Forex: Euro and Sterling retreat while Aussie Dollar rebounds

The euro broke medium-term support at $1.32 and the rising trendline against the greenback. While this indicates trend weakness it does not necessarily mean reversal to a primary down-trend. Completion of a 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would suggest that the trend is intact — and an advance to $1.42* is on the cards.
Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 1.36 + ( 1.36 – 1.30 ) = 1.42

Pound sterling broke long-term support at $1.53 against the greenback, offering a long-term target of $1.43*. Fall of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below -5% (its 2011 low) would strengthen the signal.
Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 1.53 – ( 1.63 – 1.53 ) = 1.43

Against the euro, the pound is testing support at €1.15. 63-day Twiggs Momentum well below zero suggests a strong down-trend. Failure of support would offer a target of the 2011 low at €1.10.
Aussie Dollar/USD

The Aussie Dollar respected primary support at $1.015. Recovery above $1.03 and the declining trendline would suggest another rally to test $1.06. Reversal below $1.02 would warn that primary support is under threat.

Aussie Dollar/USD
Failure of primary support would offer a target of $0.96*. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum close to zero, however, suggests a ranging market.
Aussie Dollar/USD

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

The Canadian Loonie by contrast is in a strong primary down-trend against the greenback, headed for a test of $0.96. Falling 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests that medium-term support at $0.97/$0.98 is unlikely to hold.
Aussie Dollar/USD
The US dollar has broken its long-term declining trendline against the Japanese Yen, suggesting that the 30-year decline is over and the greenback likely to appreciate for the foreseeable future. Follow-through above ¥100 would confirm, offering a target of ¥120*.
Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 100 – 80 ) = 120

Asia: India retreats while Japan and Singapore advance

India’s Sensex is headed for a test of support at 19000. Breach of the secondary trendline already warns of a correction to the primary trendline around 18000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, followed by reversal below zero, indicates strong selling pressure.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 18 ) = 20

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is consolidating in a narrow range below 3300 — a bullish sign — and 21-day Twiggs Money Flow oscillating above zero indicates buying pressure. Breakout above 3300 would signal an advance to the 2007 high at 3900*. Reversal below 3250 is unlikely but would warn of a correction.

Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 3300 + ( 3300 – 2700 ) = 3900

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is again testing its 2010 high of 11500. Reversal below 11000 would suggest a correction to 10000, while breakout would offer an initial target of 12000*.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 10000 + ( 10000 – 8000 ) = 12000

Asia: India & Japan retreat

India’s Sensex displays a bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, warning selling pressure. Breach of the secondary trendline — and medium-term support at 19500 — would indicate a correction to 18000.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 18 ) = 20

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is retreating from its 2010 high of 11500 on the monthly chart. Reversal below 11000 would suggest a correction to 10000. Respect of support, however, would indicate a fresh primary advance.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 11000 + ( 11000 – 8000 ) = 14000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index was closed last week for Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index re-opened Thursday, finding support at 23000.  Breakout above 24000 would test the 2010 high of 25000.  Troughs high above the zero line on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate buying pressure. Reversal below 23000 is unlikely but would warn of a correction.

Shanghai Composite Index

Time for U.S. to Disengage from North Korea Crisis | Cato Institute

Doug Bandow suggests:

Washington should begin contemplating, within earshot of Beijing, getting out of the way of its allies if the North continues to develop nuclear weapons. The message to China should be: if your client state continues its present course, you may face a nuclear-armed Japan. If that happens, blame your buddies in Pyongyang.

Read more at Time for U.S. to Disengage from North Korea Crisis | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute.

Asia: China near 1 year high

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing resistance at its 2012 high of 2460 on the daily chart. Rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Breakout is likely and would signal a primary up-trend, but the index is overdue for a correction and a higher trough is required to confirm the reversal.

Shanghai Composite Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index already indicates a primary up-trend. Reversal below 23000, however, would warn of a correction.

Shanghai Composite Index

India’s Sensex is testing its secondary rising trendline, while declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests selling pressure. Breach of the trendline would indicate a correction to test 18000/18200.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 18 ) = 20

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is testing resistance at 3300. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests continuation of the primary up-trend. Breakout would signal an advance to 3900*.
Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 3300 + ( 3300 – 2700 ) = 3900

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index retreated from its 2010 high of 11500. Reversal below 11000 would suggest a correction to 10000. Respect of support would indicate a breakout above 11500 — and a fresh primary advance.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 11000 + ( 11000 – 8000 ) = 14000

Japanese Yen: How long will the rally last?

This long-term semi-log chart of the dollar against the yen puts the current rally into perspective. Expect resistance at ¥100. Breakout would signal reversal of the 40-year down-trend, while respect would indicate another test of ¥75.

Euro/USD

Asia rallies

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is headed for a test of resistance at 2500. Crossover of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero — and breach of the declining trendline — suggest a primary up-trend. Breakout above 2500 would strengthen the signal. But only a higher trough followed by a new high on the index chart would confirm.

Shanghai Composite Index

India’s Sensex retreated below 20000, while declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term selling pressure. Expect a correction to test support at 19000 but long-term buying pressure should ensure that the up-trend continues.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 18 ) = 20

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is testing resistance at 3300. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests continuation of the primary up-trend. Breakout would signal an advance to 3900*.
Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 3300 + ( 3300 – 2700 ) = 3900

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is headed for its 2010 high at 11500. A spike in 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong buying pressure. Breakout is likely and would suggest a primary advance to 14500*.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 11000 + ( 11000 – 8000 ) = 14000

Japan, China Scramble Military Jets in East China Sea

J. Michael Cole writes:

Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the geopolitical consulting firm Eurasia Group, told CNN this week that, “The danger of China-Japan conflict in 2013, for me, is the single biggest geopolitical tension that is underappreciated right now and one we’re going to have watch very carefully.”

Read more at Japan, China Scramble Military Jets in East China Sea.

A Land Without Guns: How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths – Max Fisher – The Atlantic

Max Fisher describes why Japan has one of the lowest rates of firearm-related deaths in the world: 0.07 per per 100,000 population in one year, compared to 9.20 for the US.

To get a gun in Japan, first, you have to attend an all-day class and pass a written test, which are held only once per month. You also must take and pass a shooting range class. Then, head over to a hospital for a mental test and drug test (Japan is unusual in that potential gun owners must affirmatively prove their mental fitness), which you’ll file with the police. Finally, pass a rigorous background check for any criminal record or association with criminal or extremist groups, and you will be the proud new owner of your shotgun or air rifle. Just don’t forget to provide police with documentation on the specific location of the gun in your home, as well as the ammo, both of which must be locked and stored separately. And remember to have the police inspect the gun once per year and to re-take the class and exam every three years.

via A Land Without Guns: How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths – Max Fisher – The Atlantic.

Asia: China rally

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing resistance at 2150. While a large correction — signaled by breakout above 2150 — is not a reliable reversal signal, it does indicate that a bottom is forming. Bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum also suggests a reversal. But only a higher trough followed by a new high on the index chart would confirm.

Shanghai Composite Index

India’s Sensex is consolidating in a narrow range below 19500. Breakout is likely and would indicate an advance to 20000*. Oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates long-term buying pressure, but bearish divergence warns of medium-term resistance. Reversal below 19000 is unlikely but would warn that the advance is losing momentum.

Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 19 + ( 19 – 18 ) = 20

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is advancing to resistance at 10000/10200*. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates buying pressure; look for a trough above zero to confirm.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 9200 + ( 9200 – 8200 ) = 10200