Gold and commodities bear rally likely to fail

Gold found support at $1200/ounce, but the rally was short-lived, encountering resistance at $1260. Breakout would test resistance at $1300/1320, while reversal below $1230 would again test $1200. Continuation of the down-trend is likely, and failure of support at $1200 would offer a medium-term target of $1100*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1300 – 1200 ) = 1100

The Gold Bugs index (representing un-hedged gold stocks) diverged from the spot price in 2012 and retreated, relatively, a lot further since 2011. Does that mean the spot price will follow — or that gold stocks are oversold? I have no idea how far gold will eventually fall, but I do take this as a bearish sign for the metal.
Spot Silver

Crude Oil

Nymex WTI light crude broke resistance at $98/barrel and follow-through above $100 would confirm a primary up-trend. Brent continues to range between $100 and $106, with the spread narrowing to less than $4/barrel. Rising Nymex crude prices reflect a stronger US economy, and should ensure the spread closes completely in the months ahead.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

Commodity prices are largely driven by Chinese demand, as reflected by the correlation between Dow Jones/UBS Commodity Index and the Shanghai Composite. The Shanghai is in a strong primary down-trend and likely to drag commodities even lower. Breakout below support at 125/126 would offer a long-term target of the 2009 low at 100*. Not good news for Australian resources stocks, even though the impact is cushioned by a falling Aussie Dollar.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 125 – ( 150 – 125 ) = 100

Dollar strengthens while bonds fall

The Dollar Index is headed for a test of resistance at 84.00/84.50. Respect of the rising trendline indicates a healthy up-trend — as does the 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero. Breakout above 84.50 offer a long-term target of the 2010 high at 89*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Treasury yields are softening as the Fed talks down the prospect of ending QE, but the primary trend remains upward. Respect of support at 2.00% for 10-year Treasuries would indicate a healthy up-trend (for yields), while brief retracement that respects 2.30% would warn of sharply falling bond prices and further instability.

10-year Treasury Yields

Forex: Euro falters while Aussie fall continues

The euro fell through support at $1.32 and is headed for a test of primary support at $1.27*. Failure of support would complete a broad head and shoulders reversal, offering a target of $1.17*. Descending 13-week Twiggs Momentum suggests a primary down-trend.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.27 – ( 1.37 – 1.27 ) = 1.17

Pound Sterling is headed for a test of support at $1.50 against the greenback. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero suggests a primary down-trend. Failure of support at $1.50 would confirm.
Pound Sterling

The greenback is headed for a test of ¥100 against the Yen, after finding support at ¥94. The primary trend is upward and recovery above ¥100 would signal a fresh advance with a target of ¥114*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance at ¥100, however, would warn of reversal.

USD/JPY

* Target calculation: 104 + ( 104 – 94 ) = 114

Canada’s Loonie found support at $0.95 against the greenback, not $0.96 as expected. Recovery above $0.96 would suggest a rally to test the descending trendline around $0.98*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 0.97 – ( 1.00 – 0.97 ) = 0.94

The Aussie Dollar displays a small flag as it rallies to test resistance at $0.94 against the greenback. Respect of resistance is likely and would suggest a decline to $0.90*.

Aussie Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.92 – ( 0.94 – 0.92 ) = 0.90

Gold and commodities fall as the dollar rises

Gold is falling fast, but should find short/medium-term support at $1200/ounce*. Breach of that level would offer a target of $1000.

Spot Gold

* Target calculations: 1350 – ( 1500 – 1350 ) = 1200;  1500 – ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 1200

Silver similarly offers a target of $16/ounce*.
Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index respected its primary trendline at 80.50 and is headed for another test of 84. The 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero suggests a strengthening up-trend. Target for a breakout would be the 2010 high at 89*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Crude Oil

Crude is range-bound, with Nymex WTI retreating after a false break above resistance at $98/barrel and Brent testing support at $100. The spread has narrowed to $6 and is likely to close further as the US economy recovers faster than Europe. Brent is in a down-trend, while Nymex continues to threaten a primary up-trend, reflecting the stronger US economy.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

The Dow Jones/UBS Commodity Index is falling hard, more in sympathy with gold than with crude, as the dollar strengthens. A rapidly weakening Chinese economy is likely to drag commodity prices even lower. Breakout below long-term support at 125/126 would offer a target of the 2009 low at 100*.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 125 – ( 150 – 125 ) = 100

Forex: Euro retraces but Sterling weakens on the cross

The euro is retracing to test the new support level at $1.32, respect would confirm the advance to $1.37*.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.32 + ( 1.32 – 1.27 ) = 1.37

Pound Sterling is testing support at €1.16 against the euro. Failure would indicate a decline to primary support at  €1.14 , with a longer term target of €1.10. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the bear signal.
Pound Sterling

The greenback found support at ¥94 against the Yen. The primary trend is still upward and recovery above ¥100 would signal a fresh advance with a target of ¥114*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance at ¥100, however, would warn of reversal.

USD/JPY

* Target calculation: 104 + ( 104 – 94 ) = 114

Canada’s Loonie respected resistance at $0.99 against the greenback and is headed for another test of support at $0.96. Successive peaks below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum indicate a healthy primary down-trend. Breach of  $0.96 would offer a target of $0.93*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 0.96 – ( 0.99 – 0.96 ) = 0.93

Gold falls while Treasury yields rise

Gold is testing primary support at $1340/ounce. Breach of support would signal another primary decline, while follow-through below $1320 would confirm.

Spot Gold
Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero indicates a healthy primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would offer a target of $1100*.
Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1300 – ( 1500 – 1300 ) = 1100

Silver displays a similar down-trend on the monthly chart, offering a target of $16/ounce*.
Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index respected its primary trendline at 80.50 on the weekly chart. Recovery above 81.50 would indicate another test of 84. Declining peaks on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, suggest a weak up-trend. Failure of support at 80.50 would warn of another test of primary support at 79.

Dollar Index

Treasuries

Treasuries fell, with yields rising sharply after today’s FOMC announcement. Target for the advance of 10-year Treasury Yields is 2.60%*.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.10 + ( 2.10 – 1.60 ) = 2.60

Crude Oil

Crude is rising despite the stronger dollar, with Nymex WTI breaking resistance at $98/barrel and Brent testing resistance at $106. The spread between the two has narrowed to around $8 and is likely to close further as the US economy recovers faster than Europe. Follow-through of Nymex crude above $100/barrel would confirm a primary up-trend, reflecting a stronger US economy — if the dollar is strengthening.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

The Dow Jones/UBS Commodity Index, assisted by crude oil, found support at 130 on the weekly chart. Expect a test of the declining trendline at 134, but the primary trend is down and, with China weakening, a test of  primary support at 125/126 remains likely.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Forex: Aussie Dollar falls below 93 US cents

The Aussie Dollar fell to below $0.93 within hours of the latest FOMC announcement from the Fed. Breach of support indicates another decline, with a target of $0.90*.

Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 0.9330 – ( 0.9660 – 0.9330 ) = 0.9000

The monthly chart shows the Aussie has broken long-term support around $0.95, signaling a decline to $0.80*. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero confirms a primary down-trend.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

It is not just a stronger greenback, the Aussie is also falling against the crosses. Canada’s Loonie broke resistance at parity to the Australian Dollar, signaling a primary up-trend.

Canadian Loonie

Forex: Aussie resistance, Yen falls

The Aussie Dollar rallied to $0.955 on the 2-hour chart before encountering selling pressure. Expect a test of the 2011 low at $0.94. Breach would indicate another decline. The next target is $0.90*, with a long-term target of $0.80*. Breakout above $0.955 is unlikely, but would re-test resistance at $0.98.

Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculations: 0.94 – ( 0.98 – 0.94 ) = 0.90 and 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

Canada’s Loonie, however, respected support at $0.96, heading for another test of resistance at $0.99 or parity. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero suggests continuation of the down-trend. Respect of resistance would indicate another decline, with a target of $0.94*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 0.97 – ( 1.00 – 0.97 ) = 0.94

The euro broke resistance at $1.32 and is headed for $1.37*. Breakout is some way off, but would offer a target of $1.47*.

Euro/USD

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

Pound Sterling broke resistance at $1.56, signaling an advance to $1.63*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the bull signal.
Pound Sterling

* Target calculation: 1.56 + ( 1.56 – 1.50 ) = 1.62

The greenback continues a strong correction against the Yen, but this is a secondary movement and the primary up-trend is unaltered. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Recovery above resistance at ¥100 would signal a fresh advance with a target of ¥113*. Long-term target for the advance is the 2007 high at ¥125*.

USD/JPY

* Target calculations: (a) 104 + ( 104 – 95 ) = 113; (b) 100 + ( 100 – 75 ) = 125

Forex: Aussie falls but Euro and Yen unfazed

After a weak rally to $0.98, the Aussie Dollar broke primary support at $0.96, signaling a strong down-trend. Long-term target for the decline is $0.80*.

Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

Canada’s Loonie is also likely to break support at $0.96, offering a long-term target of $0.82*.

Canadian Loonie

* Target calculation: 0.94 – ( 1.06 – 0.94 ) = 0.82

The euro, however, broke resistance at $1.30 and is headed for a test of $1.32. Breach of that level would offer a target of $1.36*. But respect of $1.32 would warn of a head and shoulders reversal — completed if support at $1.27 is broken.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.32 + ( 1.32 – 1.28 ) = 1.36

The greenback reversed sharply against the Yen in the last week, falling from ¥104 to ¥99. But the scale of the reversal is placed in its proper perspective on a monthly chart. The primary up-trend is unfazed, and recovery above resistance at ¥100 would signal a fresh advance with a target of ¥110*. The 30-year secular bear trend is over. Long-term target for the advance is the 2007 high at ¥125*.

USD/JPY

* Target calculations: (a) 104 + ( 104 – 99 ) = 109; (b) 100 + ( 100 – 75 ) = 125

Forex: Aussie tests support

The Aussie Dollar is testing its major support level at $0.95/$0.96. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum warns of a long-term down-trend. Breach of $0.95 would offer a target of $0.80.

Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80