There are many reasons proffered for the increase in global equity market correlations — I would like to offer one more: competitive devaluation of currencies, a.k.a., the race to the bottom. Almost all nations are looking to cheapen their currencies in order to encourage exports.
Aussie Dollar tests trend channel
The Australian Dollar is testing the lower border of its long-term (Raff Regression) trend channel against the greenback on a weekly chart. Expect strong support at parity. Recovery above $1.075 would suggest a rally to test the upper channel around $1.20*, while failure would warn of reversal to a primary down-trend.
* Target calculation: 1.10 + ( 1.10 – 1.00 ) = 1.20
Dollar tests new support level
The weekly chart of the US Dollar Index ($DXY) shows retracement to test the new support level at 76.00 after the recent breakout. Respect of support would confirm the breakout and reversal to a primary up-trend. Failure would warn of a bear trap. Reversal of 63-day Momentum below zero would also indicate continuation of the primary down-trend. A lot depends on the outcome of this week’s FOMC meeting.
* Target calculation: 76 + ( 76 – 73 ) = 79
Aussie slides against US and Kiwi Dollar
Flight to safety weakened the Australian Dollar which broke support at $1.04 against the greenback. Expect another test of parity. 63-Day Momentum crossing below zero warns that the primary up-trend may be reversing. Breach of support would confirm.
* Target calculation: 1.05 – ( 1.10 – 1.05 ) = 1.00
The Aussie Dollar is also testing support at $1.25 against its Kiwi partner. The primary trend is down and follow-through below $1.245 would indicate a down-swing to the lower trend channel over the next few months.
* Target calculation: 1.24 – ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.20
Strengthening Dollar
The falling euro strengthens the US Dollar Index which broke through resistance at 76.00. Breakout completes the base which has been forming over the past 5 months. Retracement is likely; and respect of the new support level at 76.00 would confirm a primary up-trend, while failure would warn of a bull trap.
* Target calculation: 76 + ( 76 – 73 ) = 79
Aussie Dollar weakens
The Aussie Dollar is testing support at $1.045 against the greenback; failure would warn of another down-swing to parity*. Breakout above $1.075, however, would re-visit $1.10.
* Target calculation: 1.05 – ( 1.10 – 1.05 ) = 1.00
AUDUSD is strongly influenced by commodity prices and closely tracks the CRB Commodities Index. $CRB is rising and breakout above 350 would indicate a primary advance to 385* — suggesting increased support for the Aussie Dollar.
* Target calculation: 350 + ( 350 – 315 ) = 385
Dollar rallies
The Dollar Index rallied strongly but expect stubborn resistance between 76.00 and 76.50. Consolidation between 73.00 and 76.50 has continued for more than four months, but we are in a bear trend and downward breakout remains likely. Failure of support at 73.00 would offer a target of 70.00*. Any hint of quantitative easing in the next FOMC announcement, on September 21st, would accelerate the sell-off.
* Target calculation: 73 – ( 76 – 73 ) = 70
Fighting Australia’s “hot money” problem – macrobusiness.com.au
Australia is a large net borrower from the rest of the world. A large deficit in a capital account along with a deficit in the balance of trade while the currency is rising are all strong evidence that Australia has a problem with currency speculation.
Currency speculation, sometimes called “hot money” , needs to be controlled because it can cause some serious imbalances in the local economy both on the way in, and on the way out. There are a number of well-known symptoms for hot money in-flows, these include:
• Asset bubbles
• Currency appreciation
• Inflation
via Fighting Australia’s “hot money” problem – macrobusiness.com.au.
Aussie stronger
The Aussie Dollar followed commodities higher, breaking through $1.06 to signal a test of resistance at $1.10. 63-Day Momentum holding above zero suggests continuation of the up-trend. In the long term, breakout above $1.10 would offer a target of $1.20* — though this is only likely if we see more quantitative easing from the Fed.
* Target calculation: 1.10 + ( 1.10 – 1.00 ) = 1.20
The Aussie Dollar is testing the upper trend channel against its Kiwi counterpart; breakout would warn that the down-trend is weakening. Reversal below $1.245 would warn of a test of the lower trend channel.
* Target calculation: 1.24 – ( 1.28 – 1.24 ) = 1.20
Dollar Index threatens support
The Dollar Index continues to test the band of support at 73.00 to 73.50. The recent failed up-swing (it did not reach 76.00) suggests selling pressure. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero indicates a strong down-trend. Breakout below 73.00 would offer a medium-term target of 70.00*.
* Target calculation: 73 – ( 76 – 73 ) = 70