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Comments for the Week Beginning August 17, 2009

Note: Please note that there will be no column next week, August 21, due to my duties at the ISAR conference in Chicago. Secondly, we would like to announce that these weekly comments can now be read in Russian at www.urania.ru, Japanese (http://merriman.jp), Serbian (www.mma-balkan.com), Spanish (www.mmacycles-spanish.com), German (www.mma-europe.ch), French www.lecochonsideral.info, and Dutch at(www.markettiming.nl).

Review and Preview

 Last week began one of the most intense time bands of geocosmic signatures for this year. Last week also witnessed many world equity markets making new highs for this year. In many cases, these indices are now up over 50% from their lows of last March. Being up over 50% and lasting at least 5 months is our criteria for a bull market within the context of the 4-year cycle. That has now been satisfied, strongly suggesting that last March was the 4-year cycle trough. However, not all indices made new highs last week. Some fell short of their highs formed the prior week, and thus we may be seeing the development of an intermarket bearish divergence pattern, if most indices closed in the lower third of next week’s range.

 In Europe, the Netherlands AEX, British FTSE, and Swiss SMI indices all made new highs for this year on Thursday or Friday. However the German DAX index fell slightly short of its yearly high formed the previous week on Friday, August 10, giving a potential intermarket bearish divergence alert for European indices.

 In Asia and the Pacific Rim, new yearly highs were attained on Friday in both the Japanese Nikkei and Australian All Ords indices. That was not the case, though, with the Hang Seng of Hong Kong or the NIFTY index of India, which made their yearly highs back on August 4, thus creating a potential case of intermarket  bearish divergence in this region too.

 In the Americas, only Brazil’s Bovespa made a new yearly high last week (Thursday). The Dow Jones and NASDAQ came close, forming double tops on Wednesday to their yearly highs of the prior week. The Merval came close on Friday too, but then sold off into the close. Thus we have the potential for intermarket bearish divergence patterns in each of our three major world regions. If these markets close in the lower third of their range this coming week, it will be considered a valid sell signal.

 Gold and Silver also exhibited a possible intermarket bearish sell signal, as Silver made a new cycle high on Friday at 1518, while Gold could not exceed its high of the previous week. The same was true with Crude Oil.

Short-Term Geocosmics:

 As stated last week, “We are about to enter one of the most potentially explosive geocosmic time bands of the year. Starting this Monday, August 10, and lasting through August 26, there will be nine important geocosmic signatures occurring…But it goes even beyond that, because these Level One signatures involve the explosive planets Mars, Jupiter and Uranus. You may remember from previous columns that any time there is a cluster of signatures involving these three planets in any combination, the possibility of very large price swings is great… The significance of these signatures is apt to show up in mundane matters too. Although we never know what types of events to expect from Uranus (it rules surprises), we do know that earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, high winds and storms, as well as terrorist strikes, airplane disasters, and electrical outages have happened before under similar configurations.” Last week witnessed a typhoon that killed over 100 in Taiwan, two earthquakes in Asia, the first hurricane of the season, and wildfires in California. The midpoint of this geocosmic cluster doesn’t even hit until August 18, which is also the date that Mars will square Uranus, perhaps the most dangerous of all the signatures in this time band.

 In addition to these numerous geocosmic signatures, we also find heliocentric Mercury starting its transit through Sagittarius, August 14-26. This is a period when large price swings are also in evidence, especially in precious metals and currencies. Usually precious metals are bullish for 3-9 days in this interval. If you are a short-term trader who likes volatility and large price swings in short amounts of time, then this coming week may be ideal for you. If you like things calm and under control, it may be better to stand aside and not trade this week.


Longer-Term Thoughts

 “We’ve got to make it cool to be in business again. We really have to repolish the value of what business brings to Mankind.”
- Ford CEO and President Alan Mulally, in a speech last week.

Last week’s column discussed the potentially negative implications upon the sustainability of economic growth that would be caused by raising taxes on small businesses, especially as the U.S. is just starting to come out of its worst recession since the “Great Depression” of the 1930’s. The idea was to reverse the historical themes of the 16-20 year Saturn-Pluto waning phase, currently in effect 2001-2020. This is the phase where, historically, capitalistic economies go from budget surplus to government deficits, accompanied by increased government spending, increased taxes, increased interest rates. Predictably, when those policies take effect, recessions become more numerous and longer lasting, and so do bear markets in stocks. This 16-20 year alternating cycle between “good and bad economic times” is not just an astrological theory, but a consistent cycle that has also been observed by none other than Warren Buffet. In an interview in the December 2001 issue of Fortune magazine, Buffet described a similar 17-year alternating period, with these very policy shifts, using examples going back to 1964. Last week’s column concluded that if the government wants to reverse that history, then they will have to reverse the policies that accompany this history. And one of the keys is to deliver policies that help put people back to work so they add to the government’s tax receipts, instead of take from it.

Another means that would aid this goal involves corporate responsibility and sensitivity to the well-being of the greater whole. It has – or should – have nothing to do with government. Presently we are in a 30-year transit of Saturn through the signs of Virgo and Libra – the middle of the zodiac, and a sector in which financial disparities can give rise to class warfare. In today’s world of high unemployment, there is resentment against corporate executives who receive compensation, bonuses, or “golden parachutes” (for retiring), exceeding $10 million, and in many cases, over $100 million. These compensation packages have been given even in spite of a dismal performance by the corporate executive. The fact is that for every $100 million bonus or annual income that is given out to one person, 1666 new people could have been hired at $60,000/year. Instead of collecting unemployment benefits, these additional workers would be paying income and all their withholding taxes (corporate executives do not pay “all their withholding taxes” after a certain amount is earned). Additionally, that is 1666 consumers who will purchase more goods, thus providing a “real” stimulus to the economy.

Yet it is not the role of a healthy government to legislate how a company pays its employees. Rather it is the responsibility of business leaders to the community in which it exists and by which it thrives, to take a more sensitive - and ethical – view of its compensation policies if it wants the support of that community, and if it truly cares about the well-being of that community.

It is not Mulally and Ford Motor Company who were so bad in shirking their responsibilities to society and the community in which they exist over the past decade. In fact, they have been quite generous to their workers by most standards. But you can look to the Banking and Financial sectors who encouraged home buyers to take out mortgages they could not afford… or those multinational corporations that encourage the US government to loan money to lesser developed nations to build their infrastructure, with the caveat that they must use these same corporations and pay them with this very money they just borrowed from the U.S. government (taxpayer’s monies). And then those banks and corporations pay their top executives these huge sums of salary and bonuses, with the aid of that very same government “loan” (taxpayer’s monies), as described in “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” by John Perkins (Plume Printing, January 2006). The issue here is one of ethics, an awareness that the type of business one conducts should not be based on simple greed that potentially harms communities, families, and nations, but rather a model that seeks to build lasting value in both that business and the people within the community in which it functions.

Yet here is the thing that few corporate and banking heads understand: Pluto is now in Capricorn, 2008 through 2023. The whole unethical business-banking-political relationship that has taken advantage of societies throughout the world and given rise to resentment and rage over the income disparity between the “haves” and “have nots,” is now due to come crashing down – unless business leaders develop an awareness of their ethical responsibility to the world in which they function. And until that happens too (along with stable government fiscal and taxing policies), this economic recovery is not likely to produce the number of new jobs – and new taxpayers - needed to sustain growth for very long. It is not just government that needs to understand the historical consequences of its spending and taxing policies in the waning phase of the Saturn-Pluto cycle. Business leaders also have to understand the historical consequences of their inequitable compensation and hiring practices during the transit of Saturn through the middle of the zodiac, and how it undermines their relationship to the community in which they operate, and contributes to the social ills that come with high unemployment.

 

Announcements




The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website (www.mmacycles.com) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email (ordersmma@msn.com) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Reserve early (before February 17), for space will be limited.

Many of you have asked about DVD’s or CD’s on the “Forecast 2012 Mini-Congress on January 21 in Amsterdam that I participated in. On the program were also three other excellent speakers on the subject: Irma Schogt of Schogt Market Timing in Amsterdam, plus world renowned astrologer Katen Hammaker-Zondag (specialist in the future of the Euro zone and Euro currency) and Antonia Langsdorf, of Cologne, Germany, who wrote “The Eye of the Storm,” a best-selling rendition about the year 2012 from the point of view of Mayan schools and astrologers. These recording will soon be available through Irma Schogt. We will announce when they will be available, probably within the week. You check in with us next week, or contact Irma directly at www.markettiming.nl.

 

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver. Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations.  I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA.  In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $712,000 (now $850,000).  Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.


Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.

The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too.  The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.

“After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.”
W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.


Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.

Events:

February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.

March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com. A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3. You must reserve your space for this meeting with MMA.

March 9-11, 2012: The 12th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org. +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org.

April 19 and 21, Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com. Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.

May 24-29, 2012: UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com. There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.

June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Price of Gold” Details to be announced shortly, but mark your calendars for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square!

August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, in Ann Arbor, MI, Holiday Inn. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology, Thursday, August 2, with Raymond Merriman. More details soon.

September 14-15, 2012: San Diego: Lecture on world economy and national election, and then a workshop on Financial Market Timing. More details shortly.
details soon.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose:

The purpose of this column is not to predict the future movement of various financial markets. However, that is the purpose of the MMA (Merriman Market Analyst) subscription services. This column is not a subscription service. It is a free service, except in those cases where a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of translating this column from English into a non-English language.

This weekly report is written with the intent to educate the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they are happening. In this regard, this report will oftentimes report what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week, and discuss that movement in light of the geocosmic signatures that were in effect. It will then identify the geocosmic factors that will be in effect in the next week, or even month, or even years, and the author’s understanding of how these signatures will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and even financial markets of the world.

It is possible that some forecasts will be made based on these factors. However, the primary goal is to both educate and alert the reader as to the psychological climate we are in, from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

No guarantee as to the accuracy of this report is being made here. Any decisions in financial markets are solely the responsibility of the reader, and neither the author nor the publishers assume any responsibility at all for those individual decisions. Reader should understand that futures and options trading are considered high risk.

Copyright MMACycles 2007; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).

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