[sammyg2]

Yep, so far August isn't following the trend. It hasn't been exact but has gone through a change every 15 days give or take a few.

From 2010 to 2013 we saw a similar strange pattern in the WTO crude prices.
I commented on it in this forum IIRC.

it started at $70 and would go up $10/bbl, then drop 10. then go up $15/bbl, then drop 10.
It kept this up and gradually climbed to $110/bbl, before plummeting to $50.

I saw that as strange and believed at the time the market was being manipulated by commodity brokers working for the Saudis who were buying fictitious futures contracts that were never delivered or taken possession of, but that were withheld supply from the market which drove up prices.

I watch market trends not to trade or make investment decisions, but to see if I can sense manipulation. Yes, I believe that the market can be influenced by the big boys at wall street and especially by the playas on the New York Mercantile Exchange and that they actually do that from time to time.
I try to spot evidence of it.

My tin foil hat is held on with a chin strap.