Good morning and Happy Friday!

This morning’ market is all the Employment Situation report that will be out one hour before the market opens putting us retail traders at a major disadvantage.  After the number, the market will react and of course, there is really nothing we can do about it.  There seems to be a little concern that we will see a number softer than expected.  The target is 178,000.  I fit comes in higher expect the market to move up, however, a print lower than 150,000 would likely bring in the bears.

All we can do this morning is to manage the trades that we are in.  The reaction to the number is out of our control but if we remain calm and follow our rules everything should work out just fine.  We also have International Trade numbers and Factory Orders coming out this morning that could a small influence on market direction.

The next hurdle is that we have 4 Fed speakers today.  I doubt we will hear anything new but as you know all one these folks has to do is suggest that they believe we need another interest rate hike soon and the market will react in about half a heartbeat so it would be wise to remain flexible, stay on your toes and be prepared to react is necessary.

Have an awesome day and a fantastic weekend!

Trade wisely,

Doug

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Good morning RWO!

Yesterday’s bullishness had the market dreaming about Dow 20k again but the jobs numbers tossed a monkey wrench into the gears of advancement.   We will likely see just a little bearishness this morning but I’m expecting the market to become very choppy this afternoon.  Before the market open tomorrow we get the really big jobs number, the Employment Situation number and I suspect with the data this morning we will now see a pause as we wait for that number.

Be careful today and let the market settle before entering new risk.

Trade wisely,

Doug

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Good morning Traders!

It was encouraging to see the bull finally push back yesterday afternoon allowing prices to close mostly above support levels.  However, I have to admit that I’m starting to become a little concerned that the bears are gaining some strength.  I think the bulls had better get to work pretty soon or they will fully give control over to the bears for the short term.

Today we have the ADP report before the market opens but it would have to be a really big surprise to move the market.  The big news today will be the FOMC minutes at 2 PM Eastern.  I find it hard to believe that the market is in the dark on what the Fed members are thinking about with them out stumping all the time, but it is possible that the market goes into a low volume chop today as we wait for the report.  After the report, we can normally expect a burst of volatility before settling into a direction.

Futures are once again suggesting a slightly bullish open but as always it would be a good idea not to chase.  Lately, early pops have bee sold into so let’s give the market a little time to settle in before considering additional risk.

Have a profitable day.

Trade wisely,

Doug

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Good morning and Happy New Year!

It looks as if we are going to start off 2017 with a bang!  Futures this morning and pushing sharply higher with the Dow futures suggesting a gap up of 150 points at the open.  All of the folks that put on short positions last week will likely be squeezed out this morning creating even more upside pressure.  The other possibility would be the cruelest of price patterns, the pop, and drop, so please don’t chase into the market this morning.  Let’s give it a good 20 to 30 minutes for prices to stabilize before making a decision on new positions.

On the economic calendar, we have 3 reports.  PMI, ISM, and constructions spending.  The ISM number carries the most weight at 10 AM eastern.  It would be a surprise if any of these numbers come in bad but always remember anything is possible.

I will as always, will stick with the trend until the trend breaks and with the bulls so happy this morning will continue looking for good entries to profit from upside moves.

I always love getting started with a new year of trading.  We begin 2017, hopefully, a little wiser and better prepared.  As the business owner, It’s our responsibility to step up, learn from our past mistakes and make the course corrections necessary to improve.  As Albert Einstein said, “doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is insanity.” It’s all up to you!  Will you reach out for success in 2017?  One of our members Bob C posted this phrase, “it takes a lot of hard work to make easy money.”  My wish is that we all take that phrase to heart.  It’s a new year so dig in, step up and make 2017 your breakout year!

Trade wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning on the last trading day of 2016!

It would seem that we are going to begin the last trading day with a little bullishness at the open which is a bit surprising given the Russian sanctions that Obama delivered yesterday.   I guess cooler heads will prevail and perhaps we can move into a new administration without the old creating a conflict on the way out.

In the economic news, the Chicago PMI number at 9:45 eastern but that is unlikely to inspire a surge of trading worth attention.  Volumes will be extremely and expect choppy action this morning the will likely turn positively dead by the afternoon.  The bond market will be closed at 2 PM eastern and I plan to be headed down the road on a short winter motorcycle ride at about the same time.

It has been a great year and I would like to thank you all for sharing it with me.  I have great expectations for 2017 and think the trading will be fantastic.  I want to wish everyone a fantastic weekend and Very Happy New Year!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning Friends!

Only 2 more trading days left for 2016 and I think we can expect the trading year to end with a low volume whimper.  It is possible we get a surge of energy this morning due to 3 economic reports, international trade, jobless claims and Petroleum status report.  If I were to bet the one most likely to have the power to move the market today it would be the report on the oil.

Yesterday was honestly a bit of a surprise to me but at the end of the day, there was really not much damage done, however, if there happens to be follow-through to the downside today with some energy then we would have to admit that the bears have taken at least short term control.

As always it is best to first manage the trades that you are in before considering any new positions.  I don’t want to say never but it is unlikely that I will be making any new trades the rest of the year.  Volumes are weak and will continue to weaken so I will reserve judgment on positions when volume return sometime mid next week.

Again I will say if you do plan to trade, consider smaller than normal positions and plan to take profits quickly because a low volume market can shift very quickly.  Do some thinking about the year ahead and how you could make adjustments to improve your trading results.  Planning time is never a waste of time.

Have a productive day!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning RWO!

Futures are so a little positiveness this morning on the back of some good oil news.  Could today be the day we finally make a run for 20K?  Only time will tell.  This morning we will get numbers on pending home sales but unless it comes out with a big surprise I don’t expect to move the market much.

Rick had to put his mother into hospice care yesterday.  If you have ever been through that process you know it is exhausting.  He will not be around today and I would not be to surprised if he is out for the rest of the week.  Please keep Rick and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Although we have bullishness this morning and the possibility that the bulls will push for new highs we must also keep in mind that volumes will likely be very light.  I know it’s very hard to sit and wait but over-trading, an anemic market is a rookie mistake you don’t want to experience if at all possible.  If you do decide to trade keep your positions small and be willing to take profit quickly if the market shifts.

Have a fantastic day!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning Traders!

I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and that Santa Claus brought you everything you were wishing for.  The last 4 trading day of the year are likely to be very choppy and anemic on volume.  Although, we have some economic data this morning it’s unlikely to inspire much activity this morning because so many of the big trading firms are simply on vacation until the 1st of the year.

Of course, there is always the chance that stocks could produce good entry signals but the chances of them really making a substantial move are unlikely.  As for me, I will always be looking for good chart setups but as far as entering new trades that would be questionable.  I will, however, move forward with trade plans so that I can be prepared to enter them when the volume returns.

Have a great day!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning Friends!

Again very little to say this morning except that today volumes will likely drop like a stone after the open flurry.  There are days to trade and days to sit on your hands.  Today would be a very good time to build watch-lists and get a head-start on 2017 business plans.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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Good Morning Friends!

Pretty much out of the things say about this market as the holiday draws ever closer.  Expect more of the same.  Light volumes, choppy action after a morning pop responding to the economic news.

Work on watch-lists and trading plans.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

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