Last night, I hosted a livestream on Tiger Futures to discuss shifts in the broader U.S. stock market. I covered the U.S. Dollar Index, including its historical patterns and outlook, and shared trading strategies for currencies, crude oil, and gold. If you missed the session, watch the replay here >> 美股指新一輪的上升浪終於開始了？標普的反彈目標位會達到多少？ Below, I have summarized the key market insights and trading views by topic, so those who missed the session can quickly understand my current outlook. First, a brief introduction: Cheng Jun is a professional trader and guest lecturer at CME Group. He previously served as General Manager of Gold Hea
QImain (E-mini Silver - main 2612)
Please go to Tiger Trade for futures detailsDownload APP
The October Curse Strikes US Stocks as Equities and Gold Show Signs of a Breakdown
I have repeatedly highlighted October as a key turning-point window for US equity indices. Whatever the news backdrop, a break below the key trend line should prompt us to consider reducing risk. US indices have yet to see a sharp acceleration in selling, but other markets, including mainland China's A-share market, have already fallen. It is hard to tell whether this reflects a synchronized move across markets or local developments. With most of the news unfavorable, however, temporarily reducing risk is a prudent choice. $China A50 Index - main 2610(CNmain)$ $Hang Seng Index - main 2610(HSImain)$ $Hang Seng Index - Oct 2026(HSI2610)$
The October Curse Strikes US Stocks as Equities and Gold Show Signs of a Breakdown
Live Highlights: U.S. Stocks' Last Dance Before Q4 Risks Erupt and 3 Top Trades
Live Highlights: U.S. Stocks' Last Dance Before Q4 Risks Erupt and 3 Top Trades
Big Options Bets: US Index Put Blocks Explode as Gold $4,380 Calls Draw Heavy Positioning!
English version： Options on futures are derivatives linked to futures contracts. Trading volume and open interest reveal positioning across expiries and strikes, offering insight into market expectations, risk appetite, and potential support and resistance zones. However, they should not be treated as simple bullish or bearish signals. Today, we analyze changes in large options-on-futures trades and open interest on October 20 versus October 19. This is the latest available dataset and provides insight into positioning and risk appetite. The latest data show mixed positioning. S&P 500 front-month puts recorded the largest increase in open interest. Nasdaq puts remained dominant, while some longer-dated calls were reduced, indicating a defensive stance across equity indices. In crude oi
Big Options Bets: US Index Put Blocks Explode as Gold $4,380 Calls Draw Heavy Positioning!
Futures Positioning Watch: US Index Shorts Retreat as Oil Bsulls Rush for the Exit
What Is CFTC Data, Why Does It Matter, and What Should Investors Watch? The Commitments of Traders (COT) report, published weekly by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is a key gauge of fund flows in global futures markets. Its main value lies in revealing who is driving prices. Market movements ultimately reflect competition among different types of capital, and CFTC data allow these participants to be analyzed separately. The analysis follows three main steps: Identify the dominant capital. For commodity futures such as WTI crude oil, gold and silver, the focus is on Managed Money net positions, which gauge the directional bias of speculative capital. Producer positions reveal commercial hedging pressure and help assess positioning structure and marke
Futures Positioning Watch: US Index Shorts Retreat as Oil Bsulls Rush for the Exit
Macro Strategy: Reversal or Dead Cat Bounce? Why Selling Puts Still Makes Sense
Weekly Report: Key Views Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of our Macro Strategy Weekly. Each issue features market strategy insights from selected contributors with relevant professional expertise. We also track how these views perform each week. Here is a preview of this week’s key ideas: 1. Nvidia Straddle Closed for Profit; Lock In Option Gains Promptly: The previously discussed Nvidia straddle has been closed at a profit. Investors still holding the position should consider taking profits promptly. Profitable calls bought at lower levels should also be monetized into the rebound before lower implied volatility, time decay and weaker buying erode returns. 2. US Equity Selloff May Be Near Its End, Creating Conditions for a Rebound: Leveraged ETFs recorded a sharp
Macro Strategy: Reversal or Dead Cat Bounce? Why Selling Puts Still Makes Sense
October Hike Risk Fades: Risk-On Wave Builds as Gold Eyes a Major Breakout
The latest US inflation data had raised concerns that the Federal Reserve could deliver three rate hikes this year. However, recent CME FedWatch data indicate little risk of an additional hike in October. Combined with the continued decline in Treasury yields, this suggests that risk on trading may dominate in the near term. As the fourth quarter approaches, however, any rally in risk assets could prove to be the “last dance.” Even a sharp advance should not be mistaken for a durable trend. $E-mini S&P 500 - main 2612(ESmain)$ $S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$
October Hike Risk Fades: Risk-On Wave Builds as Gold Eyes a Major Breakout
Futures Positioning: Risk Appetite Cools as Equity, Gold and Silver Longs Pull Back
CFTC Data: What It Is, Why It Matters and What to Watch The CFTC publishes its Commitments of Traders report each week. Known as the COT report, it is a key gauge of positioning across global futures markets. Its main value lies in showing which investor groups are driving price action. Market moves ultimately reflect competition among different types of capital. CFTC data makes these forces visible by breaking positions down by trader category. The CFTC divides market positions into three main categories: Non-commercial: Speculative traders, mainly hedge funds and CTAs, that seek to profit from price moves. They are the most responsive and directional market participants. Commercial: Companies that use futures to hedge business risks. Their positions primarily reflect risk
Futures Positioning: Risk Appetite Cools as Equity, Gold and Silver Longs Pull Back
Selling Puts Remains My Preferred Strategy：Will Tokyo Set the Market’s Direction This Week?
The market’s greatest challenge this week is that several seemingly independent trading themes are beginning to interact with one another: the yen has reached a six-month high; expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike are building; global bond yields are broadly rising; signs are emerging of a rebound in China’s crude-oil demand; and expectations for Federal Reserve policy have once again been unsettled by comments from Donald Trump. When these variables move simultaneously, markets rarely deliver a clean, smooth one-way trend. Instead, they are more likely to enter a high-volatility, range-bound phase marked by repeated swings in both directions. The key variable to watch now is whether the yen can make a further near-term directional break. This matters not only for the U.S. dollar inde
Selling Puts Remains My Preferred Strategy：Will Tokyo Set the Market’s Direction This Week?
Why I Think Going Long U.S. Stocks and Gold Ahead of Jackson Hole Isn't a Good Idea
I believe most market participants currently recognize that U.S. equities are at an extremely delicate point of equilibrium. Technically, the S&P 500 has already fallen below its 20-day moving average, and bearish sentiment has intensified sharply. At the fundamental level, however, the fragile balance among U.S. Treasuries, U.S. equities, confidence in the U.S. dollar, and inflation expectations remains unchanged. The Treasury’s expansion of its long-term Treasury buyback program may appear to stabilize the market, but in the face of rapidly rising debt and elevated interest costs, the measure looks more like an attempt to buy time than to solve the underlying problem. $标普500(.SPX)$
Why I Think Going Long U.S. Stocks and Gold Ahead of Jackson Hole Isn't a Good Idea
High-Level Pullback Begins？Three Strategies for a Choppy Market
The anticipated pullback may already be underway: Three strategies for navigating today’s choppy market The U.S. equity market is currently in a highly sensitive, tightly balanced high-level volatility regime. Previously, cooling macro data—including softer-than-expected CPI and PPI readings—helped ease inflation expectations and created an exceptionally favorable backdrop for U.S. equities. Supported by these conditions, the S&P 500 continued advancing and reached fresh highs. However, renewed geopolitical tensions this week have disrupted the previous calm, as a sudden rise in crude oil prices has altered the market landscape once again. At this macroeconomic crossroads, characterized by an unusually large numbe
High-Level Pullback Begins？Three Strategies for a Choppy Market
Why Gold Is Diverging from Real Rates—and Could Trigger a Second U.S. Equity Pullback 💹📉
Recent capital markets can be summed up in one word: conflicted. On one side, gold has charted an entirely independent course despite the pressure of high interest rates. On the other, U.S. equities have repeatedly swung between earnings support and the risks associated with elevated valuations. Against this macro backdrop, how should investors construct an appropriate trading strategy? Today, we will examine the underlying logic behind gold and expectations for a range-bound U.S. equity market, and take an in-depth look at how the market is operating at present. Pay Attention to the Unusual Divergence Between Gold and U.S. Real Rates For a long time, gold and real interest rates—bond yields adjusted for inflation—have had a classic seesaw relationship. Because gold is a non-yieldin
Why Gold Is Diverging from Real Rates—and Could Trigger a Second U.S. Equity Pullback 💹📉
The Right Way to Chase Gold Highs; Equities to Consolidate — Trade Options for Time Decay
The first week of each month is usually the most important, as the latest non-farm payrolls data are released during this period. These figures often set the tone for the market throughout the rest of the month. This is particularly true when the market is highly sensitive to interest-rate expectations, as the release can quickly shift investor preferences. For this reason, I usually adopt a relatively cautious stance during the first week of the month. The non-farm payrolls report released this month significantly exceeded market expectations. While the market had expected an increase of 80,000 jobs, the actual figure showed a decline of 23,000 jobs. This dealt a blow to expectations of a stronger US economy. Meanwhile, the probability of a rate hike in September fell directly from 60% to
The Right Way to Chase Gold Highs; Equities to Consolidate — Trade Options for Time Decay
Weekly Macro Strategy: Rebound vs. Reversal in US Equities？Strategies for a Range-Bound US Market💹
Review of Last Week's Strategies and Profitability Welcome to this week's Macro Strategy Weekly. As is our tradition, let's first review the outcomes of the strategies discussed in last week's report: Macro Strategy Weekly: How to trade Fed-Week Volatility and the Crack-Spread Retreat Strategy Contributor: @程俊Dream US Equities (Nasdaq): Last week's limit orders were not filled, but we are keeping them active. We maintain limit buy orders for the Nasdaq at 26,080 and 24,720 (half position each), with a stop-loss set below 23,000, and target prices at 30,500 and 33,800. Gold: We anticipated a rebound last week but lacked an ideal entry point, so we pr
Weekly Macro Strategy: Rebound vs. Reversal in US Equities？Strategies for a Range-Bound US Market💹
Stock Market Correction May Be Over, but It’s Too Early to Call a Rally
The low-side bid we had kept sitting under the Nasdaq for two weeks was never filled. With the index stabilising and rebounding off 27,000, and with several other headline developments turning, the correction that has run for more than a month may now be close to its end. What we do expect from here is dispersion: the divide between what stays strong and what has already topped out should become considerably more visible. Set against the S&P and the Dow, the Nasdaq was clearly the US index that gave back the most in this round of correction. Gains and losses share the same source, so it is no surprise that AI and technology names — the hardest-hit group — were what dragged the index lower. In practice, though, the pullback did not even reach the 61.8% retracement. That is an indirect r
Stock Market Correction May Be Over, but It’s Too Early to Call a Rally
Will NFP Shift Rate Hike Expectations?Is a New Wave of Market Volatility Coming?
The first week of August is formally here. In terms of how the calendar falls, the opening week of a month tends to have an outsized effect on volatility in US trading, chiefly because the US non-farm payrolls report — the release markets watch most closely — lands early in the month. In a market as rate-sensitive as the current one, payrolls feed straight into rate expectations and therefore into a wider trading range. On top of that, the weekend's US–Iran flare-up has left the progress of the “so-called” 60-day negotiation window genuinely hard to read, and that is another source of instability in the market right now. A market like this, however, is actually easier to profit from — provided you approach it with a relatively short-term mindset. $Inve
Will NFP Shift Rate Hike Expectations?Is a New Wave of Market Volatility Coming?
Futures Weekly：Crude Oil Rises as Inventories Build; Gold Stays Weak Despite Tight Supply
Over the past week, major asset classes delivered a strikingly uneven set of returns. Crude oil took first place with a 10.64% gain, silver followed with 4.04%, copper and gold posted modest gains of 1.10% and 0.81% respectively, while aluminium fell 0.73% — the only commodity to close lower. Against that broad commodity strength, U.S. equity index futures retreated across the board. Both of the week's commodity narratives point to the Middle East. On crude: renewed U.S.–Iran confrontation, a Houthi strike that shut in 400,000 barrels per day of capacity at Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery, Red Sea tanker traffic falling to multi-month lows, and OPEC+ preparing to stop raising output targets together pushed up the pricing of supply-disruption risk. On aluminium: according to Reuters, war in t
Futures Weekly：Crude Oil Rises as Inventories Build; Gold Stays Weak Despite Tight Supply
Macro Strategy Weekly: How to trade Fed-Week Volatility and the Crack-Spread Retreat
First, let's review how last week's strategies performed. Recap: Macro Weekly Strategy: U.S. Stocks May Have Weathered the Worst — Don't Miss the Gold Rebound Review of Last Week's Strategies and P&L Cheng Jun (程俊): Watch the Nasdaq closely. The most recent weekly low at 28,227 is initial support; once it breaks, the summer market will most likely shift into a high-level, range-bound pattern, with bullish momentum and market sentiment weakening in tandem. Result: The trade was not triggered last week. This week that key level was broken, marking the inflection point into a weaker market. Whether to consider going short — see this week's strategy commentary below. Gan Canrong (甘灿荣): Strategy reference: consider selli
Macro Strategy Weekly: How to trade Fed-Week Volatility and the Crack-Spread Retreat
Oil's Rebound Makes the July Fed the Hardest to Call: How to Play Defense and Counter With Options
Next week brings the hardest-to-call FOMC meeting in a long while. The reason: the recent sharp rebound in oil, compounded by events such as a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on Red Sea shipping, has left the market with little confidence in how inflation expectations will evolve. If inflation persists, expectations for a Fed rate hike will heat up sharply — and could even become reality as early as the July meeting. Yet Trump remains firmly committed to rate cuts: a hike could trigger a sizable equity correction ahead of the midterm elections and, in turn, hurt his party at the polls. For this week's meeting, therefore, I lean toward the Fed standing pat — but with more hawkish language, nudging the market to give up its easing bets and get its “vaccination” in
Oil's Rebound Makes the July Fed the Hardest to Call: How to Play Defense and Counter With Options
Gold Approaches Crucial Inflection Point: All Eyes on This Price Level for a Potential Rally
Gold has been drifting near its lows for about four weeks since bottoming in late June. Although the bulls' earlier rebound attempts made limited headway, the technical structure suggests the probability of a larger-degree rebound in the next phase still exists. This week's earnings season and the Fed's rate decision are expected to be decisive for overall market risk appetite. $Invesco QQQ(QQQ)$ $ProShares UltraPro QQQ(TQQQ)$ $ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ(SQQQ)$ $Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF(QQQM)$ $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)
Gold Approaches Crucial Inflection Point: All Eyes on This Price Level for a Potential Rally
Has the Semiconductor Sell-Off Bottomed? Smart Money May Pivots to Gold!
Following last week's historic sell-off, the U.S. stock market—particularly the semiconductor sector—is standing at an extremely critical crossroads. It is no exaggeration to say that if the market takes even one more step downward, it will likely trigger a substantial, weekly-level decline. However, if the market can hold its ground against the current downtrend and stabilize, a phased recovery is not far out of reach, especially if tensions in the US-Iran conflict continue to cool. Therefore, this week's price action is of paramount importance to U.S. equities. At this critical juncture, since we cannot precisely forecast geopolitical developments, relying on technical analysis and real capital flow data to gauge market sentiment becomes essential. Today, Owen's analysis will delve deep
Has the Semiconductor Sell-Off Bottomed? Smart Money May Pivots to Gold!