KEY EVENTS TO WATCH FOR:

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 STOCK INDEXES:The March NASDAQ 100 was higher overnight as China and the U.S. kicked off two days of trade negotiations in Beijing. Regional indexes have advanced for three straight days on hopes that both sides will make headway on big issues like Beijing’s technology policy. 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 7169.00 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 6870.45 are needed to confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the 62% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 7023.35. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 7169.00. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 6870.45. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 6651.67.  

The March S&P 500 was steady to slightly higher overnight.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 2695.74 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted.First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 2761.00. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the September-December-decline crossing at 2789.62. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 2695.74. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 2614.95.

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

INTEREST RATES: March T-bonds was steady to slightly higher in quiet trading overnight as it extends this month's trading range. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If March resumes the rally off January's low, January's high crossing at 148-27 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 144-29 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 147-01. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 148-27. First support is the 38% retracement level of the November-January rally crossing at 144-00. Second support is the 50% retracement level of the November-January rally crossing at 142.16.

March T-notes was steady to slightly higher overnight. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 121.190 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes 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 122.190. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 123.080. First support is the 38% retracement level of the October-January rally crossing at 120.301. Second support is the 50% retracement level of the October-January-rally crossing at 120.071.

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

March crude oil was slightly higher overnight as it extends this week's rally off Monday'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 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 January-February trading range. First resistance is the the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 55.55. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 58.55. First support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 51.18. Second support is December's low crossing at 42.67.  

March heating 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 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 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 are needed to confirm a downside breakout of the January-February trading range. First resistance is the overnight high crossing at 198.73. 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 was steady to slightly 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, the 38% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 160.10 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 139.25 would temper the near-term friendly outlook. First resistance is December's high crossing at 153.48. 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 was slightly higher overnight. 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 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 2.785 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 2.785. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 3.121. First support is the overnight low crossing at 2.543. Second support is weekly support crossing at 2.432.    

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

CURRENCIES:The March Dollar was higher overnight. 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, December's high crossing at 97.20 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 96.03 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. First resistance is Thursday's high crossing at 97.12. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 97.19. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 96.03. Second support is the late-January low crossing at 94.87.    

The March Euro was slightly lower overnight. The low-range trade overnight sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when the day 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 114.53 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 114.09. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 114.53. First support is Thursday's low crossing at 112.76. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the 2016-2018-rally crossing at 111.94.    

The March British Pound was higher overnight as it consolidates some of the decline off January's high. 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 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 reaction low crossing at 1.2707 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.3014 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 1.2981. Second resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.3014. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1.2707. Second support is January's low crossing at 1.2512.  

The March Swiss Franc was steady to slightly lower 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 January's high, weekly support crossing at 0.9902 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.0049 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1.0049. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1.0133. First support is Thursday's low crossing at 0.9930. Second support is weekly support crossing at 0.9902. 

The March Canadian Dollar was steady to slightly higher overnight. 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 75.07 would open the door for additional weakness near-term.If March renews the rally off December's low, the 75% retracement level of the October-December-decline crossing at 77.18 is the next upside 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 reaction low crossing at 74.86. Second support is December's low crossing at 73.30.

The March Japanese Yen was steady to slightly 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 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 0.0914 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"

PRECIOUS METALS: April gold was higher 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 1310.50 would confirm a top has been posted. If April renews the rally off November's low, the 75% retracement level of the January-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 January-August-decline crossing at 1349.50. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 1310.50. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 1290.30.  

March silver was higher overnight as it consolidates some of the decline off January's high. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the aforementioned decline, the 50-day moving average crossing at 15.385 is the next downside target. If March renews 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 15.385. Second support is January's low crossing at 15.195. 

March copper was 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 bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 275.69 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March resumes the rally off January's low, December's high crossing at 285.80 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 20-day moving average crossing at 275.69. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 263.45.  

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

March corn was higher overnight as traders focused on reports of continued progress in trade negotiations between China and the U.S. of its week long round of discussions. Reports that talks are set to be continued next week in Washington added fresh hope that a resolution was near, even if key the parties appeared far apart on some key points. The high-range trade overnight sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March resumes the decline off January's high, January's low crossing at 3.71 then November's low crossing at 3.67 1/4 are the next downside targets. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 3.83 are needed to temper the near-term bearish outlook. 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 was steady to fractionally lower overnight as it extends Thursday's sharp decline. The low-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when the day 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 week's decline, January's low crossing at 5.01 1/4 is the next downside target. Closes above Wednesday's high crossing at 5.24 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted. First resistance is February's high crossing at 5.31 1/4. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 5.38 1/2. First support is the overnight low crossing at 5.05 3/4. Second support is January's low crossing at 5.01 1/4. 

March Kansas City Wheat closed down 12 1/2-cents at 4.81 1/2.

March Kansas City wheat closed sharply lower on Thursday as it extended this month's decline. Today's close below November's low crossing at 4.82 1/4 opens the door for additional weakness and a possible test of weekly support crossing at 4.69 1/2. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Friday 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 5.03 1/2 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 today's low crossing at 4.81 3/4. Second support is weekly support crossing at 4.69 1/2.  

March Minneapolis wheat was steady to fractionally higher overnight. The low-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when the day 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 reaction low crossing at 5.63 1/4 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted. If March extends this week's rally, December's high crossing at 5.89 1/2 is the next upside target. First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 5.85. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 5.89 1/2. First support is the reaction low crossing at 5.63 1/4. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 5.61. 

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

March soybeans was higher overnight as it consolidates some of Thursday's loss. 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 bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off February's high, January's low crossing at 8.91 1/4 is the next upside target. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 9.22 1/2 would temper the near-term bearish outlook. First resistance is February's high crossing at 9.31 1/4. Second resistance is December's high crossing at 9.41. First support is January's low crossing at 8.91 1/4. Second support is December's low crossing at 8.80 1/2.

March soybean meal was slightly 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 turning neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off January's high, September's low crossing at 303.40 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 310.20 would temper the near-term bearish outlook. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 316.50. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 323.60. First support is Monday's low crossing at 304.30. Second support is September's low crossing at 303.40.  

March soybean oil was slightly lower overnight as it extends the decline off February's high. The mid-range overnight trade sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when the day session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near-term. If March extends the decline off February's high, the reaction low crossing at 29.65 is the next downside target. Closes above the 10-day moving average crossing at 30.34 would temper the near-term bearish outlook. First resistance is February'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 reaction low crossing at 29.65. Second support is the 50-day moving average crossing at 29.11.

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

April hogs closed down $1.07 at $58.70. 

April hogs closed lower on Thursday. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening when Friday'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 61.82 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 61.82. Second resistance is the 50-day moving average crossing at 65.77. First support is Monday's low crossing at 57.87. Second support is July's low crossing at 57.80.   

April cattle closed up $0.40 at 127.38. 

April cattle closed higher on Thursday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Friday'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 125.94 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 125.94. Second support is January's low crossing at 123.50.   

March Feeder cattle closed up $0.55 at $144.08. 

March Feeder cattle closed higher on Thursday. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Friday's session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are 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 Thursday as it extends the decline off February's high. The low-range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Friday. 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, weekly support crossing at 95.10 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20-day moving average crossing at 10.32 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted.

March cocoa closed lower on Thursday. The mid-range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Friday. 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 22.70 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 Thursday. The low-range close set the stage for a steady to lower opening on Friday. 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 January's high, January's low crossing at 11.69 is the next downside target. If March renews the rally off January's low, the reaction high crossing at 13.54 is the next upside target.  

March cotton closed slightly higher on Thursday as it consolidates some of the decline off January's high. The high-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Friday. 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 74.34 would confirm that a short-term low has been posted.