In Thursday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside from *theuptrend.com* highlighted bullish sentiment following the Fed meeting, with stock index futures trading higher led by the Russell 2000. Despite volatile swings after the Fed announcement, overall market direction showed little change. Key areas of focus included the U.S. Dollar Index, bonds, gold, crude oil, and Bitcoin, all of which had only minor adjustments by the close. Regional banks led gains, while copper was the notable loser, and the VIX remains neutral without signs of professional buying.
Looking at major ETFs, Canadian markets saw only slight movement, with financials and banks hitting new highs while gold and tech stocks experienced pullbacks. In the U.S., volatility was high across indices, particularly in small caps and microcaps, though no major trend shifts occurred. Sector-wise, consumer discretionary continued higher, consumer staples edged toward a buy signal, and homebuilders generated a new sell signal. Real estate stocks dipped slightly but stayed on a buy. Overall, while volatility was elevated, no significant trend changes emerged, and pre-market trading suggests potential new all-time highs.
Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, September 18, 2025
