Soybean Meal completes major chart top
/by Peter BrandtBull trend in the US$ continues to unfold
/by Peter BrandtShort Commodity ETFs — Part 3: The boat is starting to sink
/by Peter BrandtA long-term look at the Japanese Yen charts
/by Peter BrandtGold — a current chart analysis
/by Peter BrandtOh, what a difference a chart makes!
/by Peter BrandtUsing slightly different charts of the same market produces different results.
Those of you who look at my charts on the blog or on Chart.ly might have noticed that I make wide use of nearby continuation charts in the futures markets. These are charts that plot only the nearest delivery contract. When one contract expires, the next contract month is then plotted on the same graph.
Even with the category of “nearby contract” charts there are differences. One approach is to plot the nearby contract until its expiration. Another approach is to follow the contract until first notice date. Yet a third approach is to drop the nearby contract when its volume shrinks below the next closest contract month. I use the third type most often.
Frequently the nearby continuation graph will give a different picture of a market than will the chart of a specific contract month. Take the current situation in Chicago Wheat.
Shown below is the graph of the July Wheat contract. This chart shows that the 10+ month H&S top was completed on June 16.
Yet, the H&S top on the nearby continuation chart has not yet been completed, as seen below.
I follow both types of charts — charts of the specific contract months and nearby continuation charts. It is by far my preference for the nearby chart to breakout first. I am always suspect of a market when a breakout by a specific contract month is not confirmed by the nearby chart. Many of my most profitable trades over the years have come from markets in which the nearby chart led the way.
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The Boston Bruins inverted hockey stick jinx
/by Peter BrandtSome charts I am looking at now – June 16
/by Peter BrandtThere are a few charts that really have my attention right now — although that does not necessarily mean I have a position or will enter a position in these markets. It does mean that I have a position or am looking at strategies to establish a position in these markets.
First, Crude Oil. I have commented several times in recent weeks via this blog or on Chart.ly on the recent consolidation zone. It now appears as though a descending triangle is being completed. Look for confirmation, but be aware that a bear trap could also occur. This is one of those patterns that could provide a head fake to the downside but provide big profits on the upside. But for now, I am short in my proprietary account with relatively tight stops.
Next, I will focus on one of the best potential chart set ups I have seen in a year or so — Natural Gas. The January 2012 contract displays a classic H&S bottom on both the daily and weekly charts. A major bottom is being constructed in this market. I am sure I will comment many times on this pattern and the trading implications in futures and ETFs. [Note: Dan Chesler, an excellent energy market analyst, brought this chart to my attention. Dan’s web site is www.chesler.us]
Next, Copper. I have been bearish on this chart for weeks, but the market is making it hard for position traders who sell weakness. Yet, the market is rolling over. What appeared to be a bear flag has now turned into an awkward 5-week continuation H&S pattern. If the trend has really turned down prices could easily drop $1 per pound in two months.
Next, Soybean Oil. I have had an upward bias in this market based on a possible continuation inverted H&S pattern. However, a sharp drop would complete a H&S failure sell signal. Also, the closing price chart (and I am paying more attention to closing price charts because of increased market “noise”) has completed a symmetrical triangle top. I am presently short Bean Oil, but I will remain flexible.
Next, July Chicago Wheat. If there ever was a H&S top pattern for the books, this is it. The problem is that H&S tops are supposed to occur after a large move up (i.e., tops are supposed to reverse a previous trend). This pattern does not qualify for this criteria in that the pattern itself WAS the move up. Nevertheless, this is a facinating chart worthy of following. I may or may not go short Wheat.
Next, July Silver. This market is in a major bear trend. The daily chart completed a H&S failure pattern on June 13 when the June 3 low was penetrated. I want to make a MAJOR point here, folks. I trade based on set-ups, knowing that 60% of my set-ups will fail over an extended period of time (over shorter time frames in the past, up to 80% of my signals have failed to produce profitable trades). I comment on set-ups, not on market opinions.
Finally, DYY (the ultra long commodity ETF). I am engaged in a short-selling campaign in this ETF. See previous posts here and here. I will pursue the strategy I have already disclosed. I am short two layers of DYY and will short a third layer if the H&S top is completed.
That’s all for now, folks.
Symbols related to this post: $ZW_F $DYY $NG_F $ZL_F $SI_F $SLV $CL_F $DJP $SIVR $GAZ $DBA $UNG
Disclaimer: I am a pure chartist. I do not trade based on fundamental or macro-economic factors.
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