This stock market seems to have an illness called schizophrenia. In late September, the major stock indexes declined lower, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by over 1000.0 points only to recapture all of those declines in 15 trading days in the month of October. Ten percent rallies and declines are becoming normal trading ranges these days. In the past, the stock markets would rally higher or lower by ten percent in a year. These are certainly not normal times.

What causes these large wide range stock market swings? Well, there are several things that can affect markets, however, the main catalyst is currency. The major stock markets seem to be moving on the back of currency intervention, mainly the U.S. Dollar. As you all know, the U.S. Dollar is the world’s reserve currency, therefore, most every commodity must be purchased with U.S. Dollars. If you have ever traveled to Asia you may have noticed that most businesses will take the U.S. Dollar for payment before they take their own currency. This tells us that the strength of the U.S. Dollar is what is moving the stock markets around the world.

]]>

Recently, the leading commodity stocks have bounced higher as the U.S. Dollar Index sold off. This morning, the U.S. Dollar Index is trading higher and just about every leading commodity stock is selling off today. The only commodity that is not declining lower today is WTI oil, traders must remember that oil can be affected by weather. Currently there is a hurricane that is developing in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach the Gulf of Mexico by the end of the week. This is certainly part of the catalyst for higher oil.

The news out of the European Union is simply one of the most bizarre scenarios that we have ever seen in our life times. Traders cannot follow all of the news that comes out of that region regarding the European bank bailout. Therefore, traders should simply watch the U.S. Dollar Index(DXY). When the DXY rallies the major stock indexes will decline and deflate lower. The opposite is true when the DXY sells off or pulls back, the major stock indexes will inflate and trade higher. Traders should continue to expect these schizophrenic markets going forward. The only beacon of light that we have as a trader to navigate us through these turbulent markets is going to be to follow the U.S. Dollar Index.

Nicholas Santiago InTheMoneyStocks.com

Schizophrenic Market Nicholas Santiago started trading in 1991. In 1997, he became a licensed Series 7 and 63 registered representative. He managed money for a large, affluent private client group. After applying his knowledge to his client base, he decided it was time to begin teaching those interested in learning his methods. He is an expert in Technical Analysis. He has become an accomplished technician in the studies of Elliot Wave, Gann Theory, Dow Theory and Cycle Theory. In 2007, he partnered with Gareth Soloway to form InTheMoneyStocks.Com and realize his dream of educating others about the truth of the markets. Article Source

This morning the second quarter Gross Domestic Product(GDP) results were released by the Commerce Department. The second quarter Gross Domestic Product reported was 2.4%. This is sharply lower from the revised first quarter number of 3.7%. Economists had expected the second quarter number to be 2.5%. Therefore, today’s number was not a big surprise. What does this all mean for the market?

Well, today the market is starting out under pressure with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSE:SPY) trading lower by 1.06 to $109.20. Most commodity stocks are under pressure this morning and this is a sign of deflation. Leading commodity stocks such as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF), and Southern Copper Corp (NYSE:SCCO) are trading lower and remain under pressure. Remember when the U.S. Dollar Index is trading higher on the trading session this will often push the commodity stocks lower. Therefore, always keep a dollar chart open as most professional traders will key off this chart. Remember when the dollar is higher the stock market indexes will deflate. Should the dollar decline or sell off the market will inflate higher.

Since the July lows the markets have surged higher climbing about 10.0 percent from that level. However, since July 16th, the major indexes have been very choppy and volatile. This type of volatile action could be expected going forward. Please remember to keep an eye on the U.S. Dollar Index as that chart will generally give traders a good indication of where the stock indexes are trading. This morning the U.S. Dollar Index is trading higher by 0.15 cents to $81.79 and the market is obviously trading lower.

- About the Author: Nicholas Santiago started trading in 1991. In 1997, he became a licensed Series 7 and 63 registered representative. He managed money for a large, affluent private client group. After applying his knowledge to his client base, he decided it was time to begin teaching those interested in learning his methods. He is an expert in Technical Analysis. He has become an accomplished technician in the studies of Elliot Wave, Gann Theory, Dow Theory and Cycle Theory. In 2007, he partnered with Gareth Soloway to form InTheMoneyStocks.Com and realize his dream of educating others about the truth of the markets. Article Source