Forex: Australia – be careful what you measure

The Aussie Dollar rallied strongly off support at $0.96 against the greenback, on the back of strong GDP numbers. Expect a test of the declining trendline around $1.02. A peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum, however, would warn of a strong primary down-trend.

Australian Dollar/USD

Be careful what you measure!

Australian Real GDP may have grown by 1.3 percent for the first quarter, but as Stephen Koukoulas points out: Nominal GDP (before adjustment for inflation) only grew by 0.3 percent. The cause of the Real GDP surge is a sharp fall in the GDP price deflator, used to adjust for inflation. Falling prices may be welcomed by the consumer but they warn of a deflationary contraction — as in 2008/9 when nominal GDP fell by 5.0 percent.

Australian GDP

In the long-term, the Australian Dollar normally follows commodity prices. At present the CRB Commodities Index is falling sharply and the Aussie is likely to follow.

CRB Commodities Index/Australian Dollar

Forex: UK and Europe

The Euro retraced to test resistance at the former primary support level of $1.26. The peak that respected the zero line on 63-Day Twiggs Momentum warns of a strong primary down-trend. Respect of resistance would strengthen the signal, indicating a test of the 2010 low at $1.20.

Euro/USD

Pound Sterling is correcting after strong appreciation against the Euro. Expect a test of the rising trendline around €1.21/€1.22. Penetration would warn of weakness, but respect and/or a 63-Day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would indicate a healthy primary up-trend.

Pound Sterling/Euro

Stronger dollar, weaker commodities: gold, copper and crude

The US Dollar is in a primary up-trend, the Dollar Index having broken resistance between 81 and 82. Retracement is likely to test the new support level; respect of 81 would confirm a healthy up-trend. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Money Flow would likewise strengthen the signal.

US Dollar Index

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

Spot gold is also testing a new support level — this time on the daily chart — after breaking resistance at $1600/ounce. Penetration of the declining trendline suggests that the down-trend is weakening, but 63-day Twiggs Momentum remains firmly below zero. Follow-through above $1640 would strengthen the bull signal — as would recovery of Momentum above zero — but failure of $1600 would re-test $1540.

Spot Gold

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

Other commodities have reacted negatively to the stronger dollar, suggesting that gold will continue its downward path. Copper is in a clear down-trend, headed for a test of the 2011 low at 6800.

Copper Grade A

Brent crude broke its mid-2011 low at $100/barrel, offering a long-term target of $75*.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

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

Nymex WTI Light Crude is similarly headed for a test of long-term support at $75/barrel.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

CRB Commodities Index is similarly headed for a test of support at 250. The peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a strong primary down-trend. First, expect retracement to test resistance at 295; respect would confirm the down-trend.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 290 – ( 330 – 290 ) = 250

Forex: Australia and Canada

Falling crude oil and commodity prices are likely to depress resource-rich currencies. Canada’s Loonie found support at $0.97 but 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Failure of $0.97 is likely and would test the primary level at $0.94/0.95.

Canadian Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.01 – 0.95 ) = 0.89

The Aussie Dollar is testing primary support at $0.96/0.97. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum (below zero) warns of a primary down-trend. Failure of support at $0.96 would offer a long-term target of $0.84*.

Aussie Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.96 – ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 0.84

Forex: UK and Europe

The Euro broke primary support at $1.26 against the greenback. A peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates continuation of the primary down-trend. Expect a test of the 2010 low at $1.19/$1.20.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.26 – ( 1.35 – 1.26 ) = 1.17

Pound Sterling is consolidating between €1.2350 and €1.2600 against the euro. Reversal below the lower trend channel would warn of a correction, while breakout above €1.2600 would signal continuation of the primary advance. Completion of a bearish divergence on 63-Day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen a bear signal.

Pound sterling/Euro

Swiss Prepare Plans in Case of Euro's Demise – WSJ.com

Anita Greil: Switzerland is considering capital controls to fight a sharp rise in the Swiss franc in the event of a euro-zone collapse.

……In the 1970s, Switzerland used such extreme measures to curb excessive demand for its currency. The country prohibited foreign investments in Swiss securities and real estate, and introduced negative interest rates on foreign deposits. Both tools failed to stem the Swiss franc’s rise, which only halted after the central bank introduced a temporary peg to the deutsche mark, Germany’s currency at the time.

via Swiss Prepare Plans in Case of Euro’s Demise – WSJ.com.

Forex: Japanese Yen

The US Dollar broke support at ¥80 Japanese Yen and is now at the 61.8% Fibonacci level. Failure of short-term support at ¥79 would indicate another test of primary support at ¥76. The long-term bearish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum continues, however, and a trough above zero would indicate a fresh primary advance. Breakout above ¥84 would confirm.

USD/Japanese Yen

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 80 ) = 88

Forex: UK and Europe

The Euro is testing primary support at $1.26 against the greenback. A peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of support would test the 2010 low of $1.19/$1.20.

Euro/USD

* Target calculation: 1.26 – ( 1.35 – 1.26 ) = 1.17

Pound Sterling continues to test resistance at €1.26 against the euro. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum high above zero indicates a strong up-trend. Weak retracement which fails to test the new support level around  €1.22 would indicate an accelerating/exponential up-trend.

Pound sterling/Euro

* Target calculation: 1.26 + ( 1.26 – 1.22 ) = 1.30

Forex: Australia, Canada, South Africa

Canada’s Loonie may be strengthening against the Aussie Dollar but is headed for another test of primary support at $0.95 against the greenback. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Failure of support at $0.95 would confirm.

Canadian Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.02 – 0.95 ) = 0.88

The Australian Dollar is following commodities lower, headed for a test of primary support at $0.96. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of support at $0.96 would warn of a primary down-trend with a long-term target of $0.84. Recovery above $1.02 is unlikely but would indicate another test of $1.08.

Australian Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.96 – ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 0.84

The Australian Dollar respected resistance at R8.30 against the South African Rand. Expect another test of R7.90. Breach would warn of a decline to R7.50*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating close to zero indicates uncertainty and breakout above R8.30 would test long-term resistance at R8.50.

Australian Dollar/South African Rand

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

Gold suffers from strong dollar

The US Dollar Index broke resistance at 81.80, signaling the start of a primary advance to 86.00*. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero indicates a strong up-trend. Expect retracement to test the new support level at 81.50/81.80. Respect would confirm the bull signal.

Dollar Index

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

Spot Gold is testing the band of support between $1500 and $1550/ounce. Wednesday’s long tail is evidence of buying support, but declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum (below zero) warns of a primary down-trend. Another rally that respects resistance at $1600 would strengthen the bear signal. Breakout below $1500 would confirm, offering a target of $1200*. Recovery above $1600, while unlikely, would suggest another test of $1800.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1500 – ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 1200