MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 28, 2025

REVIEW

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday refuted China’s claims that there were no ongoing trade discussions between Beijing and Washington.

— Evelyn Cheng, “Trump asserts trade talks with China are underway after Beijing denies any ongoing negotiations,” www.cnbc.com, April 24, 2025.

Last week started off with some hard selling, but by Tuesday, U.S. stocks were back to bidding, with the Nasdaq leading the way. Perhaps the most noteworthy characteristic of the stock rally in the past few weeks is the tech sector leading out of the low. It’s therefore no surprise that the NASDAQ saw the biggest gain last week. This is an encouraging sign in the near-term, but we still look for more confirmation of a bottom in the coming weeks.

European markets also recovered and were led higher by the DAX over in Germany. The Zurich SMI, the AEX in Amsterdam, and the FTSE also rallied nicely. Both the DAX and the FTSE aren’t far from hitting new all-time highs already.

In the Pacific region of the world, the Hang Seng index was the top performer to the upside. The Australian ASX wasn’t that far behind, while the Japanese Nikkei and Shanghai Composite also saw modest gains.

Once again, Gold hit a new all-time high last week right as heliocentric Mercury left Sagittarius and entered Capricorn. But it ended up finishing lower as traders captured some profits on this impressive move year-to-date. Silver finished higher on the week but still hasn’t exceeded its high from late March. Let’s see if the upcoming Neptune signatures help bring some positive momentum back again this week.

The biggest bullish story was in crypto, however, as Bitcoin cleared a key technical resistance zone and rallied to its highest level since late February. Ethereum also saw a solid rally but has much more work to do in terms of repairing the technical damage suffered in the past couple of months.

Over in commodities, Crude Oil finished slightly lower on the week, but be mindful of a notable move with Neptune signatures coming back into the picture this week. Grain markets finished mixed, with Corn and Wheat closing lower on the week, but Soybeans finishing higher.

In debt and currency markets, both T-Notes and the Dollar managed to achieve modest gains. But both the Euro and the Yen rallied to new highs before finishing lower on the week, again consistent with bullish helio Mercury in Sagittarius.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

It’s truly amazing when one considers how the stock market potentially bottomed on April 7, right at the end of the “retrograde chaos” period that was in effect since late November. It’s also remarkable how so much of the tariff bravado took place while Venus (agreements) was retrograde, and then just days before the end of that motion, a 90-day pause was announced with certain countries.

But just this last week, we had the second pass of Venus conjunct Saturn. The first was on April 7, the very day of the market bottom (Venus was still Rx), and the second was on April 24 (Venus was direct). Just three days before, on April 21, we saw a secondary, higher-low form in stocks, which gave bulls some ground to stand on in the near term. This was in one of MMA’s critical reversal dates (CRD) periods, too.

This week, we have a couple more noteworthy Venus signatures. It begins with Venus moving into the sign of Aries on April 30, followed by a conjunction with Neptune in Aries on May 2.

Although stocks are on the upswing going into the new week, don’t be surprised to see some renewed hostilities regarding trade within the next two weeks. Remember, Neptune has a lot to do with international trade as well, given its position as ruler of the seas.

And with Venus in a fire sign, there is no shortage of wants or desires. But what exactly is wanted? With Neptune in the picture, it’s not exactly clear. Some call it the “art of the deal,” while others consider it a really bad poker bluff. Are any negotiations even taking place as claimed? At some point, the cards need to be shown on the table.

With Pluto set to go retrograde on May 4, there are themes of coercion and manipulation added to the geocosmic mix short-term. Is it really only about tariffs, a form of tax revenue, or is it more about interest rates? Naturally, both taxes and rates are ruled by Pluto. It doesn’t seem like the Fed is going to move short-term rates at the next meeting on May 7, but longer-term rates, which are set by market forces, could still drop as a result.

To be clear, attempting to bend the economy according to one’s will is no small matter. The good news is that the longer-term geocosmic picture suggests brighter days on the economic horizon. But right now, it still seems to be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.

LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS (AND OPINION)

You never count your money

When you’re sittin’ at the table

There’ll be time enough for countin’

When the dealin’s done

—Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler,” 1978, United Artists

“In advancing President Trump’s commitment to meet our growing demand for affordable, reliable and secure electricity, America needs to utilize all forms of energy that grow our economy, create new jobs, and secure energy independence,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in the announcement. “With projects like the Palisades Nuclear Plant, the Energy Department is working to ensure America’s nuclear renaissance is just around the corner.”

— Suzanne O’Halloran, “Michigan nuclear plant set to restart, first for U.S.,”Fox Business, April 25, 2025.

One of the things we teach in the Merriman Market Timing Academy is how long-term market cycles tend to correlate to long-term planetary cycles. Last month, when Ray asked me to cover the free weekly column, I highlighted Jupiter and Saturn’s synodic cycle, which lasts around 20 years. It’s still looking like the third and final square in June could correspond to the next round of rate cuts from the Fed.

But this week, I would like to bring your attention to another synodic cycle, and it’s between two planets that are set to move into a direct trine aspect in July 2026, although we will start feeling its impact due to the orb of the trine starting in just a few months in July when Uranus ingresses into Gemini. These two planets are Uranus and Pluto, and to borrow a phrase from renowned economist Joseph Schumpeter, I would label this synodic cycle as the one that drives the economic force of “creative destruction.”

The last conjunction between these two planets occurred in Virgo in the mid-1960s. There were two passages, one in 1965 and one in 1966. This is a very interesting synodic cycle because it alternates its length between 111 and 143 years. It averages out to around 127 years.

In any event, Schumpeter was around the last time we had the trine signature between these two creatively destructive planets, which was in the 1920s. Note that this coincided with the infamous “roaring twenties” that eventually led to the great stock market crash of 1929 and, eventually, the Great Depression.

However, there’s another piece to this puzzle that is often overlooked, and it has to do with the “mini depression” of 1920-1921. This economic period was characterized by deflation, high unemployment, and a sharp decline in industrial production. It was basically a post-WWI hangover. Interestingly, this economic period corresponded almost exactly with the last Uranus-Pluto trine.

It also corresponded with the rise of various forms of extremist governments, but more importantly, it helped lay the foundations for the market mania that eventually led to the stock market crash of 1929.

Before anyone draws any immediate conclusions here, let’s not overlook the fact that the Uranus-Pluto trine of 1920-1921 was a waning trine in water signs, whereas the upcoming Uranus-Pluto trine will be waxing and in air signs. As a result, we’ll see some rhyming themes but not necessarily a full repetition.

This 1920-1921 period, however, did kick off the interest rate cuts that helped fuel the speculative bubble throughout the Roaring Twenties. Some of the best investment opportunities in that decade came from innovations in automobiles, technology (radio), and household appliance stocks.

Currently, there are major concerns about the potential of an economic slowdown or even a recession due to the global order being disrupted for trade. As a result, there is a lot of pressure on the Fed to join their other central banking counterparts and cut rates again.

Could the next round of Fed easing lay the foundation for the market’s next speculative bubble? It’s certainly a possibility, and it would even seem that “creatively destructive” investments in the tech space are back in play this time around.

Anyone paying attention knows about the transformative effects artificial intelligence is having on the economy by now. Governments are especially interested in its capacity and, as a result, have shifted their stances on nuclear power, especially to help power all of the data centers needed for the technology.

But AI has already been around. What comes next? For starters, companies in the nuclear energy space could do well under this Uranus-Pluto trine signature. After all, uranium and plutonium are both radioactive elements.

It also seems that quantum computing technology is attracting more attention these days. There are also autonomous vehicles to consider, along with advanced robotics technology. Ultimately, this could all help advance the tech needed for deeper space exploration, too.

Keep in mind that the conjunction between Uranus and Pluto took place in Virgo, a sign of labor. We may indeed see manufacturing make a comeback in the United States, but it’s unlikely to be in its traditional format. That is, increased automation and robotics driven by artificial intelligence could play a major role in this “reshoring” of American industry.

As we’ve been told before, be careful what you wish for; you might just get it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: REGISTRATION FOR THE TWO-YEAR MERRIMAN MARKET TIMING ACADEMY (MMTA4) IS NOW UNDERWAY AS OF APRIL 15!!! This highly valued two-year educational and training program, created by Raymond Merriman (CTA), is an experience that will change your life and the way you view financial markets. Yes, the course is challenging, but it is also incredibly exciting! Through this program, you will learn how to identify where the market is at any given point in time — and which trading or investing strategy to apply.

The eight-course program includes six to eight Zoom meetings per course — over 100 hours of live instruction and interaction — with instructor Wiebke Held and MMA analysts such as Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Gianni Di Poce, Wyatt Fellows, Derek Panaia, Kat Powell, and, of course, Raymond Merriman (with others to be announced).

The classes will meet online on Saturdays, approximately 20 times per year, at noon Eastern Time, starting on September 27. There are one-month breaks between each course and a two- to three-month summer break. The program also includes at least one live, in-person (or optional online) weekend session, plus a voluntary review session after every course, held prior to the exam for those wishing to receive a certificate of completion. There is nothing else as comprehensive in the field of market timing as the MMTA program! It covers MMA’s market timing methodology for long- and intermediate-term investing, as well as position and aggressive short-term trading.

Acceptance into the MMTA requires an interview prior to enrollment. If you are interested in exploring whether the MMTA is right for you, please let us know, and we will schedule a time to talk. To register or inquire about the MMTA4 program, click here.

Here are just a few of the many very positive reviews from graduates of the last MMTA3 program (2023-2024:

I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for generously sharing your knowledge and teaching it. As you know, I am fairly new to trading and joined MMTA3 to learn a system to approach the stock market. Starting the year, I set myself the goal of doubling the money that I had in my trading account, thinking at the time that this was impossible to do. Thanks to the knowledge and tools MMTA3 teaches, I was actually able to accomplish this goal! In fact, I even exceeded it. —W.H., Germany

 So, thank you, Ray and Gianni, for the fantastic course material and support, because that’s why I have made money — and every dollar for the courses was paid back and more! —J.L., Netherlands

 This course was truly mind-blowing! I learnt in abundance. Thank you all for sharing the excellent trading data and knowledge. This course is worth more than a college degree — and at a fraction of the price, too. —K.L., Australia

 NOTE 2: NEW BOOK ON “ESOTERIC ECONOMICS” BY GIANNI DI POCE IS OUT!!!

This is an excellent book introducing the correlation of geocosmic studies to the fields of economic and financial markets. In many ways, it is the perfect book to launch one’s journey into the world of financial astrology. But it is more than that. It provides an excellent description of economics and financial markets, then beautifully ties each of these fields together. It is not only a book for those beginning this journey, but one that also provides a clear understanding of how economics works, on both a practical and esoteric level.

Gianni is a well-respected MMA analyst and also served as the director and main instructor of the MMTA2 and MMTA3 (Merriman Market Timing Academy) courses from 2021 to 2024. He was specially tutored by Raymond Merriman in the MMA methodology from 2019 through 2020 for this role. Gianni also holds a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the University of Michigan.

The cost of this excellent 288-page book is $55 for the softcover or $60 for the hardcover, plus postage. It is also available as an eBook (no postage) for $50. To order, click here.

NOTE 3: THE APRIL ISSUE OF THE  MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be issued this week.

This market letter has become a very popular addition to the MMA Cycles Report (it’s less technical, more visual and contains horoscopes of current importance, high-quality analysis, and updates on MMA Cycles Report markets). The mid-month addendum to the MMA Cycles Report covers Pouyan’s outlook on Gold, Silver, NASDAQ, and Crude Oil. It has stunning graphics and charts (people love it!) and is very readable. It contains more illustrations and references to geocosmics than most MMA Cycles reports and is only available for subscription to those who also subscribe to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report.

If you wish to try this month’s addendum, along with the latest issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report, sign up online at the link above. Subscription for a monthly copy of both reports is $55. That will give you both the most recent April copy of the MMA Cycles Report and the monthly MMA Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.

 NOTE 4: THE NEW monthly MMA Technology Cycles Report by Wiebke Held was issued on April 22.

The first issue was launched two months ago and prepared readers for the imminent decline in the NASDAQ, which began immediately after. Wiebke’s excellent two-year research papers were based on extensive studies of long-, intermediate-, and short-term cycles in the NASDAQ spot index (not futures). This report provides an outlook not only for the NASDAQ but also for the QQQ (ETF) and specific technology stocks such as Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Apple. It will also include unique CRDs (critical reversal dates) specific to the NASDAQ, based on Held’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is crucial because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets — especially with Pluto already in Aquarius for the next 20 years and Uranus about to enter Gemini for seven years, starting in July 2025. Additionally, much of this report will be generated by Wiebke’s own AI applications. Truly, this is an exciting report, highlighting many new features of our technology renaissance. This is the future of market timing applications in this “New Aira.”

If you want to receive the next issue of this new report, sign up now by clicking here.

 NOTE 5: THE “JUPITER REPORT“ — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY — IS NOW AVAILABLE.

This newest product, written by Raymond Merriman, is a 30- to 40-page report that all traders (and even non-traders) will find highly valuable. It identifies the times during the year when Jupiter transits are highlighted in your natal chart. It delineates the meaning of Jupiter’s transits to your natal planets and angles over a 14-month period (including one month before your order and one month after the year ends). As an added bonus, each transit is ranked on a scale from –3 to +3 in terms of favorability for trading. Traders may find this especially valuable! Would you like to know when you are under a +3 transit and, therefore, most likely to experience trading successes? Or a –3 transit with stronger-than-usual potential for misjudgments and losses? You betcha! The cost for your 14-month Jupiter Report is $69. Click here to order!!!

NOTE 6: THE MMA Solar-Lunar App now offers reversal signals on the NASDAQ to all subscribers!

The app now provides daily weighted values for four markets: the DJIA, NASDAQ, Gold, and Silver.

This app is an ideal tool to have in your back pocket if you are a short-term swing trader looking for high-probability dates that identify isolated lows and highs in the DJIA, NASDAQ, Gold, and Silver markets. It is currently available only on Apple products (iPhone and iPad), although we are close to developing it for Android phones as well — possibly by the end of this year.

To learn more about the MMA App, click here. To order it, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 NOTE 7: The MMA Weekly YouTube show, “Geocosmic Week in Review and Look Ahead,” with Gianni Di Poce, is conducted on Wednesday evenings! Each 5- to 20-minute FREE episode reviews the previous week’s market activity and offers a preview of the geocosmic signatures in effect for the coming week and beyond.

NOTE 8: MMA’s Free Weekly Column Podcast Is Available on SPOTIFY, APPLE, and AMAZON! Now you can listen to a podcast of this weekly column, narrated by Thomas Miller, every Saturday! Thomas has an excellent voice and brings the weekly column to life in a personable and, at times, humorous fashion. Just follow Merriman Market Analyst on Spotify or Apple to listen to all our episodes. A new podcast episode will be released every weekend. This is a FREE service and is available to everyone. Check out our podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music. It makes for great listening!

NOTE 9: SPECIAL SIX-WEEK COURSE ON “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ASTROLOGY FOR FINANCIAL MARKET TIMING.” This six-week course, starting in late May, is designed to teach attendees the basic principles of planets, signs, and aspects (including retrograde and direct stations) used in MMA’s market timing methods. It will also explain which planets and signs rule various sectors of the economy and financial markets. The course will discuss how to use an astrological calculation program (Solar Fire) for important routines, such as calculating charts and transit “hit lists.”

This course is also being created for those interested in taking the MMTA4 program, which begins on September 27, and who feel their astrological knowledge is at a beginner stage. However, the course will be open to others as well. The instructor will be MMA market analyst Gianni Di Poce, who has just authored a newly released book titled Esoteric Economics, an excellent resource on the correlation of geocosmic cycles to the study of economics and financial markets.

The cost for this six-week introductory course is $300, and attendees will meet online on Saturdays at noon Eastern Time. The classes will be recorded and available for download within two days after each live meeting. This is a great way to learn basic astrology for those seeking a beginner-level course from a master astrologer!

NOTE 10: THE “SPECIAL MMA OPTIONS WEBINAR” with Derek Panaia, hosted by Raymond Merriman, that took place on Sunday, April 13, was a great success!!!

The first option trade recommended was to buy a Gold call spread, which would have been filled by the next morning, elected at 18-20. By Wednesday, it met our first target, and traders were advised to cover partial positions at 42 or better (it went even higher that day), for a triple-digit gain in just three days.

Recordings of the webinar are now available, along with the option to enter the “Options Plus” Discord group, where Derek continuously updates and refines entry and exit points. Limited-risk option strategies were provided on the S&P, T-Notes, Gold, Silver, and Soybeans, and these entry positions are being monitored by Derek as well.

For a recording of this excellent three-hour presentation and/or to join the Options Plus chatroom with Derek, click here.

EVENTS

 MAY 31, 2025: SPECIAL SIX-WEEK COURSE ON “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ASTROLOGY FOR FINANCIAL MARKET TIMING” BEGINS. The cost is $300. Stay tuned for registration information.

JUNE 2025: LAUNCH OF THE NEW MONTHLY MMA CYCLES CRYPTO REPORT!!! The editor will be MMTA graduate and former Bitcoin miner Jeremy Osting. This new monthly report will cover the cycles and geocosmic outlook for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and XRP. Details will be announced shortly! Stay tuned.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: MMTA4 Begins!!

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to forecast the future movement of various financial markets. However, that is the purpose of the MMA (Merriman Market Analyst) subscription services. This column is not a subscription service. It is a free service, except in those cases where a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of translating this column from English into a non-English language. This weekly report is written with the intent of educating the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they occur. In this regard, this report will often cite what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week and discuss those movements in light of the geocosmic signatures that were in effect. It will then identify the geocosmic factors that will be in effect in the next week, month, or even years and the author’s understanding of how these signatures may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycles analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and even financial markets of the world. It is possible that some forecasts will be made based on these factors. However, the primary goal is to both educate and alert the reader to the psychological climate we are in from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and their potential effect on financial markets.

No guarantee as to the accuracy of this report is being made. Any decisions in financial markets are solely the responsibility of the reader, and neither the author nor the publishers of this column assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s trading or investment decisions. Readers of this report should understand that commodity futures and options trading are considered high-risk activities.