Natural Gas Price Forecast – April 22, 2020

As expected in the weekly Commentary, prompt month natural gas prices have been trading in an erratic manner this week. Crucial resistance at $1.95 has held on a closing basis so far, but today’s move up invalidates yesterday’s bearish dark cloud cover. Based on this and the waves up from $1.521, $1.555, and $1.774, natural gas should make a push for at least $1.97 and likely $2.04 before the end of the week. Closing above $2.04 will call for key upper resistance at $2.10.

Natural Gas - $0.025 Kase Bar
Natural Gas – $0.025 Kase Bar

The challenge is that for the move up to be sustained fundamental data will have to reflect a strong bullish change in supply and demand. Technical factors can push prices to $2.04 and maybe $2.10, but anything higher than that, or a sustained move above $2.00, will have to be backed by bullish fundamentals. This means that there is still quite a bit of downside risk.

Should natural gas fall below $1.85 before overcoming $1.97 look for another attempt at $1.80 and possibly $1.75. The $1.75 level is the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $1.521. Therefore, a close below $1.75 would shift odds in favor of $1.68 and then a move back toward the $1.555 and $1.521 swing lows.

With all factors considered, natural gas prices should rise a bit higher during the next few days. But the move up will probably be short-lived and another major test of support is likely without help from external factors. Therefore, for the bigger picture, the most probable scenario is a wide trading range, the boundaries of which are still be defined.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

It has been an unusual few days for WTI crude oil. Negative prompt month May prices on April 20 increased bearish sentiment and weighed heavily on June WTI crude oil today. There are no reversal patterns that indicate the move down has ended. There is a modest chance that today’s accelerated move down will form a spike bottom. Even so, there is no technical or fundamental reason to expect a miraculous recovery in the coming days and even weeks. At a minimum, a larger test of resistance is expected before prices fall any lower.

June is now the prompt month contract and fell $6.50 before stalling. The decline took out the $11.7 and $8.1 targets mentioned briefly in yesterday’s update. The $8.1 objective was the larger than (1.618) target of the primary wave down from $37.15 and held on a closing basis. This suggests that this afternoon’s move up from $6.50 is a three-wave correction that will extend to at least $15.3 and likely $18.2 during the next few days. Closing above $18.2 will clear the way for $19.8 and possibly $23.0.

WTI Crude Oil – $1.00 Kase Bar

Volatility is expected to remain high for the next few days as the market sorts itself out. Expect to see violent and fast swings, initially up and then likely down. The caveat is that should a spike bottom form prices will surge higher tomorrow. Closing above $23.0 is unlikely but would suggest this is the case.

Immediate support is $11.0 and key support for the near-term is $9.4. Closing below $9.4 will call for $7.4 and then a new low of at least $4.5.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent fell as expected but the move down accelerated and reached a low of $17.51. The subsequent move up looks to be forming a three-wave correction that met its smaller than (0.618) target this afternoon. Therefore, near-term odds favor a test of at least $21.3 and even $23.0 tomorrow. Settling above $23.0 would clear the way for a larger correction to $23.9 and possibly $25.9.

Support at $18.3 must hold for the move up to extend to $21.3 and higher tomorrow. Falling below $21.3 would invalidate the wave up from $17.51 that projects to the higher targets. This would also open the way for $17.1 and lower.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

The long-term outlook for gold is bullish and prices are still poised to eventually challenge targets above $1800. However, confluent resistance was met around the $1788.8 high, at which point a daily evening star reversal pattern and several bearish divergences formed. In addition, the intra-day wave down from $1788.8 fulfilled its smaller than (0.618) at today’s $1722.0 swing low. This implies that after a brief upward correction gold should fall to $1696 before the move up eventually continues. Support at $1676 is expected to hold, though a close below this would call for a more substantial test of support before prices rally again.

Gold – $10 Kase Bar Chart

For now, resistance at $1748 is expected to hold and $1764 is key. Settling above $1764 would call for a move above the $1768 swing high. This would invalidate the wave down from $1788.8 that projects to $1696 and lower. This would also clear the way for the move up to extend to $1782 and likely $1796, the last threshold protecting $1800.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ration, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

The outlook for natural gas is firmly bearish and today’s nominal close below $1.60 clears the way for a test of $1.54 and possibly $1.50. These are the intermediate (1.382) and larger than (1.618) targets of the primary wave down from $1.918, respectively. The sub-waves down from $1.813 also show that these two objectives are highly confluent. Therefore, a test of resistance is expected before natural gas settles below $1.50.

Natural Gas – $0.025 Kase Bar

Based on the wave structure and bearish sentiment, natural gas should fall to at least $1.54 before another reasonable test of resistance. Nonetheless, should prices rise sooner, look for initial resistance at $1.63 and then $1.67. The latter is expected to hold. Key near-term resistance is $1.73. Settling above $1.73 would call for a larger upward correction to $1.79 and possibly higher. This would also suggest that prices may settle into a trading range before falling to challenge major support around $1.50.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

WTI crude oil briefly fell below $20.0 but held that psychologically important target on a closing basis. Support around $20.0 was stubborn and before the rise to $29.13 just over a week ago. The outlook remains bearish and prices are poised to challenge $19.6 and lower. Yet, given the recent strength of support around $20.0 a larger test of resistance will probably take place first.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.65 Kase Bar

Resistance at $21.7 is expected to hold and $23.0 is key for the near-term. Settling above $23.0 would call for a larger upward correction to $24.2 and possibly higher. This would also suggest that prices may be settling into a short-term trading range before falling to challenge the next major targets below $20.0.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent’s outlook remains bearish and the move down is poised to reach at least $28.9 tomorrow. This is a highly confluent wave projection that is in line with the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $24.52. Therefore, an upward correction is expected before Brent closes below $28.9 and falls to $28.0 and lower.

Brent Crude Oil – $0.65 Kase Bar

As Brent falls toward $28.9, resistance at $30.9 is expected to hold. Key resistance for the near-term is $32.0. Settling above this would call for a larger upward correction to $32.8 and possibly $33.8. The $33.8 level is most important because a close above this would imply that near-term odds are shifting back in favor of a larger move up in the coming days and weeks.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

There is little doubt that gold’s decline from $1742.6 is corrective of the larger scale move up. So far, prices have fallen to $1670.7 but have not been able to close below $1679. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave down from $1742.6 and the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1576.0. Nonetheless, there is still a good chance for the correction to extend to $1660 first, especially upon a move below $1670 early tomorrow. The $1660 objective is the equal to (1.00) target of the primary wave down from $1742.6 and the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $1576.0. Support at $1660 is expected to hold. Closing below this would call for a test of key near-term support at $1639.

Gold – $10 Kase Bar Chart

The corrective move down will likely be short-lived, and once $1660 is met odds for a move back up will increase substantially. There is also a reasonable chance that the move down has already stalled and that prices will press higher before reaching $1660. Should gold overcome $1698 first look for a test of $1716. Settling above $1716 would strongly imply the corrective move down is over and would clear the way for $1479 and higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ration, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural gas rose in an aggressive manner again today and settled above the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $2.044. This suggests prices will likely rise to challenge $2.00 and possibly higher again soon. There are no reversal patterns or setups that call for the move up to stall. However, there is a significant objective at $1.93 as the larger than (0.618) target of the only decipherable wave up from $1.521. This is also the 78 percent retracement of the decline from $2.044. Therefore, because the move up currently lacks a wave structure that can support a move above $2.00, there is a good chance natural gas will stall near $1.93. From there, a downward correction should take place before prices rise to $2.00 and higher.

The key for the move up will be holding resistance at $1.76 on a test of support. Since February, there have been two other moves up on the continuation chart to challenge resistance around or just above $2.00. Both moves, one up from $1.753 to $2.025 and then other from $1.610 to $1.998, failed on the first sign of any weakness and a test of support. Therefore, until a reasonable test of support holds it will be hard to call for a sustainable move above $2.00.

Natural Gas – $0.035 Kase Bar

For May natural gas the key threshold is $1.76, the 38 percent retracement of the move up from $1.521. Closing below this would suggest the move up has failed again and would call for $1.67 and possibly $1.59. The latter of these is the smaller than target of the wave down from $2.044 and connects to targets well below the current $1.521 contract low.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

WTI crude oil’s decline from $29.13 accelerated this afternoon and took out the $25.4 and $24.5 targets discussed in yesterday’s update. Based on the primary wave down from $29.13, the move is still poised to challenge the crucial $23.3 objective. This is near the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $19.27, and more importantly, the $23.34 swing low. Taking out $23.3 would invalidate the wave up from $19.27 that projects to $31.5 and higher. This would also put near-term odds in favor of falling to challenge $22.0 and lower.

Nonetheless, WTI met support around the $23.5 larger than (1.618) target of the sub-wave down from $28.24. Also, the small wave up from $23.54 met its smaller than (0.618) target, which suggests a test of the $25.0 equal to (1.00) target will probably take place first. This is near today’s midpoint and will likely hold.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.65 Kase Bar

Rising above $25.0 would call for an extended upward correction to $25.7, the larger than target and 38 percent retracement from $29.13. For the move down to extend to $23.3 and lower during the next day or so $25.7 must hold.

Closing above $25.7 would call for key near-term resistance at $27.1. This is the highest the wave up from $23.54 projects, is the 62 percent retracement from $29.13 and is the smaller than target of the sub-wave up from $23.34. Settling above $27.1 would shift odds back in favor of $28.5 and higher.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent’s move down from $35.0 still looks to be corrective but should reach at least $30.9 tomorrow. Falling below this will call for an extended correction to $29.7. This is the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $28.01 and the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave down from $36.29. For the move up to have any reasonable chance at extending during the next few days $29.7 must hold. Closing below this will clear the way for $28.9 and eventually $26.7.

Brent Crude Oil – $0.65 Kase Bar

The small move up from $31.74 suggests Brent could test $33.4 first, but this level is expected to hold. Key resistance for the near-term is $34.2. Overcoming $34.2 would invalidate the recent waves down from $35.0 that project to $30.9 and lower. This would also shift odds back in favor of challenging $35.0 again, above which the next major objective is $36.1.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Gold rallied today as expected and overcame the $1623 target discussed in yesterday’s update. The move up is now poised to reach $1651. This is the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $1698.0. A close above $1651 would strongly suggest the move down is over. Closing above $1685, the 89 percent retracement and highest the wave up from $1576.0 projects, would confirm the move down is over and clear the way for $1707 and higher.

Gold – $10 Kase Bar Chart

The move down from $1698.0 is forming a bullish flag that will have broken higher upon a close over $1651. Nonetheless, the move up from $1576 is due for a pullback soon, so there is a reasonable chance for a test of support before $1651 is overcome and almost certainly before gold settles above $1685.

Any move down will most likely be corrective and is expected to hold $1616. Key near-term support is $1601, a close below which would call for $1582 and possibly $1567, the latter if which is in line with the flag’s lower trend line.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Metals Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key COMEX precious metals futures contracts and LME Non-Ferrous (Base) metals, spot gold, the gold/silver ration, and gold ETFs. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

May natural gas fell to a new contract low of $1.580 today and settled below the $1.593 larger than (1.618) target of the first wave down from $2.044. The move down is poised to extend. Based on the waves down from $1.782 and $1.731, the prompt month should reach at least $1.56 and likely $1.50. The $1.50 objective is most important. Once met, there is a good chance for another test of resistance before prices fall to the next objectives at $1.46 and lower.

Natural Gas - $0.025 Kase Bar
Natural Gas – $0.025 Kase Bar

Support at $1.56 may initially hold because this is the equal to (1.00) target of the wave down from $1.782. Nonetheless, should prices rise form this level before reaching $1.50 look for resistance at $1.64 to hold. Rising above this would call for $1.67 and possibly $1.71. There is nothing on the charts that calls for a move above $1.67, so overcoming this level is doubtful during the next few days. Even so, key resistance and the barrier for a bullish near-term outlook is $1.71. Settling above $1.71 would clear the way for $1.76 and higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.