The XJO is expected to open flat this morning despite a continued rally in the U.S overnight. Their futures have also edged into the green.

Yesterday we managed to price in their gains despite a meek open, so it could be reasonable to expect the same today. However, we may simply track sidewards or even sell-off in anticipation of profit-taking from the U.S which is starting to look due. Especially considering the U.S interest rate decision tonight, we may not have the courage to extend a rally into a potential U.S pullback.

This could be a frustrating rally where the U.S continues to move higher, with 4,700 a clear target, but each daily gain our market is reluctant to price in as we expect a pullback lurking in the shadows.

US Markets

US shares closed higher again overnight, despite CPI growth (inflation) coming in in-line, or perhaps even slightly above expectations. After this result, US bond yields drifted back up, with investors paring bets on rate cuts in the near term. Still, the bullish momentum was enough to carry markets higher. All three of the major US indices recorded their highest close of the year. Tonight we will have the Federal Reserve meeting for December and the data overnight will almost certainly be enough for the Fed to keep rates on hold, still, they may talk a bit more hawkishly given the data, which could be a downside risk for shares.

Eight of the eleven sector groups of the SP500 closed higher overnight, with Technology and Materials stocks the strongest performers. Energy stocks saw the most selling.

Technically, the SP500 is still showing bullish signals and has clearly broken above the key 4,600 resistance level, which was the highest level for the year. This should indicate further gains, though there are fundamental risks with the Fed meeting tonight. A break lower from here and we would be looking for a higher trough on the current uptrend.

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