Crude Oil Bears Gain Momentum on Pipeline Opening and Weaker Euro

Hopes of a stronger Euro were dashed this week as European leaders have made a surprise move of putting off any real rescue plan until March. Giving a new round of strength to the U.S. Dollar and putting pressure on the crude oil bulls at least for the near term. The reopening of the Alyeska Pipeline has also given the crude oil bears reason for hope as the pipeline operators officially announced that repairs are complete. In its monthly report on Tuesday, the IEA, said world oil demand growth in 2011 would be slightly higher than it had previously expected, although it would not reach the "exceptional levels" of last year.

Expect a bit more "noise" from OPEC in 2011 as the current OPEC President will be Iran's Oil Minister Massoud Mirkazemi. And in a news conference Mirkazemi stated "None of the OPEC members find $100 concerning or irrational. Some of the OPEC members see no need for an emergency meeting even with prices at $110 or $120". All that really matters to the west is if the more moderate producers like Saudi Arabia, Gulf allies Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates will make a move to prevent prices from escalating further.

The 3 day weekend is over for us here in the U.S. so let's trade, here is your pivot, support and resistance numbers for Tuesday.......

Crude oil was slightly lower overnight as it consolidates some of last week's rally. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If February extends last week's rally, this year's high crossing at 92.58 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 87.25 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is this year's high crossing at 92.58. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 93.87. First support is the reaction low crossing at 87.25. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 84.09. Crude oil pivot point for Tuesday morning is 91.22.

Natural gas was slightly higher overnight as it consolidates above the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.393. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral signaling that sideways trading is possible near term. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.393 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. If February renews the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the June-October decline crossing at 4.876 is the next upside target. First resistance is this month's high crossing at 4.707. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the June-October decline crossing at 4.876. First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.393. Second support is December's low crossing at 3.985. Natural gas pivot point for Tuesday morning is 4.510.

Gold was higher due to short covering overnight as it consolidates some of last week's rally. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible. If February extends last week's decline, the reaction low crossing at 1331.10 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1386.10 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1386.10. Second resistance is this month's high crossing at 1424.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1356.50. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1331.10. gold pivot point for Tuesday morning is 1361.10.


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