Indicies Futurescast Articles

(ES) Resumed S&P, Crude, Diesel Slides, T-Note Uptrend Define New Risk Parameters By: RJO MRTMay 14th, 2012 8:17AM CDT Technicals, May 14, 2012; 7:35am Reaffirmed weakness in the S&P E-Mini 500 (and virtually all other pertinent world equity indexes as well) and the general global economic struggles it reflects or, indeed, may be forecasting is the likely cause of continued erosion in the crude and heating oil markets and quality-flight bid to the 10-yr T-Note.... Read More

Low job growth, time for a break? By: Tom FeeneyMay 4th, 2012 11:39AM CDT The S&P tried to stay around the unchanged level right after the release of the Non-farm Payroll number. While the numbers was very disappointing the market participants were already on the defensive after the anemic ADP number earlier in the week. If the nonfarm number sets the tone then “sell in May and go away” mantra will rule. .... Read More

Do You Want To Trade S&P Futures? By: Susan GreenMay 3rd, 2012 1:36PM CDT There are indicators that use stock market data that are published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These indicators will give a buy signal, sell signal or neutral signal in the big S&P or e-mini S&P, depending on your risk factor and margin requirement. Once you take a position, your stop is calculated at five points. For example, if you b.... Read More

(ES) Take S&P Direction Out of Payroll Report with Put/Call Diagonal Combo By: CME GroupMay 3rd, 2012 8:07AM CDT Trade Strategies, May 3, 2012; 7:00am Since 06-Apr's bearish divergence in momentum defined 27-Mar's 1420 high as a more reliable resistance level and key risk parameter, the market has been exposed to a larger-degree correction or reversal lower. And as that key 1420 high has yet to be broken, this correction or reversal threat remains .... Read More

S&P Awaits Friday's Number By: Joe KobelMay 1st, 2012 9:26AM CDT Given last month’s horribly disappointing Non-Farm Payrolls number, last Thursday’s Jobless Claims coming in lower as well; there somehow seems to be a lot of optimism still baked into the cake. Considering GDP missed significantly coming in at just 2.2% with 3.6% expected, if we fall short again on this Friday’s number I would ex.... Read More

Nasdaq "Juiced" By: Peter MoosesApril 26th, 2012 9:25AM CDT The Nasdaq had its biggest gain of the year after Apple announced its earnings. As the session opened we immediately saw the effect of the positive news. As you can see on the mini-Nasdaq June ‘12 chart below, we opened at 2632.50 and traded as high as 2706.75. Apple almost doubled its profits last quarter mainly due to the release of the new.... Read More

How Low Can the E-mini Go? By: Jeff RatajczakApril 24th, 2012 7:53AM CDT This a follow up on an option spread we placed for clients 3/26/12 We bought 1400/1350 June e-mini put spreads for 16 ticks or $800. If the June e-mini settles below 1350 on 6/15/12, each spread will be worth $2500. There are 54 days until expiration. European debt concerns and negative outside market forces put the ball squarely in the bear c.... Read More

(TF) 7,876 S-T Key to Mini-Russell Correction vs. Reversal Dilemma By: RJO MRTApril 18th, 2012 8:17AM CDT Technicals, April 18, 2012; 7:40am On the heels of 10-Apr's break below 06-Mar's 7837 low that confirms a bearish divergence in momentum of a scale sufficient to threaten the major advance, this week's recovery above last week's 8093 low detailed in the 240-min chart below defines Mon's 7876 low as a short-term but critically .... Read More

A Pop in the Mini-Dow By: Peter MoosesApril 12th, 2012 12:28PM CDT The June Mini-Dow has shown gains over the past few trading days. This morning we have already broken out of yesterday’s trading range. This is partially helped by Alcoa earnings beating expectations. The trend may be short-lived though. As shown in the chart below, the close below the 9-day moving average continues an overall negative trend .... Read More

Earnings Season Off to a Good Start By: Conor DouglassApril 11th, 2012 11:09AM CDT After the close Alcoa (AA) reported a .10 profit vs analyst expectations of a .04 loss and better-than expected revenue growth in the midst of falling aluminum prices. Aside from being the first company to report earnings every quarter, the market watches Alcoa to gauge the health of manufacturing and provide guidance on forward global industrial .... Read More

(ES) S&P, Russell Look to Resume Major Advances By: RJO MRTMarch 13th, 2012 7:40AM CDT Technicals, March 13, 2012; 6:55am The daily log chart of the S&P E-Mini below shows that the market has yet to take out 29-Feb's 1377 high, but this is just because the market has shifted to Jun as the prompt futures contract month and this is an active-continuation chart. We believe this is a minor technicality (although the cash index h.... Read More

(ES) S&P Bounce Defines New 1,338 Risk Parameter By: RJO MRTMarch 8th, 2012 8:02AM CST Technicals, March 8, 2012; 7:25am On the heels of Tue's bearish divergence in short-term momentum below 1350 that defines 29-Feb's 1377 high as one of developing importance and a short-term risk parameter, we believe the extent of today's rebound now defines Tue's 1338 low as the new longer-term risk parameter the market needs to b.... Read More

(TF) Russell 2000 in Trouble After Mo Failure; Is S&P Next? By: RJO MRTMarch 5th, 2012 9:22AM CST (TF) Russell 2000 in Trouble After Mo Failure; Is S&P Next? Technicals, March 5, 2012; 7:25am The Mini-Russell 2000 market's clear break below 16-Feb's 8063 low on Friday confirms a bearish divergence in momentum as shown in the daily log chart below. This is a technical fact that breaks the broader bull trend from at least 15-De.... Read More

(ES) S&P Bull Challenging 2011 High While 10-Yr T-Note Recovery Serves a Stock Warning By: RJO MRTFebruary 28th, 2012 8:44AM CST Technicals, February 28, 2012; 8:00am Overnight's break above last week's 1370-area resistance detailed in the 240-min chart below reaffirms the developing bull trend in the E-Mini S&P market, but its most important by-product is the definition of Thur's 1350 low as the latest corrective low and absolute tightest risk parameter th.... Read More

(ES) S&P, Russell Shrug Off S-T Failure As Corrective, Resume Broader Bull By: RJO MRTFebruary 17th, 2012 8:06AM CST Technicals, February 17, 2012; 7:30am In yesterday's Technical Webcast we discusses the bearish divergence in momentum below 1337 as threat to the dominant bull trend, acknowledging however that this mo failure was of only a short-term scale and insufficient to conclude anything more than an interim corrective dip. Stalling at the exact (133.... Read More

CNBC - Stocks Close Flat, Whipsawed by Greece By: Kevin CraneyFebruary 15th, 2012 8:31AM CST “We’ve had great gains since the beginning of the year, but things are overdone and we’re having a hard time breaking above the 1,350 level on the S&P,” said Kevin Craney of RJO Futures Brokers. “There are a lot of macro-economic headwinds coming from Europe and the U.S. as well that could give us a bit of a pullba.... Read More

Video - CNBC - What Traders Are Watching By: Kevin CraneyFebruary 14th, 2012 10:05AM CST A check on the markets, with Kevin Craney, RJO Futures

Video - CME Group - February 14 AM Financials Commentary By: Kevin CraneyFebruary 14th, 2012 9:57AM CST Equities Hit Technical Resistance on Overbought Conditions. Kevin Craney RJO Futures

(ES) Greek Debt Crisis Winds Blow Bullish Today, Define New 1,333 S-T E-Mini Risk By: RJO MRTFebruary 13th, 2012 9:02AM CST Technicals, February 13, 2012; 7:30am As the 240-min chart below details, the E-Mini S&P market is bid this morning, with this relative strength a direct result of favorable news on the Greek debt crisis. Fri's setback came as a direct result of that day's less-than-favorable news. But while the direction of tomorrow's winds on .... Read More

Video - CME Group - Financials Commentary By: Kevin CraneyFebruary 9th, 2012 8:50AM CST Financials Consolidate Financial Gains Ahead of ECB Meeting

(ES) E-Mini S&P Technicals Constructive Above 1,331 ("tight"), 1,296 By: RJO MRTFebruary 9th, 2012 8:35AM CST Technicals, February 9, 2012; 7:10am With the past couple days' gains above last Fri's 1342 high the market has reaffirmed the developing uptrend and defined Tue's 1331 low as the latest corrective low and tightest risk parameter it is now minimally required to fail below to stem the rally and expose at least a correction of the lates.... Read More

(ES) Diagonal Spread Combo Recommended for Cautious S&P Exposure Before Payroll Report By: RJO MRTFebruary 2nd, 2012 8:23AM CST Trade Strategies, February 2, 2012; 7:30am The dominant trend in the S&P E-Mini market is clearly up in the daily log chart below, with weakness below 13-Jan's 1272 corrective low and area of former Oct-Jan resistance that now serves as new support required to threaten the bull. Per such, a bullish policy remains advised. But given what .... Read More

Video - First Business - Trader Talk 1/31/12 By: Phillip StreibleFebruary 1st, 2012 4:54PM CST Phillip Streible of RJO Futures tells whether or not he thinks Facebook is a "buy."

(TF) Mini-Russell Reaffirms Bull, Defines New S-T Risk at 7,846 By: RJO MRTFebruary 1st, 2012 8:02AM CST Technicals, February 1, 2012; 7:10am The market's breakout above the past week's 7987-90-area resistance detailed in the 240-min chart below reaffirms the major recovery from Oct's 5971 low and exposes further and potentially accelerated gains straight away. But a key by-product of this strength is the market's definition of Mon&.... Read More

(ES) New S&P Highs Define Dip As Corrective, Reinstate Bull By: RJO MRTJanuary 17th, 2012 8:25AM CST Technicals, January 17, 2012; 7:35am Overnight's new highs above Thur's 1298 high detailed in the 240-min chart below chalks up Fri's short-term failure below 1279 as merely corrective and reinstates the broader developing bull trend from 04-Oct's 1068 low. And as a direct result of this latest spate of strength, the market has d.... Read More

(ES) S&Ps Breakout, Present Pure Risk/Reward Play; Buy At-Market (1,296) By: RJO MRTJanuary 12th, 2012 8:19AM CST Trade Strategies, January 12, 2012; 6:35am Posting the highest levels since early-Aug'11 and a new high for the recovery from 04-Oct's 1068 low, the E-Mini S&P market has reinstated the long-term trend. Rallying to an area that is devoid of any technical levels of merit between the key 1272-to-1289-range resistance that was just broken.... Read More

(ES) While Slippery, S&P Technical Slope Constructive Above 1,250 By: RJO MRTJanuary 6th, 2012 7:59AM CST Technicals, January 6, 2012; 6:50am In yesterday's Mini-Russell Technical Blog we discussed this Index's downside vulnerabilities resulting from a short-term momentum failure below 7360 from the extreme upper recesses of the past couple months' range that remain a threat as long as Tue's 7590 high and risk parameter remains intact.... Read More

Video - CNBC - Stocks Lower After Open By: Kevin CraneyDecember 27th, 2011 9:41AM CST A check on what's weighing on markets today, with Kevin Craney, RJO Futures Brokers trading advisor. http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000064010

Optimize Roll Costs with CME Group Quarterly Roll Analyzer Tools By: CME GroupDecember 9th, 2011 11:11AM CST CME Group invites you to gain access to their interactive set tools available from the Equity, FX and Treasuries Quarterly Roll Analyzers for daily updates and quantitative insights designed to help you analyze and adjust your roll strategies for optimal effectiveness. These resources enable you to call up current snapshots showing status of the ro.... Read More

(ES) S&P Bounce Brewing from 61.8% Retrace; Manage Nov/Dec Put Diagonal By: RJO MRTNovember 25th, 2011 10:08AM CST Technicals, November 25, 2011; 9:55am Since 17-Nov's momentum failure below 1218, we have maintained a bearish view. But while we believe that strength above 18-Nov's 1230 corrective high is required to threaten this view on a scale sufficient to warrant longer-term players to move to a neutral/sideline position, the current combination o.... Read More

Dow Jones and S&P 500 Futures Looking to Turn Bullish By: Dan GuzmanOctober 19th, 2011 2:14PM CDT The stock index derivatives look a little over sold here. Fears from the Euro zone are still weighing on the minds of investors and the earnings really have not been there, i.e. Wells Fargo, Citi. The S&P 500 hit over the 120100 mark and has held. Look for an uptrend in the coming weeks. December E-mini S&P 500 5-Minute Chart

(ES) S&P on Verge of Mo Failure to Stem Oct Recovery, Re-Expose Broader Weakness By: RJO MRTOctober 18th, 2011 8:21AM CDT Technicals, October 18, 2011; 7:55am The 240-min chart below shows the S&P E-Mini market to be on the verge of confirming a bearish divergence in momentum below last Thur's key 1185 corrective low. If confirmed, as the Mini-Russell 2000 market has, this mo failure would define yesterday's 1231 high as the end of the recovery from 04-O.... Read More

S&P 500 Futures "The Big Picture" By: Hector GalvanOctober 13th, 2011 9:43AM CDT The S&P 500 futures once again is giving us all another opportunity to look at the “Big Picture”. Currently as we start the day we are trading at 1193.25 after having a rally the day prior to 1216.00. Without a close above 1201.00, I strongly believe people should start looking at nearby put spreads to catch any large scale downtu.... Read More

Behind The Numbers - September Employment Report By: William MooreOctober 7th, 2011 8:36AM CDT Speculators of the major index markets and skeptical Americans alike can breathe a sigh of relief this morning with a positive employment report. After a less than optimistic summer, the 4th fiscal quarter has started on a strong foot with a 4 day gain of 800 points in the Mini Dow and an equally impressive showing in the e-mini S&P. Today&rsqu.... Read More

(TF) Russell 2000 Rebound Promising, But More Required to Confirm Reversal By: RJO MRTOctober 6th, 2011 8:18AM CDT Technicals, October 6, 2011; 8:10am Especially given the extent to which late-Sep's plunge broke below 08-Aug's 6454 low shown in the daily log close-only chart below, there are likely few Elliott Wave disciples who are not licking their chops over the bullish prospect that Aug-Oct's 7262 - 6039 decline isn't the completing 5th-wa.... Read More

(ES) S&P, Russell Reaffirm Major Bear Threats, Define New Risk Parameters By: RJO MRTOctober 4th, 2011 8:05AM CDT Technicals, October 4, 2011; 7:40am Yesterday's Dec E-Mini S&P close below 08-Aug's 1111 low shown in the daily close-only chart confirms our longer-term suspicions of the past six weeks that the labored, 3-wave recovery attempt from that Aug low was merely corrective/consolidative within a broader developing bearish count. Perhaps t.... Read More

Equity Indexes Teetering From Upper-Range; Sell Sub-1181 S&P Failure By: RJO MRTSeptember 21st, 2011 12:50PM CDT Within the context of this year's broader equity market slide, the past six weeks' mere lateral, choppy price action is arguably corrective/consolidative within an ongoing bear trend that may have much further to go. Please review today's Technical Webcast for details that include the recommendation to establish a bearish position in th.... Read More

(ES) S-T S&P Failure From Upper-Range, Copper Crush Raise Red Flags....Again By: RJO MRTSeptember 19th, 2011 12:06PM CDT Technicals, September 19, 2011; 7:35am While overnight's bearish divergence in momentum below Fri's 1194 low detailed in the 240-min chart below is of a scale insufficient to conclude anything more than correction to last week's 1123 - 1215 rally in and of itself, the fact that it stems from the upper recesses of the six weeks' gen.... Read More

LAST TRADING DAY / OPTION EXPIRATION 9/16/11 By: RJO Futures Market AlertSeptember 16th, 2011 8:26AM CDT TODAY, September 16th, is Last Trading Day for these SEPTEMBER FUTURES: Dow Jones, Mini Dow Jones; ICE Mini Russell; all Single Stocks; Kansas City Value Line. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these SEPTEMBER OPTIONS: Dow Jones, Mini Dow Jones; ICE Mini Russell. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these OCTOBER OPTIONS: Cotton; Orange J.... Read More

Video - First Business Spot: Kevin Craney Discusses Sharp Movements in the S&P 500 By: Kevin CraneySeptember 15th, 2011 2:20PM CDT The wide trading range in the S&P 500 probably will continue until there are signs of economic growth.

LAST TRADING DAY / OPTION EXPIRATION 9/15 /11 By: RJO Futures Market AlertSeptember 15th, 2011 10:40AM CDT TODAY, September 15th, is Last Trading Day for these SEPTEMBER FUTURES: S&P, E-Mini S&P; NASDAQ, E-Mini NASDAQ; Lumber. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these SEPTEMBER OPTIONS: S&P, E-Mini S&P; NASDAQ, E-Mini NASDAQ; Kansas City Value Line. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these OCTOBER OPTIONS: NY Crude Oil; Sugar. .... Read More

Video - CME Group: S&P Futures Trade Higher as European Worries Subside By: Kevin CraneySeptember 15th, 2011 9:27AM CDT The S&P 500 rallied as European fears subsided, today. News that China may step in and buy Italian bonds eased some fears. Europe continues to drive our markets here in the United States and until the structural issues are resolved I look for that to continue. The S&P 500 remains in a broad trading range between 1140 - 1200, and we tested t.... View video

Mini MSCI EM and EAFE Index Futures Roll: New Volume Record By: RJO Futures Market AlertSeptember 14th, 2011 9:11AM CDT The September-December roll has begun to accelerate in mini MSCI Index futures. A total of 87,126 mini MSCI futures contracts traded on September 12, by far and away the most active day ever in MSCI Index-linked futures on any U.S. exchange. In mini MSCI Emerging Markets Index futures and mini MSCI EAFE Index futures contracts alone, over 85,.... Read More

NYSE Liffe U.S. mini MSCI Index Futures OI Breaks Through 100,000 Level By: RJO Futures Market AlertSeptember 6th, 2011 1:16PM CDT The momentum in NYSE Liffe U.S. mini MSCI futures continues to build. This week saw Open Interest across the contracts surge past 100,000 lots, an increase of over 35% since the June expiry. Full press release available, including a breakdown of OI by underlying index. The chart below shows the growth in MSCI Index-linked futures OI over t.... Read More

(ES) Financials, Crude Round-Up Before Payroll Report; Beware S-T Mo Failure in S&P By: RJO MRTSeptember 2nd, 2011 7:21AM CDT Technicals, September 2, 2011; 7:10am Overnight's failure below Tue's 1193 corrective low in the 240-min chart of the E-Mini S&P 500 market below confirms a bearish divergence in momentum. Admittedly, this is a momentum failure on a very short-term basis that, in and of itself, is of a scale too minor to conclude the end of the pa.... Read More

Video - Intra-Range S&P Relapse Reinforces Bear-Market Correction Count By: RJO MRTAugust 26th, 2011 8:12AM CDT Yesterday's failure from the upper recesses of the past three weeks' range and rejection of the 0.618 progression of early-Aug's preceding 1077 - 1207 recovery attempt reinforces the prospects that this merely lateral price action is corrective/consolidative following late-Jul/early-Aug's sharp decline. A resumption of this broader .... View video

S&P Rebound Ripples Reach T-Notes, Crude, Gold By: RJO MRTAugust 22nd, 2011 10:43AM CDT This morning's bounce in the S&P market is having its recently typical spill-over effect into other markets like crude oil, 10-yr T-Notes and gold. Please review today's Technical Webcast for our latest coverage of these markets that includes the pertinent short- and longer-term risk parameters these markets are now required to break to.... Read More

LAST TRADING DAY / OPTION EXPIRATION 8/19/11 (1) By: RJO Futures Market AlertAugust 19th, 2011 11:05AM CDT TODAY, August 19th, is Last Trading Day for all AUGUST Single-Stock Futures. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these AUGUST OPTIONS: Dow Jones, Mini Dow Jones; S&P, E-Mini S&P; NASDAQ, E-Mini NASDAQ; ICE Mini Russell; Kansas City Value Line. TODAY is Last Trading Day for these SEPTEMBER OPTIONS: Cotton; Orange Juice. Read More

(ES) Accelerated S&P Losses Allow For Trailed Stop...Again By: RJO MRTAugust 18th, 2011 12:19PM CDT Technicals, August 18, 2011; 9:40am The extent and acceleration of losses since our latest Technical Blog less than an hour ago certainly reinforces an impulsive move lower that looks to be extending and that now requires a recovery above at least the 1171.50 corrective high detailed in the 30-min chart below. As a result of this continued weakne.... Read More

S&P Failure, Resumed Bear Threat Likely to Spill Into Energies By: RJO MRTAugust 18th, 2011 10:47AM CDT Overnight's confirmed bearish divergence in the E-Mini S&P from a confluence of Fibonacci retracement and progression relationships stems the past week's recovery attempt at a 1207 high and risk parameter from which the developing major bear trend may resume in what could be a shocking, debilitating way. Given the recent positive co.... Read More

(ES) Fibs, Labored Recoveries Consistent With Bear-Market Pops in S&P, Russell By: RJO MRTAugust 16th, 2011 7:44AM CDT On the heels of late-Jul/early-Aug's sharp, extensive decline detailed in the 240-min chart below, the past week's recovery attempt in the S&P E-Mini market is arguably labored and corrective. Thus far at least, the recovery attempt from 08-Aug's 1077 low is only a 3-wave and thus corrective pattern, with the prospective c-Wave fro.... Read More

(TF) Russell Relapse From Fib Retrace Defines 6,987 S-T Risk Level By: RJO MRTAugust 11th, 2011 9:17AM CDT Technicals, August 11, 2011; 8:35am The extent and impulsiveness of the past month's continuation of a major peak/reversal threat that began with May-Jun's 1st- or A-Wave decline is clearly enough to suggest the Mini Russell 2000 Index is in at least a correction of Mar'09 - May'11's entire 3416 - 8720 rally, the Fibonacci mini.... Read More

Video - Market Reaction to the Fed By: Kevin CraneyAugust 10th, 2011 11:34AM CDT The Federal Reserve for the first time has telegraphed to the market that it will leave interest rates unchanged until mid-2013. It took some time for markets to figure out how to digest this information, but they ultimately reacted positively. Volatility will surely remain in the markets for the foreseeable future. With the Federal Reserve.... View video

Video - Extreme Volatility Keep Investors Guessing By: Kevin CraneyAugust 9th, 2011 9:59AM CDT Overnight markets were extremely volatile. The Asian & European equity index markets continue to trade lower. The S&P 500 futures traded as low as 1077 overnight before rebounding sharply into the morning. Oil traded significantly below the $80.00 level overnight before rebounding, and Gold hit another new high overnight. China CPI and PPI .... View video

(ES) S&P Challenge: Discerning Bounce From Reversal By: RJO MRTAugust 9th, 2011 7:44AM CDT Technicals, August 9, 2011; 7:30am Trying to catch the bottom of the clear falling knife that is the current S&P meltdown is an exercise in futility. The 240-min chart below shows that the market has bounced relatively nicely from overnight's 1077 low. And, subjectively, we can even make a decent argument that this 1077 low completed th.... Read More

September SP 500 making a comeback? NO WAY! By: Dan GuzmanAugust 5th, 2011 9:14AM CDT The unemployment number was better than expected at 117,000 jobs gained, higher than the 75,000 expected. What we fail to realize though, is a good portion of the hiring in July was summer part-time for the food and construction industry. With the release of these new hires as soon as late August early September 71% of contractors are expected to r.... Read More

(ES) Further S&P Erosion Defines Interim But Key 1,313 Toggle Point By: RJO MRTJuly 29th, 2011 9:13AM CDT (ES) Further S&P Erosion Defines Interim But Key 1,313 Toggle Point Technicals, July 29, 2011; 7:10am By breaking 18-Jul's 1291.25 low overnight, there is no question that at least the intermediate-term trend is down and that this market's in trouble. However, on the heels of late-Wed/early-Thur's interim corrective recovery at.... Read More

Looming debt concerns and the E-Mini S&P futures. By: William MooreJuly 28th, 2011 9:58AM CDT As the house looks to vote on the GOP supported Boehner plan, this debt uncertainty is looking to be a major negative factor in the E-mini S&P market. Failure to reach a resolution by the August 2nd deadline could send the market into a tailspin. With the Credit Suisse reporting a week output and today's Euro zone sentiment, there is litt.... Read More

(ES) S&P Setback Confirms Key 1,291, 1,355 Range Boundaries, Directional Triggers By: RJO MRTJuly 25th, 2011 9:01AM CDT Technicals, July 25, 2011; 8:25am In our recent Technical Blogs and Webcasts we've advised moving to a more constructive view of the equity indexes as a result of the extent of last week's rebounds following mid-Apr's 3-wave, corrective sell-off attempts that held exact Fibonacci retrace levels. Along with continued constructive tech.... Read More

(TF) Startling Fibs, 3-Wave Setback Provide Hope, Basis for Russell 2000 Bulls By: RJO MRTJuly 20th, 2011 9:58AM CDT Technicals, July 20, 2011; 8:50am Because of the market's position still well within the bowels of the 8639 - 7740-range that has constrained it for pretty much all of 2011, we have advised a generally neutral-to-cautiously-bearish approach since early-May's bearish divergence in momentum. This tack is especially noteworthy from the more.... Read More

(ES) S&Ps: Technical Smoke + Fundamental Smoke Warns of Fire By: RJO MRTJuly 18th, 2011 2:29PM CDT Trade Strategies, July 18, 2011; 7:10am It's not hard at all to find fundamental threats to the economy and hence the stock market. The flagging U.S. unemployment data, lousy housing numbers, U.S. Government debt crisis and the Eurozone debt crisis all contribute to a pretty lousy fundamental picture. And with all due respect to the stock ma.... Read More

Video - Equities Trade Sideways Ahead of the FOMC By: Kevin CraneyJune 22nd, 2011 4:13PM CDT Financial markets are quiet this morning ahead of the FOMC meeting and press conference this afternoon. Yesterday the markets had a relief rally going into the Greek vote of confidence coming out of Parliament, which cleared the first of two hurdles to secure the next tranche of money. We closed at the 1295 level on the S&P's; however,.... View video

Today's Fed Meeting By: Dan GuzmanJune 21st, 2011 10:35AM CDT Today starts the 2-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Do not be surprised if there is no movement. We will all be looking closely at the wording and phrases used in tomorrow's statement. The DJIA has remained relatively strong in the face of extreme adversity, mainly Greece's exposure to a almost certain default and the weak .... Read More

Merger News Jump Starts a Sluggish Market By: Alex TothJune 13th, 2011 10:47AM CDT A number of mergers and acquisitions Monday have started U.S. stocks off in the right direction this week, with hopes that the market can attempt to break its 6-week losing streak. The two headliners were Transatlantic Holdings Inc. (TRH) being acquired by Switzerland's Allied World Assurance Company Holdings AG for approximately $3.19 billion.... Read More

Looking Ahead By: Dan GuzmanJune 13th, 2011 9:56AM CDT Things look a little brighter this morning on a possible solution to Greece's financial woes, but traders are still cautious from last weeks less than encouraging unemployment numbers and Initial Jobless Claims. Looking ahead to this weeks reports, are the CPI (consensus May unchanged, April +.4%) and May PPI (consensus May +.1%, Increase in Ap.... Read More

Slumping Dow and the Economic Tailspin By: William MooreJune 8th, 2011 11:57AM CDT Selling pressure continues this week as the DJIA dipped well below both the 9-day and 50- day moving averages. The expected rebound was delayed as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke presented an inconclusive recovery strategy and announced no plans to enact a third installment of quantitative easing. With a sluggish economy, the DJIA will continue to have.... Read More

Video - Financials Commentary: Bond Yields Close on New Two-Year Low By: Kevin CraneyMay 27th, 2011 9:28AM CDT Month-end window dressing by portfolio managers and light trading volume ahead of a holiday weekend will keep the S&P 500 range bound between 1330.00 - 1315.00. Prices on Treasury Notes and Bonds continue to grind higher as the global economy appears to be hitting a soft patch.

Video - Equities Open Higher on Jobless Claims Data By: Kevin CraneyMay 19th, 2011 10:33AM CDT

Racing to the Pump to Fill Up? - Not So Fast By: Peter MoosesMay 9th, 2011 11:54AM CDT Crude oil began to bounce back Monday morning after June contracts closed Friday at $97.18, its lowest mark in almost 2 months. Many investors see these lower prices as an opportunity to get back in the market. With ongoing issues in the Middle East the concerns involving oil supply have not disappeared. The lower prices in oil and a 1 cent decreas.... Read More

Crude Oil Bull Call Spread Strategy By: Tarik HusseiniMay 9th, 2011 10:47AM CDT After last weeks commodity route the question on many traders' minds is whether or not it is time to jump back in. Bloomberg notes that "the last time the S&P GSCI fell this much, the index rebounded 12 percent the following week, and by the end of last month, it had more than doubled." Goldman Sachs, whether you consider them luck.... Read More