Colin Twiggs, Author at the patient investor

September 3, 2012

Lackluster S&P 500 and Dow Industrials

The S&P 500 Index is currently consolidating between 1400 and 1420. Lackluster momentum suggests another correction; confirmed if Twiggs Momentum (63-day) reverses below zero. Breakout above 1420, however, would signal an advance to the 2007 high of 1560*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1420 + ( 1420 – 1280 ) = 1560

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is similarly testing support at 13000 on the weekly chart. Downward breakout would penetrate the rising trendline, suggesting another correction. Weak volume signals a lack of interest from buyers rather than resistance from sellers. Upward breakout above 13300 is unlikely, but would indicate an advance to the 2007 high of 14200.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Colin Twiggs

Colin Twiggs is a former investment banker with almost 40 years of experience in financial markets. He co-founded Incredible Charts and writes the popular Trading Diary and Patient Investor newsletters.

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

Focusing on interest rates and financial market liquidity as primary drivers of the economic cycle, he warned of the 2008/2009 and 2020 bear markets well ahead of actual events.
He founded PVT Capital (AFSL No. 546090) in May 2023, which offers investment strategy and advice to wholesale clients.

September 3, 2012

The Fed and the impact of QE

Unless the Fed announces a new round of quantitative easing before the November election, I do not see the S&P 500 this year advancing past its 2007 high of 1560.

The market generally overreacts to balance sheet expansion by the Fed, anticipating higher inflation. What it seems to overlook is the deflationary effect of private sector deleveraging which should enable the Fed to maneuver a soft landing.

The real impact of Fed policy is to subsidize debtors and starve creditors — private investors and pension funds — of yield. The net result is that investors are driven to higher yields — accompanied by higher risk — which is likely to cause more pain at the next down-turn.

The only way to compensate creditors would be to lower taxes on interest, but I question how high this would rank in either party’s priorities.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

September 1, 2012

Bernanke Speech Makes Detailed Case for Fed Action – NYTimes.com

The Fed Chairman hinted at further measures to stimulate employment but is still playing his cards close to his chest as to when and how much:

“It is important to achieve further progress, particularly in the labor market,” Mr. Bernanke said. “Taking due account of the uncertainties and limits of its policy tools, the Federal Reserve will provide additional policy accommodation as needed to promote a stronger economic recovery and sustained improvement in labor market conditions in a context of price stability.”

via Bernanke Speech Makes Detailed Case for Fed Action – NYTimes.com.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 30, 2012

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Loonie, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen

A monthly chart shows the euro testing long-term support at $1.20 against the greenback. Recovery above the steeply descending trendline would indicate another test of the upper triangle border, while failure of support would indicate long-term re-alignment. Indications, from president Mario Draghi, that the ECB will further expand its balance sheet explains euro weakness, but similar moves by the Fed would restore the status quo.

Euro/USD Monthly

On the daily chart, the Euro is headed for resistance at $1.275. The primary trend remains downward, but breach of the descending trendline indicates it is losing momentum. Failure of support at $1.240 and penetration of the rising trendline, however, would indicate another test of primary support at $1.205.

Euro/USD

Pound Sterling formed a descending triangle, testing support at €1.255 against the Euro. Failure of support would indicate a test of €1.225. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum is falling, but continues to indicate a primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.255 – ( 1.285 – 1.255 ) = 1.225

Canada’s Loonie is consolidating in a narrow band below resistance against the greenback at $1.02. Breakout above resistance at $1.02 would indicate an advance to $1.06, while reversal below parity would test $0.95/$0.96.

Canadian Loonie/Aussie Dollar

The Aussie Dollar is retracing to find support against the greenback, with $1.02 a likely target. Respect would suggest another test of $1.08. Narrow oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around zero would suggest a ranging market.

Aussie Dollar/USD

Australian Dollar appreciation against the yen is slowing. Reversal below ¥79.50 would indicate another test of primary support at ¥74.

US Dollar/Japanese Yen

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 29, 2012

Gold and dollar test support

The Dollar Index is testing primary support at 81.00/81.50. Failure would signal reversal to a primary down-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would also suggest a reversal, while respect of the zero line would indicate continuation of the primary up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold is retracing to test its new support level after breaking resistance at $1650 per ounce. Respect of $1640 would confirm the primary up-trend. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal. Reversal below $1640 is unlikely but would indicate a false signal and re-test primary support at $1525.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

The CRB Commodities Index is retracing after breaking medium-term resistance at 305. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a trend reversal, but only a trough above zero would confirm.

CRB Commodities Index

Brent Crude retreated from resistance at $115 per barrel. Reversal below $108 is unlikely, but would signal another test of support at $100. Breakout would indicate a test of the March high at $126. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 28, 2012

Sweden: Failure of the welfare state experiment

…..Sweden has a large welfare state and is successful. This is often seen as a proof that a ‘third way’ policy between socialism and capitalism works well, and that other nations can reach the same favourable social outcomes by simply expanding the size of government. If one studies Swedish history and society in-depth however it quickly becomes evident that this simplistic analysis is flawed. The Swedish experience might as well be used to argue for the benefits of free-market oriented policies, and as a warning of the economic and social problems that can arise when government involvement in society becomes too large…….In the long run….. even the well-functioning societies in Scandinavia have been adversely impacted by welfare dependency and high levels of taxation. The ‘third way’ policy has not persisted – it can be viewed as a short-lived and failed experiment. Throughout most of its modern history Sweden has had a favourable business environment. The period characterised by the most extensive welfare state policies, where Sweden deviated strongly from the western norm, around 1970-1995, is an exception. That period was associated with a stagnant economy.

…….The transition towards an extensive welfare state that occurred in Sweden led….. to an economic cost in terms of reduced entrepreneurship, as taxes and regulation hindered the development of private businesses. It also led to a significant crowding out of private employment. Between 1950 and 2005, the Swedish population grew from seven to nine million, but net job creation in the private sector was zero. Jobs in the public sector expanded rapidly until the end of the 1970s. As it became difficult to further expand the already large public sector, job creation simply stopped (Bjuggren and Johansson, 2009).

Nima Sanandaji, The Institute of Economic Affairs, Sweden Paper August 2012.pdf (application/pdf Object).

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 28, 2012

Australia: ASX 200 meets resistance

The ASX 200 met resistance at 4400. Short retracement or narrow consolidation would be a bullish sign, suggesting a breakout. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around the zero line, however, would suggest a ranging market, with further tests of primary support at 4000.

ASX 200 Index Weekly

The Daily chart shows the ASX 200 testing the upper border of its trend channel. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns of medium-term selling pressure; reversal below zero would strengthen the signal. Failure of initial support at 4320 would indicate a swing to the lower trend channel.

ASX 200 Index Daily

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 27, 2012

Asia: India rises but China, Japan bearish

India’s Sensex is retracing to test its new support level at 17500. Respect of support would confirm the primary up-trend and signal an advance to 18500*. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum also suggests a primary up-trend.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 17.5 + ( 17.5 – 16.5 ) = 18.5

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is consolidating above support at 3000. Reversal below 3000 would signal a test of the lower trend channel, while follow-through above 3100 would indicate a fresh advance. It is unclear whether 63-day Twiggs Momentum will oscillate around zero, indicating a ranging market, or above zero, indicating a healthy up-trend. The next trough should clarify this; respect of zero indicating a primary up-trend.

Singapore Straits Times Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index is retracing to test support at 9000 after completing a double-bottom. Respect would confirm a primary advance to 10000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow peaking below zero, however, warns of selling pressure.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 9100 + ( 9100 – 8200 ) = 10000

China’s Shanghai Composite followed-through below 2100, confirming the primary decline with a target of 1800*. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates selling pressure.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2150 – ( 2500 – 2150 ) = 1800

The Hang Seng drifts fairly aimlessly. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests selling pressure. Breach of 18000 would signal a primary down-trend but we still appear some way from that.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 20 + ( 20 – 18 ) = 22

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 27, 2012

European buying pressure

The FTSE 100 is retracing to test support at 5700. Rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Respect of 5700 would signal an advance to 6100; expect strong resistance at that level because of the number of previous peaks. Breakout would offer a long-term target of 6750*.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6000 + ( 6000 – 5250 ) = 6750

Madrid General Index is consolidating above 720 after completing a double-bottom reversal. Follow-through above 760 would signal an advance to 900*. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates long-term buying pressure. Penetration of the descending trendline would strengthen the reversal signal.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 750 + ( 750 – 600 ) = 900

Germany’s DAX shows strong buying pressure, with 13-week Twiggs Money Flow oscillating high above zero. Consolidation or retracement below 7200 is likely, followed by an advance to 7600. Expect strong resistance at 7500/7600 because of the number of previous peaks.

DAX Index

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

August 27, 2012

Canada: TSX60 buying pressure

The TSX 60 is testing resistance at 700 on the weekly chart. Penetration of the descending trendline suggests that a bottom is forming. Oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates buying pressure. Follow-through above 700 would test primary resistance at 730. Reversal below 680 is unlikely, but would re-test primary support at 640.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 730 + ( 730 – 640 ) = 820

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.