Expectations for September's FOMCWhat do the markets care about this week? We have another CPI print on Wednesday, which is highly anticipated. We are in a period of nasty stagflation and the Fed is caught in a difficult position. They want to raise rates further, but the issue is that our cause of inflation seems to be on the supply chain side. Interest rates will do little to combat this. The NFP numbers Friday were pretty strong, so their case is strengthened to raise by at least 50bps in September, at the next FOMC. It will be almost a certainty if CPI comes in hot.
Note that GDP came in contractionary for two quarters in a row, which is the definition most use for a recession. This stands somewhat at odds with the strong NFP numbers, which could be a seasonal fluke. If the data continues to indicate that we are in a recession, the Fed will eventually be forced to lower rates again. The markets seem to be weighing this reality before rallying with conviction.
Kovach
Litecoin Retraces from Our TargetLitecoin has come just shy of hitting our next target at $64.37, retracing sharply after rejecting this level. Resistance was confirmed by a red triangle on the KRI, then we promptly retraced back to support at $61.75. We are currently seeing support from this level. If things go south, we could break through to the vacuum zone below. The next support level after that is $55.84. If momentum picks up, we could test $64.37 again, then $66.94 is the next target.
Ethereum Loses Steam Below $1800Ethereum made a notable run for highs, coming just shy of our target at $1821. We made it to $1790 or so, and were not able to test the $1800's just yet. However, we were able to break past that dense patch of levels in the $1700's, which started at $1653. We are currently finding support at the last of these levels, at $1748. If we see more momentum, we could easily hit our target of $1821. If not, then several levels in the mid $1700's should provide support including $1748, $1717, then $1694. The last level of support is at $1653, which we expect to hold as a floor for now.
Bitcoin Rejects HighsBitcoin is facing resistance at $23.9K, exactly as we have anticipated, and have wrote about at length here. This is a strong technical level and is providing prohibitive resistance at the moment. The Kovach OBV is still strong, but it will take another burst of momentum to test higher levels. If so, then $25.1K is the next target. If we reject current levels, then we should have support at $22.4K.
Stocks Test Highs, Can They Break Higher?Stocks got a nice lift yesterday, but faced resistance exactly where we anticipated, at 4188. We faced strong resistance there confirmed by multiple red triangles on the KRI. These levels also coincide with highs from earlier in June, so it will take formidable momentum to break through. We are seeing strong support from 4144, and will have further support from 4122, if we retrace further. Watch the vacuum zone below to 4068, then to 4009.
Gold Gearing Up for a Breakout?Gold is testing the low 1800's, breaking past 1800, but just barely. We are currently sitting at 1805 at the time of this writing. We appear to be forming a bull wedge pattern, potentially gearing up for a breakout. The Kovach OBV is still bullish, potentially indicating a bull divergence. If we are able to break out, then the next target is 1815, then 1826, then 1836, which coincides with the .786 Fibonacci level. If we retrace, we should have strong support around 1780, the 50% Fibonacci level.
Litecoin Breaks Out, Can Momentum Sustain?Litecoin has pumped hard, coming just below our target of $64.37. We are seeing strong resistance here confirmed by a red triangle on the KRI. Nevertheless, we have broken through strong resistance at $61.75, which remained a barrier for LTC. If we can solidly break $64.37, then the next target is $66.94. If we retrace, then we should have support at $61.75, then there is a vacuum zone to $55.84.
Ethereum Testing Highs... Can it Break Out??Ethereum has broken through a cluster of resistance levels in the $1700's. Just a few days prior, we were having issues with $1653, the first of these levels, but have managed to punch through resistance over the weekend. We are currently contending with the last level at $1748. Though we have broken through (currently in the $1760's at the time of this writing), we are seeing heavy resistance confirmed by a red triangle on the KRI. Current levels align with previous highs in Ethereum, established in late July. If we are able to clear them, the next target is $1821, a significant milestone for ETH. If we fail to break out, then expect support in the high $1700's, with $1653 a likely lower bound for now.
Bitcoin Hits $24K! What's Next?Bitcoin got a strong burst of momentum, taking us to the next target of $23.9K. Currently, we have broken just past that level and are testing $24K. We are seeing genuine momentum come through and the Kovach OBV has picked up to confirm it. We are on the precipice of the vacuum zone to $25.1K, which is our next target. If things turn south, then we could retrace back to $22.4K. After that, we would return to the previous value area Bitcoin held between $20.7K and $22.4K.
New Lows for Oil?Oil has bottomed out just about our level at 87.21. We have broken through levels in the 90's, giving up that handle completely. The Kovach OBV is very bearish, confirming the momentum from the selloff. If things pick up, 90.06, which once provided support, will now provide resistance, and is our next target. If the bear momentum continues, then 85.55 and 84.75 are our next targets from below.
Bull Wedge In Stocks?Stocks are tending toward the upper bound of the value area, forming what appears to be a bull wedge. We have been flirting with higher levels in the 4000's established from a value area formed back in June. We seem to have a hard upper bound at 4178, but the Kovach OBV is still strong, suggesting that we have a bull divergence. If we break out, then 4188 will provide resistance. If we can break through that, then 4214 is the next target. We should have support from 4122, then there is a vacuum zone to 4068. If that does not hold, we should have strong support at 4009.
Litecoin BreakoutLitecoin rallied after testing the mid $50's. We found support at our level at $55.84, and made a run for $61.75, where we are currently meeting resistance, confirmed by a red triangle on the KRI. If we reject these levels, then we will likely test the mid $50's again. If we break out, our next target is $64.37.
Ethereum Tests Higher LevelsEthereum pumped and broke into the cluster of levels we have been discussing all week. These levels have given ETH a lot of troubles lately, and we just can't seem to break past them to hit our next target of $1821. Yesterday, we saw a lot of resistance from $1653, the where the cluster starts. A few days ago, we rejected $1748, the last level in this zone of resistance. Currently we are contending with some levels in between, with a red triangle on the KRI confirming the resistance. It is unlikely we will be able to break $1748, but if we do our next target is $1821. Watch for support at $1653 or $1547.
Bitcoin Holds the RangeBitcoin is holding the range between $22.4K and $23.9K. We are slowly edging toward the lower bound of this range. The NFP employment numbers today may not help things for crypto because there is a strong likelihood that the Fed will raise rates further, by at least 50bps at their meeting in September. Also the strength in the dollar suggests that investors are sitting heavy in cash for a while. Curb your enthusiasm for a strong crypto pump any time soon. Watch for support at $22.4K. If we break that, we should see further support at $20K.
Dollar Strengthens on NFP DataThe US dollar has gained incredible strength off of the Non Farm Payroll numbers, which came at a headline beat with employment at 3.5%. This suggests that the markets feel that the Fed is now more emboldened to hike rates even further at their September meeting. The DXY is still holding the range established when it started its sideways corrective phase after the pull back from the low 109's. We dipped down into the 105's, and subsequently pivoted back to the 106's, with 107.20 still an upper bound. If we retrace this rally, then expect support at 106.13 or the 105's.
Oil Presses LowerOil has fallen deeper into the high $80's following a selloff that broke monthly lows. We had very strong support at $92.03, and appeared to be seeing a double bottom forming, but the selloff knocked oil back a peg, smashing through multiple technical levels below in a persistence selloff that has taken us back to support at $87.21. We are seeing a green triangle forming on the KRI, but the selloff does seem persistent. We should have further support from $85.55 and $84.75. If we see a relief rally, the $90's should provide resistance.
What Today's Employment Data Means for Stocks and the FedNon Farm Payrolls introduced some volatility in stocks. The numbers came in hot, with a headline beat and unemployment at 3.5% . The S&P 500 had already edged higher, reaching our target of 4178, and establishing value between 4144 and 4178. The NFP data release introduced some volatility, with a small selloff extending past 4122 into the vacuum zone down to 4068. It appears the figures were priced in already, and stocks may be correcting because of that. Also, the strong numbers give the Fed more justification to hike rates in September. If stocks fall further watch for support at 4068, but be mindful of the vacuum zone below to 4009.
Gold RetracesGold edged higher, breaking out of the 0.618 Fibonacci level at about $1800. However, we encountered resistance at the next technical level above, at $1815. Immediately, we saw the price action round off and retrace back to safety in the $1790's. We anticipate gold to establish value between $1780 and $1800 (two significant Fibonacci levels), unless more momentum can come through and help solidify the $1800's. The Kovach OBV is wavering, which suggests we do not quite have enough momentum yet to sustain a breakout.
Employment Data Hammers BondsBonds crept up but are facing resistance. After ZN tested highs at 121'28, and retraced, it started to establish value between 119'23 and 121'00. The latter has provided prohibitive resistance, as we have discussed this week, and we have seen a rejection, continuing the sideways correction. We saw a wick down to 119'23, where we found support, at first, but we subsequently broke through to the vacuum zone below. This follows Non Farm Payrolls coming in at a surprise beat, with unemployment at 3.5%. Expect support at 119'01.
Litecoin Establishes a RangeLitecoin has found support in the mid $50's, just above our level at $55.84. We have edged higher, in between the vacuum zone between $55.84 and $61.75. It appears that we are establishing value in this range, so watch for support at $55.84 and resistance at $61.75. If we are able to break out, then the next target is $64.37. If we break down from here, then we will have further support at the base of the $50 handle.
Ethereum Runs Into ResistanceEthereum found support at $1547, and pivoted up to higher levels. There is a dense cluster of levels starting at $1653, and extending to the mid $1700's. We are currently contending with the first of these levels, unable to break higher. We are seeing many red triangles on the KRI, confirming the resistance. The Kovach OBV has leveled off, suggesting that we need more momentum before we can break higher. If we reject current levels, then $1547 should continue to provide support, otherwise the next level is $1424.
Bitcoin StabilizesBitcoin has slumped again after making another run for higher levels. We found support at $22.4K, and appeared to be make an attempt at a breakout to $23.9K. We quickly met resistance and found are running into support again at $22.4K again. If support does not hold there is a vacuum zone down to $20.7K, at the cusp of that range near lows we held for a while in June and July. If we can break through $23.9K, then $25.1K is the next target.
The S&P 500 Edges HigherThe S&P 500 has broken higher, barely edging past 4144, our previous high. We are curently just below the next level at 4178. We are starting to run into resistance here from previous highs in mid June, confirmed by red triangles on the KRI. If we can break out further, we must get past 4188 before we can consider the next level at 4214. The breakout looks labored and the KRI is relatively flat, so there is a high probability of a retracement, unless we see strong momentum at open. If so, watch for 4068 to provide support, but beware of the vacuum zone below to 4009.