The combined assets of the nation’s mutual funds decreased by $219.2 billion, or 1.8 percent, to $12.009 trillion in July, according to the Investment Company Institute’s official survey of the mutual fund industry.
Aussie Dollar weakens
The Aussie Dollar is testing support at $1.045 against the greenback; failure would warn of another down-swing to parity*. Breakout above $1.075, however, would re-visit $1.10.
* Target calculation: 1.05 – ( 1.10 – 1.05 ) = 1.00
AUDUSD is strongly influenced by commodity prices and closely tracks the CRB Commodities Index. $CRB is rising and breakout above 350 would indicate a primary advance to 385* — suggesting increased support for the Aussie Dollar.
* Target calculation: 350 + ( 350 – 315 ) = 385
Crude rising
The Brent Crude rally since mid-August is now testing the descending trendline at $115/barrel. Breakout above this level would warn that the down-trend is ending. Recovery above $120 would signal a fresh primary advance. Rising crude prices are a negative sign for economic recovery, placing a further damper on consumer spending. Reversal below support at $105, however would signal a decline to $90*.
* Target calculation: 105 – ( 120 – 105 ) = 90
Gold finds support at $1800/ounce
Spot gold found short-term support at $1800/ounce. A rally to $1900 from this point would form a bullish ascending triangle, suggesting an upward breakout and offering a target of $2100*. Failure of support, however, would penetrate the rising (secondary) trendline and suggest a correction to $1500.
* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1700 ) = 2100
Gold Bugs ($HUI) and Gold Miners ($GDX) Indexes both broke through resistance to signal a fresh primary advance. With a target of 700 for $HUI, the breakout favors continuation of the current advance in spot prices.
* Target calculation: 600 + ( 600 – 500 ) = 700
GBP tests support
The Pound is testing support at $1.60/$1.59 against the greenback, dragged down by rising calls for another round of quantitative easing to assist the flagging UK economy. Failure of support would signal a primary down-trend with a target of $1.53*.
* Target calculation: 1.60 – ( 1.67 – 1.60 ) = 1.53
Swiss Franc weakens on SNB action
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) threw a similar lifeline to Swiss exporters and tourist industry, pledging to support their currency at 1.20 Swiss Francs against the euro with “utmost determination” and to “buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities” to achieve this. [Bloomberg]
The euro jumped from 1.10 to 1.20 CHF on Tuesday and has been trading in a narrow range between 1.20 and 1.21 since then. Further speculation is inadvisable unless you have deep enough pockets to take on the SNB.
Euro tests support
Germany’s high court threw Chancellor Merkel a lifeline, ruling that bailouts of struggling euro-countries are legal in terms of the German constitution. But they also created an obstacle to further assistance, requiring that parliament vote on any future bailout decisions. [WSJ]
The euro continues to test support at $1.40 against the greenback. Failure would signal a primary down-trend with a target of $1.30*.
* Target calculation: 1.40 – ( 1.50 – 1.40 ) = 1.30
$1.2 Trillion Is Not Enough
Budget experts from both political parties warned at a Business Roundtable forum on Tuesday that the congressional Super Committee preparing for its first meeting later this week needs a long-term vision that goes beyond cutting $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit over the next decade.
“These guys have only a 10-year window. They can get $1.2 trillion fairly easily. But don’t think that’s success,” said Alice Rivlin, founding director of the Congressional Budget Office and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “Success is putting in place longer-term reforms that are going to stabilize the debt… it means a lot more than $1.2 trillion, and it means ultimately what would come out of this would be more like $4 trillion or $5 trillion.”
Dollar rallies
The Dollar Index rallied strongly but expect stubborn resistance between 76.00 and 76.50. Consolidation between 73.00 and 76.50 has continued for more than four months, but we are in a bear trend and downward breakout remains likely. Failure of support at 73.00 would offer a target of 70.00*. Any hint of quantitative easing in the next FOMC announcement, on September 21st, would accelerate the sell-off.
* Target calculation: 73 – ( 76 – 73 ) = 70
Europe consolidates
Dow Jones Europe Index ($E1DOW) recovered above 230 and is expected to consolidate between 230 and 250. The bear market remains strong, with 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicating selling pressure. Reversal below 230 would test the 2010 low of 205, though the calculated target is lower*.
* Target calculation: 230 – ( 265 – 230 ) = 195