Saudi Arabia's "Mini Oil Embargo" May Backfire

On October 20, 1973, Saudi King Faisal announced KSA was joining in an oil embargo against the United States and Europe in favor of the Arab position in the Yom Kippur War. In an interview with international media, King Faisal said:

“America's complete Israeli support against the Arabs makes it extremely difficult for us to continue to supply the United States with oil, or even remain friends with the United States."

The price of oil quadrupled in short order, a few months. The oil shortage in America was managed by gasoline rationing by President Nixon. Drivers could buy gasoline on “odd” or “even” days, depending on the last digit of their license plate. There was also a maximum dollar amount set on purchases of $10. Motorists often had to wait in line for an hour to buy gas.

The economic impact on the U.S. and the world economy was devastating. It caused a massive recession in 1974-75, even though the embargo was lifted in March 1974. The Saudis and other OPEC producers learned how “inelastic” (i.e., non-responsive to price) gasoline demand was and their ability to stuff their coffers even with small cuts to production.

However, this episode led to legislation to build the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as a means to offset future supply disruptions and even deter them. At present, the SPR contains roughly 650 million barrels of crude oil located in underground salt domes across the Gulf Coast.

The drawdown capacity is rated at 4.4 million barrels per day. And supplies can begin flowing into the pipeline system with 13 days of a presidential order to commence.

Saudi’s Mini Oil Embargo 

Saudi Arabia appears to be attempting to starve the US of oil supplies in a “mini-embargo.” The idea would be to signal to the world that oil supplies are lower than otherwise would be reported internationally.

In the week ending February 22nd, imports from Saudi Arabia totaled 346,000 b/d, the lowest one-week level in the data series going back to 2010. The four-week trend of 491,000 b/d was also the lowest, and 23 percent lower than a year ago. This level does not even meet the requirements of Saudi Aramco’s Motiva refinery at Port Arthur, Texas, which has a capacity of 636,500 b/d.

Despite the lack of Saudi barrels, U.S. crude stocks have nevertheless built by 4.4 million barrels since the end of December. That is because crude production is 1.9 million barrels per day higher in the year-to-date v. last year. “Other supplies,” primarily natural gas liquids are 536,000 b/d higher in that same comparison. Meanwhile, net crude imports, including exports, were 1.877 million barrels per day lower in the year-to-date v. last year. Crude inputs to refineries were 89,000 b/d higher in that same comparison.

Trump Tweet

President Trump warned OPEC on February 25th: “Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike - fragile!”

The Saudi mini-embargo to the U.S. may backfire by angering him. It would be a simple matter to replace Saudi imports altogether with a drawdown from the SPR until U.S. production rises another 500,000 b/d. Furthermore, the U.S. could replace Saudi barrels with imports from other sources, Iraq for example.

Conclusions

The Saudi ploy to drain U.S. crude inventories in support of oil prices is doomed to failure. U.S. domestic supply has risen greatly, and the net import need has dropped dramatically in the past year. The demand for OPEC’s oil is projected to drop by 1.0 million barrels per day in 2019. In 2020, the EIA projects that the U.S. will be a net oil exporter.

Furthermore, it could backfire if Trump calls for the NOPEC legislation – No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act - to be passed. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill. America's vulnerability to Saudi embargoes has long passed.

Check back to see my next post!

Robert Boslego
INO Contributor - Energies

Gold and Silver Prepare for a Momentum Rally - Here’s our Call on the Next Price Rotation

Today we warn of a potential downside price rotation in precious metals that may last 3 - 5+ weeks as metals set up for a massive breakout rally which we believe will start in late April or early May. Our custom indicators are suggesting that precious metals, and the general U.S. stock markets, may be setting up for a bit of a reprieve rotation after a very impressive recovery. Be patient as we believe this pullback in prices will provide an excellent buying opportunity for the eventual momentum rally setting up in about 30+ days.​

Let’s start by looking at our Custom Market Volatility indicators. The Weekly chart below highlights the recent recovery in the U.S. stock market since the December 24th, 2018 lows and also shows that the current recovery level is sitting right at a 61.8% Fibonacci level. It is our belief that a period of general price weakness will begin to unfold over the next 10 - 15+ days in the U.S. stock market. This rotation is very healthy for the next leg higher – the momentum rally we have been suggesting will take place in the near future.

We believe the downside rotation in the U.S. stock market will be the result of renewed calm from expectations that the global economy may begin a recovery process as the US/China trade issues and other geopolitical issues seem to become more resolved. We believe the recent upside move in the US stock markets were a flight to safety for many foreign investors fearing that US/China trade issues would result in very harsh outcomes near March 1st. If the trade issues appear to be close to a resolution, this flight to safety trade may wane a bit over the next 10 - 20+ days as emerging markets may see a dramatic upside bounce in valuations.

How does this relate to Gold and Silver? It is very likely that the upside pricing pressure in precious metals will stall a bit as the global equities markets take center stage. If our analysis is correct, the developed markets will contract while the emerging markets take focus. This falls right into line with our analysis that the US stock markets will pause/rotate over the next 10~20+ days in preparation for a larger upside price swing.

Our custom Gold/Silver Index is showing that precious metals are trading in a sideways Pennant/Flag formation near levels that have historically been resistance. We still believe the upside in the precious metals market over the long term is substantial, yet we believe the news of a US/China trade resolution and the resulting rally in the emerging markets will remove much of the upside pricing pressure in the precious metals markets for about 15+ days before momentum support is found.

Our researchers believe the timing of this move is right for a short term swing trade. Be prepared for rotation in nearly all the global markets and be prepared for emerging markets to see an upside price rally as a result of positive news from the U.S. and China over the next 2+ weeks.

Are you ready for these moves? Do you value the research we share with you and the insight we provide? Please take a minute to visit The Technical Traders to learn how we can help you find and execute better trades. Support our work – become a member. We dedicate our efforts to providing you with more detailed and intuitive market research available anywhere else. Isn’t it time you invested in a team that can really help you make 2019 a great success?

Chris Vermeulen
The Technical Traders

Has Gold Reached Upside Resistance Near $1340 - 1360?

Our research has indicated that precious metals should be setting up for a period of rotation and sideways trading over the next 20-30 days. We issued a research post on January 28, 2019 warning that precious metals would be consolidated over a 30-45 day period before setting up for a massive upside price move, here. This research was based on our Adaptive Dynamic Learning price modeling system and from our Adaptive Learning Cycles system. We believe this research is still very valid and want to alert metals traders that resistance in GOLD can be easily identified near $1340-1360.

The Weekly gold chart, below, highlights the resistance channel that originates in 2016 and continues with multiple peaks in 2017, 2018 and now. We believe this resistance will act as a price ceiling over the next few weeks before metals prices attempt an upside breakout as we suggested in our January 28 research post.

Pay attention to the Fibonacci downside projected price targets near $1270-1295. These levels are very likely to be retested if the current resistance level holds. In other words, gold prices rotate back to below $1300 on moderate price rotation over the next 30 days before attempting to break resistance and move higher. Be prepared for a potential “washout high” price pattern setting up early this week.

We are still actively seeking a deeper price rotation/retracement in Gold/Silver before we initiate any new trades. We believe the upside pricing pressure has reached a level that will prompt a move back to below $1300 on healthy price rotation. If we are wrong, we will know soon enough. If we are right, then the momentum rally setup that will occur near or below $1300 will be a great trading opportunity for all investors. Follow our research to stay informed of this future price movement.

We believe 2019 and 2020 will be incredible years for skilled traders and we are executing at the highest level we can to assist our members. In fact, we are about to launch our newest technology solution to better assist our members in creating future success.

Visit The Technical Traders to learn more.

Chris Vermeulen
Technical Traders Ltd.

Here We Go - Get Ready for the Breakout Pattern Setup

We are writing this post today with a few forward-looking expectations while attempting to warn traders that some extended rotation is likely to enter the markets over the next 30+ days. If you’ve been following our research, you’ll know that we’ve been calling these move months in advance of other researchers and analysts. Our September 17, 2018 research post highlighting our Adaptive Dynamic Learning predictive modeling system suggested the U.S. stock markets were poised for a massive price rotation followed by a very unique price setup that we are experiencing now.

Currently, the YM (Dow Futures Contracts) are leading the pack on a dramatic upside breakout move. This is likely a result of the US government spending bill that is recently working its way towards approval and the fact that this new spending bill clears the way for at least 8+ months of uninterrupted market optimism (or at least we hope). This 300+ point upside move clearly breaks price highs and puts the U.S. stock market, at least the Dow/Blue-Chips, back into “new high trending mode”. As many of you are likely aware, our Fibonacci price study teaches us that price must ALWAYS seek to establish new price highs or new price lows AT ALL TIMES. Thus, these new price highs are a very strong indication that the upside trend is dominant and should continue for a while.

Additionally, we want to highlight what we believe will be a similar price pattern to 2015/2016 in the U.S. markets – a multiple Price Wedge formation that could ultimately set up another price leg (which we believe will be higher, to the upside, at this time).

In the next article “PART II” pay close attention to the charts and images as we are attempting to clearly illustrate how and why price rotation is about to hit the US markets and why you need to be prepared for this move.

We continue to read that large amounts of capital are sitting on the sidelines or have been pulled from the markets over the past 12+ months. We understand this as the rotation in early 2018 frightened many investors and the continued sideways price action, global market concerns and geopolitical issues have caused international investors to want to protect their investments from risk – thus they move their capital into cash. We get it. But we also believe the next breakout in the U.S. markets will be a great opportunity for skilled traders to identify and prepare for an incredible profit potential no matter which way the market breaks up or down because technical analysis allows us to closely follow the direction of the market.

The amount of capital that is sitting on OUTSIDE the markets, currently, represents a massive amount of resources that could re-enter the markets when traders/investors decide the timing is right. We’ve termed this a “Capital Shift”.

In simple terms, it reflects capital/cash moving from one market to another or from actively invested to cash, then back to actively invested. Our belief is that capital operates in a manner to always protect itself from risk while attempting to identify suitable returns. The best environment for capital is always a relatively safe investment with protective values and a high probability of decent returns. Therefore, this massive amount of capital not being deployed in the global markets will, at some time, re-enter the markets and will likely increase pricing valuations.

How and when will this capital re-enter the markets? What will price activity look like and how will we know when the timing is right for our own strategic deployment of our trading capital? Continue reading to learn why we believe we are only 30~45 days away from an incredible trading setup. You won’t want to miss this one.

Please take a minute to visit The Technical Traders to learn how we can help you find and execute better trade in 2019 and stay ahead of these market moves. We are confident that you will find our Daily Video, Detailed Market Research, Proprietary Research Tools and Detailed Trading Signals will help you make 2019 an incredibly successful year.

Chris Vermeulen
Technical Traders Ltd.

Gold Prices Continue to Breakdown

On January 28, 2019, our research team issued a research post indicating we believed that Precious Metals would rotate lower over the next 45+ days in preparation for a momentum base/breakout that would initiate sometime near the end of April or early May. Recent price weakness in Gold has begun to confirm our analysis and we believe this price weakness will continue for the next 2~4 weeks while traders identify a price bottom and hammer out a momentum base/support level.

Gold is currently down another -1% this week and testing the $1307 level after rotating back to near $1320. Our analysis continues to suggest price weakness in the Precious Metals markets going forward for at least 2~3 more weeks. We are expecting the price of Gold to fall below $1290 and ultimately, potentially, test the $1260 level where we believe true support will be found.

If you’ve been following our analysis, you were alerted the day of when we signaled the top as it formed near $1330 and to close out our GDXJ position for a quick 10.5% profit as we had been preparing for this top and rotation for a couple weeks.

This 240 minute Gold chart highlights our Adaptive Fibonacci price modeling system and suggests the $1295~1302 could become immediate support for this current downside price move.

Please take a minute to review some of our most recent research by visiting The Technical Traders Free Research and to learn why our team of researchers, software developers, and traders provide insight and knowledge that you just can’t get anywhere else on the planet.

The link to our research post, above, highlights our ADL predictive modeling system that is capable of identifying price moves many months in advance. Our most recent U.S. stock market forecast highlights the power and capabilities of our proprietary price modeling tools. As a member of our newsletter, you gain insights, training, daily market videos and many more resources that will help you identify and execute for greater success in 2019.

Chris Vermeulen
Technical Traders Ltd.

Two Winning Trade Setups - GDXJ and ROKU

We are not always correct in our calls about the market. Professional researchers and analysts must understand that attempting to accurately predict the future outcome of any commodity, stock, index or ETF is impossible to be 100% accurate. Yet, we are pleased that our proprietary price modeling and analysis tools continue to provide us with very clear triggers and alert us to price moves before they happen.

Today, we are sharing two recent trades we executed with our members that resulted in some decent profits. The first example is our GDXJ trade. We had been in a Long position since before the beginning of 2019 expecting Gold and Miners to rally. Our price modeling systems suggested that after price reached $1300, we may experience a brief price pause over the next 45 days or so. Thus, we pulled the profits in this trade recently to lock in 10.5% profit and to allow us to re-enter when our modeling systems suggest the price pullback has ended.

The second example is our ROKU trade. We recently pulled 8.1% profit on a partial profit target execution for our members after a nice upside momentum move. This type of trade falls into our MRM (Momentum Reversal Method) trade trigger category and is supported by a momentum resurgence price move that can typically prompt prices to move +8~30% over fairly quick periods of time (under 20 days).

For almost all traders, we’ve found that understanding general market conditions, finding suitable trading triggers/setups and staying aware of the market dynamics at play in the global markets is very hard to accomplish. This is why we offer our members a very quick and easy way for them to accomplish all of these essential components for success with their membership to Technical Traders Ltd. Wealth Trading Newsletter.

•  Our Daily Market Video, which is typically under 10 minutes in length, covers all of the major markets, most commodities, the US Dollar, Bitcoin and many other elements of the markets.

• Combine this video content with our detailed market research posts, which you can read by visiting The Technical Traders Free Research, allows our members to not only learn from our video content but also to begin to understand and formulate their own conclusions based on our content.

• Lastly, we add our trading trigger/alerts feature to alert our members to superior trading setups that we find while running our proprietary trading models. We don’t post 40 trades a day hoping our members will find one or two they can make profits from. We are highly selective in our posts and attempt to only post the best opportunities for success.

Over the past couple of months, we have been developing a new members area application. It will allow you to have live access to our morning spike and gap trades and traders chatroom, our SP500 index momentum, and swing trades, plus our special MRM (Momentum Reversal Method) stock picks on small/mid-cap stocks which also all trade options so if you want to you can trade options on your own around our stock trades.

Last week we made huge progress and this week’s goals are to implement the instant and automated SMS and email alerts sent to you every time there is a new trade, stop, target hit, or we close a position. This will give you more time to see and execute the trades as needed. Keep in mind most swing trades can be entered 1-3 days after the trade alert at the same price or better price simply because we are not that perfect at timing the markets every move.

If you take a minute to review these example REAL TRADES (above) and review the information at The Technical Traders, we believe you will understand the value and resources we offer our members. Isn’t it time you found the right team of professionals to help you make 2019 an incredibly successful year?

Chris Vermeulen

Will Crude Oil Find Support Above $50 Dollars?

Recent global news regarding Venezuela, China, and global oil supply/production have resulted in the price of crude oil pausing over the past few weeks near $53 to $55 ppb. We believe the continued supply glut and uncertainty will result in oil prices falling, briefly, back below $50 ppb before any new price rally begins. Our researchers at The Technical Traders believe historical resistance near $54 - $55 is strong enough to drive prices lower before new momentum picks up for a renewed price rally.

Eventually, yes, oil will rally above $55 and attempt to target the $65+ price level. Yet we don’t believe that move is going to happen right now. We believe the global uncertainty, the slowing Chinese economy and the global supply glut will result in a fundamental price decrease before any momentum for an upside price move begins. Our analysis suggests a price move back below $50 ppb, likely targeting the $46 - $47 level, where basing may occur.

Uncertainty in Venezuela and other oil producing nations may result in a disruption in supply at some point in the future. We must be cautious of unknown situations that could result in dramatic price shifts. Yet, overall, with supply levels still high and slowing global economic expectations, it makes sense that oil would attempt to base and find support near recent lows – between $46 - $48.

Visit The Technical Traders here to learn how we can help you find and execute better trades in 2019. Learn how our proprietary predictive modeling systems have called these moves in the past and how our research team can assist you in finding great opportunities in the future.

Chris Vermeulen

Why You Should Be Paying Attention to the Russell and Financial Sectors

For those that still believe the U.S. markets are weak and poised for a total collapse, we want to bring something to your attention. Throughout weeks of uncertainty about China trade deals, the US government shutdown, continued Brexit issues and who knows what else… oh yeah US Q4 Earnings data, guess what has been taking place in some US sectors?

That’s right, a rather solid price recovery.

Two of our favorite sectors to watch for signs of strength and weakness have been rocketing higher over the past few weeks after setting up a very deep price low near Christmas 2018. The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the Financial Sector ETF (XLF). While the ES, NQ, and others are still waffling around trying to find the momentum to break out to the upside, pay attention to the other sectors that could be leading the way.

Weekly IWM (Russell 2000) Chart

This first Weekly IWM (Russell 2000) chart clearly shows the support zone that was set up in early 2018 after the February 2018 price collapse. Yes, the recent October 2018 price collapse drove price below that support level, but it appears this is a “wash out” low price reversal where traders panicked on the news and other events. The fact that this recovery has taken place may cause some to consider this a “dead cat bounce”, but we’re not seeing that in our research. This could/should be the start of something that pushes prices sideways/higher for a few months, at which time we will need to see to these sectors and the rest of the markets are performing to determine if the overall market is still I a bull market or about to drop into its first bear market leg down.

Weekly XLF (Financial Sector) Chart

This next chart is a Weekly XLF (Financial Sector) ETF showing our Fibonacci price modeling system and a similar Support Zone. One thing that is rather interesting about these charts is that they are both moving substantially higher this week while recently breaking above our Fibonacci bullish trigger level (shown near the right side of the chart as a GREEN LINE). The XLF chart also shows that the current price is well above the BLUE and CYAN Fibonacci projected target levels. This indicates that price may be attempting to move back into the earlier Fibonacci price range (retracement range) to establish more rotation. This new price rotation will set up new Fibonacci modeling system trigger points and tell us where the next move is likely to target.

Yes, we do expect some downside rotation near current levels. We don’t expect this rotation to be very deep or concerning. Price must move in waves, up and down, to support future momentum higher or lower. Our Fibonacci modeling system is suggesting any current downside rotation will likely result in a new momentum move to the upside. Still, these sectors are on fire right now and we urge traders to be cautious of any longs because we are expecting some downside price rotation over the next week or two before the next rally.

Pay attention to these markets moves. 2019 is poised to be a very exciting and profitable year for skilled traders and wise investors. Visit The Technical Traders to get our daily and weekly analysis forecast complete with long term investing swing trading, and index day trade signals.

53 years experience in researching and trading makes analyzing the complex and ever changing financial markets a natural process. We have a simple and highly effective way to provide our customers with the most convenient, accurate, and timely market forecasts available today.

Our index, stock and ETF trading alerts are readily available through our exclusive membership service via email and SMS text. Our newsletter, Technical Trading Mastery book, and 3 Hour Trading Video Course are designed for both traders and investors. Also, some of our strategies have been fully automated for the ultimate trading experience.

Chris Vermeulen

Crude Oil Will Find Strong Resistance Between $52 - $55

Our Adaptive Fibonacci modeling system is suggesting Crude Oil may have already reached very strong resistance levels just above $50 ppb. It is our opinion that a failed rally above $55 ppb will result in another downward price move where prices could retest the $42 low – or lower.

You can see from this Daily Crude oil chart that price has formed a consolidated price channel between $50 and $53 ppb. This price channel aligns with a November 2018 price consolidation zone. It is our belief that any advance above $55-56 ppb, will result in a new upward price move to $64-65 ppb.

This Weekly crude oil chart highlights the Fibonacci projected price zones that represent the incredibly strong resistance level currently setup in Crude. The Weekly chart shows a zone between $50-56 as a critical resistance zone. One key element of Fibonacci price theory is that price must always attempt to seek out new highs or new lows as it rotates. Thus, if this current upside move fails to establish new highs above this resistance zone, then it must move lower to attempt to establish new lows. This means the $40 price target is a very viable immediate objective.

Global demand for oil, as well as global economic data, could be key to understand the future demand and price for oil. At this point, a new upper fractal top formation will generate new Fibonacci price targets to the downside. If our opinion proves to be correct, we will learn of these new price targets within a few weeks.

Want to learn how we called the move in Oil from $76 to $43?

Visit The Technical Traders Free Research Right Here to read all of our recent research posts.

We help traders find and execute better trade by using our proprietary tools to keep them informed and to alert them to new trade opportunities. Visit The Technical Traders to learn how we can help you make 2019 a fantastic year.

Chris Vermeulen

How We Will Play this Potentially Massive Short Squeeze in Natural Gas

Our proprietary Fibonacci predictive modeling system is suggesting Natural Gas is about to break down below the $4.30 level and move aggressively toward the $3.05 - 3.25 level. This could be an incredible move for energy traders and a complete bust for existing longs.

This Weekly Natural Gas chart is showing our Fibonacci Predictive modeling system and highlighting the lower support price targets just above $3.00. We believe price weakness will break the $4.30 level very quickly and drive prices well below the $3.40 level – very likely towards support near $3.25 over the next few weeks.

Our Advanced Adaptive Dynamic Learning predictive price modeling system is showing similar results. It suggests a major price anomaly is setting up in Natural Gas that will prompt a massive downside price move over the next 2 - 3 weeks before an equally incredible price recovery takes place. The total of this predicted price swing is nearly $2.00 ($1.00 down and then $0.85 back to the upside). If this move takes place as our modeling systems are suggesting, this will drive a massive “washout move” pushing the long traders out of their positions on the way down and then pushing a massive short squeeze on the way back up to near $4.00.

This is the type of price swing that makes for incredible success stories if traders can play this move properly. Pay attention to the fact that the lower predicted levels of our ADL system (shown near $3.20) may not be reached in this downward price swing. Our predictive modeling system is suggesting these are the highest probability price outcome based on its internal price and technical analysis. Still, when one takes a good hard look at this chart, it is easy to see the “price anomaly” setup where the current price of Natural Gas is nearly $0.80 above the currently predicted price levels (shown as YELLOW DASHES) and how the ADL Predictive modeling system is suggesting a big downward move is about to unfold.

Want to keep receiving incredible trade setups like this one and learn how our research team and specialized price modeling systems can help you find and execute better trades? Then please visit Technical Traders Ltd. to learn more about our services and tools. We have been helping traders find and execute better educated trading decisions with our specialized tools and research for years. Visit The Technical Traders Free Research to read all of our most recent public research posts and to see how we’ve been calling these market moves over the past few months.

Chris Vermeulen