Gold finds support

China’s Yuan found short-term support at 0.1395/0.1400 against the US Dollar but the ensuing rally is weak, suggesting continuation of the primary down-trend.

Our view is that the Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Resolution of trade tensions is unlikely, with trade merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash, between two global powers with conflicting ideologies, that is likely to continue for decades.

CNYUSD

The soft Yuan rally strengthened demand for Gold. A correction would present a good entry point in an expected long-term up-trend but patience is required.

Spot Gold in USD

Problems with continued use of the Dollar as a global reserve currency are driving central bank demand for Gold. According to Peter Schiff:

“Central bank gold purchases in April continue a trend we saw through 2018. In total, the world’s central banks accumulated 651.5 tons of gold last year. The World Gold Council noted that 2018 marked the highest level of annual net central bank gold purchases since the suspension of dollar convertibility into gold in 1971, and the second highest annual total on record.

A move to minimize dependence on the US dollar, especially by countries like Russia and China, is driving this central bank gold-buying spree.”

Our target for Gold is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Silver found support at $17.50 after a stronger retracement. Breach of support on Silver would be a bearish medium-term signal for Gold.

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The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500. The primary trend is expected to remain upward, so this could present a good entry point.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

A long-term chart of the All Ordinaries Gold Index plotted against Gold (in AUD) shows valuations are relatively low compared to the boom of 2007 and 2011. A weaker Aussie Dollar and stronger gold price could both lift prices for local gold miners.

All Ordinaries Gold Index Relative to Gold Price

ASX 200 tests resistance, Iron ore tests support

Iron ore found resistance at $95/ton and is likely to again test short-term support at $90. Support is unlikely to hold and breach would offer a medium-term target of $80 per ton.

Iron Ore

The ASX 300 Metals & Mining index found support at 4100 but the rally is weak. Breach of 4100 would complete a head and shoulders reversal, giving a target of 3400.

ASX 300 Metals & Mining

A fall in iron ore prices would increase downward pressure on the Aussie Dollar.

The Financial sector continues to look bullish, testing resistance at 6500, with Trend Index troughs above zero indicating buying pressure. Housing woes are far from over, despite improved auction clearance rates, and we expect the sector to remain a drag on growth for the next three to five years — unless the RBA & APRA go “all-in” on a housing bubble to “rescue” the economy.

ASX 200 Financials

The ASX 200 is edging upwards, towards a test of resistance at the 2007 high of 6800. Expect stubborn resistance. Reversal below 6400 would warn of a decline to test primary support at 5400.

ASX 200

We maintain exposure to Australian equities at 25% of portfolio value, with a focus on defensive and contra-cyclical stocks, because of our bearish long-term outlook.

Gold: Correction likely as Yuan finds support

The Yuan found short-term support at 0.1395/0.1400 against the US Dollar. Expect a rally over the next month, with “talks about talks” between US and Chinese trade representatives.

The Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Our view is that resolution of trade tensions is unlikely. Trade is merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash between two global powers with conflicting ideologies, likely to continue for decades, if not longer.

CNYUSD

The Yuan rally has softened demand for Gold and breach of support at $1500, or penetration of the rising trendline, would warn of a correction. A correction may present a good entry point in an expected long-term up-trend. Our target is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Last week’s gravestone candlestick on Silver also warns of a correction. Gold and Silver tend to move in tandem.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is testing support at 7500. Breach would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500. The primary trend is expected to remain upward, so again, this may present a good entry point.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

A long-term chart of the Australian Dollar against the greenback illustrates our long-term target of 60 cents (subtract 10 cents (80-70) from 70 cents). A weaker Aussie Dollar would support stronger prices for local gold miners.

Australian Dollar

Gold consolidates as the Yuan plunge continues

The Yuan’s plunge against the US Dollar is accelerating, with a short-term target of 0.1380. This is likely to elicit more tariff threats from the US — China has already been labeled a currency manipulator — as the trade war spirals out of control. There is no resolution in sight. Like a brush fire, trade wars are easy to start but difficult to extinguish as attitudes on both sides harden.

CNYUSD

A falling Yuan will increase capital flight, boosting demand for Gold. Spot Gold is consolidating above $1500/ounce. A Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure. Respect of support at $1500 is likely and would signal another advance. Our target is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

The recent strong advance on Silver supports our bullish outlook for Gold. The two tend to move in tandem.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is surprisingly weak, testing support at 7500 despite a falling Aussie Dollar. Breach of 7500 would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500, but the primary trend is expected to remain upward. The dip is likely to present a good buy opportunity.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

The Australian Dollar decline is testing support at 0.68 against the greenback. Our long-term target is 60 cents (calculated by subtracting (80-70) from 70) which should support a stronger $XGD.

Australian Dollar

Falling Yuan bullish for Gold

China’s Yuan continued its plunge against the US Dollar after the latest Trump tariff tantrum. The trade war is hotting up and we can expect further Yuan weakness, fueling demand for Gold.

CNYUSD

Spot Gold consolidation above $1500/ounce is a bullish sign, while a Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

Spot Gold in USD

We maintain our bullish outlook for Gold, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

The All Ordinaries Gold Index surprised with a fall despite the weakening Aussie Dollar. Penetration of the rising trendline warns of a correction but the primary trend remains upward. A Trend Index trough that respects the zero line would confirm this.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Gold pauses after recent surge

China’s Yuan has paused after breaking above 7.0 to the US Dollar. Expect further consolidation, but respect of support at 7.0 would signal a further advance (and Yuan weakness), fueling demand for Gold.

USDCNY

Spot Gold is consolidating above $1500/ounce. Respect of support at $1500 would likewise suggest further gains. The Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

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The trouble with an accelerating up-trend (or blowoff as they are often called) is that they seldom give you adequate warning of a reversal. The All Ordinaries Gold Index retreated this week and is testing its rising trendline at 8000. Breach of 8000 seems unlikely but would warn of a correction.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

We maintain our bullish outlook for Gold, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Gold spikes as Yuan falls

China has broken its unwritten guarantee that the PBOC will maintain the Yuan below 7 to the US Dollar. Official fixings for USDCNY crept above 7.0 this week, indicating the PBOC is no longer prepared to support its currency.

USDCNY

This is a two-edged sword. While it makes exports cheaper, counteracting the effect of US tariffs, it makes imports more expensive, spiking inflation. It is also likely to spark capital flight, as evidenced by the sharp spike in Gold.

Spot Gold broke resistance at $1450, surging to $1500/ounce. A narrow consolidation at $1500 is likely, signaling further gains. The Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

Spot Gold in USD

The next major resistance level is the 2012 high of $1800/ounce.

Gold rallies as the Dollar retreats

A tall shadow on the Dollar Index warns of selling pressure. Breach of the new support level at 98 would indicate a test of the rising trendline at 96. A Trend Index peak below zero warns of selling pressure. A weakening Dollar will increase demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Spot Gold is testing resistance at $1440/1450 after consolidating above short-term support at $1400. A Trend Index trough above zero indicates buying pressure. Breakout above $1450 is likely and would offer a short-term target of $1500/ounce.

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Gold: The rally continues

The Dollar Index is testing resistance at 98; breakout would offer a target of 100. The stronger Dollar has softened demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Silver is retracing to test its new support level after breakout above $16. Respect of support at $16 would signal an advance to $17.50. Gold and silver tend to move in unison.

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The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is retracing after a strong rally. A correction of short duration would be a bullish sign, suggesting another advance.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot Gold continues to consolidate above short-term support at $1400, indicating buying pressure. Upward breakout is likely and would offer a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

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Gold: Every cloud has a Silver lining

Long-term interest rates are declining after more dovish speeches from the Fed, with 10-year Treasury yields re-testing support at 2.0%. The opportunity cost of holding gold is low.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index is likely to weaken, testing primary support at 95. A weakening Dollar boosts demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

A big gain in Silver this week is likely to be followed by a similar move in Gold. The two precious metals tend to move in unison. Breakout above $16.00/ounce signals an advance to $17.50.

Spot Silver in USD

Gold is consolidating above short-term support at $1400 after a strong advance, indicating buying pressure. Another advance is likely, with a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD