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In our new video on crude oil we update some of the thoughts we have recently published, but also some important elements that are still in play and could push this market significantly higher.
In this new video we outline the key support zone that we see and also highlight some other technical elements could come into play to push this market higher.
Just click here to watch the video, and as always our videos are free to watch and there is no need to register. Please take a moment to leave a comment and let our readers where you think oil is headed.
Good trading, Ray C. Parrish President/CEO The Crude Oil Trader
Crude oil fell for a second day as the dollar strengthened against the euro and global equity markets declined. Oil slipped as much as 1.6 percent as the U.S. currency advanced for the third time in four days. Stocks and equity futures retreated after European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said policy makers will withdraw emergency cash gradually to avoid fueling inflation, and Dell Inc.’s earnings trailed analysts’ estimates.
“We will take oil prices down another notch because of the strengthening dollar,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch & Associates, a Galena, Illinois, consultant. “Things are bearish everywhere you look.” Crude oil for December delivery fell $1.20, or 1.6 percent, to $76.26 a barrel at 9:11 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices are little changed this week and 71 percent higher this year. The December contract expires today. The more actively traded January contract fell $1.09, or 1.4 percent, to $76.96 a barrel. Oil dropped 2.7 percent yesterday as the greenback gained and on concern the rally in commodities and equities has outpaced the prospects for economic growth.....Read the entire article.
Crude oil closed down $1.87 at $77.71 a barrel today. Prices closed nearer the session low today amid a rebound in the U.S. dollar index and solidly lower U.S. stock index futures prices. Crude oil bulls still have the overall near term technical advantage. However, the bulls do not want to see a bearish weekly low close on Friday.
Unleaded gasoline (RBOB) closed down 381 points at $.19733 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. Bulls still have the overall near term technical advantage. The next upside price objective for the bulls is closing prices above solid technical resistance at the October high of $2.1015.
Natural gas closed up 8.9 cents at $4.343 today. Prices closed near the session high after hitting a fresh contract low early on today. Short covering in a bear market was seen today. Serious near term chart damage has occurred recently. Bears have the solid near term technical advantage.
The U.S. dollar index closed up 14 points at 75.40 today. Prices closed near mid range today. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage, amid no early clues of a market bottom being close at hand.
Overview for the week ending Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Since Wednesday, November 11, natural gas spot prices rose at nearly all market locations in the lower 48 States, with increases of up to 55 cents per million Btu (MMBtu). Prices at the Henry Hub climbed $0.15 per MMBtu, or about 4 percent, to $3.74 per MMBtu.
At the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the futures contract for December delivery at the Henry Hub settled yesterday, November 18, at $4.254 per MMBtu. The price of the near month contract decreased by 25 cents or about 6 percent during the report week.
Natural gas in storage was a record setting 3,833 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of November 13, which is about 12 percent above the 5 year average (2004-2008). The implied net injection for the week was 20 Bcf.
The spot price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil increased by $0.39 per barrel since Wednesday, November 11, to $79.55 per barrel or $13.72 per MMBtu.
In our latest video we hope to answer those questions and show you what we think could happen to this market in the near term.
There is a fascinating cycle at work that we want to share with you. If this cycle remains in effect, we could be looking at the beginning of a turn down for this index.
Just click here to watch the video and as always our MarketClub videos are free to watch and there is no need to register.
Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know what you think about the direction of the market.
Good trading, Ray C. Parrish President/CEO The Crude Oil Trader
Have you been worried about the dramatic drop in the dollar? Are you worried that the dollar is falling because of our ballooning deficit or the fact that this country is printing money like there is no tomorrow? Well if the Fed is not worried maybe you shouldn’t be either.
Panic time is over! The President of the Philadelphia Fed, Charles Plosser, says the drop in the dollar reflects the end of panic. In fact he even says its drop in value should not be a surprise and was even expected. Well yeah if you keep printing money and keep rates below zero. Take that Nouriel Roubini! Mr. Plosser says that there is no particular reason why you wouldn't expect the dollar to go back to where it was before the panic set in.
He says that the U.S. government has historically let the dollar fluctuate, and a weaker dollar in recent years can be understood as a market response to imbalances in the U.S. current account. The dollar as an instrument to tackle asset price bubbles, monetary policy alone isn't adequate, and that more research should be made on the issue of whether there's a connection between policy rates and such bubbles.....Read the entire article.
Crude oil fell for the first time in four days as the dollar gained against the euro, dulling the appeal of commodities as a currency hedge. Oil fell after reaching a one week high yesterday as the U.S. Department of Energy said crude stockpiles dropped unexpectedly last week. Stock markets fell today across Europe on concern that this year’s rally has outpaced the prospects for economic growth.
“When the dollar is strong and equities are lower, then the oil market goes lower too,” Frank Schallenberger, head of commodities research at Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg, said by phone from Stuttgart. “It’s unusual to be stuck so long in a range” between $75 and $80. Crude oil for December delivery dropped as much as 82 cents, or 1 percent, to $78.76 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and traded at $79.22 a barrel at 2:05 p.m. London time. The contract expires tomorrow.....Read the entire article.
So far this week has been generous with our commodity ETFs moving higher, other than natural gas which is clearly in a bear market. Each of the commodity ETF trading charts below is at a different stage and it will be interesting to see how things unfold in the coming weeks.
Trading ETFs is very rewarding when done properly and using multiple time frames for timing your entry and exit points is crucial. My main focus is on the weekly and daily charts but I use a 30 minute intraday chart when the time comes to actually pick an exact buy or sell point. Below I have provided both the weekly and daily chart so you can see how the same ETF looks completely different on the two time frames.
USO Fund Trading – Weekly & Daily Trading Charts While gold and silver have been moving higher oil has been flagging sideways taking a breather. Both the weekly and the daily charts are aligned for a nice move higher if the trend and charts follow through on their patterns. We could get some tradable action in the next couple days.
UNG Fund Trading – Weekly & Daily Trading Charts Natural gas is really starting to slide. Wednesday UNG dipped below the Sept low of $8.94 by a couple cents then moved up into the close. Overall it’s not bullish. This could be the start of a waterfall sell off which is a sharp heavy volume sell off that lasts 3-5 days.
Commodity ETF Trading Conclusion: To sum everything up the gold and silver ETFs are on fire as they continue to surge higher. Being ready for a sharp reversal is important if you want to lock in gains on a portion of your position.
Crude oil is taking its time but looking ripe for a breakout higher. We continue to watch for some action.
Natural gas continues to get pushed down and it’s not looking good for higher prices anytime soon. We are waiting for a shorting opportunity or an oversold condition to play a 1-5 day bounce.
Quick Trading Tip: If you have a position which has done well and has moved up for an extended period of time be sure to draw some trend lines and tighten your stop, or set a stop, under a tight trend line. Sell some of your position (25-50%) to lock in gains and let the core position continue to mature. If you get a pullback to a support level (previous breakout level) you can buy back your other part of your position at a lower price.
Crude oil closed up $0.49 at $79.63 a barrel today. Prices closed near mid range again today. A weaker U.S. dollar supported buying interest in crude today. Crude oil bulls have the near term technical advantage in crude oil. The next downside price objective for the crude oil bears is to produce a close below solid technical support at last week's low of $75.57.
Natural gas closed down 26.9 cents at $4.26 today. Prices closed near the session low and hit a fresh contract low today. Serious near term chart damage has occurred recently, including more today. Bears have the solid near term technical advantage.
Unleaded gasoline (RBOB) closed up 100 points at $2.0149 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today. Bulls still have the near term technical advantage. The next upside price objective for the bulls is closing prices above solid technical resistance at the October high of $2.1015.
The U.S. dollar index closed down 29 points at 75.17 today. Prices closed near mid range today. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage, amid no early clues of a market bottom being close at hand. Bulls' next upside price objective is to close prices above solid technical resistance at 77.00.
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