Pace Change

Volume differentials are still running above average but there is a distinct change in the pace of market movement today.  It helps that the day is moving higher which tends to occur at a slower speed, however, on the net we are seeing smoother rotations in the index futures.

The opening was very important this morning, more than any other day because of the location.  When participants started trading this morning it was near the prior day lows.  I was keen to distill who was dominating the tape early because it had heavy ramifications for today’s trade.  Fortunately the buyers made their actions very clear, and continue to do so throughout the session. This can be seen as buyers ‘holding the mid’ and printing higher highs and lows.

The higher prices are motivating sell flow back into the tape after they sat back for most of the session.  I have shortened the duration of my stock trades significantly.  However I saw enough evidence today to increase long exposure a bit after sitting through the biggest wave of selling seen in years.

Oil appears to be the culprit, and also the opportunity zone.  The long trade in energy might only be for the bounce here, but even that little move higher has opportunity to manufacture some wins.

All together, I am sticking with the less-is-more policy, managing risk via scales, and looking for opportunities to raise cash, slowly.

Option expiration is upon us.  It has been a fast month, and soon these dead calls will vanish from my book.  Good riddance and RIP to – KORS, Z, VJET, AMZN …you have each taken a percent of my infinity pool fund.  Damn you all to the depths of an Opera guest chair.

The rub?  The market is too out of whack to take option trades now, so that risk cannot be recaptured for now.  Instead I am swinging slow, via the stocks, and that all depends on whether BABA stocks getting the whack-a-mole treatment. Each stock I currently trade requires my full love and affection, no side action, so I am keeping my position count limited.  After all, a trade is a trade and they are all sacred.  Don’t just toss you money into a flaming barrel of garbage for the thrill of seeing the flames rise. That is selfish to the laws of the universe.  Honor thy stock gods.