MMA WEEKLY - Financial Astrology commentary, Market timing, MMA Cycles, The Merriman Market Analyst

The Market Week in Review :

Financial Astrology works - again.

It's not like we weren't forewarned about the importance of Uranus - a powerful Level 1 signature - turning direct last Saturday, and its tendency to correlate with sudden, unexpected reversals within a couple of trading days. Last week's column stated the following : "If you are a Financial or Mundane Astrologer, you have to at least appreciate the correspondence between today's planetary signatures and its correspondence to a sense of panic and urgency on the part of the global investment community... The probability is greater that you are close to seeing the end of these moves for now. And the hysteria is completely consistent with the fact that we are presently in between three major signatures that pertain to exactly this type of collective over-reaction".

Uranus turned direct on Saturday, November 24. Within two trading days, all the major equity markets of the world were in a free-fall and to say that panic and doomsday scenarios were gripping the headlines would be truly underestimating the fear that was present less than one week ago. But today, November 30, all these same equity markets are soaring strongly for 3-5 straight days up, and the tune being sung is completely different. Confidence is returning in a big way, which is the nature of Jupiter in Sagittarius. By the way, that 13-month transit comes to an end in December. Oh sure, there may be some spillover into early Capricorn. But slowly and surely, the speculative and wild days of Jupiter and Sagittarius will give way to the more rational and sobering months of Jupiter in Capricorn.

In Europe, the AEX of Netherlands and the Swiss stock Index bottomed the prior week on November 21 at 480 and 8080 respectively. By Friday, November 30, they were up to 509 and 8849 respectively. That's a 10% move in the Swiss index, after it was at its lowest level in over a year just one week ago. The German DAX was in the midst of testing its August lows just last Tuesday at 7444. By Friday, three days later, it was up to 7894. The FTSE of England was down to 6026 a week ago. On Friday, it was back up to 6455.

Similar impressive gains were noted in Japan, which dropped well below its August lows at the end of the prior week, falling all the way down to 14,670. But on Friday, November 30, it was up over 1000 points from that low, touching 15,751. India's Nifty Index fell to a new monthly low of 5394 on November 22, but by November 30, it was up as high as 5782. The Hand Seng bottomed at 25,861 on the same November 22 date, but on Friday was back up to 28,792. And in Australia, the All Ordinaries bottomed at 6373 on November 22, only to rise sharply to 6608 on Friday, November 30.

In the United States, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite completed their re-tests of the August lows on Monday at 12,724 and 2539 respectively. On Friday, they rallied as high as 13,467 and 2696 respectively, one of their sharpest one week rallies in quite some time.

Equally big moves were noted in Crude Oil and Gold. After posting its all-time high at 99.29 on November 21, Crude Oil was down to 88.45 on Friday, a loss of nearly 11%. Gold looked like it was going to quickly soar to a new high when it jumped from 776 the prior week to 832 on Monday. But by Friday, it was back down to 782 intraday. And even the Euro started to fall. From its all-time high of 1.4966 one week ago, it was testing the 1.4600 level by Friday, it's steepest drop in quite some time. All of this is indeed consistent with then nature of Uranus changing directions, one of the strongest correlations related to reversal in financial markets as demonstrated in the statistical studies published in some of our market timing books.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

Uranus retrograde correlates with sudden and unexpected changes, and so do other planetary signatures involving Uranus. On Friday, December 7, the Sun will square Uranus. It happens on the day when the Employment and Payroll reports come out, which typically leads to very large price swings anyway. This time will probably not disappoint, if one is looking for volatility. Not only that but early the following week, Jupiter will make its 13-year conjunction to Pluto. As stated in last week's column, "In the study of Financial Astrology, time bands that highlight combinations of Mars, Jupiter and Uranus can coincide with extreme price moves, corresponding with a sense of hysteria, panic, or over-confidence. The nature of Uranus is to be more irrational. Markets can move well above resistance zones, or below support zones, and thus there is a sense of a "break-out." Jupiter and Pluto come together only every 13 years, and together they can coincide with a sense of urgency, even hysteria due to the nature of Jupiter (it exaggerates whatever it contacts). In this case, it contacts Pluto, ruler of debt and fear of the worst. The sub-prime mortgage tragedy is a perfect example of today's Jupiter-Pluto crisis. The extent of those losses is just coming to light. But to read all the solicitations by the financial expects who somehow get a hold of your email address, you would think that this crisis will never end. The aspect soon comes to an end, and just as it has in the past, such crises will come to an end too."

Bottom line: this powerful rally off the Uranus stationary direct could come crashing right into then next powerful zone of the Sun-Uranus square, along with Jupiter-Pluto conjunct, late this week and early the next. But one thing to keep in mind: the market community is looking for the Federal Reserve to make another interest rate cut. I agree with this outlook, for after all, as Jupiter moves into Capricorn in mid-December, it will oppose the FRB Pluto and conjunct its natal Sun. This is a signature of accommodation, or lowering rates. We should have this gift in time for the holiday season. How thoughtful our fearless fire sign leaders are. And so as long as that belief is out there, there is no reason for the stock market to go back down to the levels seen a week ago. Of course with Uranus, logical reasons for the market to perform a certain way may be defied. It will oftentimes do what is not expected. So basically I am saying to expect an interest rate cut, but also expect market volatility as long as Uranus is activated, which should be the case for another two weeks.

Long-Term Thoughts :

Let's get some perspective here. This may have little to do with astrology, except that next year will be an election year, and we will of course spend a good amount of this column analyzing candidates for the high office.

So let's review what certain markets did under Bush Sr., then Bill Clinton, and then Bush Jr., and maybe you will see a pattern - and a glimpse of what might happen under a Hillary Clinton presidency. Like father like son... like husband like wife, perhaps.

When George H. Bush, Sr. came into office in January 1989, the U.S. Dollar was strong, and continued to a high of 106.52 against a basket of foreign currencies into June 1989. But then the famous mantra "Bring the Dollar down so American corporations can compete," took hold, and Treasury Secretary Baker did just that. By September 1992, just two months before the next election, the Dollar had been devalued to a historic low of 78.43, a loss of nearly 30% in three years. Bill Clinton then defeated Bush Sr., and from that historic low, the Dollar began rising, reaching a peak of 121.29 just after leaving office, in July 2001. That was a Dollar appreciation of over 50%. George W. Bush, Jr. assumed presidency in January 2001. After the initial rise in the Dollar to July 2001, the greenback commenced a descent that continues to this day. This month, the Dollar has fallen to a new historic low of 74.65, a devaluation of nearly 40% under Bush Jr. leadership. What do you think will happen to the Dollar if Mrs. Clinton becomes President?

The price of Crude Oil had fallen to 12.28 in October 1988, one month before the election that would place Texan George H. Bush Sr. into the White House. Exactly two years later, in October 1990, Crude Oil soared to a new all-time high of 41.15, an increase of 235%, as Iraq invaded Kuwait, and thus started the Persian Gold conflict. It came down afterwards, but not below 20.00 before Bill Clinton assumed office in January 1992. Under his watch, Crude made lower and lower highs, and continued falling to a low of 10.35 in December 1998. Then Clinton started in on the Balkan conflict, and crude rolled back up to 37.80 in September 2000 before starting a sharp decline again. Crude Oil continued falling as George W. Bush Jr. took office in January 2001, with Crude oil around 25.00. It fell to a low of 16.70 in November 2001 (yes, even after 9-11). But then began one of the greatest bull markets in financial history, and Crude has soared and soared, to a record high of 99.29 about a week ago. What do you think will happen to the price of Crude Oil if a Texan is not elected president in 2008? Or if a Clinton is elected? Like father like son. Like husband like wife.

One thing is almost certain: once the Bushes are gone, the markets will reverse trends in many markets, especially currencies. Is that good or bad? It's good for us, because we can anticipate the trading-investment opportunities that will arise. It will be interesting to see if Clinton replaces Bush - again - as happened in 1992, and whether or not we are seeing the foundation of the two-family dynasty taking over the governance of the U.S.A. Those things tend to happen during the time band in which Uranus conjoins Neptune, followed by the two planets entering into mutual reception (1993-2011). Fortunately (?) it comes to an end by the 2012 election.

Announcements :

The “MMA Cycles Report” and “MMA Japan Markets Cycles Report” will come out this Monday-Tuesday. These reports come out every three weeks to subscribers of these reports, although it will change to a monthly issuance cycle next year, so that the "SOS Global Stock Market Cycles Report" can be increased to a monthly issuance cycle as well. The "MMA Cycles Report" (Monday night by email) is our market advisory report for traders of the U.S. stock indices, T-Notes, Gold, Silver, Euro, Swiss Franc, Grains, and Crude Oil. The “MMA Japan Cycles Report” covers the Nikkei, Dollar/Yen, and JGB Bonds, and comes out Tuesday afternoon. For more information

Our MMA 2013 catalogue is now out and available to overseas clients on our web site at www.mmacycles.com , and then under MMA Catalogue, and then under MMA Catalogue (pdf). Or just click here. Due to high overseas postal costs, we will no longer send this catalogue out by postal mail except to clients in the U.S.A. So, if you are interested in this year's services and products, you can download it from our web site.

The Forecast book for 2008 : is nearly completed, and will be taken to then printer for publication next week. It is due to be released on December 14. This will be a special edition, covering the major candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election. It will also have a special section on Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2023), and what it means to investors. Thus it will be about 20 pages longer than ever. coming out December 15.
Written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, it is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. Although 2007 is still unfolding, many of the Forecast outlined in this book have already come to pass, including :

- 1) real estate bubble ending ;
- 2) lack of bi-partisan support from Congress for President's military efforts and tax policies ;
- 3) President's lack of cooperation with Congress and the subsequent increase in investigations into his past decisions ;
- 4) President's efforts to increase military activity in Iraq, not decrease, despite special reports advising to the contrary ;
- 5) the economy is not collapsing in 2007 ;
- 6) higher Euro currency prices - at least test of its all-time high, before September 2007 ;
7) Soybeans bullish in 2007, possibly exceeding 900 ;
8) Crude Oil due to bottom early in year and soar to new all-time highs by 2008.
And of course: the all-important Critical Reversal Dates for financial markets, which have been impressive in 2007. The cost of this year's book will remain at $45.00. Order before December 10 to be certain that your order goes out in the first delivery. Available also in German at www.mma-europe.de . If you live in Europe, Canada or Australia, now might be a great time to order while your currencies are so high against the U.S. Dollar. A change of trend is coming, and may have already started this past week. Please note that this book has sold out two of the previous five years. If you plan to order, don't delay too long. When they are gone, they are gone and not reprinted. For description of this book, please go to that link.

The German version of "Merriman on Market Cycles: The Basics" is now in print. It is also a revision of the earlier work in English. For more information on this book, please go to our German web site.

For more information, go to our website at http://www.mmacycles.com, and read the latest "News" items. This new report will be issued once/month, instead of the previous schedule of 8 times per year.

The new SOS Global Market Cycles Report came out last week. This SOS report will now be issued monthly (12 times per year) starting the first week of December. This report will address the long- and intermediate-term cycles that affect all world markets, but specifically through the history of the U.S. stock market, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It is the "big picture" ahead. It will then give an overview (and projection) of the shorter cycles (primary and its phases) of the German DAX, Netherlands AEX, the Australian All Ordinaries, Hang Seng of Hong Kong, National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the XAU Gold and Silver Mining index. For ordering information.

My next financial presentations will take place in all day workshops on January 19 and 26 in Cologne, Germany and Basel, Switzerland, respectively. For further information, please go to EVENTS on our web site at www.mmacycles.com . The German version of "Merriman on Market Cycles : The Basics" is now in print. It is also a revision of the earlier work in English. For more information on this book, please go to our German web site at www.mma-europe.de.

The newly revised The Sun, The Moon, and Silver Book : Secrets of a Silver Trader, is now out. This is a book that you will use as a reference guide for...many, many years. It identifies all the key Sun-Moon combinations that have a higher (and lower) than expected probability of correlating with 4% or greater reversals in COMEX Silver. It also identifies “Big Range Days” - those days in which the range of Silver is most likely to be 3.5% or more of the price of Silver, which is a great tool for day traders. This book fulfills the dream of all traders: high probability winning trade possibilities, with minimal market exposure. It is that “extra edge.” And Silver is a great market to trade now. The cost is $125.00. For ordering on line.

If you are an active short-term trader, you may wish to consider subscribing to 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. 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, T-Bonds, Soybeans, Wheat, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Bonds, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, 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."

I have had several calls regarding a “crisis investing” portfolio that I suggested could be developed with the help of a money manager who subscribes to my reports, and shares my views about the next few years. If you are interested, you can contact him at ted.fisher@comcast.net.
He will be more than happy to assist you.

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.

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