Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Oil N' Gold: Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Gold and Silver Market Commentary
U.S. to Sell New Onshore Alaska Oil Leases "Late This Year"
The BLM said it plans to sell leases on tracts of land in the northeast and northwest areas of the reserve. In preparing for the sale, the agency issued a draft "determination of adequacy" showing that the leases meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
The lease sale is part of an effort by the Obama administration to conduct annual oil and natural gas lease sales in the reserve, the agency said.
Posted courtesy of Rigzone.Com
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
J.W. Jones: The SP 500 and the Dollar Ahead of the Fed Meeting
Interest rates cannot move much lower in terms of the Federal Funds rate, additional quantitative easing seems redundant since Treasury yields are close to all time lows, and finally a twisting of maturities will do little to alter the current economic conditions. The Federal Reserve is just repeating practices which have proven over a long term do little to create jobs or get the economy moving in the right direction. A stock market rally does not help a person looking for a job!
It is possible that even if the Federal Reserve proposes additional stimulus the market could sell off. I have been trading less in this environment and have been focusing on looking for trade setups that could work regardless of price action. For now I am sitting predominantly in cash waiting to see how price action reacts to the news flow tomorrow.
S&P 500
If I had to guess, I continue to believe that the S&P 500 will get back to test the key 1,250 – 1,280 price level. While this resistance level is apparent, Mr. Market will be able to tear up traders if price jams into that resistance zone. Mr. Market loves nothing more than to shake people out of positions. If price works higher I would expect the 1,250 – 1,280 price range to offer just enough risk / reward to get investors and traders involved in a choppy trading environment. The key upside levels on the S&P 500 are shown below on the daily chart of the S&P 500 Index ($SPX):
The flip side of that argument would see the S&P 500 jamming into recent resistance around the 1,230 price level. If prices rolled over and momentum picked up, a test of the recent August lows would likely transpire and could produce a breakdown and a lower low.
When looking at recent price action, the S&P 500 Index has put in a series of higher lows which is a bullish signal, however the S&P 500 has a long road ahead to break out above the 2011 highs. If the S&P 500 carves out a lower high on the S&P 500 Index at 1,230, 1,250, or even 1,280 and subsequently takes out the August lows then the secular bear will be back. The weekly chart of the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) shown below illustrates key support levels:
For now I am just going to sit in cash and wait for Mr. Market to provide me with some better clues. The trading range is pretty wide going from around 1,100 to 1,280. What I will be watching for is a strong move supported with volume that pushes price out of this range. As of the close today, price action was trading around the middle of this range but depending on how price action reacts to the news that comes out Wednesday it is possible that in coming days we could see a breakout in either direction.
Dow Jones Industrial Average
It will likely surprise long time readers that I am actually going to comment on the Dow. I will keep this brief, but I wanted to point it out to readers as I have not heard much mention of this pattern in the main stream financial media.
Over the weekend I was looking at some longer term charts and I accidentally stumbled across this head and shoulders pattern on a weekly chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. I rarely pay much attention to the Dow as I monitor the S&P 500 closely. However, I could not ignore what I was seeing. I also noted that a similar pattern also exists on the S&P 500.
I am generally not the kind of trader who tries to predict where price action will arrive in the distant future. However, I am not going to ignore clear chart patterns that I recognize regardless of the time frame I am looking at.
For those not familiar with a head and shoulders pattern, it is a very ominous signal. Head and shoulders patterns are generally topping formations that if triggered result in violent selloffs. On this chart the pattern is obvious and if the pattern were triggered the forthcoming price action would be decisively negative for domestic equities. The long term monthly chart of the Dow is shown below:
If the pattern is triggered on an undercut of the March 2009 lows, the head and shoulders formation would produce selling pressure that would target the 3,800 – 4,000 level on the Dow. Yes, you read that right! I want readers to recognize that this pattern is not a given and it could play out over a long period of time. The pattern would suggest that a test of the 2009 lows is possible, but I will leave the likelihood of that test up to Mr. Market.
I view this pattern as a potential warning signal for long term equity positions. Consequently, it is far too early to jump into a plethora of short positions or sell every equity position owned simply because of this pattern. While I do not know where price goes from here or if this pattern will ever trigger, I think market participants should be aware of its existence.
It would take the perfect concatenation of events to push prices down to the March 2009 lows, but unfortunately the condition of social mood paired with all of the risks facing financial markets is notable. The recent selloff in August came on the heels of a head and shoulders pattern that was triggered. We all know how August played out, but this pattern on the Dow Jones Industrial Average has a long way to go before it can even trigger. Time will tell, but readers should at the very least put this chart pattern on your radar!
U.S. Dollar Index
The U.S. Dollar Index has ripped higher by more than 5% since August 29th. The strength in the Dollar has likely been precipitated by fear based on the European sovereign debt and banking crisis. While the Dollar certainly has long term flaws, it may simply be the best of the worst.
If the situation in Europe begins to break down further based on any number of events it could likely push the U.S. Dollar Index considerably higher. My trading partner Chris Vermeulen has been riding this strong impulse wave with his subscribers Swing trading the UUP etf and thinks there is big potential still if Euro Land fears continue to rise.
Mid-Week Market Trend Conclusion
Wednesday will be filled with a variety of news and headlines. The Greek government is meeting and a news release regarding the conference will likely come out around the time domestic markets in the United States open. The news has the potential to move markets considerably.
In addition, the Federal Reserve is set to end its September meeting and market participants will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to hear from the Federal Reserve about any stimulus the central bank may provide.
Overall, the news and headlines on Wednesday will certainly impact the current conditions of financial markets. Right now I am pleased to be sitting primarily in cash. I have a few positions open, but for the most part the trades are not directional and are profitable based on time decay.
The one directional trade I have on presently is a remaining sliver of a position I have already taken profits from and stops are in place. While I have been risk averse the past few trading sessions, I am flush with cash and ready to accept new risk if high probability setups emerge.
However, the best trade can sometimes be no trade at all and I intend to remain patient. Risk is extremely high!
Subscribers had over 100% return in August and already up over 50+% for September! Review my track record and join now at Options Trading Signals.com and receive a 24 hour 66% off coupon.
Are Sky High Gold Prices Justified?
Peter Turville-Ince, Head of Commodity & Equities Strategy at Compass Global Markets does not feel that gold is in a bubble especially with central bank inaction and the chances of rising inflation over the long term.
Crude Oil Market Commentary For Tuesday Sept. 20th
Also pay attention to the MACD since it is beginning to lose momentum and could be rolling over to the downside if we have any more negative closes. We do not think that the crude oil market is ready to go higher, based on our long term monthly Trade Triangle which remains negative. The $90 a barrel resistance continues to stop this market on the upside. Look for crude oil to continue to move in a sideways to lower manner.
November crude oil posted an inside day with a higher close on Tuesday as it consolidated some of Monday's decline but remains below August's uptrend line crossing near 87.07. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. Closes below last Monday's low crossing at 85.17 would confirm an end to the corrective rally off August's low while opening the door for a larger-degree decline into the end of September.
Closes above the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.62 would confirm an end to this summer's decline. First resistance is last Tuesday's high crossing at 90.60. Second resistance is the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.62. First support is last Monday's low crossing at 85.17. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 83.47.
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 65
Click Here For Our Latest Options Trading Article
Bloomberg: Crude Oil Gains for First Time in Three Days
Futures in New York gained as much as 1.4 percent, halting a slide of more than 4 percent in the previous two trading days, as the Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 1.6 percent. Opposition fighters in Libya continued to battle loyalists at the town of Bani Walid and the city of Sirte, while anti government protests in Yemen left 50 people dead this week.
“Given the scale of the price fall, we are seeing some buying interest out there,” said Amrita Sen, a London based analyst at Barclays Plc. “The fundamentals still look robust with demand, even after slowing down, outpacing supply growth.”
Oil for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange gained as much as $1.21 to $86.91 a barrel and was at $86.75 a barrel at 12:48 p.m. London time. The contract fell 2.6 percent yesterday and will expire today. The more actively traded November future was up $1.02 at $86.83 a barrel.
Brent crude for November settlement was up $1.40 at $110.54 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London. The contract yesterday fell 2.7 percent to $109.14 a barrel. The European benchmark future was at a premium of $23.67 to the November price of West Texas Intermediate, compared with a record settlement of $26.87 on Sept. 6......Read the entire Bloomberg article.
Get Our Stock Research & Trading Alerts....Jus Click Here!
Phil Flynn: Twisted
Lets twist again like we did last summer, ok back in the sixties when the Federal Reserve, in an attempt to stimulate long term investment, would buy paper at the long end of the yield curve thereby driving down yields in the hopes that individual investors and business would start making some long term commitment with their money.
Looking at the yield curve and the falling rates on the long end there seems to be a large sector of the trading population that thinks this is a done deal. Today it is the first day of the Federal Open Market Committee and it appears that instead of QE-3d, baby let's do the twist.
Of course the reason that the Fed is twisted is the fact that QE2 did not seem to have the desired effect. The fall out of rising oil and commodity prices and the fact that the money seemed to stay in bank vaults as opposed to getting into the real economy, is making it more difficult for the Fed to justify its 3D version. Now the question is, will it work and is it bullish or bearish for oil?......Read the entire PFGs Best article.
OPEC’s $1 Trillion Cash Quiets Poor of the Middle East
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries members are poised to earn an unprecedented $1 trillion this year, according to the U.S. Energy Department, as the group’s benchmark oil measure exceeded $100 a barrel for the longest period ever. They are promising to plow record amounts into public and social programs after pro democracy movements overthrew rulers in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and spread to Yemen and Syria.
Unlike past booms, when Abu Dhabi bought English soccer club Manchester City and Qatar acquired a stake in luxury carmaker Porsche SE, Gulf nations pledged $150 billion in additional spending this year on their citizens. They will need to keep U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil at more than $80 a barrel to afford their promises, according to Bank of America Corp.....Read the entire article.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Crude Oil and Gold Market Commentary For Monday Evening Sept. 19th
We do not think that the crude oil market is ready to go higher, based on our long term monthly Trade Triangle which remains negative. The $90 a barrel resistance continues to stop this market on the upside. Look for crude oil to continue to move in a sideways to lower manner.
Crude oil closed lower on Monday and below August's uptrend line crossing near 86.62. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought, diverging and are turning bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.
Closes below last Monday's low crossing at 85.17 would confirm an end to the corrective rally off August's low while opening the door for a larger degree decline into the end of September. Closes above the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.86 would confirm an end to this summer's decline. First resistance is last Tuesday's high crossing at 90.60. Second resistance is the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.86. First support is last Monday's low crossing at 85.17. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 83.47.
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score = – 75
The Williams % R is once again in an oversold condition. The $1,840 level is resistance for gold at the moment. Support comes in around the $1,775 and extends all the way down to $1,750. Intermediate and long term traders should maintain long positions with the appropriate money management stops in place.
December gold closed lower on Monday as it consolidates below the 20 day moving average. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.
If December extends this month's decline, the reaction low crossing at 1705.40 is the next downside target. If December renews this year's rally into uncharted territory, upside target are hard to project. First resistance is this month's high crossing at 1920.70. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 1765.40. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1705.40.
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 = + 55
Get Our Latest Options Trading Signals Article
EIA Report: World Wide Energy Use Expected to Increase 53% by 2035
Todays report, the 2011 International Energy Outlook, predicts that consumption of energy from renewable and alternative sources will be the fastest growing in the energy sector. Reaching 15% of the world energy use by 2035 compared to 10% in 2008. But fossil fuels will still be the world's dominant source, accounting for about 78% of the world's energy use in 2035.
The EIA said it expects oil prices to remain high, reaching $125 per barrel in 2035, but added that consumption of oil will still grow during that period.
The EIA also predicts that petroleum prices are "very sensitive to both supply and demand conditions" and that prices could fall to $50 per barrel or approach $200 per barrel, depending in part of the rate of economic growth in developing countries.
The EIA report projects changes in world energy markets between 2008 and 2035. It doesn't take into account the potential impacts of policy changes that have not yet been implemented.
One area that will be particularly sensitive to policy actions: competition between coal, natural gas, and renewable sources to meet electricity demand, said Howard Gruenspecht, the acting EIA administrator, during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The report projects, absent policy changes, tremendous growth in coal consumption by China and to a lesser extent India and other developing countries. That growth is a key driver of a projected increase in worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, which EIA predicted would jump about 43% between 2008 and 2035. China's carbon emissions were somewhat higher than those of the U.S. in 2008, but are projected to be "more than twice as high" as U.S. emissions by 2035, Gruenspecht said.
Natural gas consumption was projected to grow at a faster rate than any other type of fossil fuel, thanks in part to increased supply from the U.S. and elsewhere. Consumption will grow from 111 trillion cubic feet in 2008 to 169 trillion cubic feet in 2035, the report predicted.
Use of nuclear power increases slightly in the EIA projections, but "the full extent of the withdrawal of government support for nuclear power is uncertain" in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi crisis in Japan, Gruenspecht said.
Gruenspecht said that due to budget cuts impacting the EIA, the outlook report might not be released next year. "That's a little bit of question mark in the present resource environment."
Make sure you know "How To Trade Market Sentiment"
Phil Flynn: Can't Get Away From Greece
In a sharply worded statement released after the cabinet meeting Sunday, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the government takes full responsibility for the implementation of the agreed program, but also warned that Greece shouldn't be the "scapegoat" used by European institutions to hide their inability to manage the euro-zone crisis." So take that and please write me a check! The Greek government knows that it is going to be very messy for the Euro Zone if they are allowed to fail so at some point they may just tell Europe to either come up with more cash or face the consequences that will come when Greek goes belly up.....Read the entire article.
Get Our Profitable Options Strategies Report
Demand Concerns, European Debt Crisis Continue to Pressure Oil Bulls
Closes below last Monday's low crossing at 85.17 would confirm that the corrective rally off August's low has ended while opening the door for a possible test of August's low crossing at 76.61 later this fall. If November extends the rally off August's low, the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.81 is the next upside target.
First resistance is last Tuesday's high crossing at 90.60. Second resistance is the May-July downtrend line crossing near 91.81. First support is last Monday's low crossing at 85.17. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 83.47. Crude oil pivot point for Monday morning is 88.47.
Looks like gold is trying to get your attention again Just click here for your FREE trend analysis of gold ETF GLD
Sunday, September 18, 2011
CFTC Commitments of Traders (COT) Reports For August 2011
Crude Oil futures open interest fell 0.8 percent in August. Commercial participants, who accounted for 53.6 percent of open interest, held net short positions; they increased their long positions by 1.4 percent and decreased their short positions by 2.2 percent. Non-commercial participants, who accounted for 41.6 percent of open interest, held net long positions. They decreased their long positions by 2.0 percent and decreased their short positions by 1.4 percent. Non-reportable participants, who accounted for 4.8 percent of total open interest, held net long positions; they decreased their long positions by 9.4 percent and increased their short positions by 30.2 percent.
NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas
Natural gas futures open interest increased 2.5 percent in August. Commercial participants, who accounted for 34.9 percent of open interest, held net long positions; they increased their long positions by 10.2 percent and increased their short positions by 9.5 percent. Non-commercial participants, who accounted for 58.9 percent of open interest, held net short positions. They decreased their long positions by 1.4 percent and decreased their short positions by 0.3 percent. Non-reportable participants, who accounted for 6.3 percent of total open interest, held net long positions; they decreased their long positions by 8.8 percent and increased their short positions by 7.3 percent.
NYMEX Heating Oil
Heating oil futures open interest fell 0.8 percent in August. Commercial participants, who accounted for 66.8 percent of open interest, held net short positions; they increased their long positions by 7.4 percent and decreased their short positions by 2.2 percent. Non-commercial participants, who accounted for 23.3 percent of open interest, held net long positions. They decreased their long positions by 13.2 percent and increased their short positions by 5.8 percent. Non-reportable participants, who accounted for 9.9 percent of total open interest, held net long positions; they decreased their long positions by 8.3 percent and
decreased their short positions by 3.3 percent.
NYMEX RBOB Gasoline
Gasoline futures open interest fell 2.6 percent in August. Commercial participants, who accounted for 63.8 percent of open interest, held net short positions; they increased their long positions by 4.2 percent and decreased their short positions by 8.5 percent. Non-commercial participants, who accounted for 30.0 percent of open interest, held net long positions. They decreased their long positions by 5.5 percent and increased their short positions by 29.5 percent. Non-reportable participants, who accounted for 6.2 percent of total open interest, held net long positions; they decreased their long positions by 25.2 percent and decreased their short positions by 5.9 percent.
EIA: Over 90% of Syrian Crude Oil Exports go to European Countries
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Syria Country Analysis Brief.
Syria, the only significant crude oil-producing country in the eastern Mediterranean, produced 387,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of crude oil (including lease condensate) in 2010. Estimated net crude oil exports were 109,000 bbl/d in 2010, the vast majority of which went to OECD European countries. Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands comprised over 80% of Syria's crude oil exports.
According to the European Commission, European Union (EU) countries imported 1.35% of their petroleum from Syria in 2010. Although exports from Syria represented a small share of the EU's overall oil needs, these exports accounted for 30% (or $4.1 billion) of Syrian government revenues in 2010.
Declining oil production has been the main driver of lower Syrian oil exports (see chart below). Efforts to reverse the declining trend for production and exports by expanding exploration and production through partnerships with foreign oil companies have been hampered by U.S. sanctions.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Syria Country Analysis Brief.
Download CSV Data
Download CSV Data
Recent political unrest in Syria and the indiscriminate use of deadly force against dissent by the Syrian government has prompted further U.S. sanctions, including a ban on the import of crude oil or petroleum products of Syrian origins. On September 2, 2011, the EU, whose members purchase over 90% of Syrian oil, announced a ban on imports of Syrian crude oil, which may further hinder Syrian efforts to expand their petroleum industry.
Syria has opened its offshore territory for development; however, this region is expected to contain mostly natural gas. The Syrian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources has also opened up bidding for shale oil deposits containing an estimated 285 billion barrels of oil. This new exploration, plus rehabilitation of current oil fields, may help counter the current decline in petroleum production.
Although Syria is not a major producer of oil and gas, it occupies a strategic location in terms of prospective energy transit routes and regional security. EIA's Country Analysis Brief on Syria features additional analysis on these trends, along with a broad discussion of Syria's energy sector.
Oil N Gold: Crude Oil and Gold Weekly Technical Outlook
Crude Oil
Crude oil's corrective rise from 75.71 extended further last week but struggled to take out 55 days EMA. Also strong resistance around 90 psychological level. While such correction might extend, current development suggests that it should be to completion and rise attempts should be limited by near term falling trend line resistance (now at 92.3). A break of 85.00 minor support will be the first signal of resumption of fall from 114.83 and should turn bias to the downside for retesting 75.71 low first.
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.
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.
Gold
Gold's choppy fall from 1923.7 extended to as low as 1765.4 last week and there is no sign of completion yet. Such decline is either consolidation to rise from 1705.4 or the third leg of the consolidation pattern from 1917.9. In either case, more choppy trading would still be seen in range of 1705.4/1923.7. But in case of deeper fall, we'd expect strong support above 1705.4 to contain downside and bring up trend resumption. Above 1923.7 should in turn send gold towards 61.8% projection of 1478.3 to 1917.9 from 1705.4 at 1977.1.
In the bigger picture, firstly, gold's long term up trend is still intact and there is no signal of reversal yet. Another record high should still be seen. But we'll be cautious on another near term reversal near to 2000 psychological level and finally bring some lengthier consolidation. Meanwhile, a break of 1705.4 will argue that gold has indeed topped out with a double top reversal pattern (1917.9, 1923.7) and in such case, deeper pull back could be seen back towards resistance turned 1577.4 support instead.
In the long term picture, rise from 681 is treated as resumption of the long term up trend from 1999 low of 253 and there is no sign of topping yet. Current up trend could now be targeting 161.8% projection of 253 to 1033.9 from 681 at 1945.6. Sustained trading above 2000 psychological level should pave the way to 261.8% projection at 2727.2.
The Battle Continues Between the Bulls and the Bears
Out of the 6 markets that we track, only two closed with a positive gain for the week and they were the S&P 500 index and crude oil. We consider both of these moves counter trend rally’s. Both the silver and gold markets lost ground last week, with silver closing down 1.89% and gold dropping 2.36%.
The Dollar Index saw some profit taking and closed down .85% for the week.
The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Commodity Index also came under pressure and closed down 1.38% in line with the general trend.
Let’s go take a look at the markets and see how we can preserve and protect and grow your capital in 2011.
S&P 500 Change for the week: + 5.35%
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
Silver Change for the week: – 1.89%
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: = + 65
Gold Change for the week: – 2.36%
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: = + 65
Crude Oil Change for the week: + .91%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = + 55
Dollar Index Change for the week: – .85%
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: = + 75
CRB Index Change for the week: – 1.38%
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends: = Negative
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends: = Positive
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends: = Negative
Combined Strength of Trend Score: = – 75
Don't miss our weekend video update.......
Unlimited access to this and other trading videos FREE! Click Here!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Brent Crude Dips After Platts Changes Formula
Manufacturing data that was released on the same day also disappointed, showing a decline in the Empire State index from minus-7.7 in August to minus-8.8 in September, while the Philly Fed rose 13.2 to minus-17.5 in September, but still missed expectations. In the meantime, Brent contracts were on the rise, enjoying support from reassuring statements from European politicians that Greece will not quit the euro zone and the EU will go as far as necessary to prevent it from going into a default.
Demand for Brent was also supported by lingering concerns over supplies from the North Sea following a series of delays over the past few weeks. However, Brent futures fell sharply late on Friday after Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw Hill, said it will change the Brent crude pricing formula sooner than expected. The changes to the benchmark that is used to price two third of the world’s oil will come into effect in January 2012 instead of the first quarter of 2013 as was planned before.
Platts has decided to change the pricing benchmark due to a reduction in Brent crude supplies in recent years, which has made it easier for traders to manipulate the market. The Brent crude prices will now be assessed based on contracts signed over a 16 day period instead of the previous 12 day span. “Recent events in the market, including disruptions to the Forties pipeline system and shortfalls in cargo deliveries, show clearly that timely action is needed to maintain the strength of the physical benchmark,” said vice president of editorial at Platts Dan Tanz.
Posted courtesy of Pro Active Investors
Friday, September 16, 2011
Zacks: Kinder Morgan-Valero Pipeline Pact
While both companies will own the pipeline system, Kinder Morgan will be the operator. Parkway Pipeline is expected to have an initial capacity of 110,000 barrels per day that can be eventually expanded to over 200,000 bpd.
The refined products would be shipped from refineries in Norco, Louisiana to the Collins, Mississippi hub, owned by a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Plantation Pipe Line Company. Kinder Morgan has a 51% stake in the petroleum transportation hub of which it is also the operator. Thereafter, the refined petroleum products will be distributed by the pipeline systems, including Plantation, to important markets in the southeastern United States from this hub.
The pipeline is expected to begin operations by mid 2013 after getting approvals from the concerned environmental and regulatory authorities. It is expected to be accretive for Kinder Morgan unitholders upon completion as the project has a long-term backing of a credit worthy shipper.
To curtail environmental impacts, Parkway Pipeline construction will follow prevailing utility rights of way wherever possible. The project is expected to boost fuel supply, and at the same time offer all shippers larger access to Gulf Coast refineries.
Kinder Morgan’s continuous effort to upgrade its portfolio is evident from its newest business segment, Trans Mountain Pipeline (now under Kinder Morgan Canada), an approximately 715 mile transport system overbooked by a wide margin for September. Trans Mountain has a pipeline capacity of approximately 300,000 barrels per day.
P{osted courtesy of Zacks on Seeking Alpha. Kinder Morgan holds a Zacks #3 Rank, which is equivalent to a Hold rating for a period of one to three months. For the long term, we maintain a Neutral rating on the stock.
Phil Flynn: Prime The Pump And Bailout The Brent
The decision of the five largest central banks to dump dollars into European banks added to the support for oil but created fears of a tightness of supply in the Brent. Weak production from the North Sea and conflicting reports on the return of Libyan crude seems to be adding to the Brent woes. There is some short term confidence coming out of the Euro zone and this will increase demand or at least expectations of demand almost instantly.
The spread between Brent crude and West Texas had previously come in, especially after U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum reserve) fell by 6.7 million barrels which put US supply at 346.4 million barrels which is still well above the five year average.
Robert Campbell of Reuters News says writes, "Looking back at the impact of the Libyan civil war on the oil market the most remarkable fact is that the situation did not lead to an oil super-spike. After all, a scramble for sweet crude in 2007 is widely seen as the trigger for the spiral in oil prices until they hit nearly $150 a barrel. Although the data are still coming in, it would appear that the Atlantic basin refining sector is now more flexible, in part due to weaker demand and in part due to investments in new capacity. Sweet refiners may be suffering because of high crude costs, but the system as a whole is not breaking down."
He goes on to say, "The resilience of the market is all the more impressive once the other supply disruptions to the European short haul sweet crude market are considered. Normal decline of the aging fields in the North Sea is well known, as is the extraordinary sequence of problems at several important production facilities in the area. Less discussed is the reduction in crude oil production in Azerbaijan, an important supplier of very low sulfur crude.
Combined with the conflict in Libya a huge amount of sweet crude oil production was lost to European refiners, many of which rely on short haul cargoes. In the first half of the year sweet crude output from Azerbaijan, Britain, Libya and Norway was 215 million barrels less than in 2010. With this number in mind, the response of the International Energy Agency to the crisis.....a release of 60 million barrels of strategic stocks, seems almost timid. Doubtless, the IEA would argue that the problems in Azerbaijan, Britain and Norway were not the classic supply disruptions the agency is meant to guard against."
Posted courtesy of Phil Flynn and PFGs Best. You can contact Phil at 800-935-6487 or email him at pflynn@pfgbest.com. Get the "Power to Prosper" by tuning into the Fox Business Network where you can see Phil every day!
Crude Oil Pressured By Euro Weakness and Greek Bailout Doubts
Closes below Monday's low crossing at 85.17 would confirm that the corrective rally off August's low has ended while opening the door for a possible test of August's low crossing at 76.61 later this fall.
First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 90.60. Second resistance is the May-July downtrend line crossing near 92.13. First support is Monday's low crossing at 85.17. Second support is last Tuesday's low crossing at 83.47. Crude oil pivot point for Friday morning is 89.19.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
