market analysis

Forex Daily Market Commentary – Not

Forex Kong 4 Comments

Daily market commentary gets a little dry for me.

With Wednesday’s Fed announcement looming, it makes little sense delving into too much else – short of suggesting patience, patience, and oh yes…….a little more patience.

The news of Larry Summers dropping out of the running for the “New Fed Chairman” has hit news headlines across the globe, yet I’ll bet you 50 bucks you had absolutely no clue “who he was” – or would have cared much anyways. Me neither frankly.

When we step back and consider that Ben Bernanke has pretty much filled the role as ” the most important and influential man on planet Earth” for some time now – would you want that job?

Kong appointed Chairman of the U.S Federal Reserve – could you even imagine?

Forex trading is stressful enough at times, and I’m always up for a new challenge – but could you actually imagine walking into the office on your first day as Fed Chairman and just picking up the ball and running with it? No thanks.

As it stands, the word on the street is that this “Janet Yellen” is all for the printing presses ( surprise , surprise right?) so obviously she fit’s the bill quite nicely. After all – why on Earth would the Fed ever jeopardize loosing their biggest client ( the U.S Government) to some “half cocked Obama boy” like Summers. NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

This gal is deep , deep , deep in someone else’s pockets – and I don’t mean that in a good way ( could that be in a good way? ).

Personally, I’m not particularly “thrilled” with things being on hold here any longer. The gap in USD action has provided a couple of scalp opportunities  but has also done a great job of further “blurring” further USD direction. Most charts / asset classes I follow suggest “some kind of USD bounce” but this tempered with the fundamental fact that Yellen is 100% on board with money printing.

The market’s reaction on Wednesday is really only a small part of the puzzle, as debt ceiling / default issues come next.

When does it end?

It doesn’t.

Raise Cash – Don't Be A Hero

Forex Kong 17 Comments

I’ve touched on this a couple of times before.

When trading ahead of what we in the biz refer to as a “risk event”, you’ve seriously got to question “why” you’d look to take on any additional risk in “getting it wrong”. The fact of the matter is – you’ve got absolutely no clue how it’s going to pan out, and you’ve got no good reason to “trade it” if not looking at it as a complete and total “roll of the dice”. You want to gamble – fine. Take a small percentage of your account, have fun with it, take your chances and hope for the best.

That’s “NOT” how I roll.

This Wednesday’s Fed meeting, and expected announcement of reduced stimulus,  is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated and potentially dangerous “risk event” we will have seen in markets in at least the last couple years.

You cannot afford to be on the wrong side of it.

Reading/researching over the weekend , I’ve come to the conclusion that the bond market has clearly priced in the news, but that U.S equities haven’t moved a muscle, and that forex markets are hanging in wait.

I will look for any “and every” opportunity over the next 72 hours to eliminate exposure, take profits, reduce positions, sell into strength etc in order to “ideally” be as close to 100% cash for Wednesday afternoon’s announcement.

This is trading not “fortune-telling”, and I don’t give a rat’s ass which way the market decides to go “post Bernanke” – only that I’m going along with it.

We’ve got fron Sunday night til Wednesday afternoon. Raise cash – don’t be a hero.

U.S Employment Numbers – A Real Shame

Forex Kong 4 Comments

Once again we find ourselves here on Thursday morning, awaiting  the release of “the unemployment claims” data out of the U.S. I know the number will be dismal, there’s no question of that………only the question of how markets will interpret the news.

If history is any record, it really doesn’t seem to matter how many “more people” get in line to file unemployment claims each week as U.S equities continue on their grind.

I would “like to think” – this time will be different.

A disappointing number “should” propel USD upwards and U.S equities down but of course….that’s what “should” happen.

Overnight’s “risk off trade” gathered some traction with JPY moving higher, and a brisk sell off of AUD – as expected.

I am 100% out of USD related pairs as of yesterday / last night, and well in profit on the “insanity trade”.

We’ll let the dust settle here this morning….and continue forward with a “now USD long bias” starting to materialize across several currency pairs.

More trades….later.

 

Old School Correlations – Late Night Thoughts

Forex Kong 7 Comments

I’ve been watching the market like a hawk these past 2 days.

I’d spotted the weakness in USD, then in turn the Japanese “Nikkei” pushing up to its prior level of resistance…then it’s rejection, discussed the likelihood of the Japanese Yen (JPY) taking on strength in times of “risk aversion”, and just in the last few hours suggested that commodity currencies are under pressure.

I’ve taken on the “insanity trade”, and have been actively posting just about everything I can ( here and via Twitter, Google+, Linkedin and Facebook) over the past 48 hours as to what I’m looking at – and what I’m up to.

So what the hell  – here’s another nugget.

I’ve exited all “USD short” positions, and am currently looking at “risk off” type positioning via “long JPY” ideas, as well a couple other “crafty variations on risk” short AUD as well NZD.

The one variable I’d not really not “nailed down” this time around, was weather or not USD would “fall along side risk aversion” ( as it has several times these past 2 quarters ) OR if the old school correlation of “risk off = USD up” might rear its ugly head once again.

Global “risk aversion” WILL have USD as well JPY shoot for the moon as “safety is sought” on a macro / awesome / unbelievable / nut bar / chaotic / monumental level – while “risk is sold” in equal fashion.

I’m pleased to be free of any USD related trades, and almost hate to say it but…….we “could” ( and I do say “could” ) be close.

Kong “debating long” USD.

JPY pairs are most certainly rolling over here as suggested with Nikkei making it’s daily “swing high”. Commods look weak so that’s pretty much a given trade. What remains to be seen is where we fit the good ol US of D. My “hunch”? – We’ll have to wait a day for that.

Trading Tuesday Night – What I'm Watching

Forex Kong 18 Comments

I’m watching the Nikkei ( The Japanese Equities Index ) for “any” sign of reversal considering that it “has” pushed through the overhead downsloping trend line that has been so well-respected in the past.

In fact…..this is more like a “20 year” down trend so….you can understand my current skepticism.

https://forexkong.com/2013/05/25/nikkei-20-year-chart-rejection/

Considering the current “headwinds” I find it very hard to believe that “now is the time” for a massive breakout / reversal in an area of resistance / trend going back some 20  years.

Otherwise, Im looking to see the correlation and movements underway in the precious metals and USD, as well keeping my eye on those longer term U.S Treasury Bonds.

We’re pretty much at a point where a number of these longer term correlations need to either “stay the course” or “make their move” – with “tapering or no tapering” the primary driver.

With Japan pretty much in the driver’s seat “liquidity wise” a keen eye on the Nikkei and its inverse relationship with the Yen will provide the first signs of reversal in risk.

I’ve taken profits on all “short USD” pairs, but will likely set up orders “above or below” current action in several pairs and look to catch further movement with momentum. I’m also still holding a couple small trades ( in the weeds ) long JPY – but have little concern as these will only be added to / kept.

written by F Kong

Forex Market Volume – Where Is It?

Forex Kong 9 Comments

When trade volume is low it’s not uncommon to see unusual swings in price, as with fewer market participants making trades – moves are often highly exaggerated.

Forex Market Volume has been trailing off fairly steady since June, with yesterday and the day previous scraping the bottom – as the “lowest of the low”. Where’s the volume? Isn’t everyone back to work , sitting in their cozy little cubicles staring into the abyss of their computer monitors, toiling over every little “tick”?

As I understand it, U.S equities trade volume has now hit a 15 year low!

Perhaps the number of “risk events” still out in front us, has a large majority of traders “sitting on the fence” waiting for clarification, or perhaps tomorrow being Sept 11th, or perhaps it’s that tapering thing, or the debt ceiling or Syria. With so many factors it’s obviously a difficult thing to put your finger on one way or another.

Bottom line – It’s a ghost town out there with the bulk of trade volume made up of HFT ( high frequency trading ) computers just buying and selling to each other.

One needs to be cautious, and not let these “low volume pump jobs” throw you off your game. I would have assumed we’d be back up n running here as it’s already the 10th but as it stands. Chop, chop, churn, churn on “yet another” low volume day.

I’ve got 1680 on /ES SP 500 as a reasonable “top” for this last correction upward, and will be watching this in conjunction with the usual intramarket dynamics as things start picking up again.

Short And Sweet – Forex Profits Galore

Forex Kong 31 Comments

I’m looking for a little feedback here today.

I’m hoping to see / hear from some of you / possibly frustrated Forex traders, who’ve been following closely this week.

I hope you’ve taken some time to follow along, and seriously consider some of the concepts/ideas thrown around here at the blog. Last nights “tweet” as to the weakness in Japan, as well all of yesterday’s conversation “should” have made for some pretty happy traders here this morning.

In particular a valued reader suggesting the information here was “useless banter” “should” be up 150 pips over night on a single trade suggestion alone.

This stuff doesn’t turn on a dime, as we’ve worked this trade since Tuesday – but the profits as of this morning “should” make a few days effort well worth it.

I plan to sit tight and let this trade develop further, as we are “now” hearing suggestion that “the Fed may not taper”.

Didn’t I say that like a couple of months ago?

JPY And Gold – Is It Happening Now?

Forex Kong 12 Comments

Consider this.

We know the Japanese stimulus program is over 3 times larger than that of the U.S Fed. Now that’s an awful lot of printing/liquidity injection coming at a time when the “U.S contribution” has pretty much run its course.

Yes the bond buying/prop plan continues in the U.S but we all know the stimulus money  more or less just sits on the balance sheets of the big banks on Wall Street. The “talk of tapering” would also have put a damper on any “impulsive buying” at this point – as we look forward to an environment where interest rates are on the rise.

As “Japanese Stimulus” is converted to U.S Dollars ( in order to buy assets denominated in USD ) we ‘ve seen “many a day” where USD is UP as well U.S Equities are higher. Makes sense right? Japanese “hot money” converted to USD to buy U.S Equities.

So what’s the “unwind” of that trade should things go to hell in a hand basket?

U.S Equities are first “sold” and USD moves considerably higher, and fast – as cash is raised. Then that “USD” is repatriated home ( converted back to the currency of its origin – in this case Japan) where we would see large flows “back into JPY”!

Gold would also move higher as USD is sold, U.S equities are sold, Japanese Equities are sold.

JPY fly’s out of orbit?

Take it for what it’s worth – I’m thinking out loud….but it doesn’t seem so difficult to get your head around. The big winners on a “risk off” trade being both JPY and Gold.

Forex Market Moves – Thursday Is The Day

Forex Kong 7 Comments

Once again we find that markets have more or less traded flat through the first few days of the week – looking to Thursday’s release of U.S data for the catalyst. I’ve suggest this several times in the past, and again am asking myself “what is the point of even entering a trade these days – if not on / around Thursday?”

This sets up a relatively dangerous dynamic, as that – in the past traders would usually have considered “holding trades” over the weekend a bit of a risk. Well these days, the way things are – you really don’t have a choice. The majority of intraday moves occur in the pre-market now ( before you even get a chance to see them) and now traders are faced with the quandary of entering trades late in the week, and holding through “risk laden” weekend volatility. Talk about a tough trading environment. I’d say the toughest I’ve seen – ever.

USD movement has also held traders hostage early this week, as we teeter on the edge of a breaking point. It’s touch and go here this time, as global concerns over Syria and a handful of other “risk events” have kept us hovering at relatively crucial levels.

I’m flat as a pancake more or less – with a couple “long JPY” trades a few pips in the weeds.

The Nikkei hit suggested resistance last night, and has formed a bit of a reversal but it’s too soon to call it. I imagine we’ll get our move (one way or the other) sometime this morning after U.S data hits the news.

 

written by F Kong

Back To Trading Forex – War Averted

Forex Kong 1 Comment

Trading forex in the coming week should prove to be volatile to say the least. We’ve got all kinds of data coming out, as well whatever “monkey wrench” the U.S cares to throw into the mix “war wise”.

Overnight China’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (CPMINDX) was 51.0 in August, a touch better reading than expected – which could give AUD a boost. Similar reports are expected from both the Eurozone as well U.K, as well the European Central Banks policy meetings on the 5th.

Assuming that “no war” should be generally a positive for markets, I’m sticking to the theory that we will see continued weakness in USD in the coming week, leading into the “war decisions” scheduled for September 9th.

I imagine that whatever decision U.S Congress makes – this should provide an excellent “pivot” in markets, and likely provide the “needed catalyst” to get things moving in a more decisive manner.

In line with my originally suggested time line “mid September” looks to be an excellent time for USD to make a reasonable bounce, lining up quite perfectly with the typical flow “towards US Dollars” in times of extreme fear / risk aversion.

Trade wise my expectations are relatively low next, as I will likely be taking profits on just about anything and everything as I see them come in – looking to get to 100% straight cash for September 9th area, then “possible reversal” of intermediate time frame and “possibly” even fundamental market view.

YOU DON’T WANT TO GET CAUGHT SHORT THE U.S DOLLAR IN TIMES OF GLOBAL RISK AVERSION, AS THE MOVES CAN BE VERY SUDDEN AND VERY LARGE.