MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 20, 2026

REVIEW

By Guest Contributor Wyatt Fellows

U.S. President Trump suggested talks with Iran could begin within two days. Investors have received enough independent confirmation to give the idea credibility. The “always look on the bright side” mentality has continued. The war does mean that the global economy is worse off than it would have been—though probably not as bad as mathematical models (including those of the IMF) suggest.

— Paul Donovan, “Keeping the Optimistic Bias,” UBS Daily Update, April 15, 2026.

It certainly seems that those mathematical models need to be reprogrammed with the S&P and Nasdaq stock indices recording new all-time highs this past week! While this strength in U.S. stock markets was a surprise to the doom and gloomers, it wasn’t a shock to subscribers of our daily, weekly, and monthly reports, which were calling for the first significant bottom in stocks since the April 7, 2025, tariff tantrum low. However, despite this bullish enthusiasm, it is interesting to note that the Dow remains below its all-time high of 50,512 achieved on February 10. This constitutes a case of bearish intermarket divergence that will need to be rectified in the weeks ahead to keep this equities freight train moving forward.

The bullishness carried over to European and Asian stock indices as well. The German DAX and Zurich SMI each posted solid weekly closes after registering new multi-week highs. The FTSE 100 wasn’t as euphoric but managed to consolidate the sharp gains of previous weeks. The Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng Index followed similar paths, registering fresh multi-week highs. The star of the week, though, was the Japanese Nikkei, which soared to a new all-time high, up over 18% at one point, before giving back some of its gains to close out the week.

For metals, it was Copper that outshone the “precious” ones by closing back above $6 a pound. This appears to confirm the bullish tone being set by the stock market. Volatility in Crude Oil continued with the nearby futures contract crashing to $80.56 a barrel after news hit the tape that the Strait of Hormuz was now back open for business! With that being said, there is strong technical support at the $80 level. The next two weeks could be interesting for this commodity as it is due for a primary cycle low at any time.

In the agricultural space, it was a choppy trading week for the grain complex. Cotton, a market that largely flies under the radar for most traders, is quietly up over 27% since forming a primary cycle low early in February, just as Mercury entered the sign of Pisces. These gains are a product of dwindling acres and the probability of sharply higher synthetic fiber costs. A bigger story, however, could be the Cattle market, which continues to make new all-time highs on a weekly basis. As a producer, it is not lost on me that this is occurring as Uranus (planet of booms and busts) transits the last degrees of Taurus (symbolized by the bull and ruler of the cattle market) before leaving for Gemini on April 25. With Venus set to conjoin Uranus this week, some hedging strategies might be in order here.

In crypto-land, Bitcoin was able to post solid gains on the week thanks to Friday’s price action. In doing so, it was able to break through a downtrend line connecting the October 2025 and January 2026 swing highs. This could be signaling that a larger rebound may be in store near-term, before a resumed decline into the anticipated 4-year low later this year.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

Next week, we enter the time orb around the April 24-27 CRD (critical reversal date). Markets of interest include Crude Oil, Gold, and Silver, and possibly the stock market if the bearish intermarket divergence fails to resolve itself by then. Being that Venus (money) will be highlighted along with Pluto (debt), other markets such as currencies, T-notes, and possibly Cattle are all susceptible to a potential turn. Just what kind of turn is yet to be seen.

LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS AND OPINION

 The 27-country European Union is the U.S.’s biggest partner for trade and investment. And two-thirds of Americans say the U.S. benefits from NATO membership. Trump has never liked the alliance, but this past week marked a shift, said François Heisbourg, special adviser at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris and a former French official. “The notion that [NATO] actually is expendable — that is new… There is no trust left,” he said. “It’s like with a divorce: When certain words are used, you can’t walk them back.”

— Marcus Walker and David Luhnow, “The U.S.–Europe Alliance Is Reaching a Breaking Point Over the Iran War,” The Wall Street Journal, April 6, 2026.

As written in this year’s Forecast 2026 book:

“Let us start with the issue of trust, an important factor in the status of America’s exceptionalism. Trust falls under the domain of Neptune. But Neptune is compromised via its conjunction with Saturn, which is not trust, but rather skepticism, which can easily turn to distrust and even separation if one of the parties in a relationship feels that the agreement or precedents supporting the relationship are being changed without its approval and consent. Relationships are the key to this current chart because the Saturn—Neptune conjunction is on the cusp of the 7th house, which rules partnerships and allies. Furthermore, both Saturn and Neptune square the U.S. Venus in Cancer. Venus also rules one’s partnerships and allies, those who support the nation and have been loyal to it.”

The chart referred to here is the USA chart cast for July 2, 1776, at 11:15 AM in Philadelphia, PA.

As Saturn approached its conjunction with Neptune, the issue of trust was first challenged economically as Trump and his administration implemented tariffs on America’s trading partners not long after beginning his term in office. This led to a sharp reaction lower in world equity markets (as much as 20% in the Nasdaq), before finally bottoming on April 7, 2025. Then, as Saturn exactly conjoined Neptune on February 20, the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury, attacking Iran just 8 days later. The initial attacks were met with mixed responses from allied NATO countries, but as Mars (combative, warlike energy) entered its home sign of Aries, and transited the Saturn/Neptune conjunction while also squaring the U.S. natal Venus in Cancer, the rhetoric and “mistrust” between the alliances of the U.S. and fellow NATO countries has intensified. Mars will form a somewhat rare conjunction with Mercury and Saturn over April 19-20, so the combative tone may persist or even ramp up over the days ahead, despite the official reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

To be fair, it could be argued that this distrust that has developed between the U.S. and NATO allies has been a two-way street. Trump sees the refusal by fellow NATO countries to aid in military operations as a direct “breach of contract” in his eyes. This has led to an increase in divisive, threatening rhetoric (Mars in Aries) from the president, referring to NATO as a “paper tiger” and questioning why the U.S. needs to be a part of such an alliance if it is getting nothing out of it. This was received as a slap in the face to other member nations, and a huge breach of trust to those countries that have operated under a mutual understanding of unity for the past 77 years.

The hope is that as Saturn continues to move away from its exact conjunction with Neptune, and Mars moves through and out of the sign of Aries, the more peaceful and harmonious energy of Neptune will be brought to the fore. There is no doubt that damage has already been done to the “alliance” that is NATO, but should cooler heads prevail, something good can perhaps still be salvaged. However, with Uranus set to enter Gemini this month, its disruptive and innovative qualities will express through an Air sign associated with communication, information, and rapid exchange. Whatever emerges from this will look and feel vastly different when we reach the other side.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: THE APRIL ISSUE OF THE MMA MONTHLY TECH REPORT BY WIEBKE HELD WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEK, ON APRIL 21-22. With the NASDAQ starting a new primary and 50-week cycle low as forecasted last issue, this will be a very timely report. This report provides an outlook and strategies not only for the NASDAQ but also for the QQQ ETF, NASDAQ futures, and specific technology stocks, including Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. It also includes CRDs (critical reversal dates) specific to the NASDAQ, based on Wiebke’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is crucial because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets — especially with Pluto already in Aquarius for nearly 20 years and Uranus re-entering Gemini this week, on April 26, 2026, for nearly seven years. If you would like to try a one-month subscription, you can sign up for the March report for only $35 — or save by ordering a three-report or twelve-report subscription.

 NOTE 2: SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NEW MMA MONTHLY CRYPTO REPORT IS NOW OPEN!!! The first issue was launched on Wednesday, April 8. Each report will feature a cyclical and macro overview by Gianni Di Poce on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and one additional cryptocurrency selected based on current market interest, starting with Cardano. Pouyan Zolfagharnia will then provide a geocosmic overview and explain how it ties into the cycles. Together, they will share strategies for both position and shorter-term trading in cryptocurrencies. CLICK HERE to subscribe to this new report.

Click here for a short AI video on this new Crypto Report.

Note 2A: THE RECORDING OF THE FREE CRYPTO WEBINAR, HELD APRIL 8, IS NOW AVAILABLE!!! Click here to view it on YouTube. Are you new to the crypto world? Do you wonder how to trade cryptos via wallets, futures, or ETFs? These and other topics are covered in this special instructional webinar on the new monthly MMA CRYPTO REPORT (April 8). This FREE WEBINAR will also explain how to use the new monthly crypto report for maximum value. Ray Merriman hosted this webinar, joined by Gianni, Pouyan, and MMA President Wyatt Fellows.

NOTE 3: RECORDINGS TO THE “SPECIAL MMA OPTIONS WEBINAR” WITH DEREK PANAIA, HOSTED BY RAYMOND MERRIMAN AND WYATT FELLOWS, CONDUCTED SUNDAY, APRIL 12, are now available.

 It was an excellent webinar filled with great cycle analysis and trading strategies that are coming into play with this week’s CRD! The webinar lasted 3.5 hours and included many excellent Q&A’s. The cost for the recording is $125. However, it will be offered at no cost to those who are current or new subscribers to the MMA Daily Options Report! To order your recording of the April 12 MMA Options Webinar, click here. To sign up for the MMA Daily Options Report with Derek and Ray, and receive the April 12 webinar for free, click here.

Note: Keep in mind that options trading is speculative. This webinar and the new subscription service that follows are designed for speculators who have a basic understanding of options. For those who do not, MMA offers a recording of Derek’s webinar on option principles, available on its website.

 NOTE 4: LESS THAN ONE MORE MONTH!!! THE MMA 2026 TRADING AND INVESTMENT RETREAT WILL TAKE PLACE MAY 20–24, 2026, AT THE RIKLI BALANCE HOTEL IN BLED, SLOVENIA, OVERLOOKING THE STUNNING LAKE BLED IN THE JULIAN ALPS. This is always an incredible event! And yes, it will be offered online too for those who cannot be in Bled at that time.

 This special four-day retreat will focus on trading strategies for position and short-term traders in 2026. It will cover the unique, research-based MMA methods for identifying primary, half-primary, major, and trading cycles. It will then apply those market-timing techniques (cycles and geocosmic studies) to the current situation in stock markets, Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, currencies, interest rates, and grain markets, with strategies for each on both a short- and intermediate-term basis (one week to 12 months ahead). This retreat will also cover the setup and steps to take for applying MMA’s solar/lunar reversal dates for very short-term aggressive trades in Bitcoin, stock indices, and precious metals.

There will also be special presentations and interactive discussions on current and future world conditions through 2032 that are likely to affect financial markets. These sessions will be led by world-class mundane astrologers Claude Weiss (Switzerland), Christeen Skinner (UK), Christof Niederwieser (Germany), Pouyan Zolfagharnia (UK), and Raymond Merriman (USA). Joining them on MMA timing methodology and trading strategies will be MMTA Director Wiebke Held (Germany) and MMA analysts Wyatt Fellows (USA), Ulric Aspegrén (Switzerland), Gianni Di Poce (USA), and MMA Trading Coach Rita Perea (USA).

Registration is now open. The presentations during this retreat will also be available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person, and recordings (along with PowerPoint slides) will be available immediately after each day’s presentations to all attendees. For the schedule, registration, speaker bios, topic descriptions, hotel information, and the booking code, please click here. Please note that all 45 rooms reserved for MMA at the Rikli Balance Hotel are currently booked. In fact, 48 have now been booked, as the hotel continues to open up new rooms from our waiting list. We have a list of other hotels within walking distance and will continue working with the Rikli Balance Hotel as more rooms are added. If you find that hotel rooms at the Rikli Balance Hotel are filled, you can book a room at another hotel and cancel it within 72 hours of arrival if a room becomes available at the Rikli Balance Hotel (a high probability).

The MMA Annual Investment and Traders’ Retreat is an incredible event! Don’t miss it if you can make it!

NOTE 5: NEW MOVIE OUT ON FINANCIAL ASTROLOGY BY HAYLEY GARRIGUS! Many of the speakers at the MMA Investment Retreat are featured, along with several others in the financial and astrological community. “Starcash”  is a very artistic, creative, informative, and psychologically insightful journey into the world of financial astrology, created by Hayley, a talented young filmmaker in our community — and well worth viewing. The rental cost is $8.88. To view this new movie, go to www.starca.sh.

 NOTE 6: WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED A NEW UPGRADE FOR THE FAR FOR GALACTIC TRADER SOFTWARE PROGRAM!!! We can now do solar/lunar weighted value studies for any market by isolating or omitting any planet that is retrograde! For instance, we can now compare solar/lunar values for any market when Mercury (or Venus, Mars, or any planet) is retrograde or direct, or both. This is important because we have noticed that when Mercury is retrograde, the lunar values for Bitcoin perform differently in many cases than when Mercury is direct. If you don’t own the FAR for the Galactic Trader program, which is key to doing MMA research studies on identifying turning points in any financial market, and wish to know more about it, please click here. The cost is $1895 (end-of-day version) and includes Jeanne Long’s Galactic Trader software, featuring extensive W. D. Gann trading tools that she created.

NOTE 7: RECORDINGS OF MMA’S SPECIAL SIX-WEEK COURSE ON “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GEOCOSMIC STUDIES FOR FINANCIAL MARKET TIMING” ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!! Led by Gianni Di Poce and supported by Ray Merriman, this course is designed to teach students the basic principles of planets, signs, and aspects (including retrograde and direct stations) as used in MMA’s market-timing methodology — one of its most important tools. The course explains which planets and signs rule the various sectors of the economy and financial markets. In addition, it covers how to use an ephemeris and astrological software (Solar Fire) for important routines such as calculating charts, generating transit “hit lists,” and identifying signs, ingresses, planetary stations, and aspects — the essential cosmic features necessary for determining market reversal periods.

The course is especially useful for those interested in taking the two-year program offered by the Merriman Market Timing Academy or for anyone wishing to deepen their astrological knowledge. The cost for these six introductory lessons, each lasting about two hours, is $300. This is a great opportunity to learn basic astrology from an excellent economic astrologer! Click here to order now!

 NOTE 8: THE JUPITER REPORT — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY! The Jupiter Report is written by Raymond Merriman. It is a 30- to 40-page report that all traders (and even non-traders) will find highly valuable. It identifies the times during the year when Jupiter transits are highlighted in your natal chart and explains the meaning of Jupiter’s transits to your natal planets and angles over a 14-month period (including one month before your order date and one month after the year ends). As an added bonus, each transit is ranked on a scale from –3 to +3 in terms of favorability for trading. Traders may find this especially valuable! Would you like to know if you are under a +3 transit and therefore most likely to experience trading success? Or a –3 transit, with a stronger-than-usual potential for misjudgments that can be costly? The price for a personal 14-month Jupiter Report based on your birth data is $69.

Coming soon! The Saturn Report: Your times for clarity and challenges to be mastered. Due out late summer.

 NOTE 9: THE MMA SOLAR-LUNAR APP OFFERS REVERSAL SIGNALS FOR THE DJIA, NASDAQ, GOLD, AND SILVER. It is an ideal tool to have in your back pocket if you are a short-term swing trader looking for high-probability dates that identify isolated lows and highs in these markets. Please note that this should not be used as a standalone system. It works best as an adjunct tool when cycle lows or highs are due, when a market is in a technically overbought or oversold condition, or when it is exhibiting intermarket bullish or bearish divergence relative to a related market. The app is currently available only on Apple devices (iPhone and iPad). To learn more about the MMA app, click here. To order, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 NOTE 10: THE NEW AUDIOBOOK OF EVOLUTIONARY ASTROLOGY: THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL THROUGH STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS, by Raymond Merriman, written in 1993, is now available! It is narrated by Thomas Miller, who has a great voice and also broadcasts MMA’s free weekly column. The first edition of Evolutionary Astrology, originally published in 1977, introduced this remarkable subject to the astrological community, where it has since become one of astrology’s major branches of study. Get ready to listen to the original work on Evolutionary Astrology that brought a spiritual perspective to the study of astrology from the late 1970s through today. To order the book (hardcover or eBook) or the audio recording, please click here.

NOTE 11: For a look at MMA’s newest advances in AI, click here. There are new short videos available now — click here.

EVENTS

 MAY 20–24, 2026: MMA’S NEXT INVESTMENT RETREAT, LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA.

Registration is now open. The presentations will also be available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. The theme of this event will focus on market timing and trading, including how to calculate and use solar/lunar reversal cycles. But there will also be coverage of longer-term cycles, with strategies for all! It’s going to be great!

JUNE 21, 2026: MMA’S ANNUAL MID-YEAR MARKETS UPDATE WEBINAR. Save the date! Details for signing up will be released soon.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026: A UAC PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ON FINANCIAL ASTROLOGY BY RAYMOND MERRIMAN, 1:00–5:00 PM. This workshop will take place at the United Astrology Congress (UAC), the largest astrological conference in the world, which is held every four to eight years. More than 150 world-class astrologers will be presenting, and over 1500 attendees will be present. The conference will be held at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel. In addition to the workshop, Ray will present another lecture during the six-day event, on mundane astrology, titled “What Is Happening in the World from an Astrological Viewpoint,” on September 5. For more information, visit www.uacastrology.com.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose:

 The purpose of this column is not to forecast 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 of educating the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they occur. In this regard, this report will often cite what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week and discuss those movements 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, month, or even years, and the author’s understanding of how these signatures may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycle analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and 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 to the psychological climate we are in from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) news events and their potential effect on financial markets.

 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 of this column assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s trading or investment decisions. Readers of this report should understand that commodity futures and options trading are considered high risk.