[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] I guess the “animal spirits” wanted to make sure we were paying attention after the three-day holiday weekend… September is historically one of the weakest, and by some measures the weakest, months for stocks. They’ve managed September gains only around 41% of the time going all the way back to 1897. Today we got a taste of that as markets re-price the impact of the Fed rate cuts due to kick in in a few weeks. A strong barrage of selling hit stocks – flattening marquee growth and tech names, especially. The stocks that are up right now are the classic defensive segments like consumer staples, utilities, and real estate. From a bull’s perspective, I’m not thrilled to see the NASDAQ’s lower high and a Dow peak amid classic “flight to safety” conditions. I’d like to see support firm up

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] It was supposed to be so easy! We were supposed to get dynamite earnings reporting from Nvidia and the markets were supposed to rally like crazy from Wednesday night on… That’s not what we got. We got meh earnings and two days of drifting, low-volume, sludgy slop-fest. No fun. But I think we could get some fireworks before long. That’s because I’m seeing new market leaders emerge, sure, but I’m also watching liquidity and volume go bye-bye. I’m also watching… the calendar. We’re coming up on September, a crazy-volatile month, historically, and we’ve got upcoming rate cuts. Here’s how it all fits together… and what you should do about it…

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] Nothing happens in a vacuum and everything’s connected – the thing that makes markets interesting can also make them… well… challenging. Today, we’re going to use a different comparison device, and look at the relationship between energy and consumer spending – and we’ll confirm what we find using utilities and copper. (Not just throwing darts here – it will make sense, I promise.) We’re also going to see how the bounce in oil prices (energy) and Visa (V, consumer spending) is probably going to end up a failed rally.  And we’ll look at big names like Home Depot, Amazon, and Constellation Energy, too.  Let’s get started…

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] The entire market was moving in slow motion in advance of Nvidia’s earnings – after all, we’re talking about more than 6% of the entire S&P 500. It’s the 1,000-lb gorilla of stocks. Over on the NASDAQ, where Nvidia is even more important, there was more than $4.50 worth of expected move baked into QQQ at the close… and before the earnings. I’ll show you my screen in a second – it’ll be wild for you to see the impact of the anticipation in real time. (And, yes, we’ll talk about things other than NVDA, but this is going to be cool.) Watch…

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] To the casual observer, stocks look to be drifting around on a Lazy River ride, but the truth is, they’re consolidating their recent gains. This is actually bullish price action. But you can sense the palpable anticipation of Nvidia’s earnings report, which hits tomorrow. In my view, the reaction could set the tone for the last of the summer trading sessions. The Japanese yen, source of the carry trade that detonated markets just a few weeks ago, is beginning to come back, which warns of potential volatility, but the dollar – sacrificed on the altar of global growth – is declining now. If that declines, I think we could see risk assets continue to outperform. Let me show you what else I’m looking at here at the end of August…

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] It was cute to watch Chairman Powell speak at a luxurious resort at Jackson Hole, on the edge of the old Frontier. To his credit, he addressed the root causes of inflation – spending and monetization… but then he laughed off the notion that they got the “transitory” part wrong. It’s easy for those in power, holding forth from chi-chi mountain resorts, to set aside the significant impacts of their policies on the average Joe. But Powell is the Chairman of the Federal Reserve – his confidence that inflation is now very clearly on the “2% trajectory” should be taken seriously… right? Of course his discussion of imminent rate cuts has a strong foundation… right? The reality is likely very different. In my view, the thing that really changed after Jackson Hole is the script that stocks, oil, and commodities

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] The markets are buzzing with energy as traders react to the latest insights from Jackson Hole! The Fed’s comments have stirred up fresh waves of volatility, keeping everyone on their toes. Bonds look ready to break out, and the Dollar flirting with the 100 mark adds to the excitement. With negative economic data and the upcoming PCE report looming, the stakes are high. All eyes are on NVDA’s earnings—will they deliver a boost or add more fuel to the fire? Brace yourself; it’s shaping up to be a thrilling ride!

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] Widening candles and patterns can be a wild ride, challenging both bulls and bears alike, but with the right trade positioning, we can capitalize on opportunities from both directions. In today’s video, we’ll explore how these volatile conditions could actually work in our favor. We’ll also take a closer look at some of the worsening economic factors at play and highlight significant trade opportunities emerging in the technology and utilities sectors. Get ready to see how these market movements can be turned into profitable trades!

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] Today’s market was relatively quiet, with low trading volume as investors largely stayed on the sidelines. The day’s economic data didn’t spark much movement, with most traders keeping an eye on the upcoming speech from Fed Chair Powell, which could be a game-changer. While the market remained calm, there’s a sense that this could just be the lull before the storm, with potential for more excitement later in the week.

[video_player type=”embed” style=”1″ dimensions=”640×360″ width=”640″ height=”360″ align=”center” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ ipad_color=”black”][/video_player] Stocks have been on a red-hot rally, but they’ve hit the brakes right at technical resistance, just as the charts predicted. Now, the market’s waiting with bated breath for this week’s FOMC minutes and the big showdown—Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech. While gold is shining as the market’s strongest player, keep an eye on the Japanese Yen, which might stir up some unexpected volatility. On the bright side, tech and biotech are flexing their muscles, and if the Dollar keeps slipping, it could give stocks an extra shot of adrenaline. Buckle up—it’s going to be an exciting week!