Short-Term Natural Gas Indicators Point to Upward Correction

Category: Oil Price Forecast

Natural gas has finally showed some signs of life over the past few days in anticipation of tomorrow’s U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Natural Gas Weekly Update. The short-term charts are showing that traders are anticipating a bullish EIA report, which would be the support the market needs to continue this upward correction. Keep in mind though, this is a correction, and it will likely be predominant in the winter month contracts and short-lived without continued support from external factors.

After oscillating in a sideways range between approximately $2.79 and $3.00 for the past six trading sessions, the February futures contract rose above $3.00 on Wednesday. This is near the $3.176 to $2.783 midpoint of $2.98, which is significant because this is also in line with the 0.618 projection of the irregular wave $2.803 – 3.176 – 2.783. The $1.00 projection of this wave was overcome at $3.15, and the 1.618 projections is $3.38. The $3.38 level is important because it is the 50 percent retracement from $3.95 to $2.783. This level will likely be met, and possibly overcome, upon a bullish EIA number tomorrow.

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In addition, February overcame the crucial $3.176 swing high, and a sustained close over this would confirm the recent bottoming formation (arguably a triple or even quadruple bottom). The projection for this formation is $3.56.

Near-term support is $3.04 and then $2.94. These are the 38 percent and 62 percent retracements of the move up from $2.783 to $3.204 (swing high as of this analysis). These levels are also near the midpoint and open of today’s candlestick. A close back below $3.04 would call into question the validity of the move up. A close below $2.94 would negate the near-term positive tone altogether, and open the way for a continued decline.

The long-term outlook for natural gas is bearish, but the move up over the past two days has shifted the near-term outlook to positive. A close over the $3.176 swing high today will open the way for an extended correction to $3.38 and possibly higher tomorrow.

For more information about Kase’s weekly energy forecasts on natural gas and crude oil please visit our energy forecast page.

Dean Rogers
Senior Analyst
Kase and Company, Inc.

February 2015 WTI crude oil broke lower out of a coil formation on Friday and continued its decline on Monday, December 29. The target for the coil is $49.8, and is in line with a highly confluent $49.7 objective that we have discussed as a potential stalling point for several weeks. A close below $49.7 would open the way for $46.9 and $45.5. Initial resistance is $56.0, the apex of the coil. Key resistance is $61.8, which is near the coil’s $62.1 upper target.

Take a trial of Kase’s weekly energy forecasts to get more in depth analysis, targets, and probabilities.

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The NY Harbor ULSD futures broke lower out of a bearish flag formation on Monday. The break lower was anticipated and then confirmed by KaseX short signals. The decline is now poised to extend to at least 188.9 and then 177.9. The latter is crucial because a close below this would call for 164.1 and 151.9. Initial resistance is the small intraday double top at 199.39. A close over this would open the way for an extended correction to 210.9 and possibly 226.0.

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RBOB Gasoline continued its decline and met a crucial target at 155.8 for the primary wave down from 315.2. The trend terminus (T = 156.3), is the lowest that most trends extend. However, there is no evidence that the decline is going to end. The next targets are 147.3 and 139.2. The KaseCD is setup for divergence and the KasePO is oversold, so a correction may take place soon. Last week’s midpoint and open are initial resistance at 168.1 and 176.5. A close over 176.5 would call for $198.3.

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Coming into this week there was an outside chance that Brent would hold $67.0. However, prices settled below $67.0 on Monday. There is immediate support at $65.2 as discussed in this week’s Crude Oil Commentary, but the decline is now poised for at least $62.8 and likely $58.5 before a measurable retracement takes place. The key target is $58.5 because it is the most confluent wave projection and the equal to (1.00) target for the wave $112.59 – 83.41 – 88.42. A sustained close below this will open the way for $53.8 and $48.7.

There is very little evidence that the move down is going to end at this time. Prices are still deeply oversold and overdue for a correction, but until at least initial resistance at $70.5 is overcome, the move down is favored. Next resistance is $72.1, and a close over the this would call for and an extended correction to $75.1 and possibly $79.8.

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The outlook for WTI Crude Oil is negative, but prices met crucial support at $63.4. This is a confluent wave projection for the January contract, and more importantly, is the 62 percent retracement from the perpetual low of $32.4 to $114.83. In addition, the KaseCD is oversold on the monthly chart. The importance of $63.4 indicates it is a potential stalling point, but there is little technical evidence so far to definitively call for a bottom. A sustained close below $63.4 will call for $49.7. Key near term resistance is $73.3.

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The HOCL crack spread has narrowed after forming a double top at $27.26. A close below the $18.887 swing low would confirm the pattern. KaseX also indicates the spread should narrow. However, the move may be corrective. Crucial support at $22.38 is the 62 percent retracement from $18.887 and the 38 percent retracement from $14.987. A close below $22.38 would call for $19.5; the last level protecting $18.887. Resistance at $25.6 is key. A sustained close over this would open the way for $31.14 and higher.

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The WTI-Brent spread narrowed last week, but the move looks corrective. The spread will likely oscillate for the near-term, but ultimately odds favor a widening spread. The first target is (5.00), and a close below this would call for (6.50) and (9.00). Key long-term support is (11.80). This is a confluent wave projection and the 62 percent retracement from (19.38) to (0.01). Resistance at (0.90) should hold. A sustained close over (0.90) would open the way for 1.30 and 2.90.

For more information and to take a trial of Kase’s weekly energy forecasts please visit the Energy Price Forecasts page.

WTI-Brent


December 2014 NY Harbor ULSD futures have formed a rectangle pattern. A break out of the rectangle will provide a near-term direction. Monday’s close below Friday’s midpoint indicates the pattern will likely break lower. Upon a close below 243.5 look for the pattern to break lower and decline to at least 236.4, which then connects to 225.1 and 213.2. A close over 253.8 would call for a break higher, and would open the way for 259.7, 267.4, and 282.1.

For more information and to take a trial of Kase’s weekly energy forecasts please visit the Energy Price Forecasts page.

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