KEY EVENTS TO WATCH FOR:

Thursday, January 11, 2018 

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

                       Corn (Metric Tons) (previous 101.3K)

                       Soybeans (Metric Tons) (previous 160.8K)

                       Wheat (Metric Tons) (previous 131K)

8:30 AM ET. December PPI

                       PPI, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous +0.4%)

                       Ex-Food & Energy PPI, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous +0.3%)

                       Personal Consumption (previous +0.6%)

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

                       Jobless Claims (expected 245K; previous 250K)

                       Jobless Claims, Net Chg (previous +3K)

                       Continuing Claims (previous 1914000)

                       Continuing Claims, Net Chg (previous -37K)

9:45 AM ET. Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index

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

                       Working Gas In Storage (Cbf) (previous 3126B)

                       Working Gas In Storage, Net Chg (Cbf) (previous -206B)

4:30 PM ET. Foreign Central Bank Holdings

4:30 PM ET. Money Stock Measures

4:30 PM ET. Federal Discount Window Borrowings

Friday, January 12, 2018 

8:30 AM ET. December CPI

                       CPI, M/M% (expected +0.1%; previous +0.4%)

                       Core CPI, M/M% (expected +0.2%; previous +0.1%)

                       Energy Idx, M/M% (previous +3.9%)

                       Food Idx, M/M% (previous +0.0%)

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

                       CPI, Y/Y% (expected +2.1%; previous +2.2%)

                       Core Annual, Y/Y% (expected +1.7%; previous +1.7%)

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

                       Overall Sales-SA, M/M% (expected +0.4%; previous +0.8%)

                       Sales, Ex-Auto, M/M% (expected +0.4%; previous +1.0%)

                       Sales, Ex-Auto & Gas, M/M% (previous +0.8%)

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

                       Total Inventories (expected +0.4%; previous -0.1%)

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

                       Corn, End Stocks (Bushels)

                       Soybeans, End Stocks (Bushels)

                       Wheat, End Stocks (Bushels)

Monday, January 15, 2018  

  N/A              U.S: Martin Luther King Day. Financial markets closed

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

The March NASDAQ 100 closed lower on Wednesday due to an accelerated rise in the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, prompted by a report that China is considering halting purchases of U.S. debt. 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 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 6517.86 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends this year's rally into uncharted territory, upside targets will be hard to project. First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 6707.25. Second resistance is unknown. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 6567.50. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 6517.86.  

The March S&P 500 closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidated some of this winter's rally. 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 this winter's rally into uncharted territory, upside targets will be hard to project. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 2697.42 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 2759.50. Second resistance is unknown. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 2715.32. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 2697.42.

The Dow closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidates some of this winter's rally. 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 bearish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. With the Dow trading in uncharted territory, upside targets will be hard to project. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 24,863.76 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 25,439.78. Second resistance is unknown. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 25,046.93. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 24,863.82.    

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

March T-bonds closed up 1/32's at 150-03.

March T-bonds closed slightly higher on Wednesday. Today's early-session sell off was triggered by report out of China that it might halt the buying of US Treasury debt. A short covering rally in the afternoon session erased today's early-session losses and 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 becoming 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, weekly support crossing at 145-26 is the next downside target. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 152-13 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 153-03. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 154-18. First support is today's low crossing at 149-03. Second support is weekly support crossing at 145-26.   

March T-notes closed up 78/32's at 123-010.

March T-notes closed higher on Wednesday as it consolidated some of the decline off September'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 are oversold but remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the aforementioned decline, weekly support crossing at 122.205 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 123.133 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 123.133. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 123.192. First support is Tuesday's low crossing at 122.225. Second support is weekly support crossing at 122.205.   

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

February crude oil closed slightly lower on Wednesday as it consolidated some of Tuesday's rally.Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins. If February extends this winter's rally, the 50% retracement level of the 2014-2016-decline crossing at 64.11 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 59.62 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 63.67. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2014-2016-decline crossing at 64.11. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 61.42. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 59.62. 

February heating oil closed slightly higher on Wednesday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Wednesday's night trading session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If February extends the rally off October's low, the 87% retracement level of the 2014-2016-decline crossing at 222.40 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 200.36 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the 2014-2016-decline crossing at 208.60. Second resistance is the 87% retracement level of the 2014-2016-decline crossing at 222.40. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 200.36. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 195.14.   

February unleaded gas closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidates some of 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 February extends the rally off December's low, the May-2015 high crossing at 186.01 is the next upside target. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 175.30 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 185.13. Second resistance is the May-2015 high crossing at 186.01. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 175.30. Second support is December's low crossing at 166.19.   

February Henry natural gas 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 sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If February renews the rally off December's low, the reaction high crossing at 3.210 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 2.792 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is last Tuesday's high crossing at 3.097. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 3.210. First support is December's low crossing at 2.562. Second support is weekly support crossing at 2.522. 

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

The March Dollar closed lower on Wednesday ending a three-day rebound. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish hinting that a low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 92.56 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If March resumes the decline off December's high, the 87% retracement level of the September-November-rally crossing at 91.20 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 92.56. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 93.11. First support is the 87% retracement level of the September-November-rally crossing at 91.20. Second support is September's low crossing at 90.68.

The March Euro closed higher on Wednesday as it consolidated some of this week's decline. 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 sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 119.55 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the aforementioned rally, September's high crossing at 122.11 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at 121.40. Second resistance is September's high crossing at 122.11. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 119.55. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 118.90.     

The March British Pound 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 a short-term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.3493 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March renews the rally off November's low, September's high crossing at 1.3695 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Wednesday's high crossing at 1.3646. Second resistance is September's high crossing at 1.3695. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.3493. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.3393.     

The March Swiss Franc closed higher on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that a short-term top has been posted. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Closes below the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.0205 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off October's low, the 50% retracement level of the July-September-decline crossing at 1.0412 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Tuesday's high crossing at 1.0365. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the July-September-decline crossing at 1.0412. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.0205. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1.0159.  

The March Canadian Dollar closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidates some of 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 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 79.09 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off December's low, the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 81.41 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 81.00. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 81.41. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 79.09. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 78.67.  

The March Japanese Yen closed higher on Wednesday. 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. If March extends the rally off December's low, November's high crossing at 0.9073 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10-day moving average crossing at 0.8910 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 0.9018. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 0.9073. First support is December's low crossing at 0.8840. Second support is November's low crossing at 0.8782.  

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

February gold closed higher on Wednesday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher price are possible near-term. If February extends the aforementioned rally, the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 1334.00 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 1289.00 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 1328.60. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 1334.00. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 1312.60. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1289.00.

March silver closed higher on Wednesday. The high-range close set the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins trading. 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 16.623 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends the rally off December's low, November's high crossing at 17.485 is the next upside target. First resistance is the 62% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 17.325. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 17.485. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 16.735. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 16.623.     

March copper closed higher 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 sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 320.58 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off December's low, the August-2013 high crossing at 334.05 is the next upside target. First resistance is December's high crossing at 332.20. Second resistance is the August-13 high crossing at 334.05. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 320.58. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 313.93.       

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

March Corn closed unchanged at 3.49. 

March corn closed unchanged on Wednesday as it consolidated some of Monday's decline.The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady opening when Thursday'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 support marked by December's low crossing at 3.46 1/2 would renew the decline off last year's high while opening the door for a possible test of weekly support crossing at 3.32. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 3.54 3/4 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 3.54 3/4. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 3.60 1/2. First support is December's low crossing at 3.46 1/2. Second support is weekly support crossing at 3.32. 

March wheat closed up 1 3/4-cents at 4.34. 

March wheat closed higher on Wednesday. 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 turning neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 4.37 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 4.25 1/2 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 4.37. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 4.60 3/4. First support is December's low crossing at 4.10 1/2. Second support is psychological support crossing at 4.00.    

March Kansas City Wheat closed up 1 1/2-cents at 4.40 1/2. 

March Kansas City wheat closed higher on Wednesday as it consolidates above the 50-day moving average crossing at 4.32. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but are turning neutral to bullish again signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off December's low, November's high crossing at 4.51 1/2 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 4.26 3/4 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at 4.41 3/4. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 4.51 1/2. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 4.26 3/4. Second support is December's low crossing at 4.10 1/2.   

March Minneapolis wheat closed up 3 1/4-cents at 6.34. 

March Minneapolis wheat closed higher on Wednesday as it extends the rally off December's 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 aforementioned rally, the reaction high crossing at 6.51 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 6.19 1/4 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 6.34 1/2. Second resistance is the reaction high resistance crossing at 6.51. First support is December's low crossing at 6.05. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the April-July-rally crossing at 5.89 1/2. 

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

March soybeans closed down 8 3/4-cents at 9.58. 

March soybeans closed lower on Wednesday as it renewed the decline off December'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 turning neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off December's high, the late-August low crossing at 9.50 is the next downside target. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 9.77 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 9.77. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 9.88. First support is the late-August low crossing at 9.50. Second support is August's low crossing at 9.37 1/2.

March soybean meal closed down $2.00 at 316.20. 

March soybean meal 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. If March resumes the decline off December's high, November's low crossing at 315.00 is the next downside target. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 324.00 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 324.00. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 331.20. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 315.50. Second support is November's low crossing at 315.00.

March soybean oil closed down 28 pts. At 33.42. 

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 33.37 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off December's low, the 50-day moving average crossing at 34.06 is the next upside target. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 34.06. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 34.89. First support is December's low crossing at 32.52. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the June-September-rally crossing at 32.44. 

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

February hogs closed down $0.65 at $72.53. 

February hogs closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidates some of the rally off December's low. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Thursday's 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 February extends the rally off December's low, weekly resistance crossing at 76.91 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 69.99 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is today's high crossing at 73.68. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 76.91. First support is the 10-day moving average crossing at 71.76. Second support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 69.99. 

February cattle closed down $0.80 at 116.88. 

February cattle closed lower on Wednesday as it extended this month's decline. 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 February extends the aforementioned decline, the 75% retracement level of the August-November-rally crossing at 115.05 is the next downside target. Closes above the 10-day moving average crossing at 120.44 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 10-day moving average crossing at 120.44. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 123.18. First support is the 75% retracement level of the August-November-rally crossing at 115.05. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the August-November-rally crossing at 112.35.

March Feeder cattle closed down $0.53 at $142.23. 

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 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 138.30 is the next downside target. Closes above the 50-day moving average crossing at 148.29 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. First resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 148.29. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 154.05. First support is Tuesday's low crossing at 140.12. Second support is December's low crossing at 138.30.   

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

March coffee closed lower on Wednesday as it extends this month's decline. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. 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 12.38 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March renews the rally off December's low, November's high crossing at 13.30 is the next upside target. 

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 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 20.04 is the next upside target. If March renews the decline off November's high, weekly support crossing at 17.91 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 bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 14.60 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March renews the aforementioned rally, November's high crossing at 15.49 is the next upside target. 

March cotton closed higher on Wednesday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March extends the rally off October's low, weekly resistance crossing at 80.67 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 77.14 are needed to confirm a short-term top has been posted.