Price Forecasting Archives - Page 22 of 32

The failure to reach an agreement to freeze crude oil output levels for key producers caused prices to slide in early trading Monday. June WTI gapped down from Friday’s $41.19 low and met crucial support at $39.0. However, the labor strike in Kuwait, which has decreased the nation’s output by nearly 60 percent for the second straight day, lent support to the market. June WTI rose to $41.66 and settled at $41.19 on Monday.

The bounce to $41.66 filled the gap and fulfilled the 1.00 projection of the wave $39.0 – 40.92 – 39.81. The move up may gather some strength from the strike in Kuwait and extend a bit higher on Tuesday. However, from a technical standpoint, the move up from $39.0 was not unusual. Gaps are usually filled, and as stated, the move up from $39.0 has already met technical resistance near $41.66.

Without support from bullish fundamentals or further random events (such as the strike in Kuwait), we expect prices to grind their way lower to support at $40.6 and $40.0 over the next few days. $39.0 remains key, and a close below this would open the way for major support in the mid $30s.

That said, a close over $41.7 would call for $42.5 and possibly $42.9. At this point, we don’t expect to see prices rise above $42.9.

This is a brief analysis and outlook for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Commentary is a much more detailed and thorough energy price forecast. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

For the past few weeks, May natural gas has oscillated in a range between approximately $1.86 and $2.06. The market looks as though it wants to break higher after closing over Monday’s gap down from $1.99 on Tuesday and sustaining a close above $2.00 on Wednesday.

May natural gas is working its way toward the crucial $2.06 target again after stalling early on Wednesday at $2.051. Support held and prices recovered late, but formed an evening star setup on the daily chart.

It is still a very tough call, but currently, odds favor another test of $2.06 on Thursday. A close over this would call for $2.10 and likely $2.14 where there is a cluster of wave projections. However, keep in mind the move up is likely weather driven right now and corrective of the longer-term decline. Therefore, without help from external factors, the market will be hard pressed to overcome $2.14.

Initial support at $1.98 should hold on Thursday, but crucial support will be $1.94. A close below $1.94 does not doom the prospects of the move up, but would open the way for a test of the key $1.86 level.

This is a brief natural gas forecast for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary is a much more detailed and thorough analysis. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Last week May natural gas formed a double top at $2.03. The confirmation point for the pattern was $1.837, the swing low between the two peaks of $2.032 and $2.028. May rose above the $2.03 double top, but failed to close over this crucial level on both Monday and Tuesday. This was negative and set the market up for a test of major support.

Today’s close below the $1.925 swing low indicates May should now challenge the $1.837 swing low. A move below this would take out the wave up from $1.731 and significantly dampen the potential for the upward correction to continue. Look for initial support tomorrow at $1.86, the 62 percent retracement from $1.731 to $2.074.

That said, the wave $2.074 – 1.982 – 2.041 met its 1.618 projection at $1.89. Therefore, be mindful of the potential for a small upward correction in early trading tomorrow. Currently, our models show resistance at $2.03 and $2.07. We expect $2.03 to hold.

By Dean Rogers

Natural gas entered into the injection season a bit earlier than normal, and as a result, prices have settled into a state of flux. It is too soon to say that a long-term bottom has been made, especially for the May contract. However, over the past few days the charts have shown that the upward correction is attempting to extend and that prices could soon rise to levels above $2.00.

May natural gas stalled just below crucial resistance at $2.02 Wednesday morning. This is the 0.618 projection for the wave $1.731 – 2.032 – 1.837. The $2.02 target is key resistance for the near term because a sustained close over this would call for at least $2.14 as the 1.00 projection. At that point, the move up would still be corrective longer term, but would most likely confirm that a bottom has been made through at least the summer months.

A normal pullback of the recent move up from $2.837 should hold $1.95. This is the 38 percent retracement from $1.837 to $2.015. However, the daily evening star setup that is formed on Wednesday indicates a pullback to $1.90 might take place. For the move up to continue, $1.90 must hold. This is the 62 percent retracement and the 0.618 projection of the wave $2.032 – 1.837 – 2.015. A close below $1.90 would shift odds in favor of a decline to $1.82 and lower.

Since early February, RBOB gasoline futures have been trending higher, forming a five-wave pattern. We follow a few simple rules when breaking down a five-wave move. Generally, each of the impulse waves (I, III, V) have to be proportional to one another, each of the impulse waves should break down into five-sub-waves, and most importantly, at least two of the impulse waves should be equal.

The May gasoline contract is nearing a very important decision point at 159.5. This is the 0.618 projection of Wave III. Stalling at 159.5 would fulfill our requirements for a five-wave trend because Waves I and V would be equal. In addition, Wave III would be 1.618 the size of Waves I and V.

Should May gasoline futures close over 159.5, look for 171.0. This is the 2.764 projection for Wave I and the 1.00 projection for Wave III. In this case Waves III and V would be equal.

For the move up to extend to 159.5 in the near-term the 141.61 swing low of Wave IV should hold. This is also near the 38 percent retracement of the move up from 114.88. A close below this would call for 134.4 and likely 129.8.

Right now it appears as though the move up should continue to at least 159.5. Currently, gasoline’s rise is likely supporting crude oil prices too. Therefore, if the move up fails, and gasoline prices fall, they may also lead crude oil prices lower.

By Dean Rogers

It looks as though the natural gas rally has stalled and that prices will most likely settle into a trading range. The move up had been resilient for the past few weeks, reaching a crucial target at $1.91 and nearly extending to key resistance just above $2.00. However, the lack of a positive shift in underlying fundamentals has put a lid on prices, for now.

April natural gas is poised to test key support at $1.74 ahead of the holiday weekend. Wednesday’s close below $1.80, the 0.168 projection of the wave $1.957 – 1.796 – 1.899, has shifted odds strongly in favor of at least $1.74, the 1.00 projection. This is also the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $1.611 to $1.957. A close below $1.74 would call for $1.68 and very likely $1.65. The latter is the 1.618 projection, 89 percent retracement, and last support protecting the $1.611 low.

Longer-term, the outlook for natural gas remains bearish. However, we do not foresee prices making new lows yet. The most likely scenario, during the first few weeks of injection season, is a trading range between nominally $1.65 and $1.95. This is similar to the type of range seen last year between $2.55 and $2.95.

There is a reasonable chance that prices will test Wednesday’s $1.83 midpoint before declining to $1.74. This is also the 38 percent retracement of the move down from $1.899. A close over $1.83 would call for $1.90 again. This is key resistance because a move above $1.90 would wipe out the wave down from $1.957 and its potential to extend to $1.74 and lower.

WTI’s move up has been resilient for the past few weeks. The waves up from $29.85 may be interpreted as either a five-wave trend that is still forming Wave III or a three wave correction that has nearly completed Wave C. Technical factors indicate May WTI is approaching a decision point at $43.1.

In either case, whether the move is five waves or three waves, Wave A or I should meet the 1.618 projection at $43.1. A correction should then take place. The correction will determine whether or not the move up is a five-wave trend.

Key support will be $38.0. This is the 38 percent retracement and is in line with the $37.52 swing high of Wave A or I.

A close below $38.0 would indicate the move up from $29.85 was a three wave correction. There is no evidence yet that prices will plummet to new lows. Therefore, upon a close below $38.0, a trading range in the mid-$30 is the most likely scenario.

Should prices hold above $38.0 and subsequently close over $43.1, the move up is most likely a five-wave pattern that will extend toward the 2.764 projection of $51.9. A move of this magnitude will take time, and should form another sub five-wave count like Wave III has. It will also likely be backed by a positive shift in underlying fundamentals.

The highly anticipated natural gas correction is underway. The wave $1.611 – 1.74 – 1.687 overcame its $1.758 0.618 projection Wednesday morning. The correction should extend to at least $1.81, the 1.00 projection. A close over $1.758 would have increased odds for $1.81. Nonetheless, as long as the $1.687 swing low holds on a closing basis the move up should extend.

NGJ6 20160309

$1.81 connects to $1.86 as the 1.382 projection and 38 percent retracement of the decline from $2.223 to $1.611. $1.86 is a potential stalling point due to its confluence. A close over $1.86 would call for $1.91, the 1.618 projection and 50 percent retracement.

NGJ6 Table 20160309

Key resistance is $2.00, the 62 percent retracement. As discussed in the weekly commentary, we doubt prices will overcome $2.00 without a bullish shift in underlying fundamentals.

Key support is $1.68 because it is the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $1.611 and in line with the $1.687 swing low. A close below this would indicate the upward correction may be complete and would significantly dampen odds for $1.81 and higher.

Crude oil continued to rise on Monday as traders anticipate a production freeze that will be discussed by major producers at a meeting later this month. In addition, US production has started showing signs that it is declining. Caution is warranted because the prices rise has become asymptotic, but most technical factors are positive and call for higher prices over at least the next few days.

April WTI confirmed its $28.75 double bottom with the close over $36.28 on Monday. The double bottom’s target is $43.81. This is now a key objective for the relief rally. However, April must overcome a very important $39.2 target before it can make a serious run at $43.8. Most importantly, $39.2 is in line with the 1.618 projection of the wave $28.74 – 34.21 – 30.56. This is a confluent and crucial target because it protects the psychologically important $40.0 level.

CLJ6 20160307

Tomorrow odds are 75 percent for $38.7 and 65 percent for $39.2. We expect to see a pullback once $39.2 is met. Without further help from underlying fundamentals, WTI may be hard pressed to overcome $39.2 over the next few days.

CLJ6 Table 20160307

Look for support at $37.1 and $36.2. These are Monday’s midpoint and open. $36.2 should hold tomorrow. A close below this has 25 percent odds. This would indicate the move up may be in trouble and that a more significant correction to $35.2 and lower is underway.

By Dean Rogers

Key resistance is $2.00, the 62 percent retracement. As discussed in the weekly commentary, we doubt prices will overcome $2.00 without a bullish shift in underlying fundamentals.

Crude Oil Forecast: WTI Fills Gap, Positioned to Grind Lower

Tag: Price Forecasting