Markets Close Firmer, Are The Bulls and Bears on an Equal Playing Field Here?

The U.S. stock indexes closed firmer today and saw short covering. While the months of September and October have been historically unkind to the stock market bulls, the indexes are starting out the month of September on some decent footing. Bulls and bears in the indexes are presently on a level near term technical playing field. The first few trading days of this extra important month for the stock market are slightly favoring the stock market bulls.

Crude oil closed up $0.63 at $74.72 a barrel today. Prices closed nearer the session high today on short covering. A weaker U.S. dollar and firmer U.S. stock indexes today help support crude. Crude oil bears still have the slight overall near term technical advantage.

Natural gas closed down 4.8 cents at $3.804 today. Prices closed near the session low today. The bears have the solid overall near term technical advantage. A 2 1/2 month old downtrend is still in place on the daily bar chart.

Gold futures closed down $1.30 at $1,258.00 today. Prices closed nearer the session low on some profit taking pressure. Early prices did hit a fresh 10 week high. Bulls still have upside near term technical momentum and have the solid technical advantage. Prices are also in a six week old uptrend on the daily bar chart.

The U.S. dollar index closed down 24 points at 82.89 today. Prices closed near mid range today. Bulls and bears are now back on a level near term technical playing field. Bulls' next upside price objective is to close prices above solid technical resistance at 84.00.

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