Support & Resistance Levels

This Blog provides futures market outlook for different commodities and futures trading markets, mostly stock index futures, as well as support and resistance levels for Crude Oil futures, Gold futures, Euro currency and others. At times the daily trading blog will include educational information about different aspects of commodity and futures trading.

Quick Links: Commissions | Day Margins | Contact Us
Open An Account
Free Demo Account Subscribe Here

FOMC Day Aftermath: Volatility in the Markets | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Mini S&P 500 Futures Chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

Note to our clients who are trading with TransactAT:

The latest version is now TransactAT 5.2.2 (download). The newer version can be installed over the older version. Please contact you broker if you need any help.

FOMC came like a hurricane as the market sold off sharply after the announcement with some heavy volume.

Last couple of days I shared my mini Russell 2000 chart along with the potential sell at 693 and target at 673. This trade idea is completed.

Below you will see my mini SP chart with potential levels both below and above as my guess is we will see volatility going both directions.

ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! When volatility skyrockets like now, moves become extreme, the speed of the market really picks up and this is when one must adjust their trading size lower to accommodate for the wilder and wider moves. Continue reading “FOMC Day Aftermath: Volatility in the Markets | Support and Resistance Levels”

Trade With Caution, FOMC Day Tomorrow | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Mini S&P 500 Futures Chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

 

Front month for Equities (eminis), currencies, bonds and financials and many other markets is now December. You should not be trading almost any September contract of any market.

Note to our clients who are trading with TransactAT:

The latest version is now TransactAT 5.2.2 (download). The newer version can be installed over the older version. Please contact you broker if you need any help.

FOMC tomorrow and before that more than a few economic numbers.

FOMC days have different characteristics than other trading days. If you have traded for a while, check your trading notes from past FOMC days that may help you prepare for tomorrow.

If you are a newcomer, take a more conservative approach and make sure you understand that the news can really move the market- FAST.

My observations suggest choppy, low volume up until announcement, followed by some some sharp volatile moves right during and after the announcement. However, with tomorrow early morning reports, we may see more volatility during first couple of hours as well.

My SWING trading model is currently short the mini Russell from 693 ( target around 672, stop around 716) which may not suite everyone’s stomach ahead of the what maybe volatile overnight and tomorrows FOMC session, but chart for your review below.

If you would like to be included on my SWING trade ideas, send me an email. Continue reading “Trade With Caution, FOMC Day Tomorrow | Support and Resistance Levels”

New Version of TransactAT is Available | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Mini S&P 500 Futures Chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

 

Front month for Equities (eminis), currencies, bonds and financials and many other markets is now December. You should not be trading almost any September contract of any market.

Note to our clients who are trading with TransactAT:

The latest version is now TransactAT 5.2.2 (download). The newer version can be installed over the older version. Please contact you broker if you need any help.

 

We started the week right where we left the last one….overnight gaps due to news from Europe ( Greece this time), moves both ways with volatility actually dying out during the day session.

I have a “small sell signal” if we can break below 1186 on Dec. Mini Sp with targets coming at 1166 and 1148. Continue reading “New Version of TransactAT is Available | Support and Resistance Levels”

Front Month for Futures Contracts is now December | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Mini S&P 500 Futures Chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Today’s Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

Front month for Equities (eminis), currencies, bonds and financials and many other markets is now December. You should not be trading almost any September contract of any market.

Have a great weekend and if you like to have access to chart templates like the one below, along with my DIAMOND ALGO ( e-mini SP from today’s session), keep reading: Continue reading “Front Month for Futures Contracts is now December | Support and Resistance Levels”

New Front Month – Futures Trading Rollover Day for Minis and Currencies Tomorrow | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Daily Mini S&P 500 Futures Chart
4. Economic Reports

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES IS DECEMBER. THE SEPTEMBER MINI SP ( AND OTHER MINIS WILL STOP TRADING TOMORROW MORNING!! ALSO CURRENCIES WILL ROLLOVER TO DECEMBER TOMORROW. PAY ATTENTION AS DELIVERIES AND MISTAKES CAN BE QUITE COSTLY.

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

As far as price direction, I am still not sure how to attack this market (outside of quick day-trades which I review live). We are against some resistance levels on the daily chart and I am curious to see the market reaction as the September contract is few hours from expiration.

When in doubt, it’s best to stay out, even more so in trading. I think that many successful traders will agree that the trades you DON’T take are probably more important than the ones you do. Continue reading “New Front Month – Futures Trading Rollover Day for Minis and Currencies Tomorrow | Support and Resistance Levels”

Fed Chairman Bernanke Speaks Tomorrow | Support and Resistanec Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. Economic Reports

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES AND BONDS IS DECEMBER

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

Good article on our weekly futures newsletter regarding “knowing your risk” Continue reading “Fed Chairman Bernanke Speaks Tomorrow | Support and Resistanec Levels”

Gaps in the Underlying Asset for the Mini S&P 500 | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. December Mini S&P 500 Continuous Futures chart
4. Economic Reports

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES AND BONDS IS DECEMBER

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

When looking at the pit SP 500 ( or what some call the “big SP” as each point is $250 or one big SP = 5 emini sp….) what we see is plenty of GAPS.

These GAPS are a result of overnight moves ( the PIT SP follows the cash stock index of SP500, which is the underlying asset for the future contracts. It is one of the reasons that GAPS on the SP are watched by certain traders and there is a saying ” all GAPS get filled” and if I may add, the question is really when….

Below is an SP500, pit session, hourly chart for your review. I marked the few gaps we had recently with circles. The diamonds that appear are my condition/ ALGO that I have programmed and in this case, the red diamond alerts me for a potential sell for the night session/ early trading tomorrow. Continue reading “Gaps in the Underlying Asset for the Mini S&P 500 | Support and Resistance Levels”

New Week Begins With Continued Futures Market Volatility | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. December Mini S&P 500 Continuous Futures chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES AND BONDS IS DECEMBER

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

We started the new week, right where we left off. With volatile moves in both directions.

I am sharing my daily Dec. mini Russell 2000 chart with you below.. It seems that at times, the Russell 2000 index has been the leader in the moves of the general stock market. We are currently in a very wide range (volatility definitely expands the “bands”) 739 on top and 654 below.

We are currently closer to the bottom level, hence we may see some more upside before we see sellers step back in. In all honesty, I do NOT have a strong feel for the market right now and do NOT have a preferred way of trading it based on swing or overnight time frame. When I do have a better feel or direction, i will be happy to share with you.

You can also sign up for my real time intraday charts service. Continue reading “New Week Begins With Continued Futures Market Volatility | Support and Resistance Levels”

Will the Mini S&P 500 See a Meaningful Bounce? | Support and Resistance Levels

Posted on by Ilan

In this post:

1. Market Commentary
2. Support and Resistance Levels
3. December Mini S&P 500 Continuous Futures chart
4. Economic Reports
5. Highlighted Earnings Releases

divider black 190

1. Market Commentary

FRONT MONTH FOR EQUITIES AND BONDS IS DECEMBER

SYMBOL FOR DECEMBER IS Z

From a technical perspective, Dec. Mini Sp must hold above 1130.00 to have a chance of a meaningful bounce, a break below that level and we should test 1071.25 which is the equivalent for the Sept. lows of 1077.

Have a great weekend and be ready for a full, volatile trading week coming up.

Dec. mini SP continuous chart for your review below: Continue reading “Will the Mini S&P 500 See a Meaningful Bounce? | Support and Resistance Levels”

NYMEX Energy Futures Margin Requirements Changes – Heating Oil Futures and RBOB Gasoline Futures

Posted on by Ilan

Please be aware of margin requirement changes for selected energy futures contracts starting after the close of business on Monday, September 12, 2011. Below we provided a few selected contract changes.

NYMEX Heating Oil Futures Margin Requirement Changes

CC Rate Type Description Change ISO Current Initial Current Maintenance New Initial New Maintenance
HO Spec Tier 1 Decr. USD 9,788 7,250 8.775 6,500
HO Hedge/Member Tier 1 Decr. USD 7,250 7,250 6,500 6,500
HO Spec Tier 2 Decr. USD 9.788 7,250 8,775 6,500
HO Hedge/Member Tier 2 Decr. USD 7.250 7,250 6,500 6,500
HO Spec Tier 3 Decr. USD 9,788 7,250 8,775 6,500
HO Hedge/Member Tier 3 Decr. USD 7,250 7,250 6,500 6,500
HO Spec Tier 4 Decr. USD 9,450 7,000 8,438 6,250
HO Hedge/Member Tier 4 Decr. USD 7,000 7,000 6,250 6,250

 

NYMEX RBOB Gasoline Futures Margin Requirement Changes

CC Rate Type Description Change ISO Current Initial Current Maintenance New Initial New Maintenance
RT Spec Tier 1 Decr. USD 11,475 8,500 10,463 7,750
RT Hedge/Member Tier 1 Decr. USD 8,500 8,500 7,750 7,750
RT Spec Tier 2 Decr. USD 11,475 8,500 10,463 7,750
RT Hedge/Member Tier 2 Decr. USD 8,500 8,500 7,750 7,750
RT Spec Tier 3 Decr. USD 11,138 8,500 10,125 7,750
RT Hedge/Member Tier 3 Decr. USD 8,250 8,500 7,500 7,750
RT Spec Tier 4 Decr. USD 10,125 7,500 9,113 6,750
RT Hedge/Member Tier 4 Decr. USD 7,500 7,500 6,750 6,750

You can view the rest of the NYMEX energy futures margin requirements changes here: http://www.cmegroup.com/tools-information/lookups/advisories/clearing/files/Chadv11-317.pdf

RISK DISCLOSURE: Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. The risk of loss in futures trading can be substantial, carefully consider the inherent risks of such an investment in light of your financial condition.