Crude Oil Price Forecast – December 15, 2020

Author: Dean Rogers, CMT

Dean Rogers, CMT is the general manager of the Kase Call Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He oversees all of Kase and Company, Inc.’s operations including research and development, marketing, and client support. Dean began his career with Kase in early 2001 as a programmer but has developed into Kase’s senior technical analyst. He writes Kase’s award-winning weekly Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Metals Commentaries. He is an instructor at Kase's classes and webinars and provides all of the necessary training and support for Kase's hedging models and trading indicators for both retail and institutional traders.

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

The outlook for WTI crude oil remains bullish. WTI rose to challenge $47.6 as expected today. However, the move up stalled at $47.73 and might be forming a small double top with the $47.74 swing high. This is doubtful though because the waves up from $44.95 and $45.69 have overcome their smaller than targets and favor a continued rise to at least $47.9 and likely $48.7 during the next few days. The $48.7 target is the most confluent objective and a potential stalling point. Settling above $48.7 will call for the next major objective and bullish decision point at $49.5.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.25 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.25 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, should WTI take out initial support at $47.0 before overcoming the $47.74 swing high the odds that a double top has formed will increase. This would also call for a test of crucial near-term support at $46.5. Settling below this will shift odds in favor of challenging $45.7, which is in line with the $45.69 swing low and the confirmation point of the double top. Closing below $45.7 will confirm the double top and call for WTI to fall toward the pattern’s $43.6 target.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial

Gold Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

Gold is hovering just above a bearish decision point at $1824. This objective is split between the 200-day moving average, the $1824.8 swing low, the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave down from $1879.8, and the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $1767.2. Settling back below the 200-day moving average would imply that the corrective move up from $1767.2 is complete. Closing below $1807, the confluence point between the equal to (1.00) target of the wave down from $1879.8 and the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $1767.2, will confirm this and clear the way for $1780 and lower.

Gold - $10 Kase Bar Chart
Gold – $10 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, while the $1824.8 swing low holds the initial wave up from $1767.2 that met its smaller than target at $1879.8 will continue to call for its $1910 equal to target to be fulfilled. More importantly, rising to $1910 would overcome key resistance at $1896. This is the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $1973.3, the 38 percent retracement from $2099.2, and the smaller than target of the newly formed primary wave up from $1767.2. Settling above $1896 would suggest the larger scale move down might be complete and would call for gold to push toward targets well above $1910.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ratio, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

The outlook for natural gas remains bearish due to the sustained close below $2.48. This was a highly confluent and crucial wave projection for the January contract and the continuation chart that connects to $2.15 as the next major objective. Near-term odds favor a continued decline and a close below $2.37 will clear the way for $2.33 and likely lower during the next couple of days.

Natural Gas - $0.035 Kase Bar Chart
Natural Gas – $0.035 Kase Bar Chart

With that said, Monday’s potential intra-day exhaustion gap, today’s inverted hammer, and confirmed weak bullish KasePO, KaseCD, and MACD divergences suggest a bottom might be forming. These signals do not exude a bullish shift in sentiment, but a move above $2.52, the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave up from $2.368, will call for a test of $2.58. Rising to $2.58 would overcome Monday’s gap down and confirm that this was most likely an exhaustion pattern. A close above $2.58 would call for a larger test of resistance with the next thresholds at $2.67 and $2.76.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

The long-term outlook for WTI crude oil is bullish. However, a confirmed daily RSI divergence and daily bearish doji suggest the pullback from $46.68 should extend a bit lower before the move up continues. Today’s decline to $45.14 fulfilled the equal to (1.00) target of the primary wave down from $46.68. The subsequent move up to $45.93 has been lackluster so far. Another test of $46.1 is expected, a close below which will clear the way for $44.4 and possibly $43.9 during the next few days.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.25 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.25 Kase Bar Chart

With that said, this has become a very tight call because of a small intra-day double bottom that formed between today’s $45.14 and $45.16 swing lows. The wave up from $45.14 has overcome its smaller than (0.618) target, which implies that the double bottom’s $45.93 confirmation point will likely be challenged early tomorrow. Closing above $45.93 will confirm the double bottom and clear the way for $46.4 and possibly $46.9.

Resistance at $46.4, which the 62 percent retracement of the decline from January’s $58.92 swing high is expected to hold. Nonetheless, $46.9 is most important for the near-term outlook because this is in line with the double bottom’s target and the smaller than target of the wave up from $43.92. Settling above $46.9 would confirm that the corrective pullback is over and would open the way for the next leg of the move up to unfold.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Gold Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

Gold rose to challenge $1849 resistance as called for in yesterday’s update. This level, which is split between the 38 percent retracement of the decline from $1973.3 and the 62 percent retracement from $1904.3, has held so far. Nonetheless, near-term odds still favor a continued rise due to the sustained close back above the 200-day moving average and settle (so far) above last week’s $1832 midpoint. Overcoming $1849 will call for $1862 and possibly $1872 ahead of the weekend. Key resistance and the barrier to a firm bullish near-term outlook is $1894. This is the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $1973.3 and the 38 percent retracement from $2099.2.

Gold - Daily Candlestick Chart
Gold – Daily Candlestick Chart

With that said, gold’s move up from $1767.2 lacks a wave that can support a larger rally. The retracements that have taken place during the move up have been minimal. It is rare to see a market rise above crucial resistance without an adequate wave structure. Also, due to the importance of $1849, there is a reasonable chance for a pullback to test support ahead of the weekend. This is the challenge for gold’s near-term outlook because a pullback large enough to create a wave that can sustain a larger rally will have to test the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1767.2 around $1819. This is in line with the 200-day moving average, a close below which would signal that bears are taking control again. Settling below $1798 will confirm this and shift near-term odds in favor of $1776 and lower next week.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ratio, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

Natural gas took out the $2.823 swing low and confirmed the small double top that formed around $3.00. Natural gas also settled below the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $2.656. Odds favor a continued decline and the waves and subwaves down from $3.002 call for a test of at least $2.70 and likely $2.66 tomorrow. The double top’s target is in line $2.66. The $2.66 objective is key because this is also the equal to (1.00) target of the wave down from $3.507 and the smaller than (0.618) target of the subwave down from $3.204. Settling below $2.66 will clear the way for the next leg of the move down to $2.54 and eventually $2.47.

Natural Gas - $0.025 Kase Bar Chart
Natural Gas – $0.025 Kase Bar Chart

There are no bullish reversal patterns or signals that call for the move down to stall. Even so, should natural gas bounce before falling much lower look for initial resistance at $2.84. Rising above this will call for $2.90, which is expected to hold. Key resistance is $2.97, the smaller than target of the wave up from $2.656 and the 38 percent retracement of the decline from $3.507. Settling above $2.97 would clear the way for $3.09 and possibly higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

WTI crude oil took out $44.6 and fell to challenge support around $43.9. This lower objective, which is adjusted to $43.8 for tomorrow, is a highly confluent and crucial wave projection and retracement. Another attempted test of $43.8 is expected. However, settling below $43.8 might prove to be a challenge because the decline from $46.26 is most likely corrective and forms a bullish flag that should break higher during the next few days.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.50 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.50 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, taking out $43.8 will negate the flag and clear the way for $43.3 and possibly $42.8. These are the intermediate (1.382) and larger than (1.618) targets of the primary wave down from $46.26.

That said, the long-term outlook for WTI is bullish, and as stated, the decline from $46.26 will most likely prove to be a correction of the move up from $34.04. Furthermore, should WTI overcome $44.9 before taking out $43.8 look for a test of key near-term resistance at the $45.8 intra-day swing high. Overcoming $45.8 will invalidate the wave down from $46.26 that calls for $43.8 and lower and will confirm a break higher out of the bullish flag. This will clear the way for a test of crucial resistance at $46.4.

Brent Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

Brent crude oil fell to challenge support at $46.8 as called for. The decline from $49.0 is most likely corrective and forms a bullish flag that should break higher in the coming days. However, the primary wave down from $49.0 now calls for a test of $46.4 first. Closing below this tomorrow will negate the flag and clear the way for $45.7 and possibly $45.2 instead.

For now, Brent is expected to hold $47.7 as the move down extends toward $46.4. Overcoming $47.7 will call for key near-term resistance at $48.3. Rising above this will invalidate the wave down from $49.0 that calls for $46.4 and lower and will confirm a break higher out of the bullish flag.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

January natural gas fulfilled the $2.99 objective as called for at today’s $3.002 high. This objective held on a closing basis as expected and a test of support is underway. However, the decline from $3.002 will likely prove to be a short-lived correction of the move up from $2.656. This is because the newly formed primary wave up from $2.656 met its smaller than (0.618) target at $3.002. Therefore, this wave now favors a move to fulfill its $3.09 equal to (1.00) target, which is in line with the 50 percent retracement of the decline from $3.507. Settling above $3.09 will call for a test of key resistance and the decision point for a renewed bullish outlook around $3.19.

Natural Gas - $0.025 Kase Bar Chart
Natural Gas – $0.025 Kase Bar Chart

The decline from $3.002 has already retraced 21 percent of the move up from $2.656. There is a good chance for natural gas to fall to $2.87, the 38 percent retracement, before the move up continues. Support at $2.87 is expected to hold. Closing below this will call for key near-term support at $2.79. Settling below $2.79 would shift odds back in favor of challenging major support at $2.66 again.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

WTI crude oil has rallied as called for in this week’s forecast and yesterday’s update. Today’s move up was more aggressive than anticipated but fulfilled a confluent target around $45.1. So far, this has proved to be a stalling point. Nonetheless, the decline from today’s $45.2 high forms a bullish flag on the intra-day charts. A deeper test of support might take place early tomorrow, but odds now favor a move to the next major objective and a bullish decision point at $45.4. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave up from $26.22, a close above which will confirm a long-term bullish outlook and a resumption of the uptrend that began in late April.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.50 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.50 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, after such a large single day move up WTI might pull back a bit on profit taking before rising much higher. Moreover, $45.4 is a crucial objective and there is also a tremendous amount of resistance between $46.0 and $46.5. Therefore, once the $45.4 target is fulfilled a reasonably significant test of support should take place before prices rise above $46.5. For now, support at $44.0 will likely hold and $42.8 is key support for the near-term.

Brent Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

The outlook for Brent crude oil is firmly bearish after settling above the $46.8 smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave up from $29.35 today. This confirms a long-term bullish outlook and resumes the uptrend that began in late April. The move up is now poised to reach at $48.6, $49.1, and possibly $50.0. The $48.6 target is highly confluent but $50.0 is most important. Another reasonably significant test of support is expected once $48.6 is met and before $50.0 is overcome.

As the move up extends toward $48.6 and possibly higher today’s $46.9 midpoint is expected to hold. Key near-term support is $45.9. Settling below this would indicate a significant test of support is underway before the move up continues.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Gold Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

The near-term outlook for gold remains bearish after holding resistance around $1898 and taking out the $1853.9 swing low today. The move down will likely be a grind for the interim, but the wave formations call for $1843. Settling below this will clear the way for $1825 and then the next major objective and probable stalling point at $1810.

Nonetheless, support around $1850 +/- $2 has been resilient since late September. The $1848.0 swing low held and today’s hammer suggests another test of resistance might take place first. Overcoming $1881 will call for key near-term resistance at $1900. Closing above $1900 would shift near-term odds in favor of $1920 and likely higher.

Gold - $20 Kase Bar Chart
Gold – $20 Kase Bar Chart

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ratio, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.