Earnings Top the News This Morning

Stocks gapped 1% – 1.5% higher across all 3 major indices on Friday.  However, from that point they just ground sideways in a very tight range, until a pop higher the last 5 minutes of the day.  This left us with gap-up, white-bodied candles that closed very near the high of the day.  Each of those 3 major indices are now sitting just above their respective T-lines (8ema).  It’s worth noting volume remains well-below average.  All 10 sectors were solidly green with Financial Services being by far the hottest group. On the day, SPY gained 1.87%, DIA gained 2.04%, and QQQ gained 1.81%.  The VXX fell 3.5% to 21.54 and T2122 spiked just up into the overbought territory at 81.67.  10-year bond yields fell to 2.926% and Oil (WTI) prices were up almost 1.9% to $97.55/ barrel.  It’s worth noting that the 2yr vs 10yr bond yields and 5yr vs 10yr bond yields both remained inverted at the end of the week.  By the end of the day Friday, 31.35% of stocks were trading above their 40sma.  At the same time, 16.16% of stocks are trading above their 200sma. 

Taking a broader look, on the week, SPY was down 0.92%, QQQ was down 1.17%, and DIA was down 0.24%.  All 3 printed Hammer-type candles on that weekly chart.  However, all 3 also remain below their weekly T-lines and 50sma levels.  Those 50smas also continue to fall.  In short, the trend remains to the downside.

In economic news Friday, the NY Empire State Mfg. Index came in much higher than expected (11.10 vs -2.00 forecast and -1.20 in June).  June Retail Sales also came in a bit above expectation (+1.0% vs +0.8% estimated and -0.1% the prior month).  However, May Business inventories rose slightly more than expected and May Retail inventories were the same as the prior month.  Finally, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment came also in slightly above forecast (47.3 actual versus 47.0 consensus estimate but still down from the June 47.5).  Taken as a whole, these are clues that the Fed will continue on course for a 0.75% rate hike on July 27.

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In supply chain news, over the weekend, President Biden took action to prevent 115k railroad workers from striking today (and for another 60 days). He also appointed an emergency board whose task is to find a contract compromise within 30 days.  This action prevents 30% of US freight from coming to a halt.  However, from a different direction, ADM is among the major rail users already complaining about inadequate (untimely) rail service. The nation’s ports are staggering from slow rail (and trucking) service causing containers to stack up and having nowhere to put them.  The Port of Los Angeles currently has over 33,000 containers waiting for an average of 9-plus days for pickup by rail or trucking shippers. MarineTraffic says over 640,000 containers are sitting on ships waiting to be unloaded at US ports at the moment.  And CNBC says that out of all US ports, only the Norfolk, VA, and NY/NJ ports are operating at normal speeds.  As a potential answer to this, railroads are proposing that they be allowed to reduce the minimum staffing for a train from two to one employee. Not surprisingly, unions oppose the move as a major safety hazard.

In the invasion story, Saturday Russia took another step back toward a centrally-planned economy.  Putin has appointed a new Deputy Prime Minister (Manturov, formerly Trade Minister) whose job is to mobilize the Russian economy to support the war. New laws force companies to accept military contracts (on the military’s terms) and force workers to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as give up vacations if the company feels it necessary. Manturov also declared two new focuses of the Russian economy.  First, he plans to develop local (Russian-made) attack drones.  Second, Taiwan won’t sell them advanced chips and even after ramping up the buying of lower-end chips from China, they have decided they want to develop a Russian semiconductor industry (which will take years at best). 

On the same topic from a different perspective, the first step toward creating this new industry would be to get the lithography equipment needed to make a semiconductor Fab plant. However, currently, ASML (Netherlands) is the only source of lithography equipment in the world and they won’t sell to Russia.  So, Russia will need to steal and/or develop this technology to compete with ASML. Elsewhere, from a European economy point of view, Gazprom announced that they extracted 10% less and exported 33% less natural gas in the first 6 months of 2022 compared to 2021. With the natural gas flow now shut down completely (ostensibly for maintenance) and fear Russia will not turn it back on, the SHEL CEO warned Europe that energy rationing may hit the region by winter and the IEA concurred that Russia is likely going to prevent European nations from filling storage tanks before winter to maximize their leverage.

Overnight, Asian markets were green across the board.  Hong Kong (+2.70%), South Korea (+1.90%), and Shanghai (+1.55%) led the region higher but even the laggard (New Zealand) was up 0.37%.  (Japan was closed today for a holiday.) In Europe, the same is true with the exception of Russia (-0.62%) at mid-day.  This comes on optimism from the EU announcing it will sign a new gas supply deal with Azerbaijan (to replace Russian gas) and a weakening dollar.  The FTSE (+1.19%), DAX (+1.28%), and CAC (+1.53%) are leading the region up in early afternoon trading.  As of 7:30 am, US Futures are pointing toward another significant gap higher to start the day.  The DIA implies a +0.96% open, the SPY is implying a +1.01% open, and the QQQ implies a +1.18% open at this hour.  10-year bond yields are at 2.956% and Oil (WTI) is up almost 2% to $99.51/barrel in early trading.

There are no major economic news events scheduled for Monday.  The major earnings reports scheduled for the day include BAC, SCHW, GS, PLD, and SYF before the opening bell.  Then after the close, we hear from IBM.  So far this morning, GS, NRCBY, and SYF have all reported beats on both lines.  BAC beat on revenue while coming in light on earnings.  (SCHW and PLD report closer to the bell.)

In economic news coming later this week, on Tuesday we get June Building Permits and June Housing Starts.  Then Wednesday, June Existing Home Sales and Crude Oil Inventories are announced.  On Thursday we get Philly Fed Mfg. Index and Weekly Jobless Claims.  Finally, on Friday Mfg. PMI and Services PMI are released.

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Earnings season will continue to be a big story and leads the news today. Futures are showing that markets like what they hear out of Europe and earnings so far today. However, be aware that both large-cap indices gaps could be seen as testing the mid-term downtrend. (As the old saw goes, “trust but verify”…or in our case get confirmation.) We certainly could have put in a bottom, but the most recent swing-low was a lower-low (for the DIA and SPY) and that puts a kink in a new bullish trend. So, expect more volatility and chop. Since the vast majority of traders don’t remember a similar situation, we are likely to whipsaw back and forth as the market re-learns the lessons taught in prior decades. There are only two things that we know for sure. First, the low volumes of the last few weeks tell us there is not a huge amount of conviction in either the bull or bear camps (and a LOT of retail traders have fled the market). Second, we know the trend remains bearish until it is broken and price proves it can hold the break.

Stick with your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Demonstrate patience and wait for confirmation. Remember that trading is our job. So, do the work and follow the process. Always move your stops in your favor and remember the “Legend of the man in the green bathrobe“…it is NOT house money, it’s all our money! One way to put this is Buffett’s first rule of making big money in the market, which is to not lose big money in the market. So, don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, just admit you were wrong, respect your stop, and take the loss before it grows. Lastly, remember that you get rich slowly and steadily in Trading…not by striking it rich on one or two trades. So, give up that lottery ticket mentality. Lastly, remember it is Friday. So, be prepared for the weekend news cycle.

See you in the trading room.

Ed

Swing Trade Ideas for your consideration and watchlist: AI, BA, ARKK, AFRM, TDOC, TCOM, DKNG, TGT, AAPL, NFLX, RIDE, TLT, C. You can find Rick’s review of tickers on his YouTube Channel here. Trade your plan, take profits along the way, and smart. Also, remember to check for impending earnings reports. Finally, remember that any tickers we mention and talk about in the trading room are not recommendations to buy or sell.

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🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

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Disclosure: We do not act on all trades we mention, and not all mentions acted on the day of the mention. All trades we mention are for your consideration only.

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DISCLAIMER: Investing / Trading involves significant financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. No communication from Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates or representatives is not financial or trading advice. All information provided by Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates and representatives are intended for educational purposes only. You are advised to test any new trading approach before implementing it.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Terms of Service

Defending 2020 Market Lows

Defending 2020 Market Lows

Although the earnings and economic data pointed to significant economic weakness, the bulls went to work defending 2020 market lows on Thursday.  However, the rally continued to show weak volume, and index prices remain under significant technical and price resistance.  So that raises the question, can they follow through with the second day of bullishness filled with market-moving earnings and economic reports?   We will soon find out but prepare for challenging price action by watching for whipsaws and possible complete reversals if the data inspires the bears. 

Asian markets closed mixed but mostly lower overnight as China’s GDP missed expectations.  European markets are, however, in bullish mode this morning, showing green across the board.  Ahead of a big day of data, U.S. futures defy weak economic conditions and inflation pointing to a bullish open even as bad bank results roll in.  Plan carefully headed into the uncertainty of the weekend.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

The bank majors dominate the earnings calendar today.  Notable reports include BK, BLK, C, PNC, STT, USB, UNH, & WFC.

News & Technicals’

On the one hand, Dimon said the U.S. “economy continues to grow and both the job market and consumer spending, and their ability to spend, remain healthy.”  “But geopolitical tension, high inflation, waning consumer confidence, the uncertainty about how high rates have to go, and the never-before-seen quantitative tightening and their effects on global liquidity … are very likely to have negative consequences on the global economy sometime down the road,” he warned.  The best way to stabilize oil prices is to boost supply, and alternatives to Russian oil are available to the world, said Mathias Corman, the secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said a cap on Russian oil prices would be crucial to bringing down inflation.  Industry players told CNBC an improving macroeconomic picture, particular trading patterns, and further shakeout or “deleveraging” could help bitcoin and the crypto market find a bottom.  This could mean further downside for bitcoin to as low as $13,000, will remove the “last remaining weak hands.”  There have been high-profile collapses in the latest “crypto winter,” including lender Celsius and hedge fund Three Arrows Capital.  China eked out GDP growth of 0.4% in the second quarter from a year ago, missing expectations as the economy struggled to shake off the impact of Covid controls.  Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast growth of 1% in the second quarter.  However, retail sales in June rose by 3.1%, recovering from a prior slump and beating expectations for no growth from the prior year.  In the second quarter, mainland China faced its worst Covid outbreak since the height of the pandemic in early 2020.  Starbucks will close 16 U.S. stores, mostly on the West Coast, by the end of July because of safety concerns.  Six stores will close in Greater Los Angeles; six in Greater Seattle; two in Portland, Oregon; one in Philadelphia and D.C.  The move comes as more than 100 stores have voted to unionize since the end of 2021.  Bond yields declined slightly in early Friday trading, with the 2-year slipping to 2.93% and the 30-year dipping to 3.09%.  However, the 2-year remains inverted over five, ten, and 30-year bonds, pricing at 3.12% this morning. 

Disappointing bank earnings, rising jobless claims, and a near-record PPI reading started Thursday with an ugly gap down, but the bulls used that move to buy, defending 2020 market lows.   The T2122 indicator did show a short-term oversold condition at the morning gap down, but the rally is not very convincing so far.  Volume remained suspiciously low, and the indexes remain beneath significant technical and overhead resistance.  Today we face a bigger day of bank earnings, so if you’re a bull, let’s hope the JPM and MS result don’t become expand into a bearish 3rd quarter theme.  Adding to the potential price volatility are Retail Sales, Empire Start MFG., Import & Export Prices, Industrial Production, and Consumer Sentiment data to keep traders guessing as we head into the uncertainty of the weekend.  It could be a hectic day ahead, so plan carefully!

Trade Wisley,

Doug

ERs Mixed, China Weak, Fear of Russia High

Stocks gapped significantly lower Thursday as banks missed on earnings and some Fed members were talking about a potential 1% rate hike on July 27.  The markets then sold off for the first 30 minutes before the bulls stepped in at 10 am to start a long, steady rally that reached the highs of the day at about 3:30 pm. This left us with gap-down, white candles with longer lower wicks.  As has been usual for weeks now, all the day’s action happened on lower-than-average volume. By day end, just 26% of all stocks are trading above their 40sma and only 15% of them are trading above their 200sma. All 10 sectors are in the red with Basic Materials being the worst-performing group of the day. The 3 major indices all remain below their T-line (8ema).  On the day, SPY lost 0.24%, DIA lost 0.44%, and QQQ gained 0.36%.  The VXX was flat at 22.32 and T2122 fell back into the oversold territory at 12.39.  10-year bond yields climbed to 2.959%.  However, note that the “2yr vs 5yr” and “2yr/5yr vs 10yr” yield rates are still inverted.  Oil (WTI) was flat on the day at $96.25/barrel. 

As mentioned above, earnings season got off to a less than stellar start Thursday as JPM, MS, TSM, ERIC, and CAG all reported misses on either one or both lines.  JPM CEO Jamie Dimon summed up the economy pretty well. He said that on one hand, the economy continues to grow, the job market remains strong, and consumers’ ability to spend remains healthy.  However, geopolitical tensions, high inflation, poor consumer confidence and uncertainty about Fed tightening impacts are all having very negative consequences.  For its part, JPM only missed on earnings due to increasing their bad loan reserved by nearly half a billion dollars.  However, rival MS missed on a terrible decline in investment banking revenue.  This tells us that businesses are not willing to borrow for mergers and acquisitions at this point in the cycle.  The bottom line is that this is likely a harbinger of a bad earnings season, which is something we have not seen in about a decade (give or take 2020).

In Fed news, the Fed Funds Futures now indicate a 31% probability of a 1% rate hike on July 27.  However, the most likely scenario remains a 0.75% rate increase, which has a 69% probability according to the futures.  This comes after two of the Fed hawks spoke out.  St. Louis Fed President Bullard said he would prefer a 75-basis-point hike and Fed governor Waller said that was what he supported, but said he’d be open to a larger hike if new data shows demand is not slowing.  Finally, Fed Chair Powell and former Vice-Chair Clarida were also cleared of violating any trading rules from 2019-2021 after an independent watchdog published its findings on the Office of the Inspector General’s website.

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In China news, according to Bloomberg, the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Financial Regulators called an emergency meeting with Chinese banks on Thursday night.  It appears there is a widespread mortgage payment boycott taking shape with borrowers refusing to make mortgage payments on at least 100 projects spread across more than 50 cities in the country.  The fear is that this boycott will spread even wider to individual home buyers.  This appears to be a reaction to the recent real estate sector defaults and the government’s response to those companies’ situations.  JEF estimates that a default on just the 100 projects now involved would result in bad loan losses totaling 1% of the entire Chinese mortgage balance.  Elsewhere, the Chinese Q2 GDP numbers came in far below estimates.  The Chinese economy grew 0.4% in Q2 compared to analyst estimates of +1% and Q1’s +4.8% growth.  However, in a small bright spot, June Retail Sales topped expectations, rising 3.1% (no growth was the expected consensus of regional economists). GS has cut its 2022 Chinese growth projection from 4% to 3.3% in response to the news.

In business news, after the close, BAC was fined $225 million for not disbursing state unemployment benefits during the height of the pandemic.  Bloomberg reports that another investigation by regulators has resulted in $1 billion in fines from the 5 biggest US banks (GS, BAC, C, JPM, and MS).  The companies are being fined for failing to monitor/stop employees from using unauthorized, encrypted messaging apps.  It seems each bank will be fined $200 million.

On the Russian invasion story, French President Macron warned his country to prepare for a total cutoff of Russian natural gas.  He promoted alternatives, shutting off public lights at night, and engaging in what he called “energy sobriety.”  Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defense released an intelligence update saying that more than 2.5 million people have been forcibly “evacuated” from Ukraine to Russia (filtration camps).  Elsewhere, war crime investigators have noted a sharp increase in the number of mass graves they have found (using satellite imagery) near residential areas that were heavily targeted by Russian artillery according to the Centre for Information Resilience (a non-governmental organization focused on exposing human rights abuses).  This all comes at the same time 45 countries have signed a declaration to punish Russia for war crimes.

Overnight, Asian markets were mixed but leaned to the red side.  Hong Kong (-2.19%), Shanghai (-1.64%), and Shenzhen (-1.52%) led the region lower.  Meanwhile, Taiwan (+0.78%), India (+0.69%), and Japan (+0.54%) led the gains in the region.  In Europe, we nearly see green across the board at mid-day.  Only Sweden (-1.20%) is defying the trend as the FTSE (+0.94%), DAX (+1.63%), and CAC (+0.71%) lead the region higher in early afternoon trading.  As of 7:30 am, US Futures are pointing toward a modestly green start to the day.  The DIA implies a +0.44% open, the SPY is implying a +0.34% open, and the QQQ implies a +0.28% open at this hour.  10-year bond yields are back down to 2.932% and Oil (WTI) is 1.5% higher to $97.23/barrel in early trading.

The major economic news events scheduled for release Friday include June Retail Sales, June Import/Export Price Index, and NY Empire State Mfg. Index (all at 8:30 am), June Industrial Production (9:15 am), May Business Inventories, May Retail Inventories, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment (all 3 at 10 am).   The major earnings reports scheduled for the day include from BK, BLK, C, PNC, PGR, STT, USB, UNH, and WFC before the open.  There are no major reports scheduled for after the close.

So far this morning, BK, C, PNC, USB, and UNH have all reported beating on both the revenue and earnings lines.  Meanwhile, WFC beat on revenue while missing on earnings.  BLK has reported significant misses on both lines. WFC took its earnings hit for similar reasons to JPM on Thursday. The company increased its reserves for bad loan losses by $588 million and also took a $576 million impairment for Q2 equity losses of its venture capital unit.

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Earnings season is here again and we are getting a mixed bag right out of the shoot. Futures are showing that markets did not like that news, but probably more eyes are on inflation as yet another Fed voter (Mester) called for “at least” a 0.75% hike when the Fed announces in 2 weeks. This comes hours after Canada hiked rates by a full percent. So, for the first time, Futures are considering that there might be a 1% hike and traders are need to (and are) starting to consider how that might impact the economy and stocks. Expect more volatility and chop because the vast majority of traders don’t remember a similar situation. So, markets are likely to whipsaw back and forth as the market re-learns the lessons taught in prior decades. There are only two things that we know for sure. First, the low volumes of the last few weeks tells us there is not a huge amount of conviction in either the bull or bear camps. Second, we know the trend remains bearish in both the longer and short-term views.

Stick with your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Demonstrate patience and wait for confirmation. Remember that trading is our job. So, do the work and follow the process. Always move your stops in your favor and remember the “Legend of the man in the green bathrobe“…it is NOT house money, it’s all our money! One way to put this is Buffett’s first rule of making big money in the market, which is to not lose big money in the market. So, don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, just admit you were wrong, respect your stop, and take the loss before it grows. Lastly, remember that you get rich slowly and steadily in Trading…not by striking it rich on one or two trades. So, give up that lottery ticket mentality. Lastly, remember it is Friday. So, be prepared for the weekend news cycle.

See you in the trading room.

Ed

Swing Trade Ideas for your consideration and watchlist: WOLF, RIDE, MRVL, BA, MSOS, BMY, AAPL, LCID, WMT, TLRY, MAT, DT, PGR. You can find Rick’s review of tickers on his YouTube Channel here. Trade your plan, take profits along the way, and smart. Also, remember to check for impending earnings reports. Finally, remember that any tickers we mention and talk about in the trading room are not recommendations to buy or sell.

TC2000 Discount

🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

Hit and Run Candlesticks / Road To Wealth Youtube videos

Disclosure: We do not act on all trades we mention, and not all mentions acted on the day of the mention. All trades we mention are for your consideration only.

Free YouTube Education  •  Subscription PlansPrivate 2-Hour Coaching

DISCLAIMER: Investing / Trading involves significant financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. No communication from Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates or representatives is not financial or trading advice. All information provided by Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates and representatives are intended for educational purposes only. You are advised to test any new trading approach before implementing it.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Terms of Service

Aggressively Hawkish FOMC

Thoughts of an aggressively hawkish FOMC ultimately won the day, as traders and investors tried to rally after the hotter-than-expected CPI reading of 9.1%.  Markets are now pricing in the possibility of a 100 basis point rate increase at the next meeting, bringing out the bears in the overnight futures.  Not only do we face the price volatility of big bank earnings this morning, but we also have Jobless Claims and another look at inflation with the Producer Price index.  Expect challenging price action in the days and weeks ahead as earnings ramp up, and we find out how companies faired as consumers faced tough spending decisions.

Asian markets closed mixed overnight as Singapore tightened its monetary policy.  Across the pond, European markets trade bearishly this morning due to the hot U.S. inflation.  Pondering more rate increases, the beginning of earnings season, and market-moving economic data, the U.S. futures currently point to a significant gap down ahead of the data release.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Today is the official beginning of third-quarter earnings, so here we go with the silly season!  Notable reports include JPM, CTAS, CAG, ERIC, MS, & TSM.

News & Technicals’

“We’re seeing negative spillover effects from [the Russia-Ukraine] war in every corner of the world, particularly with respect to higher energy prices, and rising food insecurity,” Yellen said the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Bali.  “A price cap on Russian oil is one of our most powerful tools to address the pain that Americans and families across the world are feeling at the gas pump and the grocery store right now,” she added.  Traders are betting the Federal Reserve could raise its target fed funds rate by one percentage point at its July 26-27 meeting.  After June’s super hot consumer price index, market expectations began to climb, and they went even higher after the Bank of Canada raised its rate by 1%.  Investors on Thursday will look to Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s comments and June’s producer price report for more clues on what the Fed might do.  Cryptocurrencies have suffered a brutal come down this year, losing $2 trillion in value since the height of a massive rally in 2021.  While there are parallels between today’s meltdown and crashes past, a lot has changed since the last major bear market in crypto.  The crypto market has been flooded with debt thanks to the emergence of centralized lending schemes and so-called “decentralized finance.”  The collapse of the algorithmic stablecoin terraUSD and the contagion effect from the liquidation of hedge fund Three Arrows Capital highlighted how interconnected projects and companies were in this cycle.  Crypto company Celsius has started the process of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  According to a source, CNBC reported that the company’s lawyers were notifying individual U.S. state regulators of those plans, who asked not to be named because the proceedings were private.  Celsius made headlines a month ago after freezing customer accounts, blaming “extreme market conditions,” and joins a list of other high-profile crypto bankruptcies.  Bond yields rose in early Thursday trading, with the 10-year trading at 2.95% and the 30-year lifting slightly to 3.12%.  However, the most concerning is the expanding inversion of the 2/10 bonds as the 2-year rose to  3.19%.

The market tried to shake off the 9.1 inflation reading yesterday after gapping sharply lower, but the realization of an aggressively hawkish FOMC closed indexes lower on the day.  With the index charts now threatening a lower low, traders are betting the Fed to raise rates by 100 basis points just as we kick off earnings season.  Today we also face Jobless Claims that have started to creep up and another inflationary reading of the Producer Price Index.  Expect a challenging day of price action as the data is revealed, and plan your risk carefully into Friday with another round of likely market-moving data.  Inexperienced traders may be better served avoiding the risk and observing the drama from the sidelines to protect their capital!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Silly Season Starts, Market Mulls 1% Hike

On Wednesday, stocks gapped down sharply in all 3 major indices after the June CPI number came in at 9.1%, much higher than expected.  However, the chop continued as all 3 had more than filled the gap before 11 am.  From that point, we saw volatile sideways chop the rest of the day, ending on a down-swing back into the gap.  This left us with white candles with upper wicks.  All 3 failed a retest of their T-line again.  On the day, SPY lost 0.52%, DIA lost 0.72%, and QQQ lost 0.21%.  The VXX was flat at 22.41 and T2122 climbed a bit to 31.00.  10-year bond yields fell to 2.932% and Oil (WTI) was on the green side of flat at $96.09/barrel.  It is worth noting that the 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year bond yields remain inverted, which is a recession indicator.  In fact, the 2s vs 10s inversion is the largest since 2000.

In economic news, as mentioned above the June CPI came in at 9.1% annualized compared to a expected 8.8% and a 8.6% CPI printed in May.  However, (and keeping with the more than month-long decline in gas prices) later in the day, crude oi inventories showed another build of 3.254 million barrels (when a drawdown of 155,000 barrels had been expected).  This shows that demand continues to decline and, at least in oil, price is following demand.  In other economic news, Canada’s Central Bank surprised markets with a rate increase of a full percent to 2.5%.  This is expected to put the breaks on Canada’s real estate market.  US futures markets are still pricing in a 72% chance of a 75-basis-point hike by the Fed on July 28.  However, the chance of a full percentage hike is now 28% according to futures.

In energy news, ERCOT (Texas power grid) was forced to take emergency actions Wednesday to avoid rolling blackouts.  ERCOT began paying $5,000/megawatt.  The action forced electric generators to turn on supply regardless of maintenance and other plans.  The state also forced large Bitcoin mining operations to go offline and pled with residents to raise thermostats and avoid large appliance use between 2 pm and 9 pm.

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I know we don’t want to hear it, but in Covid news, after Tuesday’s announcement from the WHO that they are worried about the newest variant (BA.5).  BA.5 is the most transmissible variant so far, being highly contagious.  Cases are climbing as Europe has seen a 25% spike in cases (which is significant since it is summer and people are outside more) and the US reports that 65% of new cases are of this new variant.  On Wednesday, China again ratcheted up lockdowns and testing after closing Macau casinos just 2 days earlier (they are not releasing timely case numbers).  The WHO called for countries to revisit mask mandates.  The point is that the economy, and therefore companies (or at least major employers) especially the public-facing ones, are not out of the woods yet.

In Forex news, the Euro was forced down to parity before recovering again on Wednesday, reaching its lowest level against the strong dollar in over 20 years. A weak European economy, the war-impact risks, and an unfavorable interest rate difference between the Fed and European Central Banks are stoking the flight to dollars. This situation is likely to get worse before it gets better and many analysts are predicting doomsday if Russia fails to turn back on the natural gas after the planned maintenance shutdown. While the strong dollar helps Americans who want to travel to Europe, it is a strong headwind for American companies trying to sell into the European market.

So far this morning, FRC beat on both the earnings and revenue lines.  Meanwhile, JPM beat on revenue while missing on earnings.  (It is worth noting that JPM more than explained away the down earnings by saying it was building up its “bad loan” reserves by $428 million. If even half of that was passed through to earnings they would have beaten estimates.) On the other side, TSM (the world’s largest chipmaker) missed on revenue while beating on earnings.  However, ERIC had a terrible quarter and missed on both lines.

Overnight, Asian markets were mixed on relatively modest moves.  Singapore (-1.22%) was an outlier with Thailand (-0.65%) pacing the losses.  Meanwhile, Taiwan (+0.79%), Shenzhen (+0.75%), and Japan (+0.62%) leading the gains in the region.  In Europe, stocks are red across the board at mid-day.  The FTSE (-0.85%), DAX (-0.99%), and CAC (-1.21%) are leading the region lower in early afternoon trading, but other than Russia every exchange is strongly lower.  As of 7:30 am, US Futures are pointing toward a gap down to start the day.  The DIA implies a -1.30% open, the SPY is implying a -1.22% open, and the QQQ implies a -0.85% open at this hour.  10-year bond yields have recovered to 2.961% and Oil (WTI) is off 2.9% to $93.58/barrel in early trading.

The major economic news events scheduled for release Thursday are limited to June PPI and Weekly Jobless Claims (both at 8:30 am).  However, there is a Fed speaker (Waller at 11 am).   Earnings season kicks off again with major reports scheduled from CTAS, CAG, ERIC, FRC, JPM, MS, and TSM before the open.  There are no major reports scheduled for after the close Thursday.

In economic news coming later this week, on Friday we get June Retail Sales, June Import/Export Price Index, NY Empire State Mfg. Index, June Industrial Production, May Business Inventories, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment.

In earnings reports later this week, on Friday we hear from BK, BLK, C, PNC, PGR, STT, USB, UNH, and WFC.   

LTA Scanning Software

Earnings season is here again and we are getting a mixed bag right out of the shoot. Futures are showing that markets did not like that news, but probably more eyes are on inflation as yet another Fed voter (Mester) called for “at least” a 0.75% hike when the Fed announces in 2 weeks. This comes hours after Canada hiked rates by a full percent. So, for the first time, Futures are considering that there might be a 1% hike and traders are need to (and are) starting to consider how that might impact the economy and stocks. Expect more volatility and chop because the vast majority of traders don’t remember a similar situation. So, markets are likely to whipsaw back and forth as the market re-learns the lessons taught in prior decades. There are only two things that we know for sure. First, the low volumes of the last few weeks tells us there is not a huge amount of conviction in either the bull or bear camps. Second, we know the trend remains bearish in both the longer and short-term views.

Stick with your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Demonstrate patience and wait for confirmation. Remember that trading is our job. So, do the work and follow the process. Always move your stops in your favor and remember the “Legend of the man in the green bathrobe“…it is NOT house money, it’s all our money! One way to put this is Buffett’s first rule of making big money in the market, which is to not lose big money in the market. So, don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, just admit you were wrong, respect your stop, and take the loss before it grows. Lastly, remember that you get rich slowly and steadily in Trading…not by striking it rich on one or two trades. So, give up that lottery ticket mentality. Lastly, remember it is Friday. So, be prepared for the weekend news cycle.

See you in the trading room.

Ed

Swing Trade Ideas for your consideration and watchlist: MSFT, PANW, TSN, JNJ, CCJ, MOS. You can find Rick’s review of tickers on his YouTube Channel here. Trade your plan, take profits along the way, and smart. Also, remember to check for impending earnings reports. Finally, remember that any tickers we mention and talk about in the trading room are not recommendations to buy or sell.

TC2000 Discount

🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

Hit and Run Candlesticks / Road To Wealth Youtube videos

Disclosure: We do not act on all trades we mention, and not all mentions acted on the day of the mention. All trades we mention are for your consideration only.

Free YouTube Education  •  Subscription PlansPrivate 2-Hour Coaching

DISCLAIMER: Investing / Trading involves significant financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. No communication from Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates or representatives is not financial or trading advice. All information provided by Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates and representatives are intended for educational purposes only. You are advised to test any new trading approach before implementing it.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Terms of Service

Waiting on the CPI

Waiting on the CPI

The Tuesday morning session quickly reversed the overnight session, only to reverse again in the afternoon session, waiting on the CPI and the uncertainty of what happens next.  The good news is that the choppy low-volume range-bound price action will likely end soon, but the big question is which way?  If the CPI doesn’t break the logjam, perhaps the PPI and the beginning of the 3rd quarter earnings will do the job.   However, expect price volatility to remain high the rest of the week as we face Retail Sales and Industrial Production numbers on Friday and another FOMC rate decision just around the corner.  Buckle up the silly season is about to begin!

During the night, Asian markets recovered from early losses to close the day with modest gains.  However, European markets are more pensive about the pending U.S. inflation data currently trading in the red across the board.  However, trying to put on a brave face, U.S. futures trade in the green despite the declining mortgage applications and the pending CPI number, which could change everything by the open.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

We have just eight confirmed earnings reports on the Wednesday earnings calendar that are mostly very small-cap companies.  Notable earnings include DAL & FAST.

News & Technicals’

President Biden is on his way to Saudi Arabia.  While campaigning in 2019, Biden vowed to treat the Saudi kingdom as “the pariah that they are,” and as president, he vocally criticized the country’s human rights abuses.  Recently, Biden wrote in an op-ed that “from the start, my aim was to reorient — but not rupture — relations with a country that’s been a strategic partner for 80 years.”  A federal judge in a New York bankruptcy court has frozen the remaining assets of the once-prominent crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital.  Judge Martin Glenn of the Southern District of New York granted the emergency motion during a court hearing on Tuesday.  Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told employees on Tuesday that the company plans to slow down hiring and consolidate investments through 2023.  Pichai wrote that the company will “need to be more entrepreneurial” than it has shown “on sunnier days.”  Microsoft also announced a small percentage of employee cuts yesterday.  The cuts at Microsoft amount to less than 1% of the total headcount.  Microsoft’s Office group took a more cautious approach to hiring in May.  Twitter filed suit against Elon Musk in the Delaware Court of Chancery on Tuesday after the billionaire said he was terminating his $44 billion deal to buy the company.  Twitter said that Musk’s conduct during his pursuit of the social network amounted to “bad faith,” and it accused the Tesla CEO of acting against the deal since “the market started turning.”  Treasury yields traded flat early Wednesday, with the 10-year at 2.96% and the 30-year rising slightly to 3.16%.  Unfortunately, the 2/10 remains inverted, with the 2-year trading at 3.05%.

The Tuesday open quickly reversed the bearishness of the overnight futures but, by the end of the day, reversed again, leaving behind shooting star candle patterns waiting on the CPI inflation data.  However, the waiting is almost over, and the results will likely be the driving force for at least the morning session.  Will it show that inflation is still on the rise as many analysts suggest, or will it show us the Fed’s activity is working?  No matter what it shows, expect considerable price volatility in reaction and then a quick shift to thinking about what happens next when the big banks begin to report on Thursday.  If that’s not enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, remember that the PPI is Thursday morning to add another shot of uncertainty.  Which direction will we go when the choppy low-volume logjam of the last two weeks finally breaks?  Stay tuned because we will likely soon find out!

Trade Wisley,

Doug

All Eyes on CPI, Earnings Season 1 Day Off

On Tuesday stocks opened mixed and then yo-yoed up and down until 1 pm in the QQQ and SPY.  At the same time, after a small gap lower, DIA had managed to recover fast and stay modestly bullish up to that 1 pm mark as well.  However, at 1 pm a steady and accelerating selloff took over (possibly on political news), driving prices to the lows of the day at 3:30 pm.  After the Congressional hearing ended, stocks bounced up off the lows in the last 15 minutes of the day.  This leaves the 3 major indices as gap-down, black candles that are essentially Spinning Tops (indecisive).  All 3 failed in their attempt to regain the T-line (8ema) after the gap lower. 

Eight of the 10 sectors were red, with Energy by far the biggest loser and Communication Services faring the best, although that is only up 0.28%.  Overall, it was another modestly bearish day, but indecisive day, filled with reversals, and all on low volume.  On the day, SPY lost 0.88%, DIA lost 0.56%, and QQQ lost 0.97%.  The VXX climbed 1.2% to 22.48 and T2122 climbed just outside the oversold territory to 26.42.  10-year bond yields fell just a bit to 2.971% and Oil (WTI) plummeted 8% to $95.68 per barrel.

In stock news, airline stocks skyrocketed on the major drop in oil.  These include AAL (+9.98%), UAL (+8.09%), HA (+6.51%), DAL (+6.15%), and LUV (+4.64%).  Trucking companies were the other big winners, including USX (+8.39%), YELL (+7.32%), and TSP (+5.41%).  After the close, TWTR sued Elon Musk seeking to enforce Musk’s original $54.20/share takeover agreement. 

SNAP Case Study | Actual Trade

Click for video

In economic news, after the close Tuesday, the IMF cut its US GDP growth forecast again.  The international group now forecasts +2.3% for 2022 after having just lowered to 2.9% in late June.  Elsewhere, US Bond yield rates are still signaling recession risk.  The 2-year yield is inverted with the 5-year and 10-year.  The 5-year yield is also inverted with the 10-year.

In Forex and crypto news, the Euro fell to parity with the Dollar on European recession fears during the day.  This was the first parity since 2002.  However, it recovered to 1.0031 per dollar by day end.  Elsewhere, Bitcoin fell over 5% to close at $19,435 and Ethereum plunged more than 8% to $1,046.  In related news, the US Treasury Dept. is seeking comment on the risks and opportunities of digital assets ahead of a report on cryptocurrencies later this year.

Average mortgage rates held steady for the week at 5.74%, while points decreased from 0.65 to 0.59 (for conforming 20% down loans).  However, demand for new home purchase mortgages fell 4% week-on-week and was 18% lower than the same week last year.  Refinance loan applications did rise 2% for the week (after several terrible weeks), but remained 80% lower than the same week one year ago. 

Overnight, Asian markets were mixed.  Taiwan (+2.68%) was an outlier to the upside, but Shenzhen (+0.56%), Japan (+0.54%), and South Korea (+0.47%) led the gainers.  On the downside, Malaysia (-1.04%), Thailand (-0.68%), and India (-0.57%) paced the losses.  In Europe, stocks are nearly red across the board at mid-day. Athens (+1.62%) is the only green in the region as the FTSE (-0.77%), DAX (-0.90%), and CAC (-0.87%) lead the region lower in early afternoon trading.  As of 7:30 am, US Futures are pointing toward a modestly green start to the day (mind you, before CPI data).  The DIA implies a +0.22% open, the SPY is implying a +0.28% open, and the QQQ implies a +0.38% open at this hour.  10-year bond yields are falling again at 2.948% and Oil (WTI) is up 1% to $96.83/barrel in early trade.

The major economic news events scheduled for release Wednesday include June CPI (8:30 am), Crude Oil Inventories (10:30 am), the Fed Beige Book and the June Federal Budget Balance (both at 2 pm).  The only major earnings reports scheduled for the day are DAL and FAST before the open. On that front, DAL reported a beat on the revenue line while coming up short on the earnings line.  Meanwhile, FAST missed on earnings but came in in-line on earnings.

In economic news coming later this week, on Thursday we see the June PPI and Weekly Jobless Claims.  Finally, on Friday we get June Retail Sales, June Import/Export Price Index, NY Empire State Mfg. Index, June Industrial Production, May Business Inventories, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment.

In earnings reports later this week, earnings season kicks off again on Thursday with reports from CTAS, CAG, ERIC, FRC, JPM, MS, and TSM.  Finally, on Friday we hear from BK, BLK, C, PNC, PGR, STT, USB, UNH, and WFC.   

LTA Scanning Software

With earnings season is one day away, all eyes will be on the CPI report later this morning. While it is expected to come in at a sizzling hot 8.8% for June. However, some analysts are considering the worst past us having seen a month-long fall in gasoline prices and computer technology prices continuing to fall as they have most of the year. Against that backdrop, it would not be surprising to continue see a knee-jerk reaction to the CPI release only to resolve in choppy action when traders realize a flood of major earnings reports start tomorrow. The one thing we know for sure is that the low volumes of the last few weeks tell us there is not a huge amount of conviction in either the bull or bear camps. With that said, the longer-term trend remains bearish, we may be sitting on shorter-term uptrend support, and we have a lot of technical damage to work through if we are going to start a rally.

Stick with your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Demonstrate patience and wait for confirmation. Remember that trading is our job. So, do the work and follow the process. Always move your stops in your favor and remember the “Legend of the man in the green bathrobe“…it is NOT house money, it’s all our money! One way to put this is Buffett’s first rule of making big money in the market, which is to not lose big money in the market. So, don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, just admit you were wrong, respect your stop, and take the loss before it grows. Lastly, remember that you get rich slowly and steadily in Trading…not by striking it rich on one or two trades. So, give up that lottery ticket mentality. Lastly, remember it is Friday. So, be prepared for the weekend news cycle.

See you in the trading room.

Ed

Swing Trade Ideas for your consideration and watchlist: MVIS, SPCE, CPNG, MU, LCID, AAPL, ACCD, DXD, AJG, SDS, QID. You can find Rick’s review of tickers on his YouTube Channel here. Trade your plan, take profits along the way, and smart. Also, remember to check for impending earnings reports. Finally, remember that any tickers we mention and talk about in the trading room are not recommendations to buy or sell.

TC2000 Discount

🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

Hit and Run Candlesticks / Road To Wealth Youtube videos

Disclosure: We do not act on all trades we mention, and not all mentions acted on the day of the mention. All trades we mention are for your consideration only.

Free YouTube Education  •  Subscription PlansPrivate 2-Hour Coaching

DISCLAIMER: Investing / Trading involves significant financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. No communication from Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates or representatives is not financial or trading advice. All information provided by Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates and representatives are intended for educational purposes only. You are advised to test any new trading approach before implementing it.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Terms of Service

Uncertain Low-Volume Chop

Uncertain Low-Volume Chop

The bears displayed a slight upper hand yesterday, reacting negatively near price and technical resistance levels on uncertain low-risk chop. The price action produced some bearish some evening star-type patterns on the index charts by the close.  Currency fluctuations and a persistent 2/10 bond inversion suggest recession and filling traders and investors with uncertainty as we wait on CPI and the beginning of earnings season.  As we wait, expect more of the same chop but be ready for the possibility of significant price swings that low-volume conditions can create.  So, as Wednesday begins a slot of possible emotion-filled market-moving data, plan your risk carefully.

Asian market mainly closed lower overnight, with Japan leading the way down 1.77%.  The risk-off sentiment also has bearish effects on European markets this morning, trading in the red across the board.  U.S. futures point to a bearish gap down open as the dollar surges higher, and the 2/10 bond inversion weighs on investor sentiment while we wait on the CPI before the bell Wednesday morning.  Buckle up for another day of uncertainty.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

On the Tuesday earnings calendar, we have just four confirmed reports.  Notable reports include PEP, ANGO, and AMX,

News & Technicals’

Fears of a recession have grown in recent weeks due to rising uncertainty over the bloc’s energy supply, with Russia threatening to reduce gas flows to Germany and the broader continent.  Russia temporarily suspended gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for annual summer maintenance works on Monday.  As a result, the Euro teeters on the brink of parity with the U.S. dollar, creating considerable fluctuation in currency markets.  The bankruptcy filing from Three Arrows Capital (3AC) triggered a downward spiral that wrapped in many crypto investors.  The hedge fund failed to meet margin calls from its lenders.  “3AC was supposed to be the adult in the room,” said Nik Bhatia, finance and business economics professor at the University of Southern California.  Billionaire investor William Ackman, who had raised $4 billion in the biggest-ever special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), told investors he would be returning the sum after failing to find a suitable target company to take the public through a merger.  The development is a major setback for the prominent hedge fund manager who had initially planned for the SPAC to take a stake in Universal Music Group last year when these investment vehicles were all the rage on Wall Street.  PepsiCo beat on the top and bottom line this morning, raising its revenue outlook with sales and topping expectations.  Treasury yields dipped in early Tuesday trading, with the 10-year declining to 2.92% and the 30-year slipping to 3.12%.  Unfortunately, the 2-year remains inverted over the 5-year and 10-year bonds continuing to signal recession.

Monday’s market price action was about as expected as the uncertainty kept the market locked in an uncertain low-volume chop.  The bears seemed to end the day with a little edge leaving behind some evening star-type patterns at or near price resistance.  Although it appears that we will see a bearish morning gap following through to the downside this morning, it would not be a surprise to see the choppy price conditions continue after the open as we wait on the CPI and the beginning of the earnings season.  On the bright side, the T2122 indicator is once again indicating we are nearing a short-term oversold condition, but it would be hard to imagine an enthusiastic relief rally ahead of the uncertainties the market faces.  However, stranger things have happened, and I would not rule out the possibility of anything in this low-volume environment.   

Trade Wisely,

Doug

PEP Beats But Futures Red This Morning

Stocks gapped between a half a percent and a percent lower at the open.  From there we had a sideways grind with a slight bullish trend right up until 2 pm, when a selloff kicked in and drove us back to the lows at the close.  With that said, the T-line (8ema) is fighting to hold as support for all 3 major indices.  So, on the daily candles, the DIA and SPY are looking like indecisive Spinning Top or Doji candles while the QQQ is printing a black-bodied candle with a lower wick.  Nine of the 10 sectors are bearish for the day with the Utilities fairing best (barely green) and Consumer Cyclical by far the worst-performing (down almost 3%).  On the day, SPY lost 1.12%, DIA lost 0.55%, and QQQ lost 2.14%.  The VXX gained 1% on the day to 22.21 and T2122 fell into the top of the oversold territory at 18.63.  10-year bond yields fell back below the key 3% level to 2.984% and Oil (WTI) fell a little most than 1% to $103.61/barrel.  All-in-all, Monday was just another lackluster, low-volume day of chop as Mr. Market decides whether or not we’ve put in a bottom.

In energy news, the Texas grid operator (ERCOT) told state residents to curb electric use between 2 pm and 8 pm Monday to avoid major outages.  This comes as the state is experiencing a heatwave with a 110+ degree heat index over the entire Southeast part of the state.  In addition, ERCOT has a variable rate pricing plan.  So, the cost of power has gotten ridiculous again with a single megawatt hour reaching as high as $2,000 at one point Sunday (compared to an average of just $69 year-to-date).  With no market solution (not connected to national grid) and wind production significantly below normal generation levels, ERCOT has no option other than rolling brownouts and blackouts to deal with record electric demand.  However, blackouts were barely avoided Monday as crypto miners across the state all shut down in addition to other usage curbing that allowed ERCOT to narrowly avoid a worst-case scenario. With that backdrop, Bloomberg reports that nationwide, electric utilities are poised for the most profitable summer in two decades as soaring electric rates are outpacing the cost of natural gas and coal.   Among these are AEP, WEC, CMS, AEE, ES, EIX, etc.

In business news, late in the afternoon, Bloomberg reported that RIVN is planning to lay off 5% of its roughly 14,000-member workforce.  However, the report said the cuts would not affect manufacturing.  RIVN stock was down 6.5% during the day.  After the close, GPS announced its CEO is stepping down, effective immediately.  GPS stock fell 4.6% during the day and as much as another 4.25% after-hours on the news.  This morning PEP raised its revenue guidance for the year, but decided to leave earnings guidance as it was due to inflation, recession, and Russia-Ukraine risks.

SNAP Case Study | Actual Trade

Click for video

In stock news, TWTR got hammered (-11.30%) Monday in reaction to Elon Musk’s electing to walk away from his $54.20 offer to buy TWTR.  The company replied with lawyers saying the termination letter was invalid and they still expect him to close the deal.  Litigation is undoubtedly ensuing.  TWTR closed at $32.65, meaning that if the deal were to somehow go through, a buyer at the close would make 66% on the sale to Musk.  Other tickers that took heavy hits Monday include DISH (-6.92%), MTCH (-6.70%), TSLA (-6.55%), WYNN (-6.46%), and LVS (-6.31%).  So far this morning PEP reported beating on both the revenue and earnings lines.  PTON also announced that it is shutting down all in-house manufacturing and instead will outsource to Taiwanese partner Rexon Industrial. Also this morning, DG announced its CEO will retire and be replaced by the current COO.

On the Russian invasion story, Europe is worried as the planned maintenance shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline began Monday.  The fear is that Russia will hold the resumption of gas shipments hostage and without cheap natural gas, the German economy is at serious threat.  Overnight, the US reported that Iran is set to supply Russia with “weapon-capable” drones (a feature Russian drones have lacked) as early as later this month.  On the ground, Russian forces are making incremental gains around Kharkiv and Donetsk and continue artillery assaults on the supply routes to the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk according to the UK Ministry of Defence.  However, Ukraine announced (propaganda or reality) it is launching a major offensive to liberate Southern Ukraine from Kherson to Mykolaiv.

In Forex news, the Euro remains on the brink of parity with the Dollar as fear rages in Europe over inflation, recession, and the Ukraine war impacts.  The natural gas supply issue and more talk of tightening out of ECB officials are the most recent driver of this trend.  However, analysts say another “hidden” underlying fear is the increasing number of Covid cases in Chinese cities (and the impact that could have on global supply chains as well as Chinese demand).  So, for now, the dollar safe-haven trade remains in play with the EUR/USD at 1.005.

Overnight, Asian markets leaned heavily to the red side again Tuesday.  Taiwan (-2.72%), Japan (-1.77%), and Shenzhen (-1.41%) paced the losses.  However, the red was widespread, with only Singapore (+0.46%) posting any appreciable gain.  In Europe, again we see a similar story taking shape at mid-day.  With just 3 exchanges barely in the green, the FTSE (-0.60%), DAX (-0.91%), and CAC (-0.46%) are leading the region lower in early afternoon trading.  As of 7:30 am, US Futures are pointing toward another gap down to start the day.  The DIA implies a -0.86% open, the SPY is implying a -0.78% open, and the QQQ implies a -0.52% open at this hour.  10-year bond yields are back up slightly to 2.921% and Oil (WTI) is down hard (almost 5%) on recession fears to $99.03/barrel in early trading.

The major economic news events scheduled for release Tuesday we get the WASDE Report (noon) and the 10-year bond auction (1 pm).  The only major earnings reports scheduled for the day are PEP before the open and AMX after the close.

In economic news coming later this week, on Wednesday, the June CPI, Crude Oil Inventories, the Fed Beige Book, and the June Federal Budget Balance are announced.  On Thursday, we see the June PPI and Weekly Jobless Claims.  Finally, on Friday we get June Retail Sales, June Import/Export Price Index, NY Empire State Mfg. Index, June Industrial Production, May Business Inventories, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment.

In earnings reports later this week, Wednesday we get reports from DAL and FAST.  On Thursday, earnings season kicks off again with reports from CTAS, CAG, ERIC, FRC, JPM, MS, and TSM.  Finally, on Friday we hear from BK, BLK, C, PNC, PGR, STT, USB, UNH, and WFC.  

LTA Scanning Software

Earnings season is just a couple of days away and tomorrow we get June CPI. With both inflation and recession at top of mind for traders, it would not be surprising to continue seeing choppy “wait and see” action until we get more clues later in the week. At this point, it looks like a gap down will take us back below the T-line (8ema) in all 3 major indices at the open. However, keep in mind that regardless of how we start the day, intraday reversals and general market chop has been the norm lately. The longer-term trend remains bearish and we have resistance from recent highs and the mid-term downtrend not far overhead.

Demonstrate patience and wait for confirmation. Stick with your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Remember that trading is our job. So, do the work and follow the process. Always move your stops in your favor and remember the “Legend of the man in the green bathrobe“…it is NOT house money, it’s all our money! One way to put this is Buffett’s first rule of making big money in the market, which is to not lose big money in the market. So, don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, just admit you were wrong, respect your stop, and take the loss before it grows. Lastly, remember that you get rich slowly and steadily in Trading…not by striking it rich on one or two trades. So, give up that lottery ticket mentality. Lastly, remember it is Friday. So, be prepared for the weekend news cycle.

See you in the trading room.

Ed

Swing Trade Ideas for your consideration and watchlist: CHGG, GM, TRGP, IRM, UPRO, OXY, TNA, PXD, CPE. You can find Rick’s review of tickers on his YouTube Channel here. Trade your plan, take profits along the way, and smart. Also, remember to check for impending earnings reports. Finally, remember that any tickers we mention and talk about in the trading room are not recommendations to buy or sell.

TC2000 Discount

🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

Hit and Run Candlesticks / Road To Wealth Youtube videos

Disclosure: We do not act on all trades we mention, and not all mentions acted on the day of the mention. All trades we mention are for your consideration only.

Free YouTube Education  •  Subscription PlansPrivate 2-Hour Coaching

DISCLAIMER: Investing / Trading involves significant financial risk and is not suitable for everyone. No communication from Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates or representatives is not financial or trading advice. All information provided by Hit and Run Candlesticks Inc, its affiliates and representatives are intended for educational purposes only. You are advised to test any new trading approach before implementing it.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Terms of Service

Calm Before the Storm

The good news is that the low-volume chop is likely coming to an end, but this calm before the storm could prove equally challenging for traders.  Uncertainty about what comes next will play a significant role in the Monday and Tuesday market as we wait for CPI, PPI, Retails Sales and the big bank reports to kick off on Thursday.  According to the Fed and many talking heads, the consumer is in great shape!  We will soon find out if this is true or if earnings prove this to be another “transitory” tall tale. 

Asian markets closed mostly lower overnight, with the tech-heavy Hang Seng index leading the selling down 2.77%.  Across the pond, as Europe’s natural gas supplies shut down, their markets trade red across the board this morning.  As we wait for a big week of market-moving economic reports and the beginning of the earnings season, U.S. futures point to a bearish open with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. 

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

The official kick-off of 3rd quarter earnings is Thursday, but we will have a few as we build-up to the big bank reports.  Notable reports include AZZ< PSMT & VOXX.

News & Technicals’

Operator Nord Stream AG confirmed the maintenance works, which are scheduled to run from Monday through to July 21, got underway as planned on Monday morning.  As a result, Russian gas flows to Germany are expected to drop to zero later in the day.  Klaus Mueller, the head of Germany’s energy regulator, believes that the Kremlin may continue to throttle Europe’s energy supplies beyond the scheduled end of the maintenance works.  Johnson formally resigned as leader of the Conservative Party on Thursday but said he would stay in Downing Street until a successor was chosen.  The prime minister’s ousting coincides with a particularly perilous period for the U.K. economy.  Inflation hit a new 40-year high of 9.1% in May, and the country is facing a cost of living crisis.  “The immediate outlook is likely to hinge on whether Johnson manages to stay on for the next two months – in which case markets risk a period of additional volatility going into the summer,” AXA IM’s Adegbembo said.  Shares of the company fell nearly 9% in the U.S. premarket before paring some losses to trade around 7% lower.  Musk’s attorney notified Twitter’s board on Friday that he wanted to cancel the deal.  Musk on Monday posted a meme mocking Twitter management over the botched deal.  “They said I couldn’t buy Twitter.  Then they wouldn’t disclose bot info.  Now they want to force me to buy Twitter in court.  Now they have to disclose bot info in court,” the meme read.  Bret Taylor, Twitter’s chairman, said he intends to see the deal through and said the company plans to take legal action against Musk.  If Twitter files a lawsuit against Musk, the parties will likely face a long legal battle ahead.  Chinese manufacturers are starting to see demand for consumer goods in developed economies tail off after a strong rebound from pandemic shocks.  Spot ocean freight rates between China and major U.S. and European markets are falling as consumer demand retreats.  Goods demand is “normalizing,” leading to significant global growth and slow trade but not quite a recession yet.  Treasury yields eased slightly in the early Monday trading, with the 10-year dipping to 3.07% and the 30-year slipped to 3.24%. 

Uncertainty is likely in abundance in Monday and Tuesday’s market, which could be described as the calm before the storm.  Market moving reports such as CPI, PPI, Retail Sales, and the beginning of 3rd quarter earnings with the big banks starting on Thursday morning.  We can expect considerable price volatility peppered with intraday whipsaws and full overnight reversals in the days and weeks ahead.  How have companies performed in the current economic downturn facing a possible recession?  We have been told repeatedly that the consumer is in good shape, but now we find out if that’s true or just another “transitory” moment.  The good news is that the low-volume chop will likely end soon but expect the price action to remain highly challenging as the drama unfolds.

Trade Wisely,

Doug