Editor's Note: Dark Pool Index (DIX) and Gamma (GEX) visuals are based on where each metric falls with respect to the MAX and MIN for all data available on https://squeezemetrics.com/monitor/dix (i.e., DIX in relation to high and low of the entire DIX data set).

Market Commentary

Equity index futures trade sideways.

  • Updates to DIX, GEX calculation.
  • Implications of Fed's cash deluge.
  • Ahead: Some goods orders data.
  • Positioned for sideways to higher.

What Happened: U.S. stock index futures auctioned sideways alongside an absence in overnight catalysts.

Ahead is data on durable and nondefense capital goods orders (8:30 AM ET).

Graphic updated 6:30 AM ET. Sentiment Neutral if expected /ES open is inside of the prior day's range. SqueezeMetrics Dark Pool Index (DIX) and Gamma (GEX) calculations are based on where the prior day's reading falls with respect to the MAX and MIN of all occurrences available. A higher DIX is bullish. At the same time, the lower the GEX, the more (expected) volatility. SHIFT data used for S&P 500 (INDEX: SPX) options activity approximation. Note that options flow is sorted by the call premium spent; if more positive then more was spent on call options. Breadth reflects a reading of the prior day's Advance/Decline indicator. VIX reflects a current reading of the CBOE Volatility Index (INDEX: VIX) from 0-100.

What To Expect: As of 6:30 AM ET, Wednesday's regular session (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST) in the S&P 500 will likely open inside of prior-range and -value, suggesting a limited potential for immediate directional opportunity.

Adding, during the prior day's regular trade, on strong intraday breadth and lackluster market liquidity metrics, the best case outcome occurred, evidenced by sideways trade at the $4,481.75 high volume area (HVNode). This is significant because sideways trade – after the completion of a v-pattern recovery – denotes an acceptance of higher prices (i.e., participants find prices valuable to transact at).

V-Pattern: A pattern that forms after a market establishes a high, retests some support, and then breaks above said high. In most cases, this pattern portends continuation.

Further, ahead of the upcoming Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on August 26-28, 2021, the aforementioned trade is happening in the context of moderating economic growth and monetary distortions.

According to Bloomberg, "[d]emand for the so-called RRP facility has surged as a flood of dollars threatens to overwhelm funding markets. That's in part a result of the central bank's long-standing asset purchases and drawdowns of the Treasury's cash account, which is pushing reserves into the system. As a result, liquidity has been swelling, especially as the Treasury cuts supply to create more borrowing room under the debt ceiling."

"Even if the central bank were to complete tapering by August 2022, as JPMorgan expects, there may still be an additional $850 billion to $1 trillion of additional liquidity injected into the financial system."

Graphic: Bloomberg plots Federal Reserve data on reverse repo usage.

Moreover, for today, participants may make use of the following frameworks.

In the best case, the S&P 500 trades sideways or higher; activity above the $4,481.75 high volume area (HVNode) puts in play the $4,492.00 overnight, minimal excess all-time high (ONH). Initiative trade beyond the ONH could reach as high as the $4,511.50 and $4,556.25 Fibonacci extensions.

In the worst case, the S&P 500 trades lower; activity below the $4,481.75 HVNode puts in play the $4,454.25 low volume area (LVNode). Initiative trade beyond the LVNode could reach as low as the $4,427.00 untested point of control (VPOC) and $4,393.75 micro composite point of control (MCPOC).

To note, the $4,427.00 level corresponds with an anchored volume-weighted average price (VWAP), a metric highly regarded by chief investment officers, among other participants, for quality of trade. Additionally, liquidity algorithms are benchmarked and programmed to buy and sell around VWAPs.

Overnight Rally Highs (Lows): Typically, there is a low historical probability associated with overnight rally-highs (lows) ending the upside (downside) discovery process.  Excess: A proper end to price discovery; the market travels too far while advertising prices. Responsive, other-timeframe (OTF) participants aggressively enter the market, leaving tails or gaps which denote unfair prices.  Volume Areas: A structurally sound market will build on past areas of high volume. Should the market trend for long periods of time, it will lack sound structure (identified as a low volume area which denotes directional conviction and ought to offer support on any test).   If participants were to auction and find acceptance into areas of prior low volume, then future discovery ought to be volatile and quick as participants look to areas of high volume for favorable entry or exit.  POCs: POCs are valuable as they denote areas where two-sided trade was most prevalent. Participants will respond to future tests of value as they offer favorable entry and exit.
Graphic: 65-minute profile chart of the Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures updated 6:30 AM ET.

News And Analysis

MSCI CEO dismisses concern Chinese stocks are uninvestable.

Federal Reserve policy got Chinese criticism as PBOC diverges.

President Biden praises house adoption of a $3.5B budget plan. 

S&P Global: Global oil demand peak by 2025 under UN pathway.

How U.S. infrastructure investment could boost jobs, productivity.

U.S. on a pace to complete a full Afghanistan withdrawal by 8/31.

Catherine Wood is more optimistic than pessimistic about China.

What People Are Saying

About

After years of self-education, strategy development, and trial-and-error, Renato Leonard Capelj began trading full-time and founded Physik Invest to detail his methods, research, and performance in the markets. 

Additionally, Capelj is a finance and technology reporter. Some of his biggest works include interviews with leaders such as John Chambers, founder and CEO, JC2 Ventures, Kevin O'Leary, businessman and Shark Tank host, Catherine Wood, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest, among others.

Disclaimer

At this time, Physik Invest does not manage outside capital and is not licensed. In no way should the materials herein be construed as advice. Derivatives carry a substantial risk of loss. All content is for informational purposes only.

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