Tuesday 9 July 2013

Volatility relentlessly sliding

With equity indexes closing higher, the VIX naturally saw the fourth consecutive daily decline, closing -2.9% @ 14.35, the lowest VIX level in six weeks. Near term trend remains weak, and VIX looks set for the 13/12s.


VIX'60min


VIX'daily3



Summary

The VIX has now lost over a third, in just 11 trading days.

The big 20 threshold now looks a very long way up, and it doesn't look likely to be hit any time soon, certainly not before mid August, but perhaps way into September.

The hourly VIX/index charts are offering a small move in the bears favour, perhaps across late Wed/Thursday, but bigger picture remains in favour of equity bulls.

For the bears out there, its a market to avoid, and just observe.

more later...on the indexes

Closing Brief

It was the fourth consecutive daily gain for the US indexes, with the sp +11pts (0.75%) @ 1652. The transports saw very strong gains (but largely a result of FDX), +2.2%. Near term resistance is around sp'1655/60.


sp'60min


Summary

Another day for the bulls to revel in this twisted QE-fuelled market.

There is simply no reason for the bears to be part of  this.

Even the threat of moderate downside - post FOMC minutes (Wed' 2pm), is arguably nothing to be trading on.

By early August, we will surely be in the sp'1700s
--

*I remain content to be on the sidelines.

3pm update - melt into the close?

The main market is holding comfortably in the sp'1650s. Bulls should aim to break the June'18 high of 1654. Anything over that, arguably makes the 1700s a given by early August. Bears remain obliterated, with the VIX set to lose the 14s.


sp'daily5



vix'daily3


Summary

Considering another QE is scheduled for tomorrow, you'd have to expect the algo-bots will want to front run it.

No reason why we won't at least hold flat, or even climb into the close.

After relative weakness, Oil is melting higher, now up almost 1%


3.17pm.. sp'1653..just 1pt away from hitting a few more short-stops from the 1654 high.

I would guess the bots will manage to spike through this.

2pm update - comfortably holding gains

The market is holding gains for the fourth consecutive day, with the sp' in the 1650s. The June'18th high of 1654 looks set to be taken out either late today, or sometime tomorrow - when there is another mid-size QE of $3bn.


sp'daily5


Summary

One minor surprise is how weak Oil appears to be, although I guess it might just be price consolidation after the break through the big $100 level.
--

*I remain more than content to sit on the sidelines.


Stock of the day... BKS


It would seem the CEO just got the boot, and the stock is continuing its daily up cycle. That only leaves the rest of the incompetent board members still to go.

Despite the price ramp..the company continues to lose money on EVERY book sold. Clearly, capitalism at its finest.

1pm update - nasty market

For the bears, this is unquestionably a nasty market. The bears were again teased this morning with a swift..but oh so brief 6/7pt drop from the opening high. Primary trend remains...UP, and the sp'1700s look a given by early August. VIX can barely hold the 14s, and 12s look viable within a week or two.


sp'weekly8


Summary

Suffice to say...the nonsense continues.

All is well at the worlds most rigged casino...and its an almost entirely FEARLESS casino.

More QE tomorrow....bears beware.


VIX update..from Dr. J



back later

12pm update - QE melt

The main US market is in relentless QE melt mode, with the sp' comfortably holding the low sp'1650s. The May'22 high of 1687 is now a mere 2% away, That looks set to be broken, but more likely after some consolidation. VIX is struggling to hold the low 14s.


sp'weekly2


*the above chart is a simple one, strip away any numbers, and purely focus on the price structure. We ain't headed down, are we?


Summary

There is little to note, other than the bulls are in absolute full control.

I continue to see some who are touting this as merely a wave'2 bounce - after the recent 1687-1560 decline.

Err, no, considering the weekly charts, this is no wave'2, its a straight up ramp. Whether you want to call it a 'final wave'5'..or whatever, we look set to be breaking the sp'1700s soon enough.

Anyone currently shorting into the current rally, is arguably nothing less than a maniac. The fact there is another mid-size QE tomorrow..only adds to the problems the bears face.

11am update - QE fuelled market

A micro down cycle, but the market just bounces right back. Bears face persistant problems from the QE, a close in the 1650s looks pretty easy for the bulls. Metals are holding gains of around 1%, Oil is surprisingly weak, currently flat on the day.


sp'60min


Summary

A slightly messy morning. Bears teased with a small 6pt drop..only to then see it all reverse within a few minutes.

From my pespective its this simple.

1. utterly crazy to short the main indexes..after yesterdays bullish turn in the weekly cycle.2
2. overly risky to chase higher..and go long. Prefer entry 1625/30.

As it is, 1625 now looks off the table, and if we close in the 1650s, then 1660s are an easy hit by late Wednesday.-  when the FOMC minutes are released.


So...I'm just sitting back.
 --

11.13am.. I've no idea why, but the Transports is exploding higher.



Thats a massively bullish move, and opens up the big 6600 level, which if hit..opens up 7000s..'fast'

10am update - just another day higher

The US markets are once again on the rise, with the sp' making a play for the 1650s. Even worse for the bears, there is significant QE of around $3bn, and those 'benny bux' will be looking for a place to go this morning.


sp'60min


Summary

Bears remain entirely powerless. No downside of significance likely any time soon.

Anyone have any doubts of sp'1700s by early August now?
--

10.08...back to sp'1645..hmm...and thats why I won't chase the higher open.

Hourly index charts are just too high, not that shorting this would either be a good idea.

Pre-Market Brief

Good morning. Futures are (yet again) moderately higher, sp +6pts, we're set to open at 1646. Precious metals are showing similar strength, whilst Oil is again failing to participate, and is a touch weak. USD is slightly higher.


sp'60min


Summary

So, market is going to open higher again, and the 1650s are easily within range today.

Bears face a mid-size QE both today..and tomorrow. So, any intra-day weakness won't last for long.

What is clear, there is absolutely no point in attempting to re-short this today, tomorrow, and probably not until early August.
--

*I was looking to pick up an index-long block, but I won't chase it higher at current levels. Hourly charts are very high, and I'm content to just sit back and wait. At least I'm no longer on the short-side.

Rising into August

It would appear US equities are just going to keep battling higher for some weeks.  A significant wave higher - at least into early August, seems very likely, and that will surely take the sp' into the 1700s. The only issue is whether there will be any significant downside at all later this year.


sp'weekly8 - near term outlook


Summary

Another 8pts added to the sp'500, and we're already at 1640, a clear 90pts higher, in just ten trading days. Pretty incredible really, although its not like we've not seen this degree of rally already this year.

At the current rate, we will be in the mid 1700s by the end of this month. As it is, I'm sure we'll get some kind of sideways chop for a bit, with the 1700s far more likely in August, than July.


How high can this nonsense go?

Many months ago, I put together a number of 'hyper-bullish' charts. Broadly, they are all looking for a high in late 2015/early 2016 (largely based on the ECM cycle of Armstrong). At a minimum, the sp' would be 2000, if not 2500, even 3000.


Of course, those latter target levels are currently in the 'crazy talk' realm, but then, just 2 years ago, who would have thought we would be comfortably trading in the sp'1600s?

What does seem clear, from a pure price formation, the recent downside from May'22, has produced a very large bull flag. Based on the previous flags, there is little reason why we won't rally at least into August, if not for a few months further.


Looking ahead

There is no real econ-data tomorrow of note. However, there is a mid-sized QE of around $3bn, that should be enough to keep the market propped up.

*I remain on the sidelines, but will be looking to pick up an index-long block early Tuesday. As things are, I don't expect to be launching any new index-shorts until August..at the earliest.

Goodnight from London

Daily Index Cycle update

The US markets started the week on a moderately bullish note, with the sp +8pts @ 1640. The R2K managed similar gains of 0.4%, closing @ 1009. Transports were a little weak, +8pts to 6298. Trans 6600s will be the first clear signal that the market remains in hyper-bullish mode.


sp'daily5



R2K



Trans


Summary

So, the market is broadly continuing the up trend since the sp'1560 low, from 10 trading days ago.

Unquestionably, the bulls are back in control, and with the weekly charts now also back to a broadly bullish formation, further gains seem likely this week, to sp'1650/60s.

The only issue appears to be, whether sp'1700s will be hit this month...or next.

a little more later...