Can Crude Oil Bulls Rebound off of Mondays High Range Close

Crude oil [May contract] closed lower on Monday however the high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If May extends the decline off March's high, the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 97.84 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 105.47 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing near 104.20. Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 105.47. First support is today's low crossing at 100.81. Second support is the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 97.84.


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Crude Oil Closes Above $107, Bulls Maintain a Near Term Advantage

Crude oil [May contract] closed up $0.22 a barrel at $107.25 today. Prices closed near mid range today in more quiet trading. Trading has been choppy on the charts. Prices have been trading sideways at higher price levels for the past month. Crude oil bulls have the overall near term technical advantage.

Natural gas [May contract] closed down 2.4 cents at $2.295 today. Prices closed near mid-range today and hit a fresh contract low. The bears have the solid overall near term technical advantage. There are no early clues to suggest a market low is close at hand.

Gold futures [April contract] closed down $1.30 an ounce at $1,684.30 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today and did hit another fresh two week high early on. Bulls and bears are on a level near term technical playing field as the bulls have gained some fresh upside technical momentum recently.

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Crude Oil Bulls Struggle to Show They Have The Advantage

Crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Thursday as it consolidated some of Tuesday's decline. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Friday.

Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that a short term top might be in or is near. Closes below Wednesday's crossing at 104.35 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. If April renews this winter's rally, the 2011 high crossing at 114.09 is the next upside target.

First resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at 110.55. Second resistance is the 2011 high crossing at 114.09. First support is Wednesday's low crossing at 104.35. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 97.73.

Check out our latest Video, Market Analysis and Forecast for the Dollar, Crude Oil, Gold, Silver, and the SP500

Crude Oil Bulls Take Charge as Iran Cuts Shipments to Europe

Crude oil closed up $1.15 [March contract] a barrel at $101.89 today, close to a five week high. Bolstered by news that Iran has cut oil shipments to Europe and a steep decline in inventory in the U.S. for the first time in 4 weeks. Prices closed nearer the session high today and hit another fresh four week high. Crude oil bulls have the overall near term technical advantage and have gained some upside momentum recently.

Natural gas closed down 9.4 cents [March contract] at $2.438 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. Bears have the solid overall near term technical advantage. The next upside price breakout objective for the bulls is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $2.844.

Gold futures closed up $11.60 [April contract] an ounce at $1,729.30 today. Prices closed near mid range today as bargain hunters stepped in to buy the recent dip. The key outside markets were mostly bullish for gold today, the U.S. dollar index was steady weaker and crude oil prices were higher. Gold bulls still have the overall near term technical advantage, but need to show more power soon to suggest a near term price uptrend can be restarted.


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Crude Oil Bulls Looking to Follow Through on Tuesday, Gain Back Momentum

Crude oil closed higher on Monday [March contract] renewing the rally off this month's low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 101.39 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If March renews the decline off January's high, December's low crossing at 92.95 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 101.39. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 102.24. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 98.37. Second support is this month's low crossing at 95.44.

Gold closed lower on Monday [April contract] and the mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish hinting that a short term top might be in or is near. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 1714.10 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. If April renews the rally off December's low, the 62% retracement level of the September-December decline crossing at 1772.28 is the next upside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1765.90. Second resistance is the 62% retracement level of the September-December decline crossing at 1772.80. First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1714.10. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1652.20.

Natural gas closed lower on Monday [March contract] and the mid range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If March renews the multi year decline, monthly support crossing at 1.960 is the next downside target. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 2.844 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 2.844. Second resistance is January's high crossing at 3.153. First support is January's low crossing at 2.289. Second support is monthly support crossing at 1.960.

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Crude Oil Bulls Can't Seem to Take Advantage of Price Action Above $100

Crude oil closed down $0.42 a barrel at $98.35 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today and scored a bearish “outside day” down on the daily bar chart. Prices were pressured by a firmer U.S. dollar index today. Crude oil bulls have the overall near term technical advantage. However, the going does get tough for the bulls once prices move above the key $100.00 level.

Gold futures closed up $4.00 an ounce at $1,783.30 today. Prices closed near mid range today, hit a fresh seven week high and closed at a bullish monthly high close. Gold bulls still have the solid overall near term technical advantage and still have upside near term technical momentum. A steep four week old uptrend is in place on the daily bar chart.

Natural gas closed down 20.9 cents at $2.504 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. Bulls faded today. Bears have the overall near term technical advantage. The next upside price breakout objective for the bulls is closing prices above major psychological resistance at $3.00.

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ONG: Sharp Move Dominates Oil Market, Bears Take the Momentum

Sharp moves dominated yesterday's session, where oil rallied to acquire our targeted area near 103.00 before reversing sharply again to breach the bearish technical pattern shown on image in addition to 100.10 support. Currently, price is testing the breached level again which turns into resistance after testing the main pivotal support at 98.50, but in general, trading remain within the same ranging stance. Today we may see another downside attempt as important technical levels were breached yesterday. The trading range for the day is expected among the major support at 96.00 and the major resistance at 102.00. The short term trend is to the downside with steady daily closing below 105.00, targeting 65.00. Daily Pivot Points     Normal Range     Last Bar Commodity Chart S3 S2 S1 PP R1 R2 R3 H L C Crude Oil 92.93 95.71 97.41 100.19 101.89 104.67 106.37 102.98 98.50 99.10 Natural Gas 2.540 2.602 2.649 2.711 2.758 2.820 2.867 2.772 2.663 2.697 Heating Oil 2.9200 2.9798 3.0169 3.0767 3.1138 3.1736 3.2107 3.1364 3.0395 3.0541 Gasoline RBOB 2.5845 2.6512 2.6912 2.7579 2.7979 2.8646 2.9046 2.8245 2.7178 2.7313 Gold 1616.1 1628.5 1638.1 1650.5 1660.1 1672.5 1682.1 1662.9 1640.9 1647.7 Silver 28.966 29.418 29.771 30.223 30.576 31.028 31.381 30.675 29.870 30.124 Copper 3.4080 3.4650 3.5570 3.6140 3.7060 3.7630 3.8550 3.6710 3.5220 3.6490 Platinum 1468.7 1480.0 1490.0 1501.3 1511.3 1522.6 1532.6 1512.5 1491.2 1500.1       Extreme Range         Posted courtesy of Oil N' Gold

Could Crude Oil Prices Intensify a Pending SP 500 Sell Off?

Crude Oil Bulls "Cling" to Bullish Trade Triangles

Crude oil closed lower due to profit taking on Thursday as it consolidates some of the rally off December's low. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Friday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If February extends the rally off December's low, the 75% retracement level of the 2011 decline crossing at 104.84 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 98.84 would signal that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 103.74. Second resistance is the 75% retracement level of the 2011 decline crossing at 104.84. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 100.55. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 98.84.

Crude oils chart Analysis Score of +90 this market remains very much in a strong upward trend, despite today’s pullback. The crude oil market has resistance starting at $104 up to the $105 level. Long and intermediate term traders should be long this market with appropriate money management stops. Monthly, weekly and daily Trade Triangles all remain bullish.


Five Best Trade Ideas for the Next Two Weeks

Will The Dollar Ruin The Santa Claus Rally in the S&P 500?

Experienced traders recognize that volume typically dries up going into the holiday season. Light volume and the holiday seasonality generally push equity prices higher. The discussion of whether Santa Claus comes to Wall Street has arrived in earnest.

I do not envy Santa as he has the most arduous task of determining if Wall Street was naughty or nice. I suppose it depends on whether he reviews recent performance, or if past performance comes into play. Clearly coal will likely be found in a few stockings soon enough. If I were John Corzine, I would not expect to get a lump coal, but something far worse potentially.

In all seriousness, the bullishness has gotten pervasive in the media and economic data points such as unemployment and consumer credit have improved according to the government. One way to gauge investor sentiment is to look at the weekly advisor sentiment numbers courtesy of Bloomberg and Investor’s Intelligence.

According to this week’s advisor sentiment numbers, advisors who are bullish advanced to 47.4% from 44.2% last week. Bearish advisors dropped to 29.5% from 30.5% from the previous week. The 29.5% bearish data point matches a level that has not been seen in nearly 4 months. Bullishness has clearly become the leading expectation in the marketplace.

Only one asset has the opportunity to be “The Grinch” and ruin Christmas on Wall Street. If the U.S. Dollar rallies sharply, risk assets are certain to get hammered lower. In addition to the bullish tenor of market participants, most market pundits and gold bugs believe strongly that the U.S. Dollar is doomed fated for lower prices.

When I look at the long term momentum of a stock or commodity contract I will look at a monthly chart and plot the 12 month moving average against the price action. While it seems simple, equity and futures positions adhere to the 12 month moving average quite closely in many cases. The analysis is very simple as prices above the 12 month moving average equate to bullishness and prices below the moving average predict lower prices. The monthly chart of the Dollar Index futures is shown below:

As can be seen above, the Dollar Index futures are showing strength currently. The 12 month moving average is starting to flatten out which is also a bullish indicator. When looking at the daily time frame we can see that price action is trading inside a wedge pattern and is bouncing higher off of support:

An additional catalyst that could push the U.S. Dollar higher is the economic tragedy that is Europe. European political leaders need to come up with a series of strong solutions that will stabilize their economic crisis otherwise the Euro will weaken further. A weakening or potentially crashing Euro will push buyers back into the U.S. Dollar. This would in turn place downward pressure on equities and commodities.

S&P 500

On Thursday the S&P 500 flushed over 2% lower by the close as the European Central Bank disappointed investors with an expected 0.25% rate cut and no new bond purchase announcements. The bulls will tell you that the Thursday the week prior to monthly option expiration usually is volatile and price direction is generally in the opposite direction of the primary trend. We will find out next week whether that axiom holds true. The daily chart of the S&P 500 is shown below:

The strength of Thursday’s move is not going to easily be reversed. The European leaders need to shock the market with tangible decisions and launch a major offensive against their growing fiscal issues. If European leaders disappoint investors, the reaction to the news could be a violent selloff that leaves bulls flatfooted next week.

Those who are leaning long in size should consider that their trading capital is being leveraged on the hope that European leaders can come to a groundbreaking agreement. I will be in cash watching the price action in the S&P 500. However, once the dust settles and others have done the heavy lifting, I will likely get involved with a directional trade. Until then, I am just going to ponder if I were Santa, would Wall Street get a present or a lump of coal?

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J.W. Jones

Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Gold Market Summary For Thursday Nov. 24th

Crude oil closed down $1.66 a barrel at $96.34 on Wednesday. Prices closed near mid-range today and were pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar index and lower U.S. stock indexes. Recent price action in crude hints a near term market top is in place. Crude bulls do still have the overall near term technical advantage.

Natural gas closed up 5.4 cents at $3.615 on Wednesday with prices closing nearer the session high and scoring a bullish “outside day” up on the daily bar chart today. Short covering in a bear market was featured today. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage.

Gold futures closed down $5.00 an ounce at $1,697.50 on Wednesday. Prices closed nearer the session high today, and well up from the daily low, and saw some bargain hunting and short covering late in the session. However, the key “outside markets” were bearish for gold today and kept prices below unchanged. The U.S. dollar index was sharply higher while crude oil and the rest of the commodity sector was lower. Near term technical damage has been inflicted recently.


How to Trade Oil ETFs When $100 Per Barrel is Reached

Crude Oil Bulls Take Solid Near Term Advantage

Crude oil closed up $1.25 a barrel at $95.51 today. Prices closed nearer the session high and hit a fresh three month high today. Crude bulls have the solid overall near term technical advantage and gained more upside momentum today. Prices are in a five week old uptrend on the daily bar chart.

Natural gas closed down 8.6 cents at $3.697 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today and scored another fresh contract low. The bears have the solid overall near term technical advantage.

December gold futures closed up $35.90 an ounce at $1,792.10 today. Prices closed near the session high today and hit another fresh six week high. Strong safe haven buying interest was seen amid the EU turmoil that is now focusing on Italy. Bulls have solid the overall near term technical advantage and gained more upside technical momentum today.


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Crude Oil Bulls Cling to a Technical Advantage After a Rough Go in Tuesday Trading

Crude oil closed down $2.34 a barrel at $90.86 on Tuesday. Prices closed near mid range today and saw more profit taking pressure from recent gains. A higher U.S. dollar index and weaker stock indexes pressured crude again today. Crude bulls still have the overall near term technical advantage, but are fading and need to show fresh power soon.

Natural gas closed down 14.7 cents at $3.782 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. The bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage.

Gold futures closed down $6.60 an ounce at $1,719.20 today. Prices closed nearer the session high today after being under stronger selling pressure early on today. The market was pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar index and lower crude oil prices.

Profit taking from recent gains in gold was seen again today. No chart damage has occurred this week. Bulls still have the overall near term technical advantage. A five week old uptrend is still in place on the daily bar chart.

Adam Hewison: Here’s the Bottom Line, Nothing Has Really Changed

The light volume rally that exceeded everyone’s expectations in the equity markets has finally come to an end. We were surprised, like many traders, just how far this rally extended. The major trends always win out in the end, and the major trend for the equity markets, the oil market, the silver market, and the Reuters Jefferies CRB index are all still negative longer term. The long term trends came into play and proved how important they are in the scope of trading.

This morning I saw that Wall Street insider Raj Rayaratnam was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his insider trading. I’m all for putting people behind bars that break the security laws of the United States. The security markets have no place for individuals like this.

I’m also for putting incompetent politicians who waste our money behind bars. There should be consequences for their actions. When you have Senator Dick Durbin go on the Senate floor and say to everybody to pull their money out of Bank of America, it is an irresponsible statement and very dangerous for our fragile economy.

The reason Senator Durbin said what he did on the Senate floor, is because he cannot be prosecuted. Had he made that statement in a town hall meeting or any kind of public meeting, Bank of America could and should sue him. You can’t have politicians denigrating businesses who are elected officials. Unfortunately, most of these officials have zero shame and certainly would not resign over something like this.

Here’s the bottom line, nothing has really changed, the country and the world is in a heap of trouble and that just can’t be swept under the rug and forgotten about.

Let's look at the crude oil action for Thursday.....

The action in crude oil today signifies that we have more than likely put in an interim top for this market. A close in the December contract below $84 a barrel would be viewed as negative, indicating a move back down to the $80 a barrel level. Last Friday, December crude oil closed at $82.97. Let’s see how it closes this week. Intermediate and Long term traders should continue to be short the crude oil market.

November crude oil closed down $1.16 a barrel at $84.41 today. Prices closed near mid range today and profit taking from recent gains was seen. Bulls still have some upside technical momentum. The bulls have the slight overall near term technical advantage.

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 = – 55

Please note that we are switching to the December contract for crude oil.

Adam Hewison: Do You See the Trees In a Forest, Or Do You Just See the Forest?

There is a saying that goes like this “can’t see the forest for the trees” is a reference to people who get so involved with the details of an issue that they lose sight of the big picture.

If your involved in the markets, it is easy to fall into the trap of just looking at the minute or hourly charts, rather than considering the market as a whole. When you can’t see the market for the minutia, it means that you are deeply involved in a situation, and you are perhaps focusing too much on the inner workings of the market, and not enough on the big trends.

With all of this talk of problems in Greece, defaults, contagion and a host of other problems in Europe, it is easy for traders to get distracted, and not see the forest for the trees.

The most important element in trading in my opinion, is the direction the major trend for that market. It doesn’t really matter what the news is, if the market is doing something else. As traders I believe we have to look at the forest in this case the big trends in the marketplace.

Let’s look at them now: S&P 500 index major trend down. Gold major trend up. Metals major trend down. Crude oil major trend down. Dollar index major trend up. CRB index major trend down.
So, there you have it, all the major trends in all the markets we are dealing with right now.

Everything else is just individual trees, that don’t mean a heck of a lot in the big picture.
It takes a tremendous amount of energy to move a market and change a major trend. This kind of energy normally does not happen in one or two days. As they say in statistics, one data point does not make a trend.

Let's take a look at our Trend Analysis and Trade Triangles for Crude Oil......

As the equity markets go, so goes the price of crude oil. The November contract appears to be having some problems with areas of resistance at the $84.00 and $84.50 levels. With both our long term monthly and intermediate term Trade Triangles in a negative mode we expect this market to have another push down to test the $80 and possibly the $78 a barrel level. While this market is presently higher for the week, it is lower for the month and the quarter. Intermediate and Long term traders should continue to be short the crude oil market.

November crude oil closed up $1.43 a barrel at $82.64 today. Prices closed nearer the session high today as trading has turned very choppy this week. A firmer U.S. stock market and steady U.S. dollar index today did support fresh buying interest in crude. The crude bulls and bears are on a level near term technical playing field.

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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Don't Be Fooled By This Rally, Crude Oil Bears Maintain The Advantage

The crude oil market has been finding support around the $78 a barrel level. Today’s move to the upside helped alleviate some of the oversold condition that this market was experiencing. The rally triggered our short term Trade Triangle into a positive mode.

This was not enough based on both our long term monthly and intermediate term weekly Trade Triangles which remain in the negative column. As you may recall we are tying the crude oil market with the equity markets. As the equity markets go, so does crude oil at the moment. Intermediate and Long term traders should continue to be short the crude oil market.

November crude oil closed up $4.18 a barrel at $84.42 today. Prices closed near the session high today. A rallying U.S. stock market and weaker U.S. dollar index boosted crude today. The crude bulls did gain fresh upside near term technical momentum today. A bullish double bottom reversal pattern may be forming on the daily bar chart.

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

The Battle Continues Between the Bulls and the Bears

The battle between the Bulls and Bears continues in the equity markets. This past week the Bulls won with a very positive 5.35% return.

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

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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.

Inventories and Threats of Chinese Tightening Give Commodity Bears The Advantage

Crude oil inventories spiked for a 2nd consecutive week, while on hand crude dropped in 3 out of 5 PAD districts the big gains in the Gulf Coast region created the net gain. Gasoline demand even fell for a 3rd consecutive week as gasoline inventories also made considerable gains. And oil prices showed the effects on Thursday touching a two week low of $88.00. But it wasn't all about inventories, commodities in general took a beating as traders seem to put more into the concerns over Chinese attempts to reel in their inflation worries with new rounds of tightening.


In a great article from Phil Flynn he reminds us "The Chinese, to keep up this charade, will have to buy more and more commodities from the global market to keep it going. The more artificially cheap commodities they feed to their ravenous marketplace will only leave the country wanting more and more. This of course would lead to an eventual monster bubble that if popped could take China’s economy down. The market already realizes what the Chinese should do".


Are the crude oil bulls in trouble here? According to Petromatrix GmbH yesterday’s crude oil's drop put it’s five day rolling mean below the nine day for the first time since Jan. 4. The decline of a short term indicator of momentum before a longer term measure is described as a “dead cross” and may be a sign that prices may correct lower. Olivier Jakob of Switzerland based consultant Zug reported “Brent and WTI are now suffering from a negative cross-over of the five to nine day moving average, and bulls will need to close today above the five day".

All the woes of Brent and the WTI as OPEC is increasingly facing calls to boost oil production as crude prices in Asia and Africa surpass $100 a barrel for the first time in two years. Nigeria’s Bonny Light grade, from which traders gauge the cost of West African oil, rose to $100.12 a barrel on Jan. 17, passing $100 for the first time since October 2008, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Our regular readers know how we feel about Fridays. The closing price on Friday will always tell us what traders are feeling comfortable about leaving on the table. As we go to press markets indicate that yesterdays sell off was a bit over done as prices have touched 90.22 before pulling back. Better top off your coffee, here's our numbers for Fridays trading.....


Crude oil was higher due to short covering overnight as it consolidates some of Thursday's decline. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 88.45 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. If March renews this winter's rally, weekly resistance crossing at 93.87 is the next upside target. First resistance is this year's high crossing at 93.46. Second resistance is weekly resistance crossing at 93.87. First support is the reaction low crossing at 88.45. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 88.07. Crude oil pivot point for Friday morning is 90.10.


Natural gas was higher overnight and trading above the previous reaction high crossing at 4.707 thereby renewing the rally off December's low. Stochastics and the RSI are diverging but have turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If February extends the rally off December's low, the 50% retracement level of the June-October decline crossing at 4.876 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.448 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is the overnight high crossing at 4.747. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the June-October decline crossing at 4.876. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 4.514. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.448. Natural gas pivot point for Friday morning is 4.641.


Gold was lower overnight as it extends this month's decline. Stochastics and the RSI are becoming oversold but remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible. If February extends this month's decline, the reaction low crossing at 1331.10 is the next downside target. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1382.20 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 1368.80. Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1382.20. First support is the overnight low crossing at 1340.20. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1331.10. Gold Pivot point for Friday morning is 1353.30.


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Is The Gold Run Over.....Here's How we are Going to Play Gold This Week?

The markets and gold in particular have kept traders on their toes this week. Gold is looking to find support levels while the SP500 continues to push its way higher. Let’s take a look at the charts and our current analysis to get better feel for what is happening with gold and the SP500.

Gold 4 Hour Chart
As you can see from the chart below gold has formed a possible double top. The fact that it made a higher high is actually a bearish sign for the intermediate term 1-3 weeks. When we see a higher high getting sold into with big volume it typically means the big money is unloading large positions into the surge of breakout traders and short covering that occurs when a new high is reached. Following the big money is very important to keep an eye on as it can warn us of possible trend changes before it occurs.

The current selling volume is not exactly a healthy sign if you are looking for higher prices in the near term. If this pattern breaks down I would expect $1340 to be reached very quickly.

Keep in mind gold it in a strong up trend still. Shorting is not the best play in my opinion. I prefer to see pullback which washes the market of weak positions then jump on the long side for another bounce/rally.

SP500 Market Internal Strength – 10min, 3 days chart
I watch these charts to get a feel for the overall market strength on a short term basis. The top chart shows the SPY etf breaking above a resistance trend line on Friday afternoon. This occurred on light volume meaning it is mostly likely a false breakout and Monday we could see a gap lower at the open or a pop & drop. The two other indicators are reaching an extreme level which normally tells us a pullback is due in the next 24-48 hours of trading. The question is, will us just be a bull market pause or will we get a decent pullback.

The red indicator in the top chart and the red indicator levels on the charts below that help us time the market as to when profits should be taken or to tighten our stops if we have any long positions.

The broad market is still in a very strong uptrend so moving stops up and buying on oversold dips is the way to play it.

Weekend Market Analysis Conclusion:
In short, both gold and the stock market are in a bull market (uptrend). Trying to pick a top to short the market is not a good idea. Instead I am looking for an extreme oversold condition to help reduce downside risk before taking a long position.

The overall strength of the market (SP500 and Gold) I think are starting to weaken but in no way am I going to short them. We continue to buy dips until proven wrong because indicators can stay in the extreme overbought levels for a long period of time. Generally the biggest moves happen in the last 10-20% of the trend.

Posted courtesy of Chris Vermeulen at The Gold and Oil Guy.Com

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New Video: Where is Gold Headed and How Can You Prepare?

The gold market has been pushing out its normal level of frustration and anxiety for the past several weeks.

So the question becomes, is the gold market pausing to move higher, and of course the Bulls would argue this, or is it forming the head and shoulders top that many technicians are looking for? Of course, this would be a bearish sign for gold if this technical formation is completed.

We've just finished a short video that shows you what we're looking at right now in gold and how I think it is going to be resolved. The video is a little over 2 minutes. It's quick and to the point while supplying you with what you need to take your place in or out of this market.

Just Click Here to Watch today's video "Where is Gold Headed and How Can You Prepare?"

You may also wish to attend our gold webinar which we are holding on the 2nd of December at 4 PM EST. The webinar is free of charge, but you need to register in order to attend. This is no hype, but we have limited space and it will be on a first come first served basis. The important thing is that you register as soon as possible.

Here is the link to register for the webinar

While you do need to register to attend our gold webinar, in order to watch today's short video no registration is required nor is there any charge.

We hope to see you at this week's Gold webinar so don't forget to register.

Want to trade like Adam? Click here for FREE lessons.

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