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Comments for the Week Beginning September 24, 2007

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  What a difference BB&P (Ben Bernanke and Paulsen) – the new “Fire Sign Theatre” of our generation - make in today’s financial markets. Just one month ago many of the world’s equity and financial markets were on the verge of spinning out of control. A financial panic was brewing. By August 17, stock markets were down double digits from their all-time or multi-year highs realized in mid-July. Precious metals, crude oil, corn and soybean prices were all making primary cycle lows. Fear swept briskly through the investment community as one sub-prime lender after another went under. And then on August 16, BB&P went into action. First they injected a ton of money into the system to help ease the credit crunch. Then our two “fire sign men of action” orchestrated the reduction of the FED discount rate. And just to make sure investors took them seriously, they lowered the FED Funds rate on Tuesday by a half percent, when most were expecting a reduction of only a quarter percent. Wham! Just like that stock markets around the world were back to the multi-year and all-time highs. Crude oil and wheat are making all-time highs. Gold is back to its highest level in 27 years. And the Dollar has fallen to a new historic low against the Euro currency.

The message? Despite their talk of being concerned about inflation, it is absolutely more important to make sure the economy does not go into a recession. Their patience for such a threat is no more than one month – which is somewhat typical of strong fire sign personalities. After all, we are talking about an Aries and Sagittarius: macho-men. Men of action. They aren’t going to sit around and let market forces work things out in their own natural rhythm. Not on our watch. Not if we can do something now to stop this madness. To hell with fighting inflation or reporting money supply figures. We’ve got a guerrilla war on our hands to fight. Fire signs: strong on action, low on patience, and worry about today - not tomorrow. Let the good times roll! We’ll deal with the hangover (inflation, worthless currency problems) later.

 In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to a high of 13,877 on Friday, up 1360 points (10.8%) from the lows of August 16. I believe this is enough to confirm the August lows as the 4-year cycle trough. If correct, the stock market will go higher- much higher – into 2008, before it falls back to the lows of August again. The NASDAQ Composite rallied to 2683 last week, up 12.4% now in the last 5 weeks. Interestingly enough, neither the NASDAQ or S&P made a new cycle high on Friday as the DJIA did, which could be suggesting a pullback is about to begin.

 In the Far East and Pacific Rim, the stellar equity performers were in Hong Kong and India. The Hang Seng skyrocketed to a new all-time high on Friday at 25,893, up over 6500 points and 33.5% from its 4-year cycle low of just 5 weeks ago! India’s NIFTY index was right behind, soaring to its highest level ever at 4855 on Friday, up over 21% since August 21. Australia’s All Ordinaries has now risen 16.9% over the past month. Only the Nikkei index failed to appreciate double digits on this recent rally from its lows of August, but was still up a respectable 8% in the past month.

 In Europe, the rallies were not quite as great – at least not in Zurich and Germany, where the Swiss stock index and DAX only appreciate a little more than 8%. In London, the FTSE reached 6512 on last Wednesday’s reversal date, for a gain of 11.8% off the August lows. And the Netherlands AEX rallied to 545.56 on Friday, for an appreciation of 14% over the lows of five weeks ago. But all of these indices were well below their highs of the year.

  Another stellar performer last week was crude oil, which exploded for another new all-time high with its 83.90 mark on Thursday. This was a gain of 22% from the lows of August 21. In fact, crude oil is now up nearly 70% from its 4-year cycle low of 49.90 back on January 18 when Jupiter and Uranus formed their first of three square aspects this year. The third and final one will take place on October 9. The second one on May 10 also coincided with a primary cycle trough. Almost as impressive as crude oil has been the move in Silver prices, which rallied from 1128 back on August 16 to 1368 on Friday, for a gain of over 21%. Gold is up over 14.6% in the same time frame. But in the case of Gold, prices are now at their highest levels since the all-time heady high days of early 1980. The Euro currency also raced to new all-time highs last week.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 So what was so special about last week? Heliocentric Mercury in Sagittarius (September 11-22) and the Moon in Sagittarius (September 17-19, also known as the “Sagittarius Factor”). Remember Sagittarius and its ruling planet Jupiter has in common the theme of exaggeration and expansion. It is not so unusual to witness strong rallies (or collapses) when the two ingresses are happening simultaneously. There was also a T-square between Sun-Mars-Pluto last week too, the midpoint of which occurred on September 19. That happened to be the day that several indices made their high of the week.

 For this week, the major geocosmic indicator will occur on Friday, September 28, when Mars moves into Cancer. This will conjunct the natal Pluto, oppose the natal Sun, of the Federal Reserve Board chart (created on December 23, 1913). We can anticipate reversals in interest-rate related markets at that time, and perhaps some criticism directed towards BB&P for their “aggressive” actions as of late. Right now they are heroes for acting aggressively. That honeymoon will end as soon as economic indicators point out the inflation is starting to rise.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 So let’s talk about that. When are prices going to rise? When will we see signs of inflation starting to grow? And will it be gradual as we have complacently come to expect?

 If you ask people who trade precious metals, they will tell you that inflation is already here. If you ask people trading in soybeans, wheat, or crude oil, they will tell you the same. If you ask people in the currency markets, they will point out that the United States is for sale, and the dollar is rapidly losing is purchasing value. It’s just a matter of time before business leaders of the world will no longer want to accept payment of the U.S. dollar for its goods. Its days as the standard world currency are slowly fading into the sunset. And a generation after that may be the demise of English as the world’s standard language. One follows the other.

 On January 26, 2008, Pluto will begin a 15-year sojourn through Capricorn. It will conjunct the natal Sun and oppose the natal Pluto of the Federal Reserve Board chart, located at 1 and 0 degrees of Capricorn and Cancer respectively. It will also oppose the natal Venus-Jupiter conjunction located in the early degrees of Cancer in the United States of America chart. Venus rules a country’s currency, and Jupiter with Venus, its wealth. Pluto as a transit can pose a “threat” to the areas ruled by the planets it aspects.

 At the same time (2008-2009), Uranus will pass over 21 degrees of Pisces. Uranus rules the unexpected, and a time in a person’s life when things can spin out of control. Mr. Bernanke’s natal Moon is around 21 Pisces. His natal Sun and Jupiter are at 21 Sagittarius and Gemini respectively. That’s right: they are in a T-square, and Uranus is touching it off. By November of 2008, transiting Saturn will be at 21 Virgo, thus completing the grand square to his natal planets and transiting Uranus.

 So, does this suggest a period of slow, moderate growth, with inflation under control? I don’t think so. It may be fine for awhile, maybe into the first half of 2008. But once we get to late 2008 through 2009, inflation could grow like… why, wild fire! I wonder what our fire sign “men of action” will do then. Well, interestingly enough, Paulsen’s chart shows no great stress. His term is over, along with Mr. Bush’s. But Mr. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve, and the United States of America are another story. By that time inflation could be in the double digits, Gold could be in the 4 digits, and the DJIA could be in six digits.

 The best quote of the week comes from former FED Chairman Alan Greenspan in Tuesday’s “Wall Street Journal.” In his memoirs released this week, “Mr. Greenspan takes the President and Republican lawmakers to task for presiding over an explosion of federal spending. He also praised former President Bill Clinton’s stewardship of the economy, particularly his effort to slash deficits. ‘I think we’ve lost our way,’ Greenspan added. ‘I think that Bill Clinton was the best Republican president we’ve had in a while.’” 

 

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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