9/15 Weeks Overview. Rate Cut Volatility or Bullish Opportunity?Overview:
The VANTAGE:SP500 closed the second week of September with a strong green candle, completely retracing the previous week's red candle. The precision of this price action is impressive: the 1st week's open was at 5623, and the 2nd week's close was at 5626. The 1st week's close was at 5408, and the 2nd week's low was 5406. So, is this a bearish or bullish signal? Neither—it's volatility. There's uncertainty around whether we're headed for a recession or a soft landing. Will the Fed’s rate cut ignite a bull run or crash the market?
One factor contributing to this week’s positive performance is favorable macroeconomic data, such as the CPI and PPI, which came in lower than expected and weren't revised down multiple times. Next week, all eyes will be on the Fed's interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday at 2 PM EST. This announcement will overshadow other key macro data, including US retail sales (trending up), building permits (trending down), and the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (trending upward since January 2024). Current expectations are split, with a 48% chance of a 0.25% rate cut and a 52% chance of a 0.50% cut. The expectation of a two-basis-point cut has doubled in just a month. If the odds were skewed more heavily (90/10), the market could avoid volatility as the move would be priced in. However, in the current scenario, even a 0.25% rate cut could trigger a sell-off.
Historical Context for Rate Cuts and Risky Assets:
Looking back at how NASDAQ:QQQ performed after past rate cuts provides valuable insight:
• July 31, 2019 to April 2020: Rates dropped from 2.40% to 0.05%. In the next three trading days, QQQ dropped 6%. However, it reached a new all-time high in 86 days and gained 22% in 202 days. This was supported by a strong labor market, with unemployment falling for eight consecutive years. The temporary decline was due to COVID shutdowns.
• September 18, 2007 to December 2008: Rates fell from 5.25% to 0.15%. QQQ soared 1.9% on the day of the cut and gained 12.2% over the next 42 days. However, the Subprime Mortgage Crisis ensued, leading to a 52% drop in 380 days. The labor market was weak, with unemployment rising for four months before the cut.
• January 3, 2001 to July 2003: Rates declined from 6.5% to 1%. This marked the collapse of the Dot-com bubble. QQQ had already corrected by 56% over 280 days. While it rallied 32% in the next 21 days, the downtrend resumed, dropping another 61.4% over the next 645 days. Unemployment had bottomed eight months before and started rising one month before the cut.
More weight should be given to the 2007 scenario, as the current labor market resembles both 2007 and 2001. The 2001 rate cut holds less relevance since QQQ tracks tech stocks, which were uniquely impacted during the Dot-com bubble.
Strategic Outlook:
Based on historical data, one could allow the market correction to finish on Monday or Tuesday, then take a long position on your favorite altcoin for 1–2 weeks—but no longer than that.
In terms of ETF flows, historically, if weekend was red, Monday opens with more sell off driven by ETFs.
BTC Timeframes:
W: Needs to stay above $58.4 to maintain short-term bullishness. However, given the upcoming volatility, the chances are slim.
D: As of Sunday evening, whales started selling off, likely anticipating next week’s volatility. As mentioned in Friday's forecast, "Short-term correction to $58.4, then volatility during the rate cut week." The current correction from Friday’s highs is 3.5%.
4h: The sell-off began at 4 PM EST and has now corrected to the weekly level of $58.4.
1h: The price has just reached the weekly level, and RSI is oversold, presenting a short-term bullish opportunity back to the $59.8 level.
Altcoins Relative to BTC:
The divergence continues, with altcoins correcting more than BINANCE:BTCUSD . While BTC has corrected 3.5%, BINANCE:ETHUSD is down 6.7%, and BINANCE:SOLUSDT is down 6.4%.
Bull Case: We are in a 2019-like scenario, where speculative assets rise for several months after a rate cut.
Bear Case: We are in a 2007-like scenario, where the labor market continues to weaken, corporate revenues shrink, and the recession plays out over a couple of years.
Fear and Greed Index: Currently at 35.64 and trending down. As long as the index remains below 40, it's a good time to start dollar-cost averaging into top altcoins like ETH, SOL, BINANCE:NEARUSDT , BINANCE:BNBUSDT , and BINANCE:AAVEUSDT .
Prediction:
We’ve already corrected to a relatively strong weekly level. The only prediction that can be made is a short-term bounce, followed by more volatility.
Opportunities:
BINANCE:FTMUSDT has reached a higher price on the 4-hour chart, but its RSI and MACD are trending down, signaling a bearish divergence. This could be invalidated by a sudden spike in BTC.
