Despite my vacation we still want to keep up with the financial markets. So as usual we'll start with Raymond Merriman and his financial astrology. Ray's financial forecasting analysis also including market cycles, economy, and even the political climate. He also uses cycles analysis with his financial astrology for equities, bonds, currencies and commodities - for commentaries that are always fascinating. His paid subscription services are more precise in terms of predictions; but, that's fair of course! These weekly free preview comments are more intended to be general commentaries although they can often provide illumination or perspective on what's happening. Here's Ray Merriman's set of public preview comments for the upcoming week, from his site at Merriman Market Analyst MMACycles Weekly Preview Comments:
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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning January 10, 2011
Written by Raymond Merriman
Review and Preview
The “Asset Inflation Express” keeps rolling along. But now it has taken a side track decidedly in favor of equities. This is not so surprising, given the vote by the USA Congress to NOT raise taxes at the end of last year. Although by itself this is not a stimulus as many believe (only a lowering of taxes would accomplish that), it is a positive “animal spirit” added to the economy because it finally removes the uncertainty about raising taxes that has repressed economic growth and hiring since 2008. The business community can now act with more confidence about the future because they know they can now make a workable business plan (i.e. budget) for the next two years. In turn, that encourages investors to invest again in companies (stocks) that can grow due to an expanding economy, rather than in commodities that protect (and grow one’s investment) against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty.
Furthermore, this confidence in the economy is consistent with the transit of Jupiter through the signs Pisces and Aries. As explained in detail in the Forecast 2010 and 2011 books, this is the time when stock prices soar. The stock market is a leading economic indicator, so when it goes up, it usually means that there is a strong conviction amongst investors that economic conditions are in the process of improving.
Last week, stock markets around the world did indeed go higher. Many soared to their highest level in over 2 years, including U.S., Argentina, and several European stock indices (i.e. German DAX, London FTSE, and Amsterdam’s AEX). At the same time, Gold, Silver, and Crude Oil fell rather sharply, which is understandable when investors see the prospect of tax stability combined with signs of economic growth, and the continuance of historically low interest rates. Stocks have more upside potential in this type of inflationary environment.
All in all, it is a good beginning to a new year. The question is: how long will it last? The very positive Jupiter-Uranus conjunction took place last Tuesday, January 4, along with a solar eclipse. Interestingly enough, the high in many of these stock indices was the day after, January 5. Jupiter-Uranus is one of the most consistent and powerful geocosmic correlates to primary cycles in stocks within an orb of 11 trading days. Of course, the closer to the exact date, the better. So we will watch and see if this is just a temporary correction, or the start of something more ominous, in both stocks and precious metals. My guess is that any decline is just temporary in regards to stocks, and if correct, we could see another powerful advance once it is over. After all, the “Asset Inflation Express” isn’t due to end as long as Jupiter remains in Pisces and Aries, along with Uranus doing the same. But longer-term, Uranus in Aries (2011-2018) may be an accident waiting to happen, due to carelessness, arrogance, miscalculation, and over-speculation.
Short-Term Geocosmics
We are still in the 11-day time band surrounding the 14-year Jupiter-Uranus conjunction of January 4, when stock markets tend to make important highs or lows, and then reverse substantially. It is obvious that if it is to work this time, it will be from a high.
On the other hand, Venus has just ingressed from Scorpio into Sagittarius on January 7, where it will remain until February 4. Since Venus rules net worth and assets like stocks, and since Sagittarius is expansive, this dynamic would lend itself to even higher equity prices. That doesn’t mean there won’t be corrective declines along the way, but it suggests the trend will be more up than down. That could be supported by Mars and the Sun forming a harmonious sextile to Jupiter on January 13 and 17 respectively.
Longer-Term Thoughts
“Mr. Geithner said that with the current debt level of $13.95 trillion, the U.S. could hit the $14.3 trillion limit (the current debt ceiling approved by Congress in February 2010) as soon as March 31, but more likely at some point before May 16. He called for lawmakers to raise the ceiling to an unspecified level by the end of March.” – Wall Street Journal, Friday, January 7, 2010.
The decision by Congress and the White House to not raise taxes is being greeted by many as equivalent to another economic stimulus. However, this is not true because it doesn’t really add any money into the hands of the populace. All it does is remove the specter of the government taking money out of the hands of some individuals (i.e. the wealthy) and using it to create and support programs that benefit those in need (well, that is the intention anyway, but the reality as to where most of that money goes is usually and unfortunately very different).
Nevertheless, the decision is greeted with relief because it now creates more certainty amongst businesses – especially small businesses – which now feel a little more secure about hiring without the fear of losing more monies through the myriad of tax increases that were being proposed over the past two years. More people being hired, and more people getting wage increases will stimulate consumer spending, which will lead to more hiring and even higher wages - at least for two years. But in what must be considered one of the most stupefying moves ever, Congress decided to make the tax vote valid only until the end of 2012. In other words, the very issue that polarized this nation so greatly, gave rise to the tea party rebellion, and was probably the most direct correlation to the stagnant economy of the world over the past two years, will come back for its sequel in 2012. It will be just in time for the election of 2012. What was the White House thinking by making this a 2012 campaign issue? How can you unify a country by resurrecting the very issue that nearly tore it apart in 2010? You can’t and you won’t, and now that will be one of the top stories of Uranus square Pluto, 2012-2015.
So let’s enjoy the temporary break and economic boost while it last. But be careful of falling into the delusional trap that the nation’s (and even the world’s) debt-related problems are over. After all, there are two steps to rebalancing the budget and resolving the debt crisis: you have to bring in more revenues, which the permanent (er, temporary) tax rates will do for the next two years, and you have to reduce spending so that the outlays are less than the receipts (the amount of money) you bring in. The first step has been done, and the markets exploded to the upside in response, which is good for collective confidence. But unfortunately, it will only be temporary.
And the second step – reducing spending - is far from being agreed upon. In fact, a huge showdown is coming up over the debt ceiling limit, with many Republicans demanding huge spending cuts before they will agree to raise this debt cap.
What happens if they don’t agree to raise the debt limit? According to the Wall Street Journal and Tim Geithner, “… even a short-term default could be ‘catastrophic.’ It would drive up interest rates and push down the stock market and housing prices….” There. They finally said it. Default. The very thing we have been addressing for over two years now, since Pluto went into Capricorn (2008-2023). The three D’s: deficit, debt, and then default. It’s coming to show near you very soon, in fact in March 2011, in Washington D.C. Right in time for the final Jupiter-Pluto square of February 25 and Jupiter-Saturn opposition of March 28.
Well, I do think they will get past it this time. After all, Jupiter and Uranus will be in Aries into early June, and although the “Asset Inflation Express” may need to stop for repairs and refueling, it will probably get back on the tracks and roll again with a full head of steam. But like everything else they have done over the past decade, Congress and the White House are just “kicking the can down the road,” to the Uranus-Pluto square of 2012-2015. That’s when the train may get derailed, unless 1) Congress and the White House makes these tax rates permanent so businesses can actually enact long-term plans that include full time (and not temporary) hiring, and 2) actually start to cut back spending, rebalance the budget, and make progress towards a sensible economic strategy that reduces the national debt. With transiting Pluto in Capricorn also in opposition to the USA Venus and Jupiter conjunction in Cancer (classical bankruptcy aspects, if not careful), their work on this matter will not be easy. It will be difficult to compensate for the last decade’s fiscal irresponsibility that saw the nation’s and world’s debt accelerate sharply. That is also why Gold prices are likely to remain in a bull market for several more years, even though there may be a 15-30% decline along the way. Even delusions have a way of affecting the perception of reality. The problem is that is it is happening too much now with Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in Pisces, the sign of unrealistic hopes, wishes, and fantasies. We need action, not misdirection. Maybe with so many planets entering cardinal (action) signs from late March through early June, we will get it. Well, that’s my Piscean wish.
Announcements
The “Forecasts for 2011 Webcast” with Raymond Merriman will take place on Sunday, January 9, 2011, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM, GMT, or 10:00 AM in Los Angeles). We will take reservations until 5:00 PM, Friday, January 10, and then noon-2:00 PM on Saturday, January 8. Reservations to attend the live broadcast will then be closed. Any requests after that will have to view it on the archives that will be available after Tuesday, January 11. Via the modern technology of Your-Niversity.com, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2011, in the comfort of your own home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. To attend this unique live webcast, register at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2011,-live-webcast-on-january-9,-2011/, or go to (www.mmacycles.com), or drop us an email (ordersmma@msn.com) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. If you can’t make it at the time of the live event, it will be available for viewing for 28 days starting January 11 to those who do reserve. You may also order the presentation in CD or DVD, which will be available about 10 days after the event.
It’s out!!! The Forecast 2011 Book is now out in both printed edition and electronic book edition, via I Pad, the I Phone 4, and as of Friday, on the Amazon Kindle electronic book format too!!! The Amazon Kindle edition is available to anyone anywhere who has a Kindle. Just go to their bookstore and type in “Raymond Merriman” or “Forecast 2011.” It will be available in Spanish as well. It is also available to via ITunes if you have the Apple I Pad or I Phone 4. Both the English and Spanish versions are available to any resident of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, or the United States. If you are not a resident of these countries, you can still order it if you have an email address registered via one of these countries. Just go to ITunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2011” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks).
The hardcover printed version of Forecast 2011 is out in Chinese, Swiss, Dutch, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian versions. We are pleased to announce that that this year’s book may be purchase\d at these websites, and in these languages:
Chinese: at http://www.zzdcycles.com
Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/
Spanish: at www.mmacycles-spanish.com
If you are an active short-term trader, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with short-term trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Swiss Franc, Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Soybeans, Crude Oil, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. In the words of one of our subscribers: “I recently subscribed to your weekly report and am finding it to be excellent and a very useful companion to the MMA Cycles Report. I can't imagine now managing my investments without them.”
As it is the beginning of a New Year, I am oftentimes asked for recommendations of a money manager who uses my methods, since I won’t manage other people’s money. The thing is, almost all money managers I know use their own systems. But many subscribe to my services and share my thoughts about the future of the economy, various financial markets, and how to position one’s portfolio along these lines. One money manager who subscribes to MMA services that I would suggest for those looking to structure a longer-term portfolio, such as a retirement account, is Duke O’Neill of Capstone Capital Wealth Management, Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at dukeoneil1@gmail.com, or 1-(303) 247-0600. For those looking for a professional trader of commodity and futures contract might consider Ted Lee Fisher at ted.fisher@comcast.net. Ted is a legend in financial futures and has a seat on the CME. I would also like to recommend long-term MMA subscriber Erwin Brunner of Zurich, Switzerland. Mr. Brunner is the founder of BrunnerInvest AG. One of his five funds was awarded the “Best in-house fund of funds” in the world recently. Mr. Brunner is a former director of the Swiss Banking Corporation (today it is known as UBS), and a general director of Rothschild Bank in Zurich. As an independent wealth manager for high net worth individuals and institutional clients only, he places his clients into the funds of the best performing fund managers in the world, via his own research and experience. For high net worth readers interested in Mr. Brunner’s funds, you may contact him through www.brunnerinvest.ch.
Upcoming Events:
January 14-15, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland. “Forecasts 2011” symposia featuring top mundane and financial astrologers, plus a one-day workshop on Financial Market Timing with Ray Merriman. The Friday evening symposium begins at 7:00 PM, and features Claude Weiss, Alexandra Klinghammer, Dr. Christoph Schubert-Weller, Verena Bachmann, Monica Kissling, and Raymond Merriman. The cost is 95 CHF. Merriman’s talk will be in English (with German translation), the others in German. The Saturday workshop on “Financial Market Timing and Financial Astrology” will take place from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Hotel Senator. The cost is 330 CHF afterwards (includes lunch). The workshop will be in English. For more details, go to www.mma-europe.ch, or http://www.mma-europe.ch/stage3.asp?pg1=33&pg2=35&pg3=155. Or you may email to christian.wuethrich@astrodata.com, the conference registrar. For English description and schedule, go to http://www.mma-europe.ch/MMA_Event_Jan2011.pdf.
February 6, 2011: Lansing, MI. “Forecasts for 2011” with Raymond Merriman, sponsored by the LCAS. 1-4:00 PM, Hampton Inn in Okemos (near I-96, exit 110). Contact 517-664-2665 for information. Or www.LCASastrology.com.
April 14 and 16, 2011: Kansas City, Mo. “Forecasts for 2011” and “Financial Astrology Workshop” with Raymond Merriman. Sponsored by AOA. For more information, please go to http://www.astrologykansascity.com/, or contact allenblasco@yahoo.com. This will probably be the next Financial Astrology workshop in the United States. Please note these are new dates. Also note that this is the only scheduled workshop on Financial Astrology by Merriman that is planned in the United States this year. After the workshop on Saturday, there will be a free private meeting for MMA subscribers who are present where various market topics will be discussed and you may ask questions. These are unique events and represent an exciting opportunity for everyone present. There may also be a special dinner party arranged for Friday evening, with Merriman, for those who attend the workshop (there will be a fee for the dinner, but it will still be a special occasion to meet one another).
May 6-8, and May 14, 2011: Ljubljana, Slovenia and Belgrade, Serbia. Contact bern@astrology.si for details on Slovenia conference and aleksandar@keplerunited.org for Belgrade conference. The subject matter at both conferences will be Financial Astrology.
May-June 2011: I may be hosting a series of talks and meetings with MMA subscribers in Europe over an 8-week period, including Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Berlin, as I complete the final chapters of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 5: Forecasting Prices.” Details will be announced soon.
September 1-8, 2011: Bali! "Financial Astrology" Intensive workshop with Raymond Merriman, and "Mundane Astrology" with Claude Weiss. For more information on this unique week-long intensive and incredible South Pacific paradise adventure, please go to http://www.heavenandearthworkshops.com/financial.html. I am going to have to start talking about this soon because it will be a big event for me. I haven’t had a multi-day conference on my work for several years now. This will be a joy and a challenge to put together what I have learned since 2006, both as a market timing analyst and a trader. I hope several of you can join us. I believe it will be well worth it, if you wish to learn these methods of analysis, and talk to others who also seriously study these subjects. Sign up early to get an advanced registration discount. I have never been to Bali, but I hear it is lovely. I may stay there a few additional weeks and write.
Disclaimer and statement of purpose:
The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.
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 assume any responsibility at all for those individual decisions. Reader should understand that futures and options trading are considered high risk.
Copyright MMACycles 2007-2011; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).
Archives
Previous weeklies (2006) are archived at www.olmta.com
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Dutch : www.markettiming.nl (Nederlands)
German : www.mma-europe.ch (Deutch)
Japanese : www.merriman.jp
Polish : www.astrobiznes.pl (Polska)
Russian : www.urania.ru
Serbian : www.mma-balkan.com
Spanish : www.mmacycles-spanish.com (Español)
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