|

Peace talks Trump up markets

USD: Dec '25 is Up at 99.160.  

Energies: Dec '25 Crude is Down at 57.68.

Financials: The Dec '25 30 Year T-Bond is Higher by 21 ticks and trading at 118.19.

Indices: The Dec '25 S&P 500 emini ES contract is 242 ticks Lower and trading at 6636.00.

Gold: The Dec'25 Gold contract is trading Up at 4149.30.

Initial conclusion

This is not a correlated market.  The USD is Up and Crude is Down which is normal, and the 30 Year T-Bond is trading Higher.  The Financials should always correlate with the US dollar such that if the dollar is Higher, then the bonds should follow and vice-versa. The S&P is Lower and Crude is trading Lower which is not correlated. Gold is trading Higher which is not correlated with the US dollar trading Up.  I tend to believe that Gold has an inverse relationship with the US Dollar as when the US Dollar is down, Gold tends to rise in value and vice-versa. Think of it as a seesaw, when one is up the other should be down. I point this out to you to make you aware that when we don't have a correlated market, it means something is wrong. As traders you need to be aware of this and proceed with your eyes wide open. All of Asia traded Lower with the exception of the Aussie exchange.  Currently all of Europe is trading Lower.

Possible challenges to traders

  • NFIB Small Business Index is out at 6 AM EST.   Major.
  • FOMC Member Bowman Speaks at 8:45 AM EST.  Major.
  • Fed Chair Powell Speaks at 12:20 PM EST.  Major.
  • FOMC Member Waller Speaks at 3:25 PM EST.   Major.
  • FOMC Member Collins Speaks at 3:30 PM EST.  Major.

Traders, please note that we've changed the Bond instrument from the 10 Year (ZN) to the 2 Year (ZT).  They work exactly the same.

We've elected to switch gears a bit and show correlation between the 2-year Treasury notes (ZT) and the S&P futures contract.  The YM contract is the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the purpose is to show reverse correlation between the two instruments.  Remember it's likened to a seesaw, when up goes up the other should go down and vice versa.

Yesterday the ZT dived Lower at around 8:30 AM EST with no other economic news in sight.   The Dow climbed Higher at the same time.  Look at the charts below and you'll see a pattern for both assets. The Dow climbed Higher at around 8:30 AM EST and the ZT dived Lower at around the same time.  These charts represent the newest version of Bar Charts, and I've changed the timeframe to a 15-minute chart to display better.  This represented a Short opportunity on the 2-year note, as a trader you could have netted about a dozen ticks per contract on this trade.   Each tick is worth $6.25.  Please note: the front month for ZT is now Dec '25 and the Dow is now Dec '25.  I've changed the format to filled Candlesticks (not hollow) such that it may be more apparent and visible.

Charts courtesy of barcharts

ZT -Sep 25 - 10/13/25

Dow - Sep 2025- 10/13/25

Bias

Yesterday we gave the markets a Neutral bias, but the markets were enthused with peace fever and went Higher.  The Dow gained 588 points, and the other indices rose as well.  Today we aren't dealing with a correlated market, and our bias is to the Downside.

Could this change? Of Course.  Remember anything can happen in a volatile market.

Commentary

It seemed that all the global markets wanted to rise in light of the peace deal consummated in the Middle East. All markets rose by triple digits.  Today we have Fed Chair Powell making a speech so perhaps he can help to drive the markets even Higher. 

Author

Nick Mastrandrea

Nick Mastrandrea

Market Tea Leaves

More from Nick Mastrandrea
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD looks offered below 1.1900

EUR/USD keeps its bearish tone unchanged ahead of the opening bell in Asia, returning to the sub-1.1900 region following a firmer tone in the US Dollar. Indeed, the pair reverses two consecutive daily gains amid steady caution ahead of Wednesday’s key US Nonfarm Payrolls release.
 

GBP/USD slips back to daily lows near 1.3640

GBP/USD drops to daily lows near 1.3640 as sellers push harder and the Greenback extends its rebound in the latter part of Tuesday’s session. Looking ahead, the combination of key US releases, including NFP and CPI, alongside important UK data, should keep the pound firmly in focus over the coming days.

Gold the battle of wills continues with bulls not ready to give up

Gold remains on the defensive and approaches the key $5,000 region per troy ounce on Tuesday, giving back part of its recent two day. The precious metal’s pullback unfolds against a firmer tone in the US Dollar, declining US Treasury yields and steady caution ahead of upcoming key US data releases.

Bitcoin's downtrend caused by ETF redemptions and AI rotation: Wintermute

Bitcoin's (BTC) fall from grace since the October 10 leverage flush has been spearheaded by sustained ETF outflows and a rotation into the AI narrative, according to Wintermute.

Dollar drops and stocks rally: The week of reckoning for US economic data

Following a sizeable move lower in US technology Stocks last week, we have witnessed a meaningful recovery unfold. The USD Index is in a concerning position; the monthly price continues to hold the south channel support.

XRP holds $1.40 amid ETF inflows and stable derivatives market

Ripple trades under pressure, with immediate support at $1.40 holding at the time of writing on Tuesday. A recovery attempt from last week’s sell-off to $1.12 stalled at $1.54 on Friday, leading to limited price action between the current support and the resistance.