Fairlead Strategies’ founder and technical analysis expert Katie Stockton says the fate of US stocks hinges on how Bitcoin trades over the weekend.
The risk-off sentiment driven primarily by macroeconomic uncertainty pushed the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap down to the sub $81,000 level this morning.
And with it tumbled the benchmark S&P 500 index as Nvidia slipped below its 100-day moving average (MA) despite blockbuster earnings and promising guidance for Q4.
Now what lies ahead for financial markets depends on BTC’s weekend performance as its 24/7 trading often foreshadows investor sentiment in equities, she told CNBC today.
Why Stockton expects Bitcoin to set direction for stocks
According to Katie Stockton, how BTC performs over the weekend will likely signal the direction for US stocks primarily because “it has been a bit of a leading indicator for risk appetite.”
If the cryptocurrency showed signs of a bottom, “it would be a short-term positive for equities” – she said on Squawk Box.
The logic is straightforward: many investors who hold crypto also own high-growth tech names, particularly artificial intelligence stocks.
When BTC weakens, it often signals waning confidence in speculative assets – spilling over into equities.
During the interview, the technical strategist argued that a rebound in BTC to over $90,000 level would suggest the recent sell-off is climactic rather than the start of a deeper downtrend.
What may be the catalyst for US stocks rebound next week
Beyond crypto, the US central bank’s monetary policy expectation may provide a tailwind as well.
Fed Governor John Williams recently asserted that the possibility of a rate cut remains on the table for December – reviving hopes that financial conditions may be eased sooner than expected.
Lower borrowing costs would support corporate valuations and investor risk-taking, particularly in sectors that have been hit hardest by rising yields.
Combined with seasonal strength around Thanksgiving, this policy backdrop could help equities stabilize.
Stockton herself noted that US equities are in “short-term oversold conditions,” which historically precede a rebound – and that Thanksgiving is often a strong period for stocks.
If Bitcoin steadies and Fed optimism builds, the market could find a firmer footing heading into the holiday week.
A pivotal weekend for risk assets
In conclusion, the coming weekend may prove decisive for both crypto and equities.
Bitcoin’s ability to reclaim support levels will be closely watched as a signal of whether risk appetite is returning.
If the cryptocurrency stabilizes, it could spark a relief rally in stocks already primed for seasonal strength and buoyed by renewed Fed rate-cut hopes.
Conversely, continued weakness in BTC could deepen investor caution, leaving stocks vulnerable despite oversold conditions.
As Stockton summed it up, “If we see bitcoin bottom, it would be a short-term positive for equities. If it doesn’t, that’s even worse.” Markets will be watching closely.
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