A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan
U.S. government shutdown fears and fresh trade war threats cast another cloud over Wall Street as a bruising final full trading week of the year comes to a close and dampens what had been a stellar year for U.S. stocks.
Already sideswiped by what was seen as a ‘hawkish cut’ in Federal Reserve interest rates on Wednesday, where the central bank lifted both its 2025 policy rate and inflation projections, the S&P 500 (.SPX), opens new tab was in the red again late Thursday and futures were down almost 1% before Friday’s bell.
Morning Bid: Government shutdown and tariff fears jar year-end markets
What is Quad Witching?
“Quad witching” refers to a day in the stock market where four types of derivative contracts – stock options, stock index options, stock index futures, and single stock futures – all expire simultaneously, leading to heightened market volatility and increased trading volume, typically occurring on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December each year; the term “witching” alludes to the sudden and potentially unpredictable market movements that can happen on these days (AI Overview)
NEWSQUAWK US OPEN
Stocks continue to slide on Quad Witching, USD edges lower ahead of PCE & Fed speak
Good morning USA traders, hope your day is off to a great start! Here are the top 4 things you need to know for today’s market.
4 Things You Need to Know
Stocks continue to slide on Quad Witching.
USD gives back some of its FOMC-induced gains, JPY gains after the region’s inflation data and overnight jawboning.
USTs and Bunds are incrementally firmer but ultimately contained into PCE and Fed speak.
Crude continues to falter while base metals attempt a recovery.
Key event is the release of US PCE, said to be the Fed’s favored inflatioon measure. This time around its impact should be limited as the FOMC meeting has passed and Fed has taken a more hawkish stgancfe.
Using my platform as a HEATMAP reflects a risk off mood with both the JPY and CHF outperforming.
A key catalyst is the failed US debt ceiling vote. While it is hard to imagine a government shutdown ahead of the holidays this is life in Trump world where logic does not always prevail.
With that said, the deadline is midnight today so there is a risk of a last minute deal being announced either before or after the market closes for the weekend.

USDJPY 1 HOUR CHART – BOJ TO THE RESCUE

I said yesterday the BoJ was likely lurking and today it stepped up with verbal intervention.
The timing suggests the current line in the sand is 158 (high 157.92)as above it would open the door for 160.
As this chart shows, 156.39 is a key support.
Another way to look at it is to treat the range as 155-18, making the 156.50 midpoint a pivotal level.
All about positions, first before the hawkish Fed and then the not hawkish BOE
Positions getting squeezed
Long GBP (e.g. short EURGBP)
Long BTCUSD/Cryptos
Long Gold
Long Stocks
Less short EURUSD (meaning less ability to absorb selling)
Apparently long JPY
Markets don’t move this way when they get it right
Those who got blown away will pack it in for the holidays
Those who made out okay will bank their winnings and try not to give it back
Bottom line buy USD dips especially if there is a correction earlier in the day like today
Beware of further liquidations if those with vulnerable positions look to square up, which is typical at this time of year, ahead of a thin Xmas week.
For those trading EURUSD (or any currency), I suggest looking at a chart from today and then reading this article
What Does it Mean When a Currency Feels “Bid in an Offered Market?”
Not high impact data but… Existing Home Sales and Leading Indicators beat on upside.
EURGBP 4 HOUR CHART – DOUBLE BOTTOM

BOE caught the market flatfooted and this is reflected in EURGBP, which bounced off the major .8223 low to form a double bottom
I like to use this cross to give a clue to EURUSD and GBPUSD, the former finding some support out of a EURGBP bounce while GBPUSD struggles trying to regain its bid.
As the chart shows, resistance is between .8270-00.
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