KEY EVENTS TO WATCH FOR:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019  

6:00 AM ET. December NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism

                       Small Business Idx (previous 104.8)

7:45 AM ET. The Retail Economist/Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index

                       Chain Store Sales, W/W% (previous -1.3%)

                       Chain Store Sales, M/M% (previous +4.6%)

8:30 AM ET. November U.S. International Trade in Goods & Services * This data will

                    not be released if the partial U.S. Govt shutdown remains in effect

                       Trade Balance (USD) (expected -54.0B; previous -55.49B)

                       Exports (USD) (previous 211.05B)

                       Exports, M/M% (previous -0.1%)

                       Imports (USD) (previous 266.53B)

                       Imports, M/M% (previous +0.2%)

8:55 AM ET. Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index

                       Ret Sales Mo-to-Date, M/M% (previous +0.6%)

                       Ret Sales Mo-to-Date, Y/Y% (previous +7.7%)

                       Latest Wk, Y/Y% (previous +9.3%)

10:00 AM ET. November Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey

3:00 AM ET. November Consumer Credit

                       Consumer Credit Net Chg (USD) (expected +20.0B; previous +25.38B)

4:00 PM ET. World Bank's Global Economic Prospects report

4:30 PM ET. API Weekly Statistical Bulletin

                       Crude Stocks, Net Chg (Bbls) (previous -4.5M)

                       Gasoline Stocks, Net Chg (Bbls) (previous +8.0M)

                       Distillate Stocks, Net Chg (Bbls) (previous +4.0M)

Wednesday, January 9, 2019  

7:00 AM ET. MBA Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey

                       Composite Idx (previous 321.2)

                       Composite Idx, W/W% (previous -1.4%)

                       Purchase Idx-SA (previous 236.9)

                       Purchase Idx-SA, W/W% (previous -0.7%)

                       Refinance Idx (previous 816.0)

                       Refinance Idx, W/W% (previous -1.9%)

10:00 AM ET. December Online Help Wanted Index

10:30 AM ET. EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report

                       Crude Oil Stocks (Bbl) (previous 441.418M)

                       Crude Oil Stocks, Net Chg (Bbl) (previous +0.007M)

                       Gasoline Stocks (Bbl) (previous 239.996M)

                       Gasoline Stocks, Net Chg (Bbl) (previous +6.89M)

                       Distillate Stocks (Bbl) (previous 129.431M)

                       Distillate Stocks, Net Chg (Bbl) (previous +9.529M)

                       Refinery Usage (previous 97.2%)

                       Total Prod Supplied (Bbl/day) (previous 19.056M)

                       Total Prod Supplied, Net Chg (Bbl/day) (previous -1.685M)

11:00 AM ET. ABA Economic Advisory Committee economic forecast

2:00 PM ET. Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes and economic forecast

  N/A               Annual Public Funds Summit

Thursday, January 10, 2019   

8:30 AM ET. U.S. Weekly Export Sales * This data will not be released if the partial U.S. Govt                     

                      shutdown remains in effect

                       Corn (Metric Tons)

                       Soybeans (Metric Tons)

                       Wheat (Metric Tons)

8:30 AM ET. Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims

                       Jobless Claims (expected 225K; previous 231K)

                       Jobless Claims, Net Chg (previous +10K)

                       Continuing Claims (previous 1740000)

                       Continuing Claims, Net Chg (previous +32K)

9:45 AM ET. Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index

10:00 AM ET. November Monthly Wholesale Trade * This data will not be released if

                        the partial U.S. Govt shutdown remains in effect

                       Inventories, M/M% (expected +0.3%; previous +0.8%)

10:30 AM ET. EIA Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report

                       Working Gas In Storage (Cbf) (previous 2705B)

                       Working Gas In Storage, Net Chg (Cbf) (previous -20B)

12:00 PM ET. December Monthly U.S. Retail Chain Store Sales Index

4:30 PM ET. Money Stock Measures

4:30 PM ET. Foreign Central Bank Holdings

4:30 PM ET. Federal Discount Window Borrowings

Friday, January 11, 2019   

8:30 AM ET. December Real Earnings

8:30 AM ET. December CPI

                       CPI, M/M% (expected -0.1%; previous +0.0%)

                       Core CPI, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous +0.2%)

                       Energy Idx, M/M% (previous -2.2%)

                       Food Idx, M/M% (previous  -0.2%)

                       Real Avg Wkly Pay-Infla Adj, M/M% (previous -0.1%)

                       CPI, Y/Y% (expected +1.9%; previous +2.2%)

                       Core Annual, Y/Y% (expected +2.2%; previous +2.2%)

12:00 PM ET. World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) * This

                    data will not be released if the partial U.S. Govt shutdown remains in effect

                       Corn, End Stocks (Bushels) (previous 1781M)

                       Soybeans, End Stocks (Bushels) (previous 955M)

                       Wheat, End Stocks (Bushels) (previous 974M)

                       Cotton, End Stocks (Bales) (previous 4.40M)

2:00 PM ET. December Monthly Treasury Statement of Receipts & Outlays of the U.S. Govt

The STOCK INDEXES http://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=indexes"  

The STOCK INDEXES:The March NASDAQ 100 was higher in overnight trading as it extends the  rally off December's low. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, the 50-day moving average crossing at 6696.99 is the next upside target. Closes below last-Friday's low crossing at 6136.50 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 6696.99. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 6897.00. First support is last-Friday's low crossing at 6136.50. Second support is December's low crossing at 5820.50.  

The March S&P 500 was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low.Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2631.97 is the next upside target. Closes below last-Friday's low crossing at 2439.00 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted.First resistance is the the 50% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2631.97. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 2643.81. First support is last-Friday's low crossing at 2439.00. Second support is December's low crossing at 2317.70.

INTEREST RATES http://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=interest"

INTEREST RATES: March T-bonds was steady to slightly lower overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 144-29 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off November's low, weekly resistance crossing at 152-18 is the next upside target. First resistance is last-Friday's high crossing at 148-27. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 152-18. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 146-06. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 144-29.    

March T-notes was lower overnight as it extends the decline off last-Thursday's high. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 121.096 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off November's low, weekly resistance crossing at 123.270 is the next upside target. First resistance is last-Thursday's high crossing at 123.080. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 123.270. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 121.293. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 121.093. 

ENERGY MARKETS? http://quotes.ino.com/ex?changes/?c=energy ""

February crude oil was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If February extends the rally off December's low, the 50-day moving average crossing at 53.66 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10-day moving average crossing at 46.52 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 53.66. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 54.77. First support is December's low crossing at 42.36. Second support is the January-2016 low crossing at 41.48.  

February heating oil was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If February extends the rally off December's low, the 50-day moving average crossing at 192.80 is the next upside target. If February resumes the decline off October's high, the 87% retracement level of the 2017-2018-rally crossing at 162.34 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 188.40. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 192.80. First support is December's low crossing at 163.80. Second support is the 87% retracement level of 2017-2018-rally crossing at 162.34.

February unleaded gas was higher overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If February extends the rally off December's low, the 50-day moving average crossing at 148.19 is the next upside target. If February resumes the decline off October's high, the 2016 low crossing at 110.45 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 148.19. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 151.77. First support is the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 124.09. Second support is the January-2016 low crossing at 110.45.

February Henry natural gas was higher overnight while extending the trading range of the past five-days. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that additional weakness is possible near-term. If February extends the decline off November's high, the February-2016 low crossing at 2.770 is the next downside target. Closes above last-Monday's gap crossing at 3.278 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 10-day moving average crossing at 3.147. Second resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 3.497. First support is last-Thursday's low crossing at 2.878. Second support is the February-2016 low crossing at 2.770.    

CURRENCIEShttp://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=currencies"

CURRENCIES:The March Dollar was higher overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off December's high, the 38% retracement level of the September-December-rally crossing at 95.04 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 96.21 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March renews this year's rally, weekly resistance crossing at 97.83 is the next upside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 96.65. Second resistance is Dec.'s high crossing at 97.19. First support is the 38% retracement level of the September-December-rally crossing at 95.04. Second support is Nov.'s low crossing at 94.91.    

The March Euro was slightly lower overnight while extending the November-January trading range. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 116.45 are needed to confirm an upside breakout of the November-December-trading range. If March resumes the decline off September's high, the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 111.94 is the next downside targets. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 116.45. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 117.00. First support is November's low crossing at 113.53. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 111.94. 

The March British Pound was steady to slightly higher overnight as it extends the rally off last-Thursday's low. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session beings trading. Stochastics and the RSI are becoming overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.2844 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If March resumes this fall's decline, the October-2016 low crossing at 1.2384 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.2844. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1.2957. First support is last-Thursday's low crossing at 1.2512. Second support is the October-2016 low crossing at 1.2384.  

The March Swiss Franc was mostly steady overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off November's low, the 50% retracement level of the September-November decline crossing at 1.0330 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 1.0117 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is December's high crossing at 1.0288. Second resistance the 50% retracement level of the September-November decline crossing at 1.0330. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1.0097. Second support is November's low crossing at 1.0018.  

The March Canadian Dollar was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, December's high crossing at 76.15 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10-day moving average crossing at 74.16 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the overnight high crossing at 75.50. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 76.15. First support is December's low crossing at 73.30. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2016-2017-rally crossing at 72.94.

The March Japanese Yen was lower overnight as it extended the decline off last-Thursday's high. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the aforementioned decline, the 10-day moving average crossing at 0.0919 is the next downside target. If March resumes the rally off November's low, the 75% retracement level of the March-November-decline crossing at 0.0957 is the next upside target. First resistance is the 62% retracement level of the March-November-decline crossing at 0.0944. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the March-November-decline crossing at 0.0957. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 0.0916. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 0.0906.   

PRECIOUS METALS http://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=metals"

PRECIOUS METALS: February gold was lower overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought and are turning neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 1267.10 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If February extends the rally off November's low, the 62% retracement level of the January-August-decline crossing at 1312.70 is the next upside target. First resistance is last-Friday's high crossing at 1300.40. Second resistance is the 62% retracement level of the January-August-decline crossing at 1312.70. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 1283.20. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1267.10.  

March silver was slightly lower overnight as it consolidates some of the rally off November's low. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off November's low, the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 16.279 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 15.099 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is last-Friday's high crossing at 15.955. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 16.279. First support the 10-day moving average crossing at 15.477. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 15.099.  

March copper was steady to slightly higher overnight. The high-range trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 272.74 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, the 62% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 251.75 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 280.35. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 285.80. First support is last-Thursday's low crossing at 254.30. Second support is the 62% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 251.75.

GRAINS http://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=grains

March corn was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. Due to the government shutdown, the January crop report, which was to be released on Friday will be delayed for the time being. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the aforementioned rally, December's high crossing at 3.87 3/4 is the next upside target. If March renews the decline off December's high, November's low crossing at 3.67 1/4 is the next downside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 3.87 3/4. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 3.90. First support is December's low crossing at 3.72 1/2. Second support is November's low crossing at 3.67 1/4.  

March wheat closed higher overnight as it extends the rally off January's low. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 5.19 1/4 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, psychological support crossing at 5.00 is the next downside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 5.38 1/2. Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of the August-November-decline crossing at 5.50 1/2. First support is January's low crossing at 5.01 1/4. Second support is psychological support crossing at 5.00.       

March Kansas City Wheat closed down 3-cents at 5.03. 

March Kansas City wheat closed lower on Monday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 5.07 1/4 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, November's low crossing at 4.82 1/4 is the next downside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 5.24 1/2. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 5.33 3/4. First support is last-Monday's low crossing at 4.87 1/4. Second support is November's low crossing at 4.82 1/4.  

March Minneapolis wheat was steady to fractionally higher overnight. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 5.74 1/4 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, weekly support crossing at 5.23 3/4 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 5.74 1/4. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 5.89 1/2. First support is December's low crossing at 5.44 1/2. Second support is weekly support crossing at 5.23 3/4. 

SOYBEAN COMPLEX? http://quotes.ino.com/ex?changes/?c=grains "

March soybeans was higher on overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, December's high crossing at 9.41 is the next upside target. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 9.02 would temper the near-term friendly outlook. First resistance is the 50% retracement level of the May-September-decline crossing at 9.46 1/2. Second resistance is the 62% retracement level of the May-September-decline crossing at 9.72 1/4. First support is Dec.'s low crossing at 8.80 1/2. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 8.71 1/4.

March soybean meal was higher overnight while extending the September-January trading range. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, October's high crossing at 327.40 is the next upside target. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 312.90 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 323.30. Second resistance is October's high crossing at 327.40. First support is November's low crossing at 305.30. Second support is September's low crossing at 303.40. 

March soybean oil was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. The high-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, the reaction high crossing at 29.09 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10-day moving average crossing at 28.14 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 29.09. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 29.50. First support is December's low crossing at 27.58. Second support is November's low crossing at 27.42.  

LIVESTOCKhttp://quotes.ino.com/exchanges/?c=livestock 

February hogs closed down $0.05 at $61.90. 

February hogs closed lower on Monday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Tuesday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 64.17 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If February renews the decline off November's high, November's low crossing at 59.25 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 62.91. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 64.17. First support is December's low crossing at 60.20. Second support is November's low crossing at 59.25.    

February cattle closed up $1.28 at 123.20. 

February cattle closed higher on Monday as it consolidates some of the decline off December's high. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Tuesday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 121.47 would open the door for a larger-degree decline during January. If February renews the rally off November's low, weekly resistance crossing at 127.95 is the next upside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 124.95. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 127.95. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 121.47. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 120.47.   

March Feeder cattle closed up $1.08 at $143.90. 

March Feeder cattle closed higher on Monday as it consolidated some of last-week's decline. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Tuesday's session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends this month's decline, December's low crossing at 140.35 is the next downside target. If March renews the rally off December's low, November's high crossing at 149.23. First resistance is last-Monday's high crossing at 147.58. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 149.23. First support is today's low crossing at 142.00. Second support is December's low crossing at 140.35.  

FOOD & FIBERhttp://quotes.ino.com/ex changes/?c=food 

March coffee closed higher on Monday above the 20-day moving average crossing at 10.21 confirming that a short-term low has been posted. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends today's rally, the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 10.62 is the next upside target. If March resumes the decline off October's high, weekly support crossing at 9.51 is the next downside target.             

March cocoa closed higher on Monday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 23.02 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends the rally off December's low, July's high crossing at 25.96 is the next upside target.      

March sugar closed sharply higher on Monday and above the 20-day moving average crossing at 12.41 confirming that a low has been posted. The high-range close set the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 12.72 would open the door for a larger rebound near-term. If March extends the decline off October's high, the 75% retracement level of the September-October-rally crossing at 11.65 is the next downside target.

March cotton closed higher on Monday as it consolidated some of the decline off December's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and are turning neutral to bullish signaling that a low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 75.50 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March extends this month's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 74.04 is the next downside target.