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Comments for the Week Beginning November 5, 2007

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 The Federal Reserve lowered its FED funds rate by a quarter percentage point on Halloween, October 31, as Neptune turned stationary direct. In response, the U.S. stock market soared to its highest level in two weeks, and other indices around the world also rose substantially. That was the “treat.” But by the next day, investors saw it totally differently as Mercury then changed directions, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a whopping 362 points. That was the “trick” of Halloween. The official FED comments after the interest rate reduction said that this may be the last rate cut for awhile, as they are worried about inflationary pressures. This warning also worried investors suddenly.

 But this complete flip-flop from bullish on Wednesday to bearish on Thursday also demonstrates the usefulness of Financial Astrology. Last week’s column stated, “But the retrograde and direct shifting of planets is indicative of surprises in mundane events as well as economic data reports. For instance, in this coming week, Neptune turns direct on Wednesday (October 31) and Mercury follows with the same pattern the next day, November 1. Since Mercury relates to mental processes and the disbursement of information (like news), and Neptune’s nature is to hide, retreat, or camouflage, we might anticipate a lot of misinformation to be released. It can be a very confusing time for investors.” The misinformation, or misleading part of last week’s announcement, may be the FED’s claim to be concerned about inflation, and that this might be the last interest rate cut for awhile. Don’t bet on it. This Federal Reserve team has talked about the threat of inflation ever since it assumed its term. Yet it hasn’t done one thing about it. Every action by this FED has added to the inflationary prospect, and no action to date has indicated it has done– or will do - anything to seriously address that growing threat, even as Crude Oil now approaches our $100.00/barrel target given two years ago, and as Gold climbs back above $800.00/ounce for only the second time in history (the last was in early 1980).

 In addition to the soaring prices in Crude Oil and Gold, the Dollar continues to fall to record lows against the Euro currency, and multi-decade lows against the Canadian and Australian Dollar. This too is inflationary, especially in the United States, but supports our premise given several years ago that currencies of commodity driven economies (like Australia and Canada) would fare well under the waning phase of the Saturn-Pluto cycle (2001-2020). Many of the equity indexes of the world performed quite well into – and shortly after – the FED fund rate cut. But then they all fell rather hard the next day as the week drew to a close. Have the markets now reversed to begin a new trend? I doubt it just yet. I think many financial markets will be very choppy the next six weeks, as signified by these stationary changes of direction through most of November, but also because Jupiter is coming to its 13-year conjunction with Pluto on December 11. I do believe there will be a change of trend during this period, but I think we are still in the rocky segment first, when it movers sharply in both directions.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 The time band continues to be in effect of so many important geocosmic signatures to one another between October 25 and November 30. Near the middle of this cluster, Mars will turn retrograde on November 14, something it does every 25-26 months. As stated last issue, “Not only that, but it occurs at 12 degrees of Cancer, right near the natal Sun of George W. Bush and the United States. Mars, as long-time readers know, is the planet of war and aggression. But when it is activated near a retrograde phase, it can lead to serious and unexpected problems for the aggressor. It is usually a very critical error in judgment to initiate aggressive and/or military activities around this time. And yet the ‘urge” to do so is great, for certain parties feel their warnings have been ignored, and thus frustration can grow to untenable levels, leading to ill-advised and even regrettable actions.” But Mars retrograde can also have a powerful impact on some financial markets. We note that the all-time speculative high of $850.00/ounce in Gold occurred in mid-January 1980, just a couple of days past a Mars retrograde. Interesting enough, Saturn was in Virgo then too, a position it occupies for about two years in its 29-year orbit around the Sun. Saturn just ingressed into Virgo in early September 2007, where it will remain through fall of 2009. And interesting also is that Gold is back above $800 for the first time since then. Same planets, same signs (for Saturn), same Gold prices. How is that for synchronicity?

 This week also contains two Level 1 signatures - those that have the highest correlation to primary or greater cycles in U.S. stock markets, as demonstrated in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.” On Tuesday, November 6, Venus will form a waning square to Pluto, which has a whopping 81% correlation to primary cycles within 12 trading days. This signature can also correlate with more bad news about sub-prime debts. The next day the Sun forms a waning trine to Uranus, which has a very high 74% correlation to primary cycles within a range of 11 trading days.

 The next day is also important (November 8), for Venus begins its 27-day ingress through Libra. Since Venus rules Libra and has pertinence to all things involving wealth (like stocks), one might anticipate this being bullish for equities. It also has a strong correlation to a low in Silver prices. But with Jupiter’s conjunction to Pluto looming ahead on December 11, it will be interesting to see if those historical Venus-in-Libra correlations will hold this time.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 The last time Jupiter and Pluto formed a conjunction was December 2, 1994. Readers may remember that as the time when Orange County, California, defaulted on its municipal bond obligation. Today we find many municipalities may be in financial trouble, brought on by the problems with sub-prime mortgage lenders, leading to many home foreclosures. Without property taxes coming in from those newly foreclosed homes, one wonders what impact that will have on the bonds of many municipalities as we draw to an end in 2007?

 Shortly after the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, Jupiter ingresses into Capricorn for 13 months. It will almost immediately conjunct the Federal Reserve Board Sun at 1 degree of Capricorn (founded December 23, 1913). When Jupiter forms a harmonious aspect to the FRB chart, the FED is usually accommodative with its interest rate and money supply policies. I can’t believe it can be any more accommodative with money supply than it has been, with the no-longer-released M3 money supply figures growing at an estimated annual rate of 15% now. But if the sub-prime debt crisis continues to escalate, and if municipalities do declare a state of emergency in order to meet their own debt obligations, it is understandable how the Fed could be more accommodative. For despite its insistence that it really cares about inflation – an insistence given again last week as both Mercury and Neptune changed directions (a signature of “misinformation”) – the Bernanke-led Federal Reserve and Paulsen-led U.S. Treasury will do whatever is necessary to prevent an economic or market crisis. Do you really think our fire-sign heroes will actually raise rates and put a damper on the good times? Do you really think Bernanke the Sagittarian (or Paulsen the Aries) will really act restrictive in regards to monetary policy, even to curb inflation? These are fire signs, not earth signs! And Jupiter rules Sagittarius, is still in Sagittarius its home, and will soon conjunct the FRB natal Sun in Capricorn. I don’t think we are going to see higher rates this year. To the contrary, I think we will see lower rates yet. And another crisis in the sub-prime mortgage area, combined with a possible crisis in the municipal bond market, could be just the ticket needed to do what financial astrology implies the FED and Treasury will do – lower interest rates and inject more liquidity into the system. Or in other words, continue with its inflationary actions.

 

Announcements


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, 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), 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, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. 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.”

CD’s DVD’s, MP3’s, and “On-Line Streaming Video” 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 is right before the astrological midpoint of the Cardinal Climax, which takes place late July through early August. 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. You won’t want to miss this presentation. Order now, because most of the trading opportunities presented are in effect from July 21 through October 8, 2010!!!

Any remaining copies of the Forecast 2010 book will be available for $30.00 (plus postage), now as long as supplies last. This year’s book was an incredible publication, as almost everything forecasted in it has come out as described. All the themes outlined, and almost all the financial markets are unfolding as indicated with one exception: there has (as of yet) been no sign of excessive speculation in stocks or precious metals. Instead, frightened investors are flocking to U.S. Treasuries. Everything else, however, has been spot on, and there is still time for this to happen in stocks and precious metals into mid-2011. We now offer a complimentary copy of this year’s book to any new or renewing subscriber of a one-year subscription to the MMA Cycles Report, our new MMA European Cycles report, or any subscription to a MMA daily or weekly report, as long as books are still available. See special offer on the opening page of www.mmacycles.com.

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – came out this week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, and attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. W also sent an update to subscribers on Wednesday. If you subscribe to these reports and did not get them, let us know 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. New yearly (or renewing) subscribers to these reports will receive a free copy of the Forecast 2010 book while supplies last (see below). For subscription information, please go to SERVICES at www.mmacycles.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 volatility 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 to exactly when to enter and exit any market.

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 may 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 will host a special gathering for MMA Subscribers on Sunday, October 3, the day of Brazil’s elections!!!

January 5, 2011: Forecast 2011! Speech and live webcast from Birmingham, MI. Details to be announced soon.

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.

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, go to http://www.heavenandearthworkshops.com/financial.html.

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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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