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Comments for the Week Beginning November 24, 2008

Please note that until the Forecast for 2009 book is completed, there will be no “Longer-Term Thoughts” section in this column. We expect to resume this feature of the weekly column in the first week of December. Therefore this column will be presented in abbreviated format until then.

Review and Preview

This will be a shortened holiday week in the United States, in observance of Thanksgiving. I believe investors will welcome the break after the havoc witnessed in the past three months. The volatility has been stunning, and this continues to be a very short-term traders’ market in stock indices everywhere. It would nice if a calmer, position-trading market would return where all the cyclical, geocosmic, and technical signals were in alignment. But given that we are now in the midst of the very explosive environment of the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition, those weeks may be few and far between for awhile. Of course, very short-term traders will thrive in this type of environment, where such large price ranges are experienced nearly every day now.

Last week’s market behavior offered a stark contrast between the depressive mood associated with the current administration and its governance in America, and the desperate hopes of the populace for a new and brighter future. On Thursday, our reliable bearish indicator – Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson – gave yet another boring and impossible to comprehend speech on television, trying once again to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it. Just prior to his explanation of the status of the ever changing economic bailout package, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 200 points. Within 1-2 hours afterwards, it closed down over 400 points. This is not the first time the market has immediately dropped at least 500 points right after he publically speaks. In fact, it is almost like clock-work: Paulson speaks, the market tanks. Unfortunately the same thing happens when George W. Bush speaks. There is no confidence by the investment community in what the current administration represents. The stocks markets of the world continued in decline into Friday until late in the afternoon, when newly elected President-to-be Barack Obama announced his choice for Treasury Secretary. Just the fact that Obama spoke out caused a stir in the market, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average instantly rallied 600 points from the low of the day, which was its lowest level since March 2003. The country and the world are craving for new leadership, and when it steps forward, there is a sense of hope. Everybody in the market desperately wants some hope to cling to, and right now the only thing that offers hope is a change from the old leadership to the new.

There were some encouraging signs late last week, as Jupiter formed the last of its five transiting trine aspects to Saturn on Friday, November 21. Prior to Obama’s announcement, many markets were plunging to their lowest level in 4-5 years. There truly was a sense of panic and hysteria, which last week we associated with the ingress of Mars into Sagittarius. It would be a time of either hope or panic, and we had both – in reverse order. In Europe, the Netherlands AEX and Swiss SMI indices fell to their lowest levels since 2003. However, both the German DAX and London FTSE held above their lows of October 2008, for a clear case of intermarket bullish divergence.

In the Far East and Pacific Rim, we witnessed the same pattern of intermarket bullish divergence as the All Ordinaries of Australia sank to its lowest level since 2003, but neither the Japanese Nikkei, Hang Seng of Hong Kong nor the NIFTY Index of India took out their lows of late October.

In America, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite made new 5-year lows, and so did the Merval Index of Argentina. But the Bovespa of Brazil held above its lows of October, for yet another case of regional intermarket bullish divergence. And it occurred right on the day of a long-term geocosmic aspect – the Jupiter-Saturn trine.

In other markets, Crude Oil fell below $49.00/barrel, its lowest level since May 2005, and now it has fallen nearly $100 off its all-time high of July 11, 2008. This represents a loss of over 67% in less than 5 months, and validates our earlier point that bubbles form – and burst – in sectors ruled by the sign Uranus transits through. Uranus has been in Pisces since 2003 and leaves in 2011. Our earlier reports suggested that a 50-90% loss in Crude Oil prices would occur from high that formed prior to February 2009, and ideally close to May 2008, before Uranus left Pisces. Bingo.

As Crude Oil prices fell, however, God prices rallied strongly, and went back above 800 briefly on Friday for the first time in a few weeks after trading down as low as 680 in October. But other commodities, like Corn and Soybeans continued falling. In fact, all grains are now down more than 50% from their highs of the year. It is hard to believe that just a couple months ago they were each making all-time highs, and users of grains were complaining about their low profit margins due to these record high prices. Conditions change really fast under the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition, which is now in effect through July 2010.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Don’t expect the volatility to recede this week, even with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. Both the fiery planets of Mars and the Sun are in the fire sign of Sagittarius now through at least the first three weeks of December. And both heliocentric and geocentric Mercury join them this week. As if that wasn’t enough, Uranus turns stationary direct on Thursday and the new moon is in Sagittarius (known as the “Sagittarius Factor”) on Thursday and Friday. Each of these geocosmic and lunar signatures can correlate with large price swings and reversals of more than 4% in equity and precious metals markets. Once upon a time, 4% short-term swings were considered quite large. Moves of 10% or more each week are more common since September, so these moves may be much more than 4%.

 The thing to watch in the next ten days is whether hope has really returned to the markets under all these Jupiter and Sagittarian influences that are now in force. Or will panic and hysteria come back quickly, especially given that Uranus is going stationary direct on Friday, November 28? It probably depends upon who is speaking to the press in the next two weeks: the reminders of a leadership that has failed to generate any confidence in its economic rescue programs, or the incoming leadership that offers hope to a very frightened world that is on the verge of panic and hysteria to a degree never seen before in our lifetime. If hope is dominant, then the stock markets can soar in spectacular fashion. We could even have a sense of Greenspan’s “irrational exuberance” again going into the holiday season. But lacking that visibility, then the market could easily break the 7000-7500 level of support in the DJIA and fall yet another 1000-2000 points quickly. I am ever the optimist.
 

 

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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