ColinTwiggs, Author at the patient investor

February 24, 2012

Climate change during the Earth’s history ~ Center for Sun-Climate Research

On long timescales the intensity of cosmic rays varies more emphatically because the influx from the Galaxy changes. During the past 500 million years, the Earth has passed through four ‘hothouse’ episodes, free of ice and with high sea levels, and four ‘icehouse’ episodes like the one we live in now, with ice-sheets, glaciers and relatively low sea levels.

Nir Shaviv of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, together with Ján Veizer of the Ruhr University and the University of Ottawa, links these changes to the journey of the Sun and the Earth through the Milky Way Galaxy. They blame the icehouse episodes on encounters with bright spiral arms, where cosmic rays are most intense (diagram 3).

Changes in Tropical Sea-surface Temperatures over the past 500 million years Compared to Cosmic-rays Intensities

3. The red curve shows changes in tropical sea-surface temperatures over the past 500 million years. In the blue curve, drawn upside down to match, cosmic-rays intensities have varied according to our position relative to the Galaxy’s spiral arms. After Shaviv and Veizer

More frequent chilling events, every 34 million years or so, occur whenever the solar system passes through with the mid-plane of the Galaxy.

via Center for Sun-Climate Research.

Comment:~ What does not appear to be adequately explained is the divergence between tropical sea-surface temperatures and cosmic ray intensities in the latest cycle.

February 23, 2012

Yen’s Fall May Benefit Japan Firms – WSJ.com

TOKYO—As the yen finally buckles versus the dollar, Japan’s exporting manufacturers are sitting on potential operating-profit gains that could be worth billions of dollars on paper, likely triggering some higher earnings forecasts if current trends persist.

….Like many of Japan’s biggest companies, the big three auto makers—Toyota Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co.—are heavily exposed to exchange-rate fluctuations. Estimates by the three show that every ¥1 variation in the dollar exchange rate has an impact of ¥67 billion on their combined operating profit. That means the dollar’s gains since the central bank’s easing could notionally assist the three auto makers’ annual operating profit to the tune of ¥165 billion, or more than $2 billion at recent exchange rates.

via Yen’s Fall May Benefit Japan Firms – WSJ.com.

February 23, 2012

Canada’s Household Debt Is Rising – WSJ.com

OTTAWA—Increased household debt in Canada, underpinned by rising house prices and low interest rates, poses a key domestic risk to financial stability, the Bank of Canada said on Thursday.

The finding, contained in the central bank’s quarterly economic review, was the latest in a series of warnings from economists and Canadian officials that high consumer borrowing has emerged as one of the economy’s biggest risks. Household debt stood at over 150% of personal disposable income as of the third quarter of last year, the report noted.

via Canada’s Household Debt Is Rising – WSJ.com.

February 23, 2012

New Push for Reform in China – WSJ.com

An exclusive preview of an economic report on China, prepared by the World Bank and government insiders considered to have the ear of the nation’s leaders, offers a surprising prescription: China could face an economic crisis unless it implements deep reforms, including scaling back its vast state-owned enterprises and making them operate more like commercial firms.

……The report warns that China’s growth is in danger of decelerating rapidly and without much warning. That is what has occurred with other highflying developing countries, such as Brazil and Mexico, once they reached a certain income level, a phenomenon that economists call the “middle-income trap.” A sharp slowdown could deepen problems in the Chinese banking sector and elsewhere, the report warns, and could prompt a crisis, according to those involved with the project.

via New Push for Reform in China – WSJ.com.

February 23, 2012

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Yen and Rand

The euro broke medium-term resistance at $1.32, indicating a rally to test the descending trendline at $1.38*. Momentum is rising but the primary trend remains downward.

Index

* Target calculation: 1.32 + ( 1.32 – 1.26 ) = 1.38

Pound Sterling broke its descending trendline, but respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. A fall below $1.565 (the last two weeks low) would warn of another test of primary support at $1.530. Recovery above $1.590 is less likely, but would indicate a rally to test $1.620.

Index

The greenback broke through resistance at ¥80 and is now retracing to test its new support level. Respect would confirm a primary up-trend, signaled by the long-term bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum (and its recovery above zero).

Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

The Aussie Dollar consolidated against the South African Rand in recent months after a long appreciation. 63-day Twiggs Momentum is declining and breakout below R8.00 would warn of a correction to the rising trendline, with a target of R7.50*. Upward breakout, however, would offer an initial target of R9.00.

Index

* Target calculation: 8.00 – ( 8.50 – 8.00 ) = 7.50

February 23, 2012

Crude drags commodities higher

Brent crude is headed for a test of its 2011 high at $126/barrel as tensions with Iran escalate. Upward breakout would offer a long-term target of $150*. A trough above the zero line on 63-day Twiggs Momentum reflects the strong up-trend.

ICE Brent Afternoon Crude Markers

* Target calculation: 125 + ( 125 – 100 ) = 150

The CRB Commodities Index is being boosted by rising crude prices, petroleum-based products making up a third of the index weighting. The index itself is testing resistance at 325, while 63-day Twiggs Momentum is at the zero line. Breakout above 325 would signal a primary up-trend with an initial target of 350*.

CBR Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 325 + ( 325 – 300 ) = 350

February 23, 2012

Aussie Dollar and Canada’s Loonie encounter resistance

The Aussie Dollar is testing short-term support at $1.06, the lower peak at $1.08 warning of selling pressure. Breach of the secondary rising trendline (and support at $1.06) would warn of a correction to the long-term trendline around $1.02. Recovery above $1.08, however, would signal a fresh primary advance with a long-term target of $1.20*.

Australian Dollar/US Dollar

* Target calculation: 1.08 + ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 1.20

Canada’s Loonie continues to consolidate below $1.01 on the weekly chart, while 63-day Twiggs Momentum crossed to above zero, indicating a primary up-trend. Breakout above $1.01 would confirm, offering an initial target of $1.06*.

Canadian Dollar/US Dollar

* Target calculation: 1.01 + ( 1.01 – 0.96 ) = 1.06

Both the Aussie and the Loonie are strongly influenced by commodity prices. If the CRB Commodities Index breaks resistance, expect both currencies to follow — though Canada will benefit more from higher oil prices.

February 22, 2012

Gold tests $1800/ounce

Spot gold is testing resistance at $1800/ounce on the weekly chart after completing a small flag to signal continuation of the up-trend. Breakout would signal a primary advance to $2100*. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + (1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The US Dollar Index remains weak as inflation expectations rise. Failure of medium-term support at 78.50 would warn of trend weakness, while recovery above 80.00 would indicate trend strength. Target for a breakout above 81.50 would be 85.00*.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

February 22, 2012

Canada: Potential breakouts

A quick follow-up on the three stocks mentioned earlier in the week.

You can run the screen yourself on Incredible Charts:

Open the Stock Screener
Click the Shared tab
Click the Edit link next to #48895 TMX Potential Breakouts
Review the filters then click the Run Screen button.

Here is what to look for:

Husky Energy (HSE) broke through resistance at 26.00. 63-day Twiggs Momentum oscillator rises above zero, confirming a primary up-trend. 21-day Twiggs Money Flow holding above zero indicates buying pressure.

HSE: Husky Energy

Crew Energy (CR) broke resistance a few weeks ago and is now retracing to test the new support level. Respect of support would confirm the primary up-trend.

CR: Crew Energy

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is testing resistance at 55.00. Breakout would confirm the strong buying pressure and 63-day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero.

BNS: Bank of Nova Scotia