REVIEW
A week’s long rally in stocks and government bonds has shown no signs of slowing down. The Dow rose for the fifth consecutive week, its longest winning streak since 2021. The S&P 500 jumped to its highest closing level since March 2022 after setting a new yearly high on Thursday. Je Wallace and Gunjan Bonerji, “Dow Finishes Above 36,000 After Notching 2023 High,” Wall Street Journal Online, December 1, 2023.
Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percentage point over the past month, the largest four-week decline since late 2022. Home prices, meanwhile, have continued to rise to record levels. Gina Heeb, “Mortgage Rates Fall Five Weeks in Row,” Wall Street Journal, December 2023.
The red-hot U.S. stock market continues to be… well, red-hot since the 50-week cycle low on October 27. With Mars (the red planet associated with heat and hot) and the Sun (which is really hot), both in the fire sign of Sagittarius, there has been nothing to hold back this surge to new yearly highs and possibly even to new all-time highs soon. Mercury has also been in Sagittarius, but the planet of commerce and thinking moves into the Capricorn now, the sign of the skeptic and cold, hard truth. There might be some critical thinking this weekend, reassessing the latest bull run and how long it might last.
Not all U.S. markets made new yearly highs last week. Despite the S&P 500 cash making a new closing high, the S&P futures (and cash) remained below their yearly intraday peak from July 27 when Venus was turning retrograde. That was followed by the steepest decline of the year over the ensuing three months.
Strong rallies to new multi-month highs were also posted in the German DAX and Netherlands AEX indices. In Asia and elsewhere, the Indian NIFTY index made a new all-time high, and the Bovespa in Brazil is close. But China and Hong Kong went in the opposite direction, with the Hang Seng falling to a new yearly low. Not that long ago, everyone was touting the growth opportunities in the Far East. But it’s back to the USA now.
Stock markets weren’t the only financials on fire. Gold surged to a new all-time high on its highest volume contract (February). It soared to 2095.70 on Friday. The December contract fell a little short with a high of 2073.50. Silver rallied to 25.94, its highest level since May. Bitcoin tested 39,000, a mark not seen since May 2022. Crude Oil, however, continued to lag near the lows of a congestion zone between 72.00-79.00.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS AND LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
But as Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale, points out, what America really needs from Harvard is clear thinking. “If colleges abandon their final cause, which is truth, their formal cause, which is civil discourse, soon breaks down into bullying, canceling, and extortion,” Mr. Arnn says. “That disaster has struck colleges deeply, and now it spreads into the society. We become unable to distinguish the murderers from the defenders of children.” William McGurn, “Harvard’s Hamas Confusion,” Wall Street Journal, Nov 28, 2023.
By 2025, the strain of running a war may start to catch up with Mr. Putin. Russians may increasingly resent the forced mobilisations, inflation and diversion of social spending to the army. Yet simply hoping that his regime collapses makes no sense. He could remain in power for years and if he does, he will threaten war because that is his excuse for domestic repression and his own people’s suffering. He has blighted his country’s prospects by isolating it from Europe and driving its most enterprising people into exile. Without war, the hollowness of his rule would be on full display. – “Putin Seems to be Winning the War in Ukraine—For Now,” The Economist, November 30, 2023.
The German tabloid “Bild” said the quiet part out loud. President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, plan to force Ukraine into peace talks next year by denying it the weapons needed to win. This creates a dilemma for those who know that Ukraine’s fate matters deeply to the U.S. but who can also see that Team Biden is more interested in avoiding confrontation with Russia than in defeating it. To oppose aid to Ukraine is to ensure a Russian victory, but funding Mr. Biden’s approach will do little to prevent one—and will further erode public support for America’s global engagement. Walter Russell Mead, “How to Avoid Defeat in Ukraine,” Wall Street Journal, November 27, 2023.
Last week’s comments on markets bear repeating: “The Sun is now in the optimistic (and sometimes overly optimistic) sign of Sagittarius as of November 22. As expected, equity prices moved higher. Mercury and Mars are also in Sagittarius, supporting the bullish influence of global and U.S. equity markets. But that will begin to shift when Mercury ingresses into the more skeptical sign of Capricorn, December 1-23. Along the way, Mercury will turn retrograde on December 13, lasting through January 1, which indicates end-of-the-year trading may be “tricky.” So far, so good.
There are other geocosmic signatures arising this week that may lead to a correction of the trend (but not a reversal of the primary trend). On Sunday, December 3, Venus (money and credit) will square Pluto (debt) one day before Venus (credit and money) enters Scorpio (ruled by Pluto and thus the sign of debt). This could also signal a reversal in markets ruled by Venus and Pluto, such as Soybeans, Treasuries, and Currencies. On a personal level, Venus rules love, partnerships, and relationships. In a square aspect to Pluto, moving into Scorpio, uncomfortable situations may arise where one party may try to exit from a deal and not be forthright with the other over the matter. It may be the end of the party if hidden agendas are revealed.
Then there is the issue of Neptune turning direct on December 6 next week. Now, the secret and hidden agendas are out, but then comes another cover-up. This week is a challenge for honesty and truth. In terms of market psychology, it may be one of those “buy the rumor, sell the facts” (or vice-versa) issues driving prices. Be careful of rumors or deceptive behavior and get the facts and truth. In terms of market behavior, watch Crude Oil for reversals. This atmosphere of uncertainty or wishful thinking may persist into December 21. In fact, market prices may act confused and uncertain as the Sun will also square Neptune on December 17, right after Mercury turns retrograde on December 13. The Trickster could be in all its glory with Neptune so prominent, too. When Mercury and Neptune are highlighted close together, fact-checkers will be called upon to work overtime. Truth and accuracy are at a premium and hard to find. It may be fine for fun and jollity as the holiday approaches, but promises or agreements made during this period are not to be taken too seriously. Choose fun and jollity and avoid situations that may compromise your integrity.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: ONE MORE WEEK! MMA PRESENTS A SPECIAL “OPTIONS” WEBINAR WORKSHOP, December 10, 12:00 – 3:00 PM< EST, with Derek Panaia, and an intro by Raymond Merriman. The cost will be $250, and registration will close after Friday, December 8. Registration for this workshop is now open. Click here for more information and registration.
This webinar/workshop will be a primer on the following topics:
- How to use MMA Market Timing Methods to identify optimal time bands for initiating option trades
- Long calls and puts
- Bull spreads and bear spreads using options to minimize risk exposure at MMA reversals zones that are in time bands for possible primary cycle crests and troughs.
- Importance of Delta in choosing which strike prices to initiate option trades
- Strategies
Derek Pania is a veteran options trader. He is also an MMTA3 student who is also very familiar with using MMA market timing tools including CRDs (critical reversal dates) and cycles methodology, combined with price target objectives and technical overbought/oversold indicators. Options trading is considered high risk and all those attending must understanding that there is risk of losing the entire cost of an options or a spreads, and if shorting options, the risk can be unlimited. The course will only present strategies with risk limited to the cost of the options involved in the strategy, unless otherwise stated.
Option strategies to be discussed will be in the S&P futures and two other markets that appear to be setting up for a favorable trade at the time of the presentations, which may include Gold and Crude Oil. The distinction will be made using options on ETFs versus futures.
Note 2: Great News! Thanks to the genius of Thomas Miller, an Abridged Edition of Forecast 2024 will be available in an audio format this year – maybe as early as next week! This shortened MP4 audio edition, narrated by Thomas Miller, will include the first nine chapters on the Mundane Astrological outlook for the year (and the next eight years) based on the long-term planetary cycles and their historical themes over the past several centuries. This will include “The New Aira,” The “Aries Vortex,” Cycles of War and Renaissance, Living in “The New Aira,” The World and National Economy, and The U.S. Presidential Election in 2024. Original and special studies conducted on the history of the major aspects in 2024 related to the election outcome are given. The audiobook will also include the retrograde time bands of Mercury, and Mars and their importance in 2024.
Offering the Forecast 2024 Audiobook at a very affordable price is something new for MMA, and an excellent choice for those who enjoy listening to books while driving, walking, or working out. The cost of the Forecast 2024 Audiobook is $29.99. If you already pre-ordered the print or eBook edition of Forecast 2024, check your inbox, as you will receive a special coupon code to SAVE $10 on the Forecast 2024 Audiobook. The audiobook will be ready before the print edition (before December 15). For more information or ordering, please click here.
NOTE 3: THE ANNUAL FORECAST 2024 BOOK BEING PRINTED NOW AND EXPECTED TO BE SENT OUT De ember Order now by clicking here.
Why order now? Because the mailing house needs addresses by December 8 for books they will mail. Any order received after Dec 8 will not be mailed until we receive the remaining copies from the mailing house, which will not be before December 20. By ordering now, you will get the first ailing that goes out, probably 1-2 weeks before the second.
This will be the 48th year of publishing this popular annual astrological almanac by Raymond Merriman. This book is 200 pages and provides projections of the major social, political, mundane, and economic issues of the next year as seen through the lens of rhythmic and planetary cycle studies. This is critical at this time because 1) we are approaching the Aries Vortex in 2025-2026, which itself is the middle of the “New Aira” period of 2020-2032, and 2) the U.S. presidential election is taking place in 2024. This year’s book gives an in-depth view of this election. In addition to analysis of mundane cycles, this book also provides our outlook on the Stock Market, Gold, Silver, Copper, Bitcoin, Currencies, Crude Oil, Treasuries and Interest rates, and Grain markets. The back section contains an ephemeris and geocosmic calendar outlining planetary aspects and lunar ingresses in effect every day of every month from January 2024 through March 2025.
The retail price of the Forecast 2024 printed edition is $66, and the eBook is $55. The print edition is limited based on the number of pre-orders received by December 1. When they sell out, they are gone. There are no reprints. This book has sold out in six of the last eight years, so order now and make sure you receive your copy of Forecast 2024!
MMA will also offer a special “bundle” discount rate for those who wish to order both the eBook and print editions of Forecast 2024. The eBook usually comes out 1-2 weeks before the print edition, and avoids delays caused by the postal system, especially if overseas. Yet many readers prefer the print edition, so ordering both via the Forecast 2024 Bundle makes sense. You will receive the eBook on December 15th, and your Print copy will be mailed mid-December. The cost of the bundle is $86.00, which is a savings of $35.00.
This year’s printed and eBook versions will also be available in these languages:
German: www.mma-europe.ch/ or email at info@mma-europe.ch
Japanese: https://www.toushinippou.co.jp/
Chinese: www.nodoor.com/
For more information on this year’s Forecast Book, please view our recent YouTube Video Interview with Ray and Alie at the Merriman Market Analyst YouTube channel, or by clicking here.
We created an updated list of our most common Forecast FAQs to help this Forecast season.
The Forecast 2023 Scorecard of the Forecast 2023 Book can now be viewed by clicking here.
NOTE 4: THE MMA WEEKLY YouTube show, Geocosmic Week in Review and Look Ahead, with Gianni Di Poce, is now conducted on Wednesday evenings! Each 5-15 minute FREE episode reviews the market activity of the past week and offers a preview of the geocosmic signatures in effect for the next week and beyond. You may subscribe to MMA’s YouTube Channel today at no cost and get alerted when a new weekly episode is released!
NOTE 5: MMA’S FREE WEEKLY COLUMN IS NOW ON SPOTIFY, APPLE, AND AMAZON PODCAST! Now you can listen to a podcast of this weekly column by Thomas Miller on Saturdays! Just follow Merriman Market Analyst on Spotify or Apple to listen to all our episodes. New Podcast episodes will be released every weekend. This is a FREE service and is available to everyone. Checkout out our Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and Apple Music. It makes for great listening!
NOTE 6: MMA’S Daily and Weekly Subscription services have been very hot, especially with stock, metals, and Bitcoin over the past several weeks. For instance, these reports have been long Gold since the lows of October 6 (below $1840), stocks since right after their low of October 27, and Bitcoin for several weeks as well. To order any of these subscription reports, please click here.
EVENTS
December 10, 2023: SPECIAL “INTRODUCTION TO OPTIONS” WORKSHOP. The cost will be $195.00 if registered before December 1, and $250 afterwards. Click here for more information and registration.
January 12, 2024. “Trends for 2024,” sponsored by AstroData of Zurich, Switzerland. Speakers are to be announced shortly, but will include Ray Merriman giving his outlook on 2024. This event is in German, and Merriman’s presentation will be translated from English to German. For further information, contact www.AstroData.com.
February 18, 2024, MMA’s Annual Forecast 2024 World Webinar. Details and reservations will be opened after January 1. Save the Date!
April 20, 2024: “FORECASTS 2024 AND THE APPROCHING ARIES VORTEX,” Nova Southwestern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with Ray Merriman. An in-person event and workshop, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a 90-minute lunch break. Cost $95.00. This event will not be broadcast via Zoom, but recordings will be made available for sale a few days afterwards. For further information and registration, please click here.
September 19-22, 2024: SAVE THE DATES!!! This will be the next MMA Investment Retreat! Negotiations are currently underway to bring this exciting gathering to a destination location in Europe for the first time since 2015. Once the agreement with the hotel is finalized, we will make a formal announcement, but for now… SAVE THE DATES! You won’t want to miss this chance to meet with the top MMA Analysts (and others to be invited) live and hear their strategies for long-term investments and wealth-building ideas using MMA market timing methods. There is nothing quite like a life-altering MMA Investment Retreat!
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 to educate the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they are happening. 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 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 may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycles’ 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 the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the 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.