How to Trade Oil Profitably in the Current World Situation

At the moment, the oil market appears to be in something of a state of turmoil.  There are certain forces at play that will push prices up for the foreseeable future; yet recent events have created a situation that could have a dampening effect on prices, at least in the short to medium term.

Market Analysis

On the demand side, large economies, such as India and China, are still growing strongly.  If this trend continues, it will ensure constant growth in the demand for oil in the short to medium term.  On the other hand, economic activity in many important Western economies is still lacklustre.  Despite several predictions of an imminent upturn, the US and UK economies have not lived up to expectations, which will, to a large extent, keep demand for oil in check.  The upcoming summer months in the northern hemisphere will also act to keep demand for oil within reasonable limits during that period.

A number of countries have suffered crippling natural disasters in the past few months.  The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan was no doubt the worst of these and has now raised fears of a recession in one of the world’s biggest economies.  Once the focus shifts from immediate need to rebuilding, the construction industry in Japan will no doubt receive a huge boost.  This will, in turn, lead to stronger demand for various imported commodities and stimulate economic activity, and the demand for oil will increase.

The latest unrest in various oil producing countries of the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region has created fear of disruption to the oil supplies.  This situation has been exacerbated by recent developments in Libya, where a civil war could potentially break out after military intervention by Western powers.  This will lead to further upward pressure on the price of oil.

Something else that has to be taken into account is that the threat of a nuclear disaster in Japan has made many nuclear powers rethink their approach towards this form of energy.  Germany, for example, has already decided to close several of its older nuclear power stations.

Since nuclear energy is an alternative to oil, any development that curtails the supply of this alternative energy source will, in the long run, act to stimulate the demand for oil and push the price up even further.

What we will probably see in the short to medium term therefore, is a temporary lull in the demand for oil.  In the medium to long term, everything points to higher oil prices and it would not be surprising to see new record prices within the next two years.

Technical Analysis

Technical analysis of the situation seems to confirm the foregoing conclusions.  The market was in a strong bull run before the earthquake in Japan on 11^th March 2011, but since then there has been a significant price correction, because many traders feared an imminent recession in Japan.  The market reached a low on the 15^th of March, with Brent Oil closing at 108.28 – see fig. 3.21.

At its lowest level, the price moved marginally below the Kijun Sen (the blue line) on the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo, but rebounded sharply from there and right now it is trading above both the blue line (Kijun Sen) and the shorter-term average, the Tenkan Sen (the red line).

Trading the Current Oil Market

The Ichimoku Kinko Hyo currently indicates a clear bull market.  The Chinkou Span (the green line) is above the price of 21 days ago; the price is well above the cloud and also above both the blue and red lines of the Kijun Sen and Tenkan Sen.

A possible trading strategy is therefore to buy Brent with a stop loss placed at the red Tenkan Sen line.  Along with the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo, this line always acts as your first level of support.  Once the price breaks through the blue Kijun Sen, a long position is no longer advised.

The first resistance level is at 118.47, which was reached on 7^th March.  Once the price breaks through that level, watch out for 119.40, a previous high that was reached on 24^th February.  If the price breaks through this level, new highs are very possible.

As long as the price is above the cloud of the Ichimoku Hyo, medium term short trades cannot be advised.  This does not mean, however, that an astute day trader cannot make money from short-term corrections in the price.  In this instance, figure 3.21 should be redrawn using an hourly or even shorter-term chart.  The same rule applies when the price is trading above the cloud; take in a long-term position.  When it is in the cloud, stay out of the market and when it trades below the cloud, it is time to go short. 

The contents of this report are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation to trade.  InterTrader  do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the above or for the correctness or accuracy of the information provided.

market review from LS Trader

Stocks

The S&P 500 reached new 2 year highs at 1224.5 on Tuesday but then moved lower from there, back below the 1200 level and closing the week at 1195.4 and may yet fall further to support at 1167.

The European indexes held up better than the US markets and Friday saw some late buying on the Germax Dax, with the Dax ending higher having been sharply lower earlier in the day. The Asian markets also showed weakness having also been higher earlier in the week.

The stock indexes remain in a long term uptrend and are all above support.

The stock markets continue to be bullish and the long term trend remains up almost across the board for indexes.

Volatility Index (VIX)

It's been a fairly strong week for the VIX, which has once again continued higher from the 17.90 support area and ended with a weekly gain of 12.87%. The next upside target is around the 24.50 area and it remains to be seen over the coming weeks as to whether 17.90 was a significant bottom.

Commodities

Last week we wrote that we were looking for $1400 early in the week as well as the market closing above that level in order to be able to push on. We got a move above $1400 on Monday and a new all time high at $1424.3 on Wednesday and the market managed 2 daily close above $1400. On the weekly chart we did not get the close above $1400 and saw a very steep sell off on Friday of almost $53. In spite of this move the long term trend is still very much up and the market remains above support.

Sugar had a very volatile week having reached a new 30 year high on Thursday but then made the steepest 2 day sell off in 30 years, falling through short term support. Cotton was also lower as were most of the commodities. Overall the long term trend remains up for virtually every commodity market.

Currencies

The US dollar has had a good week with the Dollar Index pushing up to test resistance at the high of the bearish engulfing pattern formed on the 21st October, which is also at a resistance point that has held for over 5 weeks. Friday saw a doji pattern which points to indecision at this level. Due to the market's proximity to this level we will likely see a breakout or a reversal on Monday. If this level can be cleared then we will likely see a move higher towards 80.

The British Pound held up better than most of the majors and buying is entering the market on any falls to around the $1.60 level at present. The Pound also continued the recent revival against the Yen, showing some short term strength in reaching new 6 week highs. The long term trend remains down against the Yen but up against the dollar.

Interest rate futures

Interest rate futures sold off during the past week with the longer term 30 year T Bonds being the most heavily sold, taking the market through support. This has been the weaker link in the interest rate futures sector but the trend overall in the sector remains up.

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Kind Regards

Robert Stewart & Phil Seaton
The LS Trader Team

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