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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning May 4


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 Equity markets across the world rallied last week, with many posting new post-Venus direct highs. In Europe, the German DAX, London FTSE, and Swiss SMI indices all soared to new highs on Thursday, as most markets were closed Friday for the holiday. However, the Netherlands AEX fell just shy of its monthly high on April 17, the day Venus turned direct.

 In Asia and the Pacific Rim, none of the four indices we track made higher highs than that recorded around Venus direct. However, all rallied into the end of the week, so they may be poised to do so next week.

 In the Americas, all the markets soared to new monthly highs last week. The most impressive were the Bovespa of Brazil and the NASDAQ Composite, which have both now exceeded their highs of this new year.

  In other markets, the big news was in the agriculturals, where Corn and Soybeans staged very impressive rallies. Food prices are rising, in line with our projections made in the Forecast 2009 book. (By the way, there are less than 10 Forecast 2009 books left. The price of those not sold at Saturday’s presentation will be increased substantially as of Monday, for I am certain they will be offered at over $100 on Amazon.com immediately). Crude Oil also had a good week, reaching 53.65 on Friday, which was quite an improvement from the 43.83 low of the prior week. It looks very much like the forthcoming Jupiter-Neptune conjunction is alive and well. Both are the co-rulers of Pisces, which has dominion over Crude Oil.

 Speaking of Jupiter and Neptune, one of the big news stories last week was the sudden escalation of the swine flu outbreak. Everyone wants to know if this will become a pandemic, serious enough to shut off travel and commerce. Jupiter and Neptune are principles that can coincide with hysteria and panic, and not reality. This would suggest it will not become a pandemic. However, both of these planets will also conjunct Chiron, which is believed to relate to physical or emotional danger, as in “wounded.” That implies (to me) that the “wound” is a direct result of a conflict with someone in particular. But I don’t know enough about the influence of this 50-year cyclical orbit to give an informed opinion as to its correspondence to something affecting the collective like a major flu outbreak. Chiron’s pain seems more personal.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Our primary focus is on one geocosmic signature that begins next week: Mercury retrograde. Yes, it is that time of the season again. Starting on Thursday, May 7, and lasting through May 30, this “trickster” will probably be in full form this time around. That is, I expect many decisions to be made that are questionable and will require modification or regret. I expect many bullish and bearish technical signals to be negated, and I expect a lot of “fake outs” as prices run above resistance and below support, only to reverse again. I expect markets to move in a direction for 1-4 days, pause about 20 minutes, and then swing the other way for 1-4 days.

 But I will be most focused on the weekend period of May 15-18, for that is when three things happen. First, that will be around the middle of the retrograde period, when sudden reversals happen. It is more important than usual this time because 2) Saturn will be turning direct that weekend (May 16) and 3) heliocentric Mercury will be entering Sagittarius (May 18-30). Last week I reported that subscriber Lindsay Holt did a study showing that Saturn stations in bear markets in equities corresponds with highs. He could be right this time. Heliocentric Mercury in Sagittarius also tends to correspond to sharply rising prices in precious metals and currencies, and declines in stock prices. Of course, the other thing we know about Mercury Rx is that whatever you think is suppose to happen, usually doesn’t. Many things go exactly the opposite of what you anticipate. So our rule still holds: take profits too soon. This will not likely be a position trader’s market for much of this month. It is more likely to be short-term and even day trading heaven.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Last week’s Short-Term Geocosmics section ended with, “Let us also not forget that the Venus-Pluto square of April 4-May 3 is still in force. As long as it is present, there remains the possibility of another large corporate bankruptcy or failure, another “takeover” by the U.S. government (or any government). Maybe it is General Motors or Chrysler that defaults”

It happened. Last week, Chrysler Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy. But how it happened is noteworthy because it supports the forecast made in 2006 by Financial Astrology colleague Manfred Zimmel of Austria (www.amanita.at), that Capitalism is in danger of coming to an end. As stated in Friday’s Detroit Free Press, in an article by automotive columnist Tom Walsh “By forcing Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy, president Barack Obama fired an unmistakable warning shot towards General Motors Corp., its bondholders, dealers, suppliers, unions and anyone else who didn’t think he had the resolve to impose his will on domestic automobile industry… some will gasp in dismay at this telltale sign that Obama is destroying the free enterprise system (by requiring that Fiat-Chrysler build a 40-mpg car in the United States… as a) condition of Fiat boosting its stake in Chrysler from 20% to 35%.” The article goes on to say, “… despite Obama’s protestations that he has no interest in running auto companies, it’s clear that – with huge sums of federal tax money sunk into Chrysler and GM – he will be very hands on.” OK. So now we know that bondholders have no safety in realizing what is supposed to be “the safest form” of investment in one’s portfolio if there is any “rescue” monies given to that company by the US.

Today it is Chrysler and their bondholders. Tomorrow it could be GM and its bondholders. And soon after that it could be the banks. All these bondholders may be in trouble, as one of our traditionally “safest” investment vehicles is now threatened with defaults – and especially defaults the government steers them towards after getting itself (us) involved. There is an old adage that “What goes around comes around.” So what happens as the government takes over all these previously private enterprises, sinking billions of taxpayer dollars into “rescuing” them and then assuming control and forcing them into bankruptcy where all their lenders are left holding the bag? And in the process of taking over all these “badly run” companies, the government itself takes on a whole load of debt? It’s a gamble. The dice are being rolled again and once more it is “double or nothing.” If this turns out to save and create new jobs, Obama can end up as one of the greatest leaders of all time for his courage to take such a large risk and win. But if it fails, and the government itself is forced to go into bankruptcy as a result, the losses by holders of U.S. Government bonds will be much more serious than those of GM and/or Chrysler. With the Saturn-Uranus opposition moving ever closer to the T-square with Pluto in Capricorn (debt and government) in 2009-2011, it is not just the American and free enterprise system that is at risk. There is a lot more of the world at risk. And of course with risk such as this, comes opportunity - but only if the free markets and capitalism survive.

House Speaker Nancy Polosi was fond of saying “We are mortgaging our children’s future,” in concern about former President George Bush’s fiscal policies. She was right. But now it seems we are filing for a second and third mortgage on the future of our children.

 

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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