Commodity and stock prices diverge

We had an interesting discussion last week about the correlation between commodities and stocks. The weekly chart below shows how CRB Commodities Index closely tracks the S&P 500 — except in times of extreme volatility like 2007/2008. We  are now witnessing another divergence, with the CRB headed for a test of primary support at 295 while the S&P 500 strengthens. Does weak demand for commodities indicate that stocks are over-priced as in 2007?  The Fed has been doing its best to depress bond yields, pumping up stock prices ahead of the November election. It is too early to tell what the outcome will be, but we need to monitor this relationship through the year.

CRB Commodities Index v. S&P 500 Index

The divergence between Brent Crude and Nymex Light Crude, from early 2011, continues. Both are in a primary up-trend, however, and breakout above the 2011 Nymex high would threaten the still fragile US recovery, offering a long-term target of $140/barrel. Brent is currently testing medium-term support at $115, but respect of this would also confirm a primary up-trend.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers v. Nymex WTI Light Crude Weekly Chart

Gold and Dollar indicate uncertainty

Spot Gold continues its consolidation between $1600 and $1700 per ounce, while testing the long-term rising trendline.  Recovery above $1700 would suggest another primary advance; confirmed if an inverted head and shoulders formation is completed by a rise above $1800. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating around zero indicates uncertainty, however, and failure of support at $1600 would warn of a long-term trend change and test the primary level at $1500.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + (1800 – 1600) = 2000; 1500 – (1800 – 1500) = 1200

The US Dollar Index reflects the inverse of gold, with a potential triple bottom threatening to end the long-term down-trend on the Monthly chart. 50-Week Twiggs Momentum is oscillating around the zero line, indicating uncertainty.

US Dollar Index Monthly Chart

On the weekly chart, the dollar has met strong resistance at 80 and reversal below support at 78 would  warn of another test of the 2011 low at 73. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

US Dollar Index Weekly Chart

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86; 78 – ( 82 – 78 ) = 74

Paul L. Kasriel: Don’t End the Fed, Mend the Fed

Although the return to a gold standard for our monetary system has much appeal, it is unlikely to occur. So, let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Perhaps there is second-best monetary policy approach to the gold standard that might achieve most of the desirable outcomes of a gold standard but might have a greater probability of actually being adopted……. My suggested approach is very similar to one advocated by Milton Friedman at least 60 years ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess. I am proposing that the Federal Reserve target and control growth in the sum of credit created by private monetary financial institutions (commercial banks, S&Ls and credit unions) and the credit created by the Fed itself. I believe that this approach to monetary policy would reduce the amplitude of business cycles, would prevent sustained rapid increases in the prices of goods/services and would prevent asset-price bubbles of the magnitude of the recent NASDAQ and housing experiences.

econtrarian_043012.pdf (application/pdf Object).

FRB| Governor Tarullo: Regulatory Reform since the Financial Crisis

It is sobering to recognize that, more than four years after the failure of Bear Stearns began the acute phase of the financial crisis, so much remains to be done–in implementing reforms that have already been developed, in modifying or supplementing these reforms as needed, and in fashioning a reform program to address shadow banking concerns. For some time my concern has been that the momentum generated during the crisis will wane or be redirected to other issues before reforms have been completed. As you can tell from my remarks today, this remains a very real concern.

via FRB: Speech–Tarullo, Regulatory Reform since the Financial Crisis–May 2, 2012.

Japan & South Korea

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is consolidating between 9400 and 9700. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Breakout below 9400 would test 9000. Recovery above 9700 is less likely but would indicate the start of another primary advance.

Nikkei 225 Index

The Seoul Composite Index is testing support at 1950. Respect would confirm the primary up-trend, offering a target of 2150*. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1950+ ( 1950 – 1750 ) = 2150

India & Singapore find support

India’s Sensex index found support at 17000. Recovery above 17500 would indicate respect of the support level and another attempt at 18500.  63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above zero already indicates a primary up-trend but only recovery above the November high of 18000 would confirm. Target for an advance would be 20000*.

BSE Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 18.5 + ( 18.5 – 17.0 ) = 20.0

The Nifty index is similarly testing support at 5200, while recovery above 5400 would confirm the primary up-trend. Target for an advance would be 6000*.

NSE Nifty Index

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

Singapore’s Straits Times Index continues in a narrow consolidation above the double-bottom neckline at 2900, suggesting continuation of the primary up-trend. Target for the expected breakout would be 3200*.

Singapore Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 2900 + ( 2900 – 2600 ) = 3200

Hong Kong & China

Dow Jones Hong Kong Index is holding above support at 410. Respect of support would confirm the primary up-trend already signaled by a 63-day Twiggs Momentum cross above zero.

Dow Jones Hong Kong Index

The Hang Seng similarly respected support at 20000, indicating a primary up-trend, while rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure.
Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 20 + ( 20 – 17.5 ) = 22.5

The Shanghai Composite Index is headed for a test of resistance at 2500. Breakout would signal a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2500 + ( 2500 – 2250 ) = 2750

A primary up-trend on the Shanghai index would boost the recovery in Australia.

ASX 200 tests 4400

Australia’s ASX 200 index is testing the band of resistance between 4350 and 4400. Breakout would confirm the primary up-trend signaled by a 63-day Twiggs Momentum cross to above zero. Target for the long-term ascending triangle would be the 2011 high at 4900*.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 4400 + (4400 – 3900) = 4900

UK & Europe: Madrid at 2009 low

The monthly chart of the Madrid General Index is testing its 2009 low of 700. With unemployment rates (24.4 per cent) similar to the US Great Depression and more than half of Spaniards under 25 jobless, there is no recovery in sight. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend. Failure of support at 700 would signal another primary decline.

Madrid General Index

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

Italy’s MIB Index is more resilient, with recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicating buying pressure. Expect another test of resistance at 17000.
Italy MIB Index
The CAC-40 monthly chart shows France in a similar fix. Failure of support at 3100 would indicate another test of primary support, close to the 2009 low of 2500. Recovery above 3600, however, would indicate another test of 4000 — especially if accompanied by recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above 10%.
France CAC-40 Index

The German DAX respected support at 6500, confirming the primary up-trend. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong buying pressure. Expect another test of 7500.
Germany DAX Index

The FTSE 100 respected support at 5600 and breakout above 5800 would signal an advance to 6400*. The 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above the zero line indicates buying pressure. Reversal below 5600 is unlikely but would warn that the primary up-trend is weakening.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6000 + ( 6000 – 5600 ) = 6400

Fedex

Bellwether transport stock Fedex continues to test support at $88, the neckline for a double top reversal. Long tails on the last two candles suggest short-term buying pressure, but bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of long-term selling pressure. A close below $86.50 would confirm that economic activity is declining.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 88 – ( 96 – 88 ) = 80

long-term