Today, It’s About the FOMC and the Interest Rate Outlook!


It’s the FOMC meeting minutes release day today, Thursday 11/29. In all probability, it would not be way too far out from what Powell spoke on Wednesday, so there may not be much fireworks in the market. Unless there are any surprises in the FOMC minutes, the market might consolidate the last session’s gains – if any unexpected dovis tones revealed, then the gains might continue into today’s session too. 

Our models have opened the post-Thanksgiving trading week with the prior two week’s aggregate profits of 154.75 points from the pre-defined trading levels on the S&P 500 Index! 

With the market closing comfortably above 2710, our models have negated their bearish bias, but are not ready to flip to a bullish bias yet. 

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 beairsh bias and adopted an “indeterminate” bias for Thu 11/29. 

Trading Plans for THU, 11/29:


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, Wednesday 11/28, our medium-term models indicate going short on a break below 2652 with a 10-point trailing stop. No long trade is indicated while the daily close is below 2710″ (click here to read the full report and/or to verify this claim)

The Outcome: The index never traded below the 2652 level and hence the medium-term models have stayed out of the market on Wed 11/28. 

Today’s Plan/Forecast: 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.   

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, Wednesday 11/28, our aggressive intraday models indicate going short on a break below 2670 during the regular session, and indicate going long on a break above 2704 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 above the 2704 level exactly at noon – right after the Powell speech started – triggering a long position with a 7-point trailing stop. By 12:10pm EST, the index touched a high of 2723.75, dragging the trail stop trigger to 2716.75. This stop was triggered within the next five minutes, and the models closed the long position for a profit of 12.75 points. The models remained flat for the rest of the session. 

        

Today’s Plan/Forecast: 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. 
  
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.