Markets are trading lower this morning despite the strikes on Syria, a signal that traders are removing a portion of the risk premium added last week. Crude oil prices ended at $67.39 on Friday, the highest closing price in years. Today, prices are trading 80 cents (-1.2%) lower at $$66.59.
Fuel prices are also in the red this morning, following crude prices lower. Diesel prices traded as high as $2.10 last week, but today prices are down 2.0 cents (-0.9%) at $2.0807. Gasoline prices are also trading lower, down 2.2 cents (-1.1%) at $2.0431.
Buy the Rumor, Sell the News
The marketplace is reflecting the old trader adage, “Buy the rumor, sell the news.” Last week markets were unsure what Trump would do in response to Syria. He had threated to send missiles, but there was no indication of where or when he would send them. As a result, traders bid up oil prices, expecting a highly destabilizing strike and the possibility of a Russian response.
The “rumors” turned out to be more severe than the actual news. Trump’s attack was coordinated with two major allies to increase credibility and was carefully targeted at chemical weapons manufacturing locations. While John Bolton has taken the position of National Security Advisor, the Syrian response was proposed and influenced by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, known for having a cooler head. Although much more expansive strikes (including striking all of Syrian President Assad’s military assets and potentially Russian air-defense), a measured yet forceful solution was achieved. In response to the restraint, markets are cooling off this morning.
The market trend is a good reminder that supply and demand does not move markets – traders move markets. Their perception of supply and demand matters more than actual fundamental news. While traders generally try to follow important trends, they can become exuberant, pushing prices either too high or too low. The fact that traders, not fundamentals, move markets ensures volatility will continue, since consensus can quickly shift to a new position.
