Month-end and Friday Options Expiration, US-China Meeting Weekend – Expect Heightened Volatility Today! 


It’s the month-end and Friday options expiration day, coupled with the highly anticipated US-China meeting over the weekend. Expect increased volumes and volatility today, especially during the “witching hour” (3pm-4pm EST).  

Our models continue to sport the “indeterminate” bias and point to standing pat on this day. 


Our models are closing this volatile month with impressive gains, with just the last two weeks’ aggregate profits of 154.75 points from the pre-defined trading levels on the S&P 500 Index!  


Model Biases/Outlook:


With the mixed action following the midterm results, our models have adopted a cautious, “indeterminate” stand while between 2795 and 2745. As of Wednesday 11/14, this is updated to a “mildly bearish” stand while below 2755, which turned outright bearish with a daily close below 2685 on Tuesday 11/20.

As we reiterated since the midterm elections last week, “this market is still likely going to be fraught with bull traps rather than bear traps – be cautious when buying into the spikes”. 

The index is approaching critical technical factors and the next few sessions’ market action will hold the keys for the medium to long term directional bias. For now, our models are looking for a daily close above 2790 to turn outright bullish. Below that, currently they sport an “indeterminate” bias. 

A Brief Trace Back of The Current Bias/Outlook


Thursday, 09/27, our models had negated the previously adopted bullish bias and signaled a neutral bias between 2933 and 2887, which was later updated to 2920 and 2880. 

On a break below 2880 on 10/10/18, our models executed the pre-published trading plan to book 142 points in profit on a short position! Our models have since adopted a “cautiously bearish” bias. This caution is in view of potential spikes up in a whipsaw mode.

As of the close on Wed, 10/24, our models turned bearish and continue to stay bearish while the index is below 2710. While within the 2710-2770 band, we reiterated an “indeterminate” bias for the market till 11/07.

As of the close on Wed, 11/07, our models negated the indeterminate bias and adopted a “cautiously bullish” bias. This is flipped back to “indeterminate” bias following the midterm election results action and will remain so while the index is between 2795 and 2745. 

As of Wed 11/14, we adopted a “mildly bearish” bias while below 2755. With the close below 2685 on Tue 11/20, we updated this to an outright “bearish” bias for Wed 11/21. 

With the close of Wed 11/28, our models negated this bearish bias and adopted an “indeterminate” bias for Thu 11/29. We reiterate this indeterminate bias for today, Fri 11/30.   

Trading Plans for THU, 11/30:


Medium-term/long-term Investors


Our medium-term models started the mid-term election season with a decent streak of consecutive profitable days as below:


Mon 11/12: Booked 21.25 points in profit on a short.
Tue 11/13: Booked 10.50 points in profits on a short. 
Wed 11/14: Booked 15.50 points in profits on a short. 

Thu 11/15: No trades taken.
Fri 11/16: Booked 11.75 points in profits on a long. 
Mon 11/19: Booked 11.00 points in profits on a short.
Tue 11/20: No trades taken.
Wed 11/21: No trades taken.
Mon 11/26: Long position entered at 2672.
Tue 11/27: Booked 5.50 points in losses on the long. 
Wed 11/28: No trades taken. 

Last Published Plan/Forecast: Our last forecast stated: “For today, Thursday 11/29, our medium-term models indicate going short on a break below 2720 with a 10-point trailing stop. No long trade is indicated while the daily close is below 2788” (click here to read the full report and/or to verify this claim)

The Outcome: With the session low of 2722.94, the index came just within three points away from the 2720 level but never traded below it. Similarly, it never traded above the 2788 level. Hence, the medium-term models have stayed out of the market on Thu 11/29. 

Today’s Plan/Forecast: For today, Friday 11/30, our medium-term models indicate staying out of the market and assess any directional bias post weekend.    

Aggressive, Short-term, Intraday, or Professional Traders


Our aggressive intraday models started the mid-term election season with a decent streak of consecutive profitable days as below:

Mon 11/12: Booked 35.25 points in profit on a short.
Tue 11/13: Booked 13.50 points in profits on a short. 

Wed 11/14: Booked 14.00 points in profits on a short. 
Thu 11/15: Booked 2.25 points in profits on a long. 
Fri 11/16: Booked 13.75 points in profits on a long.
Mon 11/19: Booked 6.00 points in profits on a short.
Tue 11/20: No trades taken.
Wed 11/21: No trades taken.
Mon 11/26: Booked 0.50 points in loss on a long.
Tue 11/27: Booked 3.50 points in loss on a long.
Wed 11/28: Booked 12.75 points in profits on a long.

Last Published Plan/Forecast: The last forecast by our aggressive intraday models stated: “For today, Thursday 11/29, our aggressive intraday models indicate going short on a break below 2730 during the regular session, and indicate going long on a break above 2745 during the regular session – with a 7-point trailing stop” (click here to read the full report and/or to verify this claim)


The Outcome: The index broke below the 2730 level around 1015am EST, triggering a short position with a 7-point trailing stop. By 1045am EST, the index touched the session low of 2722.94, dragging the trail stop trigger to 2729.94. This stop was triggered within the thirty minutes, and the models closed the short position at 2730 for break-even. The models remained flat for the rest of the session. 

        

Today’s Plan/Forecast: For today, Friday 11/30, our aggressive intraday models indicate staying out of the market and assess any directional bias post weekend.
  
NOTE: Remember that a “trailing stop” works differently from the traditional stop-loss order. Please bear in mind that the trailing stop’s trigger level would keep changing throughout the session (click here to read on the conceptual workings of a trailing-stop). 

IMPORTANT RISK DISCLOSURES AND NOTICES – READ CAREFULLY:

(i) This article contains personal opinions of the author and is NOT representative of any organization(s) he may be affiliated with. This article is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT any specific advice or recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell or cause any transaction in any specific investment instruments at any specific price levels, but it is a generic analysis of the instruments mentioned.

(ii) Do NOT make your financial investment or trading decisions based on this article; anyone doing so shall do so solely at their own risk. The author will NOT be responsible for any losses or loss of potential gains arising from any investments/trades made based on the opinions, forecasts or other information contained in this article.

(iii) Risk Warning: Investing, trading in S&P 500 Index – spot, futures, or options or in any other synthetic form – or its component stocks carries inherent risk of loss. Trading in leveraged instruments such as futures carries much higher risk of significant losses and you may lose more than you invested in them. Carefully consider your individual financial situation and investment objectives before investing in any financial instruments. If you are not a professional trader, consult a professional investment advisor before making your investment decisions.

(iv) Past performance: This article may contain references to past performance of hypothetical trades or past forecasts, which should NOT be taken as any representation or promise or guarantee of potential future profits. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

(v) The author makes no representations whatsoever and assumes no responsibility as to the suitability, accuracy, completeness or validity of the information or the forecasts provided.

(vi) All opinions expressed herein are subject to change at any time, without any notice to anyone.