EURUSD: Bearish Trading Dominates!EUR/USD fell again on Friday, dropping another 0.5 percent to drop below 1.0500.
Fiber fell slightly for the fifth consecutive trading day after the European Central Bank cut interest rates by another 25 basis points, with overall market sentiment remaining firmly in the greenback on the day, making EURUSD even more difficult.
Optionsstrategies
USDJPY Continues Consolidation Above Key Support!Dear Friends!
USD/JPY is trading sideways around 154.00 during the Asian session on Tuesday. The pair was weighed down by Japanese comments and a softer risk-on tone. However, a fresh rally in the US Dollar limited the pair's losses ahead of the US November Retail Sales report.
From a technical point of view, USDJPY remains in an uptrend with the trendline, EMAs and price channel still favoring buyers. In the short term, keep an eye on the upper limit of the channel, which could provide fresh upside momentum for USDJPY.
Wishing you happy and profitable trading.
USDJPY: Under Selling Pressure Around Recent Highs!USD/JPY has come under renewed selling pressure to near 0.6350 in Wednesday's Asian trading. The pair fails to benefit from fading hopes of a BoJ rate hike on Thursday as the US Dollar retreats despite a cautious risk environment. All eyes remain on the Fed outcome ahead of Thursday's BoJ decision
How to PROTECT your profits while letting them runIn the trading business you need to let your profits run while also managing your risks that means to cut your losses short.
Losses of unrealized profits are real profits that are lost. What if you could save them?
Well, there is a way...
It is not always available but it is one you want to know since if you can save 3 points of wiggle room and pay 1 point or less, over the long run it adds up to HUGE chunk of profit to your bottom line.
The reason I applied this method is because TSLA was doing 3 days in a row a push and gap up, so it seems likely people will want to take profits... but this is TSLA... it can shoot up above 500 and reach who knows where... (she did it before...).
So I want to TAKE MY HUGE profit, while giving it the option to continue to the moon, if it will want to do so...
You can never take the very top anyway, so if you "give back" 1 point of profit it is considered reasonable, but if in case the price falls down sharply or gapped down I can give back maybe 3 points with this strength of volatility, which is undesireable.
So what I did?
I sold the PUT option at strike 470 at a price of $15 (my point was $17) so for me it is even less than a point so it is very attractive deal to me...
Then... if the price had crushed down it meant for me that I sold my stocks at a price of 470 while paying the hedge cost of the PUT option of 15 so it is equivalent to me that I sold my stock at a price of 455, which is ALMOST the top. Making sure ~90% of the profit stays in my pocket. So I WIN.
If the price would continue to shoot up, then I making SUPER HUGE MONEY, while sleeping like a baby, that I already realized my HUGE profit. So I WIN.
So either way, I WIN !
Since the price did not crushed the next day and hold, and my stop loss advanced, so there was no longer need to my PUT option hedge since if price will fall I will get out with the stop loss with the same profit. So I sold the PUT hedge for a small loss, so the hedge cost me 0.25 a point overall. SUPER WORTH IT !
FYI, this comes from years of experience, but I give you some of my experience, you could do it too.
The moral of the story... when you have HUGE profit, and you feel itchy to take profit, don't ! and try to hedge yourself with options ! this way, if you were wrong and you have GME, AMC on your hand, you don't let them go, and you WIN either way ! Sleeping like a baby.
Prediction of EURUSD price decrease in the near future?Dear Traders,
The EUR/USD pair is currently hovering around the 1.0378 mark, extending its bearish momentum for several consecutive days. This persistent decline has been largely driven by the Federal Reserve’s hawkish rate cuts, which have bolstered the US dollar and exerted downward pressure on this major currency pair.
Analyzing the 4-hour chart, it’s evident that the pair remains below the 34-period EMA, signaling that the bearish trend is far from over. After failing to sustain the upward momentum near the 1.0450 level, the price resumed its descent, reinforcing the dominance of sellers in the market.
Given these factors, my personal analysis suggests that the downtrend is likely to accelerate in the near term. Any potential corrective pullbacks, in this context, could present strategic opportunities for sellers to re-enter the market.
What’s your perspective on this outlook? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your take!
GOLD -- Fell below 2650 with negative fundamental driversOANDA:XAUUSD continued its downward trajectory, dipping to $2,648, underpinned by adverse fundamental drivers. The key question now is whether a retracement is on the horizon or if the decline will deepen further.
Optimism about Chinese stimulus faded due to growing concerns over the U.S.-China trade war. In a closed report, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated that China has begun retaliating against President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming tariffs by implementing non-tariff measures.
The market now believes that the Fed might send a hawkish signal by indicating a pause in January after the anticipated 25 basis points (bps) rate cut at the December 17-18 policy meeting, especially following the release of higher-than-expected U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data.
Technically, gold remains confined within its current channel, with the consolidation phase still intact. The primary focus lies on the key support zone between 2636 and 2634, below which a large liquidity cluster could serve as a potential target for prices.
The 2636 support level could trigger a retracement, depending on forthcoming market developments. If the retracement appears shallow and prices quickly return to this level, the likelihood of a break below support increases, potentially driving prices down to levels like 2612 and 2580. However, if gold can stabilize above 2682 and consolidate above local highs, it could pave the way for a retest of higher levels.
Regards Bentradegold!
Gold --> Bear Market Intensifies, Key Resistance LoomsHello, dear friends! This is Ben.
Gold prices rose after a false breakout at 2,650. Fundamentally, the situation remains complex, and technically...
The metal's price is being influenced by geopolitical tensions, weaker U.S. bond yields, and a softer USD, which supports the safe-haven appeal of XAU/USD. However, bets on a less dovish Fed warrant caution for bullish markets ahead of this week's FOMC meeting.
Theoretically, additional gold price gains could be limited by concerns about China's economy after its industrial production posted a modest rise in November, while retail sales disappointed. Widening gold discounts in India amid subdued wedding season demand due to higher prices may also act as a drag on the metal. China and India remain the largest gold consumers globally.
Looking ahead, U.S. PMI data also warrants attention for fresh insights into the Fed's rate trajectory next year, which could heavily influence gold prices—given gold's sensitivity to the USD.
From a technical perspective, gold is attempting to break out of a major range, testing critical support. Since the opening of the session, the price has increased quite strongly, which increases the possibility of resistance to stop this increase. If there is a false breakout around the 2,655 level, a minor correction toward resistance could form. However, with prices testing strong support, we may witness a false breakout followed by a corrective move to the 2,660–2,675 region (0.618 Fib retracement) before resuming the downtrend.
Rate, share your opinion and questions, let's discuss what's going on with.
EUR/USD → Consolidates Ahead of Key Fed Interest Rate DecisionHello everyone, Ben here!
EUR/USD saw a sluggish upward movement on Monday, drifting towards the upper bounds of its short-term consolidation range just north of 1.0500, though lacking any significant conviction. With relatively limited European data this week, Fiber traders are bracing for a heavy U.S. data docket.
In the short term, the trend remains neutral, but prices are consolidating near a critical support level that has held firm for two years. Aggressive rate cuts in Europe are putting pressure on the pair, with expectations set for December 17th-18th. The Fed is widely anticipated to cut the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points (bps). However, any hawkish signals from the Fed aimed at taming inflation would increase the downside potential for EUR/USD.
Support levels: 1.045, 1.033
Resistance levels: 1.060, 1.065
From an interest rate perspective, within the context of a broader downtrend, price has yet to reach the key liquidity zone. Ahead of the news, I anticipate that the price will climb towards 1.060. However, based on both technical and fundamental outlooks, bearish momentum is expected to resume, and a break below the 1.045 support level will solidify the downward trend.
Best regards,
Bentradegold!
GOLD --> Correction Before Potential Further DeclineOANDA:XAUUSD transitioning to a Correction Phase After Last Week's Economic Data. Market participants are generally confirming the bearish nature after returning to the channel.
The market is broadly prepared for a 25% rate cut, but traders seem cautious about hints regarding the Fed's stance: whether the Fed will cut interest rates, shift to a wait-and-see approach, or imply a rate hike based on last week's economic data. Traders are eagerly awaiting the Fed's decision, which will be announced on December 18. Gold prices continue to be supported by safe-haven demand amidst ongoing geopolitical risks. Additionally, China's continued gold purchases are providing further momentum for this precious metal.
Technically, after a false breakout at the 2721 level, a deep correction is forming, which typically develops into a local downward trend. Prices are approaching the panic zone of 2615-2600. During the Asian trading session, gold maintained its earlier recovery above $2650 as buyers still held control amidst the persistently weak US dollar and sluggish US Treasury yields, with attention on key resistance levels.
Prices are heading toward the imbalance zone in the correction process. A swift approach and retest of resistance could trigger a recovery. Traders may enter the profit-taking phase before major news releases.
Best regards,
Bentradegold!
Gold: Short-Term Fluctuations, Long-Term TriumphsAs a market analyst, I observe that global gold prices currently stand at $2,647 per ounce, with February 2025 gold futures on the Comex New York exchange priced at $2,675 per ounce, reflecting a 0.03% increase from the previous day. Over the past week, gold has shown a solid 0.8% gain.
From my perspective, gold has had a remarkable year, and while it is now undergoing a phase of correction, I firmly believe this pullback will not last long. My analysis suggests that gold prices will rise further in the coming months. This outlook is supported by several key factors, including loose monetary policies, strong central bank buying activity, and growing demand for safe-haven assets, all of which are likely to drive gold to new record highs this year.
I’m also closely following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after each meeting, as these are crucial for shaping investor expectations for 2025. Inflation remains a pressing issue, still falling short of the Fed’s 2% target. According to Nicky Shiels, a metals strategist at MKS PAMP SA, gold prices could reach $2,500 per ounce, or even as high as $3,000 per ounce, depending on how effectively the Fed manages inflation.
In the short term, my projection is that gold will trade within a range of $2,647 to $2,760 per ounce. For the longer term, I align with Goldman Sachs' forecast that gold could achieve $3,000 per ounce by the end of 2025. This aligns with the broader trends I’m observing, where persistent economic uncertainties and evolving monetary policies continue to shape a favorable environment for gold.
GOLD → The FED Rate Decision Ahead: What Should You Do?Dear Traders,
Gold (XAUUSD) has made a notable move, successfully testing the strong support level at 2633 before traders shifted into buying mode. As a result, the price broke above 2643, sparking new optimism as upcoming discussions around potential rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (FED) take center stage.
Currently, there is a 93% probability that the FED will cut rates by 25 basis points. However, the overarching theme is the FED's stance for the future. Hawkish hints regarding 2025 could influence the rate-cutting trajectory, an aspect the market has only partially priced in.
This means any indication of a smaller rate cut could fuel strength for the U.S. dollar. Conversely, a deeper cut could act as a bullish catalyst for gold. The spotlight is firmly on FED Chair Jerome Powell's comments, as they will provide crucial insights into the economic outlook for 2024 amidst the backdrop of Trump-era policies that continue to play a pivotal role.
That said, downside risks for gold remain elevated, particularly if the FED maintains a hawkish stance in the current climate.
Technical Analysis: At the moment, gold prices are consolidating within the range of 2658 - 2633, with a breakout in either direction likely to bring about a strong momentum-driven move. The market is complex and highly volatile right now, which is why traders are advised to hold off on entering positions before the event. Waiting for volatility to subside can offer better clarity on market direction and safer opportunities.
Final Advice: Patience is key in such turbulent times. Avoid getting swayed by short-term noise and focus on acting only after a clear trend emerges following the major event.
Opening (IRA): TLT March 21st 84 Covered Call... for an 82.72 debit.
Comments: Laddering out into 2025 at strikes/break evens better than what I currently have on, looking to snag January, February and potentially March dividends ... .
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 82.72/share
Max Profit: 1.28
ROC at Max: 1.55%
50% Max: .64
ROC at 50% Max: .77%
Opening (IRA): SMH January 17th 235 Covered Call... for a 230.52 debit.
Comments: Mostly in this to attempt to grab the annual divvy ... . Last year, it was 1.04/share, but it has been widely variant from year to year (e.g., 2.40 in 2022; 1.57 in 2021; 1.50 in 2020). Selling the -75 delta call against stock to emulate the delta metrics of a 25 delta short put, but with built-in short call defense.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 230.52/Share
Max Profit: 4.48
ROC at Max: 1.94%
50% Max: 2.24
ROC at 50% Max: .97%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max, but may take profit early if the dividend turns out to be non-chump change.
Opening (IRA): USO January 17th 68 Covered Call... for a 66.72 break even.
Comments: Dinking and doinking on USO at /CL <$70/bbl.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 66.72
Max Profit: 1.38
ROC at Max: 2.07%
50% Max: .69
ROC at 50% Max: 1.04%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; add if I can get in at better break evens/strike prices.
GBPUSD: Breaking the trend line!GBPUSD is currently trading around 1.2705 and has not changed much since the start of the trading session.
Early Tuesday morning, data released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the ILO Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 4.3% in the three months to October, as expected. During the period, Employment Change increased by 173,000, while annual wage inflation, measured by Average Earnings excluding bonuses, increased to 5.2% from 4.9%.
Although the negative shift in risk sentiment has helped the US dollar gain ground in the European session, the GBP/USD pair remains flat but could fall as the bullish trendline and technical factors are broken.
Opening (IRA): TLT February 21st 87 Covered Call... for a 85.97 debit.
Comments: Going long at or near November lows, selling the -75 call against shares to emulate the delta metrics of a 25 delta short put, with the built-in defense of the short call. I'm also looking to snag the January and potentially the February dividends here. This is a bit longer-dated than I ordinarily like to go, but I'm not doing a ton here besides waiting for January setups to come in/be managed.
The obvious variant is to sell the standard -30 delta against: TLT Feb 21st 94 covered call, 89.72 debit, 4.28 max. 4.77% ROC at max where the short call is paying >1% of the strike price in credit.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 85.97/share
Max Profit (ex. dividends): 1.03
ROC at Max: 1.20%
50% Max: .52
ROC at 50% Max: .60%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max after at least the January dividend drops.
Opening (IRA): EWY January 17th 52 Covered Call... for a 51.50 debit.
Comments: Primarily in this for the dividend, since the ROC %-age without it kind of blows chunks. The last four distributions were: .63, 1.68, .70, and 1.65. Would appreciate something in the neighborhood of 1.00 (please and thank you) ... .
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 51.50/share
Max Profit: .50
ROC at Max (Excluding Dividends): .97%
I generally look to take profit on these at 50% max, but will wait for the dividend to drop to see what's what ... .
$HITI is presenting another buying opportunity here! NASDAQ:HITI
-We are still holding onto our support level and turning previous resistance into support. If we dip lower we are going back to $2.81-$3 to officially retest the cup & handle breakout before we head higher.
-H5 Indicator is GREEN
-Williams Consolidation Box is thriving
-9ema is catching up to the stock price
-Same thing as before got to wait for the IWM to make it's move higher before we get sustenance.
Opening (IRA): IBIT Jan 17th 50 Covered Call... for a 47.76 debit.
Comments: High IV at 65.3%. Selling the -75 call against stock to emulate the delta metrics of a 25 delta short put, but with the built-in defense of the short call. This isn't the best entry (an understatement), but am looking at it as a starter position which I will add to, assuming I can get in at strikes/break evens better than what I currently have on.
Previously, I was working BITO due to its monthly dividend, but it suffers from "rollover risk" and BITO IV is higher on the put side than on the call, making selling puts more productive in that instrument, kind of defeating the reason why you might want to be in that instrument -- the dividends, for which you have to be in stock.
IBIT IV is higher on the call side than BITO, making covered calls more productive from a max profit standpoint. (The max of the Jan 17th 50 short put, 24 delta, is 1.77 here versus 2.24 for the monied covered call). Alas, the trade-off is ... no dividends.
Metrics:
Buying Power Effect/Break Even: 47.76/share
Max Profit: 2.24
ROC at Max: 4.70%
50% Max: 1.12
ROC at 50% Max: 2.35%
Will generally look to take profit at 50% max; roll the short call out on break of my take profit (which is (50.00 - 47.76)/2 + 47.76 or 48.88.
Little bull call spread on StellantisI believe we are in the end of an accumulation. We had bad news lately about this company and his CEO. I don't want to own the stock, specially in this part of the economic cycle. This is purely a speculative trade.
There is a divergence in the awesome oscillator marking a possible end of the bear trend and right after, a period of low volatility characteristic of accumulations as we can see in the multiple historical volatility oscillator below. A spring a few days ago confirmed there were strong buyers. Now we are against the trendline.
So, I believe it's cheap (from ~€25 went down to ~€12,50) and it should make a bullish move shortly.
Strategy: Bull call spread
Expiration: 17 JAN 2025 (45 days to expiration)
Legs = +2 calls 13 and -2 calls 14
Premium = 0.27 * 100 stocks * 2 q per leg = €54
Max gain= €146
Risk / Reward = 2.7
Commissions= €1.5 (only open)
Break-even = From 13.27 (lower call + premium)
Historical Volatility (45 days) = 35,85%
Implicit Volatility = ~31%
In English: If the underlying (the stock) arrives at 13.27 I start earning money. If it gets to 14 or if it surpasses this price, I get to the max reward. I can lose at the most €54 + commisions even if the stock goes to €1.
The blue lines in the chart represent Breakeven, Max reward price and Expiration so I can follow the underlying. Now it's time to follow the DOM for each option.
I hope this process of thought helps you in your trades, specially if you are now to options.
GOLD--> Testing $2700: What Awaits with Upcoming PPI?OANDA:XAUUSD at the time of writing, prices are fluctuating around $2706, down 0.42% for the day, with not enough momentum to break the $2711 level.
Meanwhile, buyers seem to have paused as the market prepares for the upcoming Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday. This report is expected to shed more light on the Federal Reserve’s rate-cut trajectory, keeping investors cautious.
While prices are currently hovering around a minor pullback, some fundamental factors suggest that any drop may only be short-lived. Treasury yields have steadily declined throughout the year, a trend that typically supports gold. Moreover, persistent geopolitical tensions remain a strong driver for safe-haven demand, reinforcing the allure of the yellow metal.
On inflation, while consumer prices have stopped rising aggressively, they remain stable. This stability makes it almost certain that the Federal Reserve will proceed with a 25 basis-point rate cut at its December 17-18 policy meeting. In fact, traders are pricing in a 96% probability of this move, up from 86% before the recent inflation report.
From a technical perspective, gold is attempting to escape its main range, breaking key resistance. The focus is on $2700 and $2670. If buyers hold their ground in this region even after the news, prices will continue to grow in the future, as key liquidity zones remain untested. This projected growth is expected to reach levels such as $2758 and $2790.
Always stay ahead of the market with Bentradegold—your trusted source for analysis and deep insights!