1 July 2014

3 minute read

That made it an extra important trading day from a technical perspective. It is technically significant when a market price closes out the week, month or quarter at its high or low close for that period. In my 30 years of covering and analyzing markets, I have never seen so many futures markets that closed at their monthly high or low, or monthly and quarterly high or low closes. The significance of this rare occurrence is that many markets are presently trending up or down on a near-term (daily chart) basis, and many of those price trends are very strong.

It’s also unusual to see so many markets that are in solid uptrends or downtrends at the same time. Most of the time in markets, the majority of markets are trending sideways and choppy on a near-term basis. The other observation on the present state of the market place is that the key “outside markets” appear to be having less of an impact on the market place. This also suggests that individual markets appear to be paying more attention to their own supply and demand fundamentals and less attention to what the outside markets are doing. Most traders and investors would agree that’s a good development.

Important economic data from China Tuesday was upbeat and in line with market expectations. The China purchasing managers index (PMI) came in at 51.0 in June from 50.8 in May. The HSBC June PMI came in at 50.7 from 49.4 in May. A number above 50.0 suggests expansion.

Meantime, the European Union’s manufacturing PMI came in at 51.8 in June versus 52.2 in May. The reading was expected by traders and investors to come in at 51.9 in June.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, the U.S. manufacturing PMI, construction spending, the ISM manufacturing report on business, the IDB/TIPP economic optimism index, the global manufacturing PMI, and domestic auto sales.

It’s a holiday-shortened trading week in the U.S., what with the Independence Day holiday on Friday. The key U.S. jobs report is issued a day early this month, on Thursday. This report is arguably the most important U.S. economic data of the month. Also on Thursday will be the monthly monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank. It will be an extra important trading day on Thursday.

The civil war in Iraq is still an issue for the market place but it has at least temporarily moved off the front burner. The oil fields in the south of Iraq have not seen their production levels curtailed by the civil war taking place in the north of Iraq. Don’t be surprised to see in the near future this matter move back into the spotlight of the market place and once again significantly impact some market prices.

Wyckoff’s Daily Risk Rating: 6.0 (Civil war in Iraq still has the world market place somewhat concerned but there have been no major new developments recently.)

(Wyckoff’s Daily Risk Rating is your way to quickly gauge investor risk appetite in the world market place each day. Each day I assess the “risk-on” or “risk-off” trader mentality in the market place with a numerical reading of 1 to 10, with 1 being least risk-averse (most risk-on) and 10 being the most risk-averse (risk-off), and 5 being neutral.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any traders and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature.

Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%): 1. Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you.