CRUDE to bounce too!Been a while since crude futures were reviewed, and since the last post, crude categorically dropped... but it maintained a decent range between 70-80/82. The thing about crude now is that it appears to be coiling and is starting to show signs of a break out.
Here is how I see it... the candlestick pattern (especially in the Daily chart, not shown here) is bullish, at least leaning towards bullishness. The MACD is aligning up, and the VolDiv is tapering but not crossed over yet. The MACD is forming that not so subtle anymore bullish divergence. Also noted that the TD Sequential is still in bullish primary trend mode (not shown here).
Now, to qualify a good break out, we need to set some parameters. 82 is the break out resistance level (green line) and this is about half of the range since August 2022. Coincidentally (or not), the 23EMA is at 81, and the weekly price needs to close above 81. And a really good break out (out of the yello box range) above 94 would be seriously bullish, although that might mean the Ukr-Russ conflict might have escalated.
Sidenote that the USD in a choke-hold and depreciating would help Crude rally up more.
Alternatively, a 23EMA failure, MACD cross under can happen as the VolDiv accelerates further into bearish territory. a close below 72 would favour the bear case.
Given the longer term view, it appears Crude is ready for a (surprise) bounce, and is likely to revisit the last low in December 2022, probably May-July 2023. While this is not obvious in the weekly chart, the Monthly chart TD Sequential indicates, so heads up.
XLE
OXY Oops... Previously, posted about the head and shoulders (potential) breakdown of OXY, based on the technicals. Thereafter, there was a weak attempt to recover above the 23EMA, and it faked out. Yes, for a couple of weeks, it did look like a wrong analysis, wrong call, etc. BUT the point is not about being right nor wrong, but being able to read and read it well. For this case, a bearish pattern failure is not a bullish sign. I think we need to establish this as a baseline in our psychology. A bearish pattern failure (seemingly so), in this case was an extension or delay only to show the true colours/commitment. Here, we can see that the bulls failed miserably. A failed weekly breakout, a gap down and break down of the 23EMA, a failed attempt to recover bullish grough above the 23EMA, another 23EMA failure and followed by a recent weekly low close; all with the indicators already pointing to bearishness or at least weakness since the start of 2023.
The yellow dotted vertical line is the confirmation point IMHO.
Target downside, if this continues is between 40-45, where we can look forward to some consolidation and recovery pattern(s).
Notwithstanding, a major war escalation and the likes might trigger an immediate reversal. But that's another story...
For the record, I am actually keen to accumulate OXY, but not now clearly. Not shorting it too as it is counter my initial objective of monitoring this.
$XOM: Strong uptrendNice setup here in $XOM, new 52 week highs on higher than average volume with a Time@Mode trend signal confirmation this week. Monthly and yearly trends are up, overall oil stocks could continue being the best prospect with a potential rebound in inflation figures coming next, Russia 'cutting' production (likely forced to do so by the effect of crippling sanctions) and China reopening boosting aviation fuel demand, while the economy possibly dodges a recession, and business investment goes back to pre-pandemic trend levels, among other factors. The latest State of the Union speech has likely contributed to weakness in US Treasury bonds, and coupled with NFP might have triggered rotation back into value/energy from growth names ahead of CPI data.
All in all, low risk to follow this development and be positioned in value stocks and particularly energy for the coming months (and likely years).
Best of luck!
Cheers,
Ivan Labrie.
Relative Strength analysis of Sectors relative to Broader MarketRelative Strength analysis of Sectors relative to Broader Market
One of the fastest way to look for relative strength is to see how different sectors are performing relative to the broader equity markets.
I have recorded this 20 seconds video, and it gives a clear answer right now only energy and tech are performing
Natural Gas looks interestingTake a look at this Nat Gas chart. It looks poised for a rotation of capital to come out of the SPY and buy it at these depressed levels.
Natural Gas: The Widow MakerNatural Gas is on pace for it greatest & fastest fall in price history.
Nat Gas is hitting technical support in one of the most oversold conditions ever.
We discuss some Nat Gas cycle history that may be useful in knowing how to trade Nat Gas.
Oil is screaming...what should we be aware of?Oil the leading energy commodity is signaling negative price action.
An MTop Formation is on watch. If we get a weekly close below $70 it triggers the Topping formation and sways the probabilities in favor's for more downside action.
This large time frame pattern has a potential to go down to $20...I know, I can barely believe it myself.
A clear weekly reversal rejection has been observed off a key resistance. Downward momentum is in play.
Next potential but level im watching is $65/$66 as oil will have technical support bounces.
XLE - the bigger short It's a controversial call to say energy prices are going to drop dramatically into next year but this is what the XLE chart is showing.
We're at a double top with monthly bearish RSI divergence, and the same structural trendline where it fell last time. My guess is it could get back down to 50. If it's a C leg it could happen faster than most would expect. 50 area would be a confluence of support - channel trendline and horizontal trendline, also IF a C leg comes, 50 is about 1.618 fib extension from the A leg.
This idea is invalid if XLE can hold above 102 on a monthly close. Good luck!
SPDR Select Sector Fund looking great for upside to $120Perfect Cup and Handle has formed with XLE.
We just need to wait for the crucial breakout and close above the brim level.
With moving averages, all is looking great with 7>21>200 - Green - Bullish
RSI - Buy divergence >50 - Bullish
Target 1 $120.00
GENERAL INFO:
The SPDR Select Sector Fund is a series of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are managed by State Street Global Advisors.
It is designed to track the performance of specific sectors of the S&P 500 index. There are 22 different funds covering sectors like Energy, Financials, Health Care, and Technology.
This is available as it's a cost-efficient way for investors to gain exposure to specific sectors of the market, without buying individual stocks.
This fund also gives an indication on the sentiment in general markets. Which looking at this analysis it's bullish and we can expect the markets to continue up in February. Fantastic!
$VLO daily bear flag VLO reports earnings later this month. I have a decent long position in this name, but for a day trade or swing Idea, I like longs over 128 and puts under 124.4
I personally believe what worked in 2022 won't in 2023, so oil names may not be as safe of a hiding place for big funds this new year.
XLE: A ZONE TO WATCH IN THE ENERGY SECTORSince October of 2022 we have seen an interesting zone form in the SPDR Energy Sector ETF. This zone is marked by the yellow rectangle in the chart. We noted four support bounces in this zone, a breakthrough of the zone, and two rejection bounces. This support/resistance zone is one to watch over the coming weeks. A rally into the yellow zone is one to watch closely for a potential rejection.






















