Bullet Points, Highlights and Announcements
By Mark O’Brien, Senior Broker
General: Even in the face of solid COVID uncertainty for China, a persistent fear that the Fed will overtighten and that a recession is looming here in the U.S., there are some green shoots (thank you to former U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont for coining that term back in ‘91) to indicate signs of improvement for the economy, including growing sentiment that the beginning of the end for rising interest rates – and inflation – is on the horizon.
Take commodity prices for example.
Several that are in tight supply are now responding by tracking higher as a result of modest improvements in demand for their manufactured products. Copper prices – historically viewed as a leading indicator – are up over 30% in the last six months, including a ±14% increase this month so far. Silver is up ±25% since Sept. to year-ago prices around $24/oz. Crude oil has pressed upwards above ±$80/barrel, ±$10 higher this month and on par with prices from last Feb.
At the same time, these higher prices for industrial products have helped keep inflation readings – CPI, PPI notably – stubbornly high with only slight signs of downward movement in the last few releases. This is almost certainly narrowing the runway on which the “Fed Pivot” will eventually use to try landing the economy as softly as possible this year.
Energies: Heads up! As opposed to most weeks when they’re released on Wednesday and Thursday, this week’s Energy Information Agency reports on natural gas storage and crude oil supplies will be released on the same day: tomorrow at 9:30 A.M. and 10:00 A.M., Central Time, respectively. That’s natural gas storage first, followed by crude oil supplies. The Martin Luther King Day holiday effected this schedule change.
Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time when it comes to Futures Trading.
Futures Trading Levels
for 01-19-2023
Economic Reports, Source:
This is not a solicitation of any order to buy or sell, but a current market view provided by Cannon Trading Inc. Any statement of facts here in contained are derived from sources believed to be reliable, but are not guaranteed as to accuracy, nor they purport to be complete. No responsibility is assumed with respect to any such statement or with respect to any expression of opinion herein contained. Readers are urged to exercise their own judgement in trading.
