Crude Oil and Natural Gas Technical Outlook For Tuesday Morning

Nymex Crude Oil (CL)

Crude oil's break of 81.72 minor support suggests that a short term top is in place at 83.95. Intraday bias is flipped to the downside and some corrections could now be seen, probably to 38.2% retracement of 68.59 to 83.95 at 78.08. But downside should be contained by 61.8% retracement at 74.46 and bring rally resumption. Above 83.95 will target upper trend line resistance at 87/88 level again.

In the bigger picture, the break of 82.0 resistance confirms that whole medium term rise from 33.2 has resumed. Nevertheless, there is no change in the view that it's a correction to fall from 147.27. Hence, we'd continue to look for reversal signal as crude oil approaches 50% retracement of 147.27 to 33.2 at 90.24, which is close to 90 psychological level. However, break of 68.59 support is still needed to confirm that rise from 33.2 has completed. Otherwise, outlook will be neutral at worst even in case of deep pull back..... Nymex Crude Oil Continuous Contract 4 Hours Chart.

Nymex Natural Gas (NG)

Natural gas' correction from 6.108 is still in progress and dips to as low as 5.371 so far. Current fall is still expected to continue to 38.2% retracement of 4.157 to 6.108 at 5.363 first and possibly further to 61.8% retracement at 4.902. ON the upside, above 5.85 minor resistance will turn intraday bias neutral. But after all, break of 6.108 high is needed to confirm that medium term rise has resumed. Otherwise, we'd expect more consolidations with risk of another fall.

In the bigger picture, medium term fall from 13.69 is treated as part of the long term consolidation pattern that started at 15.78 back in 2005 and might have completed at 2.409 already. Rise from 2.409 is still in progress and should target 38.2% retracement of 13.694 to 2.409 at 6.72 and beyond. On the downside, break of 4.157 support is needed to indicate that medium term rise from 2.409 has completed. Otherwise, outlook is neutral at worst even in case of deep pullback.....Nymex Natural Gas Continuous Contract 4 Hours Chart.


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Gold, Silver, Platinum...W.T.F.?!

Today we have a great new video for you. I’m sure many of you read that title and your mind went in the gutter, but today we going to show you a whole new meaning for this acronym and how it applies to gold, silver, and platinum.

These three markets have a lot of volume, government implications, and technicals lining up for potentially great trades. Gold makes a record high, then pulls back. Silver is inching towards an all time high level and platinum is making people rethink their decision to go with a white gold wedding band.

Where do you stand in these markets and maybe more importantly, where should you stand?

Just click here to watch the video and to find out what W.T.F. really stands for and what does it have to do with gold, silver, and platinum?

You’ve got to watch the video to find out.

Good trading,
Ray C. Parrish
President/CEO The Crude Oil Trader

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Don't Count On OPEC's Surplus For 2010

* The future of natural gas, will it a valuable transportation fuel in 10 years?
* Congress may look to pass bill that enforces strict regulations on shale rock drilling
* U.S. will drill off-shore, but at what cost.
* How expensive does oil needs to get for green energy to be cost competitive
* OPEC's over supply of oil




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Where is Crude Oil and Commodities Headed on Tuesday?

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




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Low Range Crude Oil Close Sets The Stage For Lower Open on Tuesday

Crude oil closed lower on Monday due to profit taking as milder weather is expected to move across much of the US this week. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought and are turning neutral to bearish with today's decline hinting that a short term top might be in or is near.

Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 81.04 would signal that a short term top has been posted. If February extends this winter's rally, the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82 is the next upside target.

First resistance is today's high crossing at 83.95
Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 81.04
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.63

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Natural gas closed sharply lower on bearish weather forecast for the U.S. on Monday. Today's close below the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.703 confirms that a short term top has been posted. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday.

Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. If February extends today's decline, the 50% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 5.314 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.703
Second resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 5.765

First support is today's low crossing at 5.371
Second support is the 50% retracement level of the December-January rally crossing at 5.314

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The U.S. Dollar closed sharply lower on Monday confirming last Friday's key reversal down. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If March extends today's decline, the 50% retracement level of the November-December rally crossing at 76.66 is the next downside target. Closes above last Friday's high crossing at 78.44 would confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.85
Second resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 77.89

First support is today's low crossing at 76.95
Second support is the 50% retracement level of the November- December rally crossing at 76.66



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Oil Retreats From 15 Month High on Forecasts for Warmer Weather

Oil retreated after touching a 15 month high amid forecasts that cold weather in the eastern U.S. will abate this week, curbing demand for heating fuel. Oil fell for the second time in 13 days as above normal temperatures were forecast to begin moving into eastern cities such as New York and Boston later this week, according to MDA Federal Inc.’s EarthSat Energy Weather. The Northeast is responsible for about four-fifths of U.S. heating oil use.

“Last week, we really pumped up on the cold weather,” said Phil Flynn, vice president of research at PFGBest in Chicago. “When you take that demand away, we realize there’s plenty of oversupply.” Crude oil for February delivery fell 12 cents to $82.63 a barrel at 11:41 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier, it touched, $83.95, the highest level since Oct. 14, 2008, on a report that China, the world’s second largest energy consuming country, boosted crude purchases to a record last year and as the dollar fell against the euro.....Read the entire article.

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Market Meltdowns, Inflation, Protecting Capital & Trading Commodities

The purpose in owning commodities like gold, silver and oil is to protect oneself from the effect of inflation that I believe will begin to assert itself in the coming months.

Unfortunately, the United States has taken a monetary policy of printing massive amounts of money to attempt an escape of deflation. In just the past 16 months, the monetary base has ballooned from $908 billion to $2.0 trillion. Bailout funds in the past 2 years total $8.1 trillion….. That is 78 times more than what they spent to bail out WorldCom…… and 123 times more than they spent on Enron. U.S. debt has risen sharply, from $6.2 trillion in 2002 to $12.1 trillion today. These are scary numbers!

The illusion of economic recovery in the U.S. is simply the function of the FED making billions and trillions of newly printed money available at literally ZERO percent interest to the largest financial institutions. The idea that you really can get something for nothing is fantasy. But that’s what’s happening – Money created out of thin air, instead of created by PRODUCTION.

A painful reality check will appear when these quantitative easing policies create inflation without employment or productivity gains. Commodities – hard assets – will outperform everything in this type of environment. To some people commodity investments may sound like a no brainer investment, however without a sound money and risk management system in place there really is no such investment.

This is why I focus on technical analysis as it provides price points for investments when we should be putting our money to work on a weekly or monthly basis. When volatility is rising I put less money to work to protect my portfolio from sharp price movements (risk). And during low volatility I push more money into the market catching trends with lowered risks.

What really blows my mind is how almost everyone I know who employed a broker or financial advisor lost between 30-70% of their portfolios during the market crash. What the heck was everyone paying for?

What I am trying to say is everyone can make money in a bull market. The question is, do either you or your financial advisor know when to take some profits to lower overall risk? How much money will you give back when the market corrects, starts another bear market or is affected by a terrorist attack? Do you have protective stops in place?


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Crude Oil and Natural Gas Technical Outlook For Monday Morning

Nymex Crude Oil (CL)

Crude oil edges higher to 83.67 earlier today and at this point, intraday bias remains on the downside as long as 81.72 minor support holds. Current rise from 68.59 is still expected to continue to upper trend line resistance at 87/88 level. On the downside, break of 81.72 will argue that a short term top might be formed with bearish divergence condition in 4 hours MACD and deeper pull back could be seen before another rise.

In the bigger picture, the break of 82.0 resistance confirms that whole medium term rise from 33.2 has resumed. Nevertheless, there is no change in the view that it's a correction to fall from 147.27. Hence, we'd continue to look for reversal signal as crude oil approaches 50% retracement of 147.27 to 33.2 at 90.24, which is close to 90 psychological level. However, break of 68.59 support is still needed to confirm that rise from 33.2 has completed. Otherwise, outlook will be neutral at worst even in case of deep pull back......Nymex Crude Oil Continuous Contract 4 Hours Chart.

Nymex Natural Gas (NG)

Natural gas's consolidation continues and with a short term top in place at 6.108, deeper retreat could be seen to 38.2% retracement of 4.157 to 6.108 at 5.363 first. On the upside, while some recovery might be seen, break of 6.108 high is needed to confirm that medium term rise has resumed. Otherwise, we'd expect more consolidations with risk for another fall.

In the bigger picture, medium term fall from 13.69 is treated as part of the long term consolidation pattern that started at 15.78 back in 2005 and might have completed at 2.409 already. Rise from 2.409 is still in progress and should target 38.2% retracement of 13.694 to 2.409 at 6.72 and beyond. On the downside, break of 4.157 support is needed to indicate that medium term rise from 2.409 has completed. Otherwise, outlook is neutral at worst even in case of deep pullback.....Nymex Natural Gas Continuous Contract 4 Hours Chart.

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Weaker Dollar and Chinese Import Data Drive Crude Oil Higher

Crude oil was higher overnight as it extends the rally off December's low. Strong Chinese import data along with a weaker Dollar are the primary factors driving the overnight rally. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If February extends this rally, the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 81.20 would signal that a short term top has been posted.

Monday's pivot point, our line in the sand is 82.67

First resistance is the overnight high crossing at 83.52
Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 81.20
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.71

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Natural gas was lower overnight and trading below the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.709 as it extends last week's decline. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.709 would confirm that a top has been posted while opening the door for a larger degree decline during January. Closes above the 10 day moving average crossing at 5.777 would temper the near term bearish outlook in the market.

Natural gas pivot point for Monday is 5.741

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.709
Second resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 5.777

First support is the overnight low crossing at 5.545
Second support is the reaction low crossing at 5.505

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The U.S. Dollar was sharply lower overnight confirming last Friday's key reversal down. Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that additional weakness is possible near term.

If March extends the decline off December's high, the 50% retracement level of the November-December rally crossing at 76.66 is the next downside target. Closes above last Friday's high crossing at 78.43 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.84
Second resistance is last Friday's high crossing at 78.43

First support is the overnight low crossing at 77.03
Second support is the 50% retracement level of the November-December rally crossing at 76.66

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Oil Rises to a 15 Month High on Signs Recovery May Be Sustained

Crude oil rose to a 15 month high on speculation fuel demand will increase as energy and economic data indicate the global recovery may be sustained amid freezing temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. Oil advanced a second day after crude imports by China, the second largest energy consumer, climbed in December to reach a record annual total of 203.8 million metric tons, a customs report showed yesterday. U.S. consumers probably took advantage of holiday discounts in December while manufacturers churned out more goods, economists said before reports out this week.

“Asia has obviously performed well throughout this recession,” said Toby Hassall, commodity analyst at CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. “Beyond the short term, the global economy, and the U.S. in particular, the largest consumer of oil, is in the early stages of a recovery, which suggests that demand is on the mend.” Crude oil for February delivery rose as much as 92 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $83.67 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That’s the highest since Oct. 14, 2008. It was at $83.46 a barrel at 12:50 p.m. Singapore time.

The contract gained 9 cents to $82.75 a barrel Jan. 8 after the dollar declined on a report showing employment in the U.S. unexpectedly fell in December. Futures have risen in 11 of the past 12 sessions as freezing temperatures in the U.S., Europe and Asia boosted heating fuel demand. More cold weather is forecast for China in the next two days.....Read the entire article.

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Oil Rises for Second Day on Demand Outlook, Supply Constraints

Crude oil rose for a second day on speculation increasing demand and constraints on supply will reduce global stockpiles and support prices. Oil imports by China, the world’s second largest consumer, climbed 24 percent in December to reach a record annual total of 203.8 million metric tons, according to a customs report yesterday. Chevron Corp. said the Makaraba-Utonana pipeline it operates in southern Nigeria’s Delta state was breached on Jan. 8, shutting-in 20,000 barrels a day of crude.

“Asia has obviously performed well throughout this recession,” said Toby Hassall, commodity analyst at CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. “Beyond the short term, the global economy, and the U.S. in particular, the largest consumer of oil, is in the early stages of a recovery, which suggests that demand is on the mend.” Crude oil for February delivery rose as much as 71 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $83.46 a barrel in after hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $83.43 at 8:07 a.m. Singapore time.

The contract rose 9 cents to $82.75 on Jan. 8 after the dollar tumbled on a report showing employment in the U.S. unexpectedly fell in December. Futures climbed 4.3 percent last week and gained in 11 of the past 12 sessions as freezing temperatures in Europe and North America boosted heating demand.....Read the entire article.

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How do you Calculate the Pivot Point?

Rarely a day goes by that someone doesn't ask "how do you calculate the pivot point". And while their are many different ways of coming up with this number, let me share with you what I think is the most common method.

Pivot points are very useful tools that use the previous bars' highs, lows and closings to project support and resistance levels for future bars. Daily pivot points are useful for swing trading. Longer term pivot points provide an idea of where key support and resistance levels should be. Place the pivot points on your charts and see how traders appear to give pivot point levels a lot of respect.

Daily pivots are calculated from previous day's high, low, close. Weekly pivots are calculated from previous week's high, low, close. The pivot levels and charts are updated throughout the day to cater for data adjustments during the day.

Formula: Pivot Point = Previous trading sessions high + close + low, divided by 3.

Try working this on all of your favorite tickers and watch the traders "show some respect"!


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Determining Oil & Gas Valuations

How do valuations get set for oil and gas companies? I ask because I’m seeing very fast rising valuations in the junior and intermediate oil sector that I cover. I have seen junior oil producers valued at $200,000 per flowing barrel recently, more than triple the peer group average.

Industry statistics concur. A December 24th report by Peters & Co., a Calgary based securities firm that is an oil and gas boutique, showed that the average purchase/sale price for oil weighted production in Q4 2009 was $100,000 per flowing barrel. This is up more than 50% from the Q3 valuation of just over $60,000. (Oil and gas equivalent is the way the industry puts the two commodities into one valuation, usually at 6:1 ratio of gas-to-oil).

The report showed that valuations for natural gas weighted purchases also jumped up more than 50% in Q4, from $35,000 per flowing boe to $54,700. These numbers have an immediate impact on junior and intermediate stocks across the board, as you’ll read.


(There are several ways to value oil and gas companies, but I find the price per flowing barrel to be the simplest. It’s easily calculated: market cap + debt (or minus cash) divided by the daily production level of the company, in barrels per day.)

What is driving these fast rising valuations? It’s

1) an increasing oil price and

2) improving technology – especially multi-stage fracking – that is allowing producers to retrieve more oil and gas, more quickly, in each well. This increases cash flow which increases stock prices.

3) Lower risk oil reservoirs—especially with the new “tight” oil and gas plays—drilling success rate is often 95%-100% now.


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Phil Flynn: Vying to be Mr. Yen

Whose yen is it anyway? Strong yen, weak yen and why in the world does the oil market care? Well the Japanese yen along with the dollar, have been bit players in the massive run in the oil. This year as traders looked for trades to carry them away, one trade that was very bullish for oil was the dollar/yen carry trade.

Oil soared as investor sold dollars because of our negative interest and bought other currencies, even the yen for heaven’s sake, that were yielding a higher interest rate. Traders tried to lock in the difference between the rates. Aggressive traders would take the profit from that yield and try to use it as free money to make more aggressive trades! Some even bought oil! Imagine that. By buying oil, it was like doubling down because as the trade gained more popularity and because oil is priced in dollars as the dollar weakened, oil rallied even more.

Other traders just took a piece of this trade by just selling the dollar outright or going long the yen or just buying things that would benefit by the weak dollar scenario like gold, silver, grains, copper and yes, even oil. Yet big changes in Japan and some mixed signals on the yen is causing some adjustment in this carry trade. It is also causing adjustments in the many cross currency/commodity spreads that in part explains why the oil and other commodities may seem to be less sensitive to movements in the dollar as of late.....Read the entire article.

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Where is Crude Oil Headed Next Week?

CNBC's Brian Shactman discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets, and looks ahead to where oil is likely headed next week.




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ExxonMobil May Strike Deal for $1B Arctic Rig With Transocean [RIG]

Exxon Mobil Corp. is reportedly mulling over a deal with leading offshore rig contractor Transocean to construct a drilling rig capable of operating in extreme Arctic conditions for as much as $1 billion, according to Reuters.

Citing a person familiar with the matter, Reuters reported Friday that ExxonMobil may deploy the rig offshore Greenland, Iceland or Alaska at a dayrate close to record level contracts in the $650,000 range, such as those signed for ultra deepwater rigs by Seadrill and Transocean near the peak of the market in 2008.

In November, Transocean Chief Executive Bob Long stated that the company expected to unveil a new Arctic class newbuild rig order, along with a contract, by the close of the year.

Chief Operating Officer Steven Newman, who will take the helm as Transocean's next chief executive in the first quarter of 2010, also commented during a recent conference call: "We have progressed [the rig's] design fairly far along [and] are in very developed discussions with a customer." Newman was hopeful that the contract would be finalized by the end of 2009, although Transocean had confirmed neither the contract nor the customer as 2009 drew to a close.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil and Natural Gas Technical Outlook For Saturday

Nymex Crude Oil (CL)

Crude oil finally broke 82.0 resistance to resume the medium term rally and stayed firm above this level. While some sideway trading might be seen in initially this week, outlook will remain bullish as long as 80.79 support holds. Recent rise from 68.59 is expected to resume sooner rather than later towards upper trend line resistance at 87/88 level. On the downside, break of 80.79 will argue that a short term top might be formed with bearish divergence condition in 4 hours MACD and deeper pull back could be seen before another rise.

In the bigger picture, the break of 82.0 resistance confirms that whole medium term rise from 33.2 has resumed. Nevertheless, there is no change in the view that it's a correction to fall from 147.27. Hence, we'd continue to look for reversal signal as crude oil approaches 50% retracement of 147.27 to 33.2 at 90.24, which is close to 90 psychological level. However, break of 68.59 support is still needed to confirm that rise from 33.2 has completed. Otherwise, outlook will be neutral at worst even in case of deep pull back.

In the long term picture, there is no change in the view that fall from 147.27 is part of the correction to the five wave sequence from 98 low of 10.65. While the rebound from 33.2 is strong and might continue, there is no solid evidence that suggest fall 147.27 is completed and we're still preferring the case that rebound from 33.2 is merely a corrective rise only. Having said that, strong resistance should be seen between 76.77/90.24 fibo resistance zone and bring reversal for another low below 33.2 before completing the whole correction from 147.27.....Read the entire article.

Nymex Natural Gas (NG)

Despite edging higher to 6.108, Natural gas failed to sustain gain there and fell sharply towards the end of the week. Break of the near term rising trend line argues that a short term top is formed with bearish divergence condition in 4 hours MACD. Initial bias is milldy on the downside this week for deeper pull back towards 38.2% retracement of 4.157 to 6.108 at 5.363 first. On the upside, while some recovery might be seen, break of 6.108 high is needed to confirm that medium term rise has resumed. Otherwise, we'd expect more consolidations with risk for another fall.

In the bigger picture, medium term fall from 13.69 is treated as part of the long term consolidation pattern that started at 15.78 back in 2005 and might have completed at 2.409 already. Rise from 2.409 is still in progress and should target 38.2% retracement of 13.694 to 2.409 at 6.72 and beyond. On the downside, break of 4.157 support is needed to indicate that medium term rise from 2.409 has completed. Otherwise, outlook is neutral at worst even in case of deep pullback.....Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil Traders End The Week on a Cautious Note

Crude oil closed slightly higher on Friday and the mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If February extends this rally, the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 80.61 would signal that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is Wednesday's high crossing at 83.52
Second resistance is the 38% retracement level of the 2008 decline crossing at 84.82

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 80.61
Second support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.13

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Natural gas closed lower due to profit taking on Friday but the mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Monday. Stochastics and the RSI are diverging and are neutral hinting that a short term top might be in or is near.

Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.697 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted. If February extends the rally off December's low, October's high crossing at 6.300 is the next upside target.

First resistance is Thursday's high crossing at 6.108
Second resistance is October's high crossing at 6.300

First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 5.697
Second support is the reaction low crossing at 5.505

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The U.S. Dollar posted a key reversal down on Friday and closed below the 20 day moving average crossing at 77.81. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Monday.

Stochastics and the RSI remain bearish signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term. Closes below Tuesday's low crossing at 77.39 would open the door for a larger degree correction during the first half of January. If March renews the rally off November's low, the 38% retracement level of the 2008-2009 decline crossing at 79.72 is the next upside target.

First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 78.77
Second resistance is the 38% retracement level at 79.72

First support is today's low crossing at 77.55
Second support is Tuesday's low crossing at 77.39

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Volatile Oil Markets Linked to Record Inventories - UH Study

A new academic study from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston concludes the unprecedented volatility in the oil markets in late 2008 and early 2009 was predominantly the product of market fundamentals during a time of extreme stress.
The study, An Evaluation of the Performance of Oil Price Benchmarks during the Financial Crisis, was done by Craig Pirrong, Professor of Finance and Energy Markets Director for Global Energy Management Institute, Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.

It analyzed the behavior of two benchmark oil futures contracts during the period of financial crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers. It concluded that futures markets prices generally reflected the realities in the physical market where oil is bought, sold and stored. "The behavior of the WTI futures contract during the financial crisis reflected the truly unprecedented conditions prevalent during that period, which was reflected in market volatility and prices," Pirrong said. The study also found no instances where the prices set in financial markets had gotten out of whack with the most directly related cash markets.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Falls After U.S. Payrolls Unexpectedly Decline

Crude oil fell after U.S. payrolls unexpectedly declined last month, spurring concern that the economy and fuel demand will be slow to recover. Oil slipped as much as 1 percent after the Labor Department reported that the world’s biggest energy-consuming country lost 85,000 jobs in December. Futures climbed to a 14-month high this week as temperatures dropped in the Northern Hemisphere, U.S. crude-oil supplies rose and the dollar weakened, bolstering the appeal of commodities to investors. “These numbers increase skepticism about the recovery,” said Michael Fitzpatrick, vice president of energy with MF Global in New York. “There’s no rational reason for prices to be at these levels. We’ll probably soon see a good-sized setback in prices.”

Crude oil for February delivery fell 50 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $82.16 a barrel at 9:44 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures are up 3.5 percent this week after touching $83.52 on Jan. 6, the highest level since Oct. 14, 2008. Payrolls were forecast to be unchanged, according to the median estimate of 76 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. “Today’s unemployment number underscores that any recovery in payrolls will be slow,” said Rick Mueller, director of oil markets at Energy Security Analysis Inc. in Wakefield, Massachusetts. “The recent rally was, in part, built on a much rosier outlook for the economy than these numbers paint. This will probably cool things off”.....Read the entire article.

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