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Comments For The Week Beginning December 3, 2007

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 Financial Astrology works - again.

 It’s not like we weren’t forewarned about the importance of Uranus - a powerful Level 1 signature - turning direct last Saturday, and its tendency to correlate with sudden, unexpected reversals within a couple of trading days. Last week’s column stated the following: “If you are a Financial or Mundane Astrologer, you have to at least appreciate the correspondence between today’s planetary signatures and its correspondence to a sense of panic and urgency on the part of the global investment community… The probability is greater that you are close to seeing the end of these moves for now. And the hysteria is completely consistent with the fact that we are presently in between three major signatures that pertain to exactly this type of collective over-reaction.”

Uranus turned direct on Saturday, November 24. Within two trading days, all the major equity markets of the world were in a free-fall and to say that panic and doomsday scenarios were gripping the headlines would be truly underestimating the fear that was present less than one week ago. But today, November 30, all these same equity markets are soaring strongly for 3-5 straight days up, and the tune being sung is completely different. Confidence is returning in a big way, which is the nature of Jupiter in Sagittarius. By the way, that 13-month transit comes to an end in December. Oh sure, there may be some spillover into early Capricorn. But slowly and surely, the speculative and wild days of Jupiter and Sagittarius will give way to the more rational and sobering months of Jupiter in Capricorn.

In Europe, the AEX of Netherlands and the Swiss stock Index bottomed the prior week on November 21 at 480 and 8080 respectively. By Friday, November 30, they were up to 509 and 8849 respectively. That’s a 10% move in the Swiss index, after it was at its lowest level in over a year just one week ago. The German DAX was in the midst of testing its August lows just last Tuesday at 7444. By Friday, three days later, it was up to 7894. The FTSE of England was down to 6026 a week ago. On Friday, it was back up to 6455.

Similar impressive gains were noted in Japan, which dropped well below its August lows at the end of the prior week, falling all the way down to 14,670. But on Friday, November 30, it was up over 1000 points from that low, touching 15,751. India’s Nifty Index fell to a new monthly low of 5394 on November 22, but by November 30, it was up as high as 5782. The Hand Seng bottomed at 25,861 on the same November 22 date, but on Friday was back up to 28,792. And in Australia, the All Ordinaries bottomed at 6373 on November 22, only to rise sharply to 6608 on Friday, November 30.

In the United States, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite completed their re-tests of the August lows on Monday at 12,724 and 2539 respectively. On Friday, they rallied as high as 13,467 and 2696 respectively, one of their sharpest one week rallies in quite some time.

Equally big moves were noted in Crude Oil and Gold. After posting its all-time high at 99.29 on November 21, Crude Oil was down to 88.45 on Friday, a loss of nearly 11%. Gold looked like it was going to quickly soar to a new high when it jumped from 776 the prior week to 832 on Monday. But by Friday, it was back down to 782 intraday. And even the Euro started to fall. From its all-time high of 1.4966 one week ago, it was testing the 1.4600 level by Friday, it’s steepest drop in quite some time. All of this is indeed consistent with then nature of Uranus changing directions, one of the strongest correlations related to reversal in financial markets as demonstrated in the statistical studies published in some of our market timing books.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Uranus retrograde correlates with sudden and unexpected changes, and so do other planetary signatures involving Uranus. On Friday, December 7, the Sun will square Uranus. It happens on the day when the Employment and Payroll reports come out, which typically leads to very large price swings anyway. This time will probably not disappoint, if one is looking for volatility. Not only that but early the following week, Jupiter will make its 13-year conjunction to Pluto. As stated in last week’s column, “In the study of Financial Astrology, time bands that highlight combinations of Mars, Jupiter and Uranus can coincide with extreme price moves, corresponding with a sense of hysteria, panic, or over-confidence. The nature of Uranus is to be more irrational. Markets can move well above resistance zones, or below support zones, and thus there is a sense of a “break-out.” Jupiter and Pluto come together only every 13 years, and together they can coincide with a sense of urgency, even hysteria due to the nature of Jupiter (it exaggerates whatever it contacts). In this case, it contacts Pluto, ruler of debt and fear of the worst. The sub-prime mortgage tragedy is a perfect example of today’s Jupiter-Pluto crisis. The extent of those losses is just coming to light. But to read all the solicitations by the financial expects who somehow get a hold of your email address, you would think that this crisis will never end. The aspect soon comes to an end, and just as it has in the past, such crises will come to an end too.”

Bottom line: this powerful rally off the Uranus stationary direct could come crashing right into then next powerful zone of the Sun-Uranus square, along with Jupiter-Pluto conjunct, late this week and early the next. But one thing to keep in mind: the market community is looking for the Federal Reserve to make another interest rate cut. I agree with this outlook, for after all, as Jupiter moves into Capricorn in mid-December, it will oppose the FRB Pluto and conjunct its natal Sun. This is a signature of accommodation, or lowering rates. We should have this gift in time for the holiday season. How thoughtful our fearless fire sign leaders are. And so as long as that belief is out there, there is no reason for the stock market to go back down to the levels seen a week ago. Of course with Uranus, logical reasons for the market to perform a certain way may be defied. It will oftentimes do what is not expected. So basically I am saying to expect an interest rate cut, but also expect market volatility as long as Uranus is activated, which should be the case for another two weeks.


Longer-Term Thoughts

 Let’s get some perspective here. This may have little to do with astrology, except that next year will be an election year, and we will of course spend a good amount of this column analyzing candidates for the high office.

 So let’s review what certain markets did under Bush Sr., then Bill Clinton, and then Bush Jr., and maybe you will see a pattern – and a glimpse of what might happen under a Hillary Clinton presidency. Like father like son… like husband like wife, perhaps.

When George H. Bush, Sr. came into office in January 1989, the U.S. Dollar was strong, and continued to a high of 106.52 against a basket of foreign currencies into June 1989. But then the famous mantra “Bring the Dollar down so American corporations can compete,” took hold, and Treasury Secretary Baker did just that. By September 1992, just two months before the next election, the Dollar had been devalued to a historic low of 78.43, a loss of nearly 30% in three years. Bill Clinton then defeated Bush Sr., and from that historic low, the Dollar began rising, reaching a peak of 121.29 just after leaving office, in July 2001. That was a Dollar appreciation of over 50%. George W. Bush, Jr. assumed presidency in January 2001. After the initial rise in the Dollar to July 2001, the greenback commenced a descent that continues to this day. This month, the Dollar has fallen to a new historic low of 74.65, a devaluation of nearly 40% under Bush Jr. leadership. What do you think will happen to the Dollar if Mrs. Clinton becomes President?

The price of Crude Oil had fallen to 12.28 in October 1988, one month before the election that would place Texan George H. Bush Sr. into the White House. Exactly two years later, in October 1990, Crude Oil soared to a new all-time high of 41.15, an increase of 235%, as Iraq invaded Kuwait, and thus started the Persian Gold conflict. It came down afterwards, but not below 20.00 before Bill Clinton assumed office in January 1992. Under his watch, Crude made lower and lower highs, and continued falling to a low of 10.35 in December 1998. Then Clinton started in on the Balkan conflict, and crude rolled back up to 37.80 in September 2000 before starting a sharp decline again. Crude Oil continued falling as George W. Bush Jr. took office in January 2001, with Crude oil around 25.00. It fell to a low of 16.70 in November 2001 (yes, even after 9-11). But then began one of the greatest bull markets in financial history, and Crude has soared and soared, to a record high of 99.29 about a week ago. What do you think will happen to the price of Crude Oil if a Texan is not elected president in 2008? Or if a Clinton is elected? Like father like son. Like husband like wife.

One thing is almost certain: once the Bushes are gone, the markets will reverse trends in many markets, especially currencies. Is that good or bad? It’s good for us, because we can anticipate the trading-investment opportunities that will arise. It will be interesting to see if Clinton replaces Bush – again - as happened in 1992, and whether or not we are seeing the foundation of the two-family dynasty taking over the governance of the U.S.A. Those things tend to happen during the time band in which Uranus conjoins Neptune, followed by the two planets entering into mutual reception (1993-2011). Fortunately (?) it comes to an end by the 2012 election.

 

Announcements

We are now accepting orders for the Forecast 2011 book now via phone (1-248-626-3034), fax (1-248-538-5296), email (ordersmma@msn.com), or through our shopping cart online (www.mmacycles.com). We are pleased to announce the price will remain the same as last year. That is $55.00 if ordered after October 31, and $45.00 if ordered before (plus postage). We will also be offering special 10% discount rate for our subscription services to those who also pre-order Forecast 2011. This is a great deal, for in the words of one of our daily subscribers recently, “I don't know whether you want to hear/take any comments at all but I wanted to say that, so far, I am a very happy camper and the only thing which I think that I did wrong with subscribing to your service that I did it TOO LATE! What was I thinking....? :-)" – R. Rood, Lugano, Switzerland, futures trader and technical analyst, former cash grain trader.

For a review of the forecasts from the Forecast 2010 book, please go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down to about the third or fourth article on the opening screen. Or go directly to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecasts-2010/.

If you are an active short-term trader, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with short-term trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Swiss Franc, Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, T-Notes, Soybeans, Crude Oil, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, call our offices at 1-248-626-3034, or go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services. In the words of one of our subscribers: “I recently subscribed to your weekly report and am finding it to be excellent and a very useful companion to the MMA Cycles Report.  I can't imagine now managing my investments without them.” Order now with the Forecast 2011 Book and receive a special 10% rate reduction on these services through October.

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – went out last week. If you are a subscriber and did not receive it, contact us at once. This report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, Treasury Notes, and grain markets. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The new MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only. These reports are included in the Japanese, German, and Dutch translated MMA Cycles Report respectively. New yearly (or renewing) subscribers to these reports will receive a free copy of the Forecast 2010 book while supplies last (see below). You also qualify for a special discount on a yearly subscription if at the same time you pre-order Forecast 2011. For subscription information, please go to SERVICES at www.mmacycles.com.

CD’s DVD’s, and MP3’s of the July 11 webcast are now available!!! Each of these various ways to see the event can now be ordered via our website at www.mmacycles.com (just click the opening banner), or by calling 1-248-3034 or email operations at ordersmma@msn.com. The cost of each is $45.00, plus postage if necessary. This webcast covered our outlook for stocks, precious metals, interest rates and Treasuries, foreign currencies vis-à-vis the U.S. Dollar, and Grains. We pick this time because it was right before the astrological midpoint of the Cardinal Climax, which is taking place now. It may be the peak of the huge trend reversals expected in many of these markets, aided and abetted by major changes of trend in geopolitical matters. It is interesting to see how the stocks, grains and currencies moved right up into this time band, as outlined in this presentation. You won’t want to miss this. Order now, because most of the trading opportunities presented are in effect mainly from July 21 through October 8, 2010!!!

ForumOnAstrology.com is holding a three-day video conference on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 1st, 2nd, and 3, 2010. This pioneering Internet astrological conference features dozens of internationally known speakers.  Very economically priced, all participants have access to all live broadcasts with the ability to replay them from the archives for up to three months. Call (212) 929-4507 or email Inquiries@ForumOnAstrology.com.

I am oftentimes asked for recommendations of a money manager who uses my methods, since I won’t manage other people’s money. That is especially true now with the uncertainty in the market place as of late. The thing is, almost all money managers I know use their own systems. But many subscribe to my services and share my thoughts about the future of the economy, various financial markets, and how to position one’s portfolio along these lines. One money manager who subscribes to our services that I would suggest for those looking to structure a longer-term portfolio, such as a retirement account, is Duke O’Neill of Capstone Capital Wealth Management, Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at dukeoneil1@gmail.com, or 1-(303) 247-0600. For those looking for a professional trader of commodity and futures contract might consider Ted Lee Fisher at ted.fisher@comcast.net. Ted is a legend in financial futures and has a seat on the CME. Both are very knowledgeable of the tools I use, of the way I am looking at markets, and yet each makes their own decisions as exactly when to enter and exit any market. I would also like to recommend long-term MMA subscriber Erwin Brunner of Zurich, Switzerland. Mr. Brunner is the founder of BrunnerInvest AG. One of his five funds was awarded the “Best in-house fund of funds” in the world recently. Mr. Brunner is a former director of the Swiss Banking Corporation (today it is known as UBS), and a general director of Rothschild Bank in Zurich. As an independent wealth manager for high net worth individuals and institutional clients only, he places his clients into the funds of the best performing fund managers in the world, via his own research and experience. For high net worth readers interested in Mr. Brunner’s funds, please contact him through www.brunnerinvest.ch.

 

OK. You’ve asked about classes in Financial Astrology, and I am giving two of them in great South American cities in late September and early October. Since these constitute “investment education,” many of you will be able to write the expenses of this trip off (travel, some meals, and cost of conferences). Here are some more details of each – and I hope to see many subscribers at each:

September 23-26, 2010: Buenos Aires! Seminar on Financial and Mundane Astrology with Raymond Merriman and others, with special emphasis on Argentina’s Merval Index and precious metals and whatever else is of interest to participants, for each Financial Astrology workshop is different. For more information, contact Claudia Rizzi at astrologycr@gmail.com, or visit our web site at www.mmacycles-spanish.com. If you only speak Spanish, go to www.astrologiamundana2010.blogspot.com. We will host a special gathering of MMA Subscribers at the end of the seminar, depending on interest expressed. 

October 1-2, 2010: Rio de Janeiro! Workshop on Financial Astrology with Raymond Merriman, plus a Mundane Astrology panel with Merriman and others. The workshop will have with special emphasis on Brazil’s Bovespa Index and precious metals, and whatever else is of interest to participants. For more information, contact Renato Chebar at astrologiafinanceira@gmail.com. We may host a special gathering for MMA Subscribers on Sunday, October 3, the day of Brazil’s elections, if enough subscribers request such a meeting.

January 14-16, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland. “Forecasts 2011” symposia featuring top mundane and financial astrologers, plus one day workshop on Financial Market Timing with Ray Merriman, to be followed by a special meeting with MMA Subscribers (at no cost). For more details, go to www.astrodata.ch.

March 10-12, 2011: Mexico City, Mexico. Speech on Forecasts 2011, and workshop on “Evolutionary Astrology: The Journey of the Soul Through States of Consciousness.” For information, please contact acuario888@gmail.com.

April 28 and 30, 2011: Kansas City, Mo. “Forecasts for 2011” and “Financial Astrology Workshop” with Raymond Merriman. Sponsored by AOA. Details soon. This will be the next Financial Astrology workshop in the United States.

September 1-8, 2011: Bali! "Financial Astrology" Intensive workshop with Raymond Merriman, and "Mundane Astrology" with Claude Weiss. For more information on this unique week-long intensive and incredible South Pacific paradise adventure, please go to http://www.heavenandearthworkshops.com/financial.html.

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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