Aussie Dollar: Should RBA ‘lean against the wind’?

The Euro rallied to resistance at $1.37 after testing primary support at $1.35 and the rising long-term trendline. Recovery above $1.37 would suggest a rally to $1.39/$1.40, but descending 13-week Twiggs Momentum remains below zero, warning of weakness. Breach of $1.35 is equally likely and would signal a decline to $1.31*.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.35 – ( 1.39 – 1.35 ) = 1.31

The Aussie Dollar is again testing resistance at $0.94. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum holding above zero suggests continuation of the up-trend. Follow-through above $0.95 would suggest a target of $0.97. Reversal below $0.92 is unlikely at present, but would warn of a decline to the band of support between $0.87 and $0.89.

Aussie Dollar

A monthly chart of the Euro against the Swiss Franc shows how the Swiss central bank intervened in 2011 to prevent further appreciation against the Euro and protect local industry. The Australian central bank faced a similar challenge in 2011, but from a different cause, with the Aussie Dollar rising strongly against the greenback on the back of a mining investment boom. The RBA sat on its hands and failed to “lean against the wind” as called for by Prof Warwick McKibbin. Local industry has suffered irreparable damage in the ensuing period.

Aussie Dollar

ASX 200: Tall blue candles and short red ones

The ASX 200 is once again testing resistance at 5540/5560. Oscillation of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow around zero indicates hesitancy, but tall blue candles followed by short red candles suggests continuation of the rally. Breakout above 5560 would offer a target of 5700*. Reversal below 5450 is unlikely but would mean all bets are off and another test of support at 5370 is on the cards.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5550 + ( 5550 – 5400 ) = 5700

ASX 200 VIX close to 10 indicates low risk typical of a bull market.

ASX 200

What a difference a week makes

Summary:

  • S&P 500 advances toward 2000.
  • China respects primary support.
  • ASX 200 rallies.

Market sentiment shifted significantly to the bull side after some solid employment numbers. There are still concerns about low interest rates across the US and other major economies, but these policies are likely to continue — with corporate earnings remaining buoyant — for the foreseeable future. And as Eddy Elfenbein observed: “…market corrections solely due to valuation are fairly rare. If the market’s dropping, earnings usually are too.”

The S&P 500 is advancing towards the psychological barrier of 2000. Weekly (13-week) Twiggs Money Flow recovered above its descending trendline and Daily (21-day) is trending higher, signaling medium-term buying pressure. Expect retracement at the 2000 level, but short duration or narrow consolidation would indicate continued buying pressure and another advance. Reversal below 1950 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to the rising trendline.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1800 ) = 2000

Buoyed by Fed monetary policy, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is at extremely low levels, indicative of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

The Shanghai Composite Index respected primary support at 1990/2000 and rising Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Follow-through above 2080 would indicate another test of 2150. Further ranging between 2000 and 2150 is expected — in line with a managed “soft landing”. Breach of primary support is unlikely at present, but would signal a decline to 1850*.

Shanghai Composite

* Target calculation: 2000 – ( 2150 – 2000 ) = 1850

The ASX 200 is headed for another test of resistance at 5550 while an up-turn on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure. Twiggs Money Flow has been descending for some time, indicating long-term selling pressure, but failure to breach the zero line suggests buying support and completion of another trough above zero — with a rise above 20% — would confirm the resumption of long-term buying pressure. Breakout above 5550 would offer a long-term target of 5850*. Reversal below support at 5350 is unlikely, but would warn of a down-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 5800

Aussie retraces as ASX 200 strengthens

RBA concern over the rising Australian Dollar is increasing, but whether this will motivate governor Glenn Stevens to do more than attempt to talk the market lower remains to be seen. The Aussie retraced to test its new support level, but only a fall below $0.92 would suggest a trend change. Recovery above $0.94 would suggest not, while follow-through above $0.95 would confirm a target of $0.97.

AUDUSD

The ASX 200 broke clear of its descending trendline, suggesting that the correction is over. But 21-day Twiggs Money Flow remains weak and follow-through above 5540/5560 unlikely. Further ranging between 5400 and 5550 seems likely. Reversal below 5380 is now unlikely, but would warn of a test of 5300.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5550 + ( 5550 – 5400 ) = 5700

ASX 200 VIX again tracked lower, indicating a bull market.

ASX 200

ASX 200 selling pressure

The ASX 200 is once again testing support at 5380/5400. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates medium-term selling pressure. Correction to 5300 is likely. The primary trend remains upward and this should prove a good entry point for long-term investors. Recovery above 5470 is unlikely at present, but would signal another primary advance.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5550 + ( 5550 – 5400 ) = 5700

ASX 200 VIX remains low, indicative of a bull market.

ASX 200

S&P 500 unfazed

Summary:

  • S&P 500 continues a primary advance.
  • China respects primary support.
  • ASX 200 continues to signal weakness.
  • Momentum investors need to hold positions.

The S&P 500 retraced to test its latest support level at 1950 after a downward GDP revision for the first quarter. Respect indicates medium-term buying pressure — also evidenced by rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow. Follow-through above 1970 would confirm a test of 2000*. Reversal below 1950 is unlikely, but penetration of the secondary trendline would warn of a correction.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1800 ) = 2000

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) remains low, indicative of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

The Shanghai Composite Index respected primary support at 1990/2000. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow oscillating above zero indicates buying support, but this may be due to the managed “soft landing”. What we do know is that a fall below zero would definitely signal selling pressure. Breach of support would signal a decline to 1850*. The primary trend is expected to continue its downward path, but further ranging between 2000 and 2150 is likely. An abrupt fall is a fairly remote possibility.

Shanghai Composite

* Target calculation: 2000 – ( 2150 – 2000 ) = 1850

The ASX 200 made a false break above 5470, but 21-day Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of medium-term selling pressure. Breach of support remains likely and would indicate a correction to 5300. The long-term trend, however, remains upward. Support at 5300/5400 would offer a great entry point for long-term investors. Recovery above 5470 is unlikely at present, but would signal a test of resistance at 5550.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 5800

I repeat my warning from last week: Momentum investors should not attempt to time secondary corrections and need to endure the present volatility in order to reach their intended investment goals.

Bank of England throws egg all over RBA, APRA | | MacroBusiness

Of all of the financial systems in the world, Australia’s is most similar to the UK. Of all of the restrictive housing planning systems in the world, Australia’s is most similar to the UK. Of all of the house price boom and bust cycles in the world, Australia’s is most similar to the UK. The Bank of England also practices inflation targeting though its cap is 2%. The UK and Australia share a similar economic model reliant upon external borrowing to fund consumption and low export-to-GDP ratios but the main difference is that the UK economy is a more diverse mix of value-adding sectors with a much higher contribution from manufacturing.

But today there is one very new difference. The UK has announced it will henceforth practice macroprudential regulation to control its housing cycles and prevent them from hollowing out the economy…..

Read more at Bank of England throws egg all over RBA, APRA | | MacroBusiness.

ASX 200 still plagued by indecision

The ASX 200 found support at 5380/5400. Recovery above 5470 would break the descending trendline, suggesting that the correction is over — and a test of resistance at 5540/5560 likely. But 21-day Twiggs Money Flow whipsawing around zero indicates indecision. Respect of (or a false break above) 5470 would suggest correction to 5300.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5550 + ( 5550 – 5400 ) = 5700

ASX 200 VIX making new lows, however, indicates a bull market.

ASX 200

Aussie Dollar threatens breakout, Euro tests support

The Aussie Dollar continues to test resistance at $0.94. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests continuation of the up-trend, testing resistance at $0.97. Reversal below $0.92 is unlikely at present, but would warn of a decline to the band of support between $0.87 and $0.89.

Aussie Dollar

The Euro respected primary support at $1.35 and the rising long-term trendline. Recovery above $1.37 would suggest a rally to $1.39/$1.40, but descending 13-week Twiggs Momentum crossed below zero, warning of weakness. Breach of $1.35 would signal a decline to $1.31*.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.35 – ( 1.39 – 1.35 ) = 1.31

ASX 200 rallies

The ASX 200 rallied on Monday, but 21-day Twiggs Money Flow at zero indicates (medium-term) buying pressure is weak. Follow-through above 5470 would signal a test of resistance at 5540/5560, but China continues to weigh on the index and reversal below 5380 would warn of a test of 5300.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5550 + ( 5550 – 5400 ) = 5700

ASX 200 VIX making new lows is indicative of a bull market.

ASX 200