This Week’s Intermarket Analysis

I don’t know about you, but I’m always excited to trade on Monday. Maybe it’s all the money that is flying around from M&A action—broker Charles Schwab announced it’s making an offer to acquire TD Ameritrade for a cool $26 Billie…

Or maybe it has to do with the way I finished my trading day on Friday…

A Nice $71K trade in BIIB options on Friday before lunchtime. Not a paid-up member of Total Alpha? Click here to join.

 

Despite it being a shortened trading week, I go about each Monday the same—by breaking down the big picture to try and identify relationships and trends.

What is it that I’m looking at to develop this big picture view?

Simple.

I’m eyeing stocks, oil, volatility, gold, treasuries, and the dollar.

Here’s your Monday intermarket analysis:

 

SPY weekly chart


If that’s the best pullback the market can muster, it’ll be a long while before we see any downside.

The few times that bears looked like they gained control, they got shot and laid out as carpets in the bull cabins. Those were the few days that we saw any real volume.

Otherwise, it’s the same old story of large-caps rising higher with small-caps getting left in their wake.

 

IWM weekly chart

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see buying into the end of the year across the board from fund managers dressing up their portfolios. You know there’s at least a few out there that were short the entire year that need to cover their tracks.


Energy might have some power

The real star of the show has been Crude Oil. Black gold managed to fake everyone out this week and finish in a bullish position.

USO daily chart


There’s been lots of speculation that crude put in a real bottom. Baker Hughes rig counts show dropping numbers. However, inventories remain bloated, and output keeps getting more efficient.

The real driver for this market will always be global demand. With the world economy languishing, it’s tough to see any real rally happening without a change in forecasts. Right now that’s a tall order given China’s economic contraction.

 

Bonds trade in a defined channel

U.S. bonds remain the prettiest pig with lipstick. Like stocks, bond volume continues to dry up. That’s left prices floating in a channel lower since early August.

TLT daily chart


At some point, the range will compress enough to force a violent move higher or lower. If I had to pick a direction right now, I’d slip on the bond bear suit.

Gold may be getting ready to crack

Drifting lower on declining volume is much worse than higher. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion.

Interest in gold continues to decline every day. China has already grabbed much of the bullion they wanted for their central banks. Now, we’re left with the tail end of their purchases.

GLD daily chart

 

The GLD remains locked into lower prices by the 13-period simple moving average. Its next support area wouldn’t come in until the gravitational line at $131.75.

 

Never bet against the dollar

No matter who tells you the dollar is overbought…they turn out to be broke. Betting against the dollar works about as well as going against equities.

Other than a short reprieve in October, the dollar resumed its trend higher off a quick double bottom.

UUP daily chart


All the talk by global economists about replacing the US dollar doesn’t jive with reality. Every global country still needs dollars to trade. No other currency and government debt offer a better risk/reward than the U.S.

Usually, a strong dollar would lead to lower stock prices. However, both have risen in tandem for several years now. Maybe the old economic correlations broke… or perhaps we’ll face a day of reckoning.

 

Volatility says to enjoy your holiday

The VIX tried to briefly pierce $14 this week but had about as much energy as you will after this week’s meal.

 

VIX daily chart


What’s fascinating is the VVIX (the VIX of the VIX) had been suggesting that we’d see more volatility since late October.

 

VVIX daily chart


The higher we go the harder we fall. I don’t expect the VVIX to drop without the market retracing a portion of its run.

Before you stuff your face, stuff your pockets with cash

And learn how to take trades that net
$71,000 in a single afternoon… life-changing trades.

 

Click here to join Total Alpha

Latest News

These are serious obstacles for AMZN

Amazon (AMZN) can’t seem to get a foothold these days. Why? After sifting through the data, I determined it comes down to three key reasons: Borrowing costs Increased competition Government action/inaction I can monitor these if I know where to look. And it’s crucial...

Watch for these signals to find a top in WKHS

As long as the Fed backstops the market, stocks can and will continue to trade higher. And based on what they’re saying...they have no intention of putting their foot off the gas.  It’s one of the main reasons why some market pundits believe that some stocks and...

Here’s How To Play The Surge In Oil

Crude oil futures, and energy related stocks have benefited from positive vaccine news.  And its creating a slew of trading opportunities…. So much so it makes me dance just thinking about it...  I use my favorite chart pattern to narrow down which plays I’ll take. ...

These Indicators Signal A Short-Term Pullback

  The S&P 500 has been on a tear, and it seems as if every week it makes new all-time highs. To me, it just doesn’t feel as if these gains will stick right now. Why? THE MARKET IS HOLDING BACK! You see, we could be in another record bull run instead of this...

One strategy + One sector = All winners in November

The best performing index year-to-date — Nasdaq 100 — is up over 40%. When most traders see those returns, they stare in awe and think they should just buy an ETF and hold. While that may be a good strategy for some… It’s not a strategy I love, when it comes to...