Crude Oil Trading Slightly Lower, Do we Have a Near Term Bottom?

Crude oil was slightly lower overnight as it extends last Friday's decline. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that a short term low might be in or is near.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.56 would confirm that a short term low has been posted. If January extends this month's decline, the 75% retracement level of this fall's rally crossing at 70.23 is the next downside target.

Monday's pivot point, our line in the sand is 75.43

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 77.84
Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.56

First support is last Friday's low crossing at 72.39
Second support is the 75% retracement level of this fall's rally crossing at 70.23

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Natural gas was lower due to profit taking overnight as it consolidated some of last week's rally. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If January extends last week's rally, the 50% retracement level of the October-November decline crossing at 5.413 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 4.901 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

Natural gas pivot for Monday is 5.086

First resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 5.290
Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the October-November decline crossing at 5.413

First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.946
Second support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 4.901

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The U.S. Dollar was lower overnight as it consolidates below the 10 day moving average crossing at 75.11. Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bullish hinting that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 75.35 would temper the near term bearish outlook in the market. If December extends this month's decline, monthly support crossing at 73.39 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 75.11
Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 75.35

First support is last week's low crossing at 74.21
Second support is monthly support crossing at 73.39

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Crude Oil and Natural Gas Technical Outlook For Monday Morning

Nymex Crude Oil (CL)

Intraday bias in crude oil remains neutral for the moment and some more sideway trading might be seen. But after all, risk will continue to remain on the downside as long as 80.51 resistance holds and fall from 82.00 is still in favor to continue. Below 72.39 will target 61.8% retracement of 65.05 to 82 at 71.52 next and then trend line support at 70.76.

In the bigger picture, the resumption of fall from 82.00 last week was inline with our preferred bearish view. That is, a medium term top is formed at 82.0 on bearish divergence conditions in daily MACD as whole rise from 33.2 has completed. Break of trend line support (now at 70.76) will add more credence to this case and bring deeper fall to 58.32 cluster support (50% retracement of 33.2 to 82 at 57.60) for confirmation. However, break of 80.51 will indicate that price actions from 82.0 are merely consolidations in the medium term rise only. Further break of 82.0 will bring medium term rise resumption. However, as we expect such rise to conclude inside resistance zone of 76.77/90.24 (38.2% and 50% retracement of 147.27 to 33.2), focus will remain on loss of momentum and reversal signal even in case of another rise.....Here is the charts!

Nymex Natural Gas (NG)

Natural gas fails below 5.318 again and intraday bias is turned neutral for the moment. While some more retreat might be seen, as recent price actions suggest natural gas is consolidations only, hence, we'd look forward to an upside break out. Above 5.318 will confirm that whole rebound from 2.409 has resumed and should target 61.8% projection of 2.409 to 5.318 from 4.157 at 5.955 next.

In the bigger picture, medium term fall from 13.69 is treated as part of the long term consolidation pattern that started at 15.78 back in 2005. Further will now remain in favor as long as 4.157 support holds, towards 38.2% retracement of 13.694 to 2.409 at 6.72 and beyond. Nevertheless, break of 4.157 support will indicate dampen this bullish case and turn outlook mixed again.....Here is the charts!

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The Dow, Dollar & Gold – What Goes Down Must Come Up

This year has been a very exiting time for traders and investors. We have seen a steady climb in prices with controlled pullbacks in the broad market and gold.

Using technical analysis we are able to quickly and accurately make informed decisions just from looking at the charts. In the charts below you will see how simple chart patterns along with support & resistance levels can provide excellent low risk entry points. Also you will see how candle stick charts can be an early indicator for prices to reverse direction.

DIA ETF – Daily
The DIA (Dow Jones Index Fund) is trending higher. By applying some basic technical analysis you are able to time your entry points having the odds in your favor.

In this chart I use two simple forms of analysis. The broadening formation (red trend lines), and horizontal support zones shown in blue.

Broadening Formations: This is when the price becomes more volatile making higher highs and lower lows. I think of it as one of those Megaphones for talking to large groups of people. So when a chart has this pattern it’s virtually yelling at me and I start taking profits or tightening my stops.

Horizontal Support Zones: I like to focus on support or resistance zones which are a little different than most traders. I do not use the top and bottoms of previous waves for these levels. Instead I take the average price then expect the support level to be penetrated somewhat as the level is tested. This is how the market keeps you out of the good trades. I cover this in great detail in my Stock Market Trading Education Course available in January.

Analysis: The DIA ETF looks ready for a pullback to the $99- 100 level.



GLD Exchange Traded Fund – Weekly
Gold has been on fire and riding this wave up has been very profitable thus far. Last week a doji candle was formed on the chart and this can signal a change in short term price action.

This chart shows some of the past doji candles and what happened to the price of gold soon after. What this candle is telling us is that the buying and selling pressure is equal. So we know momentum is slowing and we should expect a consolidation or correction.

Because gold has rocketed higher, indeed going almost straight up in the recent weeks, I expect a pullback to be very quick. A drop to the $110 or even the $100 level in the coming weeks is not out of the question, but we all know commodities can go parabolic for several months (straight up). This is why we continue to tighten our stops and keep holding out long positions.



US Dollar – Weekly
The US dollar has been up and down like a yo-yo in the past 15 months. The chart below clearly shows what has been happening with this currency and what I think we could see very soon.

The blue support zone (73-74) is a key pivot point for the dollar. That being said lets take a look at the chart.

During the time when the price is trending higher July 2008 – Feb 2009 we see lower wicks appear more often. This tells me that sellers pushed the price down early in the week but were then overcome by buyers nearer the end of the week. This is bullish price action. Also the broadening patterns during this timeframe’s tops indicate increased volatility and we know that is a sign of weakness.

From March 2009 – Sept 2009 the trend was down and there are longer upper wicks telling us buyers became over powered by sellers each time the price rallied.

In the recent 3 months we observe lower wicks meaning buyers are moving into the US dollar again. Knowing that there is major support below the current price I have to think the dollar could start to bottom around this level.



Trading Conclusion:
The broad market is becoming unstable and looks like it could have more of a pullback this week. I would not be adding to any long positions until we see the market trading near support. Three out of four stocks move with the market so it is crucial to understand the overall market direction when buying and selling stocks and commodities.

Gold is trading at a level which is fuzzy. The weekly chart is neutral and the daily chart is still on fire as it moves up. All we can do is ride our positions and keep raising our stop prices.

The US dollar could start to bottom over the next few weeks. Depending what happens with Dubai this week we could be in for a big bounce in the dollar as investors flock to safety as the US dollar is still the currency of choice if/when other countries start to have a financial melt down again.

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Oil Rises on U.A.E. Backing for Dubai’s Banks, Weaker Dollar

Crude oil rose in New York after the United Arab Emirates’ central bank said it “stands behind” the country’s banks, easing concerns about a possible default by Dubai World. Oil gained as much as 0.9 percent after the Abu Dhabi based U.A.E. central bank said yesterday lenders will be able to borrow using a special facility tied to their current accounts. The dollar declined against the euro, bolstering the attraction of commodities as an alternative investment.

“The market is still coming to terms with the implications of the Dubai debt scare for oil,” said Toby Hassall, research analyst with CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. The move by the U.A.E central bank could be a “positive sign,” he said. Crude oil for January delivery gained 45 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $76.50 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 12:09 p.m. Sydney time. It earlier dropped as much as 0.3 percent.....Read the entire article.

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U.S. Crude Oil Production Poised for Biggest Jump Since 1970

United States crude oil production for 2009 is on target to have its biggest one year jump since 1970, according to a Platts analysis of industry data. With U.S. oil production averaging 5.268 million barrels per day (b/d) through October, the gain in U.S. output will be the most since the country produced 9.637 million b/d in 1970, which turned out to be the peak year of U.S. crude output, according to Platts' analysis of data published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). If that 5.268 million b/d figure holds through December, this year would show a 6.4% boost from the 4.95 million b/d average of 2008 and rank as the best U.S. oil production year since 2004, when output averaged 5.419 million b/d.

For comparison, in the 40 years since U.S. oil production peaked annual output has jumped only eight times. Seven of those increases were minimal; only in 1978 was there a jump of significant magnitude, an increase of 5.6%, to 8.7 million b/d. Last year's hurricane curtailments distorted the production numbers somewhat for the 2008 comparison, given that 183,000 b/d of Gulf of Mexico output was still offline at the end of that year. However, 2009 is still expected to post increases of 3% and 4% from the relatively storm free years of 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Projections from the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) indicate that the primary driver for this year's U.S. oil production resurgence is actually just getting started. That driver is the Gulf of Mexico, where operators have begun launching a group of new fields, fulfilling what has been a decade long focus on unlocking the promise of deepwater exploration there.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Futures Tumble to Six Week Low on Dubai Debt Crisis

Crude oil in New York fell to the lowest level in six weeks as Dubai’s attempt to reschedule its debt bolstered the dollar and prompted investors to sell commodities.
Oil dropped as much as 7.1 percent as the U.S. currency climbed, dulling the appeal of raw materials as an alternative investment, and equities tumbled. Dubai World, the government investment company burdened by $59 billion of liabilities, sought to delay repayments, raising concern that worsening defaults may hold back the global recovery.

“The situation in Dubai revives worries about the recovery of the economy,” said Adam Sieminski, chief energy economist at Deutsche Bank AG in Washington. “The strength of the recovery has an obvious and immediate impact on both oil demand and prices.” Crude oil for January delivery declined $2.28, or 2.9 percent, to $75.68 a barrel at 12:09 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $72.39, the lowest since Oct. 12. On a closing basis the market is heading for the biggest drop since Nov. 12. New York oil futures didn’t settle yesterday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Floor trading and electronic trading will end at 1:45 p.m. today, instead of the normal closures at 2:30 and 5:15 p.m......Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil and Natural Gas Technical Outlook For Friday Morning

Nymex Crude Oil (CL)

Crude oil fall sharply to as low as 72.39 today and the development is inline with our bearish view that fall fro 82.00 is still in progress. Intraday bias remains on the downside for 61.8% retracement of 65.05 to 82 at 71.52. Sustained break there will pave the way for even deeper decline to 65.05 support next. On the upside, while some recovery might be seen, upside should be limited by 75.57 support turned resistance and bring fall resumption.

In the bigger picture, we'd continue to slightly favor the bearish case as long as 80.51 resistance holds. That is, a medium term top is formed at 82.0 on bearish divergence conditions in daily MACD as whole rise from 33.2 has completed. Break of trend line support (now at 70.60) will add more credence to this case and bring deeper fall to 58.32 cluster support (50% retracement of 33.2 to 82 at 57.60) for confirmation. However, break of 80.51 will indicate that price actions from 82.0 are merely consolidations in the medium term rise only. Further break of 82.0 will bring medium term rise resumption. However, as we expect such rise to conclude inside resistance zone of 76.77/90.24 (38.2% and 50% retracement of 147.27 to 33.2), focus will remain on loss of momentum and reversal signal even in case of another rise.....Here is the charts!

Nymex Natural Gas (NG)

Natural gas retreat mildly after the rise from 4.157 was limited below 5.318 resistance. With 4 hours MACD crossed below signal line, intraday bias is turned neutral again. Some more consolidations would be seen between 4.157 and 5.318. Nevertheless, note that break of 5.318 resistance will confirm that whole rally from 2.409 has resumed and should target 61.8% projection of 2.409 to 5.318 from 4.157 at 5.955 next.

In the bigger picture, current development suggests that price actions from 5.318 are merely consolidations and should have completed at 4.517 already. Rise from 2.409, which is still in progress and will likely extend to 38.2% retracement of 13.694 to 2.409 at 6.72 and beyond. Nevertheless, break of 4.157 support will indicate dampen this bullish case and turn outlook mixed.....Here is the charts!

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Oil Stock Valuations Increasing....and Not Just From Higher Oil Prices

I have noticed valuations in the junior oil sector creeping up, sometimes to the point where I have to blink. But it’s not just the increase in the price of oil this year that has driven up valuations. Technology is increasing how much oil or gas companies can produce from a well in a day, and in the overall amount of oil or gas they can recover from a given formation, essentially how fast and how much they produce. Technology is giving investors more leverage to the price of oil.

This is especially true of the hot new “tight” plays that are being developed in western Canada and the US, where I have been focusing the subscriber portfolio.
(“Tight” just means the oil is held in rocks like shale or sandstone, as opposed to the more conventional type of looser sands that hold hydrocarbons, and from which almost all the world’s production has come from in the last 100 years.

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As an example of valuations increasing, in August 2009 TriStar Oil and Gas merged with Petrobank’s Canadian operations, and was valued at about $109,000 per flowing barrel, which was almost double its average peer group valuation at the time. They were a 20,000+ bopd producer, and the larger the company, generally, the larger the valuation.

But now I am seeing junior producers one tenth that size, 2000 bopd or even 1000 bopd producers, get valuations in the $90,000 – $110,000 per flowing boe (barrels of oil equivalent) range. Most of these are in the 3 year old Bakken play in Saskatchewan, or the several months old Cardium play in Alberta. Several Canadian brokerage firms have issued reports saying these two oil plays have the best economics of any in Canada.....Read the entire article.

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Weak Dollar Boosts Commodities – So What’s Next?

Another fantastic week for precious metals as the US dollar continues its slide lower. Energy commodities like oil and natural gas are having some difficulty finding buyers.

When commodities start to trend they become very profitable for those riding them up or down. But when a short term trend starts to virtually go straight up (parabolic) then we must be prepared for a sharp pullback. Once the price starts to slide I figure a lot of short term traders will begin locking in profits, sending gold down.

I’ve recently discovered the Money Flows table from The Wall Street Journal and I gotta say it’s awesome. My thanks to John Townsend for bringing this resource as well as hidden gem play – DFSH – to my attention.

The Money Flow table calculates whether money is moving in or out of a stock or ETF on a given day, and whether it is selling on strength or buying on weakness. It also tells you if there are more up or down ticks. Really powerful stuff in my opinion.

For example, the GLD gold fund continued its move higher today as it must follow the underlying commodity. And though the fund traded higher institutions were selling their positions in masse. For every 9 block trades bought there were 100 block trades on the sell side. This is strong evidence that institutions/large traders are moving out of GLD. Indeed, over $161 million dollars moved out of GLD today alone and a total of $251 million dollars in the two days preceding today.

The SPY fund was 12 buy orders for every 100 sell orders. Today alone over $675 million was flowing out of SPY which his CRAZY huge. Just click here to check out the table!

GLD ETF Trading – Weekly & Daily Trading Charts
Gold continues to claw its way higher as trader’s trip over each other trying to buy this shiny investment. The weekly chart clearly shows a parabolic spike. Vertical spikes like this do not last for long, but the largest percentage of the move will be made riding this trend up with a tight stop.



SLV ETF Trading – Weekly & Daily Trading Charts
Silver is still trending up but lagging its big sister (yellow gold). The daily chart shows a nice mini bull flag and we could get an upside pop soon.



USO Fund Trading – Weekly & Daily Charts to Trade
Crude oil just does not have people participating. The dollar is dropping yet oil continues to be dormant. It has provided several intraday plays as it trades the top and bottom of the trend channel.



UNG Fund Trading – Trade the Weekly & Daily Charts
Natural gas really came to life today. It looks like people started to cover their shorts and it just kept running up for the entire session. I mentioned in a previous report that the $9 level could be a bottom and today’s reversal sure makes it look good to the eye. But if this is a short coving rally, prices are still headed lower yet.



ETF Trader Conclusion:
Gold continues its incredible rally and we love every minute of it. I keep moving our stops to lock in maximum gains while providing enough wiggle room for more growth.

Silver and precious metals stocks are lagging and that is a concern. The charts look solid but I think investors are not currently willing to pay higher prices for riskier plays which include silver and precious metal stocks.

Crude oil is just drifting lower in a controlled manner. The chart looks bullish but buyers just are not in a panic to buy it right now.

Natural Gas has put in a nice bounce this week. I expect a lot of this is short covering and it could rally to the $10.50 – $11.00 area if all goes well.

The broad market is starting to look and feel over bought. We could see the market continue higher Friday because of the holiday light trading volume which virtually always moves the markets, or whatever investment is HOT, higher. This is because the large traders take time off so there are not a lot of large sellers in the market. But be ready for next week because these nice lofty prices could start tumbling down.

I just want to wish everyone a great holiday!

Just Click Here to get our Economic Trading Indicator Tool and our Free Weekly Trading Reports.



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Crude Oil Declines on Rising U.S. Inventories, Stronger Dollar

Oil fell in New York as traders sold contracts to lock in gains ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and after the U.S. Energy Department said crude inventories held by the world’s largest energy consumer rose. Oil also pulled back after rallying 2.6 percent yesterday, the most since Nov. 16, as the dollar retraced some of its losses against the euro. Commercially held U.S. stockpiles rose to a four week high of 337.8 million barrels in the week to Nov. 20, renewing concern over the pace of recovery in fuel demand.

“We can expect some profit taking selling after last night’s sharp gains led by gold and the euro,” said Ken Hasegawa, a commodity derivatives sales manager at Newedge in Tokyo. “It’s possible to go as low as $76.50, that’s the level before it started rising yesterday.”

Crude oil for January delivery fell as much as 56 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $77.40 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract was at $77.55 a barrel at 11:20 a.m. Singapore time. Yesterday, it rose $1.94 to $77.96 a barrel. Futures have gained 74 percent this year. Floor trading in New York will be suspended today because of Thanksgiving. The exchange will close early tomorrow, while electronic trading will continue through the holiday.....Read the entire article.

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