Today, It’s All About the Fed and the Interest Rates Outlook!

Our models continue to book winning trades in these treacherous markets! 

Models continue to caution that any moves up could be potential bull traps – they indicate selling on any up-moves while the index is below 2610. 

Model Biases/Outlook:


As we reiterated since the midterm elections, “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 has tracked our bearish forecasts and has come down to test the key support level of 2610-2620 and even the 2585 level before taking a breather on 12/10, Monday. The market slide resumed on Monday 12/17 with the index closing below 2550. Our models are biased to the bearish side and will remain so while the index is below 2610.

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 continued to stay bearish while the index is below 2710. While within the 2710-2770 band, we reiterated an “indeterminate” bias.

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. With the close below the key 2610 level, models are now bearish since Monday, 12/17. 

Trading Plans for WED, 12/19:


Medium-term/long-term Investors


Our medium-term models started the month of December with indeterminate state and stayed out of the markets throughout the first half of the month.

Mon 12/17: Booked +20 points in profit on a short
Tue 12/18: Booked +9.25 points in profit on a short



Last Published Trading Plan/Forecast: Our last medium-term forecast stated: “For today, Tuesday 12/18, our medium-term models indicate going short on a break below 2548, with a target of 2526 and a trailing stop of 10-points” (click here to read the full forecast and/or verify this claim). 

Results/Outcome: The index broke below the 2548 level around 2:40pm EST, triggering a short position with a take-profit target of 2526 and a trailing stop of 10-points. Our profit target proved narrowly within range as the session came within 3-points distance with the session low of 2528.71 by 3:00pm, dragging the stop trigger to 2538.71. The stop was then hit around 3:15pm, and the short position was closed at 2538.75 for a 9.25 point profit and the models stayed flat for the rest of the session. 

Today’s Plan/Forecast: For today, Wednesday 12/19, our medium-term models indicate going short on a break below 2528, with a trailing stop of 12-points. No long trade is indicated while the index’s daily close is below 2585 or the intraday level is below 2610.  

Aggressive, Short-term, Intraday, or Professional Traders


Our aggressive intraday models mostly stayed out of the market in early December since dismissing the much hyped US-China trade “truce” related spike up which was short lived as “noise” (to see the original call click here to read the full forecast titled: “US-China Meeting Weekend Preliminary Results Driving Wild Moves – Let the Noise Settle!”) 


Mon 12/10: Booked +31.25 points in profit on two shorts
Tue 12/11: Booked +0.50 points in profit on a long
Wed 12/12: No trades

Thu 12/13: Booked -2.25 points in loss on a short
Fri 12/14: Booked +14.25 points in profit on a short

Mon 12/17: Booked +51.75 points in profit on a short

Tue 12/18: Booked +15.25 points in profit on three shorts
Last Published Trading Plan/Forecast: Our last aggressive intraday models’ forecast stated: For today, Tuesday 12/18, our aggressive, intraday models indicate going short on a break below 2560 or 2550 with an 8-point trailing stop, and going long on a break above 2588 with a 6-point trailing stop” (click here to read the full forecast and/or verify this claim)

Results/Outcome: The index broke below the 2560 level around 1045am EST, triggering a short position with an 8-point trailing stop. The index reached an intermediate low of 2551.99 around 11:25am EST, thus dragging the trailing stop trigger to 2560. The stop was hit in the next 10 minutes, closing the short for a breakeven. 

The index broke below 2560 again within the next 10 minutes, and the models went short again. The 8-point trailing stop was hit in the next 15 minutes, closing the short with a loss of 8 points.

The index broke below the 2660 level for the third time around 1:35pm, opening another short position. The index then broke down and reached the session low of 2528.71 around 3:00pm, thus dragging the trailing stop down to 2536.71. The stop was hit in the next 10 minutes, closing the short with a profit of 23.25 points. 

Thus, the models booked a net gain of 15.25 points during the session (0 – 8 + 23.25).   
        

Today’s Plan/Forecast: For today, Wednesday 12/19, our aggressive, intraday models indicate going short on a break below 2540 with an 8-point trailing stop, and going long on a break above 2588 with a 6-point trailing stop. For the trades to trigger, the breaks should occur during the regular session hours (9:30am-4:00pm EST).      
  

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.