Natural Gas prices are continuing to trade around the upper end of the trading range on lighter than normal volume (likely related to the holiday this week in the US) as the very hot weather across major portions of the US results in a larger than normal call on Nat Gas for power related cooling demand versus the possible loss of Nat Gas demand as the economics of coal to gas switching continues to fade at current price levels. The economics of coal to gas switching are hovering around the unchanged level between coal and Nat Gas and at a level where utilities could begin to move back to coal in light of the overstocked coal inventory situation at many utility facilities.....Read the entire article.
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Monday, July 2, 2012
CME: Crude Oil Prices Remain Firm
Crude oil and most risk asset markets drifted a tad lower after last Friday's meteoritic short covering rally on the back of the EU Ministers deal. The deal details are still not available and there are some indications from Finland (according to a report in Reuters) that the deal could be fraying. I am not sure that will be the case so early after the deal had been put together but these kind of rumors and comments are likely to emerge over the next several weeks as the technocrats begin the process of working out the details of the deal. As such the markets will be reacting accordingly to any indications that the deal is changing especially after the large rally on Friday.....Read the entire article.
Dennis Gartman: Sell into Strength, Crude Oil Rally Won’t Last
Energy bulls prepare for disappointment. Commodities pro Dennis Gartman doesn’t think any rally in oil will be sustainable.
“I don’t see how an advance can be sustainable,” says Gartman. “The amount of oil [CLCV1 84.46 0.71 (+0.85%)] coming onto the market - is overwhelming.”
First and foremost Gartman believes Saudi Arabia intends to keep the world well supplied because they want to keep prices low and squeeze Iran, which is more susceptible to lower oil. (Saudi Arabia and Iran are longtime rivals with Tehran openly challenging the legitimacy of the royal House of Saud.)
First and foremost Gartman believes Saudi Arabia intends to keep the world well supplied because they want to keep prices low and squeeze Iran, which is more susceptible to lower oil. (Saudi Arabia and Iran are longtime rivals with Tehran openly challenging the legitimacy of the royal House of Saud.)
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But that's not the only negative catalyst for oil.
In addition, Gartman believes the market will be well supplied due to discoveries made right here in the US such as the massive discovery in North Dakota’s Bakken Shale.
And Gartman thinks the abundance of nat gas in the US is negative for oil because trucking companies have a strong incentive to convert their fleet to alternative energy.
All told, “I can see the rally in oil lasting another $2-$3 dollars but any bounce should be sold,” he says. “At the end of the day, I’d be a seller."
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Crude Oil Bulls Struggle to Hold 20 Day Moving Average
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Crude oil fell on Monday as the Institute for Supply Management’s U.S. factory index dropped 1.4 percent and collective Euro unemployment hit historic highs never seen in history.
Crude oil posted an inside day with a lower close on Monday as it consolidated some of last Friday's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.49. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening when Tuesday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If August extends last Friday's rally, the 38% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 90.43 is the next upside target. If August renews this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 90.43. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.
John Kilduff, trader with Again Capital, said a weak jobs report this Friday could spur additional selling. But he doesn't see much chance of oil slipping into the $60s, as some had been discussing prior to Friday. "It's only a draft," said Tony Rosado, an oil options analyst and broker at GA Global Markets. But if Iran takes more concrete action in the strait, an important waterway for oil, "then I think people will have to take it more seriously," Mr. Rosado added.
Natural gas closed higher on Monday and is poised to extend the rally off June's low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bearish hinting that a short term top might be in or is near. Multiple closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.564 are needed to confirm that a short term top
has been posted. If July extends the rally off June's low, February's high crossing at 3.137 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Wednesday's high crossing at 2.975. Second resistance is February's high crossing at 3.137. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.714. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.564.
Gold posted an inside day with a lower close on Monday. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Tuesday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Multiple closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1600.10 are needed to temper the bearish outlook. If August renews the decline off June's high, May's low crossing at 1529.30 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1600.10. Second resistance is reaction high crossing at 1642.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1556.40. Second support is May's low crossing at 1529.30.
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Crude oil fell on Monday as the Institute for Supply Management’s U.S. factory index dropped 1.4 percent and collective Euro unemployment hit historic highs never seen in history.
Crude oil posted an inside day with a lower close on Monday as it consolidated some of last Friday's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.49. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening when Tuesday's night session begins. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If August extends last Friday's rally, the 38% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 90.43 is the next upside target. If August renews this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 90.43. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.
John Kilduff, trader with Again Capital, said a weak jobs report this Friday could spur additional selling. But he doesn't see much chance of oil slipping into the $60s, as some had been discussing prior to Friday. "It's only a draft," said Tony Rosado, an oil options analyst and broker at GA Global Markets. But if Iran takes more concrete action in the strait, an important waterway for oil, "then I think people will have to take it more seriously," Mr. Rosado added.
Natural gas closed higher on Monday and is poised to extend the rally off June's low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bearish hinting that a short term top might be in or is near. Multiple closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.564 are needed to confirm that a short term top
has been posted. If July extends the rally off June's low, February's high crossing at 3.137 is the next upside target. First resistance is last Wednesday's high crossing at 2.975. Second resistance is February's high crossing at 3.137. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.714. Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.564.
Gold posted an inside day with a lower close on Monday. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening when Tuesday's night session begins trading. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Multiple closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 1600.10 are needed to temper the bearish outlook. If August renews the decline off June's high, May's low crossing at 1529.30 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 1600.10. Second resistance is reaction high crossing at 1642.40. First support is the reaction low crossing at 1556.40. Second support is May's low crossing at 1529.30.
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Oil Traders Keeping an Eye on Iran
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CNBC's Sharon Epperson on oil price action in the day ahead, with an outlook on EU sanctions against Iran and tomorrow's meeting with Western countries about its nuclear program.
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CNBC's Sharon Epperson on oil price action in the day ahead, with an outlook on EU sanctions against Iran and tomorrow's meeting with Western countries about its nuclear program.
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Obviously, the Crude Oil Markets Overreacted Last Week
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CME: August crude oil prices traded lower during the overnight and early morning hours, as they corrected Friday's more than 9.0% gain. Some traders suggested that sluggish China and European manufacturing data served to tamp down global oil demand prospects and pressured crude oil prices lower. Meanwhile, there were a couple of positives in the crude oil market that might have limited early morning losses, including a European embargo on Iranian oil that went into effect over the weekend and the ongoing oil workers strike in Norway. The Commitments of Traders Futures and Options report as of June 26th showed non-commercial traders were net long 178,866 contracts, a decrease of 13,193. Non-commercial and nonreportable traders combined held a net long position of 192,382 contracts, for a decrease of 5,729 in their net long position.
COT: August crude oil was lower overnight as it consolidated some of last Friday's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.49. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If August extends the rally off June's low, the reaction high crossing at 87.32 is the next upside target. If August renews this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 92.52. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28.
“The economic data doesn’t seem to suggest oil demand is going to be very explosive, and the demand expectation is softening,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group in Chicago. “The market realized that maybe people overreacted last week and we are pulling back to a more normal area.”
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CME: August crude oil prices traded lower during the overnight and early morning hours, as they corrected Friday's more than 9.0% gain. Some traders suggested that sluggish China and European manufacturing data served to tamp down global oil demand prospects and pressured crude oil prices lower. Meanwhile, there were a couple of positives in the crude oil market that might have limited early morning losses, including a European embargo on Iranian oil that went into effect over the weekend and the ongoing oil workers strike in Norway. The Commitments of Traders Futures and Options report as of June 26th showed non-commercial traders were net long 178,866 contracts, a decrease of 13,193. Non-commercial and nonreportable traders combined held a net long position of 192,382 contracts, for a decrease of 5,729 in their net long position.
COT: August crude oil was lower overnight as it consolidated some of last Friday's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.49. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If August extends the rally off June's low, the reaction high crossing at 87.32 is the next upside target. If August renews this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 92.52. First support is last Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28.
“The economic data doesn’t seem to suggest oil demand is going to be very explosive, and the demand expectation is softening,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group in Chicago. “The market realized that maybe people overreacted last week and we are pulling back to a more normal area.”
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Sunday, July 1, 2012
EconMatters: Crude Oil....A Perfect Bear Storm Despite the Euro Pop
Crude oil prices, along with world stocks, surged on Friday after euro zone leaders reached an accord on directly recapitalizing regional banks as well as measures to cut soaring borrowing costs in Italy and Spain. Brent crude jumped more than 7% in one day to close at $97.80 a barrel, while WTI also settled up 9.36% to $84.96 a barrel on NYMEX. However, for the quarter, spot Brent and U.S. oil futures still fell 20.4% and 17.5% respectively, their steepest quarterly percentage drops since the fourth quarter of 2008 post financial crisis. Looking ahead, we believe this little 'Euro pop' will soon fizz out weighted down by the reality of basic market fundamental factor.
First of all, the Euro accord bandaid does not fundamentally change what's causing the current crisis to begin with, high sovereign debt, out of control government spending, and insolvent regional banks. Add to this scenario is a slowing of European demand, parts of Europe are in a recession, and this not only affects less oil being consumed in Europe, but backs all the way up the supply chain from Ford automobiles being sold and needing to be manufactured, to Chinese factories needing to ratchet manufacturing cycles down to account for less demand out of Europe.
Macroeconomics aside, the oil inventory picture in the U.S. is also quite interesting these days, to say the least. For example, On 1/27/2012 there was 338,942 Million Barrels in US storage facilities, then on 2/24/2012 it started slowly rising to 344,868 Million, then Inventory builds started accelerating as on 3/23/2012 there were 353,390 Million on hand, then we jumped dramatically to 375,864 Million Barrels on 4/27/2012, with another sizable increase to 384,740 on 5/25/2012, and on 6/22/2012 the number stands at 387,166 Million Barrels in US Storage facilities, way above the five-year range. (See Chart Below)
This is taking place despite the domestic refinery run rate has increased from 85% in January to 92% in the week ending June 22 (See Chart Below). As of June 1, 2012, crude oil inventories held at Cushing, OK were 47.8 million barrels, the highest level on record, according to the U.S. Energy Dept. These are historically high numbers, but the magnitude of the rise over what is generally the stronger part of the US business cycle each year is the more compelling story.
With record refinery runs, we still cannot make a dent in the oil Inventories, which implies that there is a lot of oil in the market. In fact, if this trend continues, even just for the next three months, we are going to shatter previous storage records here in the US. At current rate, the inventory number could smash through the 400 Million Barrel level over the next quarter.
This does not bode well for the oil market when the slow part of the year comes around in August and September, where Gasoline demand drops off rather sharply, and is usually the slowest part of the year in terms of fuel usage, demand, and prices typically drop significantly each year. Technically, WTI could easily blow below $70/b with no major support till $60/b comes this August/September, and prices would remain challenged in the short to medium term.
What are the reasons for this glut of oil in the US? There are several, China has slowed manufacturing and exports, i.e., their economy has pulled back considerably. India is having all sorts of credit worthiness concerns, and is also growing at a slower rate. So in short, the emerging market economies are using less oil.
The demand picture in the U.S. is also quite dismal. EIA data show in the first quarter, total U.S. liquid fuels consumption fell 3.7% YoY due to high prices and record warm weather. For the second half of 2012, and 2013, EIA expects a YoY increase of only 1.2% and 0.6% respectively in liquid fuels consumption.
Furthermore, there are more domestic oil production mostly from unconventional shale plays, as there are more Capex drilling projects started during the beginning half of the year on high oil price. This has also pulled a lot more independents into drilling, and we are producing more oil each day than we actually consume or need. This has been one major contributing factor in these continuous inventory builds during the strong part of the usage cycle, as refineries are operating at record utilization levels since the recovery with the seasonal spring/summer driving season going from March with Spring Break through basically labor day, (some say July 4th is the peak of the Summer driving season).
Internationally, the Libyan oil is back on line, and other oil producing countries pumping more oil out of the ground compared to the last 5 years during this era of elevated oil prices. The Saudis are producing at the high end of their range as well. In a recent report, U.S. EIA noted that global company held oil inventories in the major industrialized nations will be sufficient to cover 57.7 days of demand at the end of 2012, the highest level in 15 years.
Basic economics plays a role in this story as well. Just ask this one question--Where are the high margin business opportunities over the last 5 years? It sure isn`t in the Banking Industry with deal-making and large scale private equity deals falling off a cliff. It hasn`t been in the real estate market either.
Market dynamics 101 stipulates that high oil prices leads to higher margins, which leads to more investment resources being directed to this sector which ultimately rebalances the market, and oil prices come back down. This is why there is often a boom and bust cycle that plays out in many investment sectors, and historically the energy and oil sectors have been the poster kids to this rule.
So essentially, five years of really high prices--higher than the actual fundamentals of the economy should dictate--have caused an artificial market scenario where longer-term demand was being stifled by currency concerns, inflation concerns, while commodity investment in general has served as a case of over investment in this area in relation to true, actual Global demand.
Throw in the fact that it seems everybody (governments as well as consumers) is in debt, nobody has any money, credit issues are becoming increasingly burdensome to deficit financing to artificially stimulate growth via the government intervention route, all these factors are forming a perfect storm for the oil market to face some major headwinds for the next 5 years.
Posted courtesy of our friends at EconMatters.Com
First of all, the Euro accord bandaid does not fundamentally change what's causing the current crisis to begin with, high sovereign debt, out of control government spending, and insolvent regional banks. Add to this scenario is a slowing of European demand, parts of Europe are in a recession, and this not only affects less oil being consumed in Europe, but backs all the way up the supply chain from Ford automobiles being sold and needing to be manufactured, to Chinese factories needing to ratchet manufacturing cycles down to account for less demand out of Europe.
Macroeconomics aside, the oil inventory picture in the U.S. is also quite interesting these days, to say the least. For example, On 1/27/2012 there was 338,942 Million Barrels in US storage facilities, then on 2/24/2012 it started slowly rising to 344,868 Million, then Inventory builds started accelerating as on 3/23/2012 there were 353,390 Million on hand, then we jumped dramatically to 375,864 Million Barrels on 4/27/2012, with another sizable increase to 384,740 on 5/25/2012, and on 6/22/2012 the number stands at 387,166 Million Barrels in US Storage facilities, way above the five-year range. (See Chart Below)
 |
| Chart Source: EIA, June 27, 2012 |
This is taking place despite the domestic refinery run rate has increased from 85% in January to 92% in the week ending June 22 (See Chart Below). As of June 1, 2012, crude oil inventories held at Cushing, OK were 47.8 million barrels, the highest level on record, according to the U.S. Energy Dept. These are historically high numbers, but the magnitude of the rise over what is generally the stronger part of the US business cycle each year is the more compelling story.
 |
| Chart Data Source: EIA, as of June 22, 2012 |
With record refinery runs, we still cannot make a dent in the oil Inventories, which implies that there is a lot of oil in the market. In fact, if this trend continues, even just for the next three months, we are going to shatter previous storage records here in the US. At current rate, the inventory number could smash through the 400 Million Barrel level over the next quarter.
This does not bode well for the oil market when the slow part of the year comes around in August and September, where Gasoline demand drops off rather sharply, and is usually the slowest part of the year in terms of fuel usage, demand, and prices typically drop significantly each year. Technically, WTI could easily blow below $70/b with no major support till $60/b comes this August/September, and prices would remain challenged in the short to medium term.
What are the reasons for this glut of oil in the US? There are several, China has slowed manufacturing and exports, i.e., their economy has pulled back considerably. India is having all sorts of credit worthiness concerns, and is also growing at a slower rate. So in short, the emerging market economies are using less oil.
The demand picture in the U.S. is also quite dismal. EIA data show in the first quarter, total U.S. liquid fuels consumption fell 3.7% YoY due to high prices and record warm weather. For the second half of 2012, and 2013, EIA expects a YoY increase of only 1.2% and 0.6% respectively in liquid fuels consumption.
Furthermore, there are more domestic oil production mostly from unconventional shale plays, as there are more Capex drilling projects started during the beginning half of the year on high oil price. This has also pulled a lot more independents into drilling, and we are producing more oil each day than we actually consume or need. This has been one major contributing factor in these continuous inventory builds during the strong part of the usage cycle, as refineries are operating at record utilization levels since the recovery with the seasonal spring/summer driving season going from March with Spring Break through basically labor day, (some say July 4th is the peak of the Summer driving season).
Internationally, the Libyan oil is back on line, and other oil producing countries pumping more oil out of the ground compared to the last 5 years during this era of elevated oil prices. The Saudis are producing at the high end of their range as well. In a recent report, U.S. EIA noted that global company held oil inventories in the major industrialized nations will be sufficient to cover 57.7 days of demand at the end of 2012, the highest level in 15 years.
Basic economics plays a role in this story as well. Just ask this one question--Where are the high margin business opportunities over the last 5 years? It sure isn`t in the Banking Industry with deal-making and large scale private equity deals falling off a cliff. It hasn`t been in the real estate market either.
Market dynamics 101 stipulates that high oil prices leads to higher margins, which leads to more investment resources being directed to this sector which ultimately rebalances the market, and oil prices come back down. This is why there is often a boom and bust cycle that plays out in many investment sectors, and historically the energy and oil sectors have been the poster kids to this rule.
So essentially, five years of really high prices--higher than the actual fundamentals of the economy should dictate--have caused an artificial market scenario where longer-term demand was being stifled by currency concerns, inflation concerns, while commodity investment in general has served as a case of over investment in this area in relation to true, actual Global demand.
Throw in the fact that it seems everybody (governments as well as consumers) is in debt, nobody has any money, credit issues are becoming increasingly burdensome to deficit financing to artificially stimulate growth via the government intervention route, all these factors are forming a perfect storm for the oil market to face some major headwinds for the next 5 years.
Posted courtesy of our friends at EconMatters.Com
Saturday, June 30, 2012
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Friday, June 29, 2012
Crude oil appears to set a near term bottom
Stochastics and the RSI are oversold but are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If August renews this spring's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target.
First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 92.52. First support is Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2011-2012 rally crossing at 73.28.
European leaders attending a two day summit agreed early Friday on a plan to use bailout funds to directly aid banks in Spain and Italy. The move in crude oil futures came as investors cheered the plan to help the euro zone's struggling banks.
The move, along with plans to bring Europe closer together, led to a surge in the euro, equities and commodities markets. The euro recently traded at $1.2684, up 1.9% from $1.2444 on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently traded 1.5% higher at 12,789.
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Crude Oil Spikes as Euro Leaders Relax Spains Debt Conditions
CME: August crude oil prices traded sharply higher during the early morning hours, helped by an EU agreement aimed at relaxing borrowing costs in Spain and Italy. Risk assets across the globe appeared to embrace an agreement, and that has fostered ideas that global oil demand could turn higher. In addition to easing concerns over the European debt debacle, the crude oil market has also drafted support from tightening North Sea supply concerns.
COT: Crude oil was higher due to short covering overnight as it consolidates around the 62% retracement level of the 2009-2012 rally crossing at 80.33. Stochastics and the RSI are oversold and are turning neutral to bullish hinting that a short term low might be in or is near. Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.31 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If August extends this year's decline, the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28 is the next downside target. First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 82.31. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 87.32. First support is Thursday's low crossing at 77.28. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the 2009-2011 rally crossing at 73.28.
Bloomberg: Crude posted its steepest intraday gain in eight months, increasing as much as 4.5 percent and trimming the biggest quarterly decline since the final three months of 2008. Oil gained after euro area leaders agreed to relax conditions on emergency loans for Spanish banks and possible help for Italy. Prices may advance after the European Union’s ban on the purchase, transport, financing and insurance of Iranian crude starts on July 1, a Bloomberg survey showed. Norway’s first industrywide energy strike since 2004 is in its sixth day.
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