S&P 500 Retreats to Key Support Following Retail Sales Data

S&P 500 – Talking Points

• Strong retail sales data weighs on equities
• S&P 500 futures hold key support at 3970
• Fed officials continue to beat the hawkish drum

US stocks are pushing lower following strong retail sales data this morning, as traders once again reassess the potential implications on Fed policy. The report showed the largest increase in eight months in October, showing that the US consumer continues to thrive amid the Fed’s tightening cycle. The 2s-10s spread inverted to -60 basis points earlier in the session, the largest inversion since 1982. The equity market appears to be taking a breather after a robust melt higher following soft CPI data. Optimism surrounding peak Fed hawkishness along with headlines regarding China’s reopening have fueled risk sentiment in recent sessions.

While market participants remain optimistic, Federal Reserve officials continue to be cautious. In a packed slate of Fedspeak this week, central bankers have pushed to remind traders that the battle against inflation remains far from over. In comments made earlier today, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly bluntly stated that a pausing of rate hikes is “off the table.”

Aside from retail sales, underwhelming guidance from mega-retailer Target took shares lower by as much as 16%. The retailer warned about consumer tendencies, and also gave soft guidance for 2023. Earnings season has been volatile, as the market has punished companies for even the slightest of misses.

S&P 500 Futures (ES)

After the market digested the news of this morning, ES initially sold off from the 4000 area into key support between 3960-3970. This area has comfortably acted as a floor for price following the post-CPI squeeze, as bears have been unable to chip away at this area over the last few sessions. Equities may remain elevated as the US Dollar continues to weaken. As long as the support zone at 3960 holds, bulls may look to finally make a sustained move beyond fib resistance around 4010.

S&P 500 Futures 2 Hour Chart

Chart created with TradingView

When we back out to a longer timeframe, we can see that ES is simply consolidating in a very tight range following the monster 5.5% move from last Thursday. We have yet to achieve a daily close above the 61.8 fib of the decline off the August swing-high, and this may need to be breached soon in order for the rally to continue. The longer we wait, the more time bears are being given to step back in. That being said, bulls may look to make a renewed assault on the 200-day moving average at 4074.

Should price manage to break below the current floor at 3960-3970, bears could look for an initial scalp down to the 100-day moving average at 3914. Without a fresh catalyst, ES may look to continue playing “ping-pong” in this recently defined range.

S&P 500 Futures Daily Chart

Chart created with TradingView

RESOURCES FOR FOREX TRADERS

Whether you are a new or experienced trader, we have several resources available to help you; indicator for tracking trader sentiment, quarterly trading forecasts, analytical and educational webinars held daily, trading guides to help you improve trading performance, and one specifically for those who are new to forex.

— Written by Brendan Fagan

To contact Brendan, use the comments section below or @BrendanFaganFX on Twitter