Supply Concerns Keep Crude on the Move
Crude Oil – Crude Oil continues to climb this morning on news that Mexican production in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to drop by 600,000 barrels a day due to a storm. Friday, gunmen kidnapped oil workers in oil-rich Nigeria – the second attack in less than a week. Traders are genuinely concerned about supply for the first time in a long time due to the sharp drop in weekly Crude Oil inventories and a suggestion that OPEC isn't making good on its pledge to increase output by 500,000 barrels a day beginning in November. Geopolitical tensions remain unchanged, with Turkey continuing to battle Kurdish rebels and Iran thumbing their nose at the rest of the world with regards to the country's controversial nuclear program. Crude Oil continues to follow through on the bullish flag pattern confirmed on Thursday. The market is giving overbought readings on the RSI and stochastic indicators, but this has done little to slow the market given all of the outside fundamental factors. Momentum is climbing and showing bullish divergence from RSI, suggesting this rally may not be short-lived. Support comes in at 88.50 and 85.00, while resistance may be found at 95.00 and 97.50.
S&P – Index futures are higher again this morning on expectations that corporate earnings will remain strong. The focus has been the booming tech sector and petroleum companies, who figure to benefit from rising Crude Oil prices. Traders are looking to the Fed to slash interest rates on Wednesday, with the focus on how much – not if – the central bank will lower rates. The market shrugged off very disappointing economic data last week with the thinking that earnings will remain strong through early next year, at which time the interest rate cuts should make their way through the economy. The December e-mini S&P is trading just below the key psychological 1550.00 mark, and a solid close above the level could bring more buyers into the market. A close above1550.00 would also push the market above all major moving averages for the first time in over two weeks. Momentum is showing bearish divergence from RSI, which suggests that the recent rally may begin to fade. Support comes in at 1525.00 and 1500.00, while resistance can be found at 1550.00 and 1573.50.
Bonds – Bond futures are slightly lower in quiet trading this morning, as traders await Wednesday's Fed decision. Bond traders have been optimistic about the upcoming FOMC meeting, with many now expecting a half point cut. The reason for this optimism is that the FOMC has been seen as very consumer conscious, and housing has clearly been on the Board's mind. This type of thinking could be setting fixed income traders up for a letdown, with the central bank likely sticking to quarter point cuts to stave off inflation. A half point cut may be too much for Bond traders as well, as the Dollar would likely plummet, which would decrease demand for USD-denominated investments, including treasuries. December Bonds failed to advance beyond early September highs and the market remains overbought, even after a third consecutive negative session. Momentum has been flat to lower and has been moving in lockstep with the RSI indicator. The market has found some support in early trading at the 9-day moving average. Support comes in at 112-10 and 111-13, while resistance comes in at 113-20 and 114-05.
Rob Kurzatkowski, Commodity Analyst
