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One might have expected a bit of a sell-off after such a strong showing yesterday, and this morning appeared to be playing out in just that way. But then the bulls reasserted themselves. SPX pulled back to $1268 this morning but then fought back to close unchanged at $1277. So SPX managed to stay above that $1270 support level. RUT couldn't hold the line, losing $5 to close at $747. Trading volume fell back from yesterday with 2.8 billion shares of the S&P 500 trading. Volume decreased 9% on the NYSE, but increased 2% on NASDAQ.

No significant economic news came out today, but tomorrow will bring the ADP private payrolls report, unemployment claims, and the ISM Services Index.

I keep wondering when the next shoe may drop in Europe - another bond rating downgrade or an actual default in Greece? That's why I can't get too excited about this bullish rally starting the new year. European sovereign debt just seems to be hanging over this market, keeping traders on edge.

My Feb iron condor on RUT at 590/600 and 840/850 stands at a P/L of +$1,350 with delta = -$24 and theta = +$76. With a strong theta/delta ratio and a modest gain tentatively in place, this position is working well thus far.