New-NAFTA, Tesla Settlement, GE New CEO…Caution to Bulls Until the Range Is Broken Out of!

Despite the news headlines including new-NAFTA, Tesla’s settlement with the SEC, new CEO at GE lifting the markets in the overnight futures and likely into the morning session, our models indicate caution to bulls until the recent range is broken out of! 

The potential major catalyst could be coming in the upcoming earnings season. Other than that, only a range break out is likely to establish any sustainable move in either direction, and until then it could continue to be a choppy market with range-bound trading. 

Model Biases/Outlook:


Considering that there are no major catalysts on the horizon (as of now) to keep driving the markets up to newer record highs or to push them down beyond the recent range lows, our models indicate a choppy, range-bound trading until the range is broken out of. 

Our medium-term models have negated the recent “slightly bullish” bias and are sporting a neutral bias since Thu, 09/27. No bearish bias in sight until all the way below 2887. On the up side, our medium-term models are looking for a daily close above 2933 to turn outright bullish again.

Aggressive, intraday models indicate the risk to the bears of a bullish spike for the day.  

A Brief Trace Back of The Current Bias/Outlook


On Friday, 09/07, our models had entered an “indeterminate” state and had negated their previous bullish bias, but had not adapted a bearish bias, yet. After reiterating this indeterminate bias for seven consecutive days, our models adopted a “slightly bullish” bias on Wed 09/19. 

For Mon, 09/24, we continued this bullish bias, with a cautious stand about the gap-up on Thu 09/20. On Monday this gap-fill was attempted by reaching within 0.13 points – our models wanted to see it filled fully and published caution to bulls until that is seen. On Wednesday, 09/26, this gap was filled and the market closed down. 

Thursday, 09/27, our models had negated the bullish bias and are adopting a neutral bias between 2917 and 2887. We reiterate this bias for today, the third day in a row.   


Trading Plans for MON, 10/01:


Medium-term/long-term Investors

The medium-term models have closed out the last position (a long) for a 12-point profit last week, opened at 2913 on Wed, 09/19 and have been flat since then (no positions). 

The medium-term models indicate trading off of a widened range of 2933 and 2887 – would go long on a daily close above 2933 and go short a daily close below 2887, both sides with a 10-point trailing stop.  

Aggressive, Short-term, Intraday, or Professional Traders

The intraday models are currently flat into today’s regular session. For today’s  regular session, the aggressive intraday models indicate trading off of the range of 2921-2915. Models would go long on a break above 2921 during the regular session, or short on a break below 2915 during the regular session – with a 5-point trailing stop. 

NOTE: Models are looking for a cross of this range during the regular session – they would sit out flat if the index opens the regular session above or below this range, and wait for a cross of the range during the session. 

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). 


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