Another with thanks to http://abstrusegoose.com
A Pseudorandom Walk
And There’s Your Perfectly Leaked Explanation: CME Hikes Gold Margins, Again, This Time By 27% | ZeroHedge
Two weeks after the CME hiked gold margins by 22%, and two days after the Shanghai Gold Exchange sent them higher by 26%, here comes the CME, as we expected, with another 26% gold margin hike. And now we know that this particular margin hike was leaked well in advance, and explains the entire $100 plunge in gold today.
No European trend
The Euro is testing resistance at $1.455 after consolidating between $1.40 and that level for the last two months. Twiggs Momentum oscillating in a tight band around zero reflects no real trend and this is likely to continue unless the Fed introduces a new round of quantitative easing.
* Target calculation: 1.45 + ( 1.45 – 1.40 ) = 1.50
The Pound is testing resistance at $1.66 against the greenback. Breakout above the 2011 high of $1.67 would signal another primary advance, but Momentum is falling and we can expect strong resistance between $1.66 and $1.70.
* Target calculation: 1.65 + ( 1.65 – 1.60 ) = 1.70
The Swiss Franc is testing support at $1.25 against the greenback. Respect of support is likely, but breakout above $1.30 is also unlikely in the short-term unless Ben Bernanke announces further quantitative easing.
Rand weakens
A three-year chart shows strong support for the US dollar at R6.50. Earlier breach of the descending trendline and rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum both warn that the Rand is likely to weaken. Now we have a break above resistance at R7.00 testing the 2011 high of R7.35. Breakout would signal an advance to R8.00*.
* Target calculation: 7.30 + ( 7.30 – 6.50 ) = 8.10
No respite in bear trend against the Yen
A long-term chart shows the dramatic fall of the greenback against the yen over the last three decades. The bear trend continues with breakout below ¥80 signaling further decline to around ¥60* over the next few years. Quantitative easing by the Fed would accelerate the process.
* Target calculation: 80 – ( 100 – 80 ) = 60
Aussie weaker
The Aussie Dollar continues to consolidate between $1.03 and $1.06 against the greenback. Failure of support at $1.03 would test parity, while breakout above $1.06 would target resistance at $1.10. In the long term, declining commodity prices are likely to drag the Aussie lower — unless the Fed starts printing money again.
* Target calculation: 1.03 – ( 1.06 – 1.03 ) = 1.00
The Aussie Dollar is testing the upper border of the declining trend channel against its Kiwi counterpart. Reversal below short-term support at $1.255 would indicate respect of the upper channel and a down-swing to around $1.20*. Breakout above $1.28 is unlikely but would warn that the down-trend is weakening.
* Target calculation: 1.24 – ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.20
Loonie band
The Candian Loonie is consolidating in a narrow band above parity, warning of selling pressure. Earlier penetration of the long-term rising trendline indicates the up-trend has weakened. Breach of support would confirm a primary down-trend, with an initial target of $0.94 against the greenback.
* Target calculation: 1.00 – ( 1.06 – 1.00 ) = 0.94
Dollar Index
The Dollar Index is testing primary support at 73.00. Penetration of the declining long-term trendline is only tentative at this stage and failure of support would warn of a down-swing to 70.00*. Announcement of QE3 by the Fed on Friday would cause a sharp fall, while absence of further easing would strengthen support.
* Target calculation: 73 – ( 76 – 73 ) = 70
Commodities rally
The CRB Commodities Index did not follow gold lower and is testing resistance at 335. Respect of resistance, signaled by reversal below 325, would confirm the primary down-trend — offering a target of 295*. Penetration of the declining trendline is unlikely, but would warn that the down-trend is weakening.
* Target calculation: 315 – ( 335 – 315 ) = 295