Natural Gas Fund Issues First New Shares Since July

U.S. Natural Gas Fund, the largest exchange traded fund in the fuel, issued 7 million new shares today, the first new units for the ETF since July because of regulatory efforts to limit market speculation. The new shares, worth $79 million, are backed by a total return swap with an investment grade counterparty, the fund said on its Web site. The Alameda, California based ETF, known as UNG, has said it would offer new shares starting Sept. 28 to purchasers who bought creation baskets of 100,000 units, which are then sold on the open market.

“UNG continues to work to re-balance the existing portfolio of natural gas exposure by using a range of suitable investments including listed futures contracts, listed cleared swaps, as well as over the counter total return swaps,” John Hyland, the fund’s chief investment officer, said in an e-mail. The $4 billion fund grew 11 fold since the start of the year to 347.4 million shares outstanding before it ran out in July. The fund backs its shares with natural gas contracts or swaps, and has been unable to expand its fuel holdings on the New York Mercantile Exchange and the Intercontinental Exchange.....Read the entire article

Crude Oil Bulls Seem to Have The Advantage, Natural Gas Closes Sharply Higher

Crude oil closed lower due to profit taking on Friday as it consolidated some of this week's rally. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday.

If November extends this week's rally, September's high crossing at 73.58 is the next upside target. Closes below today's low crossing at 68.32 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is Thursday's high crossing at 71.39
Second resistance is September's high crossing at 73.58

First support is today's low crossing at 68.32
Second support is last week's low crossing at 65.05

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Natural gas closed sharply higher due to short covering on Friday as it consolidated some of Thursday's decline but remains below the 10 day moving average crossing at 4.725. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI have turned bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 4.471 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. If November renews last month's rally, the 50% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 5.320 is the next upside target.

First resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 4.99
Second resistance the 50nq % retracement level at 5.32

First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 4.42
Second support is today's low crossing at 4.35

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The Your keywordU.S. Dollar closed lower on Friday as it consolidated some of Thursday's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.10. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If December extends this week's rally, September's high crossing at 79.29 is the next upside target. If December renews September's decline, monthly support crossing at 75.73 is the next downside target.

First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 77.73
Second resistance is September's high crossing at 79.29

First support is last Wednesday's low crossing at 76.22
Second resistance is monthly support crossing at 75.73

Natural Gas Fund, UNG, Says New Share Creation Tougher Than Expected

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund,UNG,the largest exchange traded fund in the fuel, has found it more difficult than expected to create units using a new process that has purchasers trade natural gas swaps for shares. The Alameda, California based fund has gotten inquiries from market makers and hedge funds, said Jim Stegall, manager of institutional sales for the fund. Many investors prefer swaps of a few weeks or less, while the fund wants six month swaps.

“The vast majority hear that and they don’t want anything to do with that,” Stegall said. The complex swaps for shares creation process may take several weeks, he said.
The $3.9 billion fund grew 11 fold since the start of the year to 347.4 million shares outstanding before it ran out in July. The fund backs its shares with natural gas contracts.....read the entire article

Can you learn to trade crude oil in just 90 seconds?

Atilla's "Reinforcing Gravity of Price Time Continuum"

As most of my regular readers know I am staying near term bearish on the whole oil and nat gas sector, I still see 58 before 100. And from time to time I like to share the work of some of my favorite bears, don't worry when we are in a bull market I will share the work of my favorite bulls.

Here is a couple of current charts reflecting the work of one of my favorite bears Atilla at the xtrenders website. Check it out and please feel free to leave a comment and our readers know what you are thinking.

$OSX - Oil and Gas Drillers / Monthly


$XOI - Oil Index
Due to the short history of Oil Index ($XOI), I prefer to analyze one of its major and historical component, Exxon. / monthly


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Oil Declines as U.S. Cuts More Jobs Than Forecast, Stocks Drop

Crude oil dropped, tracking global equity markets, after a report showed the jobless rate in America climbed to a 26 year high in September. Oil snapped two days of increases as equities slumped around the world. U.S. employers cut more jobs than forecast last month, according to a Labor Department report, raising concern that consumer spending won’t increase fuel demand. Crude is still set for a weekly increase after gasoline supplies dropped unexpectedly.

“Economic indicators are very important and there is still a lot of speculation on what oil demand will be next year,” Hannes Loacker, an analyst at Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich in Vienna, said before the jobs report. “Equity markets are declining and the crude market is declining as well.” Crude oil for November delivery dropped as much as $1.96, or 2.8 percent, to $68.86 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.....read the entire article

Globally Off Balance with Phil Flynn

Globally off balance and no, I am not talking about Mahmoud Ahamadineajad, though I could be. No, what I am talking about is a perceived imbalance in the strength of the US economic recovery and the perceived strength of the recovery in the rest of the world. Yesterday the global commodity markets were knocked for a loop when it was reported that the Chicago Purchasing Manager report came out a lot worse than expected and that the ADP jobs report is still showing labor weakness. What made matters worse is it came out after stronger than expected economic readings in the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and good readings in Japan and China.

This raised concerns that the US is lagging the rest of the world is in a rebound phase and may force the US to be kept on the stimulus lifeline longer than some of the others. This imbalance on the last day of the quarter helped smash the dollar and sent money scrambling to find a place to profit or at the very least seek cover. It is obvious that today’s economic data, especially today’s ISM Manufacturing number, should be determining the next big.....read the entire article

Crude Oil Declines on Concern U.S. Economic Recovery May Stall

Crude oil declined, paring this week’s gain, as a gauge of U.S. manufacturing unexpectedly fell, jobless claims rose and a stronger dollar bolstered skepticism about the recovery in the biggest energy consuming nation. Oil snapped two days of increases after the number of Americans filing first time claims for unemployment benefits climbed and a report showed manufacturing dropped lower than projected by economists. Oil also fell as the dollar rose to a three week high against the euro.

“Commodities overall took a hit from that negative turn in macro sentiment, combined with the advancing dollar,” said Toby Hassall, a research analyst at CWA Global Markets PTY in Sydney. Crude oil for November delivery dropped as much as 72 cents, or 1 percent, to $70.10 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $70.14 at 8:54 a.m. Singapore time. Yesterday, the contract rose 21 cents to settle at $70.82.....read the entire article

Why it Pays to Think Small About Oil

It’s clear that a good investor should have some exposure to oil and gas. But you need to know where to look – and here it pays to think small, not big. There’s a problem with buying into the oil majors, such as BP and Shell. They sell so much of the stuff each day that they a face a continual, expensive challenge to replenish their reserves. But small explorers are not in this position. This is of real significance to you as an investor. Let me explain…

If a small explorer makes a good oil discovery it does not simply offset the oil that it’s selling. Instead, it takes them from a position of having no oil and consequently, a very uncertain outlook into one where they have a profitable long term future. So shareholders who look to small explorers can make big money. But where exactly should you be looking?

For me, the crucial factor is whether the explorer’s license area has the potential to host a really major reserve. That is why I like Kurdistan, home of
Gulf Keystone (GKP) which this week further increased the estimated size of its Shaikan find – and Sterling Energy (SEY). I also like the Falklands, where the licence holders are Borders & Southern (BOR), Desire (DES), Rockhopper (RKH) and Falkland Oil & Gas (FOGL)......read the entire article

Oil Price Has Little Change Depsite IMF's Upgrades

Hovering around 70, the benchmark contract for crude oil changes little ahead of US opening. IMF's upgrades on economic forecasts and OPEC's production cut in September are bullish factors but investors probably feel nervous to push oil higher after the +5.8% rally yesterday.

IMF forecasts world economy will expand +3.1% in 2010, compared with +3.1% projected in July, as driven by growths of +9% and +6.4% in China and India respectively. As stated in the report, 'the recovery has started and financial markets are healing...'in most countries, growth will be positive for the rest of the year, as well as in 2010'. However, 'to sustain the recovery, private consumption and investment will have to strengthen as high public spending and large fiscal deficits are unwound'.

For OECDs, GDP in the US, Japan and the Eurozone are anticipated to rise by +1.5%, +1.7% and +0.3%. All of these estimates have been revised upward from Julys' projections. According to Bloomberg's estimates, OPEC's crude production declined 50K bpd from August to 28.395M bpd in September as led by reductions in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Angola. For the 11 members (excluding Iraq) that are subject to quota, total output dropped -10K bpd to 26.045M bpd in September, though the production was still higher than the target.....read the entire article and charts!

Oil Poised to Test Resistance in the Mid $70s

Crude oil is poised to enter a “bullish channel” and test resistance at the mid $70 a barrel level after rising the most in almost six months yesterday. If prices close above $71.55 a barrel, oil is set to test resistance at $75.89, according to a technical analysis by Stephen Schork, president of consultant Schork Group Inc. in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Crude oil for November delivery rose $3.90, or 5.9 percent, to settle at $70.61 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. “If you are bearish you’ve got a problem right now,” said Schork. “If the channel holds we’ll get a re test of the low to mid-$70s, which is where resistance has held since the summer”.....read the entire article

Crude Oil Technical Analysis From Oil N Gold

Crude oil's price powerfully pushed yesterday, after the release of inventory fundamentals touching the key resistance level at almost 70.90, which forms a support level for the main breached ascending channel, previously. However, reaching this level will be accompanied by the stochastic entering an overbought areas ; thus, making us expect for today, a downside move on an intraday basis where its first main targets are around 68.00, requiring trading to remain below level 70.90, essentially. The trading range for today is among the key support at 66.20 and the key resistance at 73.15. The general trend is to the upside as far as 47.20 remains intact with targets at 85.00.....Read the entire article

Oil Declines on Concerns U.S. Economy Struggling to Recover

Crude oil in New York fell after an unexpected drop in U.S. business activity and as companies cut more jobs than estimated, adding to concerns over the pace of revival in fuel demand in the biggest energy consuming nation.

Crude oil pared some of yesterday’s 5.9 percent gain after the Institute for Supply Management Chicago Inc.’s business barometer trailed economists’ estimates. Companies in the U.S. cut payrolls by a greater than forecast 254,000 jobs, a report from ADP Employer Services showed, indicating the labor market will be slow to recover.

“The poor economic news suggests oil should not go too much higher in price, because the U.S. economy is not improving as quickly as hoped,” Mike Sander, an investment adviser at Sander Capital in Seattle, said in an e-mail. “The economy is still in dire shape”.....read the entire article

Crude Oil Chart Damage Appears to be Repaired, For Now

Crude oil closed up $3.58 at $70.29 a barrel today. Prices closed nearer the session high today. The big gains today were supported by a bullish weekly storage report from the DOE, from a lower U.S. dollar and by the recent heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran over its nuclear ambitions. Recent serious chart damage was mostly repaired today.

Natural gas closed down 3.8 cents at $4.837 today. Prices closed near mid range today. Prices are still in a three week old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls still have upside technical momentum. The next upside price objective for the bulls is closing prices above solid technical resistance at the August high of $5.133.

The U.S. dollar index closed down 41 points at 76.94 today. Prices closed near mid range today. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to close prices above solid technical resistance at 79.00.

Crude Oil Price Reacted Mildly Positive to Less Than Expected Distiallte Stock Gain

Crude oil inventory rose +2.8 mmb, compared with consensus of +2 mmb increase, to 338.4 mmb in the week ended September 29. The good thing is Cushing stock recorded significant drop of -1.5 mmb. Situation in oil product stockpiles was better than previously anticipated. Gasoline inventory drew -1.66 mmb while distillate inventory gained only +0.32 mmb. Both readings beat market expectations.

WTI crude oil price changes little after the report, only edging slightly higher to 67.5 from 66.5 before the release. Investors probably need to gauge the implications of a higher crude build with lower distillate build. Heating oil bounces to 1.71 while RBOB gasoline rises to 1.65 after the report. Lack of positive response from investors was also driven by disappointing US employment data and Chicago PMI. ADP reported -254K decline in employment in September following a -277K drop in the prior month. The market had expected.....Read the entire article

Bloomberg Analysis: Oil’s Sideways Trend Points to $70 Breakout

Crude oil has a greater chance of rising above $70 a barrel the longer it stays in the sideways pattern that has characterized trading in the past two months, according to National Australia Bank Ltd. Oil has been locked in a band of $65 to $75 a barrel since the start of August as traders weighed optimism over the prospects for a recovery in global demand against a supply glut. As the market has held its floor, prices will soon rise, said Gordon Manning, a Sydney based analyst, citing technical charts.

“The longer we’re in a sideways pattern, when we do break out, potentially the more powerful it’s going to be,” Manning said in an interview. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see that sort of ‘kick’ from around these current levels back up to about $70. There’s more of a risk of a $3 rally than a $3 fall from here”.....Read the entire article

Do You Understand How Divergences Work in the Market?

In our new short video, we share with you some divergences that
are taking place in the S&P 500 right now.

I'm also going to show you divergences that didn't work out,
what you should look for, and how you should act when a
divergence does not work.

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Crude Oil Rises as Growth in China, Japan Buoys Demand Outlook

Crude oil rose above $67 a barrel in New York as manufacturing expanded in China and Japan, buoying hopes for a rebound in fuel demand.

Oil is nonetheless heading for its first quarterly decline this year amid swelling fuel inventories in the U.S. The Energy Department will probably report that supplies of crude and fuel increased last week, according to a Bloomberg survey. Chinese manufacturing rose for a sixth month in September and Japanese industrial output climbed for a sixth time in August.

“Emerging markets have definitely been driving the demand recovery,” said Thina Saltvedt, an analyst at Nordea Bank AB in Oslo. “Industrial production has increased. We will see a gradual improvement in the economy, but prices have got ahead of the physical fundamentals”.....Read the entire article

Hype hype, hype hype Iran

Oil prices got a bid from a rising stock market and concerns over Iran. Now, while some traders and analysts try to hype the Iran story, the truth is the odds of an imminent military conflict with Iran are being greatly exaggerated. And if we do actually get into a conflict, it is unclear as to whether or not it will have a long term impact on oil prices in a world awash in supply.

Many analysts point to the fact that the Iranians have threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz, a major choke point for global supply. The Straits are located between Oman and Iran and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. According to the Department of Energy, Hormuz is the world's most important oil choke point due to its daily oil flow.....Read the entire article

Saudi Aramco CEO: Sluggish Demand in West Not Offset by China

Oil demand remains "sluggish" throughout the developed world, and growth in China isn't making up for the loss, said Saudi Aramco CEO Khalid Al Falih. "It will take time to make up for the millions of barrels of lost demand that we have experienced," said Al Falih, the head of Saudi Arabia's state oil company, in an interview to air Monday evening on the Nightly Business Report on PBS. "But ultimately, it will come."

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, is seeing its efforts pay off to hold down production within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. While supplies are higher than normal worldwide, prices are holding steady around $70 a barrel, roughly where Al Falih said it is necessary to encourage investment in new production. Al Falih was interviewed .....Read the entire article

Oil Drops as Dollar Rises, Analysts Forecast Supply Increase

Crude oil dropped as a stronger dollar reduced the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment and analysts forecast fuel supplies will climb. Oil futures have almost doubled since February as the dollar declined 17 percent and rising equity markets buoyed investor confidence. U.S. oil and fuel inventories probably increased last week amid refinery maintenance and a sluggish economic recovery.

“The dollar continues to be a leading indicator for oil prices because of the global nature of the asset,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. Crude oil for November delivery declined 13 cents to settle at $66.71 a barrel at 2:44 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil prices have increased 50 percent this year. Futures fell 8.4 percent last week, the biggest drop since the week ended July 10.....Read the entire article

Crude Oil Daily Technical Outlook From ONG Focus

Break of 67.02 minor resistance indicates that an intraday low is in place at 65.05 and some consolidation could now be see. Nevertheless, recovery is expected to be limited well below 71.11 resistance an bring fall resumption. Below 65.05 will target 61.8% projection of 75.0 to 67.05 from 73.16 at 60.30 next, which is close to next psychological level of 60.

In the bigger picture, sustained trading below medium term trend line support solidifies that case that medium term rebound from 33.2, which is treated as correction whole down trend form 147.27, has completed at 75.0 on bearish divergence conditions in daily MACD and RSI. Further break of 58.32 cluster support (38.2% retracement of 33.2 to 75.0 at 59.03) will confirm this case and pave the way for a retest of 33.2 low. On the upside, break of 71.77 resistance is needed to invalidate this view. Otherwise, outlook will remain bearish.....Here is the charts!

Crude Drops on Forecast U.S. Oil, Fuel Supplies Rose Last Week

Oil fell before a report forecast to show that U.S. supplies of crude and refined oils accumulated because of a sluggish economic recovery. An Energy Department report due tomorrow will probably show crude stockpiles rose by 1 million barrels last week, according to the median estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Gasoline and distillate fuel inventories also increased, the survey said.

Oil prices have gained 50 percent this year as a weaker dollar boosts the appeal of crude as a currency hedge. “With energy fundamentals still uninspiring, prices should remain confined to the $65-$75 trading range for some time to come,” said Edward Meir, an analyst with MF Global Ltd. in Darien, Connecticut. “The dollar’s decline seems to have stalled” and.....Read the entire article

Bottom Pickers Push Crude Oil Higher, Natural Gas Pulls Back

Crude oil closed up $0.89 at $66.91 a barrel today. Prices closed nearer the session high today on short covering and speculative bottom picking. Prices Friday hit a fresh nine week low. Serious near term chart damage has been inflicted recently as prices have seen a bearish downside "breakout" from a trading range at higher price levels.

Natural gas closed down 11.6 cents at $4.832 today. Prices closed nearer the session low today on profit taking. Prices Friday hit a fresh six week high. Prices are in a three week old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls have upside technical momentum.

The U.S. dollar index closed up 21 points at 77.23 today. Prices closed nearer the session high today on more short covering in a bear market. Bears still have the overall near term technical advantage.

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BP, Kuwait to Build Refinery in China

Energy giant BP (BP) is collaborating with Kuwait to build a $9 billion refinery venture in southern China. The facility, in China's Guangdong province, would have a refining capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

The facility would be 30 percent owned by KPI, Kuwait's state run oil company. Chinese refiner Sinopec (SHI) would have a 50 percent stake, while Dow Chemical (DOW) and Shell (RDS.A) (RDS.B) would each take a ten percent stake. Work on the refinery is expected to commence by March of 2010.

Natural Gas Feint Means Prices Poised to Plummet 19%

The steepest rally in natural gas prices since 2006 is coming to an end as the 400 salt caverns, depleted oil fields and aquifers used to store the fuel in the U.S. reach capacity for the first time. Stockpiles may surpass the record of 3.545 trillion cubic feet by as much as 350 billion cubic feet this fall, Energy Department estimates show. Gulf South Pipeline Co. says its fields in Louisiana and Mississippi are so full that customers will have to pay penalties for exceeding their limits. With no place to go, producers will be forced to dump excess fuel on the market.

The worst economic slump since the 1930s will cut demand from chemical plants to carmakers to households by 2.4 percent this year, according to government estimates. The November futures contract will drop about 19 percent to near $4 per million British thermal units, said Stephen Schork, president of consultant Schork Group Inc. in Villanova, Pennsylvania.....Read the entire article

USO, UNG, SPY Trading Charts From The Gold and Oil Guy

The market continues to whipsaw traders out of positions as volatility rises. I have put together a few charts to show you where USO and UNG are trading along with the SPX (SP500 index).

USO Crude Oil Trading Fund
Crude oil started to bleed lower last week as the price sliced through the multi month support trend line. Volume shot up as stop orders get triggered on the way down. We finally have a move outside of the pennant formation that has been in place for several months. Now we can start looking for a low risk setup for trading crude oil again.


UNG Natural Gas Trading Fund
Natural gas has really come back to life. I mentioned on September 2nd that natural gas (UNG) looked like a buy between $9 – $9.50 and it has now rallied 25% since that point. But stepping back and looking at the chart we can see resistance is hovering over head between the $12 – $12.25.

I may send out a setup for a short play if we get one but I feel the heavy sell off in August was the final wave down, flushing out traders. Speculative traders seem to have moved into natural gas and I think they will continue to buy it for some time. Pullbacks will be sharp but most likely followed with more buying as we enter the cooler months of the year.


SPX Index Trading
I thought that I would show a quick picture of the SPX because it shows the psychology of traders and how it repeats it’s self over and over. The black and green waves are virtually the same patterns.

I feel as though the market is ready for a larger pullback than what we had in June/July but my focus will be to buy in the oversold dips and lighten my positions in overbought conditions (scaling in and out of positions) until the trend confirms it has reversed.


My Market Trading Conclusion:
Gold stocks are pulling back and precious metals continue to move with the overall market action. I do feel that gold and silver will break this relationship and start to move higher in the coming months but until that happens I remain cautious with my positions tightening my stops.

Crude oil is starting to come alive and I am now looking for some low risk setups for energy related funds. Last week’s technical breakdown could provide us with a big move in the coming months.

Natural Gas continues to hold up but is now trading near resistance. Depending how many spec traders there are still lingering around (as most lost their shirts in the recent months), will dictate how much higher natural gas will move. The 25-30% rally in the past month has been very powerful and this could be just the beginning. I am now waiting for another setup that could be a long or a short trade depending on what happens next.

If you would like to get Chris Vermeulen's Bi-Weekly Trading Reports via email please visit The Gold and Oil Guy

New Video: Straight Lines Lead Straight to Profits in Crude Oil

In this new short video we are going to share with you one of the simplest and most powerful technical tools of all time.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do this and you don’t have to have a PhD in mathematics either. If you’re not already using this tool, I highly recommend that you watch this video.

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Just Click Here to watch "Straight Lines Lead Straight to Profits in Crude Oil"

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New Video: Gold, It’s All Falling Into Place

You may have watched our earlier video on the gold cycles and how important they are in this particular market, at this particular time. Today’s action is indicative of the cycle that we were talking about in the video as it’s pushing gold prices down into a cyclic time window.

I wanted to follow up with this new short video to show you where we believe there should be some good levels to get into a long gold position. The energy fields we’ve discussed before in gold and other markets are still very much intact and are getting wound up for the big move we’ll see later this year.

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U.S. Gas Fund May Shrink With CFTC Rules

U.S. Natural Gas Fund, the largest exchange traded fund in the fuel, may be forced to shrink if U.S. regulators tighten limits on energy speculation, said John Hyland, the fund’s chief investment officer. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission may cap energy investments amid concern speculators contributed to record high commodity prices last year. New limits may force the fund to reduce shares, Hyland said in a Bloomberg television interview.

“The problem there is the shareholders are in UNG because they want the natural gas exposure,” Hyland said. The $4 billion fund is an “easy target” for politicians who need a “villain” to blame for high energy prices, he said. Interest in the fund boomed this year. Shares outstanding grew 11 fold since the start of the year to 347.4 million, pushing the ETF’s natural gas holdings to a July peak equal to 20 percent of all the gas consumed in the U.S. last year..... Read the entire article

New Video: The Dollar Makes a Major Low in Q4.......of 2011!

The dollar will hit a major low in Q4 of 2011. Watch this short video and see how we came up with this bold forecast.

The move is already underway and the lows are in place, however, it is not too late to get into this market and take advantage of what we believe will be a major move to the upside for the euro.

There is no need to register to watch this video and you can watch it with our compliments.

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If you enjoy the video, which I am sure you will find eye-opening, please feel free to leave a comment and share your feelings regarding the US dollar.

Oil Rises for Second Day on Recovery Outlook, Iran Tensions

Crude oil rose for a second day on speculation the global economy’s gradual recovery will increase demand for fuel and energy. A Conference Board report tomorrow in the U.S., the world’s largest oil user, may show consumer confidence is at its highest in a year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Prices also rose after Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil producer, conducted missile tests days before meeting with western officials over a previously secret nuclear facility.

Crude oil for November delivery gained as much as 47 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $66.49 a barrel in after hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $66.39 at 8:09 a.m. in Sydney. The contract rose 13 cents to $66.02 on Sept. 25, trimming its loss for the week to 8.9 percent. Prices climbed from $65.05, an eight week low, after U.S. President Barack Obama said a new nuclear plant Iran is building shows the Islamist nation is.....Read the entire article

Crude Oil Closes Higher, Still Bearish Signals Point to Lower Prices

Crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Friday as it consolidated some of Thursday's decline. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

The mid range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday. If November extends this week's breakout below trading range support crossing at 67.66, July's low crossing at 61.38 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 70.27
Second resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at 73.16

First support is today's low crossing at 65.05
Second support is July's low crossing at 61.38

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Natural gas closed higher on Friday as it extends this month's rally. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If October extends this month's rally, the 38% retracement level of this year's decline crossing at 4.082 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 3.260 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is today's high crossing at 4.04
Second resistance the 38% retracement level at 4.08

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 3.66
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 3.26

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The December Dollar closed lower due to profit taking on Friday but remains above the 10 day moving average crossing at 76.71. The mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish hinting that a short term low might be in or is near.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.40 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If December extends this month's decline, monthly support crossing at 75.73 is the next downside target.

First resistance is Monday's high crossing at 77.33
Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.40

First support is Wednesday's low crossing at 76.22
Second resistance is monthly support crossing at 75.73

Serious Near Term Chart Damage Inflicted on Crude Oil

Crude oil closed down $3.05 at $65.92 a barrel today. Prices closed near the session low again today and hit a fresh nine week low. Serious near term chart damage was inflicted today as prices saw a big and bearish downside "breakout" from the recent trading range at higher price levels. Crude bears now have the near term technical advantage.

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Natural gas closed up 14.0 cents at $4.894 today. Prices closed nearer the session high again today and hit a fresh six week high. Prices are in a two week old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls gained upside technical momentum today, but have more work to do to suggest prices can continue to trend higher.

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The U.S. dollar index closed up 80 points at 77.09 today. Prices closed near the session high today on a short covering in a bear market. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to close prices above solid technical resistance at 78.00.

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Natural Gas Advances in New York on Signs of Rebound in Demand

Natural gas futures rose in New York for the third straight day amid speculation that a strengthening economy and colder U.S. weather will increase demand and begin to draw down near record high inventories. A government report today showed an unexpected drop in U.S. jobless claims, a sign the economy is pulling out of the recession. Demand for gas starts to rise in November as temperatures fall.

“The question is how hard are we going to hit storage?” said Teri Viswanath, director of commodities research at Credit Suisse Securities USA in Houston. The market has priced in record high storage and is now focused on the prospect that a cold U.S. winter will lead to inventory draw downs, she said. Natural gas for October delivery rose 9.5 cents, or 2.5 percent, to close at $3.955 per million Btu on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The fuel was trading at $3.774 before the supply report was released at 10:30 a.m. in Washington.....Read the entire article

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Oil Falls to a 1-Month Low on Larger Than Expected Supply Gains

Crude oil fell to a one month low after a government report of a larger than forecast gain in U.S. fuel supplies signaled that a glut is forming in the world’s biggest energy consuming country. U.S. gasoline stockpiles surged 5.41 million barrels last week, more than 10 times what was forecast by analysts in a Bloomberg News survey. Inventories of distillate fuel, a category that includes heating oil and diesel, rose 2.96 million barrels, almost double what was estimated. Crude oil supplies also climbed in the week ended Sept. 18.

“We had three major stock builds and increases in the year on year surplus,” said Peter Beutel, president of trading adviser Cameron Hanover Inc. in New Canaan, Connecticut. “We are testing support and will have to see if we can break out of the recent range”.....Read the entire article

Crude Oil Prices Weaker Going Into Thursday Trading

Crude oil prices are weaker early today and trading has turned choppy. In November crude, look for buy stops to reside just above resistance at $69.00 and then just above resistance at $70.00. Look for sell stops just below technical support at $68.00 and then more sell stops just below support at the September low of $67.66. Today's key near term Fibonacci support/resistance level: $69.90. Wyckoff's Intra-Day Market Rating: 4.5 Thursday's pivot point for crude oil is 69.39

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The U.S. dollar index is slightly higher in early trading today. Bears still have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Slow stochastics for the dollar index are neutral early today. The dollar index finds shorter-term technical resistance at the overnight high of 76.63 and then at 76.95. Shorter-term support is seen at the contract low of 76.04 and then at 75.75. Today's key near-term Fibonacci support/resistance level: 76.89. Wyckoff's Intra Day Market Rating: 5.0

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December S&P 500: The shorter term moving averages (4, 9 and 18 day) are still bullish early today. The 4 day moving average is above the 9 day and 18 day. The 9 day is above the 18 day moving average. Short term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral to bearish early today.

Today, shorter term technical support comes in at this week's low of 1,051.80 and then at 1,040.00. Sell stops likely reside just under those levels. Upside resistance for active traders today is located at last week's and last week's high of 1,070.50 and then at Wednesday's high of 1,075.50. Buy stops are likely located just above those levels. Wyckoff's Intra- day Market Rating: 5.0 Today's key near term Fibonacci support/resistance level: 1,056.00.

Pivot:--------------- 1,063.30
1st Support:-------- 1,051.10
2nd Support:-------- 1,043.30
1st Resistance:----- 1,071.10
2nd Resistance:----- 1,083.30

Crude Oil Falls a Second Day on Gains in U.S. Fuel Stockpiles

Crude oil declined for a second day after a U.S. government report showed a larger than expected increase in fuel stockpiles in the world’s largest energy consuming nation. Gasoline stockpiles in the U.S. surged 5.4 million barrels last week, the Energy Department said yesterday. That’s more than the 500,000 barrel increase forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of analysts. Diesel and heating oil inventories jumped almost 3 million barrels, double what was expected, and crude oil stockpiles also climbed.

“If products aren’t moving, then there’s no demand for crude,” Sentje Diek, an energy analyst at HSH Nordbank AG, said by phone from Hamburg. “Gasoline and distillate stockpiles are clearly above their five year average.” Crude oil for November delivery fell as much as 95 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $68.02 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $68.49 at 11:11 a.m. London time. Coupled with a 3.9 percent plunge yesterday, the two day decline has reduced oil’s year to date gain to 54 percent, from more than 60 percent last week.....Read the entire article

Following the Jockeys in the Oil Patch

You’re only as good as your last deal.

Buy the jockey, not the horse.

That’s what came to mind today when I read that Eagle Rock Explorations (ERX-TSXv) was bringing in a new management and re-capitalizing this 550 boe producer operating in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Half the new group is from Crescent Point Energy (CPG-TSX) the most highly valued intermediate oil producer on the TSX. That’s a great calling card. The other half comes from Wild River and Prairie Schooner, two junior producers that were build and sold earlier this decade.

And the Eagle Rock stock showed the worth of this team, quadrupling to 32 cents on huge volume of 12 million shares – 22% of the stock outstanding. Many investors follow this strategy, find successful management teams who have built and sold companies before, and follow them on every deal. So in my next issue for subscribers, due out in the first couple weeks of October, I will profile three new young companies that are the new ventures for three highly successful management teams in the Canadian oil patch.....Read the entire article

Where is Crude Oil Headed on Thursday?

CNBC's Sharon Epperson discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets, and looks ahead to where oil is likely headed tomorrow.




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Crude Oil Bulls Fail to Defend $69 Level

Crude oil closed down $3.21 at $68.55 a barrel today. Prices closed near the session low today. Trading has turned choppy in crude. Bulls faded badly today. Crude bulls still have the slight near term technical advantage. The next downside price objective for the crude oil bears is to produce a close below solid technical support at the September low of $67.66.

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Natural gas closed up 20.1 cents at $4.721 today. Prices closed nearer the session high again today. Prices are still in a two week old uptrend on the daily bar chart. However, bulls have more work to do to suggest prices can continue to trend higher.

Today’s Stock Market Club Trading Triangles

The U.S. dollar index closed up 24 points at 76.59 today. Prices closed near the session high today on a late rally after hitting another fresh contract low early on. Short covering in a bear market was featured. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage. There are still no early technical clues that a market low is close at hand for the index.

Phil Flynn: Go Ahead and Make my Day

Go ahead and make my day. Commodity prices explode in what really shouldn’t be called trading, it should be called tainting. One day after paying all “due respect” to the Federal Reserve the dollar tanked and the commodities rallied almost trash talking the Federal Reserve and daring them to do something about it. I know what you’re thinking, did the Fed cut rates 4 times or was it five? In fact in all the excitement I kind of forgot myself.

I guess the question is: does the Fed feel lucky? Well do ya punk? The commodity markets are confident that the Fed is powerless at this point and does not have the courage to challenge the dollar. Everyone knows that the Fed can’t raise rates and the Fed will keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4. The fact is the market does not believe the Fed has the courage to even hint at an exit strategy. Go ahead, keep printing money.....Read the entire article

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Crude Oil Drops Below $69 After Unexpected U.S. Supply Gain

Crude oil fell below $69 a barrel in New York after a U.S. Energy Department report showed an unexpected increase in stockpiles as refineries idled units for seasonal maintenance and fuel demand dropped. Inventories climbed 2.86 million barrels to 335.6 million last week, the report showed. A decline of 1.4 million barrels was forecast, according to the median of 17 analyst responses in a Bloomberg News survey. Supplies of gasoline and distillate fuel, a category that includes heating oil and diesel, rose more than estimated.

“These numbers are bearish across the board,” said Bill O’Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis. “We’ve been in a $60 to $75 range since early July. Prices should go down and test the bottom end of the range after these numbers.” Crude oil for November delivery fell $2.59, or 3.6 percent, to $68.96 a barrel at 10:49 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $68.57, the lowest since Sept. 15.....Read the entire article

Crude Oil Trading Choppy Ahead of FOMC Statement

Crude oil prices are near steady early today. Trading has turned choppy. In November crude, look for buy stops to reside just above resistance at $72.00 and then just above resistance at Monday's high of $72.65. Look for sell stops just below technical support at $71.00 and then more sell stops just below support at $70.00. Pivot point for crude oil today is 71.18. Today's key near term Fibonacci support/resistance level: $70.65. Wyckoff's Intra Day Market Rating: 5.0

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The December U.S. dollar index is slightly lower in early trading today, and hit yet another fresh contract low overnight. Bears still have the solid overall near term technical advantage. Slow stochastics for the dollar index are neutral early today. The dollar index finds shorter term technical resistance at 76.50 and then at Tuesday's high of 76.95. Shorter term support is seen at the overnight contract low of 76.11 and then at 76.00. Today's key near term Fibonacci support/resistance level: 77.32. Wyckoff's Intra Day Market Rating: 4.0

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December S&P 500: The shorter term moving averages (4, 9 and 18 day) are bullish early today. The 4 day moving average is above the 9 day and 18 day. The 9 day is above the 18 day moving average. Short term oscillators (RSI, slow stochastics) are neutral to bullish early today. Today, shorter term technical support comes in at the overnight low of 1,064.00 and then at Tuesday's low of 1,059.50. Sell stops likely reside just under those levels. Upside resistance for active traders today is located at last week's and the overnight high of 1,070.50 and then at 1,080.00. Buy stops are likely located just above those levels. Wyckoff's Intra day Market Rating: 5.5 Today's key near term Fibonacci support/resistance level: 1,039.00.

Pivot point--------- 1,065.35
1st Support:-------- 1,061.50
2nd Support:-------- 1,055.65
1st Resistance:----- 1,071.20
2nd Resistance:----- 1,075.05

Oil Falls After Industry Report Shows Increase in Fuel Supplies

Crude oil fell in New York after an industry report showed an increase in fuel supplies in the U.S., adding to signs demand has yet to recover in the world’s largest energy consumer.Oil pared yesterday’s 2.6 percent gain after a report from the industry funded American Petroleum Institute showed U.S. gasoline stockpiles climbed the most since January. The Energy Department report today is expected to show increases in the nation’s fuel inventories, according to a Bloomberg News survey.


“We’ve been expecting a demand recovery but we still haven’t seen much of a justification in the supply demand fundamentals,” said Toby Hassall, a research analyst with CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. “The underlying supply-demand profile still suggests the market could be vulnerable to a pullback”.....Read the entire article

Finding the Right Oil Plays Is Easier than You Think

It's a mistake that too many people make. I'm not immune, by any means. In fact, one of the first trades I ever made proved to be an important lesson. The mistake was simple. Several years ago, I was star struck by a big name in natural gas and thought buying this company would prove a win win deal for me. A few months later, I swallowed my pride and ended up taking the big loss.

Believe me, it's a mistake I won't make again, and the good (if any) that comes from a loss is that the bad deals end up being the ones we learn from. So what has me thinking about a painful trade from the past? A reader of mine recently shared what he called, in his words, a 'hugely successful trading story.' At first, I was elated. . . I'm always in the mood to hear a good story from one of my readers. Yet the moment he told me the name of the company.....Read the entire article

The Chinese Oil Demand Teaser

One day China’s oil demand is bad and the next, good. Welcome to another mystery from The Middle Kingdom. Yesterday oil prices were pressured on reports of bulging inventories in China and weak demand. Platts reported that Chinese oil demand in August slid 5.4% from July. Platts said that China's implied oil demand totaled 33.02 million metric tons in August versus 34.92 million metric tons in July. Oil refiners in China are reporting that demand is still weak. Reuter’s news reported that Chinese oil company Sinopec had sales of refined oil products still lower than one year ago. Reuters says that despite a moderate inventory draw in August, China's diesel inventories had been building up faster than gasoline had in past months, reflecting the slower consumption for the main transportation fuel used by Chinese industry and trucks.....Read the entire article

New Video: The Reason Why Gold Hasn’t Skyrocketed

With the printing presses in full printing mode, many people are questioning why gold prices haven’t gone higher....much higher.

In our new video, we explain some of the subtle market cycles that are at play right now in this market. These short term cycles have been the dominant force in gold all year and appear to be still in control of price action.

We believe the longer term upward trend in gold is very much intact, short term we could see more of a trading range that has a downward bias. We think when you watch this video you will get a much better understanding about the rhythm of this market.

If we are correct, you will see some amazing opportunities that we believe will be presented to traders in Q4. In fact, if everything goes according to plan we could all be looking at some very nice Christmas/holiday profits.

The video is easy to follow and I think you’ll learn a whole lot about cyclic price action in the gold market.

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Enjoy the video and please leave a comment to let us know what you think about the video and the direction of gold.

Crude Oil Rises for First Time in Four Days as Dollar Weakens

Crude oil rose for the first time in four days as the dollar declined, bolstering the appeal of commodities as a hedge against inflation. Oil climbed as much as 2.9 percent as the U.S. currency slipped to $1.4821 per euro, its weakest level since Sept. 23, 2008. Net crude oil imports by China, Asia’s biggest energy consuming country, increased 18 percent to 17.92 million metric tons in August, the second highest level on record.

“More than anything else, we are seeing a reaction to the incredible weakness of the dollar,” said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “Yesterday, the dollar strengthened and oil fell more than $2. Now the dollar’s plunged to the lowest level against the euro in a year and look what’s happened”.....Read the entire article

Oil Options Hit Highs as Verleger Predicts 44% Plunge

Oil traders are paying more than ever in the options market to protect against a plunge in crude prices. The gap between prices of options betting on a decline and those that would profit from a rise in oil widened to a record 10 percentage points, according to five years of data compiled by Bank of America Securities Merrill Lynch. Crude stockpiles in the U.S. are 14 percent larger than a year ago and OPEC is pumping 600,000 barrels a day more than the world needs, according to the International Energy Agency.

While the recovery from the first global recession since World War II pushed oil up 62 percent this year to $72.04 a barrel in New York, growth alone isn’t likely to erode the glut by the end of next year because production exceeds demand, data from the Paris based IEA shows. A drop in prices would penalize companies from Exxon Mobil Corp. to BP Plc and exporters.....Read entire article