US Dollar Index Archives - Page 17 of 33

May 26, 2015

Inflation steady while Gold tests support

CPI continues below zero, but core CPI (excluding food and energy) came in at 1.81% for April 2015, indicating long-term inflationary pressures are constant.

CPI and Core CPI

Low inflation relieves upward pressure on bond yields. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes encountered resistance at 2.25%, with tall shadows on the last 3 weekly candles. Expect another retracement to test support at 1.85%. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the signal.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index broke resistance at 96 despite falling bond yields, indicating the correction is over and another test of 100 likely. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum is declining, but recovery above the descending trendline would support the (bull) signal. Reversal below 96 is unlikely, but would test support at 93.

Dollar Index

Gold

The inflation-adjusted price of gold (gold/CPI) suggests that gold has further to fall. Unusually high levels of intervention by central banks in financial markets may, however, be fueling support at current prices — suggesting a gradual decline rather than a sharp adjustment.

Gold/CPI

Spot gold is headed for another test of medium-term support at $1180/ounce after respecting resistance at $1220. Breach of support would test the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero suggest a primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would test the long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

May 12, 2015

Gold, inflation and the Dollar

The (5-year) inflation breakeven (Treasury yield – TIPS) recovered from the oil price fall to post 1.66% on May 8.

5-Year Inflation Breakeven

Growth in average hourly earnings (manufacturing – production and non-supervisory employees) also recovered to 1.49% at the end of April.

Average Hourly Earnings

The stronger inflation outlook lifted the yield on 10-year Treasury notes above resistance at 2.25%. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero also signals an up-trend. Target for the breakout is 2.65%*. This is a bearish sign for bonds, but only breakout above long-term resistance at 3.00% would signal that the secular bull market is over.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.25 + ( 2.25 – 1.85 ) = 2.65

The Dollar Index found support at 94 in response to rising yields. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum is declining, but recovery above 96 would suggest that the correction is over and another test of 100 likely. Otherwise, expect strong support at the primary trendline around 92.

Dollar Index

Gold

Gold is testing medium-term support at $1180/ounce. Breach would test the primary level at $1140. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum holding below zero suggests continuation of the primary down-trend. Failure of $1140 would test the long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

April 30, 2015

GDP, the Dollar and Treasury yields

Interesting to see how Treasury yields and the Dollar reacted — or failed to react — to the sharp fall in first quarter GDP growth. But first a great summary by Matt Phillips at Quartz:

Move along. There’s nothing to see here.

Well, if you must know, US GDP growth fell to a 0.2% annualized rate, which looks pretty bad.

We told you it would be bad. How did we know? Windows. If you looked out any of them between January and March you were treated to a slush-bound hellscape of icy misery. Thankfully, spring has sprung. And there are all sorts of indications that US growth is bouncing back.

…interpreting the numbers rather than simply informing readers of the latest “bad news”. Good journalism.

Ten-year Treasury Note yields broke resistance at 2.00%. Not what one would expect if the economy was slowing and the Fed planned to sit on its hands rather than raise interest rates. Breakout above resistance indicates an advance to 2.25%. Recovery of long-term yields, however, is likely to be gradual, with much testing of support before we see a breakout above long-term resistance at 3.00%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index surprised in the opposite direction, breaking support at 96. Not what one would expect if yields are rising. Breach of support suggests a test of the primary trendline at 92.

Dollar Index

April 23, 2015

Inflation and Dollar stable

March CPI readings were much as expected, with the annual rate at zero but core CPI (excluding food and energy) close to the Fed target of 2 percent.

Core CPI

Ten-year Treasury Note yields continue to consolidate in a narrow band between 1.85% and 2.00%. Breakout above resistance is more likely and would offer a target of 2.25%. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Recovery of long-term yields is likely to be gradual for two reasons:

The Fed is adopting a cautious stance towards lifting short-term rates; and
Downward pressure exerted on long-term yields by offshore (Chinese & Japanese) purchases of Treasury securities (with the intent of suppressing appreciation of their exchange rates).

10-Year Treasury Yields

A stable inflation rate and low interest rate outlook have kept the Dollar Index range-bound between 96 and 100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum continues to indicate a strong primary up-trend. Breakout above 100 would signal an advance to 110*. Failure of support at 96 is unlikely.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

April 15, 2015

Gold Dollar pause

Long-term Treasury yields remain in a bear trend, with 10-year yields holding below resistance at 2.00%. Breach of support at 1.85% would signal another test of the primary level at 1.65%. A lower inflation outlook is translating into lower interest rate expectations.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar Index is likewise encountering resistance at 100. Breakout would signal an advance to 104*. Reversal below 96, however, would test primary support at 94.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 96 ) = 104

Gold is also consolidating, ranging between $1180 and $1220/ounce. Reversal below $1180 would signal a decline to $1000/ounce*, while breakout above $1220 would indicate a rally to $1300/ounce.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

April 9, 2015

Dollar double bottom — gold tests support

Apologies for my recent absence. I seem to take longer to recover from a ‘flu virus than I used to. The Dollar Index, however, has made a robust recovery, breaking resistance at 98.50. Completion of a double-bottom suggests a new advance with a target of 104*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 96 ) = 104

Gold retreated below its former primary support level of $1200/ounce as the dollar strengthened. Breach of the rising trendline suggests the bear rally is over; follow-through below $1180 would confirm, strengthening the long-term target of $1000/ounce*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

April 4, 2015

Gold tests resistance as the dollar falls

Ten-year Treasury Note yields are testing support at 1.85% after consolidating below 2.00% for 2 weeks. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Failure of support at 1.85% would test primary support at 1.65%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Correction on the Dollar Index has lasted 3 weeks but continues to respect the first line of support at 95.50. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum also continues to indicate a strong (primary) up-trend. Recovery above 100 is likely and would offer a target of 110*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

Gold is testing resistance at $1200/ounce on the back of softer interest rates and a weak dollar. Breakout above $1220/ounce would indicate a rally to $1300. But 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Respect of $1300, or reversal below $1180 would suggest another test of primary support at $1140/$1150.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

March 27, 2015

Gold hesitant response to weak Dollar

Ten-year Treasury Note yields are re-testing resistance at 2.00%. Recovery above 2.25% would indicate the correction is over and a rally to test the key resistance level of 3.00%. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero, however, continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Failure of support at 1.85% would signal a test of 1.65%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar retreated from long-term resistance at 100 as expectations of higher interest rates eased. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum signals a strong (primary) up-trend. Respect of support at 95.5 would confirm.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

Gold rallied on the back of a soft dollar and weak interest rate outlook, but failed to hold above $1200/ounce. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Follow-through below $1180 would warn of another test of support at $1140/$1150, while a rise above $1220 would test $1300.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

March 19, 2015

Gold rallies on Fed “dovish” statement

The Fed Open Market Committee (FOMC) dropped the word “patient”, but market bulls responded positively to its “dovish” post-meeting statement. Jeff Cox at CNBC writes:

… the mostly dovish statement made little fanfare over eliminating the word, and in fact stated specifically that “an increase in the target range for the federal funds rate remains unlikely at the April FOMC meeting,” a phrase missing from previous communiques……

“The Committee anticipates that it will be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate when it has seen further improvement in the labor market and is reasonably confident that inflation will move back to its 2 percent objective over the medium term,” the statement said.

Like I said: “…. Janet Yellen will move when the time is right. And not before.”

Ten-year Treasury Note yields broke through 2.00%, warning of another test of primary support at 1.65%. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to signal a down-trend. Recovery above 2.00% is unlikely, but would signal a rally to 2.50%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar retreated from long-term resistance at 100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum signals a strong (primary) up-trend. Respect of support at 95.5 would indicate continuation of the trend.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

Gold rallied on the back of a softer dollar and weaker interest rate outlook. Expect a rally to test $1200/ounce, but respect of this level would reinforce the primary down-trend. Breach of support at $1140/$1150 would confirm. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero strengthens the bear signal.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

March 11, 2015

Gold falls as Dollar soars

Ten-year Treasury Note yields are testing support at 2.00%. Recovery above 2.50% would indicate another test of 3.00%. But 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to signal a down-trend. Another peak below zero would warn of a decline to test the all-time low at 1.40%. Breakout above 3.00% appears remote at present, but would signal the end of the secular (20+ year) down-trend.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The Dollar is on a tear, testing long-term resistance at 100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum signals a strong (primary) up-trend. Breakout would offer a new target of 110*, but first expect retracement to confirm the new support level.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 100 + ( 100 – 90 ) = 110

Gold

Gold fell through long-term support at $1200 and is testing the last line of support at the recent lows of $1140/$1150 per ounce. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of another (primary) decline, with a target of $1000*. Breach of support at $1140 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000