Canada’s Household Debt Is Rising – WSJ.com

OTTAWA—Increased household debt in Canada, underpinned by rising house prices and low interest rates, poses a key domestic risk to financial stability, the Bank of Canada said on Thursday.

The finding, contained in the central bank’s quarterly economic review, was the latest in a series of warnings from economists and Canadian officials that high consumer borrowing has emerged as one of the economy’s biggest risks. Household debt stood at over 150% of personal disposable income as of the third quarter of last year, the report noted.

via Canada’s Household Debt Is Rising – WSJ.com.

New Push for Reform in China – WSJ.com

An exclusive preview of an economic report on China, prepared by the World Bank and government insiders considered to have the ear of the nation’s leaders, offers a surprising prescription: China could face an economic crisis unless it implements deep reforms, including scaling back its vast state-owned enterprises and making them operate more like commercial firms.

……The report warns that China’s growth is in danger of decelerating rapidly and without much warning. That is what has occurred with other highflying developing countries, such as Brazil and Mexico, once they reached a certain income level, a phenomenon that economists call the “middle-income trap.” A sharp slowdown could deepen problems in the Chinese banking sector and elsewhere, the report warns, and could prompt a crisis, according to those involved with the project.

via New Push for Reform in China – WSJ.com.

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Yen and Rand

The euro broke medium-term resistance at $1.32, indicating a rally to test the descending trendline at $1.38*. Momentum is rising but the primary trend remains downward.

Index

* Target calculation: 1.32 + ( 1.32 – 1.26 ) = 1.38

Pound Sterling broke its descending trendline, but respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. A fall below $1.565 (the last two weeks low) would warn of another test of primary support at $1.530. Recovery above $1.590 is less likely, but would indicate a rally to test $1.620.

Index

The greenback broke through resistance at ¥80 and is now retracing to test its new support level. Respect would confirm a primary up-trend, signaled by the long-term bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum (and its recovery above zero).

Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

The Aussie Dollar consolidated against the South African Rand in recent months after a long appreciation. 63-day Twiggs Momentum is declining and breakout below R8.00 would warn of a correction to the rising trendline, with a target of R7.50*. Upward breakout, however, would offer an initial target of R9.00.

Index

* Target calculation: 8.00 – ( 8.50 – 8.00 ) = 7.50

Aussie Dollar and Canada’s Loonie encounter resistance

The Aussie Dollar is testing short-term support at $1.06, the lower peak at $1.08 warning of selling pressure. Breach of the secondary rising trendline (and support at $1.06) would warn of a correction to the long-term trendline around $1.02. Recovery above $1.08, however, would signal a fresh primary advance with a long-term target of $1.20*.

Australian Dollar/US Dollar

* Target calculation: 1.08 + ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 1.20

Canada’s Loonie continues to consolidate below $1.01 on the weekly chart, while 63-day Twiggs Momentum crossed to above zero, indicating a primary up-trend. Breakout above $1.01 would confirm, offering an initial target of $1.06*.

Canadian Dollar/US Dollar

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

Both the Aussie and the Loonie are strongly influenced by commodity prices. If the CRB Commodities Index breaks resistance, expect both currencies to follow — though Canada will benefit more from higher oil prices.

Canada: Potential breakouts

A quick follow-up on the three stocks mentioned earlier in the week.

You can run the screen yourself on Incredible Charts:

  1. Open the Stock Screener
  2. Click the Shared tab
  3. Click the Edit link next to #48895 TMX Potential Breakouts
  4. Review the filters then click the Run Screen button.

Here is what to look for:

Husky Energy (HSE) broke through resistance at 26.00. 63-day Twiggs Momentum oscillator rises above zero, confirming a primary up-trend. 21-day Twiggs Money Flow holding above zero indicates buying pressure.

HSE: Husky Energy

Crew Energy (CR) broke resistance a few weeks ago and is now retracing to test the new support level.  Respect of support would confirm the primary up-trend.

CR: Crew Energy

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is testing resistance at 55.00. Breakout would confirm the strong buying pressure and 63-day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero.

BNS: Bank of Nova Scotia

Australia: ASX 200

The ASX 200 index respected its rising trendline on the weekly chart, indicating continuation of the advance to test 4400. Breakout above 4400 would indicate the start of a primary up-trend, while recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.

ASX 200 Index Weekly

* Target calculation: 4400 + ( 4400 – 4000 ) = 4800

Bullish divergence on the daily chart shows medium-term buying pressure signaled by 21-day Twiggs Money Flow. Breakout above 4300 would indicate a test of 4400.

ASX 200 Index

China & Hong Kong

The Shanghai Composite Index broke out of its descending trend channel, indicating that a bottom is forming. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum, however, remains a long way below zero, indicating weakness. Look for a retracement to test support at 2150.

Shanghai Composite Index


Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index displays a strong up-trend since breaking resistance at 20,000. Expect retracement to test the new support level, but buying pressure, best illustrated by the strong rise on (medium-term) 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, is likely to prevail.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 20000 + ( 20000 – 18000 ) = 22000

Japan & South Korea

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index broke through resistance at 9000 to offer a weak primary up-trend signal: there is no higher trough on the weekly chart. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero supports the trend change, but wait for retracement to test the rising trendline.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 9000 + ( 9000 – 8000 ) = 10000

The Seoul Composite Index is stronger, having already completed a higher trough. Target for the primary advance is 2150*. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough that respects the zero line would further strengthen the signal.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1950 + ( 1950 – 1750 ) = 2150

Canada: TSX 60 and potential breakouts

The TSX 60 index is consolidating in a narrow band between 700 and 715. Upward breakout is likely and would signal a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. Target for the initial advance is 790.

TSX 60 Index

* Target calculation: 720 + ( 720 – 650 ) = 790

A screen of stocks with low Momentum but high buying pressure, as indicated by 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, reveals a list of 93 potential breakouts (after filtering out stocks with daily Value/Turnover traded of less than $1 million). Husky Energy [HSE], Crew Energy [CR] and Bank of Nova Scotia [BNS] are three that look interesting.

India Singapore breakout

India’s Nifty Index broke through resistance at 5400, following breakout from its downward trend channel, to signal the start of a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal.

NSE/S&P Nifty Index

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 4600 ) = 6200

The Sensex Index broke through 18000 to confirm the Nifty signal, following an earlier bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow. Target for the advance is 21000*.

BSE Sensex Index

* Target calculation: 18000 + ( 18000 – 15000 ) = 21000

Singapore Straits Times Index cleared resistance at 2900, signaling a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal. Expect retracement to test the new support level.

Singapore Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 2900 + ( 2900 – 2600 ) = 3200