Europe on the rise

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 — representing 50 leading stocks in the Eurozone — is advancing strongly, with a 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero suggesting a healthy up-trend. Breakout above 2800 offers a target of 3200*. Reversal below 2850 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to the long-term rising trendline.

Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 2850 + ( 2850 – 2500 ) = 3200

The FTSE 100 threatened a primary down-trend after breaching primary support at 6400, but this proved a false break and recovery above 6400 now suggests a rally to 6650/6700. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Breakout above 6700 would indicate an advance to 7000*, but reversal below support at 6400, while less likely, would warn of a correction to 6000.

FTSE 100

* Target calculation: 6700 + ( 6700 – 6400 ) = 7000

TSX 60 threatens breakout

Canada’s TSX 60 continues to test resistance at 740. Follow-through above 745 would indicate a long-term advance to 800*. A trough above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow would signal strong buying pressure. Reversal below 725 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

TSX 60

* Target calculation: 740 + ( 740 – 680 ) = 800

TSX 60 VIX below 15 remains in bull territory.

TSX 60 VIX

S&P 500 reflects bullish LT sentiment

The September quarter-end often heralds a correction as fund managers re-balance their portfolios and shed under-performing stocks. Congressional gridlock raised the probability even higher, but the market has brushed this aside, reflecting bullish long-term sentiment.

The S&P 500 rallied sharply off support at 1650. Follow-through above 1710 would indicate an advance to 1790/1800*. A 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough close to zero indicates buying pressure. Reversal below 1675 is unlikely at present, but would warn of a test of primary support at 1630.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1710 + ( 1710 – 1630 ) = 1790

VIX retreated below 20, signaling low/moderate market risk.

VIX Index

Dow kaPow!

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose more than 300 points, ending its test of primary support at 14750. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but this is a good start. S&P 500 breakout above 1710 would signal a fresh primary advance.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Forex: Euro, Aussie up-trend

The Euro continues to test its new support level at $1.34/$1.3450. Respect is likely and would signal a test of the February high at $1.37. Breakout above $1.37 would offer a long-term target of $1.47*. A trough above zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum indicates a healthy up-trend. Failure of support — and penetration of the rising trendline — is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.37 + ( 1.37 – 1.27 ) = 1.47

Sterling faltered after breaking resistance at €1.19. Reversal below €1.18 would warn of another test of primary support at €1.14. Follow-through above €1.20 is less likely, but would signal an advance to €1.24*.

Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.19 + ( 1.19 – 1.14 ) = 1.24

The greenback is testing primary support at ¥96 against the Yen. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn of a primary down-trend. Follow-through below ¥94 would confirm. Recovery above ¥101 is less likely, but would indicate another advance.

USD/JPY

* Target calculation: 96 – ( 100 – 96 ) = 92

Canada’s Loonie respected its descending trendline and is testing support at $0.96. Failure (of support) would signal another test of the primary level at $0.9450. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum continues to favor a primary up-trend. Breakout above $0.9750 is presently unlikely, but would complete a double-bottom reversal with a target of parity*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 97.5 + ( 97.5 – 94.5 ) = 100.5

The Aussie Dollar is retracing to test its new support level at $0.94 against the greenback. Respect would indicate a test of resistance at $0.95, but failure is as likely and would warn of another test of medium-term support at $0.93. Breach of $0.93 would be more serious, warning of a correction to primary support at $0.89.

Aussie Dollar

* Target calculations: 0.95 + ( 0.95 – 0.93 ) = 0.97

The Aussie continues to test primary support at $1.12 against its Kiwi neighbour. Recovery above $1.14 — and the descending trendline — would indicate a test of primary resistance at $1.16. Breakout above $1.16 would complete a double-bottom reversal with a target of $1.20*. Breach of primary support remains as likely, however, and would offer a target of $1.08*.

Kiwi Dollar

* Target calculations: 1.12 – ( 1.16 – 1.12 ) = 1.08

Household Debt to Income ratio

Barry Ritholz highlights the alarming debt to income ratio for Canada compared to the USA:
Household Debt to Income ratio

How does Australia compare?
Australian Household Debt to Income ratio
Australian household debt to income is similar to Canada’s. There has been discussion recently about whether Australia is in a housing bubble. As Anna Schwartz (joint author of A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960 with Milton Friedman) pointed out: there is only one kind of bubble and that is a debt bubble. It may manifest through rising real estate, stock or other asset prices, but the underlying driver is the same: a rapid expansion of the money supply through easy credit.

China & India bouyant, Japan weakens

Japan’s Nikkei 225 broke short-term support at 14300, indicating a correction to 13000. Penetration of the rising trendline would warn that momentum is slowing, while breach of 13000 would signal a primary down-trend. Earlier bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warned of a reversal; decline below recent lows at 15% would strengthen the signal.

Nikkei 225

China’s Shanghai Composite followed through today above the (secondary) declining trendline, suggesting a rally to test resistance — and the upper trend channel — at 2330. A 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would indicate medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 2150 is unlikely, but would indicate another test of primary support at 1950.

Shanghai Composite Index

India’s Sensex is consolidating below resistance at 20400 — a bullish sign. Breakout above 20400 would signal another primary advance, but reversal below 19400 is as likely, and would warn of another test of 18000. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would indicate long-term buying pressure.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 18500 – ( 20500 – 18500 ) = 16500

FTSE breaks primary support

The FTSE 100 broke support at 6400, signaling a primary down-trend. Penetration of the rising trendline would strengthen the signal. Expect a test of the June low at 6000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow highlights strong selling pressure; crossover to below zero would further strengthen the signal. Recovery above 6400 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

FTSE 100

Germany’s DAX is a lot more bullish, testing the new support level at 8500. Respect would offer a medium-term target of 9300*. Reversal below 8000 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 7500/7600.

DAX

* Target calculation: 8500 + ( 8500 – 7700 ) = 9300

France’s CAC-40 is similarly testing new support at 4100. Recovery above its 2011 high of 4200 would offer a target of 4400*. Reversal below 3900 is unlikely but would warn of a test of primary support at 3600.

CAC-40

* Target calculation: 4000 + ( 4000 – 3600 ) = 4400

Spain’s Madrid General Index is even stronger, with no hint of retracement while 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Retracement that respects support at 900 would confirm an advance to 1050*. Reversal below 900 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 900 + ( 900 – 750 ) = 1050

Italy’s MIB Index broke through resistance at 17500/18000, signaling a primary advance to 20000*. Successive troughs above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggest a strong primary up-trend. Reversal below 17500 and the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

MIB Index

* Target calculation: 17500 + ( 17500 – 15000 ) = 20000