U.S. Market Wrap and Forecast for Wednesday

Major indices oscillated near the flatline in a lazy Tuesday session, with small caps attracting the most buying interest. Gold, bonds, equities, and VIX traded in lockstep while the WTI Crude Oil contract continued its bullish assault, lifting to the highest high since January 2020. Long-time laggard SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) rallied to a 52-week high, outperforming the broad-based SPDR Select Sector Energy ETF (XLE).

Netflix Testing Resistance

Netflix Inc. (NFLX) gained 2%, continuing a recovery wave after filling the post-earnings gap on Jan. 27. The stock posted an all-time high after the release and promptly sold off, failing the breakout when it traded through 575. The stock closed about 16 points below that level, setting up an interesting test in coming days. Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) is the only member of the FAANG quintet currently in breakout mode after Apple Inc. (AAPL) reversed on Jan 26.

Former Reddit favorites took another big hit, dropping Gamestop Inc. (GME) below 50 for the first time in nearly three weeks. A true believer messaged me on Monday morning, convinced the stock must rally between 500 and 800 soon because that’s where the biggest open interest was located. Numerous attempts to instruct these folks on the history of broken bubbles is invariably met with derision.

Looking Ahead to Wednesday

Keep an eye on Zoom Video Communications Inc. (ZM) in coming sessions. The stock rose 4% to a two-month high on Tuesday after Dow component Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM) said its employees would continue to work remotely part-time or full-time after the pandemic runs its course. Twitter Inc. (TWTR) earnings this evening could also impact Wednesday’s market, with the stock sitting near resistance ahead of the release.  Even so, the company is not big enough yet to leave a deep footprint on the ticker tape.

The second impeachment trial is sapping market interest, killing momentum from stimulus legislation that is needed to keep bulls on the offensive. Americans on both sides of the aisle are exhausted after the election conflict and reliving the sad tale isn’t the best way to encourage higher equity prices. Meanwhile, the slow drift higher continues unabated while bears wait patiently for a more reliable selling opportunity.

For a look at all of this week’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.