Gold breaks key support level

A monthly chart of Gold shows the breach of support at $1200/ounce, offering a long-term target of $1000*. Another 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Retracement that respects the new resistance level at $1200 would confirm. Recovery above 1200 is unlikely.

Spot Gold

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

Crude Oil

Crude is also falling — in response to the rising Dollar as well as expanding supply. The long-term target for Brent crude is $60*.

Brent Crude

* Target calculation: 90 – ( 120 – 90 ) = 60

…And $50/barrel for Nymex Light Crude. Follow-through below $75 would confirm the down-trend.

Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 80 – ( 110 – 80 ) = 50

Commodities

Copper is below its 2011 low of $6800/tonne, reflecting weak demand from China. Follow-through below $6600 would confirm a primary down-trend.

Copper

Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index has already broken support at 125, suggesting a test of its 2009 low at 100.

Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index

Crude and commodities test support

Nymex Light Crude is testing primary support at $92/barrel while 13-week Twiggs Momentum (below zero) warns of a down-trend. Brent Crude is also approaching primary support, at $99/barrel. Breach of support would confirm a down-trend.

Nymex WTI Crude

Commodity prices are falling as the Dollar strengthens. Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index is approaching primary support at 122, while 13-week Twiggs Momentum (below zero) again warns of a down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm.

Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index

Aluminum alloy, however, continues its primary advance.

Alumina

And nickel is likely to follow, having broken resistance at 18500.

Nickel

Crude and bulk commodities fall but nickel, aluminum rally

Crude oil prices are falling. Nymex Light Crude is testing primary support at $92/barrel and Brent Crude at $99/barrel. Breach of support would signal a down-trend.

Nymex WTI Crude

Commodity prices remain low, in line with sluggish world trade.

But that does not tell the full story.

Bulk commodity prices are falling as Chinese construction slows…

Bulk Commodities

…While copper prices recovered above 7000/tonne. Penetration of the declining trendline suggests that the down-trend is slowing. Breakout above 7400 would strengthen the signal.

Copper

And aluminum alloy…

Alumina

…and nickel show surprising strength, signaling an up-trend.

Nickel

Crude and commodities weaken

Crude oil prices are falling. Nymex Light Crude broke support at $98/barrel, signaling a test of primary support at $92/barrel, while Brent Crude is testing primary support at $104. Retreat of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero already warns of a Nymex (CL) down-trend.

Nymex WTI Crude

Commodity prices are being dragged down, with Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index heading for a test of primary support at 122. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero strengthens the bear signal.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Copper prices are also testing primary support, reflecting a weak Chinese economy. Breach of $6800/tonne would warn of a primary decline. Follow-through below $6400/tonne would confirm.

Copper

Falling crude prices are good news

Crude oil prices are falling sharply. Nymex Light Crude broke support at $98/barrel and Brent Crude is testing support at $104. Breach of that support level would confirm a primary down-trend.

Nymex WTI Crude

The theory has been bandied about that lower crude prices are a Barack Obama strategy to deter Vladimir Putin in East Ukraine. But there are signs of an economic slow-down in Europe, especially Italy, that would hurt demand for Brent Crude. And the Baltic Dry Index, which reflects bulk commodity shipping rates, indicates global trade is at a low ebb. Whichever is correct, low crude prices are welcome — good for the medium-term outlook of the global economy.

Baltic Dry Index

Commodities weaken on soft demand

Crude oil prices fell sharply in July, especially Brent Crude [pink] which is testing support at $104/$106 per barrel. Breach of that support level, or $98/$100 for Nymex Light Crude, would signal a primary down-trend.

Nymex WTI Crude

Commodity prices have weakened in sympathy, with Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index falling sharply since breaking support at 133. Expect another test of long-term support at 122/124. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero strengthens the bear signal.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Retreat of the Baltic Dry Index — which reflects bulk commodity shipping rates — to its 2008 low, shows similar weakness for iron ore and coal.

Baltic Dry Index

Waning demand from China is driving down prices.

Commodities weak except for crude

  • Chinese stocks test long-term support
  • Commodities weaken
  • Crude oil remains high

China’s Shanghai Composite Index continues to test long-term support. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum holding below zero suggests continuation of the primary down-trend.

Shanghai Composite Index

Commodity prices are weakening, with Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index breaking support at 133 to warn of another test of long-term support at 122/124. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the signal.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Crude oil remains strong. The chart below plots WTI Light Crude over the consumer price index. The ratio is well above the historical average and is acting as a significant hand-brake on the post-GFC recovery.

Nymex WTI Crude

Considering the holes made in GDP (the green line) by crude oil spikes over the last 40 years, you can understand why Janet Yellen is reluctant to raise interest rates despite falling unemployment.

Nymex WTI Crude

Enough to make Gazputin grin

  • Chinese stocks drift lower
  • Crude oil rising
  • Other commodities weak

China’s Shanghai Composite Index continues to drift lower on the long-term, monthly chart.

Shanghai Composite Index

Apart from crude oil, commodity prices have fared little better. But crude plays such a dominant role in most commodity indices that they appear more buoyant. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index rallied to 140 before retracing for another test of primary support. Oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Momentum around zero, however, does not suggest a significant trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Crude oil is doing a lot better, heading for another test of $110/barrel on the back of supply threats from geo-political tensions. The ascending triangle is very large, but breakout would suggest a long-term target of the 2008 high at $145*.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 110 + ( 110 – 75 ) = 145

…Enough to make even Gazputin grin.

Vladimir Putin

Read more at Bloomberg, June 2013: Gazprom’s Demise Could Topple Putin

Crude and commodities retrace

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is again retracing to test support at 133/134, but is clearly in a primary up-trend (with breakout above 134 following earlier recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero). Target for the advance is 144*. Reversal below 133 is unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 134 + ( 134 – 124 ) = 144

Crude oil, the most highly-traded commodity, is also retracing, with Nymex Light Crude headed for a test of primary support at $98/barrel*. Breach of support would signal a primary down-trend. Respect of support would indicate another test of $105. Brent crude, while declining slightly, would need to penetrate support at $104/barrel to signal a down-trend.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 105 + ( 105 – 98 ) = 112

Crude and commodities rising

Nymex Light Crude is headed for a test of resistance at $105/barrel*. Recovery of 13-week Momentum above zero indicates a primary up-trend. Breakout above $105 would confirm, offering a target of $112*. Brent crude, however, continues to range between $104 and $112/barrel.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 105 + ( 105 – 98 ) = 112

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index respected its new support level at 134, confirming a primary up-trend. The signal reinforces earlier recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero. Target for the advance is 143. Reversal below 134 is now unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 134 + ( 134 – 125 ) = 143