Energy Futures: Major Upside Breakout Or Bull Trap Ahead?

The charts in the energy markets are becoming very interesting. My guess is that the markets will declare themselves for a major move ($15 a barrel in Crude Oil) in the next five to ten trading days. I have no opinion as to which direction the move will be. I have no position as I write this. I expect to be trading energy markets this coming week.

The weekly charts in Crude Oil and Heating Oil show that the energy markets have been congesting for 28 months. Excuse the pun, but the energy markets have been storing a lot of energy. The Crude Oil chart is attempting to complete a massive symmetrical triangle. The market has been trading in the area of the upper boundary of the triangle for the past four weeks.

The Heating Oil chart shows a potential continuation H&S bottom pattern. While some Elliott Wave analysts refuse to accept this as a legitimate pattern, the fathers of classical charting — Robert Edward, John Magee and Richard Schabacker — were willing to accept the configuration as such. I have always been amused when Elliott Wave experts attempt to become classical charting experts.


There was another example of a massive continuation H&S pattern in recent years — in Gold. The chart below shows an 18-month continuation leading to the final push in Gold’s historic bull market. The Elliott Wave analyst I had in mind with the above comments mocked me for labeling the weekly Gold chart as a continuation H&S at the time. This analyst, who will remain nameless, was a bear for the subsequent $1,000 per oz. rally in Gold.

Weekly charts are useful for identifying large patterns. However, daily charts provide the ignition for a launch. The daily Crude Oil chart (continuation) displays a symmetrical triangle. I must comment on the fact that this triangle has six contact points. A six-point symmetrical triangle has the tendency to break out to the upside and then quickly fail. Thus, traders who use this pattern to go long must be very nimble if the market begins to turn down after breaking out.

The daily Heating Oil chart displays a small continuation H&S pattern with a very abbreviated right shoulder. Abbreviated right shoulders usually mean one of two things — that more right shoulder development could occur or that the pattern is extremely powerful. Some of the biggest moves I have been involved in over the years came from H&S patterns with abbreviated right shoulders.

Disclosure: The information in this blog post represents my own opinions and does not contain a recommendation for any particular security or investment. I or my affiliates may hold positions or other interests in securities mentioned in the Blog, please see my Disclaimer page for my full disclaimer.