Historically FOMC minutes have been an afterthought, but in today's climate they are a big deal to futures traders
The futures markets have been hanging on every word that trickles from the mouths of Federal Reserve members. Even off-handed comments made on their personal time have been moving through the grape vines.
Today's FOMC minutes didn't offer any surprises. The Fed feels like the U.S. economy is moving in the right direction, which justifies a rate hike. But overseas market turmoil (namely China) has them pressing pause. The market seemed to like what they heard.
In more bullish equity market news, the Chinese stock market opened for trade today after being closed for an entire week in observance of a national holiday (this is odd to us because it is essentially illegal in the U.S for the stock exchange to be closed more than 3 consecutive days). Once the bell rung, Asian traders bid prices higher to catch up with the global equity market rally that had taken place without them.
Treasuries continue to slide despite solid auction
The FOMC minutes seemed to take some of the uncertainty out of the timing of the next rate hike. The market had originally interpreted the Fede's press conference statements as insinuating that softening in China was enough to derail the U.S. recovery. However, the notes seemed to depict only minor concerns. Are the FOMC minutes manipulated or filtered? Maybe, maybe not...but it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the direction of the market.
Today's 30-Year bond auction included $13 billion in securities, which were met with solid demand. The indirect bidders, which are assumed to be foreign investors, were as aggressive in today's auction as they have been since 2009. Treasuries initially reacted to the upside to the auction, but eventually the FOMC minutes lured sharp selling into the market.
In our view, bonds and notes should continue lower for the time being.
Treasury Futures Market Analysis
**Bond Futures Market Consensus:** We are bearish bonds and notes, our first downside target will be 155ish in the ZB (30-year bond) and the mid-127s in the ZN (10-year note).
**Technical Support:** ZB : 155'06, 153'05, and 151'23 ZN: 127'27, 127'12, 126'16, 125'30, and 125'17
**Technical Resistance:** ZB : 159'15, and 161'16 ZN: 129'20 and 130'06, and 131'15
The ES bull is alive and well!
"Everyone and their dog" is assuming the current S&P rally will fail. However, that alone is enough to make us think the sky is the limit. Even so, there will be some temporary resistance near the 2010ish area. You might recall this as last month's high, and it would also be an inflection point for most technical oscillators measuring overbought levels.
Aside from the fact that active traders appear to be net sellers, which means they must buy back to cover as prices squeeze higher; seasonal pressures tend to be overall bullish from now through the end of the year. Thus, a break above resistance could open the door for a massive short squeeze.
Stock Index Futures Market Ideas
**e-mini S&P 500 Futures Market Consensus:** 2010ish is heavy resistance, but we have a feeling any selling will be temporary. We believe 2100 to 2150 is back on the table!
**Technical Support:** 1943, 1876, 1852 and 1819
**Technical Resistance:** 2012, 2020, and 2040
e-mini S&P Futures Day Trading Ideas
**These are counter-trend entry ideas, the more distant the level the more reliable but the less likely to get filled**
ES Day Trade Sell Levels: 2012, 2023, and 2038
ES Day Trade Buy Levels: 1982, 1969, and 1957
In other commodity futures and options markets....
October 2 - Sell December 10-year note 131.50 calls for about 25 ticks ($390.62).
October 2 - Sell December natural gas 225 puts for 39 ticks ($390).
October 6 - Sell December live cattle 120 puts near 100.
October 7 - Buy back December live cattle puts near 45 to lock in a quick profit ($220 to $250 per contract before transaction costs).
October 7 - Buy back the December 10-year note 131.50 calls for about 9 ticks to lock in a gain of about 15 ticks ($234) per contract before commission.
Due to time constraints and our fiduciary duty to put clients first, the charts provided in this newsletter may not reflect the current session data.
Seasonality is already factored into current prices, any references to such does not indicate future market action.
There is substantial risk of loss in trading futures and options.