Markets Close Flat, Lackluster and Directionless

Closing Market Commentary For 02-06-2013

Markets meandered around the market pool today accomplishing nothing on low volume. Most large cap averages closed slightly down from yesterday’s close resulting in another lackluster, flat and directionless session. The $VIX spent most of the day descending to 13.42 while the Russell 2000 closed higher. The numbers, indicators, tea leaves and other prognosticating tools are completely useless at this time – flip a coin and go with it.

The RRR** has been narrow at the opening bell for the past several months and continued the trend into the closing session. This continuing trend makes predictions of session movements nearly impossible making trading futile and unprofitable. It is too late to catch the highs and may be too early to start shorting.

As long as market volume remains light or the trading range is narrow, one can expect successful trading to remain elusive. The RRR** has been wider on volatile sessions lately and is expected to become more so as 2013 begins, but a lot of guessing remains. Correctly ‘guessing’, of course, is the tricky part of the successful trading equation. Any trades today will probably end up on the meager side of profitability if you are lucky as most trades have been less than optimal during the past several years.

I also have continuing issues with some pundits, writing almost every day, that there are setups for day trading. Best Stock Market Indicator Ever: Unchanged at 87% and Secondaries Confirm “Tradable” This may be true enough, but the trading range is so narrow that way too money has to be put on the table just to get back meager gains. Do not fall into the trap of money burning a hole in your pocket, sit tight better days are coming. I keep hoping for increasing volumes to signal improved trading.

Swing trading is also at your own risk for all the reasons mentioned above although guessing overnight trades would have been most profitable. Again, guessing where the market is going to be tomorrow or next week, at this time anyway, can be a foolish and costly endeavor.

The DOW at 4:00 is at 13986 up 7 or 0.05%.

The SP500 is at 1512 up 0.81 or 0.05%.

SPY is at 151.09 up 0.04 or 0.03%.

The $RUT is at 911.31 up 3.09 or 0.34%.

NASDAQ is at 3168 down 3 or -0.10%.

The longer trend is up, the past months trend is bullish and the current bias is up.

How Oil Really Gets Priced

WTI oil was down this morning and is currently trading up at 96.83 trading between 97.72 and 95.03 and the bias is positive.

Brent crude was down earlier and is currently trading up at 116.96 trading between 117.25 and 115.72 and the bias is positive.

Gold was trading erratically this morning. Currently trading sideways at 1677.52, trading range is between 1662.25 and 1684.60 with a positive bias.

Dr. Copper is at 3.75 down from 3.78 earlier.

The US dollar rose from 79.49 earlier to 79.92 and is currently trading sideways at 79.79.

The 500 at the close.

The DOW at the close.

** RRR = Risk Reward Ratio

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Written by Gary