Energy Market Updates

For the last several days NYMEX values have been on the losing end of good Ol' fashion Donny Brook coming at the hands of the ongoing European debt crisis. With new Leadership installed in several countries, investors are not taking any chances and removing cash as quickly as possible. The latest round today had the European Central Bank preparing for Greece's exit from the Euro sending the currency to a four month low versus the US dollar. Commodities again were the collateral damage as money continues to exit the pits. Japans signs of economic recovery from their recent natural disasters, reports showed a 1% increase in their economy, along with an anemic Jobless claim report ( statically flat) could not stop the bleeding in the pits today. When prompt Heat was at 3.30,we noted the major support level to be at 2.75 with a few stop along the way and a key being 2.95. As those levels have been broken, it will be interesting to see where we stop. Interesting to note the seaway pipeline that runs Crude north to Cushing, OK has just finished a flow reversal that will allow product to move south from Cushing to the Gulf region for refining. Product is expected to flow this weekend, alleviating the glut of WTI in the US, should also play a role in reducing the Brent - WTI spread. At the close Crude lost .25 to $92.56, HEAT fell .0486 to $2.8490 and RBOB lost .0427 to settle at $2.8782.

Fears of yet another Greece loan default were on the minds of many investors today as futures showed moderate losses as the dollar strengthened.  Greece is hoping that banks will forgive roughly $130 billion in debt due in the next few months.  If only my bank would forgive half of my mortgage, I would be a happy man!  Positive news from the housing industry was reported as existing home sales increased 5% in December.  The market couldn't rally enough today and with gasoline demand falling over 6% in a month on month comparison, the threat of demand destruction in a slightly improving economy is a real concern.  It is hard to believe that we have seen six down days in the last seven sessions in the Heat pit.  We have peeled off almost 10 cents during that time frame.  This following our prediction that once we touch 3.10ish we should pull back.  As this has been the pattern for the year.  Looming over the weekend is a European vote on accepting Iranian oil, as reports of US ships moving out of the region.  As a quick snow event moves through the region this weekend, lets all remember to keep those fills clear and accessible.  Crude fell $1.93 to $98.46, RBOB lost .0310 and HEAT lost .0476 to $2.9884.

Crude once again danced above the $100 a barrel mark today as many speculated that the economy is showing signs of improving.  Furthermore a marathon meeting session on Greece of European Leaders ended with a consensus that they will throw more money into the debt strapped country.  The Euro rose on the news as the dollar fell, thus pushing money into Crude.  The products failed to follow the rally.  RBOB slipped .0475 to $3.0995 while HEAT lost .0192 to $3.0992.  All while Crude managed to gain .73 to close at $99.13, more than a full buck off its high of $100.16.  Holding down products appear to be the fact that demand is still soft, and retail gas stations are still in the high $3 range.  Additionally, our friends at the IEA stated that they are willing to release more product to the market to stave off any spike in futures.  HEAT remains in a congested selling pattern and looking back over the last few months, you have seen healthy corrections after these periods.  In laymen terms, nobody is willing to make a move either way until an event pushes us too.  This event will likely be in the form of how the US debt ceiling issue is resolved, meaning we probably have another week of sloppy back and forth days