Iron ore found resistance at $95/ton and is likely to again test short-term support at $90. Support is unlikely to hold and breach would offer a medium-term target of $80 per ton.
The ASX 300 Metals & Mining index found support at 4100 but the rally is weak. Breach of 4100 would complete a head and shoulders reversal, giving a target of 3400.
A fall in iron ore prices would increase downward pressure on the Aussie Dollar.
The Financial sector continues to look bullish, testing resistance at 6500, with Trend Index troughs above zero indicating buying pressure. Housing woes are far from over, despite improved auction clearance rates, and we expect the sector to remain a drag on growth for the next three to five years — unless the RBA & APRA go “all-in” on a housing bubble to “rescue” the economy.
The ASX 200 is edging upwards, towards a test of resistance at the 2007 high of 6800. Expect stubborn resistance. Reversal below 6400 would warn of a decline to test primary support at 5400.
We maintain exposure to Australian equities at 25% of portfolio value, with a focus on defensive and contra-cyclical stocks, because of our bearish long-term outlook.