Europe and Footsie recovering

Madrid General Index is testing resistance at 720. Breakout would complete a double bottom, offering a target of 840*.  Bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates a resurgence, but we are some way off a recovery above zero which would signal a primary up-trend.

Madrid General Index

Dow Jones Europe Index displays a strong bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum, indicating a (primary trend) reversal. Recovery above zero would strengthen the signal. Penetration of the descending trendline would suggest a test of resistance at 265.

Dow Jones Europe Index

The FTSE 100 is headed for a test  resistance at 6000. A trough at zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests buying pressure but expect strong resistance at 6000 because of the number of previous reversals at this level.

FTSE 100 Index

Canada: TSX60 rising broadening wedge

The TSX 60 continues in a rising broadening wedge consolidation rather than a trend channel. Thomas Bulkowski observes that these formations end with a downward breakout 73 per cent of the time. That would threaten primary support at 640 and a decline to 600*. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero, however, indicates buying pressure. Respect of support at 640 would suggest a rally to 720. And breakout above 720 would offer a target of 800*.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 640 – ( 680 – 640 ) = 600

US: S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 buying pressure

The S&P 500 is headed for a test of 1420 on the weekly chart. Breakout would signal an advance to 1570* — the 2007 high. The 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero indicates strong long-term buying pressure.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1420 + ( 1420 – 1270 ) = 1570

The Nasdaq 100 is headed for 2800*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would confirm the primary up-trend. Breakout would offer a target of 3150*.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2800 + ( 2800 – 2450 ) = 3150

Italian's Job: Premier Talks Tough in Bid to Save Euro – WSJ.com

Only the ECB has the necessary firepower to move the market. Senior German officials say the ECB’s help is what [Italian premier Mario] Monti has really been after all along. The Italian leader is convinced that the June 28 summit provided political cover for the ECB to take bold action, in the knowledge that euro-zone governments—including Germany—won’t oppose it.

“I have no doubt that the night before the disintegration of the euro, the ECB will do whatever is necessary to save it,” Mr. Monti says. “The question is: Do we need to get to the night before?”

via Italian’s Job: Premier Talks Tough in Bid to Save Euro – WSJ.com.

The Olympic spirit

Who said this about the Olympics?

The sportive, knightly battle awakens the best human characteristics. It doesn’t separate, but unites the combatants in understanding and respect. It also helps to connect the countries in the spirit of peace. That’s why the Olympic Flame should never die.

None other than that icon of world peace, Adolf Hitler. The next two scheduled games, 1940 and 1944, were cancelled while he extended the “spirit of peace” around the globe.

The Nazis hijacked the 1936 Olympic Games as a massive PR exercise. The torch relay doesn’t date back to ancient Greece at all. It originates from Nazi pageantry — introduced by them in 1936 in an attempt to draw a connection between ancient Greek civilization and the Third Reich. The 1936 medal count illustrates their success in whipping up nationalistic fervor.

1936 Olympics Medal Count

Source: Wikipedia

Other countries have since attempted to emulate the Nazi feat, pouring millions of dollars into sports development in the hope of improving their medal tally. The medal count, given such prominence by international media, goes against the spirit of the ancient Olympiads, whose focus was on athletes competing against other athletes. Countries competing against each other evokes the exact opposite of the spirit of peace.

In addition, we have commercial sponsors attempting to align themselves with the Olympic Games. Will Anderson, host of Gruen Sweat, a four-part ABC series, sums this up:

The London 2012 Olympics — where the world’s most competitive brands come together to fight for glory and gold — mostly gold …… The orgy of selling starts before the games even begin.

The spirit of the games was expressed by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part;
the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.

To find the true spirit of the Olympics, look no further than the athletes. Not the medal count or the sponsors.

In every act observe the things which come first and those which follow….
If you do not, at first you will approach it with alacrity….
but afterward you will be ashamed.
A man wishes to conquer the Olympic games….
But observe the things which come first and the things which follow….
You must do everything according to the rule:
eat according to strict orders,
abstain from delicacies,
exercise yourself at appointed times, in heat and cold,
you must not drink cold water,
nor wine as you choose….
And sometimes you will strain the hand,
put the ankle out of joint,
swallow much dust,
sometimes be flogged,
and after all this be defeated.
When you have considered all this,
if you still choose, go to the contest.
If you do not — you will behave like children,
who at one time play as wrestlers, another time as flute players….
but with your whole soul you will be nothing at all.

~ Greek sage and Stoic philosopher Epictetus (AD 55 – AD 135)

Olympic highlights: Oscar Pistorius runs second in Mens 400m heat

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who had both of his legs amputated below the knee when he was a child, became the first double-amputee to compete in the Summer Olympics. Running in the first heat for the Men’s 400 meters, he finished second, advancing to the semifinals. Unfortunately he failed to make the final, but his effort is truly inspiring.

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Olympic highlights: Ye Shiwen wins gold in 400m IM

China’s 16 year-old Ye Shiwen swims an amazingly fast final 50 meters to beat Australia’s Alicia Coutts in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley.

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