Futures Trading Charts by Chart-Ex

This week the CBOT's Mar07mini-sized Dow made an all time high at 12674, only to see a quick retreat to Friday's close at 12523, 151 points off the high. Click on the link for the Mar07mini-sized to view Friday's volume distribution for the day's trading range. Note that the high volume area is more in the lower band of the trading range. mini-sizedDow link

When in doubt; trade sideways. That is exactly what the grains at the CBOT did last week, maybe with a little bearish tone. Will the lack of conviction in last weeks trade close the monthly gap? Click on your favorite grain contract link to gauge the volume distribution above the monthly gap. Corn link Soybean link Soybean Meal Soybean Oil.

To say that the tone in the CBOT's Mar07 10Yr.Note was bearish is an understatement. The only positive that I can find in this weeks downward move is that the bears weren't trading heavily near the daily, weekly and monthly low of 106065. Click on the Mar0710Yr.Note link to view the light volume areas. Note link.

The CBOT's Mar07Corn contract this week spent much of it's time in a sideways trade, after an aggressive rally the previous week, which included a limit-up day. Click on the Chart-Ex volume at price link for the Mar07Corn chart to view the gap areas with its volume distribution. The gaps areas are 3802-3964 and 3964-4024, with a high volume number at 4030; Corn link.

Will the low volume area near the weekly and monthly low for the Mar0710Yr.Note finally become a rejection area, so the market can get some legs? Click on the Chart-Ex volume at price Mar0710Yr.Note link to gauge the markets strength or weakness for next week's heavy economic calendar; 10Yr.Note link.

The Bull for the Mar07mini-sized Dow brought its horns in a little bit last week. The question becomes: Is the bull pulling back a bit to gather more steam to continue it's charge or is it losing steam? Click on the Chart-Ex volume at price link for the Mar07min-sizedDow link to gauge the volume distribution for next week's heavy earnings reports; mini-sized Dow link. Notice how much of the volume traded was above the 12550 area.

Tis' the Season. Here it is again. It seems to come quicker each year. As I was driving my daughter to her basketball practice tonight, I was noticing all the different Christmas decorations and lights that adorn each home. Visions were going through my head, and it wasn't sugar plums, it was the untangling of the endless strings of Christmas lights, while my fingers are freezing. Lets just say that I wasn't saying "Ho, Ho, Ho" under my breath.

Honestly, each year when I take the lights down, I wind them up in a neat little ball to avoid the frustration of untangling. I swear there is some little evil elf that goes into that box sometime during the year and tangles up those strings of Christmas lights. That elf must be related to the same guy that steals the missing sock out of the dryer.

Anyway, as I was driving by some homes, the lights look just too perfect. You know as well as I do that the husband and wife haven't spent a blissful day measuring and hanging a zillion strands of lights. They paid for it!! Don't get me wrong, I know some people just don't have the time and/or patience for this type of entertainment, but I can't help thinking of the passing ritual of hanging Christmas lights that these people are depriving themselves of.

So for all rest of us die hards, I want to give you step by step instructions on how to hang you Christmas lights that will give you a Holiday glow. 1. Pick a day that falls into one or all of these credentials; a). Temperature above 30 degrees b). Wind not blowing above 50 miles per hour c). Snowfall less than 5 feet 2). Test all you lights INSIDE your house to make sure that they are working 3). Turn on some Christmas music to get you in the mood 4). Make Glug; Turn your stove-top burner on low. Get a 8 quart pot out and fill it up with 6 cinnamon sticks, 6 slices of oranges, a handful of raisins and 1 4/5 qt. of 140 proof brandy. Simmer slowly for an hour 5). Hang your lights for an hour 6). Go inside, hang up your coat, dust the snow off your head and pour yourself a mug of Glug. This is when you will feel the Holiday glow!!

Good tidings and good trading to all!!

Join the Chart-Ex mailing list! In case you are a person that likes to take a test run,I am going to post a few samples here on my blog.

September 27,2006...You can see it. You can hear it. You can feel it. The Dow Jones Industrial average is with-in reaching distance of its all-time high of 11,722.98, set on January 14, 2000. This phenomenal occurrence is headline news everywhere; from the lead stories of financial journals, to websites and TV and radio. CNBC TV has the countdown flashing across its screen all day.

This rally has been an impressive upward channel since its low established in early 2003. The climb has been steady, not a high flier that likes to crash and burn. But as we are approaching major resistance areas, it is important to watch the volume behind the rally. You want confirmation of solid volume to support the market as it tests the highs, especially highs that have been king of the mountain since January of 2000.

Take a look at the Chicago Board of Trade's (CBOT)Dec06 mini-sized Dow volume at price chart that displays the monthly high volume area starting around 11,570 area; Bond chart

Just click here to join Mailing List

Ever have too many thoughts and numbers going through your head? Today the Chicago Board of Trade’s Dec06 T-Bond is doing another slam dunk on the bears, median home prices had their first fall in 11 years, crude oil prices are trading below $60 a barrel. The market doesn't like the news, the market likes the news; down in the morning, up in the afternoon.

When the market becomes bi-polar, I like to turn off the computer and turn on my iPod. Picture perfect Chicago autumn day and my tunes on my iPod; this might be my best trading decision I have had all day. Priceless.

A little side note; the marketing whiz kids at Apple are missing the boat by not going after the perfect little world a person can create with their iPod; exercise becomes more enjoyable, walks become shorter, moods becomes happier….

Join the Chart-Ex mailing list! In case you are a person that likes to take a test run, I am going to post a few samples here on my blog.

Saturday's 6/23/06 ....And the rally continues. The Chicago Board of Trade's Dec06 T-Bond this week alone posted a net gain of 2 1/8 points to close at 11219 on Friday.

Since mid August the Bond market has been conducting a sneaky little climb that kept it under the radar. No longer. This week the rally exploded and became the lead economic new story.

Will this week's vertical rally in the Dec06 T-Bond be able to continue in face of next week's heavy laden of economic reports due out; new and existing house sales, personal spending, consumer confidence, and the final reading on the second quarter GDP?

Make sure to keep an eye on the CBOT's Dec06 T-Bond volume distribution to gauge the support/weakness areas; Bond chart.

Just click here to join, Mailing list. It is FREE.

The trade on the Chicago Board of Trade's grain floor this week had similarities to Saturday's golf matches at the 36th Ryder Cup. There were moments of glory and there were moments of pain.

Earlier in the week traders on the CBOT floor were talking that this might be the "late summer rally" that everyone has been looking for. Friday's down move toned down some of the bullish talk.

The US team has the number 1 and 2 players(Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson), but the lead story on PGA.com is; "Team Europe continues to dominate at the 36th Ryder Cup, earning 2 1/2 points in the Foursomes on Saturday afternoon".

Never underestimate the "gods" of trading or golf. Anything can happen; the grains might yet have its long sought after "late summer rally,' and the U.S. Team might be able to have its own "late summer rally," like Brookline in 1999.

I am posting my response to an email that I receive in regards to what the percentage number on the Chart-Ex Commodity Charts represents in case there are others that have the same question.

Question; “When I activate the price/volume line on the chart, what does the % under the line represent?”

Response; The “% number” under the line equals the above numerical volume number divided into the trading range’s TOTAL volume. If the trading range is for a Day; the numerical number is divided into the Day’s total volume, if the trading range is for a Week the numerical number is divided into the Week’s total volume, etc.

Chart-Ex Commodity charts objective is to display relevant and concise data for each price into a graphic that lets users’ analysis the relative strength and/or weakness of the price action for the trading range in a comparative format.

Don’t hesitate to email me if you have any other questions. Just click on my contact info.

The tame inflation report confirmed the mindset of traders that the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged at tomorrows FOMC meeting. The producer price index (PPI) rose just 0.1% in August, below the 0.3% increase that economists had predicted. To tilt the scales even more in favor of a "tame" inflation report, the core PPI plunged 0.4%. Gasoline prices and car prices were the key words in today’s analysis of the PPI report, but to add my two cents in, I think the retail sector will soon be getting the attention on its mild price increases and/or decreases.

Yesterday, I finally succumbed to my daughter’s constant begging to do the "go back to school” shopping. To her it is totally fun to go from store to store to store to find the perfect outfit for school. To me it's trying to locate a parking space that isn’t a mile away, fighting the crowds, losing part of my hearing from the LOUD music that blares in the teeny pop shops, but the icing on the cake is; I am doling out money from store to store. But, I have to tell you, the sticker shock of the prices for the clothes was a pleasant surprise. At Macy’s, I was getting clothes that were marked down 20%, then another 10% on a promotional sale and then another 20% off for using my Macy’s card. I almost felt guilty!! Another store that was a pleasant surprise was Abercrombie & Fitch; the prices seemed to be cheaper than last year. I usually have my daughter buy a few pieces at a time because it becomes too expensive, but not yesterday, I let her buy a whole outfit!! The going back to school shopping was fun for both of us!!

I know that this observation of the dynamics of the pricing structure is basic and old fashion, but when it hits your pocket book directly, it does have meaning.

I hate to admit it, and even worse put it in print, but I am a novice when it comes to the “world of blogging." That being said, I also want you to know that I am NOT a novice when it comes to knowing the importance of making each and every user/client feel that I am here to listen to your comments and answer your questions.

I grew up watching and learning how my dad, who was a State Farm Insurance agent for 40 years, build a business that earned the respect and friendship of his clients. His time and personal care that he gave his clients are still echoed in the streets. He has been retired now for about 10 years and I still can’t go into town with out someone saying; “Oh, you’re Jerry Crabbe’s daughter. I had my insurance with him. What a great guy”.

That is what I want to give you; a positive, supportive, and informational visit to my website where you feel like you are number one. So, click on this link contact info. Let me answer your questions. Looking forward to meeting you!!

The reason why today is the opening day for my blog is because I have FINALLY gotten my 2 kids off to college. When your kids are young and you've heard your name called for the 1000th time, you start to count down the years until your kids will be heading off to college. Well, today is my day. Last week we dropped off our daughter, who is a freshman, at Purdue University, and today my son, who is a returning student to Indiana University, packed up the car and headed south. It has been a long summer!! The hours of getting the kids ready to go were endless, as were their list of needs. I remember when I went off to NIU; it took 1 day and a few dollars to pack. Today when you are packing your children off for college the first stop is a Bed, Bath and Beyond store. As walk you walk into Bed, Bath and Beyond, a salesperson is standing at the entrance door ready to hand you the 80 item "Must have List" for a college dorm room. THEN they hand your excited college kid a scanner where they can go around the store and scan WHAT EVER they need. You don't get the damage report ($$) until you pick up the items at your sons or daughter college town. Now at this point of your exhausting college adventure do you really think that you are going to question any of the "must have" items? No, the plastic comes out and the eyes stay shut while you sign you name. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids to death. They are great and I will miss them. But with the advantage (or disadvantage) of today's technology era, I still have the umbilical cord attached; the CELL phone!!

So with that out of the way, lets get down to business; Welcome to chart-ex.com

I will be writing about the markets dynamic price action using volume at price charts and other interesting tidbits.

Here I am sitting at my desk looking out the window watching the sun struggle to break through the clouds, debating whether to golf or not to golf. I kind of have the golf bug watching the PGA Championship, knowing that somewhere deep down I can have one of those great shots that hit the green and run into the cup! One of my favorite article that I wrote has to do with the mental similarities of trading and playing golf. Please take the time to read it. I think that you find it enjoyable. http://www.chart-ex.com/articles/golf_and_trading1.htm Considering it IS summer time and it IS Friday, and that sun looks like it IS going to break through the clouds…