daytrading sep 13 afternoon

Thanks Black Prince.

Half-time round-up:

The share market gave up some of yesterday's gains during a shapeless morning in Asia after a Chinese government mouthpiece dampened stimulus expectations.

At lunchtime the ASX 200 was 13 points or 0.3% in the red at 4348 as a broad retreat dragged all sectors lower except telecoms +0.8%. Health -1.1% was the worst of the sectors, followed by gold and I.T., both down -0.8%.

Asian markets traded mixed following a commentary from China's official Xinhua news agency that warned that extensive stimulus measures would be "detrimental to the country's sustainable growth". The Chinese government often uses the news agency to signal policy moves. Read more here.

Shanghai retreated 0.25% this morning, Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.04% and Japan's Nikkei put on 0.46%. Dow futures were recently down six points or less than 0.1%.

"With key events in Europe behind us for the moment, all eyes now shift to the FOMC policy decision [tonight]," Barclays Capital wrote in a note quoted on Reuters. "We expect the Fed to extend its rate guidance into 2015 and launch an open-ended asset purchase program."

Crude oil futures rallied 20 cents this morning to US$97.06 a barrel. Spot gold was $1.70 softer at US$1,731.20 an ounce. The dollar was buying $US1.0482.


A predictably tepid, low-volatility morning ahead of tonight's Fed announcement. Well done to all those whose roofs have been showered with coins. Just two trades for me so far: a low-risk scalp in CPA from near the low for a day's wage. Recently took a riskier trade in ARI for any arvo bounce.