Phil Flynn: Worms in Space

Yesterday the petroleum markets were all about trying to digest the weekly inventory reports. Refineries are running at the lowest level since the 1980’s if you exclude time when refineries were shut down for hurricanes and this shows that demand is lousy. Yet at the same time there are fears that we are finally getting down to a point where refiners have cut back enough to meet slowing demand. Despite this fascinating study of supply versus demand, we will get more into what really made the market pop and drop and that was a story from the AP that was released again by the AFP on the Dow Jones commodity wire.

A breaking oil market seemed to rally quickly after a headline crossed that said, “WHITE HOUSE: Reported rocket launch by Iran would be a provocative act.” Oh my gosh! Rocket launch! What was that, Get Me Out! Well that seemed to be the reaction or a higher buy got triggered but the story had come out earlier. The report did say that the White House reported a rocket launch by Iran would Be a "provocative act.", but the White House was still checking out reports of the launch. The Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer) rocket was launched Wednesday, Iranian state-owned Al-Alam television reported.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Drops the Most in 6 Months as Stocks Tumble, Dollar Strengthens

Crude oil tumbled the most in six months as the dollar gained and a drop in stocks bolstered skepticism that the economic recovery will be sustained. Oil fell as much as 5.4 percent as the greenback climbed versus the euro, curbing the appeal of commodities as an alternate investment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped after more Americans filed first time claims for unemployment insurance last week, raising concern that an improvement in the job market is stalling.

“Oil is down because of the dollar’s strength and the poor fortunes of the S&P, especially after the jobs report,” said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “The whole commodity sector is looking weak today.” Crude oil for March delivery fell $3.83, or 5 percent, to $73.15 a barrel at 11:49 a.m. New York time. Oil declined as much as $4.12 to $72.86, and is heading for the biggest daily drop since July 29. Prices are up 81 percent from a year ago.

“Everything on the screen is red because of negative economic news,” said Chip Hodge, who oversees a $9 billion natural resource bond portfolio as senior managing director at MFC Global Investment Management in Boston. “Unless the economy rebounds, prices should move in one direction, south.” The dollar climbed to the highest level against the euro since May after European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said the economic outlook is subject to “uncertainty.”

The dollar traded at $1.3745 per euro, up from $1.3893 yesterday. It traded earlier at $1.3728, the highest level since May 21.

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Trends for Stocks & Commodities: Gold, Oil and Indexes

Stocks and metals have been on a steady rise this week. The US Dollar drifting lower has helped to add fuel to the oversold bounce in equities and metals we are seeing.

Stocks – NYSE 65 Minute Chart
Stocks have started to show signs of a possible reversal to the upside. So far this week we have seen the major indices form a higher high and as of today are stuck under the key resistance level shown on the chart below. The rally seen this week has been on light volume indicating there is not much strength behind it at this time.

If buying volume picks up and we see the NYSE break this resistance level then money should start to pour back into the market as the first set up of higher highs and lows will have formed and that is the definition of an up trend.



Gold – 24 Hour Trading Chart Using 8 Hour Bars
This chart allows us to look far enough back to see key support and resistance levels. Today we saw gold sell down with rising volume which is bearish.



Oil – 10 Hour Candle Chart
The Oil fund is currently in the same situation as gold. It had a nice rally/bounce which was expected from the rather large sell off over the past couple weeks.



US Dollar Index – 2 Hour Chart
This chart shows the dollar rally that triggered the recent sell off in gold & silver from Jan 25th to Jan 31st. So far in February, the dollar has drifted lower into a support level and bounced sharply on Wednesday. This is very bullish price action and points to higher dollar prices in the near future.



Stock & Commodity Trading Conclusion:
In short, stocks and metals rallied on light volume which is a sign of weakness. They are both stuck under a key resistance level and selling volume has started to pickup. To add more logs to the fire, the US Dollar appears to be picking up speed for another surge higher in the next couple days.

All of this leads me to believe this weeks rally is just a dead cat bounce and lower prices are just around the corner. But, because the 60 minute intraday charts have made a higher high, the down trend is now in question. When in doubt, just stay out. During possible tops or bottoms I find it best to stay clear of the market, even for day traders unless there are very strong price and volume surges occurring.

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Crude Oil Drops a Second Day on U.S. Inventory Gains, Stronger Dollar

Crude oil declined for a second day after a U.S. government report yesterday showed a bigger than forecast increase in inventories, while a stronger dollar dulled the appeal of commodities. The Energy Department reported that crude stockpiles rose by 2.32 million barrels last week, compared with an expected 400,000 barrel gain, as refineries operated at their lowest rate outside of a hurricane period since 1989. Supplies of distillate fuels such as heating oil declined less than forecast.

“Strong contraction in distillate demand, which belies the recovery in the U.S. suggested by the latest GDP and manufacturing data, is weighing on sentiment,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity derivatives research at BNP Paribas SA in London. “It will be the second half of the year before oil breaks its range centered around $75 and sustainably rallies.” Crude oil for March delivery fell as much as 88 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $76.10 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $76.35 at 1:21 a.m. London time. Futures, which gained 78 percent in 2009, are down 3 percent so far this year.

Crude declined in tandem with European stock indexes. The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index slipped 0.9 percent to 247.21 as of 1:22 p.m. in London, erasing an earlier gain of 0.3 percent, led by losses among companies in Greece, Portugal and Spain.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Pivot, Support and Resistance Numbers For Thursday Morning

Crude oil was lower overnight as it consolidates some of the rally off last week's low. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If March extends this week's rally, the 50% retracement level of January's decline crossing at 78.43 is the next upside targets. Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 74.96 would temper the near term friendly outlook.

Thursday's pivot point, our line in the sand is 77.18

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 78.04
Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of January's decline crossing at 78.43

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 74.96
Second support is last Friday's low crossing at 72.43

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Natural gas was lower overnight as it consolidates some of the rebound off last week's low. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that additional strength is possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.500 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If March renews the decline off January's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919 is the next downside target.

Natural gas pivot point for Thursday is 5.446

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.500
Second resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 5.558

First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 5.060
Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919

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The U.S. Dollar was higher overnight and is trading above the 38% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 79.71. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If March extends this winter's rally, the 50% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 81.32 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.31 would confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is the overnight high crossing at 79.89
Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 81.32

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 79.09
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.31

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Bulls Lose Some Momentum on Unexpected Oil Inventory Build

Crude oil closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidated some of this week's rally. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bullish signal that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.95 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If March renews the decline off January's high, the 75% retracement level of the September-January rally crossing at 71.70 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.95. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of January's decline crossing at 78.43. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 74.94. Second support is last Friday's low crossing at 72.43.

Natural gas closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidated some of this week's rally. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.527 are needed to confirm that a low has been posted. If March renews the decline off January's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.527. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 5.804. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 5.060. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919.

The U.S. Dollar closed higher on Wednesday ending a two day correction off Monday's high. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways prices are possible near term. If March extends this winter's rally, the 50% retracement level of the 2009-2010 decline crossing at 81.32 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.22 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 79.76. Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2009-2010 decline crossing at 81.32. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 78.97. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.22.

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Crude Oil Falls After Report Shows Bigger Than Forecast U.S. Supply Gain

Crude oil fell after an Energy Department report showed a bigger than forecast increase in stockpiles as refineries idled units and imports climbed. Supplies rose 2.32 million barrels to 329 million last week, the report showed. A 400,000 barrel gain was forecast, according to the median of 16 analyst responses in a Bloomberg news survey. Refineries operated at the lowest rate in more than a year as fuel demand lagged behind year earlier levels.

“The crude number was surprisingly large,” said Jason Schenker, president of Prestige Economics LLC, an Austin, Texas based energy consultant. Crude oil for March delivery fell 24 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $76.99 a barrel at the 2:30 p.m. close of floor trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices jumped as much as 81 cents and slipped 71 cents during the session. Oil traded at $77.17 a barrel before the release of the inventory report at 10:30 a.m. in Washington.

Gasoline inventories unexpectedly dropped 1.31 million barrels to 329 million, the report showed. Supplies were 2.3 percent higher than the five year average for the period, according to the department. Stockpiles were forecast to climb by 1.4 million barrels. “The fact that gasoline inventories were down in an environment where demand is so paltry shows that refiners are serious about reducing fuel stockpiles,” said John Kilduff, a partner at Round Earth Capital, a New York based hedge fund that focuses on food and energy commodities.....Read the entire article.

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Phil Flynn: You Have Got to Love that Groundhog

The Energy Report Wednesday February 3 2010

Maybe that ground hog is something special after all. Oil futures fly after the ground hog say his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter. And by the way no I did not see my shadow and yes I heard that one before. Still oil joined the stock market in the biggest two day rebound in over three months. Oils sudden resurgence comes on the backs of some renewed economic optimism especially in the manufacturing sector but also because of some concerns about the disruption of supply.

RBOB Gasoline lead the rally gaining even more support from refineries that are closing on purpose and some that are not. Oh sure most of the move in oil seemed to be macro economically motivated but word that Valero Energy Corp. shut a fluid catalytic cracker at its Quebec City refinery after a fire sure helped gasoline lead the way. Bloomberg news said that the fire was reported at about 2 a.m. local time at pumps on the gasoline making cat cracker, Bill Day, a company spokesman, said in an e-mail. No injuries were reported. The blaze was extinguished at 4:40 a.m.

The 66,000 barrel a day cat cracker has been shut down and an estimate for the restart of the unit is pending a damage assessment, according to Day. The refinery has a capacity of 265,000 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.....Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil: Verge of Collapse?

Stephen Schork, editor of The Schork Report, and Bruce Lanni, of Nollenberger Capital Partners, share their energy outlooks.




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Crude Oil Moves Higher, Signals Turn Bullish

Crude oil was higher overnight as it extends the rally off last week's low. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Tuesday's close above the 10 day moving average crossing at 75.01 confirms that a short term low has been posted.

If March extends this week's rally, the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.90 then the 50% retracement level of January's decline crossing at 78.43 are the next upside targets.

Wednesday's pivot point for crude oil is 76.35

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.90
Second resistance is the overnight high crossing at 78.04

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 75.01
Second support is last Friday's low crossing at 72.43

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Natural gas was higher due to short covering overnight as it extends the rebound off last week's low crossing at 5.060. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and are turning bullish signaling that additional short covering gains are possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.533 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If March renews the decline off January's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919 is the next downside target.

Natural gas pivot point for Wednesday is 5.457

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.533
Second resistance is overnight high crossing at 5.537

First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 5.060
Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 4.919

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The U.S. Dollar was lower due to profit taking overnight as it consolidates below resistance marked by the 38% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 79.71. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought and are turning bearish signaling that a short term top might be in or is near.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.19 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. If March extends this winter's rally, the 50% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 81.32 is the next upside target.

First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 79.76.
Second resistance is the 50% retracement level of the 2009 decline crossing at 81.32

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 78.91
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 78.19

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