Forex Archives - Page 22 of 58 - the patient investor

June 17, 2015

Dollar decline

A declining dollar is the one measure supporting demand for gold. The Dollar Index broke support at 95, warning of a test of the primary level at 93. Decline of 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm, offering a target of 88*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 93 – ( 98 – 93 ) = 88

A declining dollar would be good news for the US economy, improving the competitiveness of exporters in global markets and local manufacturers competing against imports in domestic markets.

June 17, 2015

Interest rates and inflation hurt gold prices

Where is inflation headed? The five-year breakeven rate (5-Year Treasury Yield minus 5-year TIPS) is hovering around 1.80 percent, close to the latest readings for core CPI. The market is anticipating low inflation for the next few years.

Five-year Breakeven Rate and Core CPI

Long-term interest rates are rising in anticipation of Fed tightening. 10-Year Treasury yields, in a primary up-trend, are retracing to test their new support level at 2.25%. Respect is likely and would signal an advance to long-term resistance at 3.0 percent. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum crossed above zero, strengthening the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Gold

Low inflation reduces demand for gold as an inflation-hedge, while rising interest rates increase its carrying cost for speculators and the opportunity cost for investors. These factors are exerting downward pressure on gold prices. The spot price recovered above medium-term support at $1180/ounce, but the breach continues to warn of a test of the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaking below zero also suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would offer a long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is testing primary support at 155. Breach of support would strengthen the warning.

Gold Bugs Index

June 9, 2015

Gold breaks $1180 support

Core CPI continues to track close to the Fed target of 2.0 percent (CPI All Items is distorted by falling oil prices).

CPI and Core CPI

Long-term interest rates are in a primary up-trend, with 10-year Treasury note yields breakout above resistance at 2.25% offering a target of 3.0 percent. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index continues to test support at 95. Breach would warn of a test of the primary level (and rising trendline) at 93. A sharp decline on 13-Week Twiggs Momentum indicates this is likely.

Dollar Index

Gold

A weakening dollar would boost demand for gold, but rising interest rates counter this. Spot gold broke medium-term support at $1180/ounce, warning of a test of the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero suggest continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would offer a long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

June 3, 2015

Treasury yields surge but Dollar falls

10-year Treasury yields broke through resistance at 2.25%, offering a medium-term target of 2.65%*. Breakout above primary resistance at 3.00% is remote at present, but would signal the end of the secular down-trend (bull market in bonds). It appears that bond investors are reducing their exposure in anticipation of this occurring. Expect retracement to test the new support level at 2.25%; respect would confirm the breakout. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero also strengthens the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index is retreating despite rising bond yields. Declining 13-Week Twiggs Momentum warns of a test of primary support at 93. Breach of medium-term support at 95 would strengthen the signal. Respect is less likely, but would suggest another test of 100.

Dollar Index

May 26, 2015

Inflation steady while Gold tests support

CPI continues below zero, but core CPI (excluding food and energy) came in at 1.81% for April 2015, indicating long-term inflationary pressures are constant.

CPI and Core CPI

Low inflation relieves upward pressure on bond yields. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes encountered resistance at 2.25%, with tall shadows on the last 3 weekly candles. Expect another retracement to test support at 1.85%. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index broke resistance at 96 despite falling bond yields, indicating the correction is over and another test of 100 likely. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum is declining, but recovery above the descending trendline would support the (bull) signal. Reversal below 96 is unlikely, but would test support at 93.

Dollar Index

Gold

The inflation-adjusted price of gold (gold/CPI) suggests that gold has further to fall. Unusually high levels of intervention by central banks in financial markets may, however, be fueling support at current prices — suggesting a gradual decline rather than a sharp adjustment.

Gold/CPI

Spot gold is headed for another test of medium-term support at $1180/ounce after respecting resistance at $1220. Breach of support would test the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero suggest a primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would test the long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

May 12, 2015

Gold, inflation and the Dollar

The (5-year) inflation breakeven (Treasury yield – TIPS) recovered from the oil price fall to post 1.66% on May 8.

5-Year Inflation Breakeven

Growth in average hourly earnings (manufacturing – production and non-supervisory employees) also recovered to 1.49% at the end of April.

Average Hourly Earnings

The stronger inflation outlook lifted the yield on 10-year Treasury notes above resistance at 2.25%. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero also signals an up-trend. Target for the breakout is 2.65%*. This is a bearish sign for bonds, but only breakout above long-term resistance at 3.00% would signal that the secular bull market is over.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index found support at 94 in response to rising yields. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum is declining, but recovery above 96 would suggest that the correction is over and another test of 100 likely. Otherwise, expect strong support at the primary trendline around 92.

Dollar Index

Gold

Gold is testing medium-term support at $1180/ounce. Breach would test the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum holding below zero suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would test the long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

April 30, 2015

GDP, the Dollar and Treasury yields

Interesting to see how Treasury yields and the Dollar reacted — or failed to react — to the sharp fall in first quarter GDP growth. But first a great summary by Matt Phillips at Quartz:

Move along. There’s nothing to see here.

Well, if you must know, US GDP growth fell to a 0.2% annualized rate, which looks pretty bad.

We told you it would be bad. How did we know? Windows. If you looked out any of them between January and March you were treated to a slush-bound hellscape of icy misery. Thankfully, spring has sprung. And there are all sorts of indications that US growth is bouncing back.

…interpreting the numbers rather than simply informing readers of the latest “bad news”. Good journalism.

Ten-year Treasury Note yields broke resistance at 2.00%. Not what one would expect if the economy was slowing and the Fed planned to sit on its hands rather than raise interest rates. Breakout above resistance indicates an advance to 2.25%. Recovery of long-term yields, however, is likely to be gradual, with much testing of support before we see a breakout above long-term resistance at 3.00%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index surprised in the opposite direction, breaking support at 96. Not what one would expect if yields are rising. Breach of support suggests a test of the primary trendline at 92.

Dollar Index

April 23, 2015

Inflation and Dollar stable

March CPI readings were much as expected, with the annual rate at zero but core CPI (excluding food and energy) close to the Fed target of 2 percent.

Core CPI

Ten-year Treasury Note yields continue to consolidate in a narrow band between 1.85% and 2.00%. Breakout above resistance is more likely and would offer a target of 2.25%. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Recovery of long-term yields is likely to be gradual for two reasons:

The Fed is adopting a cautious stance towards lifting short-term rates; and
Downward pressure exerted on long-term yields by offshore (Chinese & Japanese) purchases of Treasury securities (with the intent of suppressing appreciation of their exchange rates).

10-Year Treasury Yields

A stable inflation rate and low interest rate outlook have kept the Dollar Index range-bound between 96 and 100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum continues to indicate a strong primary up-trend. Breakout above 100 would signal an advance to 110*. Failure of support at 96 is unlikely.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

April 15, 2015

Gold Dollar pause

Long-term Treasury yields remain in a bear trend, with 10-year yields holding below resistance at 2.00%. Breach of support at 1.85% would signal another test of the primary level at 1.65%. A lower inflation outlook is translating into lower interest rate expectations.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index is likewise encountering resistance at 100. Breakout would signal an advance to 104*. Reversal below 96, however, would test primary support at 94.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 96 ) = 104

Gold is also consolidating, ranging between $1180 and $1220/ounce. Reversal below $1180 would signal a decline to $1000/ounce*, while breakout above $1220 would indicate a rally to $1300/ounce.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

April 9, 2015

Dollar double bottom — gold tests support

Apologies for my recent absence. I seem to take longer to recover from a ‘flu virus than I used to. The Dollar Index, however, has made a robust recovery, breaking resistance at 98.50. Completion of a double-bottom suggests a new advance with a target of 104*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 96 ) = 104

Gold retreated below its former primary support level of $1200/ounce as the dollar strengthened. Breach of the rising trendline suggests the bear rally is over; follow-through below $1180 would confirm, strengthening the long-term target of $1000/ounce*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000