ASX breakout on RBA rate cut

Australia’s ASX 200 broke through resistance at 5660, signaling a fresh primary advance after several months in the doldrums. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Retracement to test new support at 5550/5650 is likely, but the target for the advance is 6150*.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5150 ) = 6150

The surge was driven by an RBA rate cut to a new low of 2.25%.

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The cut was largely unexpected. My view was (and is) that a cut is unnecessary, given that falling commodity prices (especially crude oil and LNG) are weakening the Aussie Dollar. Now that we have one, further cuts are likely.

US Markets

The S&P 500 continues to test support at 2000, but rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates long-term buying pressure. Breach of 1980/2000 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction. Recovery above the descending trendline would suggest the start of a fresh advance.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1800 ) = 2200

CBOE Volatility Index retreated below 20%, but only breakout below the triangle would reassure that the recent up-surge has passed — and risk has reverted to ‘low’ from ‘moderate’.

S&P 500 VIX

Europe

Germany’s DAX is heading for 11000* after breaking resistance at 10000. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero confirms the primary up-trend.

DAX

* Target calculation: 10000 + ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 11000

The Footsie continues to test long-term resistance at 6900/7000. Breakout would signal a fresh primary advance, with a long-term target of 8000*. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow is rising, but it will take considerable buying pressure to break through the 1999/2000 high.

FTSE 100

* Target calculation: 7000 + ( 7000 – 6000 ) = 8000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is retreating from resistance at its 2009 high of 3400. A small decline in 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure is weakening. Reversal below 3100 would warn of a correction. Breakout above 3400 remains as likely, however, and would signal a fresh primary advance. The stimulus effect of lower energy prices may allow the PBOC scope to rein in monetary expansion, which would have a dampening effect on the current stock boom.

Shanghai Composite Index

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