The current US tariff situation has had control of the market over the past month, will May be more of the same? There are trade deals being negotiated. Ukraine and the US signed an economic deal for minerals which will help or relationship with our international counterparts. We've seen Amazon(AMZN) in the headlines this week for wanting to list the cost to customers the current tariffs are adding on to purchase prices - but they retracted that fairly quickly. The American people are starting to feel the carryover from the trade situation our country is in. Major companies are adjusting their overhead and the number of employees they are carrying as they pivot with the new economic policies being implemented. Apple(AAPL) has also been greatly impacted by the recent back and forth of tariff news with a lot of their bottomline being affected by the relationship the US has with China. Smartphones being excluded would benefit them greatly. 

Looking at commodities - foods, softs and other physicals have been volatile. The softs have seen big swings. The agriculture markets are definitely an area to concentrate on in the next 60 days. The bond market will also provide investors direction. And what will the Fed do moving forward, will they hold their current stance on rates? The indexes have been able to recover at times, but then that has usually been followed by steep declines. Traders are hoping earnings and technicals can start taking the reins. Gold continues to stay high, silver seems to be moving sideways. The metals are typically an area to explore at times like this. 

Investors should wait and see what adjustments are made by the US in the coming week and devise a plan from there for the short-term. Traders should continue to be cautious and have protection on the downside. 

Disclaimer: Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Opinions are my own. Profitable trades are not guaranteed.