Apple - Will Apple visit the $200 zone again?Apple has officially started its daily downtrend. The $200 support zone is a level that has been respected often in the past, with a high confluence of the Golden Pocket. It is highly possible that Apple could revisit this level and make a strong bounce. Until then, there is a high probability that this level could be revisited until the downtrend is broken.
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Stocks
World Index Shows 5Th Wave Is Still MissingWorld Index ETF with ticker TSX:XWD has extended its rally for 261,8% Fibonacci retracement, which is ideal zone for wave 3, so current slow down can be just a higher degree ABC correction in wave 4. It’s now testing interesting and important textbook support at the former wave 4 swing low and 38,2% Fibonacci support area, from where we may see a bullish resumption for wave 5 this year. Invalidation level is at 90.
AVGO Stuck Between Key Levels, A Calm Before the Storm?Broadcom, one of the key favorites in the AI rally, is at a crossroads. AVGO has been in a steady logarithmic uptrend since October 2022, carrying the stock price from 41.51 to 251.88, marking an impressive 506% gain in about two and a half years. The company's EPS has been consistently increasing over the years and is expected to accelerate further this year. Although valuations are high, if Broadcom's performance in 2025 meets or exceeds expectations, the bullish case remains strong. The forward P/E for 2025 end is 28.7x.
Currently, the price is stuck between the trendline and the 200 resistance level. The uptrend is supported by the 200-day moving average. The trendline sits around 184, while the SMA is at 182.50. For a more cautious approach, 180 can be considered the key medium-term support level. If 180 holds and AVGO manages to break above the 200 resistance, there is significant upside potential for the bulls.
The current analyst consensus for the 12-month price target is 251, which also coincides with the stock's all-time high (ATH).
TESLA pricing its long-term bottom. $450 rebound highly likely.Nine months ago (June 26 2024, see chart below), we signaled the start of an enormous rally on Tesla (TSLA), which eventually hit our minimum Target ($400), based on a fractal from 2014 - 2016:
Since the upper 1.382 Fib Target wasn't achieved, the model is readjusted and this count makes better sense. Based on the 1W RSI we are on a bottom similar to October 30 2017 around the 4.0 Time Fib extension. That past sequence initiated a rebound towards the market Resistance before the next decline headed to the 5.0 Fib extension.
As a result, we believe Tesla will find a bottom here and target $450 just below the Resistance level.
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Adobe (ADBE) Shares Plunge, Holding Near 22-Month LowsAdobe (ADBE) Shares Plunge, Holding Near 22-Month Lows
Last week, Adobe Inc. (ADBE) reported its quarterly financial results:
→ Earnings per share: Actual = $5.08, Expected = $4.97
→ Gross revenue: Actual = $5.71 billion, Expected = $5.66 billion
Additionally, according to CNBC, the design software giant announced plans to double its AI revenue by the end of the financial year. However, despite these positive figures, Adobe Inc. (ADBE) shares plummeted by approximately 13%, returning to price levels last seen in May 2023.
This decline may reflect investor concerns over Adobe’s AI monetisation strategy and the potential loss of its competitive edge in generative AI.
Technical Analysis of Adobe Inc. (ADBE) Shares
Price movements have established key points (marked with circles) forming a downward channel, which has remained relevant for over a year:
→ The price has fallen to the lower boundary, which previously acted as support in June 2024.
→ It remains below the psychological level of $400 but has not dropped significantly further.
→ The price has not fallen below the 13 January low, recorded after the earnings report.
These factors suggest that demand is preventing further declines in ADBE shares. If positive catalysts emerge, buyers may attempt to push the price back above the $400 level, potentially opening the path towards the channel’s median.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Gold Short to $2675Looks overpriced. CMC Gap at $2675, there is high chance to go to $2000 if filling the gap won't be enough to bounce back.
I expect to close my Short between $2675 and $2300. Of course anything might change.
In my opinion we can get a Black Swan event this or next week. Most of the stocks, indices, crypto looks very dumpy short term.
Nightly $SPY / $SPX Scenarios for March 21, 2025 🔮 🔮
🌍 Market-Moving News 🌍:
🇯🇵📉 Japan's Inflation Data Release 📉: Japan will release its inflation figures for February on March 21. Analysts expect a slight decrease in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from January's 4.0% to approximately 3.5%. This data could influence global markets, including the U.S., as it may impact the Bank of Japan's monetary policy decisions.
📊 Key Data Releases 📊:
📅 Friday, March 21:
🛢️ Baker Hughes Rig Count (1:00 PM ET) 🛢️:
Previous: 592 rigs
This weekly report provides the number of active drilling rigs in the U.S., offering insights into the health of the oil and gas industry.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult with a professional financial advisor before making investment decisions.⚠️
📌 #trading #stockmarket #economy #news #trendtao #charting #technicalanalysis
US100 BEARISH FLAG|SHORT|
✅US100 is trading in a
Strong downtrend and
The price has formed a
Bearish flag pattern so
And on top of that the
Horizontal resistance
Of 20,000 is ahead so
We are super bearish
Biased and IF we see a
Bearish breakout we
Will be expecting
A further move down
SHORT🔥
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Disclosure: I am part of Trade Nation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analysis.
ELI LILLY: The time to buy and target 1,300 is now.Eli Lilly is neutral on its 1D technical outlook (RSI = 48.409, MACD = -5.160, ADX = 28.927) and this is technically the most efficient level to buy for the long term towards the end of the year, as the price is sitting around its 1W MA50. The macro pattern is a Channel Up starting back in March 2019 and every time this broke under the 1W MA50 (but remained supported above the 1W MA100) and consolidated, it was the most efficient long term buy signal. In 6 years this has only happened 4 times and all those times the 1W RSI hit the 38.750 S1 level. The immediate target of all bullish waves that started after such bottoms, has been the 2.0 Fibonacci extension. Go long, TP = 1,300.
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Meta bottom in?Meta has moved back above the key $600 level after holding the 200-day average test. Today the stock has broken its short-term bearish trend line, too. A close above the trend line should be a positive technical development for the stock, making it one to watch in the days ahead.
By Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst with FOREX.com
Quick Technical Take on Agape ATP Corporation (ATPC)Let’s break down the 1-hour chart for Agape ATP Corporation (ATPC) as of March 20, 2025. The stock’s sitting at $1.02, down about 1%, and it’s been a wild ride lately.
The price spiked to $3.00 in late January before crashing hard. Since then, it’s been hanging around the $1.00 mark, which has been a solid support; buyers keep stepping in here, like clockwork, especially in early March.
The Bollinger Bands show the price dipping below the lower band in mid-February, hinting at an oversold bounce, and now it’s consolidating near that $1.00 level. We’ve got a recent "Sell" signal at $1.06, so there’s some short-term bearish pressure.
The SmartMCDX indicator below the chart is flashing mixed signals: green for bullish, red for bearish. Lately, it’s leaning red, suggesting the bears might have the upper hand for now. Volume’s pretty quiet, which means no big players are jumping in yet, so we might just keep drifting near $1.00.
What to Watch : If the price holds above $1.00, we could see a push toward $1.06 or even $1.20. But if it breaks below $1.00, things could get ugly, maybe dropping to $0.90. For now, I’d sit tight and see which way the wind blows; $1.00 is the key.
COINBASE This is the time to buy and target $400Coinbase Global (COIN) has been trading within a Channel Up pattern since the March 25 2024 High, so effectively a whole year. In the past 10 days it has been consolidating on top of the 1W MA100 (red trend-line), which is the natural long-term Support of the market.
During the same time it entered the Mayer Multiple Bands (MMB) Buy Zone, consisting of the 3 SD (green trend-line) and 2 SD (blue trend-line) below levels, which has given the ultimate buy signals since the January 2023 market bottom. Practically, the stock is consolidating within the 2 SD below and 1W MA100, a tight buy range.
Given the symmetry of the Channel Down Bearish Legs (both -48.39%), we expect a similar symmetry on its Bullish Legs too. Since the previous one reached the 1.236 Fibonacci extension, we are confidently targeting $400 before this Cycle tops. That would also make a perfect entry within the MMB Sell Zone that consists of the Mean MM (black trend-line) and 1 SD above (grey trend-line).
Notice also how the 1W RSI touched the Support of the September 06 2024 Low.
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Apple (AAPL): -50%. According to the planElliott Wave Analysis of Apple stock
.
● NASDAQ:AAPL |🔎TF: 1W
Fig. 1
The long-term wave markup has not been adjusted for the past three years. Except that the orthodox tops and bottoms and targets for third waves are slightly refined.
.
● NASDAQ:AAPL |🔎TF: 1W
Fig. 2
Earlier, at the end of 2023 , we have already suggested wave ((iv)) in 3 in the form of a running flat. As we can see, the attempt was unsuccessful, the formation of a sideways correction continues to this day. It can be a running flat or an expanded flat, the latter of which assumes a break of the 124.17 low.
Important breakdown in the Gold & Silver ratio !!!This is a heads up that concerns the PM sector as well as all other assets.
An important breakdown just happened in the Gold & Silver ratio. This means precious metals bull resumes and SILVER will now overperform gold !! We are now in back test mode !
For the other asset classses this is good news also, because this breakdown in the ratio signifies the return of (asset) inflation. So this is good for stocks and crypto also.
It remains to be seen whether PM's will outperform stocks. My guess is YES.
Alibaba (BABA) Share Price Declines from 40-Month HighAlibaba (BABA) Share Price Declines from 40-Month High
As shown in the Alibaba (BABA) share chart, the price reached a 40-month high this week, surpassing $145 per share.
Bullish sentiment is being fuelled by news related to AI prospects in China. According to media reports:
→ China’s AI spending is increasing through investments from state-owned enterprises, private companies, and local authorities, aiming to keep pace with the US $500 billion Star Gate project.
→ Alibaba plans to invest $52 billion over three years in artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Technical Analysis of Alibaba (BABA) Shares
Despite a positive fundamental backdrop, the chart signals potential concerns:
→ The price is near the upper boundary of the ascending channel, which could act as resistance.
→ Bulls attempted to break the $145 level (which has acted as resistance since late February) on 17 March but failed, as the price could not hold above this mark.
→ Using your preferred oscillator, you are likely to observe a bearish divergence between peaks A and B.
This suggests that bullish momentum may be weakening, and investors could consider taking profits after Alibaba’s exceptionally strong price rally—up approximately 70% since early 2025. If so, a break below the orange trendline could lead to a correction towards the median of the blue channel.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Nightly $SPY / $SPX Scenarios for March 20, 2025🔮 🔮
🌍 Market-Moving News 🌍:
🇨🇳🏦 People's Bank of China (PBOC) Interest Rate Decision 🏦: On March 20, the PBOC will announce its latest interest rate decision. While specific expectations are not detailed, any adjustments could influence global markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
🇬🇧🏦 Bank of England Interest Rate Decision 🏦: The Bank of England is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision on March 20. Analysts anticipate that the central bank will maintain the current rate at 4.5%, following a recent reduction. This decision will be closely watched for its implications on the UK economy and global financial markets.
📊 Key Data Releases 📊:
📅 Thursday, March 20:
📉 Initial Jobless Claims (8:30 AM ET) 📉:This weekly report indicates the number of individuals filing for unemployment benefits for the first time, providing insight into the labor market's health.
Forecast: 225,000
Previous: 220,000
🏭 Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (8:30 AM ET) 🏭:This index measures manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve district, with positive numbers indicating expansion.
Forecast: 10.0
Previous: 18.1
🏠 Existing Home Sales (10:00 AM ET) 🏠:This data reflects the annualized number of previously constructed homes sold during the prior month, offering insights into the housing market's strength.
Forecast: 3.95 million annualized units
Previous: 4.08 million annualized units
⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult with a professional financial advisor before making investment decisions.⚠️
📌 #trading #stockmarket #economy #news #trendtao #charting #technicalanalysis
Microsoft (MSFT): The "Can’t Go Wrong" Stock... Until It DoesAh, Microsoft—the tech titan that could probably survive a meteor impact. 🌍☄️ With a market cap so large it could buy entire countries and still have spare change for a few yachts, MSFT is the stock that everyone loves... even when it’s overvalued. But hey, let’s take a look at the "genius" behind the current price action. 🔍💰
📊 The Almighty Stock Performance (Because Fundamentals Don’t Matter Anymore?)
📉 Price: $385.76 (up a whole 0.00584%! Call the champagne guy! 🍾)
📊 Intraday High: $387.88
📉 Intraday Low: $383.27 (because even Microsoft has bad days, right? 😅)
🔮 200-day moving average: $423.98 (oh look, it's trading below that... bearish much? 🐻)
So, let me get this straight. MSFT is 7.80% down year-to-date, but analysts are still screaming “BUY! 🚀.” Sure, because blindly trusting price targets has always worked out well for retail investors. 🤑
💰 Valuation: Overpriced? Who Cares, It’s Microsoft!
📢 Intrinsic Value Estimate: $316.34
😬 Current Price: $385.76
💰 Overvaluation? About 18%
But let’s be honest—does valuation even matter anymore? If people are throwing money at meme coins, why not pay a premium for MSFT? 🤷♂️ It’s basically a subscription service at this point—you pay every month, and the stock just keeps draining your wallet. 💸
🤖 AI Goldmine or Just Another Buzzword?
Microsoft has been riding the AI hype train harder than a teenager with ChatGPT. 🚂💨 Their enterprise AI growth is over 100%, and they’re pulling in a $13 billion annual run rate from AI services. But sure, let’s pretend that no one remembers the last time “the next big thing” crashed and burned. (cough dot-com bubble cough). 💀💾
Evercore analysts claim MSFT will dominate AI for enterprises. Well, duh. If you’re an enterprise and don’t buy Microsoft AI services, Satya Nadella himself might show up at your office and force you to install Windows 11. 🏢💻
📉 Risk Factors? No Way! MSFT is Invincible... Right?
🦅 Hawkish Fed = Potential Market Sell-Off (But don’t worry, just HODL, right? 🤡)
🚀 Tech Bubble Concerns (Microsoft will totally be the exception… like every overhyped stock before it. 😬)
🧐 Overvaluation? Pfft, who cares? (People said the same about Tesla at $400. Look how that turned out. 🪦)
📢 Analyst Hot Takes (Because They’re Always Right 😂)
📊 D.A. Davidson: Upgraded to Buy with a price target of $450. (Ah yes, let’s just throw numbers out there. Why not $500? $600? 🚀)
🔮 UBS: Predicts $3,200 for gold, but Microsoft will somehow go even higher. (Probably. Because… reasons. 🤷♂️)
🎭 Final Thoughts: Buy? Sell? Just Panic?
Microsoft is basically the “safe” tech stock everyone clings to while pretending that the market isn’t built on dreams and overleveraged hedge funds. 🏦💰 If you believe in the power of monopolies, overpriced AI services, and analysts pulling price targets out of thin air, then MSFT is your golden ticket. 🎟️💎
Otherwise, maybe—just maybe—waiting for a dip below fair value isn’t the worst idea in the world. But what do I know? I’m just some guy on the internet. 🤷♂️
🚀💸 Good luck, traders. You’ll need it. 😈📉
💬 What do you think? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔥
NASDAQ 100: Moon Mission or Reality Check? Ah, the NASDAQ 100—our favorite rollercoaster 🎢 where tech dreams are either made ✨ or brutally crushed 😵💫. Right now, it’s hovering around 19,500, and traders are debating: "Is this the launchpad to new highs or just a dead-cat bounce in disguise?" 🐱💀
Let’s break it down 👇
🚀 The Bullish Hopefuls: "We're Going to Valhalla, Boys!"
✅ Rebound Mode ON 🎯: After a nasty selloff, the market has found some footing and is showing signs of recovery 📈. Maybe the worst is over? (Yeah, sure, we've heard that before... 🙃)
✅ Fed to the Rescue? 🏦: With the FOMC meeting on deck, traders are hoping for some dovish magic dust ✨ to send tech stocks flying again. Because why rely on solid fundamentals when you have the Fed, right? 🤡
😨 The Bearish Doom-Sayers: "Brace for Impact!"
❌ Big Tech = Too Crowded 🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️: Asset managers are side-eyeing Big Tech, calling it "overcrowded" 🙄. Translation? Expect a nasty rug pull soon.
❌ Healthy Correction... or the Start of Something Worse? 🚑: The S&P 500 dropped 10%, the NASDAQ fell 11%, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is calling it a "healthy correction" 🤡. Yeah, just like how falling down the stairs is a “healthy adjustment” for your spine.
🤔 The Fence-Sitters: "We're Just Watching the Chaos 🍿"
🔮 Multiple Futures Await 🔮: Analysts are juggling four possible scenarios for the NASDAQ—ranging from "moon mission" 🚀 to "welcome to the abyss" 🕳️. Basically, flip a coin.
So... Where Are We Headed? 🤷♂️
Are we strapping in for another ride to the stratosphere 🚀, or is this just a perfectly orchestrated bull trap 🐂🔫? Either way, buckle up, folks—volatility is the only guarantee 🎢😵💫.
💬 What do you think? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔥
(Disclaimer: This isn't financial advice. Do your own research before yeeting into the market. 🚀📉)
Defensive Sector with Growth PotentialSupporting Arguments
Current Market Uncertainty Sustains Demand for the Defensive Sector. NEE represents the defensive utility sector. Given the current political and economic uncertainty in the market, there could be an additional catalyst for the company's stock price growth.
Demand for Green Energy from the IT Sector. More than 80% of the company's portfolio consists of renewable energy sources (RES). Demand from data centers in the IT sector may allow the company to outperform competitors.
Attractive Valuation Levels and Technical Outlook
Investment Thesis
NextEra Energy (NEE) has strong long-term growth prospects due to the increasing demand for RES and the electrification of various sectors. Their integrated business model, combining the regulated utility business FPL and the competitive renewable energy business NEER, ensures both stability and growth opportunities. NEE's leadership in RES production, along with investments in battery energy storage and gas infrastructure, allows the company to benefit from the growing demand for clean energy solutions.
Current Market Uncertainty Could Drive Stock Price Growth. Tariffs imposed by the administration on imports and their potential impact on the U.S. economy remain in investors' focus. The market has responded to high uncertainty with a significant correction in overheated sectors, and pressure may persist for some time. As a representative of the utility sector, NEE benefits from uncertainty and may continue its growth.
Demand for Green Energy from the IT Sector. The largest public companies continue to increase capital expenditures on AI infrastructure to stay competitive. A key component of such infrastructure is data centers, which consume large amounts of energy and contribute to increased environmental pollution. As a result, data center owners create strong demand for companies that provide access to RES. More than 80% of the company’s portfolio consists of renewable energy sources. Already, the company’s annual profit growth rate is twice as high as that of its competitors.
Attractive Valuation Levels and Technical Outlook. The company's stock is trading at the 200-day moving average and recently rebounded from the resistance line at the 50-day moving average, which could serve as a strong catalyst for movement toward the previous peak of $84.8. Based on the forward PEG ratio, the company is trading at about the same level as companies engaged in traditional energy sources for household supply, while maintaining profitability 5-15% higher than competitors. Based on the forward P/E ratio, the company appears cheaper than its closest direct competitors (18x vs. 20.5x).
Our target price is $82, with a "Buy" recommendation. We recommend setting a stop-loss at $64
Nightly $SPY / $SPX Scenarios for March 19, 2025 🔮 🔮
🌍 Market-Moving News 🌍:
🇺🇸🏦 Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision 🏦: The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday, March 19, at 2:00 PM ET, followed by a press conference with Fed Chair Jerome Powell at 2:30 PM ET. The Fed is widely expected to maintain the federal funds rate at its current range of 4.25% to 4.5%. Investors will closely monitor the Fed's economic projections and Powell's comments for insights into future monetary policy, especially in light of ongoing trade tensions and global economic uncertainties.
🇯🇵💴 Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Decision 💴: The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is set to announce its monetary policy decision on March 19. The BOJ is expected to keep interest rates steady, as policymakers assess the potential impact of U.S. trade policies on Japan's export-driven economy. The yen has remained stable ahead of the announcement, with traders awaiting the BOJ's guidance on future monetary policy.
📊 Key Data Releases 📊:
📅 Wednesday, March 19:
🏢 Existing Home Sales (10:00 AM ET) 🏢:This report measures the annualized number of existing residential buildings sold during the previous month, providing insight into the strength of the housing market.
Forecast: 5.50 million annualized units
Previous: 5.47 million annualized units
⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult with a professional financial advisor before making investment decisions.⚠️
📌 #trading #stockmarket #economy #news #trendtao #charting #technicalanalysis
Institute of Intermediation and 24 Coffee LoversWhen the market is efficient, the most efficient strategy will yield zero financial return for the investor. Therefore, firstly, it is necessary to strive to find inefficiencies in the market itself to apply a strategy that will be effective for it.
What creates market inefficiency? First, there are delays in disseminating important information about the company, such as the approval of a contract with a major customer or an accident at a plant. If current and potential investors do not receive this information immediately, the market becomes inefficient at the time such an event occurs. In other words, objective reality is not considered by market participants. This makes the stock price obsolete.
Secondly, the market becomes inefficient during periods of high volatility. I would describe it this way: when uncertainty hits everyone, emotions become the main force influencing prices. At such times, the market value of a company can change significantly within a single day. Investors have too many different assessments of what is happening to find the necessary balance. Volatility can be triggered by the bankruptcy of a systemically important company (for example, as happened with Lehman Brothers), the outbreak of military action, or a natural disaster.
Third, there is the massive action of large players in a limited market - a "bull in a china shop" situation. A great example is the story of 2021, when the Reddit community drove up the price of GameStop shares, forcing hedge funds to cover their short positions at sky-high prices.
Fourthly, these are ineffective strategies of the market participants themselves. On August 1, 2012, American stock market trading company Knight Capital caused abnormal volatility in more than 100 stocks by sending millions of orders to the exchange over a 45-minute period. For example, Wizzard Software Corporation shares rose from $3.50 to $14.76. This behavior was caused by a bug in the code that Knight Capital used for algorithmic trading.
The combination of these and other factors creates inefficiencies that are exploited by trained traders or investors to make a profit. However, there are market participants who receive their income in any market. They are above the fray and are engaged in supporting and developing the infrastructure itself.
In mathematics, there is a concept called a “zero-sum game”. This is any game where the sum of the possible gains is equal to the sum of the losses. For example, the derivatives market is a perfect embodiment of a zero-sum game. If someone makes a profit on a futures contract, he always has a partner with a similar loss. However, if you dive deeper, you will realize that this is a negative-sum game, since in addition to profit and loss, there are commissions that you pay to the infrastructure: brokers, exchanges, regulators, etc.
To understand the value of these market participants and that you are paying them well, imagine a modern world without them. There is only a company issuing shares and investors in them.
Such a company has its own software, and you connect to it via the Internet to buy or sell shares. The company offers you a quote for buying and selling shares ( bid-ask spread ). The asking price ( ask ) will be influenced by the company's desire to offer a price that will help it not lose control over the company, consider all expected income, dividends, etc. The purchase price ( bid ) will be influenced by the company's desire to preserve the cash received in the capital market, as well as to earn money on its own shares by offering a lower price. In general, in such a situation, you will most likely get a huge difference between the purchase and sale prices - a wide bid-ask spread .
Of course, the company understands that the wider the bid-ask spread , the less interest investors have in participating in such trading. Therefore, it would be advisable to allow investors to participate in the formation of quotes. In other words, a company can open its order book to anyone who wants to participate. Under such conditions, the bid-ask spread will be narrowed by bids from a wide range of investors.
As a result, we will get a situation where each company will have its own order book and its own software to connect to it. From a portfolio investor's perspective, this would be a real nightmare. In such a world, investing in not one, but several companies would require managing multiple applications and accounts for each company at the same time. This will create a demand from investors for one app and one account to manage investments in multiple companies. Such a request will also be supported by the company issuing the shares, as it will allow it to attract investors from other companies. This is where the broker comes in.
Now everything is much better and more convenient. Investors get the opportunity to invest in multiple companies through one account and one application, and companies get investors from each other. However, the stock market will still be segmented, as not all brokers will support cooperation with individual companies, for technical or other reasons. The market will be fragmented among many brokerage companies.
The logical solution would be to create another market participant that would have contracts with each of the companies and universal software for trading their shares. The only thing is that it will be brokers, not investors, who will connect to such a system. You may have already guessed that this is an exchange.
On the one hand, the exchange registers shares of companies, on the other hand, it provides access to trading them through brokers who are its members. Of course, the modern structure of the stock market is more complex: it involves clearing, depository companies, registrars of rights to shares, etc.* The formation of such institutions and their licensing is handled by a regulator, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States ( SEC ). As a rule, the regulator is responsible for legislative initiatives in the field of the securities market, licensing of market participants, monitoring violations in the market and supporting its efficiency, protecting investors from unfair manipulation.
*Clearing services are activities to determine, control and fulfill obligations under transactions of financial market participants. Depository services - services for the storage of securities and the recording of rights to them.
Thus, by making a transaction on the exchange, we contribute to the maintenance of this necessary infrastructure. Despite the fashion for decentralization, it is still difficult to imagine how one can ensure speed, convenience and access to a wide range of assets due to the absence of an intermediary institution. The other side of the coin of this institution is infrastructure risk. You can show phenomenal results in the market, but if your broker goes bankrupt, all your efforts will be nullified.
Therefore, before choosing an intermediary, it is useful to conduct a mental survey of the person you will be dealing with. Below you will find different types of intermediaries, which I have arranged according to their distance from the central elements of the infrastructure (exchanges, clearing houses, depositories).
Prime broker
Exchange Membership: mandatory
License: mandatory
Acceptance and accounting of your funds/shares: mandatory
Order execution: mandatory
Clearing and depository services: mandatory
Marginal services: mandatory
Remuneration: commission income from trades, clearing, depository and margin services
This category includes well-known financial houses with history and high capitalization. They are easily verified through lists of exchange members, clearing and depository companies. They provide services not only to individuals, but also to banks, funds and next-level brokers.
Broker
Exchange membership: mandatory
License: mandatory
Acceptance and accounting of your funds/shares: mandatory
Order execution: mandatory
Clearing and depository services: on the prime broker side
Margin services: on the prime broker side or own
Remuneration: commission income from trades and margin services
This category includes intermediaries with a focus on order routing. They delegate participation in depository and clearing services to a prime broker. However, such brokers can also be easily verified in the lists of exchange members.
Sub-broker
Exchange Membership: no
License: mandatory
Acceptance and accounting of your funds/shares: mandatory
Order execution: on the broker or prime broker side
Clearing and depository services: on the prime broker side
Margin services: on the broker or prime broker side
Remuneration: commission income from trades
This category includes brokers who have a brokerage license in their country, but do not have membership in foreign exchanges. To provide trading services on these exchanges, they enter into agreements with brokers or prime brokers from another country. They can be easily verified by license on the website of the regulator of the country of registration.
Introducing Broker
Exchange Membership: no
License: optional, depending on the country of regulation
Acceptance and accounting of your funds / shares: no
Order execution: on the side of the sub-broker, broker or prime broker
Clearing and depository services: on the prime broker side
Margin services: on the broker or prime broker side
Remuneration: commission income for the attracted client and/or a share of the commissions paid by them
This category includes companies that are not members of the exchange. Their activities may not require a license, since they do not accept funds from clients, but only assist in opening an account with one of the top-tier brokers. This is a less transparent level, since such an intermediary cannot be verified through the exchange and regulator’s website (unless licensing is required). Therefore, if an intermediary of this level asks you to transfer some money to his account, most likely you are dealing with a fraudster.
All four categories of participants are typical for the stock market. Its advantage over the over-the-counter market is that you can always check the financial instrument on the exchange website, as well as those who provide services for its trading (membership - on the exchange website, license - on the regulator's website).
Pay attention to the country of origin of the broker's license. You will receive maximum protection in the country where you have citizenship. In case of any claims against the broker, communication with the regulator of another country may be difficult.
As for the over-the-counter market, this segment typically trades shares of small-cap companies (not listed on the exchange), complex derivatives and contracts for difference ( CFD ). This is a market where dealers rule, not brokers and exchanges. Unlike a broker, they sell you their open position, often with a lot of leverage. Therefore, trading with a dealer is a priori a more significant risk.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the institution of intermediation plays a key role in the development of the stock market. It arose as a natural need of its participants for concentration of supply and demand, greater speed and security of financial transactions. To get a feel for this, let me tell you a story.
New Amsterdam, 1640s
A warm wind from the Hudson brought the smell of salt and freshly cut wood. The damp logs of the palisade, dug into the ground along the northern boundary of the settlement, smelled of resin and new hopes. Here, on the edge of civilization, where Dutch colonists were reclaiming their homes and future fortunes from the wild forest, everything was built quickly, but with a view to lasting for centuries.
The wooden wall built around the northern border of the town was not only a defense against raids, but also a symbol. A symbol of the border between order and chaos, between the ambitions of European settlers and the freedom of these lands. Over the years, the fortification evolved into a real fortification: by 1653, Peter Stuyvesant, appointed governor of New Netherland by the West India Company, ordered the wall to be reinforced with a palisade. It was now twelve feet high, and armed sentries stood on guard towers.
But even the strongest walls do not last forever. Half a century after their construction, in 1685, a road was built along the powerful palisade. The street received a simple and logical name - Wall Street. It soon became a bustling commercial artery for the growing city. In 1699, when the English authorities had already established themselves here finally, the wall was dismantled. She disappeared, but Wall Street remained.
A century has passed
Now, at the end of the 18th century, there were no walls or guard towers on this street. Instead, a plane tree grew here - a large, spreading one, the only witness to the times when the Dutch still owned this city. Traders, dealers, and sea captains met under its shadow. Opposite the buttonwood tree stood the Tontine Coffee House, a place where not just respectable people gathered, but those who understood that money makes this world go round.
They exchanged securities right on the pavement, negotiated over a cup of steaming coffee, and discussed deals that could change someone's fate. Decisions were made quickly - a word, backed up by a handshake, was enough. It was a time when honor was worth more than gold.
But the world was changing. The volume of trades grew, and chaos demanded rules.
May 17, 1792
That spring day turned out to be decisive. Under the branches of an old buttonwood tree, 24 New York brokers gathered to start a new order. The paper they signed contained only two points: trades are made only between their own, without auctioneers, and the commission is fixed at 0.25%.
The document was short but historic. It was called the Buttonwood Agreement, after the tree under which it was signed.
Here, amid the smell of fresh coffee and ink, the New York Stock Exchange was born.
Soon, deals were being concluded under the new rules. The first papers to be traded were those of The Bank of New York , whose headquarters were just a few steps away at 1 Wall Street. Thus, under the shade of an old tree, the history of Wall Street began. A story that will one day change the whole world.
Buttonwood Agreement. A fresco by an unknown artist who adorns the walls of the New York Stock Exchange.
Nvidia - That's Officially The Brutal End!Nvidia ( NASDAQ:NVDA ) is breaking all structure:
Click chart above to see the detailed analysis👆🏻
Following previous cycles, Nvidia has been rallying for more than 2 years, creating an overall pump of approximately +1.000%. But now, everything is literally pointing to a significant towards the downside and with a potential drop of -30%, bears are totally taking over Nvidia now.
Levels to watch: $70
Keep your long term vision,
Philip (BasicTrading)