General:

As the saying goes, “You can’t fight fundamentals.” It’s the idea that even if technical analysis suggests one thing, fundamentals will override the direction of an asset’s movement. There are numerous fundamentals traders keep an eye on, like economic indicators, weather, supply and demand dynamics, the seemingly endless news and information.

One fundamental indicator taking a front seat lately is almost any time U.S. president Trump steps up to a microphone and answers questions from members of the press, particularly on the subjects of the economy, tariffs, trade agreements with other countries and the like. Possibly more than any president in recent memory, the current one has put forth statements that markets have reacted to with outsized price moves. This is not likely to change anytime soon, so day traders be on the look-out for presidential press conferences and be prepared.

Metals:

Case in point from above: August gold futures thrust up ±$50 per ounce to a $3,385.80/oz. high intraday reacting to the latest case of President Trump raising the prospect of removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from office. Today the president suggested he could attempt to remove Powell “for cause,” arguing the central bank spent too much money on renovations of two historic office buildings.

Back story: The Fed board approved the construction project in 2017, and the latest renovations began three years ago. The project has faced cost overruns in part because of unforeseen construction conditions including more asbestos than anticipated, toxic contamination in the soil and a higher-than-expected water table.

Economists and financial analysts have warned that a central bank that is more responsive to short-term political demands than long-term economic stability could over time lead to significant capital flight and periods of greater economic or financial instability.

Crypto:

A series of debates starting Monday in the U.S. House of Representatives, deemed “crypto week,” caused Bitcoin futures to surge to a new all-time intraday high Monday, to $123,610, capping a nearly 15% surge over the past month.

The debates are looking at crypto-friendly legislation making its way through Congress that could ease regulatory complexity long viewed as an impediment for the industry.