1. This Friday is options expiration for May. This should put traders into somewhat of a neutral stance. This is usually going to be a week of institutional game playing. Often, the stocks that have risen a lot lately are susceptible to pullbacks and the stocks in the gutter will often catch bounces. As long as the volume is slight these big institutions can bully stocks any way they want for a few days. They usually take stocks away from the popular stike prices in the household names. Also watch for ridiculous upgrades and down-grades this week and lots of false rumors.

2. Debt ceiling talks are starting to pick up some steam, so we are told. ahead of today's open there was positive news that a deal was close, but now we hear Speaker McCarthy saying they are far apart. This will be a last minute deal down to the wire. Expect more of this theatre for the next couple weeks.

3. The IRS is mulling the creation of a government run tax preparation option, according to The Wall Street Journal. I was thinking, once we have CBDC why would we need accountants any longer. That is another industry group that could become extinct.

4. Today's markets are quiet so far. They are really just remaining in a long choppy range for the past 6 weeks. As you know, the volume trends are key and they remain very light right now. Light volume favors a buoyant market.

5. Gold is slightly higher today, trading up by 0.23%. Silver is looking similar today as well. Often during an options ex week the precious metals can be volatile, but I don't see anything disruptive yet.

6. Bitcoin is catching a bid today to start the week.Last week, bitcoin was sold off and that had soe traders worried. There is still a chance of one more pop in bitcoin before this rally ends. Either way, it looks very tired here.