Commodities point to weaker Aussie and Canadian Dollar

CRB Commodities Index is testing support at 300 and the lower border of its trend channel. 63-day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend. Breakout below the trend channel would warn of a sharp decline, with a target of 260*. Respect is less likely, but would indicate a rally to test the upper trend channel.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 300 – ( 340 – 300 ) = 260

Canada’s Loonie and the Aussie Dollar are both closely linked to commodity prices. A fall in the CRB index would lead to similar falls in the two currencies. CAD breakout below $0.9650 would signal a test of $0.94*.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 1.00 – ( 1.06 – 1.00 ) = 0.94

Both currencies commenced a primary down-trend when they broke parity. An Aussie Dollar breakout below $0.97 would offer an identical target of $0.94*.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.02 – ( 1.10 – 1.02 ) = 0.94

ASX 200 compressed spring

Narrow range and strong volume signals strong opposition to the current rally. Like the release of a compressed spring, reversal below 4000 would lead to a sharp fall.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 4000 – ( 4500 – 4000 ) = 3500

Iron forward market softens – Phat Dragon | Westpac

The iron ore market is beginning to exhibit some signs of modest
unease, with 3mth forwards giving up significant ground while spot
has moved about 5% lower. From an export profitability perspective,
falls in the Australian dollar and Brazilian real have more than
covered the US dollar spot decline. Even so, to Phat Dragon’s eye
a cyclical correction in the ferrous metals sphere appears to be
underway and price expectations should be ratcheting downwards.

Excerpt from Westpac’s Phat Dragon weekly chronicle of the Chinese economy

Aussie Dollar breaks parity as commodities fall

The CRB Commodities Index gapped down to its lower trend channel in response to turmoil in Europe and the resulting stronger dollar.

CRB Commodities Index

The Aussie followed its Canadian counterpart below parity, confirming a primary down-trend with an initial target of $0.94*.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.02 – ( 1.10 – 1.02 ) = 0.94

Loonie turns, will Aussie follow?

Canada’s Loonie broke parity against the greenback, confirming a primary down-trend and offering an initial target of $0.94*.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 1.00 – ( 1.06 – 1.00 ) = 0.94

The Canadian and Aussie Dollars have tracked each other closely over the last year and it seems inevitable that the Aussie will follow the Loonie below parity.

CADUSD and AUDUSD

Aussie Dollar heads south as commodities weaken

The CRB Commodities Index is trending downwards in a broad trend channel after a failed rally to test resistance at 350. Expect a test of the long-term rising trendline at 300. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero confirms a primary down-trend.

CRB Commodities Index

The Australian Dollar broke support at $1.02, signaling a primary down-trend, before testing medium-term support at parity. Failure of support — and breach of the rising trendline — would confirm the down-trend and offer a target of $0.94*.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.02 – ( 1.10 – 1.02 ) = 0.94

Westpac–ACCI Survey of Industrial Trends

The Westpac–ACCI Survey of Industrial Trends reports that:

• The fall in general business conditions is sharper than in 2008/09
• Labor demand softened and availability of labor increased appreciably
• Firms’ profit expectations slumped further — the weakest since 2009.

It concludes with the following statement:

This is a survey which is sending a very clear message. It is time for the authorities to ease financial conditions. Inflation pressures are weak; labor markets are soft; and investment and export plans have softened. Westpac predicted that the Reserve Bank would cut rates in December back in mid July. The case for lower rates is now strong.

Selling pressure on ASX 200

The ASX 200 is headed for another test of 4000. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow holding below zero warns of strong medium-term selling pressure. Failure of support is likely and would offer a target of 3500*.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 4000 – ( 4500 – 4000 ) = 3500