Mixed Stocks Ahead Of Quad-Witching; Fed Gearing Toward Recession

For the second straight session, stocks closed mixed, with the Dow and S&P finishing in the red while the NASDAQ and NYSE Composite registered marginal gains.

Essentially, markets were flat as the trudge through June continues.

As the week draws to a close, Friday looks to be a troublesome day, owing largely to options expiration and the fact that with the exception of the Dow, the major indices are right back where they began the month.

This condition - known as quadruple witching - may result in increased volatility, and, with prices flat, many stock options and futures may close without redemption, i.e., losses.

Quad witching is the simultaneous expiration of options and futures tied to individual stocks and stock indexes occurring on the last month of each quarter.

While the name may sound frightening, it often is not, especially when stocks are gaining, which, over the past eight years, has been more often than not. This quarter may prove a hurdle too high, sending stocks screaming lower.

Psychologically, losing money on a Friday sends traders home to unhappy weekends with thoughts of carnage fresh in their minds, so Monday's trading may prove more prescient in terms of market direction.

Meanwhile, bonds are telling. The 10-year note slipped to 2.15 on Thursday, with the 30-year bond holding steady at 2.72. The curve has continued to flatten, and that could actually be due to the Fed's tightening. With the overnight federal funds rate at 1.00-1.25 - the highest in nearly a decade - the Fed may be - inadvertently or otherwise - prompting the US economy into a recession.

GDP growth continues to flag and employment is stagnant. Raising rates during a period of slow to no growth makes sense only to Federal Reserve governors or others who bear no consequences for their actions.

Friday's action in the markets deserves close attention.

At the Close, 6/22/17:
Dow: 21,397.29, -12.74 (-0.06%)
NASDAQ 6,236.69, +2.73 (0.04%)
S&P 500 2,434.50, -1.11 (-0.05%)
NYSE Composite: 11,712.52, +16.24 (0.14%)