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

Canada: TSX 60

Canada’s TSX 60 continues to consolidate between 675 and 700. Upward breakout would suggest a primary advance to 775*, while failure of support would target the primary level at 650. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure, favoring resumption of the primary up-trend.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 725 + ( 725 – 675 ) = 775

US: S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100

The S&P 500 respected support at 1350/1370, again confirming the primary up-trend signaled by 63-day Twiggs Momentum in December 2011. Immediate target for the advance is 1450*. Reversal below 1350 is unlikely but would warn of a correction to 1300.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1150 ) = 1450

The Nasdaq 100 gapped above 2700, on its way to a re-test of resistance at 2800. Completion of the flag formation indicates another primary advance. Reversal below 2650 is unlikely but would warn of a stronger correction. Retreat of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow below zero would also give a bear warning, while respect of the zero line would indicate buying pressure.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2800 + ( 2800 – 2650 ) = 2950

Abundance of land, shortage of housing | Institute of Economic Affairs

Kristian Niemietz looks at how housing costs in the UK have exploded in recent decades. Real-terms house prices in 2011 were more than two-and-a-half-times higher than in 1975, with rent levels following suit. In the USA, Germany and Switzerland, real-terms house prices are still close to their 1975 levels.

· Housing affordability measures show housing to be unaffordable in every single one of the 33 regions in the UK.

· The main difference between the UK and its north-western European neighbours is not in demographics, but in completion rates of new dwellings.

· Empirical evidence from around the world shows that planning restrictions are the key determinant of housing costs.

via Abundance of land, shortage of housing | Institute of Economic Affairs.

Forex: Japanese Yen

The greenback is consolidating between ¥80 and ¥82 against the Japanese Yen. Recovery above ¥82 would indicate a fresh primary advance, with a target of ¥90*. Respect of zero by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would confirm a strong primary up-trend.

USD/Japanese Yen

* Target calculation: 85 + ( 85 – 80 ) = 90

Forex: Euro and Pound Sterling

The euro continues to test medium-term support at $1.30. With the dollar currently “the best horse in the glue factory”, support is likely to fail, signaling a re-test of the primary level at $1.26. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would indicate continuation of the primary down-trend; failure of primary support would confirm.

Euro

* Target calculation: 1.26 – ( 1.35 – 1.26 ) = 1.17

Sterling is testing resistance at $1.62. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero indicates a primary advance, but news that the UK has dipped back into recession may inhibit further gains. Reversal below the rising trendline would warn of another test of primary support at $1.53, while breakout above $1.62 would signal an advance to the 2011 high of $1.67.

Pound Sterling

Forex: Canada's Loonie breaks out

The Loonie broke through resistance at $1.01 against the greenback, indicating an advance to the 2011 high of $1.06. This confirms the earlier signal when 63-day Twiggs Momentum recovered above zero.

Canadian Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 1.01 + ( 1.01 – 0.96 ) = 1.06

Forex: Aussie Dollar and South African Rand

The Aussie Dollar encountered support at $1.03, evidenced by several long tails on the daily chart. Recovery above $1.045 would confirm that the correction has ended and would signal another advance to $1.08. Respect of zero by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would confirm the advance.

Aussie Dollar/USD

The Aussie is declining against the South African Rand. Failure of support at R7.90/R8.00 would test the rising trendline around the R7.50 mark. Breach of the trendline and/or follow-through of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn of a primary down-trend.

Aussie Dollar/South African Rand

* Target calculation: 8.00 – ( 8.50 – 8.00 ) = 7.50