creep up with higher wages and a strong job market. US stock market rose for most of the year, shaking off bad news along the way. Despite interest rates are 5% higher than two yeas ago, major market indexes reached all-time-high records last December. The S&P 500 gained 23.9% for the year, and the Nasdaq Composite more than doubled that at 53.9%. 2024 Outlook for US Interest Rates Most investors agree that the Fed will cut rates in 2024. But the expectations for the timing and scope vary significantly. According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the first rate-cut could occur at the March 20th Fed meeting, with a 69.2% probability. For June 12th, the odds of two or more rate cuts increase to 85.9%. By December 18th, investors expect the Fed Funds rate to fall between 1% to 2% lower than the current 5.25-5.50% range, with a 97.9% odds (Data as of January 7th). (Link: www.cmegroup.com) Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions. Current bond prices reflect the market expectations of 5-8 rate cuts in 2024. Lower yields, higher prices. The January 2nd CFTC Commitments of Traders report (COT) shows that “Leveraged Funds” hold the following open positions on CBOT interest rate futures: • Fed Funds: 224,772 longs and 489,204 shorts • 2Y Treasury: 775,882 longs and 2,266,563 shorts • 5Y Treasury: 844,600 longs and 2,821,682 shorts • 10Y Treasury: 285,598 longs and 775,882 shorts • 30Y Treasury: 79,124 longs and 497,636 shorts The overwhelmingly Net short positions indicate that the “Smart Money” considers the rate cuts being oversold. Why do they want to short Treasury futures? If the Fed keeps the interest rates higher for longer, or implements fewer rate cuts, Treasury yields would be higher than the current price indicated. Higher yields, lower prices. Shorting Treasury futures expresses the viewpoint that Treasury bond prices would fall. In my opinion, the bond market tends to tell a better story, compared to the stock market. The institutional nature of most participants allows the bond market to be less prone to irrational hypes and price bubbles. Trading with CBOT Micro Yield Futures Micro Treasury Yield Futures are low-cost instruments to participate in the bond market. Micro yields are quoted by treasury yield directly. Higher yields, higher futures prices. This would ease the burden from working the complicated price and yield conversion. Last Friday, the February contract of Micro 2Y Yield futures (2YYG4) were settled at 4.186%. Each contract has a notional value of 1,000 index points, or $4,186 at current price. To acquire 1 contract, a trader is required to deposit an initial margin of $340. The February Micro 10Y Yield (10YG4) was settled at 4.008%. Notional value is 1,000 index points or $4,008. Initial margin is $320. The February Micro 30Y Yield (30YG4) was settled at 4.221%. N notional value is 1,000 index points or $4,221. Initial margin is $290. My reasoning: We just had a hotter than expected jobs report for December. If CPI data shows inflation rebound this week, the whole Fed cut narrative could be derailed. The January 30th Fed meeting could have a surprised rate decision, or a more hawkish Fed statement. To replicate the short bond futures strategy used by Leveraged Funds, investors could long the micro yield futures to express the same view of higher yields. Initial margins for 10Y Micro Yield are $320, compared to $2,125 for 10Y treasury notes futures (ZN). Hypothetically, if the yield goes up by 25 bps, a long Micro Yield futures position would gain $250 (= 0.25 x 1000). This would be the same for 2Y, 5Y, 10Y and 30Y micro yield futures, as they all have a 1,000-point multiplier. On the other hand, if investors continue to ignore the Fed, as they have often been in the past two years, short futures will lose money. Happy Trading. Disclaimers *Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
CBOT_MINI:10Y1!Long
by JimHuangChicago
$US100 Another Bulls rally ends the sell off? This Friday we met the 0.5 Fib retracement level from the last breakout. Wall street snapped on its 9 week winning streak. Mixed with both fear and hope to number of expected rate cuts in the current year of 2024, recent commodities price had shown re-incarnation followed by increasing tension in regions including Mid-east, Korea, and Ukraina. Major AI stocks that carried the market throughout 2023 had cooled off a bit during the first week of Jan. But, is this really the end? All eyes are on the US inflation data for further cues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outloook. Forecasts suggest consumer prices likely edged up by 0.2%. We could assume the service sector laid off number of their employees to maintain their high-productivity rate continue from last year. With this expectation, 6 rate cuts may seem naive option to blindly follow. Although, I expect market to move up for the first three days just because of the false hope of dovish fed speech planned for this Thursday.
CAPITALCOM:US100Long
by Kim_CLSPX
Interest Rates and Inflation: Shaping GBPUSD's TrajectoryGreetings Traders, As we delve into the intricacies of GBPUSD for potential trading opportunities, the convergence of fundamental factors takes center stage. This analysis encapsulates the interplay between interest rates, Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, and central bank decisions for both the Bank of England (BoE) and the Federal Reserve. Examining the BoE's CPI data provides insights into the inflationary pressures faced by the UK. The most recent CPI figures on December 20, 2023, indicate a year-over-year inflation rate of 3.9%, slightly below the forecasted 4.3% and notably lower than the previous 4.6%. The gradual decrease in inflation suggests a potential easing of price pressures. However, it's crucial to note that even with this decline, inflation remains elevated. In tandem with the CPI, the BoE's interest rate decisions are instrumental in understanding the monetary policy landscape. As of December 14, 2023, the BoE has maintained a benchmark interest rate of 5.25%. This consistent stance signals the central bank's commitment to addressing inflation while providing stability to the economy. The interest rate differential between the BoE and the Federal Reserve plays a pivotal role in shaping GBPUSD dynamics. Contrasting this with the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions, the FOMC has maintained a steady interest rate of 2.00% as of December 13, 2023. The relatively lower interest rate in the United States compared to the UK creates an environment where traders need to carefully navigate the potential impact on GBPUSD. Analyzing the broader context, the comparative interest rates and inflation trends suggest a nuanced landscape for GBPUSD. While the BoE grapples with elevated inflation, its commitment to a higher interest rate provides a counterbalance. On the other hand, the Federal Reserve's dovish stance, despite rising inflation, signals a cautious approach. This divergence in monetary policy contributes to the potential for GBPUSD upsides. In conclusion, traders eyeing GBPUSD for a buying opportunity around the 1.25900 zone should consider the complex interplay of interest rates, inflation, and central bank decisions. The nuanced analysis presented here aims to equip traders with a comprehensive understanding of the macroeconomic factors shaping GBPUSD's prospects, pointing towards potential upsides in the current market environment. Wishing you successful trades, Joe.
Long
by JoeChampion
3
US Equities 2024 OutlookCME: E-Mini S&P ( CME_MINI:ES1! ), E-Mini Nasdaq ( CME_MINI:NQ1! ) Stock investors around the world had a banner year in 2023. Of the ten major stock market indexes I monitor, eight delivered solid 1-year returns. • North America: S&P 500, +23.9%; Nasdaq Composite, +53.6%; • South America: Bovespa (Brazil), +22.3%; • Europe: FTSE (UK), +3.0%; Stoxx (Germany), +11.3%; • Asia: Nikkei (Japan), +28.2%; Kospi (Korea), +18.7%; Nifty (India), +19.5%; • China: SSE (Shanghai), -3.2%; Hang Seng (HK), -13.7%. In this second installment of new year outlook for major asset classes, I will discuss what opportunities may lay ahead for US stocks. Subsequent writings will cover Energy, Agricultural commodities, Interest Rates, Forex, and Cryptocurrencies. FYI: The last writing was a year-end review for metal commodities – Gold, Copper, and Aluminum. If you haven’t read it yet, you may follow the link here: Record Gains Built from Lower Baselines While all four major US stock indexes booked double-digit returns in 2023, they each experienced a steep loss in 2022. The combined 2022-2023 returns aren’t so impressive. • Dow Jones: +5.3% • S&P 500: +3.3% • Nasdaq 100: +9.3% • Russell 2000: -5.9% You may think that adding the 2022 return of -18.1 and 2023 return of 23.9% will give the S&P a 2-year return of +5.8%. But the actual return is only +3.3%. Why? Simple Math: If you lose 20% first, you will need to gain 25% to make up for the loss and just get back to square one. Mathematically, 1/0.8 = 1.25, or (1-20%) * (1+25%) = 1. This matters a lot to hedge funds. An active manager may have a 2-20 arrangement with his investors, which is 2% fee on asset-under-management, and 20% on carry interest. If a fund closely tracks the Nasdaq, the manager received no carry for 2022, and the carry for 2023 is based on the 2-year return of +9.3%, not the 2023 return of 53.6%. The fund usually would have a “high water mark” clause that requires the manager to make up for prior loss before getting paid. Therefore, Wall Street bonuses may not be that big this year. 2024 Outlook for US Equities The December 26th CFTC Commitments of Traders report (COT) shows that: • E-Mini Dow: “Asset Manager” has 26,070 long positions and 3,098 short positions. • E-Mini S&P 500: Asset Manager has 1,147,149 longs and 275,037shorts. • E-Mini Nasdaq 100: Asset Manager has 111,046 longs and 20,662 shorts. • E-Mini Russell 2000: Asset Manager 229,229 longs and 142,312 shorts. The overwhelmingly Net Long positions on all major US index futures indicate that futures traders are very bullish on US equities. Investors eye in a soft landing for the US economy and expect aggressive rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the first rate-cut could occur at the March 20th Fed meeting, with a 73.5% probability. For June 12th, the odds of two or more rate cuts increase to 82.2%. By December 18th, investors expect the Fed Funds rate will be 1% to 2% lower than the current 5.25-5.50% range, with 98.5% odds (Data as of January 1st). (Link: www.cmegroup.com) US equity indexes could stay high as long as the Fed remains dovish. The past few months proved that investors are very resilient. The bullish market sentiment is very hard to break, unless really bad things happen. If an investor owns US stocks, there is no good reason to sell them now. We have seen that geopolitical risks had done little damage to US equities. Fed policy still drives the market. Staying with the ride and hedging the stock portfolio with put options may be a good strategy. Trading with CME E-Mini Equity Index Put Options As US equity indexes take turn making all-time high, it’s costly to buy the underlying stocks. Options are an inexpensive alternative to get exposure in stocks. Depending your stock portfolio and views, you could either long or short the options on E-Mini S&P 500 futures • Last Friday, the March E-Mini S&P 500 futures (ESH4) was settled at 4,812.75. Buying 1 long or short position requires initial margins of $11,800; • January end-of-the-month (EOM) Call options with a 4910-strike costed 23.50 points. Premium for 1 call is $1,175 (= 23.5 x $50 multiplier); • January EOM Put options with a 4710-strike priced at 27 points. Premium for 1 put is $1,350 (= 27 x 50). We could construct a similar strategy with E-Mini Nasdaq 100. • Last Friday, the March E-Mini Nasdaq futures (NQH4) was settled at 17,003.75. Buying 1 long or short position requires initial margins of $17,700; • January end-of-the-month (EOM) Call options with a 17,200-strike costed 208.50 points. Premium for 1 call is $4,170 (= 208.50 x $20 multiplier); • January EOM Put options with a 16500-strike priced at 127.70 points. Premium for 1 put is $2,551.40 (= 127.75 x 20). In a rising market, out-of-the-money put options could be a strategy for small odds with big payoff. In January, we will have new data releases for December inflation (CPI and PCE) and nonfarm payroll employment, as well as a Fed meeting on January 31st. My reasoning: If we see inflation rebound, stronger employment, or a hawkish Fed, the stock market could turn south, resulting in a gain for the put. Hypothetically, if the March S&P futures price drops 150 points by January month-end options expiration, the put would be 47.25 points in-the-money (= 4710 – 4,662.75) and earn $2,362.5 (= 47.25 x $50). Using the initial margin as cost base calculations, the theoretical return would be 75% (= 2362.5 / 1350 - 1). If the March Nasdaq drops 800 points (17,003.75-800=16,203.75) at January options expiration, the put would be 296.25 points in-the-money (= 16,500 – 16,203.75) and earn $5,925 (= 296.25 x $20). The theoretical return would be 132% (= 5925 / 2551.4 - 1). On the other hand, if stocks continue to rise, put options will lose money, but never go beyond the premium already paid. Options Calculator is a free tool CME Group provided for options traders. It generates fair value prices and Greeks for any of CME Group’s options on futures contracts or price up a generic option with this universal calculator. Traders could customize their input parameters by strike, option type, underlying futures price, volatility, days to expiration (DTE), rate, and choose from 8 different pricing models including Black Scholes. www.cmegroup.com Happy Trading. Disclaimers *Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. CME Group Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
SP:SPXShort
by JimHuangChicago
Dollar Index PivotBetting against the dollar is growing in popularity after the Federal Reserve upended markets by signaling the end of its monetary tightening campaign. Non-commercial traders — a group that includes hedge funds, asset managers and other speculative market players — boosted their bearish bets on the greenback in the week ended Tuesday. More than 39,000 contracts are now tied to expectations the US currency will fall, up more than 10,000 from a week ago when the Fed was preparing to meet, the data show. The currency has suffered a pronounced slump in the wake of that confab, when the Fed released updated economic projections forecasting additional monetary easing next year. Indeed, while there are now more contracts betting on dollar weakness, the dollar value of those contracts has actually slipped to $5.5 billion, slightly lower than last week. The dollar extended its drop on Friday after the Fed’s preferred gauge of underlying inflation showed muted price gains, affirming the central bank’s pivot toward interest-rate cuts next year. What is your opinion on Dollar in 2024? Trade with care Like | Share | Comment
TVC:DXY
by TheAnonymousBanker
8
Unraveling the NYSE Enigma: The Matrix of US EconomyNavigating the Matrix: The US Economy's Fractal Future Unveiled In the intricate dance between mathematical laws, global events, and the echoes of a 15-year financial cycle , the US economy stands at a crossroads. As financial analysts, we often find ourselves immersed in technical tools, resistance zones, and support levels, but perhaps it's time to step back and perceive the larger canvas. Michael Burry's ominous warning about a potential stock market crash has shuffled the cards, prompting us to question not just if, but when. The unfolding narrative forces us to reconsider the true value of a safe-haven asset—Digital Gold, aka Bitcoin. Recent news, including the surge in Bitcoin's value and its best day since August 2023 , as reported by Reuters, signals a seismic shift in the global financial landscape, with giants like BlackRock entering the scene. The emergence of a new world order, led by BRICS , alongside the strengthening of the Euro and the weakening of the USD, mirrors a plot that seems torn from Orwell's playbook. The question has transcended the realm of ETFs; it now echoes in the chambers of the world's financial future. As we step into this unknown terrain, a confluence of factors shapes the economic narrative. Inflation, like a rising tide, threatens to engulf us. Interest rates, akin to a tempest, soar to new heights. The capital congestion in consumer hands, unaccounted for and potent, adds complexity. Blue-chip stocks skillfully sidestep taxes, while government structures weaken. Amidst this symphony of financial discord, the political instability of influential nations like Russia and Israel looms large, their ripples creating a butterfly effect on the American economy. The matrix of economic forces is shifting, and the rules of engagement are evolving. In this amalgamation of financial philosophy and stark reality, we must decipher the patterns, anticipate the shocks, and navigate the unknown. The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear—the US economy is on the brink of a profound transformation, and it's time to read between the fractals.
Long
by wikitrades
Get ready for the FOMC and Jerome PowellWith the SPX trading just about 3.8% from its all-time highs, all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve, which is scheduled to announce a monetary decision later today, followed by a press conference. We do not anticipate any change to the FED Funds Rate as we expect the central bank to take additional time in order to assess the lagging effects of previous rate hikes. During the press conference, we expect Jerome Powell to outline a surprisingly strong labor market and resilient parts of the economy in spite of rising living costs and debt servicing. In some remarks, the chairman will likely admit that a great deal of a job has already been done, but there is still more to do, with inflation being far from the 2% target. Overall, the conference’s tone will likely be carried in the well-known fashion of “higher for longer” and lack of clarity on steps toward easing. We will provide a review of what was said after the conference. Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section. DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
SP:SPX
by Tradersweekly
1
Post FOMC AnalysisDid the federal reserve just set the tone for 2024? - done with the rate hike regime - wait for a bit more evidence on inflation - switch rate cut policy With a decision in March/May still looking the most likely for now, are we going to see more downside on the DXY In the technical aspect - Price reversed from resistance of 104.30 - Currently resting along support of 102.50 which coincides with the 61.8% fibonacci retracement level - Next major support level at 99.75, with interim support at 101
TVC:DXY
by JinDao_Tai
Bitcoin Above $42K Again as Fed Holds Interest Rates SteadyBitcoin gained some upward momentum, picking up 0.8% in the past hour, following an announcement from Federal Reserve officials that the central bank would leave interest rates unchanged. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading for$43,119.95, according to CoinGecko. Ethereum also responded positively to the news, having picked up 1% in the past hour. It's currently changing trading for $2,234. "The seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run," the FOMC said in a statement. "In support of these goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5.25% to 5.5%." Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said during a press conference that the U.S. economic recovery "has progressed more quickly than generally expected, and forecasts from FOMC participants for economic growth this year have been revised up since our September Summary of Economic Projections." "Even so," Powell added, "overall economic activity remains well below its level before the pandemic, and the path ahead remains highly uncertain." Investors were expecting to hear that rates would be maintained. Ahead of the announcement, the CME FedWatch tool showed investors believe there's a 98% chance that the Federal Reserve would leave interest rates unchanged. The tool works by tracking the prices of Fed funds futures contracts, which investors use to speculate on or hedge against changes in rates. Crypto investors tend to take the FOMC lowering rates or leaving them unchanged to be a bullish sign for markets. That's because the Bitcoin (BTC) price has historically correlated with risk equities and central bank policy. The more favorable credit conditions are in the economy, the more likely BTC is to pump. When interest rates are low, investors are more likely to take their dollars and put them into risk assets, such as stocks and crypto. When rates are high, investors flee back to dollars. Notable Events: Bitcoin rose aggressively to new highs from March 2020 to early 2021 after the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate to just 0.25%. And in July, traders breathed a sigh of relief while—despite news that the Fed planned to raise rates—Bitcoin and Ethereum didn't immediate take a dive. The Fed started aggressively raising rates in 2022 to try and control 40-year high inflation. It hiked them by 75 basis points four times—which negatively impacted the value of stocks, equities and crypto.
BINANCE:BTCUSDLong
by DEXWireNews
1
THE KOG REPORT - NFPKOG REPORT – NFP: This is our view for NFP tomorrow, please do your own research and analysis to make an informed decision on the markets. It is not recommended you try to trade the event if you have less than 6 months trading experience and have a trusted risk strategy in place. The markets are extremely volatile, and these events can cause aggressive swings in price. Quick NFP Report today with the levels to look for a reaction in price. Would say we're only looking for one move, that's down into the support regions before capturing a potential tap and bounce back up. If price does go up, we'll be sitting and waiting for the order region to break and then assess the price action over the weekend before then making a plan which we will share on the KOG Report. Key levels: Support – 2000-05 and below that 1975-80. Resistance – 2035 and above that 2055, break above we’ll be on for targeting that wick. Please do support us by hitting the like button, leaving a comment, and giving us a follow. We’ve been doing this for a long time now providing traders with in-depth free analysis on Gold, so your likes and comments are very much appreciated. As always, trade safe. KOG
FX:XAUUSD
by KnightsofGold
6
IWN Russel Index ETF ShortIWN on the reliable daily chart has been trending down for two in a descending channel as shown on the chart with upper and lower trendlines drawn with the tool. The Stochastic RSI oscillates in the interval between oversold and over bought and presently is well overbought at nearly 100. While the RSI may double top like it did in July, it is at least right now at the first top. The zero lag MACD is confirmatory with a K/D line cross well above the histogram. I will play this by buying a put option at a strike of $ 150 for October 24 If Biden tries to prompt up the market to gain a re- election and is successful, this will get stopped out. If interest rates are not pulled back by the fed soon, small caps will continue to get crushed. On the other hand when rates are pulled back, they will be nimble and recover quicker than the large caps and it will get stopped out. I think the fed will pullback rates to help Biden out, although the fed is not partisan ? Oil prices in their downward trend lend support to a slow fall off in the inflation rate. What goes for IWN also goes for DIA.
AMEX:IWNShort
by AwesomeAvani
GC: Gold Reaches Record High on Hope of Fed Rate CutsCOMEX: Gold Options ( COMEX:GC1! ) Gold prices rallied to an all-time high on Friday. Spot gold climbed 1.6% to $2,069 per ounce, up 3.4% for the week. Gold price rose to $2,075 mid-session to beat the previous record of $2,072 reached in 2020. U.S. gold futures also broke new ground. The February 2024 contract of COMEX gold futures settled at a record high of $2,089.7, up 1.6% for the week. On Friday, gold futures trade volume was 259,889 lots, with open interest standing at 498,685 contracts. Options on the COMEX gold futures also attracted investor attention. On Friday, total options volume was 92,906, up 112% from the prior day. Open interest was 806,297 lots. For the lead February 2024 contracts, investors bought 19,565 call options and 6,894 put options. A call-to-put ratio of 2.83:1 indicates that investors are very bullish on gold. Gold prices have been pumped up on investor hype that the Federal Reserve may have completed its monetary tightening policy and could start cutting rates as early as March. How high could gold price go? Since last year, I have written extensively about gold on TradingView. Let’s revisit the fundamental drivers of the global gold market. Gold as an Inflation Hedge Gold has historically been an excellent hedge against inflation because its price tends to rise when the cost-of-living increases. The US CPI Index has a base value of 100 set at 1982-1984. Its latest reading in October is 307.7. Over the last 40 years, the cost of US goods and services has tripled on average. The year-end gold price between 1982 and 1984 averaged $378. As of Friday, the bullion gained 447% for the same period. Over the long run, investing in gold does beat inflation. Gold as a Precious Metal As a commodity, gold is negatively correlated to the US dollar. Since gold is priced in dollar, a strong dollar raises the cost for foreign investors who must pay more with weakened foreign currency. This reduces the demand for gold. “Strong Dollar, Weak Commodities” is the general theme in global commodities market, gold included. A closely related theme is “Higher Rates, Lower Prices”. Higher interest rates and Treasury bond yields raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold. Unlike other commodities, gold is not consumed or used up every year. Therefore, gold mining output is not a major factor in the pricing of gold. Gold as a Safe Haven Investment Gold retains its value in times of both financial chaos and geopolitical crises. People flee to its relative safety when world tensions rise. During such times, gold often outperforms other investments. In the past two decades, gold price peaked during the 2008 financial crisis, the 2010 European debt crisis, the 2018-19 US-China trade conflict, the outbreak of COVID pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the March 2023 U.S. bank run. Gold as an Investment Class As an investment class, gold competes for investor money along with stocks, bonds, cryptos and money-market funds. Even at record high, gold gained only 13.2% year-to-date, underperforming S&P 500 (+19.6%), Nasdaq 100 (+46.4%) and Bitcoin (+136.0%). A False Narrative on Monetary Easing The recent rise in the stocks and gold is largely shaped by the changes in market sentiment. Investors believe that the Fed is shifting gears from restricted to easing policy. Looking back in the past two years, market sentiment might not be the most reliable gauge of the Fed’s next step of action. The market has called for the Fed Pivot prematurely and incorrectly multiple times. We will need to wait and see what’s happening next. In his speech at Spelman College in Atlanta on Friday, the Fed Chair said that “the risks of under- and over-tightening are becoming more balanced,” but the Fed is not thinking about lowering rates right now. Investors focus on the current rate well into restrictive territory, but pointedly ignore the warning that it was premature to speculate on easing rates. The confirmation bias is at work here. They hear what they want to hear and create a new narrative that rate cuts will come sooner. Pricing in 5-6 rate cuts in a year is very aggressive. The Fed Chair has been accused of being too late to act, seeing inflation transitory earlier on. When it comes to cutting rates, the Fed would be very cautious, and at a very slow and measured pace. Trading Opportunities with Gold Options Market fundamentals haven’t changed. Market sentiment, however, has shifted. The aggressive rate-cut assumption has the effect of lowering the expected interest rates. This helps raise the present value of future cash flows. Hence, stock value goes up. Lower bond yield reduces the disadvantage of holding the non-yielding gold, and the US dollar weakening makes gold more attractive to foreign buyers. This bull market is vulnerable. If investors adjust their rate-cut assumptions from 5-6 to 2-3 times, the market could turn nosediving. However, investors set their sight on rate cuts and will not abandon it until the fact rejects the false narrative. Gold has a so-called “Santa Claus rally” and could continue for a while. The Fed Chair’s statement could become more convincing if: • Nonfarm payroll stays strong (December 8th) • CPI stops falling (December 12th) • The Fed keeps rate unchanged and emphasizes on fighting inflation (December 13th) Options on COMEX Gold Futures (GC) could be a cost-efficient and risk-mitigated way to express one’s opinion on how quickly the Fed would cut rates. Each options contract is based on 1 futures contract and has a notional value of 100 troy ounces of gold. At $2,089.7, each contract is worth $208,970. For illustration purpose: For the February 2024 contract, an out-of-the-money (OTM) call at 2190 ($100 above futures price) is quoted at 18.80. To acquire 1 call options requires an upfront premium of $1,880 (= 18.80 x 100 ounces). An OTM put at 1990 ($100 below futures price) is quoted at 9.00. To acquire 1 put requires an upfront premium of $900 (= 9.00 x 100 ounces). Options premium is significantly lower than futures margin, which stands at $7,800 per contract. It’s a fraction of the cost if you were to buy 100 ounces of gold in the spot market. If the trader buys a call and gold futures goes up, his account will increase in value. Unlike investing in spot gold or gold futures, the payoff in options is nonlinear, determining by the Black-Scholes option model. Similarly, when the trader buys a put and gold futures declines, he would also make a profit. On the flip side, the trader could lose money if the market moves against him. But the maximum loss is capped at the upfront premium. Happy Trading. Disclaimers *Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
COMEX:GC1!
by JimHuangChicago
7
BluetonaFX - SPX Forecast Ahead of Fed SpeechHi Traders! SPX is trading near its five-month high at 4607.07, and with Fed Chair Powell speaking later, the market could reach this level by the end of the trading week. Price Action 📊 After the break and close of the previous resistance at 4541.25, the market has refused to go back below this level for the time being, and an ascending price channel has started to form. This indicates that the bulls are currently in control. 4607.07 is the five-month high, and this is the next most likely target the longer we stay above 4541.25. Fundamental Analysis 📰 Later today, we have Fed Chair Powell speaking; therefore, we must be wary of his speech as he will mostly likely speak about the US' inflation situation, interest rates, and plans for the economy leading up to 2024. Support 📉 4541.25: PREVIOUS RESISTANCE BREAK Resistance 📈 4607.07: FIVE-MONTH HIGH Risk ⚠️ No more than 2% of your capital. Reward 💰 At least 4% of your capital. Please make sure to click on the like/boost button 🚀 as your support greatly helps. Trade safely and responsibly. BluetonaFX
SP:SPXLong
by BluetonaFX
GREED, GREED, GREED but what follows?About a month back, I made a solid move in the market that sparked a strong rally. Now, as we near the end of a strong earnings season, I'm in a neutral position, but I'm taking steps to secure gains by trimming my positions. I reckon a decent pullback would be beneficial before considering further upward movement. There's quite a few gaps to fill due to some impulsive buying, and I believe reallocating capital is crucial for a healthier market, especially considering how much weight big tech holds in the SPY. NVIDIA's earnings showed remarkable strength. They surpassed already optimistic expectations by a significant 10%. The $600 target set by premium sellers seemed overly ambitious, yet those sellers managed to benefit from the earnings report released last week. Many institutional investors are operating under the assumption of a smooth landing in 2024, envisioning reduced rates, a depreciating US Dollar, a weakened Chinese macroeconomy, and sustained dominance in Large Cap Tech. The consensus among fund managers leans towards the belief that the Fed's rate hike cycle is nearing its end, with expectations of forthcoming decreases in short-term rates. Additionally, there's a noticeable shift of interest towards Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Japanese stocks. (Source: BofA Global Fund Manager Survey, BLOOMBERG)
AMEX:SPY
by SPADESASSETS
US30 general viewEnglish For this index, I see how we are on a bullish rally (Christmas rally) which is about to break its last H(HIGH) and unless something happen with the FOMC on December, I wouldn`t expect to start a bearish movement. We are currently in a monthly OB which is the last H, if it breaks that H, we could expect higher prices and maybe break the ATH price, but we also have the possibility to go down, but in this point, it is up to the FOMC and all they say on December, let`s see how the price moves. By now, it looks better to buy and not to sell, it is more probable to happen. *THIS IT NOT INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THIS IS ONLY FOR ANALYSIS AND EDUCATION PURPOSE* Español Para este ìndice, veo como estamos en pleno rally alcista (Rally navideño) el cual está cerca de romper su máximo anteriores y a menos que la FED comente algo en su reunión en diciembre que afecte al dolar, seguramente siga subiendo, no espero iniciar un movimiento a la baja. Estamos en pleno OB mensual bajista, el cual puede servir de contenedor para que no suba, pero lo puede romper e incluso subir a su precio ATH y romperlo, vamos a ver cómo se mueve el mercado después de la reunión de la FED en diciembre. De momento, es más probable comprar y tener éxito que vender. *ESTO NO ES RECOMENDACIÓN DE INVERSIÓN NI NADA QUE SE LE PAREZCA, ESTO ES SOLO PARA ANÁLISIS Y EDUCACIÓN*
PEPPERSTONE:US30
by DarkTradingCapital
SR3: Trading Opportunities in a Disrupted Treasury MarketCBOT: Three-MO SOFR Futures ( CME:SR31! ) Breaking News: The US Treasury bonds are risk-free No Longer ! Last Friday, top credit ratings agency Moody's lowered its credit outlook on the U.S. to "negative" from "stable", citing large fiscal deficits and a decline in debt affordability. It has so far maintained the AAA credit rating for U.S. sovereign bonds. This move follows a rating downgrade by Fitch, another major ratings agency. On August 1st this year, Fitch cut U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+, a decision made following months of political brinkmanship around the U.S. debt ceiling. Going back, the S&P was the first credit agency to give Uncle Sam a bad grade. It cut the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ in August 2011 and has maintained it ever since. U.S. credit rating is now lower than that of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union. These countries all enjoy AAA ratings from the top-3 major ratings agencies. The risk-free assumption on US Treasury bonds has long been the foundation of the global credit market. It typically measures the riskiness of a debt issue by adding risk premium(s) on top of a risk-free interest rate, which by default is the Fed Funds rate. If the U.S. bonds are no longer deemed risk-free, should we change “the mother of all reference rates” with a new risk-free rate? It would be like cracking the foundation of the Empire State Building and will bring chaos to the $133-trillion global bond market. In my opinion, this Doomsday scenario is very unlikely to occur. ‘A revisit of the following high-profile credit market events helps us understand why. August 2011: the S&P downgraded U.S. credit rating On August 5, 2011, the S&P announced its decision to give its first-ever downgrade to U.S. sovereign debt, lowering the rating by one notch to "AA+", with a negative outlook. S&P was direct in its criticism of the governance and policy-making process, which took the U.S. to the brink of default as part of the 2011 U.S. debt-ceiling crisis. This unprecedented downgrade drew sharp criticism from the Obama administration and the U.S. Congress, but the S&P refused to budge. What did the investors think? • The 10-Year Note with a par value of 100 traded at around 130 before the downgrade. A month later, its price hardly moved. By year end 2011, the 10Y note rose to 132. • The 30-Year Bond was quoted at 136. It reached 145 by year end, up 6.6%. • Following the downgrade, the S&P 500 lost 7.6% in August. But it quickly rebounded. The S&P ended the year at 1,258, up 3.3% from before the downgrade. I rephrase a famous quote to explain what happened: “When the U.S. sneezes, the World catches a cold.” The U.S. downgrade created a bigger chao in global markets. Investors pulled money out of emerging markets, which were considered even riskier. They put money back in the U.S. stocks and bonds, which, ironically, are deemed safer. There has not been any long-term impact from the S&P downgrade, or from its decision to keep U.S. rating at the less-than-perfect rating: • The S&P settled at 4,415 last Friday, up 260% since the downgrade in 2011; • US GDP has grown from $15.6 trillion in 2011 to $25.5 trillion in 2022, up 63%; • In 2011, US national debt totaled $14.8 trillion, a level the S&P considered as “unsustainable”. It has now mushroomed to $33.7 trillion, up 128%. The U.S. government has not defaulted on any debt or missed any interest payment. August 2023: Fitch downgraded U.S. credit rating In a surprise move on August 1st, Fitch downgraded U.S. Treasuries to AA+ from AAA. The U.S. markets were already in decline following the July 25th Fed decision to raise interest rates by 25 bps to 5.25-5.50%. Markets were clearly driven by the Fed, and the Fitch downgrade was merely a footnote. • The 10-Year Note traded at around 112 at the time of the downgrade. It fell as much as 6% to 105. The 10Y note has recovered somewhat to 107 by Monday. • The 30-Year Bond was quoted at 136. It dipped to 108 (-20%) by October, and it’s now quoted at 113, a rebound of nearly 5%. • Following the July rate hike, the S&P 500 has dropped from 4,588 to 4,117, a sharp 10% drawdown. However, it has since staged ten winning streaks, pushing the index back to 4,415, an impressive 300-point rebound (+7.2%). November 2023: Moody’s lowered U.S. credit outlook Last Friday November 10th, Moody's kept U.S. credit rating at AAA, but lowered its outlook to "negative" from "stable", citing large fiscal deficits and a decline in debt affordability. • The 10-Year Note ended the day at 4.646%, a modest gain of 0.016%. • The 30-Year Bond was settled 4.756%, down 0.011%. • The S&P 500 closed at 4,415, up 68 points or +1.6%. The U.S. hardly moved on Monday, as investors waited for the new inflation data. Today, the BLS reports that October CPI was unchanged from previous month, with the annual headline CPI dropping to 3.0%, below market expectations. The S&P pushed up 2% to reach 4,500 in morning trading. There you see how little the impact from a downgrade. Trading with CBOT SOFR Futures In “SOFR: Farewell to LIBOR”, published on July 3rd, I explained that the Securitized Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR) has already replaced the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) as the leading global credit market benchmark. If you are curious about what this means to you, check out your credit card agreement. You would find that the bank interest rate calculation usually consists of a “prime rate” and a markup, where the prime rate is defined as the sum of SOFR and a fixed rate. CBOT 3-Month SOFR Futures ( FWB:SR3 ) lists 40 quarterly contracts. It shows what the SOFR would be, quarter by quarter, ten years down to road. Based on Friday settlement prices and volume, here is the market consensus on SOFR through the end of 2024: • Current Fed Funds rate: 5.25-5.50% • December 2023 SOFR: 5.415%, volume: 265,153 • March 2024 SOFR: 5.350%, volume: 283,053 • June 2024 SOFR: 5.140%, volume: 324,902 • September 2024 SOFR: 4.880%, volume: 469,238 • December 2024: SOFR: 4.605%, volume: 402,005 SOFR futures are the most liquid futures contracts in the world. On Friday, 2,787,432 lots changed hands. Open interest was 10,655,832 contracts. The contracts showed here each traded over a quarter million lots in a single day. We could assume that market prices reflect best investor consensus on interest rate level at any given time in the future. Here are my observations: • The lead December contract is quoted at 5.415%, in line with the current Fed Funds range of 5.25-5.50%. It dropped to 5.3675% Tuesday after the CPI data. • The September 2024 quote of 4.635% on Tuesday, is 62-87 bps below range, indicating 2-3 rate cuts of 25 bps within the next ten months. • The December 2024 quote of 4.330% is 92-107 bps below range, indicating three to four rate cuts by the end of next year. In my opinion, the Fed decision, the Fed Chair statement and the latest data on payrolls and inflation, sent conflicting signals to the market, creating confusion among investors. Market prices are temporarily dislocated, which may present trading opportunities. The September 2024 quote indicates two or three rate cuts. I think that this assumption is too aggressive. The Fed, in both its statements and the Fed Chair public comments, repeatedly stressed that it never raised the issue of if or when to cut rates. If a trader holds the view that the September SOFR rate shall rise, he could express it with a short position in SOFR futures. The quoting convention of SOFR future is 100-R, where R is the effective interest rate. If the rate goes up, futures price will go down. SOFR contracts have a notional value of $2,500 x contract-grade IMM Index. Each 1 basis-point move would result in a gain or loss of $25 per contract. The minimum margins are $850 for the September contract. Hypothetically, if the trader is correct and the rates turn out to be 25 bps high, he would have a theoretical return of $625 per contract (= 25 X 25). The trader would lose money if the Fed cut rates faster than anticipated. Happy Trading. Disclaimers *Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
CME:SR3Z2023Short
by JimHuangChicago
DOGe - blue fractal dactyl propagation Hello, and happy SET YOUR CLOCK ON FIRE DAY! DOGe Coin is doing its beautiful thing… going for a nice little run! :) Good Boy! Sit, Stay, DOGe coin! Also… if you want tot see the future of crypto, check this mural: www.reddit.com Good Luck, God Speed, Love & Light to all! Q: What are dogs best known for? A: Infinite love. Is this the only coin built on love, and not chained to the Federal Reserve and the matrix of corrupt money? must be!
GEMINI:DOGEUSDLong
by DHLawrence
2