Colin Twiggs, Author at the patient investor

July 7, 2012

The Threat From a Recession | ECRI

The Economic Cycle Research Institute, which claims a perfect recession-forecasting record, says an economic contraction is imminent. “We have not seen a slowdown where year-over-year payroll job growth has dropped this low without a recession,” ECRI states in a May report.

If, or when, the U.S. (and/or the global) economy does start to contract, commodity prices will tumble because of three factors…..

via The Threat From a Recession | News | News and Events | ECRI.

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.

July 6, 2012

Economists React: How Likely Is QE3 Following Jobs Data? – WSJ

CAPITAL ECONOMICS: QE3 will depend on second-quarter GDP and July’s ISM data because the jobs report was not bad enough to make QE3 “a done deal.” Both GDP and ISM numbers will be released just ahead of the Fed’s next policy meeting.

via Economists React: How Likely Is QE3 Following Jobs Data? – Real Time Economics – WSJ.

Comment:~ The range of opinion canvassed by WSJ leans toward the Fed holding off QE3 for the present because jobs numbers aren’t bad enough to warrant drastic intervention. In the long run QE appears inevitable — and not only in the US. There are three options: (1) stagnation with low growth and high unemployment; (2) debt-deflation as in 2009; and (3) inflation. Option (3) would reduce the public debt load by raising nominal GDP and rescue underwater homeowners and banks by lifting real estate values. Those on fixed incomes would suffer but they do not appear a powerful enough lobby to deter politicians from this course.

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.

July 5, 2012

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

The Euro broke support at $1.25 before falling sharply through $1.24, warning of another decline. Narrow consolidation below the new resistance level is a bearish sign. Follow-through below $1.23 would offer a target of $1.20.

Euro/USD

Pound Sterling broke resistance at €1.25 against the Euro, offering a target of €1.28.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.250 + ( 1.250 – 1.215 ) = 1.285

Canada’s Loonie is strengthening against the US Dollar on the back of rising oil prices. Expect another test of $1.02.

Canadian Loonie/US Dollar

The Aussie Dollar threatens to break down from its recent flag formation. Failure of support at $1.025 would suggest a test of $1.01.

Aussie Dollar/USD

The Aussie Dollar continues to range between ¥72 and ¥90 Japanese Yen. Dips are getting shorter and range traders may need to move their base to ¥75.

Aussie Dollar/Japanese Yen

Against the South African Rand, the Aussie Dollar is testing resistance at R8.50. Breakout would offer a target of R9.00. Narrow consolidation above R8.30 would be a bullish sign.

Aussie Dollar/South African Rand

* Target calculation: 8.50 + ( 8.50 – 8.00 ) = 9.00

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.

July 5, 2012

Europe Central Banks Fight Slowdown – WSJ.com

The ECB lowered its main lending rate by 0.25 percentage point to 0.75%, the lowest level in the central bank’s 13-year history. It reduced the rate it pays banks that deposit funds overnight with the central bank by the same amount, to zero. Both decisions were unanimous.

via Europe Central Banks Fight Slowdown – WSJ.com.

Comment:~ Lowering interest rates will help restore liquidity, but will not fix the current solvency crisis.

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.

July 5, 2012

Commodities rebound

The US Dollar Index continues to respect support at 81.00, indicating another test of resistance at 83.50 on the Weekly chart. Breakout would offer a target of 86.00*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above the zero line indicates a healthy up-trend.

US Dollar Index

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

Spot Gold similarly respected support at $1530 per ounce and is headed for a test of $1640/$1650. Confidence in the introduction of QE3 has strengthened support. Breakout above $1640 would indicate a rally to $1800. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero, however, warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at $1530 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

The 2-Hour chart displays a flag formation over the last two days. Upward breakout (above 1620) would signal a test of $1640.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1620 – ( 1620 – 1600 ) = 1640

Brent Crude retraced sharply to test resistance at $100 per barrel, fueled by rising hope of recovery in Europe and tensions with Iran. Penetration of the declining trendline would suggest that a bottom is forming. Respect of resistance, however, would indicate a decline to $80, with the long-term target at $75*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

Crude is not the only commodity driving prices higher. The CRB Non-Energy Commodities Index is testing its upper standard deviation channel. Breakout would indicate that a bottom is forming. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would complete a bullish divergence, indicating reversal to a primary up-trend. Respect of the upper trend channel, on the other hand, would indicate a decline to 240*.

CRB Commodities (ex-Energy) Index

* Target calculation: 260 – ( 280 – 260 ) = 240

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.

July 4, 2012

Euro/USD

The Euro retreated from resistance at $1.27 on the 2-Hour chart and, after breaking support at $1.255, is headed for a test of $1.24. Follow-through below $1.25 would strengthen the signal, while reversal above $1.255 would negate. Penetration of the descending trendline would suggest that a bottom is forming, with another test of $1.27 to follow.

Euro/USD

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.

July 4, 2012

Australian Dollar

The Aussie Dollar is forming an ascending flag after breaking resistance at $1.02 on the 2-Hour chart. Reversal below $1.025 would retrace to at least $1.01, while upward breakout from the flag would offer a target of $1.05*.

Australian Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 1.03 + ( 1.02 – 1.00 ) = 1.05

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.

July 3, 2012

Australia: ASX 200

The ASX 200 continues to range between 3900/4000 and 4150. Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) oscillating around zero indicates uncertainty. Narrow consolidation below 4150 would be a bullish sign and breakout would test the May high of 4450. Reversal below 3900/4000 is less likely but would warn of a primary decline.

ASX 200 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.

July 3, 2012

Asian markets: India bullish while China weakens

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index is testing medium-term resistance at 9000/9100. Breakout would test 10000. Troughs below zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate weakness.

Nikkei 225 Index

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is retracing to test resistance at 2250. Respect would confirm a primary down-trend — already signaled by 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 – ( 2500 – 2250 ) = 2000

Wait for confirmation from a Shenzhen Composite index reversal below 880/900. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Shenzhen Composite Index

Singapore Straits Times Index broke through medium-term resistance at 2900, headed for a test of 3050. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests that the primary up-trend is intact.

Singapore Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 3050 + ( 3050 – 2900 ) = 3200

India’s Sensex displays a healthy bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, indicating reversal to a primary up-trend. Breakout above 17000 suggests another test of 18500. And breach of 18500 would confirm the primary up-trend.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 18500 + ( 18500 – 16000 ) = 21000

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.

July 3, 2012

UK and Europe: Tentative recovery

The FTSE 100 index broke resistance (and the descending trendline) at 5600/5620, suggesting the correction has ended. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around zero is narrowing, indicating hesitancy. Follow-through above 5650 would strengthen the breakout signal — as would recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero — targeting 6000*. Reversal below 5600, however, would warn of a false signal.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5600 + ( 5600 – 5200 ) = 6000

Germany’s DAX is testing resistance at 6500; breakout would test the 2012 high of 7200. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (not shown) indicates buying pressure. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 6500 + ( 6500 – 6000 ) = 7000

The Madrid General Index is headed for a test of medium-term resistance at 750/760. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. Penetration of resistance — and the long-term descending trendline — would indicate a bottom is forming.

Madrid General Index

Italy’s MIB Index shows a similar bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (not shown) — and on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Recovery above 15000 would signal another test of long-term resistance at 17000.

MIB Index

* Target calculation: 15000 + ( 15000 – 13000 ) = 17000

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.