After a brief pop higher at the open the major indices sold off and spent the rest of the day trying to make it back. The Dow rose 50 points on light volume. The advance/declines were about even. The summation index is starting to move sideways. Both the NASDAQ and S&P 500 closed lower with the NASDAQ leading the way down. The inflation data came in a touch lighter than expected but the market didn't care. The short term indicators for the S&P are beginning to stall at the mid-range level. Option expiration week will be on tap and we'll look for the usual positive bias but the S&P still has yet to make it through its short term down trend line. Gold was off $3 on the futures. The US dollar was higher along with interest rates. The XAU fell 1 3/4, while GDX shed 1/3. Volume was very light as there was no interest in the gold shares either way. The short term indicators for GDX are beginning to stall but still have room to move lower. My GDX November calls remain in their coffin. Mentally I'm feeling OK. The VIX was higher today and did get over the 20 level before dropping back below it. Most of its short term indicators remain oversold. My thinking is that the VIX will be heading higher from here but I could be wrong. After last weeks huge one day drop, markets have tried to stabalize and have for the most part been succuessful. Some economic data due out next week and plenty of Fed talk. No clear signal right now for the SPY options so we'll remain on the bench there. I'll be taking the loss on the November GDX call trade at some point in the coming week. I'll also be checking the charts as usual to come up with the next trading idea but there will be a holiday week coming after expiration week so it may be a while before the next trade. Europe finished mixed and Asia generally lower to end the week. It's Friday afternoon and time for a break.