Crude Oil And Natural Gas Prices Grind Higher - How Much Further?

Crude oil prices have been pressing the higher end of its trading range for the past two weeks. We previously wrote how we think the 14 month triangle pattern may have ended on August 30. If so, this is a likely a bullish triangle leading towards a retest of $55 and possibly higher.

According to the Elliott Wave model we are following, we can count five wave impulsive moves higher, though they are not the cleanest. Therefore, we need to keep an open mind that the pattern is illustrating an inability to punch higher with vigor. This in itself is weak so stick to your technical levels and if they break, move on to other patterns.

The key level to watch here is the red upward sloping trend line. So long as prices remain above this trend line, then we can maintain a bullish bias. The red trend line runs near $48 today. If crude oil prices move below this red trend line, then it acts like a red warning signal on the dashboard. There are still bullish patterns available like a diagonal. However, the odds of other bearish patterns increases diluting the opportunity at a good risk to reward ratio. Bottom line, a break of the red trend line opens the door for a retest of the August 30 low at $45.57.

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Crude Oil Price Intraday Chart

Bonus chart:

Natural gas prices have been trading in a quiet range for most of 2017 (similar to crude oil). We anticipate the trading range may continue for the next several months. However, we want to put this on your radar that a dip towards 2.60 may dig deep enough to offer bulls a longer term possibility.

You see, natural gas prices began an impulsive move to start a new trend and is currently correcting sideways. It appears natural gas is moving higher in the ‘b’ wave of a bigger downward correction. Once this larger move down is finished, we will look for signs of a bottom.

Natural Gas Daily Chart

---Written by Jeremy Wagner, CEWA-M

Jeremy is a Certified Elliott Wave Analyst with a Master’s designation. For more learning material on Elliott Wave theory, consider the following:

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