1/4 Almanac

On Tuesday, Jan. 4: Fed minutes.

There are 18 days before the January options expire, 46 the February and 74 the March.

On the jump, market stats, econ reports, and the trading calendar . . .



Stats

Blue chip stocks (SPY) closed the latest regular session up 1% from the prior close. During the day SPY traversed 1.5% in a net move up of 0.3%.

The day's extremes: Open $126.71, high $127.60, low $125.70, close $127.05.

SPY closed above the DeMark pivots after trading within their range. The next DeMark pivots are $126.38-$128.38.

In total, 3 billion shares were traded on the three major U.S. stock exchange, 93% (!!) more than on the prior trading day. Welcome back, traders!!! Liquidity returns to the bourse!

Five-year bond yields imply inflation at 2.08%, up one basis point from the prior trading day.


Econ reports:

The Federal Open Market Committee releases minutes of its last meeting at 2 p.m. Eastern. It is potentially an explosive market mover, or, often, a wet firecracker.

Also out: Auto sales throughout the day, factory orders at 10 p.m., and two weekly retail reports: ICSC-Goldman store sales at 7:45 a.m. and Redbook at 8:55 a.m.

The Treasury auctions 4-week bills at 11:30 a.m.


Trading Calendar:

By my rules, at this point in the cycle I can trade February vertical and calendar spreads. Also, March straddles, calls and puts. And of course, shares are good at any time.


What I'm looking for:

• INTC re-entry as an earnings play. Analysis.
• NKE post-earnings exit. Analysis.

Click here for stocks on my Watchlist.


Good trading!