With some confusing and contradictory data on Wednesday morning, the dollar bounced, and bond yields rallied as thoughts of recession danced in traders’ minds.  The QQQ, SPY, and IWM felt some selling pressure while the Dow chopped in a frustrating 160-point range.  In a time when good economic numbers are bad and bad numbers are good, how we react to today’s housing, jobless, and manufacturing numbers is anyone’s guess.  The one constant we can seem to count on is the price volatility so plan your risk carefully!

While we slept, Asian markets struggled to close the day primarily red.  European markets waiting on U.K. budget details trade mixed but mostly lower this morning.  Finally, after a mix of post-market earnings results, U.S. futures point to a lower open ahead of earnings and economic data that could quickly reverse or worsen the open.  Be prepared for more big-point price whips and challenging price action as the market reacts to the data.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

We have about 40 companies on the Thursday calendar; however, many are small-cap names.  Notable reports include BABA, AMAT, BJ, DOLE, FTCH, GPS, KSS, M, NTES, PANW, ROST, STNE, PLCE, UGI, VIPS, & WB.

News & Technicals’

Markets were buoyed last week after U.S. inflation came in below expectations for October, prompting investors to bet that Federal Reserve policymakers would soon have to slow or stop the monetary policy tightening measures they have deployed to bring down inflation.  Though surging stocks suggest markets are reaffirming hopes of a soft landing from the Fed, BlackRock’s top strategists disagreed and remained underweight developed market stocks. 

Amazon sent out “voluntary severance” offers to some employees this week as it looks for ways to rein costs beyond the announced massive layoffs.  Employees have until Nov. 29 to agree to resign, and their last day of employment will be Dec. 23, according to documents viewed by CNBC.  In addition, more than 100 unionized Starbucks locations plan to strike on one of the chain’s biggest sales days of the year, Red Cup Day.  At the 113 striking locations, the union will be distributing its own version of the reusable red cup that features the Grinch’s hand holding an ornament with the logo of Starbucks Workers United.  The action comes after contract negotiations between Starbucks Workers United and the company broke down.

Nvidia reported fiscal third-quarter results on Wednesday for the period ending in October, with sales beating analyst expectations but earnings per share coming in light.  Analysts and investors closely watch Nvidia as a leading indicator for the health of the technology industry because it sells chips and software to many PC makers and cloud providers.  Cisco reported fiscal first-quarter results on Wednesday that beat analysts’ estimates on the top and bottom lines.  The company cited an “easing supply situation” and lifted its guidance for fiscal 2023.  Revenue increased 6% from a year earlier. 

With a mix of confusing and contradictory data, Wednesday morning bond yields rose, the dollar bounced, and Dow chopped sideways in a 160-point range.  Though the QQQ, SPY, and IWM experienced some selling pressure, no technical damage occurred.  However, a mix of earnings results after the bell, with Fed members remaining hawkish, has many thinking about recession with  4^th quarter rally hopes diminishing.  This morning we face housing data, Jobless Claims, Philly Fed numbers, and a parade of Fed speakers to keep traders guessing what comes next.  While there is a lot of uncertainty about the path forward, there is one thing that seems inevitable, challenging price volatility.  

Trade Wisely,

Doug

A smaller-than-expected rise in producer prices and geopolitical concerns served up another whipsaw day as the Dow shifted more than 600 points from high to low.  The substantial overhead resistance and uncertainty of the market-moving economic reports we face this morning also played a role.  Despite the volatility, the bulls remain in control, and although very dangerous to the trader, the huge point intraday swings have not technically damaged the index charts.  However, plan carefully, as a busy day of earnings and economic reports could quickly produce another wild, emotionally driven ride today.

Asian markets closed mostly lower overnight.  With U.K. inflation topping a 40-year high and the geopolitical tensions of the Poland missile strike, European markets are trading red across the board this morning.  With a mix of early morning earnings results and the uncertainty of market-moving economic reports before the open, U.S. futures suggest a flat to slightly bearish open.  However, anything is possible after the data is revealed, so plan carefully.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

On the Wednesday earnings calendar, we have nearly 30 companies confirmed, but many are non-market-moving small-cap names.  Notable reports include CSCO, LOW, NVDA, BBWI, HP, KLIC, MANU, SONO, TGT, TJX, VSCO, & WSM.

News & Technicals’

Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek has taken to Twitter, YouTube, and the airwaves to reassure customers that their deposits are safe and the company is on solid footing.  However, in the last few months, the company has reportedly cut over one-quarter of its staff, and concern has mounted since FTX’s collapse last week.  “I understand that right now in the market, you’ve got a situation where everyone is done taking peoples’ word for anything,” Marszalek told CNBC on Tuesday. 

Lowe’s reported third-quarter earnings Wednesday, beating analyst expectations.  However, the home improvement retailer also lowered the top end of its full-year revenue guidance.  Lowe’s reported results a day after rival Home Depot’s earnings topped expectations.  In addition, Amazon has begun laying off employees in its corporate and tech workforce.  CEO Andy Jassy has moved aggressively to cut costs across Amazon, and the company previously said it would freeze hiring in its corporate workforce.

Economists polled by Reuters had projected an annual increase in the consumer price index of 10.7%, and October’s print marks an increase from the 40-year high of 10.1% seen in September.  “Indicative modeled consumer price inflation estimates suggest that the CPI rate would have last been higher in October 1981, where the estimate for the annual inflation rate was 11.2%,” the ONS said. 

Tuesday served traders another whipsaw day, surging in the morning on a smaller-than-expected rise in PPI but pulling back by the close facing an uncertain Retail Sales report.  Geopolitical-political concerns also played a role, with the Dow dangerously swinging more than 600 points from the day’s high to the low.  Along with a busy economic calendar that will reveal the October retail numbers, we also have several big retailers fessing up to quarterly results.  Index charts remain bullish; however quite dangerous due to the substantial point whips and the uncertainty of the path forward.  I suspect with all the data coming our way today, wild price gyrations are likely to continue, so avoid overtrading and plan your risk carefully.   

Trade Wisely,

Doug

During the morning session on Monday, the bulls tried pushing higher, but the uncertainty of the PPI report inspired the profit-takers to reduce risk heading into the close.  As a result, the indexes whipsawed, leaving behind shooting star patterns near price resistance levels but creating no technical damage to the charts.  However, big-name earnings reports from HD and WMT and the reaction to the producer prices will likely create significant pre-market volatility.  Unfortunately, we’ve yet to discover that it will inspire the bulls or the bears!

While we slept, Asian markets mostly rallied despite disappointing Chinese activity data as Hong King surged 4.11%.  However, European markets are taking a more cautious stance this morning, trading flat as they wait on inflation data.  On the other hand, U.S. futures push for a bullish open in the pre-market pump ahead of the producer price numbers that will likely set the tone for the day. 

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

We have about 20 companies confirmed on the Tuesday earnings calendar.  Notable reports include HD, WMT, ARMK, AAP, ENR, AQUA, HUYA, DNUT, SE, & TME.

News & Technicals’

Americans grew more worried about inflation in October, with fears emanating primarily from an expected burst in gasoline prices.  A New York Fed survey showed inflation expectations for the year ahead rose to 5.9%, while the three-year outlook increased to 3.1%.  Home prices were expected to rise by 2%, tied for the lowest since June 2020.  Home Depot reported third-quarter earnings on Tuesday, beating analyst expectations.  The retailer reported revenue increased by nearly 6% to $38.87 billion.  Wall Street is watching how rising costs and other macroeconomic headwinds affect the retailer. 

Last week, when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, FTX indicated that it had more than 100,000 creditors.  But in an updated filing Tuesday, lawyers for the company said: “In fact, there could be more than one million creditors in these Chapter 11 Cases.”  In addition, over the past 72 hours, the lawyers wrote that FTX has been in contact with “dozens” of regulators in the U.S. and overseas. 

At the 2022 Web Summit tech conference, startup founders and investors warned fellow entrepreneurs it was time to rein in costs and focus on fundamentals.  “The multiples last year are not the same as this year,” said Guillaume Pousaz, CEO of London-based payments firm Checkout.com.  Instead, multibillion-dollar unicorn companies will collapse in “spectacular failures,” Par-Jorgen Parson, partner at venture capital firm Northzone, told CNBC.

Monday’s price action tried to put on a brave face early in the day, but the uncertainty of the PPI report brought out the profit takers.  Although the Dow swung more than 400 points from high to low, leaving behind shooting star patterns on all the index charts.  That said, the move showed respect for overhead resistance, index charts suffered no technical damage despite the volatility.  How things go from here will depend on the reaction to the PPI report and the earnings results from WMT and HD.  We should plan for substantial pre-market gyrations; the results likely set the day’s tone.  Will it be the bulls or the bears that find inspiration?  Buckle up; we are about to find out!

Trade Wisley,

Doug

Clearly, we still have a lot of challenges ahead for the economy, but last week I believe we experienced a substantial shift in institutional sentiment.  Volume has grown in this relief rally, unlike the head-fake of the July/August surge upward with declining volume.  However, the extreme point swings will continue to make this market very dangerous as we still face worldwide economic challenges and substantial geopolitical pressures.  Perhaps a mix of long and short positions may be appropriate to hedge the uncertainty path forward.

Asian markets closed the day mixed but mostly lower, with a very volatile session in Hong Kong tech names.  This morning, European markets trade with modest bullishness as bond yields and currencies continue to fluctuate.  U.S. futures suggest a little rest for the bulls after the last week’s wild run-up that could trigger a bit of profit-taking to begin the week.  Nevertheless, traders should continue planning for challenging price volatility as the bulls and bears duke out near substantial overhead resistance levels.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Although we have a lot of companies listed on the Monday earnings calendar, many are unconfirmed or tiny small-cap names.  Notable stocks include ACM, LI, JJSF, OTLY, TSEM, TSN, VVV, & WEBR.

News & Technicals’

Germany is open to strengthening ties with China but is not “stupid,” according to the country’s Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor.  The comments come after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a controversial solo trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping.  A stronger dollar over the year has weighed heavily on many emerging market currencies.  CNBC spotlights the performance of Ghana’s cedi, the Cuban peso, the Zimbabwean dollar, and more.  The Zimbabwean dollar has lost a staggering 76.74% of its value against the dollar since January. 

The investment cases for America’s largest automakers are increasingly diverging around electric and autonomous vehicles.  For example, GM is diversifying as much as possible around its emerging battery and self-driving vehicle businesses while expanding to offer electric vehicles by 2035.  Ford recently disbanded its autonomous vehicle business to concentrate on nearer-term technologies and EVs. 

According to a source, Alameda Research, a trading firm founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, was trading billions of dollars from FTX accounts and leveraging the exchange’s native token as collateral.  The source says that many employees and outside auditors were unaware that FTX did not have enough money to match customer withdrawals.  Three sources familiar with the company told CNBC that FTX’s missteps blindsided them and that only a small cohort knew about the potential misuse of customer deposits.

Though we still have many challenges ahead for the economy, we experienced a substantial shift in sentiment to the buy side last week.  The July/August rally suffered from a lack of volume, but this time volume continues to grow to suggest a promising institutional change.  That said, we still have a lot of work to do, and the price action volatility will continue to make swing trading challenging as we face layoffs, worldwide recessionary economic impacts, and geopolitical tensions.  As a result, a mix of long and short positions may be appropriate but plan carefully for sudden large point swings that will challenge even the most experienced trader. 

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Midterm uncertainty and rising layoffs brought the bears back to work on Wednesday ahead of today’s CPI reading.  Unfortunately, failures of 50-day moving averages and lower highs in the SPY, QQQ, and IWM raise additional concerns technically.  That said, the damage could quickly reverse or worsen this morning depending on the reaction to the CPI and Jobless numbers coming out before the bell.  Plan for another opening gap and considerable price volatility as the market reacts.

Asian markets traded lower across the board overnight as Chinese producer prices declined.  European markets trade flat in a choppy cautious morning session as they wait on U.S. inflation data.  However, in the usual fashion of late, U.S. futures try to pump up a positive open ahead of the CPI despite the uncertainty of what it may reveal about the path forward.  So, buckle up for another wild morning where anything is possible.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Our most hectic day of the week on the earnings calendar, with nearly 200 verified companies reporting quarterly results; however, many of them are little small-cap names.  Notable reports include MT, AXN, BZH, BDX, BAM, COMP, DDS, FLO, HNST, IAA, LZ, MTTR, NIO, POSH, RL, RYAN, SBH, SIX, SSYS, SWHC, TRP, TOST, UTZ, WRBY, WB, WRK, WE, & YETI.

News & Technicals’

Binance is backing out of its plans to acquire FTX, the company said Wednesday.  “The issues are beyond our control or ability to help,” Binance said in a tweet.  FTX, valued at $32 billion earlier this year, is now in jeopardy of collapsing.  As possibilities of bankruptcy loom, venture capital firm Sequoia Capital will mark down to zero its investment of over $210 million in the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.  “Based on our understanding, we are marking our investment down to $0,” the Silicon Valley-based firm said Wednesday. 

New York-based Citigroup let go of roughly 50 trading personnel this week, according to people with knowledge of the moves who declined to be identified speaking about layoffs.  Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the firm also cut dozens of banking roles amid a slump in deal-making activity.  In addition, London-based Barclays cut about 200 positions across its banking and trading desks this week, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.  Underperformers may also be at risk at JPMorgan Chase, which will use selective end-of-year cuts, attrition, and smaller bonuses to rein in expenses, according to a person with knowledge of the bank’s plans.

According to filings published Tuesday, Elon Musk sold nearly $4 billion of Tesla shares.  That follows his sale of billions of dollars in stock last year and earlier this year.  Tesla’s stock price has been sinking for much of 2022 due to economic concerns and Musk’s purchase of Twitter, which closed in late October.  In addition, rocket Lab delivered quarterly results on Wednesday that boasted record revenue, with the space company tacking on additional contract wins across its business.  The company reported third-quarter revenue of $63.1 million, up 14% from the second quarter.  The spacecraft and components business also won several contracts during the third quarter.

The bears showed their teeth on Wednesday due to midterm uncertainty and rising layoff announcements.  Technically, the DIA suffered no damage from its extended condition, but the lower highs in the SPY, QQQ, and IWM raise some concerns of more trouble ahead.  In addition, the SPY and IWM dipping below their 50-day averages may signal that the earnings rally has run its course.  Of course, today’s reading on CPI has the potential to reverse or confirm those concerns quickly.  As a result, we should prepare for another market gap at the open and expect considerable price volatility as the market reacts. 

Trade Wisely,

Doug

With some steady low-volume buying, the Dow 30 eventually pulled the other indexes out of their intraday consolidation as the dollar fell and bond yield inversion continued to extend.  The Dow closed more than 1000 points off the low in just three trading days making for a high-risk situation if a pullback were to occur.  The QQQ lags way behind as the most vulnerable index while the DIA continues to extend.  With a big day of earnings data and the midterm results just around the corner, anything is possible Wednesday morning, so plan carefully.

While we slept, Asian markets finished the day mixed and cautious, waiting on the U.S. election results.  Likewise, European markets trade flat to modestly bullish in a choppy session as the midterm results raise investor caution.  However, in the norm of late, U.S. futures are pumping up the premarket, suggesting a bullish open with a deluge of earnings data on the horizon.  Watch the significant overhead resistance levels, price volatility, and intraday whipsaws as the day unfolds.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Election day will be busy with earnings results, with over 160 companies confirmed to report results.  Notable reports include DIS, DDD, AFRM, AKAM, BIRD, AMC, BLNK, BLDR, CEG, COTY, DD, ELAN, EXPD, GFS, GDRX, GO, GXO, HAIN, HALO, IAC, LMND, RIDE, LCID, LITE, MNKD, NEO, NWSA, NCLH, NVAX, OXY, OPK, PLNT, PLUG, SRG, SFM, SPWR, UPST, & WYNN.

News and Technicals’

Take-Two stock dropped more than 15% in extended trading on Monday after the company said its outlook in the current quarter and early 2023 would be significantly lower than expected.  In addition, shares of Palantir fell Monday after the company released third-quarter earnings before the bell that missed analyst estimates for earnings but beat on revenue.  Palantir’s revenue for the quarter increased 22% year over year, and its US commercial revenue grew 53%. 

The German Port of Bremerhaven, Europe’s fourth largest auto hub, is seeing so much congestion due to driver shortages and overall trade volume that cars are piling up on land and at sea.  As a result, Tesla, Chrysler, and Jeep parent companies Stellantis, Renault, BMW, and Volvo are all impacted.  Leading vehicle carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen has refused auto exports for October, November, and possibly into December. 

Steady low-volume buying in the Dow eventually lifted the SPY and QQQ out of an intraday consolidation producing a bullish Monday even as bond yields continued to rise.  Commodities had a good day, with oil and precious metals rallying as the dollar’s value declined.  The SPY peaked above its 50-day average, but the QQQ lags significantly behind.  The T2122 indicator is once again nearing an overbought condition, with the DIA the most extended with significant overhead resistance showing in all indexes.  Today we will be subject to midterm election news and a blizzard of earnings data with a tranquil day on the economic calendar.  Plan your risk carefully as election results are revealed this evening; anything is possible Wednesday morning in reaction. 

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Is it too much to ask for just one week of stable price action devoid of the enormous intraday whipsaws and the institutionally generated daily market gaps?  Unfortunately, I would not expect it to calm down with a massive week of earnings, midterm elections, worldwide economic uncertainty, and a pending inflation report.  Nevertheless, expectations for a holiday rally could undoubtedly happen as earnings help to drive high speculation despite the declining economic conditions.  Therefore, expect the big price swings and challenging price action to continue in the week ahead.

Even though there was an annual drop in Chain’s exports, Asian markets were green across the board, with Hong Kong leading the buying up 2.69%.  European though a bit more cautious, are also primarily bullish this morning.  With midterm elections beginning Tuesday, a massive week of earnings, and a CPI read on Thursday, U.S. futures point to a gap-up open to being the week.  Plan for the wild volatility to continue as the week unfolds.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

We have another crazy week of earnings with more than 700 companies on the calendar.   Notable reports include ATVI, ADTN, ASH, BNTX, CHH, FANG, FN, GRPN, LYFT, MOS, NRG, PLTR, SEDG, TTWO, TRIP, VECO, & WELL.

News & Technicals’

Lidar makers Ouster and Velodyne have agreed to merge, combining roughly $400 million in market value.  Under the deal, signed on Friday, Velodyne shareholders will receive 0.8204 shares of Ouster for each Velodyne share they hold – a premium of about 7.8% based on Friday’s market close.  Intense investor interest in the potential of self-driving vehicles led many lidar startups to go public over the last few years.  But valuations are now a fraction of what they were.  According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, meta could begin to carry out large-scale layoffs as soon as Wednesday.  The layoffs are expected to impact thousands of employees, the report said. 

Berkshire’s operating earnings totaled $7.761 billion in the third quarter, up 20% from the year-earlier period.  In addition, the conglomerate spent $1.05 billion in share repurchases, bringing the nine-month total to $5.25 billion.  However, the Omaha-based company suffered a $10.1 billion loss on its investments during the third quarter’s market turmoil.  China’s exports and imports fell in October in U.S.-dollar terms, according to customs data released Monday.  That decline missed Reuter’s expectations for growth in both categories.  China’s exports to the U.S. fell in October for a third-straight month.  iPhone 14 production has been temporarily reduced because of Covid-19 restrictions at its primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly plant in Zhengzhou, China.  The factory, operated by Foxconn, is operating at “significantly reduced capacity,” Apple said.  “The actual reopening is still months away as elderly vaccination rates remain low and case fatality rates appear high among those unvaccinated based on Hong Kong official data,” Goldman Sachs said in a note.  The firm estimates that a full reopening could bring a 20% rally in the Chinese equity market, a separate note said. 

It would sure be nice to have a week of stable price action, but with another crazy week of earnings and a CPI report later in the week, the challenging volatility will likely continue.  Toss in the uncertainty of the midterm elections, and traders should be ready for just about anything!  China’s annual exports declined for the first time since 2020, and with more pandemic lockdowns underway, Apple is warn’s of production losses.  While next year does not look promising, we can not rule out the possibility of a holiday rally, especially with all the earnings enthusiasm generated this quarter.  However, as worldwide economic activity continues to decline, plan for big intraday whipsaws and overnight reversals. 

Trade Wisely,

Doug

All the hype and speculation around what the FOMC would do was unleashed yesterday in a dangerous display of price action turbulence as the Dow swung about 900 points from high to low.  The massive intraday whipsaw created technical damage in SPY and QQQ  as bond yields spiked and the dollar surged higher.  Today we face our biggest earnings day this week, as well as several economic reports adding to the uncertainty of the day.  Plan for the wild price action to continue as traders and investors sort through the details.

Asian markets had a rough session will selling across the board in reaction to the FOMC decision.  In addition, European markets declined across the board this morning, with an ECB rate decision pending.  Finally, U.S. futures point to a bearish open ahead of a huge day of earnings and economic data likely to keep emotions and volatility high.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Thursday is a hectic day on the earnings calendar, with morning 325 companies listed.  Notable reports include ADT, ABC, AMGN, AAWW, GOLD, BCH, SQ, CVNA, LNG, CI, COIN, COP, CROX, CMI, DASH, DBX, LOCO, EOG, EXPE, GPRO, HBI, K, KTOS, MAR, MELI, MRNA, NRG, PZZA, PYPL, PTON, PLNT, SWKS, SBUX, TWLO, W, WWE, & WELP.

News & Technicals’

Pilots and other airline workers are asking for higher pay in new labor deals.  However, some recent attempts at deals by the most significant U.S. carriers have fallen flat.  As a result, airlines are under pressure to combat a pilot shortage while keeping a lid on costs.  Twitter insiders expect a 50% overall reduction in force, representing about 3,700 employees, after Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, bought the company last week.  According to Bloomberg, musk is expected to require employees once authorized to work remotely to now work out of Twitter offices in and beyond San Francisco.  Advisors were planning to meet with Musk on Wednesday night to solidify plans for a major reduction in force.  Qualcomm shares fell in extended trading on Wednesday after the chipmaker reported in-line fourth-quarter earnings and a small revenue beat but offered poor first-quarter guidance.  According to a statement, the overall revenue grew 22% year over year in the quarter that ended Sept. 25.  The company also said it implemented a hiring freeze at the start of the current quarter.

According to official figures, inflation in Turkey rose 85.5% year-on-year in October for the 17th consecutive month as food and energy prices continued to climb.  The dramatic rise in living costs for the country of 85 million has continued unabated for nearly two years.  Food prices were 99% higher than last year’s period, housing rose by 85%, and transport was up 117%, the Turkish Statistical Institute reported Thursday.  A hawkish Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell, vowed to beat inflation and said the central bank might have to raise rates more than expected.  That sent stocks lower and bond yields higher, as traders bet the Fed could raise rates above 5% before stopping.  However, the Federal Reserve left the door open to reducing the size of rate hikes, as expected.

As suspected, with a highly anticipated FOMC announcement, the price action turbulence was dangerous, with the Dow swinging from nearly 400 up to closing more than 500 points down.  Market speculation and emotion are clearly at an extreme level which may make high-frequency trading firms and very experienced day traders happy.  Still, it’s a very dangerous market condition for most traders and investors.  Moreover, yesterday’s massive intraday whipsaw created technical damage in the SPY and QQQ index charts as price supports failed below their 50-day averages.  Though still quite extended, the DIA and IWM were minimal, but the point moves possible to reach a price support could be substantial.  If that’s not enough, we have our biggest day of earnings and economic reports this week about to trigger more emotion and uncertainty.  Traders should plan for another day of challenging volatility as we head for the Employment Situation number Friday before the bell.

Trade Wisely,

Doug

The Tuesday market served a classic pump and dump, gapping up at the open, then reversing after the JOLTS number came in hot, adding uncertainty and pressure to the pending Fed decision.  The big question is, with the FOMC pause or reduce the speed of increases despite the rising Core PCE number?  With the current rally at stake, buckle up for a wild afternoon after the decision is released and the press conference.  Adding to the challenging volatility, we have several economic reports and a busy day of earnings reports to keep emotions high.  Anything is possible, so plan your risk carefully!

Overnight Asian markets traded mostly higher, led by  Hong Kong, which halted trading early due to typhoon warnings.  European markets trade mixed and choppy, waiting on the FOMC decision and the Thursday ECB decision that could deliver the most significant trade increase in their history.  Facing a big day of market-moving data, the U.S. futures suggest a mixed open as we hurry up and wait on the Fed.  Plan for another day of wild price action as the drama unfolds.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

Along with the FOMC, we have a big day of earnings reports.  Notable reports include ACIW, ALB, ALGT, APO, BKNG, EAT, CHRW, GOOS, CVS, DIN, EBAY, ETR, EL, ETSY, FSLY, RACE, FSR, FTNT, GNRC, TWNK, HUM, IRBT, LL, MRO, MLM, MTTR, MET, MGM, NCLH, NTR, QCOM, O, HOOD, ROKU, RGR, RIG, UAA, & Z.

News & Technicals’

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to announce the new initiative while visiting a sheet metal workers’ training facility and union hall in Boston later Wednesday.  HHS will release $4.5 billion in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, which helps pay energy bills and energy-related home repairs for families.  The Biden administration will also provide roughly $9 billion to help low- and moderate-income families lower energy costs by making energy-efficient home upgrades. 

Maersk, the Danish shipping giant, is widely seen as a barometer for global trade, reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $10.9 billion for the quarter.  CEO Søren Skou said the “exceptional results” were driven by a continued rise in ocean freight rates but said it was clear that these have peaked and will begin to normalize in the fourth quarter.

AMD issued fiscal third-quarter results that missed expectations.  In addition, the chipmaker warned about weakening PC sales affecting this quarter’s results in October.  Results from all four of AMD’s business segments were better than the company had called in the October announcement.  With U.K. inflation running at a 40-year high of 10.1% in September, the Bank is seen hiking its main lending rate for the eighth consecutive time.  However, weaker growth momentum and a more conservative fiscal policy are expected to ease the pressure for more aggressive monetary tightening.  Goldman Sachs economists lowered their 2023 U.K. growth projections on Monday and expected a split vote in favor of the 75-basis-point hike on Thursday. 

Tuesday began with the classic pump and dump, spending the rest of the day in chop as investors pondered the economic conditions with the JOLTS number coming in hot.  Although it’s widely expected that the FOMC will raise rates by 75 basis points, the uncertainty is what they will do next!  The narrative push around is that they will pause or ease going forward despite the increase seen in the Core PCE.  We will find out with the statement at 2 PM Eastern and the chairman’s press conference thirty minutes later.  Expect some whippy price action to follow.  However, before that, we have Motor Vehicle Sales, Mortgage Applications, ADP, and the EIA numbers with a big day of earnings reports to keep emotion high and price action challenging.  So, buckle up for another day where anything is possible!

Trade Wisely,

Doug

Although the indexes whipsawed the day in a wide-ranging chop, the market showed no fear of inflation, rate increases, and slowing worldwide economic growth.  On the contrary,  lowered earnings estimates inspire buyers even as indexes stretch in overbought conditions.  Declining economic growth reports go primarily ignored as the rally extends with the fear of missing out.  Risks remain high over substantial overnight reversals and big point intraday whipsaws, so plan your risk carefully in this emotionally charged condition.  With a massive number of earnings reports, the remainder of this week, be prepared for just about anything.

While we slept, Asian markets rallied, led by Hong Kong, which surged upward by 5.23%.  Unphased by record-high inflation, European markets are also in rally mode this morning, trading higher across the board.  However, ahead of economic reports and a big day of earnings, U.S. futures point to a substantial gap as the relief rally extends.  Keep an eye on overhead resistance levels for possible bear attacks as the wild ride earnings enthusiasm continues.

Economic Calendar

Earnings Calendar

On the earnings calendar, Tuesday is a busy day, with more than 160 listed and nearly 110 confirmed to report.  Notable reports include AFL, AMD, ARNB, AIG, ARNC, CZR, CWH, CAKE, CHK, CRUS, CLX, CXW, DENN, DVN, ETN, EA, LLY, EXR, FOXA, BEN, HSIC, MPC, MTCH, MKC, MSTR, TAP, MDLZ, PFE, PSX, PSA, SEE, SPG, SIRI, SOFI, SMCI, SYY & UBER.

News & Technicals’

The British energy major posted underlying replacement cost profit, used as a proxy for net profit, of $8.2 billion for the three months through to the end of September.  The world’s largest oil and gas majors have reported bumper earnings in recent months, leading to renewed calls for higher taxes on record oil company profits.  “Our job is to pay our taxes; our job is to invest,” BP CEO Bernard Looney told CNBC Monday.  For this winter, Europe’s gas storage is more than 90% full, according to the International Energy Agency, providing some assurance against a major shortage.  But a large proportion of that is made up of Russian gas imported in previous months, which likely won’t be available by the winter of 2023.  This could lead to significant social unrest — already, small to medium-sized protests have cropped up around Europe. 

President Joe Biden threatened to pursue higher taxes on oil companies if they don’t try to lower gas prices.  However, any new proposed taxes on the businesses could run into opposition in Congress.  Biden has highlighted efforts to reduce consumer costs as voters worry about inflation ahead of the November 8 midterm elections.  State oil giant Saudi Aramco reported a 39% rise in net income for the third quarter year-on-year, on the back of higher crude prices and tightening global supply.  Net income rose to $42.4 billion for the quarter, up from $30.4 billion the previous year and just above expectations.  The Saudi state oil giant also reported a record $45 billion in free cash flow. 

Despite declining economies, rising bond yields, and a pending rate increase, the market showed no fear on Monday.  Though the price action whipsawed in a rage the entire day, the bulls and bears appeared comfortable even with the extreme extension in the Dow.  The T2122 indicator suggests an overbought condition, while bearish economic reports go ignored as earnings speculation inspires buyers.  Enjoy the rally but be careful overtrading with prices so extended in the short term because a reversal could begin anytime.  Expect the wild morning gaps and intraday whipsaws to continue.  Keep an eye out for bear attacks at or near price resistance levels and around economic data should the market suddenly decide to care that our economy is slowing.

Trade Wisely,

Doug