KEY EVENTS TO WATCH FOR:

Thursday, February 14, 2019 

8:30 AM ET. January PPI

                       PPI, M/M% (expected +0.1%; previous -0.2%)

                       Ex-Food & Energy PPI, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous -0.1%)

                       Personal Consumption (previous -0.2%)

8:30 AM ET. U.S. Weekly Export Sales

                       Corn (Metric Tons)

                       Soybeans (Metric Tons)

                       Wheat (Metric Tons)

8:30 AM ET. December Advance Monthly Sales for Retail & Food Services * Release

                      delayed from 16 Jan due to the partial shutdown of the U.S.

                      federal government which ended 25 January

                       Overall Sales-SA, M/M% (expected +0.1%; previous +0.2%)

                       Sales, Ex-Auto, M/M% (expected +0.1%; previous +0.2%)

                       Sales, Ex-Auto & Gas, M/M% (previous +0.5%)

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

                       Jobless Claims (expected 222K; previous 234K)

                       Jobless Claims, Net Chg (previous -19K)

                       Continuing Claims (previous 1736000)

                       Continuing Claims, Net Chg (previous -42K)

9:45 AM ET. Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index

10:00 AM ET. November Manufacturing & Trade: Inventories & Sales * Release delayed

                        from 16 Jan due to the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal

                        government which ended 25 Jan

                       Total Inventories (expected +0.2%; previous +0.6%)

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

                       Working Gas In Storage (Cbf) (previous 1960B)

                       Working Gas In Storage, Net Chg (Cbf) (previous -237B)

2:00 PM ET. SEC Closed Meeting

4:30 PM ET. Money Stock Measures

4:30 PM ET. Foreign Central Bank Holdings

4:30 PM ET. Federal Discount Window Borrowings

Friday, February 15, 2019 

8:30 AM ET. January Import & Export Price Indexes

                       Import Prices (expected +0.1%; previous -1.0%)

                       Non-Petroleum Prices (previous +0.3%)

                       Petroleum Prices (previous -11.6%)

8:30 AM ET. February Empire State Manufacturing Survey

                       Mfg Idx (expected 6.0; previous 3.9)

                       Employment Idx (previous 7.4)

                       New Orders Idx (previous 3.5)

                       Prices Received (previous 13.1)

9:15 AM ET. January Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization

                       Industrial Production, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous +0.3%)

                       Capacity Utilization % (expected 78.8%; previous 78.7%)

                       Capacity Utilization, Net Chg (Pts) (previous +0.1)

10:00 AM ET. February University of Michigan Survey of Consumers – preliminary

                       Mid-Mo Sentiment (expected 92.5; previous 90.7)

                       Mid-Mo Expectations (previous 78.3)

                       Mid-Mo Current Idx  (previous 110.0)

4:00 PM ET. December Treasury International Capital Data

  N/A              Deadline for new funding deal to avert another partial U.S.

                    Govt shutdown

  N/A              U.S: Susan B. Anthony Day state holiday in Florida

Monday, February 18, 2019 

  N/A              U.S. Presidents Day / Washington's Birthday. Financial markets closed

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

The March NASDAQ 100 closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are becoming 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 7169.00 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 6839.63 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is December's high crossing at 7169.00. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 7280.27. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 6839.63. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 6649.51.  

The March S&P 500 closed higher on Wednesday as it extends the rally off December's low. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night 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, the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2789.62 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 2683.93 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2789.62. Second resistance is the 87% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2865.28. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 2683.93. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 2615.30.  

The Dow closed higher on Wednesday as it extended 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 the Dow extends the rally off December's low, December's high crossing at 25,980.21 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 24,905.45 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 25,661.68. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 25,980.21. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 24,905.45. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 24,251.74.

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

March T-bonds closed down 7/32's at 145-24.

March T-bonds closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that a small double top has likely been posted with last-Friday's high. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 144-31 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends the rally off January's low, January's high crossing at 148-27 is the next upside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 146-30. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 148-27. First support is the 38% retracement level of the November-January-rally crossing at 144-30. Second support is the 50% retracement level of the November-January-rally crossing at 142-16.         

March T-notes closed down 65 points at 121.240.

March T-notes closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 121.138 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off January's low, January's high crossing at 123.055 is the next upside target. First resistance is last-Thursday's high crossing at 122.165. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 123.055. First support is the 38% retracement level of the October-December-rally crossing at 120.301. Second support is the 50% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 120.071.        

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

March crude oil closed higher on Wednesday as it extends the January-February trading range.The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March resumes the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 59.53 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 50.66 are needed to confirm a downside breakout of the aforementioned trading range. First resistance is the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 55.55. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 59.53. First support is the reaction low crossing at 50.66. Second support is December's low crossing at 45.13.

March heating oil closed higher on Wednesday and above the January-February trading range resistance crossing at 193.86. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night trading session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are diverging but are turning neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March renews the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 203.52 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 182.80 would confirm a downside breakout of the aforementioned trading range. First resistance is the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 193.75. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 203.52. First support is the reaction low crossing at 182.80. Second support is December's low crossing at 162.35. 

March unleaded gas closed higher on Wednesday while extending the trading range of the past five-weeks. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above last-Monday's high crossing at 148.50 would mark an upside breakout of the neckline of a inverted head-and-shoulders bottom while opening the door for a possible test of the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 160.10 later this winter. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 134.13 would confirm a downside breakout of the aforementioned trading range. First resistance is the 25% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 147.65. Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 160.10. First support is the reaction low crossing at 134.13. Second support is December's low crossing at 124.24. 

March Henry natural gas closed lower on Wednesday and is poised to resume the decline off January's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off January's high, weekly support crossing at 2.432 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 2.844 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 3.844. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 3.090. First support is last-Thursday's low crossing at 2.549. Second support is weekly support crossing at 2.432.     

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

The March Dollar closed higher on Wednesday as it extended the rally off the late-January low. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night 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 last-Thursday's low, December's high crossing at 97.20 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 95.93 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted.First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 97.00. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 97.20. First support is the 62% retracement level of the September-December-rally crossing at 94.54. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the September-December-rally crossing at 93.97.    

The March Euro closed lower on Wednesday as it extends the decline off January's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Wednesday's night session begins trading. 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 aforementioned decline, the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018 rally crossing at 111.94 is the next downside target. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 114.58 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 115.57. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 116.33. First support is Tuesday's low crossing at 112.90. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018 rally crossing at 111.94.      

The March British Pound closed lower on Wednesday and is poised to resume the decline off January's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.2860 would open the door for a possible test of support marked by the reaction low crossing at 1.2707. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.3029 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is January's high crossing at 1.3252. Second resistance is October's high crossing at 1.3356. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.2860. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1.2707.   

The March Swiss Franc closed lower on Wednesday as it extends the decline off January's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading.Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends this winter's decline, weekly support crossing at 0.9902 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.0065 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.0065. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.0139. First support is today's low crossing at 0.9939. Second support is weekly support crossing at 0.9902.

The March Canadian Dollar closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish signaling that a low might be in or is near. Closes above the 10-day moving average crossing at 75.80 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes this month's decline, the reaction low crossing at 74.85 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 62% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 76.49. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 77.18. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 75.09. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 74.85.  

The March Japanese Yen closed lower on Wednesday as it extends the decline off January's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday’s night session begins trading. 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 January's high, the 75% retracement level of the November-January-rally crossing at 0.0900 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 0.0915 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 0.0925. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 0.0933. First support is the 75% retracement level of the November-January-rally crossing at 0.0900. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the November-January-rally crossing at 0.0892.  

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

April gold posted a key reversal down on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 1308.50 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If April renews the rally off November's low, the 75% retracement level of the April-August-Decline crossing at 1349.50 is the next upside target. First resistance is January's high crossing at 1331.10. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the April-August-decline crossing at 1349.50. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1308.50. Second support is January's low crossing at 1281.50.

March silver closed lower on Wednesday as it renewed the decline off January's high. The low-range close set the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. If March extends the aforementioned decline, the 50-day moving average crossing at 15.342 is the next downside target. If March resumes the rally off November's low, the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 16.279 is the next upside target. First resistance is January's high crossing at 16.200. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 16.279. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 15.342. Second support is January's low crossing at 15.195.          

March copper closed slightly higher on Wednesday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 274.66 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends the rally, September's high crossing at 288.80 is the next upside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 285.80. Second resistance is September's high crossing at 288.80. First support is the reaction low crossing at 263.45. Second support is January's low crossing at 254.30. 

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

March Corn closed up 3/4-cents at 3.79. 

March corn closed fractionally higher on Wednesday as it extends the rebound off Monday's low. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night sessions begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above January's high crossing at 3.84 1/2 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. Closes below Monday's low would open the door for a possible test of January's low crossing at 3.71 an then November's low crossing at 3.67 1/4 are the next downside targets. First resistance is January's high crossing at 3.84 1/2. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 3.87 3/4. First support is January's low crossing at 3.71. Second support is November's low crossing at 3.67 1/4.  

March wheat closed up 1 1/2-cents at 5.21 1/2. 

March wheat closed higher on Wednesday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March renews the rally off January's low, December's high crossing at 5.38 1/2 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 5.08 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is December's high crossing at 5.38 1/2. Second resistance is October's high crossing at 5.46 1/2. First support is the reaction low crossing at 5.08. Second support is January's low crossing at 5.01 1/4.     

March Kansas City Wheat closed up 2-cents at 4.94.

March Kansas City wheat closed higher on Wednesday as it consolidates below support marked by the bottom of this year's symmetrical triangle crossing near 4.95. The door is open for a possible test of November's low crossing at 4.82 1/4 later this winter. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 5.04 would temper the near-term bearish outlook. 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 December's low crossing at 4.87 1/4. Second support is November's low crossing at 4.82 1/4.  

March Minneapolis wheat closed up 2 1/2-cents at 5.79 3/4. 

March Minneapolis wheat closed higher on Wednesday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March renews the rally off December's low, December's high crossing at 5.89 1/2 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 5.61 are needed to confirm a downside breakout of the January-February trading range. First resistance is December's high crossing at 5.89 1/2. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 5.93. First support is the reaction low crossing at 5.61. Second support is December's low crossing at 5.44 1/2.    

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

March soybeans closed unchanged at 9.17 1/2.

March soybeans closed unchanged on Wednesday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March renews the rally off September's low, December's high crossing at 9.41 is the next upside target. If March extends the decline off February's high, January's low crossing at 8.91 1/4 is the next downside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 9.41. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the April-September-2018 decline crossing at 9.46 1/2. First support is January's low crossing at 8.91 1/4. Second support is December's low crossing at 8.80 1/4.  

March soybean meal closed up $1.10 at 310.30. 

March soybean meal closed higher on Wednesday as it consolidates some of the decline off January's high. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Multiple closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 310.60 would temper the bearish outlook. If March resumes the decline off January's high, September's low crossing at 303.40 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 317.40. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 324.60. First support is Monday's low crossing at 304.30. Second support is September's low crossing at 303.40.  

March soybean oil closed down 32 pts. at 30.01. 

March soybean oil closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI have turned neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 29.91 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 31.69 is the next upside target. First resistance is last-Thursday's high crossing at 31.01. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2017-2018-decline crossing at 31.69. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 29.91. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 29.07.    

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

April hogs closed down $0.55 at $59.78. 

April hogs closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that a low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 62.14 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If April resumes the decline off November's high, July's low crossing at 57.80 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 62.14. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 66.02. First support is Monday's low crossing at 57.87. Second support is July's low crossing at 57.80.   

April cattle closed down $0.90 at 126.97. 

April cattle closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 125.82 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If April extends the rally off November's low, weekly resistance crossing at 134.55 is the next upside target. First resistance is January's high crossing at 129.48. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 134.55. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 125.82. Second support is January's low crossing at 123.50.   

March Feeder cattle closed down $0.87 at $143.52. 

March Feeder cattle closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March renews the decline off December's high, December's low crossing at 140.35 is the next downside target. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 145.58 would temper the bearish outlook. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 146.47. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 147.58. First support is January's low crossing at 141.20. Second support is December's low crossing at 140.35.  

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

March coffee closed lower on Wednesday as it extends the decline off February's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends this month's decline, September's low crossing at 98.55 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 10.34 are needed to confirm that a low has likely been posted.

March cocoa closed higher on Wednesday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Thursday. 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 22.69 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, December's low crossing at 20.95 is the next downside target.       

March sugar closed lower on Wednesday. The low-range close set the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March renews the rally off January's low, the reaction high crossing at 13.54 is the next upside target. If March renews the decline off January's high, January's low crossing at 11.69 is the next downside target. 

March cotton closed slightly higher on Wednesday as it consolidates some of the decline off the June 2018 high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. 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 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 66.12 is the next downside target. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 74.53 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted.