1. The markets are a little quiet this morning as they basically trade flat to slightly lower. This is typical after a big rally day like we had yesterday. Today is a flat tape. Avoid near term options, especially now, but at any given time it’s not a great idea.

2. Later today, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will conclude a 2 day meeting. The central bankers are not expected to make any changes in policy, but their verbiage could move markets a little. Traders should also keep close tabs on the U.S. Dollar, precious metals and interest rates. Final meeting of FOMC for the year and they’ll probably leave everything alone, but you never know. How much has the Fed really printed up recently? It’s unkowable.

3. Gold/Silver silver is having a good day. Over $25 is a big number on the futures. Gold up $5.5. Keep an eye on PM after the FOMC meeting.

1. This morning, the major stock indexes are holding up pretty well. This is quadruple witching options expiration week so many of the popular stocks could be all over the map into the Friday expiration. Please understand, this is usually a week of institutional game playing.

2. Apple Inc (AAPL) is showing really good strength today trading higher by nearly 4.0%. Apple suppliers are seeing strength following a report that Apple (AAPL) is aiming to increase iPhone production by 30% in the first half of 2021. Some of the leading suppliers include Skyworks (SWKS) Cirrus Logic (CRUS) and Qualcomm (QCOM). Everyone should note that Apple Inc stock is still below its September 2nd top which was $137.98. Today, Apple Inc shares are trading at $126.40. So even with today's bounce, Apple Inc stock has been a laggard since September.

3. Gold/Silver they know it down and two days later they come rushing back. Gold futures up $21. Silver up .55 on spot. GLD and SLV are both up strongly. Relative strength is good. Especially in light of Fed machinations. Fed will have comments tomorrow. Today no issues.

4. Vaccines are shipping and we’ll see how they go. Will

1. The major market indexes are starting out higher this morning. The energy stocks seem a little weak, but outside of that the rally looks to be somewhat broad based. Volume trends remain light and that is also a positive for upside as there is a lack of sellers at this time.

2. Friday was a minor down day. Finished off their lows.

3. Traders should note that this coming Friday is options expiration for December. It is a quadruple witching options expiration. That means that there are 4 different asset classes set to expire this week. It is a time for a lot of institutional game playing. Look out for ridiculous upgrades and downgrades by the big firms. Also, it is a time where you could hear of a lot of take-over rumors, most will be false. This is the real shark week so expect the unexpected. Lot’s of fake rumors flowing.

4. Gold and silver still chopping around. Lower today, but not meaninful, especially in light of the economy and the election. Dollar is tanking

1. Markets are a bit weak this morning. There is still no stimulus deal made by the politicians. This could be weighing on the major indexes a little. The weekly initial claims report was released at 8:30 am ET.  The weekly initial claims increased by 137,000 to 853,000. This number was much worse than expected. The  continuing claims for the week ending November 28 increased by 230,000 to 5.757 million. No stimulus deal yet. Russell is up. Central Bank intervention is continuing and there’s no stopping it. Eventually the politicians will get something done. Maybe it’s what they really want.

2. This is a big week for IPOs. Yesterday Doordash (DASH) came public. Questionnable economics. Today. AirBNB (ABNB) is going public. Traders always want to be careful after big IPOs. Often, the institutional crowd will prop up markets to get these IPOs successfully launched out the door. Need to watch these IPO’s and if they’re a sign of the coming market top. Lot’s questionnable practices keeping IPO prices high until they’ve unloaded their shares. A lot like options ex.

3. Gold/Silver GLD down .11. Gold futures up $2. SLV up .11 futures up .19, flat markets ahead. Next week is quadruple witching order. New futures contract. Solstice is coming. Seasonality.

1. This looks to be another mild trading session. Volume trends have been very light this week and that will usually keep the major stock indexes buoyant. Should we experience a high volume reversal day then the markets could be in some trouble.There are no problems right now. 

2. Another positive sign is the strength in the Russell 2000 index (IWM). Remember, the Russell 2000 Index represents small cap stocks in the United States. When the small caps rally it is good for markets since investors buy those stocks for growth. On the flip side, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) leads the markets higher it is a place where investors go to park money and collect dividends. Nick bought the Russell and made 10 percent but ducked out too early. The trader’s lament.

Climates have always changed since the beginning of time. We should be studying the sun a lot more.

3. Gold and silver getting slammed today. Backing and filling, with more to come. Gold has not put in its defined bottom as of yet. It’s

4. LEAPS for fun and profit. Normal options are longer term options contracts. 9 months or longer. The more time on the clock

1. Today, the major stock indexes are stalling out a bit. So far, this looks to be just some consolidation after a big run up that we saw last week. The Russell 2000 Index (IWM, $RUT) is actually positive this morning by 0.13% and that is a good sign for a continued run higher. A breather is due.

2. Home-builder stocks continue to struggle. Earlier this year that industry group was one of the strongest sectors. Right now, it is struggling and it could be due to a recent increase in interest rates. Rates are down today. Toll Brothers earnings released and they’re down 7%. Nick believes it was overbought.

3. Goldman Sachs Division move to Florida? No surprising. Everyone is fleeing NY and NJ. Lots of hedge funds getting ready to make the move. This is the beginning of the end for NYC, NY and NJ. The need for a trading floor has greatly diminished. Nasdaq has been digital for a long time. NYSE. Other stock exchanges are miniscule. No need for them any longer.

3. Gold/Silver up again today. A small rise to $1900. Silver down a touch. Next week is options expiration. End of quarter. Probably will go to Christmas or New Years. Solar eclipse on 12-14. Volume trends are low. And the Christmas Star will appear on 12-21. This year is special because it takes place on a Solstice. Often a turning point for the markets as well as the seasons.

1. Markets are pulling back a bit this morning. This type of action is common after a big rally like we saw last week. Today, we are seeing some weakness in the big banks, energy and many leading industrial names. Basically, last week's winners are retreating today. 

2. Election hangover every day we’re getting new disclosures about massive election fraud. It’s important for the markets to see which policy choice. Coming year volatility is going to take off to the moon. Vix hit 85 in March, 44 in June and 40 in September. Vix will be the trading opportunity in 2021. You’ve got to know when to hit it and when to leave. Fast money.

3. Gold/silver are both shining today. Gold futures up 30, 1900 is in the cards till it stalls. Silver’s been very strong up 2.23%. SLV up .44. They’ve been defended and look good for for now, but beware of potential back and fill. We could test 11-30 lows. $1700 is a wall of support for gold. Lots of support for GDX at 31.

1. The BLS non-farm payroll report was released today. It showed just an increase of just 245,000 new jobs. Expectations were for 410,000 new non-farm payrolls.  While this was less than expected the markets are holding up so far. Last month the report showed a gain of 610,000. The unemployment rate is 6.7% which was in line with expectations. I think the markets are looking forward and focusing on things opening up after the coronavirus vaccinations get underway.  

2. Today, financial stocks and energy stocks seem to be leading the way higher. Nice rally taking place. Russell 2000 is leading the pack. When it outperforms, the market is heading higher. It had peaked in August 2018 but never took out that high and then it collapsed. V shaped move. Pretty soon it could hit 2000. Remember, these sectors have been laggards for most of the year. Home-builders continue to struggle, this is likely due to an increase in interest rates. The 10-year U.S. Treasury Note yield is now 0.95%. 

3. Christmas Moon, Jupiter and Saturn come together on the sulstice December 21, could be a market turning point. Lots of geo-physcial events take place around this time. People need to be aware that big event

4. Gold/silver the sideways moving is continuing. Backing and filling. Nothing to be concerned about.

1. Earlier today, we got the initial weekly claims report. The number was 712K new claims. This was better than the expected 775K new claims. Continuing claims for the week ending November 21 decreased by 569,000 to 5.520 million. Overall, the stock market is hanging in well.

2.As for the markets, they are still holding up well today. I do not see any problems right now. Seasonality trends are in place and the volume has been light. That is favorable for the markets right now. Russell 2k keeps making new highs and leadership. Seasonality is in play. Volume has been. Energy and Financials are the new market leaders. A lot of the beaten down retail names have come back with a vengeance. Even Macy’s is now over $11. At one point it was below $5 per share. A question of survival of the fittest. When they make these big moves

3. Gold/silver GLD is up slightly. Gold futures are up 4.70. It’s a nice rebound, probably a technical bounce. So far 1800 is support for gold but could test 1700. Silver is a little tougher to chart. More work.

1. Markets are stalling out a little today, but surged higher yesterday. This is common to see some backing and filling after a large point advance. Financial and energy are acting well.

Russel 2000’s leadership is very important. When people invest in small caps they’re looking for growth unlike the big board. Financial and energy are rallying and becoming leaders. It’s surprising to see energy working so well that in light of the election uncertainty.

When things open up you won’t be able to get into the popular places. The remaining places will be ultra-profitable. Government closed down small business and allowed big box retail and big tech flourish.

2. November ADP Employment Change +307K
Small businesses: 110,000
Medium businesses: 139,000
Large businesses: 58,000
Goods-producing: 31,000
Service-providing: 276,000
Friday’s number will be interesting to see. Will there be a Christmas hiring binge. Brick and mortar retail could be down by nearly half. The Pandemic rules. Retail stocks have been doing much better. Macy’s is back over $10.

3. Gold/silver had a monster rally yesterday. Gold is up again today. Silver is digesting yesterday’s monster jump. Gold is holding up well. One more stumble and then we’re off to the races.