Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Gold Bulls Take The Advantage Going Into Thursday

Gold [February contract] closed higher on Wednesday and the high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If February extends the rally off November's low, November's high crossing at 1806.60 is the next upside target. Closes below November's low crossing at 1670.50 would renew the decline off November's high.

First resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 1767.10. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 1806.60. First support is November's low crossing at 1670.50. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1607.30.



Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

Is this the top for Crude Oil?

Crude oil closed lower on Wednesday as it consolidates some of the rally off the November 25th low. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If January renews the rally off October's low, the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 94.99 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42. Second resistance is the 87% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 110.46. First support is the reaction low crossing at 94.99. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 89.05.


Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

Gold and Crude Oil Trend Analysis

With a Chart Analysis Score of -50, gold is stuck in a trading range. Despite the move up and pullback in gold last week, it did not change the status of our weekly Trade Triangle. We remain positive on this market longer term and expect we will see it move much higher in 2012 as inflation kicks in around the world. Long term traders should remain positive for this precious metal. Intermediate term traders should be out of this market at the moment and on the sidelines waiting for a buy signal with the weekly Trade Triangle.

BIG PICTURE   Trading Range
Monthly trade triangles for Long term trends = Bullish
weekly trade triangles for intermediate term trends = Bearish
daily trade triangles for short term trends = Bearish
Combined Strength of Trend Score = -50

The $101.75 area basis the January contract appears to be offering resistance for crude oil at the present time. Crude oil remains the shining star of the commodity world and has become the currency of choice. With all of our Trade Triangles green, giving us a +90 Chart analysis score, it would appear as though we are in a strong bullish trend. At the present time all our Trade Triangles remain in a positive mode which is the direction of the major long term trend. Major resistance remains between the $102 and $103 levels. Long term, and intermediate term traders should be long this market with appropriate money management stops.

BIG PICTURE Strong Trend Bullish
Monthly Trade Triangles for Long Term Trends = Bullish
Weekly Trade Triangles for Intermediate Term Trends = Bullish
Daily Trade Triangles for Short Term Trends = Bullish

Combined Strength of Trend Score = +90

HOW TO USE THE MARKETCLUB SCORING SYSTEM
Score: 50 – 65 Trading Range
Score: 70 – 80 Emerging Trend
Score: 85 – 100 Strong Trend


Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Crude Oil Bulls Take The Advantage Into Wednesday Trading

Crude oil closed higher on Tuesday as it extends the rally off the November 25th low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If January renews the rally off October's low, the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42 is the next upside target. Closes below the reaction low crossing at 94.99 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42. Second resistance is the 87% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 110.46. First support is the reaction low crossing at 94.99. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 89.05.

Gold closed slightly higher on Tuesday as it consolidated some of Monday's decline. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If February extends the rally off November's low, November's high crossing at 1806.60 is the next upside target. Closes below November's low crossing at 1670.50 would renew the decline off November's high. First resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 1767.10. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 1806.60. First support is November's low crossing at 1670.50. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1607.30.

Natural gas closed higher due to short covering on Tuesday but not before spiking to a new contract low. Stochastics and the RSI are diverging but are turning bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If January extends this year's decline, monthly support crossing at 3.225 is the next downside target. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 3.720 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 3.720. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 4.095. First support is today's low crossing at 3.405. Second support is monthly support crossing at 3.225.

Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

WTI and Brent Price Spread Narrows

Between October and November, the spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil increased $23 per barrel partly on signs that transportation constraints out of the U.S. Midwest, the main market for WTI, are beginning to ease. At the same time, the price of European benchmark Brent crude oil was up much less, only about $7 per barrel. As a result, the WTI-Brent crude oil price difference has narrowed. The WTI-Brent crude oil price difference was smaller earlier in the year. While the WTI-Brent oil price narrowed, gasoline prices continue to track the price of Brent as they have for much of the year. The average price for gasoline moved about 6 cents a gallon from early October through mid November and then fell 13 cents during the last two weeks of November.

graph of WTI and Brent spot cruide oil prices, January 1, 2011 to December 1, 2011, as described in the article text
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on Bloomberg.  

Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

Monday, December 5, 2011

Gold’s 4th Wave Consolidation Nears Completion and Breakout

Back in August with Gold running to parabolic wave 3 sentiment induced highs, I warned of a major top and multi month correction.  We all know that the fundamentals for the shiny metal are stronger than ever, but you must keep in mind that the market prices all that in well l in advance.  Coupled with excessively bullish sentiment that was capped off by a USA Today cover with Gold on it, it was easy to see a major sentiment correction and therefore price decline was at hand.

If we fast forward a few months from my then blasphemous call for a top and multi month consolidation, we can see that Gold has lost favor with the taxi driving crowd and the shoe shine group both.  What has in fact happened is we have had what I call a 4th wave triangle pattern, which works to consolidate prior gains. Triangle simple let the economics of the underlying security or commodity catch up with the prior bullish price action.  In this case, Gold was in a powerful wave 3 stage advance from the October 2008 $681 lows and over a 34 Fibonacci month period of time.  When everyone on the stage was convinced this act would continue, it was time for the curtains to draw.

The 4th wave so far has been characterized by a typical pullback in terms of price and also time.  The drop to the $1530’s is a normal 31% Fibonacci retracement of the entire 34 month advance.  In addition, the pattern that has clearly emerged lines up as a typical 4thwave triangle pattern, which has 5 total waves within.  Waves 1, 3, and 5 are down and 2 and 4 are up.  We are currently finishing wave 4 to the upside from the low $1600’s and likely to see a wave 5 near term to the downside.  As long as Gold holds above $1681 levels, I expect we will see a breakout north of $1775 to confirm that wave 5 up in Gold has begun.

Targets for the 5th and final wave of this suspected 13 year cycle of Gold begin at $2360 and then we will update from there.  Below is the chart I sent to my paying subscribers last Thursday and we can see that this pattern is still playing out.  Aggressive investors would be wise to get long the metal on this final pullback, with a stop below 1680 to be conservative.

Gold Forecast

If you would like to have forecasts for price and pivot points in advance on the SP 500, Gold, and Silver that keep you on the right side of the markets, check us out at Market Trend Forecast.com


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Hyundai, Samsung May Jump 80% on Demand for Oil Drilling Ships, Mirae Says

South Korean shipbuilding stocks may jump as much as 80 percent in four months as they catch up with gains in oil prices, according to Mirae Asset Securities Co., an affiliate of the nation’s second largest money manager.

The Korea KRX Shipbuilding Index (KRXSHIP), which tracks Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. and eight other shipbuilding stocks, may rebound as rising oil prices spur demand for drill ships and liquefied natural gas tankers, said Lee Sokje, a Seoul based Mirae analyst. The index has tumbled 42 percent since reaching the highest this year on May 2.

“Looking at how oil prices are doing, it’s only a matter of time before shipyard shares follow,” Lee said by phone on Dec. 2. “This is a very good opportunity to buy.”

Brent crude, the benchmark used to price two-thirds of global oil supplies, has jumped about 9.8 percent since Oct. 4 because of easing economic concerns and political tensions in Iran. The price may rise to $127.50 a barrel at the end of next year as the global economy avoids recession, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a Dec. 1 report. It traded at $109.60 Dec. 2..... Read the entire article.


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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Crude Oil, Gold and Natural Gas Market Commentary For Saturday Dec. 3rd

Crude oil closed higher on Friday as it extends this week's rally. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If January renews the rally off this month's low, the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42 is the next upside target. Closes below last Friday's low crossing at 94.99 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is the 75% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 105.42. Second resistance is the 87% retracement level of the May-October decline crossing at 110.46. First support is last Friday's low crossing at 94.99. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 89.05.

Gold closed higher on Friday as it extended this week's rally. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If February extends this week's rally, November's high crossing at 1806.60 is the next upside target. Closes below last week's low crossing at 1670.50 would renew the decline off this month's high. First resistance is today's high crossing at 1767.10. Second resistance is November's high crossing at 1806.60. First support is last week's low crossing at 1670.50. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1607.30.

Natural gas closed lower on Friday as it extends the trading range of the past two weeks. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above Monday's high crossing at 3.720 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If January renews this year's decline, monthly support crossing at 3.225 is the next downside target. First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 3.720. Second resistance is the 25% retracement level of the June-November decline crossing at 3.936. First support is last week's low crossing at 3.461. Second support is monthly support crossing at 3.225.

The Currency War Big Picture Analysis for Gold, Silver & Stocks

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Spot Natural Gas Prices Dipped to Two Year Low in November

Spot natural gas prices at the Henry Hub in Erath, Louisiana fell to $2.83 per million British thermal units for delivery on November 24, 2011, the lowest price since November 17, 2009. Henry Hub is the benchmark location for key natural gas financial instruments on the New York Mercantile Exchange and the IntercontinentalExchange such as futures contracts, swaps, and options.
Key factors affecting natural gas prices include:
  • Growing domestic production. U.S. domestic marketed production averaged 65.4 Bcf/d through September, based on EIA data, an increase of about 7% from the same period in 2010, while demand for the corresponding period was up 2% this year.
  • High natural gas storage levels. For the week ending November 25, 2011, natural gas storage inventories were 3,851 billion cubic feet (Bcf), down one Bcf from record inventory levels set the prior week but over 7% above the five-year average.
  • Seasonal weather. Warmer-than-average weather across most of the United States has delayed the start of winter weather and the corresponding increased natural gas demand for heating. Through November 28, cumulative U.S. population-weighted heating degree-days in the 2011-2012 winter season are 8% below the 30-year average and are down 16% in the natural gas heating-intensive Northeast region.
Spot prices at Henry Hub rose about $0.70 per million British thermal units after the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend due to cooler temperatures and higher demand.

graph of Spot Henry Hub natural gas prices, as described in the article text
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on Bloomberg.
Note: Data included through November 30, 2011.

  

The Currency War Big Picture Analysis for Gold, Silver & Stocks

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Currency War Big Picture Analysis for Gold, Silver & Stocks

I think you will admit that we are in the middle of one major crazy financial mess. The part that makes things really crazy is that it’s not just in the United States anymore but rather serious global problem which if not handled properly could change the way we live our lives going forward or possibly even spark some type of war, hopefully things don’t get that crazy...... But I do know one thing. Fear is the most powerful force on the planet and people do some crazy things when they are backed into a corner.

Anyways, on a more positive tone…... today China decided to help provide more liquidity for the financial system along with the central banks. This news triggered a monster rally in overnight trading making the market gap up sharply at the opening bell. This news did hit the US dollar index hard sending it sharply lower but the question remains “Will today’s news be a one week hiccup in the market?” If Euroland starts printing money it will likely send the dollar higher and stocks lower for 6 -12 months.

Just today I was joking with Kerry Lutz of the Financial Survivor Network about how each country should just give each other country a second chance. Wipe the dept clean and start over knowing this time around exactly how each country truly operates at a financial level allowing everyone to avoid a repeat of this BS. Some countries will get off way better than others because they would get so much dept wiped clean. But isn’t it better than years of problems and possibly wars over food, gold, guns, oil and Canadian water? 

All joking aside, let’s take a look at the weekly long term charts.....…

Dollar Index Showing Possible Massive Rally If Euro Starts Printing Money:

I’m sure my off the cuff options/thoughts will cause a stir but I am fine with that. Everyone I talk to is thinking the dollar is about to fall off a cliff while I think it’s very possible that it does just the opposite. Either way I will be looking to benefit from which ever move unfolds.

Weekly Gold Chart:


Weekly Silver Chart:


Weekly SP500 Chart:


Long Term Thoughts:

I would first like to say that tonight’s report is out of my norm. Generally I do not focus on the big picture negative stuff and I like to avoid it for a few reasons...... One, it’s just downright depressing to talk and think about. And Second I don’t want to be labelled as one of those “The Sky Is Falling” kinds of guys.
So, that being said I think these charts above show a situation what is very possible to happen in the coming 6-12 months. Keep in mind that my focus is on short term time frames as it allows me to avoid and actually profit from major market moves while providing enough information for my followers to learn technical analysis and trade management. And the obvious idea of not looking too far into the future with a negative outlook.......

With headline risk changing the market direction on a weekly basis, this negative outlook could easily change in a couple months. I will recap on the big picture as things unfold in January/February.

Chris Vermeulen
The Gold and Oil Guy.com

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