Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Dollar’s On the Verge of a Relief Rally...... Look Out!


From Chris Vermeulen of The Gold and Oil Guy.Com........

Let’s talk about the dollar for a moment… The US Dollar has been stuck in a very large trading range during the past 4 months. But when the dollar actually breaks out of this pattern in either direction we should see some big price movements across the board in stocks and commodities.

From July through mid-August I was bearish on the dollar. But over the past 2 weeks the price action has become more neutral/bullish in my opinion. Its clear there is still indecision with the dollar value because every surge in price either up or down is quickly followed by a surge in the opposite direction. The key here is that the support level down at the 73.50 area has held more than three times and now I think the downward momentum is about to shift. The UUP bullish dollar etf is a good option.

Dollar Index Chart


Gold Chart:
Looking at the gold chart I see potential for another sharp drop to the low $1600’s. While I like the look of this chart for lower prices there is still a wild card which is the Euro-Land issues… I’m not willing to bet on lower prices because we could wake up any day to some poor news which instantly sends gold higher. Rather I am waiting for things to unfold then look to buy again for another 10-20% gain on the next rally.



Crude Oil Chart:
This chart is straight forward… The trend is down and at this time all bounces are to be looked at as shorting opportunities.


SP500 Index:

The equities market has broken down sharply over the past couple months and now we are seeing a rebound and small cap stocks are making big gains. With the dollar looking bullish and stocks trading up at resistance I have a feeling we may see another downward move within the next week or so to test the lows or make a new low before putting in a real bottom.

Mid-Week Trend Trading Conclusion:

In short, I feel the market overall is leaning towards lower prices in the coming week or two. After that we will have to re-analyze because it may be a fantastic buying opportunity for stocks and commodities. Consider joining me at The Gold And Oil Guy for ETF trade ideas on the SP500, Oil, Gold, and Silver with great accuracy. 

Commodity Corner: Crude Oil Edges Lower on Government Data

Crude oil futures reversed yesterday's upward move on government reports indicating a rise in oil stockpiles. Light, sweet crude ended a four day winning streak Wednesday, settling 9 cents lower at $88.81 a barrel. Meanwhile, its European counterpart gained 83 cents to settle at $114.85 a barrel.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported an increase in oil inventories by 5.3 million barrels and a 2.8 million barrel drop in gasoline stockpiles. The build in oil inventories was outweighed by the draw in gasoline stockpiles, stifling the drop in crude prices.

In a choppy trading session, crude traded within a range of $87.67 to $89.54 while Brent crude fluctuated between $113.68 and $115.14. Traders remain wary of Tropical Storm Katia, located in the Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center said Katia has a 30 percent chance of becoming a hurricane later Wednesday.

Front month natural gas passed the $4 mark for the first time Wednesday since Aug. 15. Natural gas advanced 14.5 cents to end the trading session at $4.05 per thousand cubic feet. Prices received a boost Wednesday as the Destin Pipeline, a major pipeline that transports gas from offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico to processing facilities in Mississippi, was shut down. Owner BP did not say how long the pipeline would remain offline.

September gasoline gained 4 cents, or 1.2 percent, settling at $3.03 a gallon at expiration. The intraday range for gasoline prices was $3.002 to $3.057.

Posted courtesy of  Rigzone.Com

Oil N Gold: Crude Oil Technical Outlook For Wednesday Morning

Crude oil's choppy recovery extends further by taking out 89.00 resistance and reaches as high as 89.21 so far. Intraday bias is back on the upside and further rise could be seen. Focus is now on 89.61 support turned resistance We'll stay bearish as long as this resistance holds and expect reversal soon. Below 82.95 will flip bias back to the downside for 75.71 support first. Break will resume whole decline from 114.83 towards 70 psychological level. However, sustained trading above 89.61 will argue that the near term trend in crude oil might have reversed and will bring stronger rebound towards 100.62 resistance instead.

In the bigger picture, medium term rebound from 33.2 is treated as the second leg of consolidation pattern from 147.24 and should have finished at 114.83 already. Current decline should target next key cluster support at 64.23 (61.8% retracement of 33.2 to 114.83 at 64.38) next. Sustained break will pave the way to retest 33.2 low. However, break of 100.62 resistance will indicate that fall from 114.83 has completed after meeting missing 100% projection target. The corrective structure of such decline in turn argues that rise from 33.2 is still in progress for another high above 114.83.

Nymex Crude Oil Continuous Contract 4 Hours Chart at Oil N Gold.Com

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sharon Epperson: Where is Gold and Commodities Headed on Wednesday

CNBC's Sharon Epperson discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets and looks at where oil and precious metals are likely headed tomorrow.

Adam Hewison: Is The Market Ready For A Rally?

The equity markets put in a very strong performance yesterday, pushing to their best levels since August 5th. We would not be surprised to see this very overbought market possibly rally to the 1230 area and 1250 zone.

The gold market once again bounced over the $1,800 an ounce hurdle and is currently trading at $1,822. This market needs to regroup further if it is going to challenge the $2000 level. The trend is in a positive mode despite the recent $200 pullback.

Crude oil is now very much overbought and approaching the upper levels of the Donchian trading channel. We expect that this channel and the fact that this market is overbought will provide enough resistance to any halt any further upside action.

The dollar index continues to bounce off the support level of 73.50 which we have outlined on numerous occasions. Currently this market is trading at 74.00. The CRB index has rallied quite dramatically after making a low on August 9th. This market is largely reflective of the move in crude oil.

Now, let’s go to the 6 major markets we track every day and see how we can create and maintain your wealth in 2011.

S&P 500
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 70

The S&P 500 index rallied to its best levels since August 5th. However, this market is heavily overbought and we still view the longer term trend, based on our monthly Trade Triangle, as negative for this market. We would not rule out a potential rally to the 1230 level or even the 1259 level, both of which represent Fibonacci retracements. You may remember that the 1250 area was key support in this index. It would not be unusual for the market to go back up and test this level now as resistance.

SILVER
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trend = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 85

The silver market is definitely the stepchild of the metals market and would appear to be regrouping around the $41.00 level. Both of our intermediate and long term indicators are friendly to the silver market and we would not rule out further strength in the near term. The Williams % R indicator is trading around –50 and it is neither oversold nor overbought at this time.

GOLD
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 85

The gold market appears to be settling down around the $1,800 an ounce level and with our intermediate and longer term indicators still positive, we must remain in the bullish camp for now. It would appear as though the $1,770 level should provide some support on any pullbacks in this market.

The goal market is in the mid range of its major oscillator, the Williams % R, and therefore is not giving us any clues as to its next swing direction. We would imagine a move over $1,850 will be a very positive indicator for gold. Both intermediate and long term traders should maintain long positions with money management stops in place.

CRUDE OIL
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 65

Please note that our comments are based on the October contract. The 89.19 level we mentioned yesterday was enough to stop the current rally today. The crude oil October contract is very close to the top of the Donchian trading channel. On top of that, the market is extremely overbought and we would not be surprised to see a pullback from current levels. At the present time our long term indicator is negative and our short term weekly Trade Triangle is positive, sending a mixed picture for crude oil. However, the longer term monthly Trade Triangle must be given more weight then the two shorter term ones.

DOLLAR INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 60

Once again the dollar index bounced from the support level at 73.50. The market traded over the 74 level after finding support at 73.50. With a Chart Analysis Score of –60 we would want to trade this market using our Donchian Trading Channels and our Williams %R indicator. The index remains below its 200 day moving average while our longer term Trade Triangle remains positive.

REUTERS/JEFFERIES CRB COMMODITY INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 60

This index has put in a good performance largely through the move up in crude oil and other commodity type markets. At the moment our indicators are mixed, indicating the absence of a strong trend in either direction. The CRB index is overbought and also at the top of the Donchian trading channel.

We would not be surprised to see some profit taking coming in to this market and a pullback from current levels. Our bias is towards inflation in the future, but I’m expecting to see more of a two way market in this index in the next week or so. Intermediate and short term traders should be out of the market and on the sidelines at the present time.


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Federal Reserve Statements Give Bulls the Upside Momentum

Crude oil closed up $1.49 a barrel at $88.76 today. Prices closed near the session high today and hit a fresh three week high as the bulls gained some more upside technical momentum today. Prices have been trending higher for three weeks. Today, the crude market got a boost when a U.S. Federal Reserve governor hinted at more quantitative easing, which would be bullish for commodities.

Natural gas closed up 8.4 cents at $3.914 today. Prices closed near the session high today and did hit another fresh contract low early on. Short covering in a bear market was featured. Bears still have the solid near term technical advantage. The next upside price breakout objective for the bulls is closing prices above solid technical resistance at last week's high of $4.024.

Gold futures closed up $37.40 an ounce at $1,829.00 today. Prices closed nearer the session high today and saw bargain hunting and some fresh safe haven buying interest after a U.S. Federal Reserve Board governor said he wanted aggressive easing of monetary policy by the Fed and was worried about the U.S. economic recovery.

The gold bulls have made a strong recovery from last week's spike low on the daily chart, to suggest last week's low will become a "reaction low" on the daily bar chart. If prices can continue to work sideways to higher in the near term, then bulls would gain confidence the uptrend on the daily chart has been restarted.

Don Hodges: Despite Fall in Oil Prices, Buy Haliburton, Devon and Sandridge

Don Hodges, portfolio manager for the Hodges Fund, says energy plays like Halliburton, Devon and SandRidge are still moneymakers despite the drop in oil prices.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Positive Consumer Spending Report Lifts Oil and Equities

Crude oil closed higher on Monday as it extends last week's rally on positive consumer spending reports. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.19 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If crude oil renews this summer's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.72 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.19. Second resistance is the May-July downtrend line crossing near 95.01. First support is the reaction low crossing at 79.38. Second support is August's low crossing at 76.15.

Sharon Epperson: Where is Gold and Crude Oil Headed on Tuesday

CNBC's Sharon Epperson discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets and looks at where oil and precious metals are likely headed tomorrow.

What is Next For Gold and the SP 500

Two of our partners, J.W. Jones and Chris Vermeulen, have partnered to give us special insight on how they are trading this market and how price action in coming weeks will offer clues about what lies ahead for U.S. equity markets......

Now that Mr. Bernanke’s speech is old news, what was the financial media thinking exactly? A significant number of financial writers have been anticipating discussion of QE III or QE III Lite which clearly were never even on the Fed Chief’s radar this week. The focus of the Jackson Hole Summit was how to achieve long run growth, not conduct discussion of monetary policy.

QE III will not be discussed openly until the next FOMC meeting in September, which noticeably was extended to two days. Besides the extension and the Fed Chairman’s prediction of growth in the back half of the year, the remainder of Mr. Bernanke’s speech was nothing more than a brief synopsis of what he has already said in the recent past.

While Chairman Bernanke focuses on the U.S. economy, I have been more inclined to monitor the action across the pond. Price action in Europe is having a major impact on financial markets here in the United States. Traders are monitoring credit default swap (CDS) spreads on European sovereign debt as well as on domestic and European banks.

Recently U.S. banks have seen the CDS swaps on their debt rising indicating that the marketplace believes their debt is a greater risk to investors. While the price action is nowhere near the 2008 & 2009 levels, current prices are relatively consistent with what was seen during the correction in the late spring of 2010. While there is no reason to panic at this point, this is a trend that I will be monitoring closely going forward.

For now, I continue to believe that equity markets will rally in coming weeks as conditions are extremely oversold. The price action so far today makes sense as the wild price swings helped flush out weak hands that were long. Consequently, the snap back rally pushed shorts into stop levels as well.

A significant move lower does not seem likely at this point, but a retest of the recent lows is possible, if not probable. I would remind readers that stock market crashes generally happen within the context of an oversold market. While the likelihood of a crash is remote, it is still possible and tight risk definition in this environment is warranted regardless of which side of the tape a trader is playing.

One price chart that I have been watching closely is the German DAX. The German DAX is presently a thermometer for traders to monitor the situation in Europe. The reason the German stock market index is so important is due to the financial strength of Germany within the Eurozone. Without Germany, the Eurozone would crumble in on itself and the Euro currency would be in trouble. Recently Germany’s equity markets have been crushed and the daily chart below illustrates the recent carnage:


Another metric I monitor regularly is market momentum. The chart below illustrates the number of domestic stocks trading above their 200 period moving averages. As can be seen below, the U.S. equity market has not been this “oversold” since back in 2009. Chart courtesy of Barchart.com.


In my previous article posted back on August 18th, I discussed the likelihood for stocks to pullback and put in some form of a basing pattern. I wrote the following statement in that article:

“It is entirely plausible that Mr. Market thrusts lower from here to shake out longs. If that scenario plays out it could potentially carve out a double bottom or another basing pattern which would give active traders another entry point to get long.”

Since August 18th, we have seen the S&P 500 push lower and there is a double bottom on the daily chart which is capturing quite a bit of attention in the trading community. I would also draw your attention to the wedge pattern that is also present. A breakout higher or lower out of this wedge pattern will be the clue that will indicate Mr. Market’s short term price direction. I continue to believe we will see a breakout higher, but a retest of the lows is always a possibility. The daily chart of the S&P 500 Index is shown below:


In the short to intermediate term, I believe we will see higher prices and a test of the key S&P 1,220 area or possibly a re-test of the key S&P 1,250 price level which corresponds with the March 2011 pivot lows. Additional resistance would come in around the 1,260 – 1.270 area which marks the neckline of the recent head and shoulders pattern which triggered the selloff in the S&P 500. The daily chart of the SPX below illustrates the key resistance areas:


Gold Analysis
My most recent article argued that gold prices were going parabolic and that a pullback was likely. We have seen a major pullback in gold prices. Admittedly, I was about $200 an ounce early on my call, but members of my service were able to capitalize on an option trade that captured 32% based on maximum risk through the use of a double calendar spread. While my timing was not precise, the juiced volatility in the GLD options allowed me to roll contracts forward and make additional adjustments to produce a strong gain for the service.

Some traders argue that gold prices are going to rally back sharply in short order, which I find hard to believe. Instead, I am of the opinion that we could see additional downside in the weeks/months ahead in gold prices. There is an ominous pattern starting to form on the gold daily chart which if it is carved out and triggered, it could produce the next leg of this selloff. The daily chart of gold is shown below:


While it is far too early to determine if a head and shoulders pattern will be carved out or if lower prices take place, I am of the opinion that this selloff will offer an attractive entry point for longer term investors. At this point it is a bit too early to get involved, but if my analysis is accurate the next leg of the gold bull market will be potentially extreme.

While I believe stocks will rally in the short to intermediate term, I am of the opinion that we have officially entered the next phase of the bear market. The next wave lower in stocks is going to be just as severe as the likely rally in gold.

The reason I believe gold will rally is primarily due to future weakness in Europe. If European banks have a credit crisis, a sovereign nation unexpectedly defaults, Germany leaves the Eurozone, or a currency crisis transpires gold prices should soar while U.S. equity prices tank.

While it is far too early to make that determination, if the S&P 500 puts in a lower high on this next advance higher and consequently takes out the recent lows on a selloff, the bear will be in full swing and gold prices should take off. The chart below illustrates my expectations for the S&P 500 in the future:


The next few weeks are going to be very telling about the future in domestic markets. Is this just a correction that pushes stocks higher by the end of the year, or is this the beginning of something far worse?

For now I am going with the latter, but price action in coming weeks will offer clues about what lies ahead for U.S. equity markets. Right now this is nothing more than speculation, but the next few months should be very interesting. Risk remains exceedingly high.

Check out J.W. Jones site at  Options Trading Signals.Com for a 24 hour 66% off coupon. And sign up for Chris Vermeulens unique services at The Gold and Oil Guy.Com

Crude Oil Bulls Take Charge in Mondays Early Trading

Crude oil bulls gained solid momentum Monday morning as oil traded slightly higher in Sunday evenings trading as it extends last week's short covering rally. Bulls extended the run on Monday morning after a report that showed U.S. consumer spending climbed more than forecast in July. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish for the near term but we remain bearish overall as long as the bulls do not make a significant breach of the 89 dollar level.

Closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.19 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If October renews the decline off May's high, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.73 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 85.80.
Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.19.

Crude oil's pivot point for Monday trading is 84.65.

First support is the reaction low crossing at 79.38.
Second support is this month's low crossing at 76.15.


Friday, August 26, 2011

Crude Oil Markets Welcome Ben and Irene over for Friday Trading

Crude oil was slightly lower in Thursday overnight trading as traders watched Hurricane Irene bear down on North Carolina threatening at least 10 oil refineries. But traders seemed to be more concerned with overall demand and how Ben Bernanke will spin the markets from Jackson Hole Wyoming today.

We are giving the oil bulls a slight near term advantage as the Stochastics and RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.19 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If October renews the decline off May's high, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.73 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 86.27. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.19. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 79.38. Second support is this month's low crossing at 76.15. Crude oil pivot point for Friday morning trading is 84.96.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Crude Oil Bulls Struggle to Gain Momentum in Thursdays Session

Crude oil closed lower on Thursday as it consolidates some of this week's rally. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Friday. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish hinting that a low might be in or is near.

But the bulls have a lot of work ahead of them as closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.19 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If October renews this summer's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.72 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 86.82. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.19. First support is this month's low crossing at 76.15. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.73.

Chris Vermeulen: Risk Trade is Back, Is a Big Upside Move Starting to Unfold?


The past month investors have been hit hard from the falling stock market. Those who owned gold and bonds have been rewarded. During times of economic fear which leads to selling of stock shares investors and traders find safety in gold and bonds. It was this surge of money coming out of stocks that propelled the price of gold and bonds sharply higher through out this sell off.

On Sunday I warned subscribers that any day now gold should start to correct and there is potential for it to drop all the way back down to the $1640 – $1670 area depending how much of the recent buying volume was investment versus speculative money which will quickly sell out if prices began to fall.

Take a look at the intraday charts below to get a visual of how money is moving around the market and how economic fear plays a roll on investment decisions:

Seven Day 10 Minute Chart Pre-Market Selloff This Past July
Here you can see investors became fearful of the stock market/economic environment. Money started to get pulled out of the high risk (Risk On Trade) equities market and put to work in the Low risk (Risk Off Trade) to earn small but steady income and to help fight inflation (Gold & Bonds).

After this shift the stock market sold off very strong for a couple weeks before finding a bottom.


Three Day 10 Minute Chart Post-Market Selloff – Todays Prices

If you compare these two charts you will notice they are both opposites to each other…
Meaning money is now getting pulled out of the risk off (gold & bonds) and put to work in the potentially high yielding stocks (risk on).This could be the start of a big upside move starting to unfold and I will be keeping my eye on some charts for possible entry points like SPY and TBT.


Mid-Week Trading Conclusion:
In short, the overall market seems to be entering another pivot point. It is likely that another big move is brewing… After this type of technical damage on the charts and heightened fear/emotions out there, it may cause prices to trade sideways in a large trading rage for a few weeks still so I’m not getting overly excited just yet.

Consider joining us at The Gold and Oil Guy for ETF trade ideas on the SP500, Oil, Gold, and Silver with great accuracy. Check us out at The Gold and Oil Guy.com

Warren Buffett and Lower Inventories Boost The Markets

Crude oil prices were rallying this morning as news of Warren Buffett buying 5 billion dollars worth of troubled Bank of America preferred stock hit the news wires. Rumors were already supporting the markets as traders suspect Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke may announce steps to boost the economy in his speech tomorrow from Jackson Hole.

Crude oil was slightly higher in overnight trading as it extends this week's short covering bounce. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.19 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If October renews the decline off May's high, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.73 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 86.85. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.19. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 79.38. Second support is this month's low crossing at 76.15. Crude oil pivot point for Thursdays trading is 85.43.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Has the Gold and Silver Market Topped Out?

Has the Gold and Silver market topped out? And have we seen the bottom in the Equity markets?

Today, Gold and Silver confirmed that they have topped out for the time being. The Equity markets are another story, and I’m not quite sure that we have seen a bottom put in place for those markets.

The crude oil market [October contract] is now back in an area that should provide resistance. This is based on the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of 85.30. Currently the market is trading a little above that level, which is not totally unusual in volatile markets. Long Term and intermediate term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops. Short term traders should be on the sidelines in this market. The longer term trend for crude oil is down based on our Trade Triangle technology.

Crude oil trend analysis.....

Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 85

Crude oil closed down $0.38 a barrel at $85.06 today. Prices closed nearer the session low. The bulls have regaining some upside technical momentum this week. The next near term upside price breakout objective for the bulls is producing a close above solid technical resistance at last week's high of $89.19 a barrel.

Check out todays latest MarketClub video that covers the six major markets that we follow.


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Oil N Gold: Staying Bearish as Long as $89 Resistance Holds

Outlook in crude oil remains unchanged. We'll stay bearish as long as 89.00 resistance holds and expect deeper decline ahead. Below 79.17 will flip bias back to the downside for 75.71 first. Break will confirm resumption of whole fall from 114.83 and should target 70 psychological level next. On the upside, though, break of 89.00 resistance will dampen this bearish view and bring stronger rebound towards 100.62 resistance instead.

In the bigger picture, medium term rebound from 33.2 is treated as the second leg of consolidation pattern from 147.24 and should have finished at 114.83 already. Current decline should now target next key cluster support at 64.23 (61.8% retracement of 33.2 to 114.83 at 64.38). Sustained break will pave the way to retest 33.2 low. On the upside, break of 89.61 resistance is needed to be the first signal of bottoming or we'll stay bearish.


Posted courtesy of Oil N Gold.Com

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Is The Line Drawn in the Sand For This Crude Oil Market?

Even though the bulls got a break on wall street today the crude oil market continues to be in a negative trend, and the Dollar Index and the CRB index are for the most part in a sideways mode. Please be aware that our comments are based on the total contract.

The rally has pushed this market back in to an area where you should find resistance right around the 85.30 level. This is a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement. We expect this market to come under pressure on Wednesday or Thursday.

Long term and intermediate term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops. Short term traders should be on the sidelines in this market. The longer term trend for crude oil is down based on our Trade Triangle technology.

Crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Tuesday as it consolidated some of last week's decline. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish hinting that a low might be in or is near.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 88.12 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If October renews this summer's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.72 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 88.12. Second resistance is this month's high crossing at 98.60. First support is this month's low crossing at 76.15. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 71.73.

Crude oil Trend Analysis and Trend Score for Tuesday evening....

Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 90

Monday, August 22, 2011

David Banister: Is Gold on the Verge of Major Correction?


Just under two weeks ago I wrote about gold likely running to a final top with various levels ranging from 1862 to 1907 per ounce as likely. So far, we bottomed with a pivot at $1730 which I mentioned to my paying subscribers and we have run to as high as $1898 per ounce counting futures trading on August 22nd. What should we expect now as the most likely intermediate trading pattern for Gold?

Clearly, Gold is overbought on traditional technical measures such as RSI, MACD, and Moving Averages and more, so that is one warning flag. To wit, Gold historically pulls back pretty aggressively anytime it has run much above its 20 week EMA line. On a daily chart that stands at about $1730 per ounce, and on a weekly chart around $1580 per ounce. This week marks Fibonacci week #8 from the 1480 pivot lows of a wave 4 pattern I outlined for my subscribers as likely to turn gold higher to 1730 plus. In addition, we are 34 Fibonacci months into this 5 wave Bull Run from the October 2008 $681 lows.

I use Elliott Wave Theory combined with sentiment indicators and other measures to help determine major buy and sell pivots for Gold, and this methodology has been extremely accurate and successful for years. Right now I can count Gold as coming into a final 5th wave thrust to all time highs with sentiment running at huge extremes and technical patterns screamingly overbought. This action in Gold over the last many weeks reminds me of the final blow off top of the NASDAQ in 2000 as it ran from 4000 to 5000 in a few months and exhausted the buyers. This 5 wave pattern began 34 months ago and the final 5th wave usually drags as many taxi cab drivers onto the back of the Bull just in time to dump them off with a bag in their hand and no ride.

The bottom line is Gold is in a 13 year upwards cycle, and we are in about year 10 and it’s due for a likely pause in the uptrend, and certainly a correction of 10-15% would be normal in any massive bull cycle to kick all the bulls and latecomers off the back of the charging Bull. This pause should be a Primary wave 4 consolidation, where 2 and 4 are corrective and 1, 3, and 5 are bullish cycles.

Below is the latest chart on gold, not counting the overnight $1898 highs last night, but you can see that Gold is above the normal pivot high lines where we have seen major corrections over the past 34 month up cycle. A major parabolic blow off rise is of course possible, but hedging long positions and or considering shorting gold for the more aggressive players is advised:


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Adam Hewison: Forget The News If You Want To Trade Successfully!

Many news stories, particularly when it comes to the markets, are basically fed to reporters by folks who have a vested interest in that particular market. I’ve seen this happen time and time again, when information is given to an online anchor or someone else who is on air and reading the latest news. The information that they report, may be not accurate. In the competitive rush to get news online, and be the 1st to break a story, very few stories are ever checked and triple checked.

So we wake up this morning with the potential conflict in Libya over, and Libya’s Colonel Qaddafi’s 42 year reign of insanity has maybe come to an end. Based on that news, the Dow rallies up over 200 points. Let’s see, that little conflict cost the US about 1 trillion dollars, money we don’t have. How could that be good for the market?

Now we are tying the news in Libya to the markets here and the terrible economic conditions that exist, it is a stretch by anyone’s imagination. The truth is, that the markets probably rallied based on a short covering. Many active traders went home with short positions over the weekend. When the markets did not follow through to the downside they quickly covered their short positions and pushed the market higher.

So here’s my advice, do not pay too much attention to the news. Let the market, and the price action give you all the direction you need. Market action is the # 1 item to watch to be a successful trader.

Now, let’s go to the 6 major markets we track every day and see how we can create and maintain your wealth in 2011.

S&P 500
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 90

Remember, despite the big call this morning, the major trend is down for the equity markets. Today’s strong rally was probably an opportunity to go short. We see this market going lower.

SILVER
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 100

Our Trade Triangles kicked in perfectly with a buy at 42.20 basis spot. Based on this signal, all traders should be long this market or looking to trade silver from the long side.

GOLD
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 100

Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops. It looks more and more likely that we will get close to the magical $2,000 an ounce. We expect to see professional profit taking and some shorting at that level.

CRUDE OIL 
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 90

Despite the knee jerk reaction rally based on the news out of Libya, the trend in crude oil is bearish. Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops. The longer term trend for crude oil is down based on our Trade Triangle technology.

DOLLAR INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = + 55
This market has remained in a fairly well defined trading range for the last several months. With a Chart Analysis Score of + 55 we would want to approach this market using our Donchian Trading Channels as well as our Williams %R indicator. The index remains below its 200 day moving average, while our longer-term Trade Triangle remains positive.

REUTERS/JEFFERIES CRB COMMODITY INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 100

While our bias is towards inflation, the index is currently indicating that we are in more of a deflationary scenario. We want to remain patient and let our Trade Triangles signal when this market has made a trend change to the upside. Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops.


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Chris Vermeulen: Crude Oil and Gold Thoughts....What is Next?


The past few weeks have been fast moving with fearful investors clearly in control. As we all know fear is the most powerful force in the financial market and when the hedge funds and the masses get spooked they all dart in one direction like a school of fish. Watching the charts and volume levels it’s clear that money was/is flowing out of stocks and into precious metals as the risk off safe play. 

To make a long story short, I feel as though Euro-Land is going through something similar to what we (the USA) went through in late 2008 and first quarter of 2009. Keeping my analysis simple and to the point it’s very likely that Euro-Land will resolve their financial issues and their stock markets will bottom in the next month or so… If their market bottoms, so will the US market, which will be perfect timing as the market is currently oversold, sentiment is now turning bearish and we have had a sizable pullback in line with normal bull market corrections.

My thinking looking forward 2-6 weeks is that stocks rally, financials rocket higher, bond prices fall, gold falls and oil rises as it will be a risk off trading environment again. Of course all this would happen after Euro-Land resolves some of their key financial issues. I’m being very optimistic here but we could be nearing a major low that could kick start another massive 1 year rally.

Stepping away from that longer term outlook let’s take a peek at the shorter term trends for oil, gold and stocks.

Crude Oil 60 Minute Chart (1 month view)
The recent price action for crude oil remains bearish/neutral in my opinion. We saw a drift higher into resistance with declining volume then a sharp pullback on heavy volume. This tells me oil remains in a down trend. It may be forming a base which would act as a launch pad in the coming weeks for higher prices but only time will tell and I will update as price unfolds.


Gold 4 Hour Chart (One Month View)
Gold has been performing very well for our entry point but the recent price action is starting to look toppy. Gold and many commodities regularly form this pattern of three wave pushes to new highs just before a sizable correction takes place. I am bullish on gold long term and for a few more weeks, but I do feel as though there will be a multi month correction in the price of gold (Read More) soon so be sure to tighten your protective stops as price moves higher.


SPY ETF Weekly Chart (Two Year View)
The stock market has been hit hard and a lot of damage has also been done to the charts on a technical stand point. The amount of damage and fear that has happening generally takes some time to stabilize and heal before another move takes place. Until Euro-Land resolves some of their major issues the US market will be held hostage and under pressure. So I anticipate several weeks of volatility and wild daily price swings similar to what we saw in July of 2010. This type of trading environment can work very well for options traders (Read More).


Weekly Trading Conclusion:
In short, the market price action is favoring very short term traders (day traders). We are seeing complete price swings which can normally be swing traded happen in just hours… Until we get another extreme setup or stabilization (less big headline news) in the market we will be more of a spectator than a trader to preserve capital.

Consider subscribing to Chris Vermeulens calls so that you will be consistently informed, have 24/7 Email access to me with questions, and also get Gold, Silver, SP500 and Oil Trend Analysis on a regular basis. Subscribe now at The Gold and Oil Guy.Com

Oil N Gold: Mondays Crude Oil Daily Technical Outlook

Intraday bias in crude oil remains on the downside for a test on 75.71 support. Break there will confirm resumption of whole fall from 114.83 and should target 70 psychological level next. On the upside, though, break of 89.00 resistance will dampen this bearish view and bring stronger rebound towards 100.62 resistance instead.

In the bigger picture, medium term rebound from 33.2 is treated as the second leg of consolidation pattern from 147.24 and should have finished at 114.83 already. Current decline should now target next key cluster support at 64.23 (61.8% retracement of 33.2 to 114.83 at 64.38). Sustained break will pave the way to retest 33.2 low. On the upside, break of 89.61 resistance is needed to be the first signal of bottoming or we'll stay bearish.

Posted courtesy of Oil N Gold.Com

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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Weekend Video Update: European Sovereign Debt Problems Spill Over into Global Equity Markets


Once again, the problems with sovereign debt in Europe  spilled over into the global equity markets,  and in particular the bank stocks. Europe is “the tail that wags the dog”, and in this case,  it’s the world.
For the 4th straight week, US equities closed lower and under heavy selling pressure.  Gold on the other hand soared to new highs, on fears that the sovereign debt crisis is escalating and getting totally out of hand. (It’s already out of hand).
With world equities coming under pressure crude oil was not immune to the potential of less demand for this commodity. With that in mind crude oil slipped 3.6% for the week.
So there you have it, the trends continue,  and these trends are likely to continue in the near future.
Now,  let’s go to the weekly charts and see what happened last week in the major markets according to our Trade Triangle technology.
S&P500: change for the week: – 4.68%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short-Term Trends: = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = – 100
Silver: change for the week: + 9.76%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short-Term Trends: = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = + 100
Gold: change for the week: + 6.02%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = + 100
Crude Oil: change for the week: – 3.65%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = – 90
Dollar Index: change for the week: – .77%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = + 55
CRB Index: change for the week: + 2.97%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = – 100


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What Are Hedge Fund Managers Buying Amid Falling Prices.....Ensco and Schlumberger

Hedge funds bought $1.6 billion of shares in two oil-services companies in the second quarter as analysts said a drilling boom in the U.S. may spread overseas, helping reverse a slump in the companies’ stock prices.
Ensco Plc (ESV) and Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) received the most new investment by hedge funds of all energy companies, beating producers such as Marathon Oil Corp. (MRO), according to calculations by Bloomberg from regulatory filings this week. MHR Fund Management LLC, Vinik Asset Management LP and SAC Capital Advisors LP topped the list of buyers.

Oil companies have to boost drilling in expanding areas of the world such as in Asia and off the coasts of Brazil and West Africa to meet growing energy demand. Drilling for crude and natural gas in North America increased at five times the pace of the rest of the world in the past year.

“International has yet to really inflect, but we’re beginning to see some progress on that front,” said Bill Herbert, an analyst at Simmons & Co. in Houston, who has an “overweight” rating on Schlumberger and Ensco. “You’re going to see meaningful growth on international, deepwater and exploration-related activity.”
New York based MHR acquired $325 million of Ensco stock based on June 30 prices, and Vinik of Boston added $137 million of Schlumberger shares, the filings at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington show.

MHR Managing Principal Hal Goldstein didn’t respond to a phone message seeking comment. An executive at Vinik who asked not to be named said the firm never comments to the media......Read the entire article.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Oil N Gold: Crude Oil Weekly Technical Outlook

Crude oil's recovery should have completed at 89.00 after failing mentioned 89.61 support turned resistance as expected. Initial bias remains mildly on the downside for retesting 75.71 support first. Break there will confirm resumption of whole fall from 114.83 and should target 70 psychological level next. On the upside, though, break of 89.00 resistance will dampen this bearish view and bring stronger rebound towards 100.62 resistance instead.

In the bigger picture, medium term rebound from 33.2 is treated as the second leg of consolidation pattern from 147.24 and should have finished at 114.83 already. Current decline should now target next key cluster support at 64.23 (61.8% retracement of 33.2 to 114.83 at 64.38). Sustained break will pave the way to retest 33.2 low. On the upside, break of 89.61 resistance is needed to be the first signal of bottoming or we'll stay bearish.

In the long term picture, crude oil is in a long term consolidation pattern from 147.27, with first wave completed at 33.2, second wave might be finished. Upon confirmation of medium term reversal, the third wave of the pattern should have started for a retest on 33.2 low.

Posted courtesy of Oil N Gold.Com

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Adam Hewison: The Trend is Your Friend – How True Those Words are Today!


We have been on the right side of the markets for quite some time now.  It is in times like these when technical analysis really shines.  It doesn’t matter if you have a strong upward trend in gold or a downward spiraling trend in stocks, technical analysis works.
We feel we have a target rich area for trading opportunities right now.  Some of the best money can be made during periods just like this.  A key to being successful in markets that are having large moves is to be disciplined and follow MarketClub’s Trade Triangles.
So let’s go to the 6 major markets we track every day and see how we can create and maintain your wealth in 2011. 
S&P 500
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = – 100
Today’s action in the S&P 500 is a further reinforcement of the downward trend that has been in place for quite some time.  As we said in yesterday’s comments, you must remember that the major trend is down for the equity markets and strong rallies represent shorting opportunities.  Looking at the weekly charts, a close at current levels would be extremely negative.  The lowest close we have seen on the S&P500 this year is 1119.46.  This is another level to watch carefully.  We see this market going lower.

SILVER
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = + 75
Consider these words of wisdom… Do not buy silver because you think it is cheap in comparison to gold.  The market continues to be in a broad trading range without a clear-cut trend at this time. Intermediate term traders should be on the sidelines and out of silver.  A Chart Analysis Score of + 75 indicates a two-way market and a trading range.  Let us be patient and wait for our Trade Triangles to kick in and give us a solid signal.

GOLD
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = + 100
The gold market moved to new highs today taking out the previous high of $1814.41. This last surge in gold was caused by a panicky situation in Europe, especially with the European banks.  Uncertainty over bank stocks pushed many of the European banks and the US banks to the downside today.  Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops.

CRUDE OIL 
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = – 100
$88.32 was a 50% Fibonacci retracement area, and this level was hit yesterday.  It was enough to stop this market on the upside.  As you know, we have been bearish on crude oil from the weekly Trade Triangle on August 1st at $94.02 a barrel.  Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops.  The longer term trend for crude oil is down based on our Trade Triangle technology.

DOLLAR INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Positive
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = – 60
Our comments today remain pretty much the same as they were yesterday, as there has been very little directional change in this market.  The 73.50 level continues to act as support for the dollar index. This market has remained in a fairly well defined trading range for the last several months. With a Chart Analysis Score of -60 we would want to approach this market using our Donchian Trading Channels as well as our Williams %R indicator.  The index remains below its 200 day moving average, while our longer-term Trade Triangle remains positive.
REUTERS/JEFFERIES CRB COMMODITY INDEX
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends                = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends    = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends                     = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score                                    = – 100
The Reuters/Jefferies CRB commodity index has turned back from the Fibonacci retracement level of 50% at 332.95.   This level was hit yesterday.  While our bias is towards inflation, the index is currently indicating that we are in more of a deflationary scenario.  We want to remain patient and let our Trade Triangles signal when this market has made a trend change to the upside.  Long Term, intermediate and short term traders should hang on for the ride and protect profits with money management stops.


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As always, we rely on our market proven Trade Triangle technology for catching the big moves.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Who is Producing How Much Crude Oil?

So what is the pecking order for oil production in 2011? Here is a chart produced by our friends at ConocoPhillips.


Is Crude Oil Faltering at Key Resistance Area?

So here we are… We’re in the middle of the month, it’s the middle of the week, and the markets are stuck in the middle. Stocks rallied early today, but they look like they are failing now.

Gold rallied again to test the $1,800 an ounce level. It has now fallen back and looks to be on the defensive. Crude oil has also rallied and is now faltering from a key resistance area. Once again bank stocks look to be on the defensive. I’ll also share a chart pattern in the bank stocks with you that does not look good.

Crude oil has once again moved back inside the Donchian trading channel and has two very important Fibonacci retracement levels to contend with. I am looking at $88.32 (50% retracement) which was hit today and $91.28 (61.8% retracement). For the moment these two levels should stop any serious sustained rally. The longer term trend for this commodity is down based on our monthly Trade Triangle technology.

Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Negative
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Positive
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 75


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