The Rhodes Report

10/18/2008:  Quite simply, the trend is sharply lower. The massive de-leveraging taking place in the capital markets has not spared crude oil at all; however, this shouldn't be a surprise given the "bell ringing" at the top was none other than a "key reversal month" that has led to mean reversion back into the 50-month moving average. The question is whether this level now crossing at $73.43 can be regained in the days ahead and be used as a "jump off point" to further gains. Unfortunately, we think not. Aa number of fundamental and technical factors at play will not allow for this to occur, with the probability of an even sharper decline than what we have seen YTD if prices continue to extend lower below this level.

One only need look at the 14-month stochastic that is has just rolled over and exited overbought territory. Hence, it remains quite some distance from levels that in the past have provided for rallies. If the stochastic must move to oversold levels, then it could very well be one year or more before we see a larger and more tradable bottom, This obviously begs the question as to what level crude would obtain before this larger rally could unfold. Our current target is $40, which will come into closer purview if the rising trendline at $60 is violated.

Given this, one would obviously not want to be in the oil stock complex to be sure; with the integrated oil players such as Exxon-Mobil (XOM), Conoco-Phillips (COP). Chevron (CVX) and Marathon Oil (MRO) likely to outperform the Oil Service stocks as they did during the last crude oil downturn. If we are have a favorite, it would be Chevron (CVX) given it sports a 4.10% dividend

Good luck and good trading, Richard Rhodes

Click for Free 2-week Trial: http://www.rhodes-capital.com/ Reports and recommendations are published daily in .PDF format only, and emailed to our clients by 8:30am EST.

About The Rhodes Capital:  Rhodes Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and provides active investment management services for Individually Managed Accounts.

Richard Rhodes is Editor/Publisher of two daily trading reports: The Rhodes Report and the ETF Playbook. His private trading experience spans the course of 25-years - including stock, options and futures trading. These newsletters are a combination of fundamental and technical analysis; whose focus is to capitalize on the short and intermediate term developments in the world capital markets. Specific individual stock and ETF recommendations are made in each publication.

Subscription Information:   Subscription rate includes both publications: $279/annually; $159/6-months

For more information, please visit http://www.Rhodes-Capital.com/