Uncertainty continues to plague the market.

The choppy price action and violent reversals continue to plague the market.  Emotional uncertainty seems to be the best way to describe current price action.  As a result, many charts are displaying technical damage, raising the concern of a market top.  Geopolitical events are also raising uncertainty levels adding additional risk to every trade.  This morning the futures are pointing to a gap down which will break some important support levels.  Those that were determined to trade yesterday will most likely see an unhappy result in their account this morning.  Not every day is a good day to trade!  Sometimes the best decision is just to stand aside and watch.

On The Calendar

We have a busy morning on the Economic Calendar today.  We get it going with the ADP Employment Report at 8:15 AM Eastern and quickly followed by International Trade and Jobless Claims at 8:30.  The ADP number missed the mark last month over shooting by 106K!  For June their guess for 180K jobs created.  The International Trade gap is expected to narrow slightly to 46.2 billion from the 47.6 reading last month.  Labor demand is expected to remain very strong with and expectation of 244K jobless claims which is unchanged from last week.

At 10:00 we get the latest reading on the ISM Non-Mfg Index which forecasters see coming in at 56.5 versus May’s 56.9 print.  All eyes will be on the 11:00 EIA Petroleum Status Report which has been trending slightly lower.  However, supplies have remained so strong oil prices have continued to struggle, and that is not expected to change much today.  We have 1 Fed Speaker during market hours at 10:00 AM and then after the close today at 7:30 PM

We have 13 companies expected to report on the Earnings Calendar today.  I would not expect any of the companies reporting to market-moving or particularly noteworthy.

Action Plan

Yesterday turned out about as expected yesterday with light volume and choppy price action.  Technically speaking nothing changed in the charts.  During the live session yesterday I gave my case caution looking over the four major indexes.  Unfortuniantully, it would seem my concern is showing up in this morning’s futures currently suggesting a gap down at the open.  Saber rattling with the North Korean dictator has intensified raising the level of uncertainty for the market.  Also, keep in mind that the big Employment Situation report is tomorrow morning.  Often the market is very choppy before this report so doesn’t be surprised to see another day of poor price action.

My overall plan remains the same.  Manage current positions and continue refining my shopping list of potential trades.  If I do trade, I will plan smaller than normal positions due to the price action risk of the market.  Always remember Cash is a Positon.

Trade Wisely,

Doug