Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Loonie, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen

The Euro is headed for $1.275, unaffected so far by the announcement that the ECB will purchase government bonds in the secondary market. Expect strong resistance at $1.275, reversal below the lower trend channel would warn of a correction.

Euro/USD

Pound Sterling is weakening against the euro, with a descending triangle testing support at €1.255. Failure of support would indicate a test of €1.230. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum is falling, but continues to indicate a primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.255 – ( 1.285 – 1.255 ) = 1.225

Canada’s Loonie is testing resistance against the greenback at $1.02.  Breakout would indicate an advance to the 2011 highs at $1.06. Reversal below parity is unlikely, but would test primary support at $0.95/$0.96. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests a primary up-trend.

Canadian Loonie/Aussie Dollar

The Aussie Dollar found support at $1.02 against the greenback. Expect a test of $1.04. Breakout would indicate $1.06, while respect would warn of a down-swing to parity. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests an up-trend.

Aussie Dollar/USD

The Australian Dollar found support against the yen at ¥79.50/¥80.00. Recovery above ¥83.50 would indicate a test of ¥88.00. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests a primary up-trend. Reversal below ¥79.50 is unlikely, but would indicate another test of primary support at ¥74.

US Dollar/Japanese Yen

Dollar weak, Gold Bugs double bottom

The Dollar Index is testing primary support at 81.00. Downward breakout would warn of reversal to a primary down-trend. Fall of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the warning, while respect of zero would continue the primary up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, responded by forming a double-bottom. Breakout above 460 would signal primary advance to 530*. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.
Gold Bugs Index

* Target calculation: 460 + ( 460 – 390 ) = 530

Spot Gold respected its new support level at $1640 and is advancing toward $1800 per ounce*. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero indicates a primary up-trend. Expect some resistance at $1700 but reversal below $1640 is unlikely.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

The CRB Non-Energy Commodities Index shows commodities responding to the weaker dollar. Short retracement followed by breakout above 296 indicates a test of primary resistance at 305. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a primary up-trend. Breakout from the trend channel indicates the primary down-trend is over, but no clear (primary) up-trend has yet formed.

CRB Non-Energy Commodities Index

Brent Crude is consolidating between $112 and $116 per barrel. Narrow consolidation suggests an upward breakout and test of $126. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero strengthens the bull signal. Reversal below $112 is unlikely, but would signal another test of support at $100.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Loonie, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen

A monthly chart shows the euro testing long-term support at $1.20 against the greenback. Recovery above the steeply descending trendline would indicate another test of the upper triangle border, while failure of support would indicate long-term re-alignment. Indications, from president Mario Draghi, that the ECB will further expand its balance sheet explains euro weakness, but similar moves by the Fed would restore the status quo.

Euro/USD Monthly

On the daily chart, the Euro is headed for resistance at $1.275. The primary trend remains downward, but breach of the descending trendline indicates it is losing momentum. Failure of support at $1.240 and penetration of the rising trendline, however, would indicate another test of primary support at $1.205.

Euro/USD

Pound Sterling formed a descending triangle, testing support at €1.255 against the Euro. Failure of support would indicate a test of €1.225. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum is falling, but continues to indicate a primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.255 – ( 1.285 – 1.255 ) = 1.225

Canada’s Loonie is consolidating in a narrow band below resistance against the greenback at $1.02.  Breakout above resistance at $1.02 would indicate an advance to $1.06, while reversal below parity would test $0.95/$0.96.

Canadian Loonie/Aussie Dollar

The Aussie Dollar is retracing to find support against the greenback, with $1.02 a likely target. Respect would suggest another test of $1.08. Narrow oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around zero would suggest a ranging market.

Aussie Dollar/USD

Australian Dollar appreciation against the yen is slowing. Reversal below ¥79.50 would indicate another test of primary support at ¥74.

US Dollar/Japanese Yen

Gold and dollar test support

The Dollar Index is testing primary support at 81.00/81.50. Failure would signal reversal to a primary down-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would also suggest a reversal, while respect of the zero line would indicate continuation of the primary up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold is retracing to test its new support level after breaking resistance at $1650 per ounce. Respect of $1640 would confirm the primary up-trend. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal. Reversal below $1640 is unlikely but would indicate a false signal and re-test primary support at $1525.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

The CRB Commodities Index is retracing after breaking medium-term resistance at 305. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a trend reversal, but only a trough above zero would confirm.

CRB Commodities Index

Brent Crude retreated from resistance at $115 per barrel. Reversal below $108 is unlikely, but would signal another test of support at $100. Breakout would indicate a test of the March high at $126. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

Gold breaks out on dollar weakness

Raised expectations of further quantitative easing by the Fed caused the Dollar to fall sharply. Penetration of the rising trendline by the US Dollar Index would warn that a top is forming. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would suggest a primary trend reversal. Respect of support, however, would indicate that the market overreacted and the primary trend will continue.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold broke resistance at $1650 per ounce, indicating  a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal. A trough above zero or retracement that respects the new support level would confirm the breakout, suggesting an advance to $1800.

Spot Gold

The CRB Commodities Index also benefited from the weaker dollar, breaking medium-term resistance at 305 to indicate a test of the February high at 325. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a trend reversal, but only a trough above zero would confirm.

CRB Commodities Index

Brent Crude continues to test resistance at $115 per barrel. Breakout would indicate a test of the March high at $126. Reversal below $108 is unlikely, but would signal another test of support at $90/$100. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum recovery above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

Correlation Breakdown as Proxies for Risk Boost Aussie, Kiwi – Bloomberg

The strength of the Aussie is increasingly driven by reasons other than raw materials as growth slows for exports to China, its largest trading partner. Prices for iron ore delivered to the port of Tianjin have dropped to the lowest level since December 2009, according to Steel Index Ltd., and contracts for coal used to make steel may fall 11 percent to the lowest price in two years, according to a Bloomberg survey of seven analysts and industry officials.

via Correlation Breakdown as Proxies for Risk Boost Aussie, Kiwi – Bloomberg.

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Loonie, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen

The Euro is testing short-term support at $1.2250 on the daily chart. Recovery above $1.2400 would indicate another rally, while failure of support would test primary support at $1.2050. The primary trend is still downwards, but breach of the descending trendline means the primary down-trend is losing momentum and a bottom is forming. Failure of primary support is unlikely but would warn of another down-swing, with a target of $1.185.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.215 – ( 1.245 – 1.215 ) = 1.185

Pound Sterling found support at €1.255 against the Euro before rallying to €1.28. Narrow consolidation between €1.27 and €1.28 suggests continuation of the rally. Breach of resistance at €1.29 would signal an advance to €1.315*. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum reflects a strong primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.285 + ( 1.285 – 1.255 ) = 1.315

Canada’s Loonie is headed for a test of resistance against the greenback at $1.02.  Bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum on the weekly chart suggests a primary up-trend; confirmed if resistance at $1.02 is broken.

Canadian Loonie/Aussie Dollar

Shallow retracement of the Aussie Dollar against the greenback suggests trend strength. Recovery above $1.06 would indicate an advance to $1.075. Breakout above $1.075/$1.08 would offer a long-term target of $1.20* but RBA intervention, to protect local industry, could be a factor.

Aussie Dollar/USD

* Target calculation: 1.045 + ( 1.045 – 1.015 ) = 1.075

The greenback found support at ¥78 against the Japanese Yen. Rising Twiggs Momentum and penetration of the descending trendline both warn that a bottom is forming. Recovery above ¥80.50 would complete a double bottom reversal, suggesting an advance to ¥84.

US Dollar/Japanese Yen

* Target calculation: 81 + ( 81 – 78 ) = 84

The Aussie Dollar broke medium-term resistance at ¥82 against the Japanese Yen, headed for a test of the upper range border at ¥88/¥90. Rising 63-Day Twiggs Momentum and recovery above zero suggest a primary up-trend as the Aussie Dollar attracts capital inflows.

Aussie Dollar/Japanese Yen

Dollar up-trend continues, gold finds support, commodities range widely

The US Dollar Index is testing support at 81.50/82.00. Respect of support and the rising trendline would confirm the primary up-trend is intact, offering a target of 86.00*. Breakout above 83.50/84.00 would confirm the advance. In the longer term, expect a test of the 2010 high at 88.50. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero indicates a healthy up-trend. Failure of support at 81.50 is unlikely, but would warn of a trend reversal.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

With the Dollar Index in a primary up-trend, Spot Gold would be expected to commence a primary down-trend. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum (below zero) indicates a primary down-trend but strong buying support at $1530/ounce has kept consolidation (on the weekly chart) between $1530 and $1650 per ounce. Breakout below primary support at $1530 would offer a target of $1300*. Recovery above $1650 is unlikely but would indicate an advance to $1800.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

Spot silver shows similar consolidation to gold, between $26 and $30 per ounce. Breakout will indicate future direction.

Spot Silver

 

CRB Commodities Index is testing its descending trendline; follow-through above $305 would warn that a bottom is forming — and test 325. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero would also suggest a trend change. However, reversal below 295 — and respect of zero by TMO — would indicate another test of 265.

CRB Commodities Index

Brent Crude is testing resistance at $115, having penetrated its descending trendline to suggest that a bottom is forming. Reversal below $108 would signal another test of support at $90/$100. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend; a peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

Nymex WTI Light Sweet Crude diverged from Brent Crude but is similarly testing resistance, at $93/barrel. Long-term oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around the zero line suggests a ranging market — between $75 and $110 — but a peak below zero would change that.

Nymex WTI Light Sweet Crude

Forex: Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Loonie, Australian Dollar, South African Rand and Japanese Yen

The Euro retreated after encountering resistance at $1.2400/1.2450. Respect of the rising trendline, however, would confirm that the primary down-trend is losing momentum and a bottom is forming. Recovery above $1.2450 would strengthen the signal. Reversal below $1.2150 would warn of another down-swing — confirmed if primary support at $1.2050 is broken — with a target of $1.185.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.215 – ( 1.245 – 1.215 ) = 1.185

Pound Sterling’s up-trend against the Euro continues on the Weekly chart. Respect of support at €1.255 would indicate an advance to €1.315*. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum is evidence of a strong primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.285 + ( 1.285 – 1.255 ) = 1.315

Canada’s Loonie broke above parity, headed for a test of resistance against the greenback at $1.02.  Long-term bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum and recovery above zero suggest a primary up-trend.

Canadian Loonie/Aussie Dollar

The Aussie Dollar is similarly headed for a test of resistance at $1.08 against the greenback. Breakout would offer a long-term target of $1.20* but calls for RBA intervention to prevent further appreciation are growing. Professor Warwick McKibbin told The Australian Financial Review:

When a portfolio shift into Australian currency is observed, the exchange rate change should be completely offset so the shock only affects the money markets rather than the real economy. If the shock cannot be observed precisely then the central bank should “lean against the wind”, that is intervene to slow down the extent of appreciation of the exchange rate.

 

Aussie Dollar/USD

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

The Aussie retreated from resistance at R8.75 against the South African Rand and is testing support at R8.50. Failure of support would signal a primary down-trend with an initial target of $8.25*.

Aussie Dollar/South African Rand

* Target calculation: 8.50 – ( 8.75 – 8.50 ) = 8.25

The Aussie broke medium-term resistance at ¥82.50 against the Japanese Yen, heading for a test of the upper range border at ¥88/¥90. The Australian Dollar/Japanese Yen has been a good reflection of global risk tolerance since 2009, oscillating between ¥72 and ¥90 as risk tolerance rises or falls. Rising 63-Day Twiggs Momentum and recovery above zero suggest a primary up-trend as the Aussie Dollar’s status as a reserve currency grows, attracting capital inflows.

Aussie Dollar/Japanese Yen

Dollar tests support, gold and commodities strengthen

The US Dollar Index made a false break above resistance at 83.50 before retracing to test support at 81.50. Respect of support and the rising trendline would confirm the primary up-trend is intact. Breakout above 83.50/84.00 would signal an advance to 86.00* in the next few weeks and to the 2010 high at 88.50 in a few months. Another 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would reinforce the healthy up-trend. Failure of support at 81.50 is unlikely, but would warn of a trend reversal.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold continues to consolidate on the weekly chart between $1530 and $1650 per ounce. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Recovery above zero, however, would confirm that a bottom is forming. Breakout below primary support at $1530 would offer a target of $1300*; recovery above $1640 would indicate an advance to $1800.

Spot Gold Weekly Chart

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

The daily chart displays a symmetrical triangle formation. Breakout would indicate direction of the next primary move. The failed down-swing — with a reversal short of the lower border — suggests an upward breakout. Follow-through above 1640 would confirm.

Spot Gold

 

The CRB Commodities Index broke its descending trendline, indicating that a bottom is forming. Breakout above medium-term resistance at 305, strengthening the signal, would test 325. Reversal below 295, however, would suggest another test of 265. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero would also suggest a primary up-trend.

CRB Commodities Index

Brent Crude has already penetrated its descending trendline, suggesting that a bottom is forming. Follow-through above $108 strengthens the signal. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would indicate a primary up-trend, while a peak below zero would signal a decline to $75 per barrel*.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75