The SPX is at a critical junctureLast Friday, the SPX gapped up at the open and temporarily broke above the 50-day SMA during the trading session. Finally, yesterday, the SPX managed to close above this line of resistance, which is a positive development. However, a failure of the price to defend the ground above this level, now acting as support, for multiple consecutive days will be concerning. Similarly concerning will be the flattening of RSI, MACD, and Stochastic, which are in the process of reversing to the upside.
Illustration 1.01
The image above displays the daily graph of the SPX and two simple moving averages. Yellow arrows highlight the initial rejection at the 50-day SMA on 29th April 2024 and the successful breakout on 3rd May 2024.
Technical conditions
Daily time frame = Slightly bullish
Weekly time frame = Bearish
*The gauge does not necessarily indicate where the market will head. Instead, it reflects the constellation of RSI, MACD, Stochastic, DM+-, ADX, and moving averages.
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 or any other entity. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
SPX (S&P 500 Index)
China bottom vs USA | FXI vs SPXWe will continue to beat our fists on the table that Asia has bottomed vs US equities.
simple chart here. FXI (China large cap index) vs SP500
RSI popping out of oversold on the 2M with a nice bull div.
This is setting up for a multi year move. Likely at least the remainder of the decade.
SPY Daily - Rising WedgeTreading lightly here as the SPY looks to be right at the end of a bearish rising wedge following a bearish ABCD Elliot Wave heading into a major week economically speaking. On Wednesday we have retail sales numbers, core CPI, and Core CPI YOY coming out, followed by jobless claims on Thursday. Will be watching closely, some support levels and RSI-based supply and demand zones to keep an eye on in the meantime, bearish and hedged- (Original Chart Attached Below)
- Rising Wedge following a bearish ABCD Elliot Wave
- Hidden Bearish Divergence on the RSI
- Sitting right on its 50-Day SMA
- Bearish ABCD Elliot Wave
SPX: challenged recovery?Markets tried to stay on a positive side after the FOMC meeting, however, the April`s job report was the one that saved the market optimism during the previous week. Although the Fed noted that the first rate cut will occur when data clearly show that the inflation is on a clear road toward the 2.0% target, a much softer than expected jobs report was the one that moved the equity market to the upside during the Friday`s trading session. The S&P 500 is ending the week at level of 5.129, or 0.55% higher from the end of the week before.
The tech companies were mostly the ones which pushed the market to the upside. There has been a lot of discussion about Apple's earnings which missed the target, but the company announced its largest share buyback of $110 billion, which pushed its price even 6% higher. The semiconductor stocks were also traded higher, where Nvidia rose around 3%.
The current sentiment on the market is led toward the overbought momentum. This means that there is a space for the index to move to the higher grounds from current ones. However, the next ATH is highly questionable at this moment.
Trading Plan for Monday, May 6th, 2024Trading Plan for Monday, May 6th, 2024
Market Sentiment: Uncertain, with bulls seeking further confirmation after exceeding a major resistance level on Friday. Consolidation and complex, level-to-level price action are likely.
Key Supports
Immediate Supports: 5145-50 (major), 5136, 5116-13 (major)
Major Supports: 5082-77 (major), 5067 (major), 5060 (major)
Key Resistances
Near-term Resistance: 5176-86 (major), 5213 (major)
Major Resistances: 5245 (major), 5272 (major), 5302-05 (major)
Trading Strategy
Consolidation Anticipated: Expect a period of price discovery and complex, potentially choppy price action following Friday's strong breakout. Prioritize level-to-level trading.
Long Opportunities: Due to the heightened risk, avoid chasing direct bids at support. Look for failed breakdowns of 5136 (ideally with a reclaim) or 5116 for potential long entries. In the event of a deeper dip, consider knife-catches at major supports (5082, 5067).
Short Opportunities: Look for back-tests of 5213, or potentially 5176-86 (riskier) for short entries. Proceed with caution and be quick to take profits.
Level-to-Level Focus: The breakout from the downtrend channel increases volatility and requires a disciplined approach. Trade the provided support and resistance levels rigorously.
Bull Case
Holding Support: Defending the 5113-16 breakout zone remains crucial, with 5060 as the broader support floor.
Reclaiming Resistances: Bulls need to push above the 5150 and potentially establish a base around that level for further confirmation. Breakouts above 5176-86, and ultimately 5213 would provide further bullish signals.
Bear Case
Breakdown Signals: A convincing break below 5113-16 would signal a failure of Friday's breakout, inviting a deeper retracement. Watch for bounces/failed breakdowns around 5136 and 5116 for potential short entries. A breach of 5060 would be a significant bearish development.
News: Top Stories for May 6th, 2024
Impact on Stock Markets:
Immediate Market Reactions: Markets react swiftly to news events, with geopolitical tensions often inducing volatility.
Economic Indicators Influence: Market sentiment is shaped by economic indicators like employment rates and inflation reports.
Central Bank Announcements: Decisions by major central banks, such as interest rate changes, heavily influence global markets.
Corporate Earnings Reports: Quarterly earnings reports impact stock prices and market indices.
Geopolitical Events: Events like elections and conflicts can increase market uncertainty and volatility globally.
Economic Policy Changes:
Shifts in Industrial Policies: Increase in protectionist measures raises concerns about global growth.
US and EU Policies on China: Alignment in economic security policies aims to reduce dependency on Chinese goods.
Global Trade System Reconfiguration: WTO conference could reshape trade policies and impact global GDP.
Regulatory Changes in Digital Trade: US withdrawal from digital trade agreements affects multinational corporations and data management.
Environmental Regulations: International trade agreements mandate sustainability measures, transforming global operations.
Long S&P and Short Real Estate on Higher for Longer Rates“The only bad time to buy real estate is later” cites investment wisdom. But, when interest rates soar high, real estate investments can and do hurt.
Last week FOMC reiterated its resolve to fight inflation down to its target 2%. Inflation has been stubborn and sticky. It has shown signs of trend reversal towards resurgence. Chair Powell’s made clear that rate cuts may take longer to arrive than anticipated.
Elevated rates are restrictive for businesses. It leads to shrinking sales and profits. However, recent earnings show heavyweights posting robust growth. While others have shown disappointing earnings. The difference boils down to the industry and sector.
Some sectors fare worse than others. Real Estate is extremely sensitive to rates. Higher rates directly impact mortgages impeding buyers from getting into long-term mortgages.
Unsurprisingly, the Real Estate Select Sector index has been the lowest performing sector since the start of the Fed’s rate hiking campaign. Underperformance has continued well into 2024 and has also been observed during periods of market rallies.
With sustained headwinds facing real estate, underperformance is likely to continue. This provides suave investors a tactical spread opportunity consisting of a long position in the wider S&P 500 index using CME Micro E-Mini S&P 500 futures and a short position in the CME S&P Real Estate Select Sector futures to harness a reward to risk ratio of 1.5x.
FED REAFFIRMS HIGHER FOR LONGER
Fed fund rates will remain at 5.25%-5.5% for longer given the stubborn inflation trend over the last 12- months.
Forget rate cuts. Those hopes are diminishing. The CME FedWatch signals just two rate cuts this year as of 5/May, down from six expected at the start of the year.
Source: CME FedWatch
Chair Powell’s speech hinted that even two rate cuts is overly hopeful stating that the expected inflation may not be enough to cut rates this year.
HIGHER RATES WEIGH ON REAL ESTATE SECTOR
Higher rates adversely impact the Real Estate sector. Elevated rates push up mortgage and financing costs. Large financing costs constrains demand.
Last October, the 30-year mortgage rate climbed to its highest level in 23 years at 7.79%. Following that peak, the mortgage rates eased to as low as 6.6% in December as expectations of rate cuts started to firm up.
Since then, the rates have rebounded. As of 29/April, the 30-Year mortgage rate average (calculated by Freddie Mac) hovers at 7.22%. A measure calculated by the Mortgage Bankers Association showed that as of 1/May, the mortgage rate continues to rise and is now at 7.29%.
Higher rates are forcing housing demand lower. New home sales have declined 5% and existing home sales have fallen by 25% since the rate hiking cycle.
Home prices continued to rise despite a slowdown in sales. House price index is almost 10% higher since 2022 as inventory of houses hovers near an all-time-low.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FACES IDIOSYNCRATIC RISKS
Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) has been hit with a double whammy from dwindling office space demand and prohibitive cost of financing.
Office space vacancy rate reached a new record high of 19.8% in Q1 2024 as per Moody’s data reported on Bloomberg . Recovery in office space demand remains unlikely in the near term pressing CRE sector down.
HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP
The real estate sector has been hammered. The S&P Real Estate Select Sector Index is 20% lower since the rate hiking cycle began. The benchmark S&P 500 declined at first but has since recovered and now stands 13% higher.
For investors to build a directional short is not prudent as the sector has suffered brutal markdowns. This paper argues in favor of a spread between S&P 500 and the Real Estate Select Sector Index using CME futures.
S&P 500/XLRE spread has delivered a stunning 45% outperformance since 2022.
Investors can utilize CME Micro E-Mini S&P 500 futures which provides exposure to USD 5 x S&P 500 Index. This is one-tenth the size of standard E-mini futures enabling granular risk management.
The CME Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures first launched exactly five years ago on 6/May/2019. The demand for these micro contracts has spiked. In April 2024 , these contracts witnessed an Average Daily Volume of more than one million contracts which represents 15.7% YoY growth and 22.7% MoM growth.
Micro futures allow for smaller position sizes. It broadens market access and allows for granular and effective hedging by matching notional values closely in spreads.
This hypothetical trade consists of a long position in 2 lots of Micro E-mini S&P 500 June futures (MESM2024) with a notional size of USD 51,615 (= 2 (number of contracts) x USD 5 (contract size) x 5161 (index value) ) and a short position in 1 E-mini Real Estate Select Sector futures (XARM4) with a notional size of USD 45,500 (= 1 (number of contracts) x USD 250 (contract size) x 182 (index value) ).
Consider the two scenarios which can lead to a shift in the spread ratio:
1) S&P 500 rises from 5161.5 to 5408.6 while Real Estate Select Sector index remains unchanged at 181.8. The ratio becomes 5408.6/181.8 = 29.75. The overall profit, which comes entirely from the S&P 500 position would be (5408.6 – 5161.5) x 5 x 2 = USD 2,471.
2) S&P 500 remains unchanged at 5161.5 while Real Estate Select Sector index falls from 181.8 to 173.5. The ratio becomes 5161.5/173.5 = 29.75. The overall profit, which comes entirely from the Real Estate Select Sector index would be (181.8 – 173.5) x 250 = USD 2,075.
• Entry: 28.5
• Target: 29.75
• Stop Loss: 27.5
• Profit at Target: USD 2,471
• Loss at Stop: USD 1,620
• Reward to Risk: 1.53x
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. 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
DISCLAIMER
This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
BRIEFING Week #18 : Short term Ranges maturing, Patience..Here's your weekly update ! Brought to you each weekend with years of track-record history..
Don't forget to hit the like/follow button if you feel like this post deserves it ;)
That's the best way to support me and help pushing this content to other users.
Kindly,
Phil
ROBLOX 46 AFTER EARNINGS ? Q1 2024 Performance:
On February 7th, 2024, Roblox Corporation reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results.
The company’s earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were -$0.52, surpassing the consensus estimate of -$0.57 by $0.05.
Roblox’s revenue during the quarter was $1.13 billion, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $1.05 billion.
The company’s revenue growth was impressive, showing a 25.3% increase year-over-year1.
User Engagement and Growth:
Roblox’s success is driven by its strong user base and developer community.
The platform witnessed significant growth in average daily active users (DAUs), which surged by 79% to 42.1 million.
Hours engaged on the platform reached 16 billion, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase.
Bookings grew by an impressive 161% year-over-year.
Analyst Expectations:
Analysts at Roth MKM maintain a buy rating on Roblox shares and have set a price target of $554.
JP Morgan analyst Cory Carpenter upgraded Roblox from Neutral to Overweight, raising the price target from $41 to $48. Carpenter highlighted the company’s consistent bookings growth over the past four quarters and projected first-quarter bookings of $927 million5.
Market Confidence and Future Prospects
Roblox’s innovative platform, expanding user base, and strong financial performance have instilled confidence in investors. As the company continues to enhance its offerings and attract more users, its stock price may continue to rise.
HERE´S HOW YOU OUTPERFORM THE S&P500S&P 500 Index
4Hour Timeframe
RSI
Moving Average
Elliot Waves
Overall Summary
Hello and welcome back everybody!
I hope you are doing good at today's monthly close!
We are watching a 13$ S&P500 gain this month, which is absolutely crazy! Gains were possible, though the cliff to the downside looks scary as hell. Mixed feelings everywhere, uncertainty, fear but kind of hope- very ambivalent mental condition everywhere.
Since 22% of the whole SP500 Index is divided into the six FAANG companies (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google(Alphabet)) and Microsoft, these are the drivers of the US markets right now.
Oil, as well as touristic, hotel, and accommodation markets took big hits, while a few made gains, which has led to the recent bull market/recovery from all-time high/coronadump.
Well, today I´d like to show you something I just have read about recently, it is the Elliot Wave counting technique. As you guys know, I do not give too much about technical analysis systems and techniques, but it is worth trying out and see why they have become such popular.
As you can see, in the ABC-Correction, which is part of the wave counting, the number A marks the all-time high, number B marks the bounce, and C marks the very last low the SPX at 2190.
As you already noticed, the price is coming near the 200MA (Moving Average of the past 200 candles). Historically the top has been a little lower of it, but a few times it actually broke it for a short period of time, after which a massive decline/selloff followed.
RSI looking good, not oversold, but testing the market strength of all-time high. So the market is strong basically, even though volume declines since the bull market started. Spikes here and there happen, but nothing which delivers serious information about it respectively to make predictions out of it.
What does it mean for us?
1. The top might have been reached already, though tonight after market close Apple and Amazon gonna present their earnings, which possibly leads to a temporary boost of the market while looking at the monthly close and the end of the reporting season! :)
At that point, when the bull market of the last month started, we set our first wave up to the number 1, which continues to 5.
We do not know how high 5 will be nor if we already hit the "fifth Wave". Afterward, in most cases, people count ABC and call that an ABC-Correction - whatever it is. You know, in technical analysis, if you wanna fit something to a chart, you fit it. Since lines, shapes, and whatever seem to be fit perfectly, in most it is not. So look at them, but do not trust them too much.
Furthermore, Elliot waves and other techniques are instruments, to describe what happened and make predictions out of it. Nobody can tell the future, nobody knows what is gonna happen in the coming days, weeks, and months.
Personally I am bearish since Q1 might have been "still ok" when talking about earnings, even though many took big losses, but I think upcoming reporting seasons of Q2 and Q3 will be a devastating disaster.
That is it already for today, hope it brightened up your view on the market :-)
Keep you, safe guys, make sure to wash hands and whatever, you know what you gotta do! Be careful with your funds and I´d like to know what do you think?
Will we see a bearish Q2 and Q3 or did the new bull market of the decade already kick in? Just tell me in the comment section!! If the content pleased you, make sure to hit the like button or leave a follow, would help a lot!
Best, Roman
S&P bulls attempt to regain control but they are not there yetLast week, using oversold bounce, buyers attempted to regain control over the price. Their effort was somewhat successful, as they managed to establish both a higher low and a higher high on the daily chart. However, they failed to set a weekly low, which was a challenging task given the magnitude of the previous week's range. This indicates that bears still maintain control over the weekly (and monthly) timeframes, suggesting that we should expect to see more selling pressure in the short term.
The immediate objective for bulls is to test the price above last week's high ( 509.9 ) and to close the month within March's range. They must also protect the last higher low ( 497.5 ) or the last weekly low ( 495.5 ), or else their progress will be undone.
The short term outlook is mildly bearish.
Watch out for volatility on Wednesday as important economic data is released and FED announces decision over interest rate
Disclaimer
I don't give trading or investing advice, just sharing my thoughts.
S&P 500 At Major Decision PointThe stock market is at a major decision point, with 1969 low unemployment up-trending for the better part of the last year. Low unemployment *potentially* signals the maximum productivity of an economy. This is an important area to watch and wait. If we break above and trend-line check into support it could mean a bull market similar to 1990's is starting.
However if it holds as resistance we're unfortunately looking at a move back down to support much much lower than where we are right now.
I'd like to think because of visiting support twice in the dot-com crash and mortgage crisis that we are much more likely to break upward. But caution should be on our minds.
It's a very good idea to sit on the sidelines and wait for a clear direction to emerge.
Good luck!
Trading Plan for Friday, May 3rd, 2024Trading Plan for Friday, May 3rd, 2024
Market Sentiment: Bulls maintaining a tentative lead ahead of multiple high-impact market events (Apple Earnings and Jobs Report). Expect extreme volatility and plan accordingly.
Key Supports
Immediate Supports: 5068 (major), 5054 (major trendline - note this level rises daily)
Major Supports: 5028 (major), 5001 (major)
Key Resistances
Near-term Resistance: 5081 (major), 5102 (major), 5116 (major), 5136 (major)
Major Resistances: 5155-58 (major), 5191 (major), 5208 (major)
Trading Strategy
Earnings and Jobs Volatility: Be prepared for unpredictable, potentially violent price swings triggered by the Apple earnings release (4:30 PM EST) and the jobs report (8:30 AM EST). Prioritize reacting to price action over anticipating.
Capital Preservation: Adopt a cautious approach and consider reducing position sizes or even sitting out the immediate volatility. Focus on protecting your gains from today's squeeze.
Long Opportunities: Due to the heightened risk, avoid direct bids at support. Prioritize failed breakdowns with flushes and reclaims for safer long entries. In the event of a deep flush, consider knife-catches at major supports (5028, 5001).
Short Opportunities: Look for back-tests of 5116 and 5136 for shorts, but only if markets exhibit a strong negative reaction to earnings or positive jobs data. Proceed with extreme caution.
Focus on Levels: Use the provided support and resistance levels to guide your decisions, regardless of the volatility. Pay close attention to failed breakdowns and setups, as they will be the most reliable in this environment.
Bull Case
Holding Support: Defending the 5054-50 support zone remains crucial.
Reclaiming Resistances: Bulls need to push above the 5081 resistance zone after any potential sell-off on events, working back towards 5116, then 5136 for further confirmation and a potential sustained breakout.
Bear Case
Breakdown Signals: A convincing break below 5054-50 initiates the downside move. Watch for bounces/failed breakdowns for potential short entries. Be mindful of whipsaws and traps around major events.
News: Top Stories for May 3rd, 2024
Impact of Monetary Policies:
U.S. Monetary Policy and Global Markets: Contractionary policy affects global financial conditions through various channels.
Responses to U.S. Policy Shifts: Tightening policy induces global deleveraging and affects asset prices and credit flows.
Emerging Markets' Sensitivity: EMs experience volatility and capital outflows due to U.S. policy changes.
Transmission Mechanisms: Policy changes influence dollar-denominated assets, global credit conditions, and bank behavior.
Long-Term Implications:
Global Trade Outlook: Modest rebound in 2024 challenged by interest rates, demand fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions.
Manufacturing Sector Performance: Continued uncertainty with challenges like labor shortages and supply chain disruptions.
Advances in Digital Manufacturing: Adoption of digital twins and smart tech enhances operational efficiencies.
Geopolitical Impact on Trade: Persistent tensions disrupt global trade, highlighting vulnerability of supply chains to political instability.
Trading Plan for Thursday, May 2nd, 2024Trading Plan for Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
Market Sentiment: Uncertain, with bulls holding a precarious position at a critical support level.
Key Supports
Immediate Supports: 5048-50 (major - note that this trendline rises daily), 5032, 5028 (major)
Major Supports: 5010 (major), 4968 (major), 4938-42 (major)
Key Resistances
Near-term Resistance: 5077-82 (major), 5102 (major), 5126 (major), 5136 (major)
Major Resistances: 5155 (major), 5197-5202 (major), 5246-50 (major)
Trading Strategy
Critical Support Test: Vigilantly monitor the critical 5048-50 support zone for signs of breakdown or sustained defense.
Long Opportunities: Due to heightened volatility, avoid direct bids at support. Instead, prioritize failed breakdowns with flushes and reclaims for safer long entries, potentially around 5032 or 5028. In the event of a deep flush, consider knife-catches at major supports (5010, 4968, 4938-42).
Short Opportunities: Look for back-tests of 5126 and 5136 for shorts, but only if a strong bearish reaction to FOMC is evident. Proceed with caution.
Risk Management: Maintain disciplined risk management and tighter stops in this volatile period.
Bull Case
Holding Support: Defending the 5048-50 support zone is crucial. A failed breakdown with a quick reclaim above 5032-28 could trigger a move higher.
Reclaiming Resistances: Bulls need to push back to 5077-82, with a potential retest of that resistance, then onward to the 5126-36 zone for further confirmation and potential breakout.
Bear Case
Breakdown Signals: A convincing break below 5048-50 followed by a deeper dip through 5028 initiates the downside move. Watch for bounces/failed breakdowns for potential short entries.
News: Top Stories for May 2nd, 2024
Analysis of Stock Market Trends:
U.S. Market Performance: Mixed responses post-Fed's rate decision, with slight Dow increase and S&P, Nasdaq declines.
Interest Rates and Inflation Concerns: Persistent inflation shapes Fed policies, influencing market dynamics.
Sector-Specific Trends: Tech sector drives market, but faces valuation challenges and regulatory scrutiny.
Global Market Influences: European markets resilient; contrasting approaches to interest rates and inflation with the U.S.
Investment Strategies:
Federal Funds Rate Stability: Fed maintains high rate amid inflation concerns, impacting market expectations.
Inflation Trends and Policy: Slow decrease in inflation complicates rate cuts, influencing investment decisions.
Global Impact: Fed's policies affect global markets, especially in emerging economies and those tied to U.S. standards.
Long-term Considerations:
Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts threaten global supplies; Middle East escalation could disrupt oil production.
Economic Slowdown: China's slowdown poses risks globally, impacting markets and economic stability.
Inflation and Interest Rates: Central banks balance inflation control without hindering growth, posing risks.
Technological Transformations: Rapid tech changes create opportunities and risks, transforming labor markets.
Environmental Risks: Growing environmental concerns pose economic consequences, impacting industries.
S&P500 4H Channel Up aiming higher.This is a short-term outlook on the S&P500 (SPX) following yesterday's Fed Rate Decision. The short-term pattern on the 4H time-frame is a Channel Up and is giving us some important developments.
Even though yesterday's attempt to stay above the 4H MA50 (blue trend-line) failed, the index managed to stay on the Channel Up bottom (Higher Lows trend-line) and is since rising steadily on green 4H candles, attempting to form a bottom (Higher Low).
A closing above the 4H MA50 can be the bullish confirmation this pattern needs but outside of it, we see the Ichimoku Cloud turning green again for the first time since April 09. If the 4H MACD completes the emerging Bullish Cross, we will have a strong bullish mix in our hands and most likely the Channel Up will go first for a 4H MA200 (orange trend-line) test, since last time it was rejected on the 1D MA50 (red trend-line) and eventually complete a +4.00% Bullish Leg (like the previous one) at 5200.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Please LIKE 👍, FOLLOW ✅, SHARE 🙌 and COMMENT ✍ if you enjoy this idea! Also share your ideas and charts in the comments section below! This is best way to keep it relevant, support us, keep the content here free and allow the idea to reach as many people as possible. **
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
💸💸💸💸💸💸
👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇
✅ Daily Market Analysis - 02 MAY 2024Economic events:
USA - Initial Jobless Claims
Eurozone - HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Apr)
Eurozone - ECB's Lane Speaks
U.S. equity markets saw a partial recovery subsequent to the Federal Reserve's choice to maintain interest rates at their current levels on Wednesday. Additionally, the Fed disclosed intentions to commence a gradual tapering of its balance sheet reduction initiative, commonly referred to as quantitative tightening, beginning in the coming month. As a result, the S&P 500 index made a modest gain of 0.1%, while the NASDAQ Composite index advanced by 0.2%. Furthermore, the Dow Jones Industrial Average exhibited notable strength, surging by 179 points, equivalent to a 0.50% increase.
NDX, SPX, and DJI indices daily chart
The Federal Reserve opted to maintain its key interest rates within the 5.25% to 5.5% range, signaling a potential prolongation of elevated rates owing to the slower-than-expected progress in addressing inflationary pressures. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) highlighted insufficient headway toward achieving the targeted 2 percent inflation rate in recent months.
Nevertheless, the FOMC announced plans to initiate a reduction in its holdings of Treasury securities, commencing in June with a reduction of approximately $25 billion per month from the current pace of $60 billion. This decision follows recent labor market data indicating a slight imbalance, with job openings reaching a three-month low in March. Despite this, April saw private sector job gains exceeding economists' projections.
Market focus now shifts to the imminent release of the nonfarm payrolls report scheduled for Friday, with expectations of a robust addition of 243,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in April.
In currency markets, the EUR/USD pair continued its upward trajectory on Thursday, propelled by prevailing market optimism favoring risk-sensitive currencies like the Euro. This upbeat sentiment may be attributed in part to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's dovish commentary on Wednesday. However, the Eurozone faces challenges due to a comparatively more dovish stance from the European Central Bank compared to the Federal Reserve. Recent inflation data from the Eurozone showed stability in April, aligning with expectations.
EUR/USD daily chart
Moreover, core inflation witnessed a decline, fueling speculation regarding a potential interest rate reduction by the European Central Bank (ECB) in June. Thursday also marks the release of the final HCOB Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index data, with market expectations aligning with preliminary figures. This index serves as a leading indicator, offering insights into business activity within the Eurozone manufacturing sector.
In contrast, the Japanese Yen faced notable selling pressure during the Asian session on Thursday, retracting from its over two-week high against the US Dollar observed the preceding day. Initial reactions to rumors of Japanese authorities intervening once again, marking the second intervention this week to support the domestic currency, quickly waned amid expectations of a sustained wide US-Japan rate differential. Furthermore, a generally positive risk sentiment surrounding US equity markets serves as a significant factor undermining the safe-haven appeal of the JPY.
USD/JPY daily chart
In the early Asian trading hours, the USD/CAD pair persists in its downward trajectory around 1.3730. Late on Wednesday, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem reaffirmed the central bank's confidence in an ongoing reduction in inflation. Macklem indicated that the BoC is nearing the point of deliberating rate cuts, underscoring that the central bank is not bound to mimic the Federal Reserve's strategies. He emphasized that higher rates in Canada are demonstrating greater efficacy compared to the United States.
USD/CAD daily chart
Amid mounting speculation among traders, there is growing anticipation that the Bank of Canada may opt for interest rate cuts in June, prompted by Canada's economic deceleration in the initial quarter of this year. Notably, Canada's GDP exhibited a subdued expansion of 0.2% month-on-month in February, a slowdown from the preceding 0.5% figure and below the market's projected 0.3% growth. Additionally, according to S&P Global on Wednesday, the Canadian Manufacturing PMI descended to 49.4 in April and 49.8 in March, falling short of the market consensus of 50.2.
Despite lackluster figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including weaker-than-expected Trade Balance and Building Permits data, the Australian Dollar persists in its strengthening trend on Thursday. The AUD/USD pair garners support from the prevailing positive market sentiment, buoyed by dovish remarks issued by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday.
AUD/USD daily chart
The ascent of the Australian Dollar finds its roots in the hawkish stance adopted by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), anticipated to uphold elevated interest rates throughout 2024. Additionally, last week's domestic inflation figures surpassing expectations have fueled speculation that the RBA could defer any potential interest rate cuts.
Traders are eagerly awaiting the release of several key economic indicators from the United States on Thursday, including weekly Initial Jobless Claims, Nonfarm Productivity, and Factory Orders. These data releases are poised to provide additional clarity regarding the present condition of the US economy.
SPX has toppedthere is a confluence of time and fib levels, the market will fall in 1-4 weeks. what will be the narrative ? idk , there is an Elliott wave count that says this is a major yearly high, but I don't want to believe it cause that would be catastrophic for the world, I hope it's just a pullback of 10-15%.
All you need to know about yesterday's FOMC meetingYesterday's FOMC meeting concluded with a decision to keep the monetary policy unchanged, leaving the federal funds rate at 5.25% to 5.5%. During the subsequent press conference, Jerome Powell outlined the solid state of the economy alongside heightened inflationary pressures. Notably, he disclosed plans to commence with the reduction in quantitative tightening starting from June 2024; per the statement, the cap on Treasury redemptions will be lowered to $25 billion per month from the current $60 billion per month. Market sentiment reacted positively to this news, with indices soaring during the chairman's address. However, a more hawkish tone regarding rate cuts was seemingly ignored at first when Jerome Powell admitted a lack of progress in taming inflation over the past few months, requiring the central bank to keep interest rates steady for longer; though, the chairman was swift to deny any prospects of future interest rate hikes. In summary, despite initial market enthusiasm following Powell's announcement, lingering concerns over inflationary pressures and the prospect of prolonged interest rate stability may continue to shape future market dynamics.
Illustration 1.01
Illustration 1.01 shows the 1-minute graph of the SPX. The yellow arrows indicate the main events of the day.
Important statements from Jerome Powel
“The economy has made considerable progress toward our dual mandate objectives. Inflation has eased substantially over the past year while the labor market has remained strong and that’s very good news. But inflation is still too high, further progress in bringing it down is not assured, and the path forward is uncertain. We are fully committed to returning inflation to our 2 percent goal.”
“Our restrictive stance of monetary policy has been putting downward pressure on economic activity and inflation, and the risks to achieving our employment and inflation goals have moved toward better balance over the past year. However, in recent months inflation has shown a lack of further progress toward our 2 percent objective, and we remain highly attentive to inflation risks.”
“The labor market remains relatively tight, but supply and demand conditions have come into better balance. Payroll job gains averaged 276 thousand jobs per month in the first quarter, while the unemployment rate remains low at 3.8 percent.”
“Inflation has eased notably over the past year but remains above our longer-run goal of 2 percent. Total PCE prices rose 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending in March; excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core PCE prices rose 2.8 percent. The inflation data received so far this year have been higher than expected.”
“We have stated that we do not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range for the federal funds rate until we have gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent. So far this year, the data have not given us that greater confidence. In particular, and as I noted earlier, readings on inflation have come in above expectations.“
“We are prepared to maintain the current target range for the federal funds rate for as long as appropriate. We are also prepared to respond to an unexpected weakening in the labor market.”
“Specifically, the cap on Treasury redemptions will be lowered from the current $60 billion per month to $25 billion per month as of June 1.”
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 or any other entity. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
A soft landing is unlikely to materializeThe SPX has rallied approximately 3.5% since its lows on 19th April 2024 and well into the two-day FOMC meeting that kicks off today. In line with general market expectations, we do not anticipate any change to the central bank’s monetary policy, and just like on previous occasions, we expect Jerome Powell to reiterate the FED’s commitment to fighting inflation during his speech at the press conference tomorrow. The chairman is likely to praise the economy for its resilience and make remarks about the historically strong labor market in spite of financial tightening. In addition to that, Jerome Powell is probably going to outline challenges the FED faces, most notably accelerating inflation, which became a topic of discussion following the weakness in the stock market after the last print showed inflation rose for the second consecutive month. This fact could lead to his reluctance to discuss the central bank’s move toward easing, which in turn could lead to a resurgence in volatility and weakness in stocks. By keeping interest rates higher for longer, the FED risks constructing a recession on its own, which has been repeatedly a case in history. Therefore, we continue to hold the opinion that a soft landing will not materialize. Instead, signs of recession will become even more apparent. With that said, we believe there is a high chance for a major repricing event to take place in 2024.
Illustration 1.01
Illustration 1.01 displays the daily chart of the SPX and two simple moving averages. The yellow arrow indicates a bullish breakout above the 20-day SMA. Now, the 50-day SMA and the price's ability to break through it will be in focus. If the price fails, it will be worrisome.
Technical analysis gauge
Daily time frame = Bearish
Weekly time frame = Bearish
*The gauge does not necessarily indicate where the market will head. Instead, it reflects the constellation of RSI, MACD, Stochastic, DM+-, ADX, and moving averages.
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 or any other entity. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
Trading Plan for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024Trading Plan for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
Market Sentiment: Uncertain, with the potential for sharp swings amplified by the FOMC announcement. Increased caution and focus on capital preservation are paramount.
Key Supports
Major Supports: 5060 (major), 5043-47 (major), 5030-32 (major), 5000 (major)
Additional Supports: 4976 (major), 4938-41 (major)
Key Resistances
Near-term Resistance: 5066, 5077-82 (major), 5102 (major), 5144 (major)
Major Resistances: 5171 (major), 5200 (major), 5246-50 (major)
Trading Strategy
FOMC Volatility: Expect unpredictable price swings driven by reactions to the FOMC interest rate decision and related news.
Prioritize Capital Preservation: Focus on protecting your account rather than chasing aggressive moves. Adapt position sizing and risk management strategies accordingly.
Long Opportunities: Due to FOMC, direct bids are high risk. Focus on failed breakdowns for better risk/reward. Potentially long at major support levels after flushes and reclaims (5043-47, 5030-32).
Short Opportunities: Due to FOMC, direct shorts are also high risk. Watch for strong bounces and failed breakdowns. Consider shorts at key resistance levels only if the reaction to FOMC is definitively bearish. Proceed with extreme caution.
Level-to-Level Trading: Employ level-to-level scalping techniques and profit-taking, navigating this volatile environment with tighter stops.
Bull Case
Holding Support: Defending the 5043-47 support zone is crucial for bulls, with 5030-32 as the absolute minimum. Reclaiming resistances like 5066 could indicate buyer strength.
Bear Case
Breakdown Signals: A convincing break below 5030, intensified by negative FOMC news, signals a downside move. Watch for bounces/failed breakdowns for potential shorts.
News: Top Stories for May 1st, 2024
Global Economic Outlook
Mature economies are stabilizing with a slight growth uptick projected for 2024 and 2025.
Emerging economies maintain stability with growth projections at 4.3% for both 2024 and 2025.
Regional Trends
Asia, including China, anticipates a slowdown, while Latin America expects gradual growth increases.
Inflation and Monetary Policies
Global inflation is expected to decrease, reflecting central bank rate hikes for price stability and growth support.
Geopolitical Impacts
Populist policies and recent elections in the US and EU pose financial policy and market stability challenges.
Transition to a New Monetary Order impacts interest rates, asset values, and lending environments globally.
EU regulatory changes affect financial markets and trading regulations, emphasizing compliance.
Digital Transformation
Focus on digital assets and CBDCs outside the US signals shifts in financial transactions and regulations.
Blockchain technology enhances financial security and transparency, notably in DeFi platforms.
AI integration reshapes financial services, optimizing operations and decision-making processes.
Digital and open banking experiences exponential growth, fostering fintech innovations and collaborations.
RegTech solutions powered by AI help firms manage regulatory obligations efficiently across jurisdictions.
Prep and Lean ES/NQ/SPX Wednesday ES Trade Plan
Inflection: 5095
Upper lvls: 5115 / 5127 / 5137
Aggressive Inflection: 5076
Lower lvls: 5052-5056 / 5030-5038 / 5005
NQ Trade Plan
Inflection: 17628
Upper lvls: 17660 / 17776 / 17818-17838 / 17901-17937
Lower lvls: 17507 / 17356-17370 / 17283-17293 / 17163
SPX Pivot 5036
Stay Frosty!