Forex update

The euro is likely to re-test primary support at $1.32 against the greenback. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum, below zero, warns of continuation of the primary down-trend. Breach of support would indicate a primary decline to $1.22*.

EURUSD

* Target calculation: 1.32 – ( 1.42 – 1.32 ) = 1.22

Sterling rallied off primary support at $1.53/$1.54 against the greenback but 63-day Twiggs Momentum again warns of a primary down-trend. Failure of support would offer a target of $1.46*.

GBPUSD

* Target calculation: 1.53 – ( 1.60 – 1.53 ) = 1.46

Canada’s Loonie is headed for another test of resistance at $1.01 against the greenback. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum, however, continues to warn of a primary down-trend. Respect of resistance is likely, and would signal another test of primary support at $0.95. Declining commodity prices also favor a down-trend.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.01 – 0.95 ) = 0.89

The Aussie Dollar appears stronger than the Loonie, which is unusual. Both are affected by commodity prices, but the Aussie tends to be more volatile  than its Canadian counterpart. Obviously, higher interest rates in the Southern hemisphere are an attraction. Again, 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a primary down-trend. And reversal below parity would warn of another test of primary support at $0.95.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.07 – 0.95 ) = 0.83

The greenback has strengthened sharply against the South African Rand and Brazilian Real. Both volatile, resource-rich currencies are likely to re-test their recent highs: the rand at R8.50 and the real at 1.90 against the dollar.

USDZAR

The greenback shows strong bullish divergence against Japan’s yen on 63-day Twiggs Momentum, warning of a reversal. Breach of the long-term descending trendline would strengthen the signal. Breakout above ¥80 would confirm.

USDJPY

 

Japan & India

Dow Jones Japan Index is headed for a test of the descending trendline but 63-day Twiggs Momentum remains deep below zero, indicating a strong primary down-trend.

Dow Jones Japan Index

Dow Jones India 30 Titans index found support above 150 and is headed for another test of resistance around 170. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow favors a primary trend reversal. Breakout above 172 would confirm.

Dow Jones India 30 Titans Index

* Target calculation: 170 + ( 170 – 150 ) = 190

Japanese Yen

The two overriding features on the USD/Yen chart are the strong primary down-trend — as indicated by the descending trendline — and a strong bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum warning of a reversal. Recovery above resistance at ¥80 would confirm the reversal.

JPYUSD

Asia rallies

Asia rallied Monday on encouraging signs from Europe, with the Nikkei 225 testing 8300, the Seoul Composite (KOSPI) jumping to 1815, and Hang Seng above 18000. But a look at the quarterly chart of the Nikkei shows a long-term, bearish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum, while the index is headed for a test of key support at 7000/7500. Unless we see a break above the descending trendline, the trend remains downward.

Nikkei 225 Index

South Korea’s Seoul Composite index is headed for another test of 1650 according to the weekly chart. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating well below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend. Failure of support would offer a target of 1350*.

KOSPI Index

* Target calculation: 1650 – ( 1950 – 1650 ) = 1350

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index recovered above 18000 Monday but the long-term trend remains downward. Steeply descending 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a strong primary down-trend.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 16 – ( 20 – 16 ) = 12

The Shanghai Composite index did not share the enthusiasm of other Asian markets, testing support at 2375.  Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of rising selling pressure. Failure of support at 2300 would offer a target of 2050*.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2300 – ( 2550 – 2300 ) = 2050

Japan & South Korea

DJ South Korea Index is testing medium-term support at 390 Monday. Failure would signal a test of the primary level at 350. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero suggests continuation of the primary down-trend.

Dow Jones South Korea Index

* Target calculation: 350 – ( 420 − 350 ) = 280

The weekly chart of Japan’s Nikkei 225 shows respect of resistance at 9000. Failure of primary support at 8400 would offer a target of 7800*. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of rising selling pressure.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 8400 – ( 9000 − 8400 ) = 7800

Yen set for a major reversal

This is a 20-year (monthly) chart of the US dollar against the Japanese yen. The dollar has declined in a primary down-trend since early 2008. Long-term support at 80 failed to halt the fall and the greenback is now ranging between ¥75 and ¥80. The down-trend is in its fourth year and large bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a reaction. Penetration of the declining trendline would strengthen the signal and breakout above 80 would confirm, offering a long-term target of 100.

USDJPY

Asian markets

The Shanghai Composite Index reflects China’s controlled slow-down, edging lower with intermittent bear market rallies. The index is currently testing the descending (secondary) trendline at 2500. Penetration would offer a target of 2650 but would not indicate that the primary down-trend is over. Failure of support at 2300/2350 remains more likely and would offer a target of 2000.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2300 – ( 2600 – 2300 ) = 2000

HongKong’s Hang Seng Index is headed for a test of the (primary) descending trendline at 21000; breakout above 20000 would confirm. The primary trend remains downward, however, and respect of the trendline would suggest another test of 16000.

Hang Seng Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is ranging between 8400 and 9100. Breakout would indicate future trend direction.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 8400 – ( 9000 – 8400 ) = 7800

South Korea’s Seoul Composite Index continues to reflect buying pressure on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow. Follow-through above recent highs would indicate a strong bear rally, but the primary trend remains downward.

Seoul Composite Index

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

Japan and South Korea

Dow Jones Japan Index is consolidating between 48 and 52. Breakout will signal future direction. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow is rising but there is no clear break as yet above the zero line. Monday’s candle indicates continued hesitancy.

Dow Jones Japan Index


Dow Jones South Korea Index also showed hesitancy Monday. Reversal below 400 would warn of another test of primary support at 350, while respect of 400 would indicate a primary advance to 450*. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow is declining but respect of the zero line would also signal a primary advance.

Dow Jones South Korea Index

* Target calculation: 400 + ( 400 – 350 ) = 450

Japanese yen

The Bank of Japan is taking measures to suppress the yen against the greenback. The long-term chart shows why their efforts are destined to fail: the dollar has maintained a strong down-trend against the yen for a number of years. Failure of support at ¥76 would indicate that the BOJ’s latest efforts have failed and will offer a target of 72*.

USDJPY

* Target calculation: 76 – ( 80 – 76 ) = 72

Japan and South Korea

Dow Jones Japan Index weakened Monday, warning of another test of primary support at 48.

Dow Jones Japan Index

Dow Jones South Korea Index had a stronger breakout, but is also now retracing. Respect of support would confirm the up-trend, while reversal below 400 would signal weakness.

Dow Jones South Korea Index