Dr Copper: China weakening

Falling copper prices reflect a weakening Chinese economy. Follow-through below $6600/tonne, after breaching primary support at $6800, signals a primary down-trend.

Copper

Commodities retrace

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is retracing to test its new support level at 134. Respect would confirm the primary up-trend, signaled by the earlier breakout and recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero. But a falling Shanghai Composite Index warns of weakening demand. Reversal below 134 would suggest a bull trap.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 128 + ( 128 – 122 ) = 134

Crude and commodities signal recovery

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index followed through above resistance at 128, after breaking its descending trendline, completing a double bottom reversal with a target of 134*. Breakout above 134 would confirm a primary up-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 128 + ( 128 – 122 ) = 134

Nymex Light Crude followed, completing a large double bottom reversal, with a target of $110/barrel*. Recovery of 13-week Momentum above zero indicates a primary up-trend. Brent crude continues to range between $106 and $112/barrel.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

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

Rising commodity prices suggest that the global economy is recovering, but copper (widely considered a bellwether for the global economy) has yet to follow. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum favors an upward breakout. Breakout above $7500/tonne (and the descending trendline) would signal a primary up-trend.

Copper

Commodities follow Shanghai Composite

Copper prices, bellwether for the global economy, have been consolidating in a narrow band for almost a year. Breakout above $7500/tonne (and the descending trendline) would indicate a primary up-trend. Reversal below support at $6800/tonne, however, would offer a target of $6000. Narrow oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Momentum around zero reflects the current indecision.

Copper

The monthly chart below illustrates how the Shanghai Composite Index tends to lead broad commodity prices by up to 12 months. The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is testing its descending trendline, but another decline on the Shanghai Index would likely cause further weakness. Recovery above 135 is unlikely at present, but would suggest a primary up-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Crude and commodities still bearish

Nymex crude continues its downward trend. Respect of the descending trendline would warn of further weakness, while breach of support at $92 would indicate a decline to $84/barrel*. Recovery above $100 is unlikely, with 13-week Twiggs Momentum declining below zero. Brent crude continues its consolidation above $105, reflecting global supply constraints. Breach of $105 would warn of a down-trend.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 92 – ( 100 – 92 ) = 84

Commodities also continue their primary down-trend, encouraged by a falling Shanghai Composite Index. Bullish divergence on Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, warns that a bottom is forming. Breach of the descending trendline would strengthen the signal — as would recovery of Momentum above zero. Breakout above 128 would signal a primary up-trend: a bullish sign for resources stocks.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Gold support at $1200

Gold

The long tail on this week’s candle reflects buying support for spot gold at $1200/ounce. Recovery above $1250 would suggest another rally to $1350. But the 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a down-trend. And breach of primary support at $1200 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Often a leading indicator of spot prices, the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, continues in a primary down-trend after breaking support at 210. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes broke through medium-term resistance 2.75, suggesting a primary advance to 3.50 percent*. Breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm. Reversal below the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of trend weakness and another test of 2.50. Higher yields are likely to strengthen the dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

The Dollar Index shows evidence of strong support at 80.50, consolidating in a narrow band between 80.50 and 81.00 over the last 2 weeks. Upward breakout would suggest a primary advance; confirmed if resistance at 81.50 is broken. Breach of support at 80.50 remains as likely and would warn of another test of primary support at 79.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81.5 + ( 81.5 – 79 ) = 84

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar would increase downward pressure on gold.

Crude Oil

Nymex crude penetrated its downward trendline but this first bear rally may not be the last. Expect resistance between $98 and $100/barrel. Respect remains likely and would indicate another test of support at $92. Brent crude reflects global supply constraints and is likely to find strong support at $100/barrel.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

A rising Shanghai Composite Index is supporting commodity prices. Recovery of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index above 126 would indicate a bear trap. Breakout above 130 would suggest reversal to a primary up-trend; and cross-over of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance at 126 and a primary decline now appear unlikely.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Gold: $1200 next?

Spot gold consolidating in a narrow band below support at $1250/ounce suggests a test of $1200. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Breakout below the June low ($1200) would confirm a primary down-trend. Recovery above $1260 is unlikely, but would indicate a rally to $1350.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Silver broke through support at $20.50/ounce and is headed for a test of primary support at $18/ounce. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm.

Spot Silver

Often a leading indicator of spot prices, the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, broke primary support at 210 to signal a primary down-trend. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes retreated below 2.75. Breakout would signal a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent* (breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm). Reversal below the rising trendline is less likely, but would warn of trend weakness and another test of 2.50. Higher yields would help strengthen the dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

The Dollar Index retraced to test the new support level at 80.50. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at 79 would confirm. Breakout above 81.50 remains as likely, however, and would indicate an advance to 84*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81.5 + ( 81.5 – 79 ) = 84

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar would increase downward pressure on gold.

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction and is likely to test primary support at $85/$86 per barrel. Reversal of 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Brent crude is rising despite an easing of tensions with Iran. The primary reason for the divergence is supply. Iain Armstrong, oil analyst at Brewin Dolphin, earlier in the year explained that Brent is effectively a global brand — affected by global issues of supply/demand — while Nymex is a “local” brand and benefits from plentiful shale oil in the US.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

A resurgent Shanghai Composite Index is supporting commodity prices. Recovery of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index above 126 would indicate a bear trap. A peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, warns of a continuing down-trend. Respect of the resistance level, as indicated by follow-through below 122, would signal a decline to 114*.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Rising interest rates drive gold through support

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes followed through above 2.75, indicating a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent*. Breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero (recovery above say 30%) would strengthen the signal. Reversal below the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of another test of 2.50.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

Dollar Index

Rising interest rates would strengthen the dollar. The Dollar Index rallied off support at 79 on the monthly chart, suggesting a test of 84. Breach of the rising trendline, however, still warns of trend weakness, and 13-week Twiggs Momentum respect of the zero line (from below) would strengthen the signal.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 84 – 79 ) = 74 or 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Gold

Rising interest rates and a stronger dollar weaken gold. Spot gold broke support at $1250/ounce, signaling a primary down-trend. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Follow-through below the next support level, the June low of $1200, would confirm. Recovery above $1260 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero warns of reversal to a primary down-trend; a peak below the zero line would strengthen the signal. Expect strong support at $85/$86 per barrel. Respect of support would mean that Nymex remains in a primary (albeit weak) up-trend. Diverging Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

Copper prices, bellwether for the global economy, respected resistance at $7400/$7500 per tonne and are heading for another test of the 2011 lows at $6800/tonne. Downward breakout would signal a primary down-trend, as would completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero. Recovery above the descending trendline would be a bullish sign for the global economy, while breach of support at $6800 would be bearish.

Copper

China is a primary driver of commodity prices and a strengthening Shanghai Composite Index has slowed the fall in commodity prices. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index broke primary support at 124, but is consolidating in a narrow range below the former support level. Recovery above 124 would be a bullish sign, while follow-through below 122 would indicate a decline to 114*. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would also suggest a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Gold tests key support as the dollar rises

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes rallied off support at 2.50 percent. Follow-through above 2.75 would indicate a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance is unlikely, but would warn of another test of 2.50.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

Dollar Index

Rising interest rates would strengthen the dollar. The Dollar Index respected support at 79, suggesting a rally to resistance at 84. Breach of the rising trendline, however, still warns of trend weakness, and 13-week Twiggs Momentum respect of the zero line (from below) would strengthen the warning.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 84 – 79 ) = 74

Gold

Rising interest rates and a stronger dollar would weaken gold. Spot gold is testing primary support at $1250/ounce. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend; breach of $1250 would strengthen the signal, while follow-through below the June low of $1200 would confirm. Respect of support at $1250 is less likely, but would indicate another test of $1350.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Silver is similarly testing support at $20.50/ounce. Breach would signal a decline to $18/ounce. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a primary down-trend.

Spot Silver

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero warns of reversal to a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at $86/barrel would confirm. Until then, however, Nymex remains in a primary up-trend. Diverging Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

China is a primary driver of commodity prices and a weakening Shanghai Composite Index is driving commodity prices lower. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index broke primary support at 124, offering a target of 114*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero also suggests a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Will dollar support stem gold & silver rise?

The Dollar Index found support at the 2012 low of 79 and is likely to test resistance at 80.50. Respect would confirm the primary down-trend, with a medium-term target of 77.50*. Breakout above 80.50 is unlikely, but would indicate strong support. The falling dollar is expected to boost gold and commodity prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 80.5 – 79 ) = 77.5

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes found support at 2.50 percent and is expected to rally to test the descending trendline at 2.60 percent. Respect would signal a decline to 2.40 percent. Falling yields depress the dollar while lowering the opportunity cost of holding precious metals; both increasing upward pressure on gold. Respect of primary support at 2.40, however, would warn of an advance to 3.60 percent.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.40 ) = 3.60

Gold

Spot gold is testing resistance at $1350/ounce. Breakout would indicate a primary advance to $1600*, while follow-through above $1425 would confirm. Respect of resistance is less likely, but would warn of another test of primary support at $1250.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1425 + ( 1425 – 1250 ) = 1600

Silver is similarly testing resistance at $22.50/ounce. Follow-through above $23 would indicate a primary advance — confirmed if resistance at $25 is broken — while a fall below $22 would re-test primary support.

Spot Silver

Crude Oil

Nymex crude below medium-term support at $98/barrel and 13-week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero both warn of reversal to a primary down-trend. But recovery above resistance at $103 would negate this. Divergence of Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

China, a primary driver of commodity prices, continues to offer mixed signals. The Shanghai Composite Index recovered above medium-term support at 2150, suggesting another test of the upper trend channel. A failed swing, or downward breakout from the trend channel, would warn of correction to test primary support at $1950; a bearish sign for commodity prices.

Shanghai Composite Index

Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index continues to test medium-term support at 126. Breach would indicate a test of the primary level at 124. Recovery above 130 still seems more likely — and would signal a primary up-trend. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero, however, would warn of a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 130 + ( 130 – 125 ) = 135

Copper prices, bellwether for the global economy, tested 2011 lows at $6800/tonne over the last few months. Prices are now rallying to test resistance — and the descending trendline — at $7500/tonne. Breakout would signal a primary up-trend, as would recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero; a bullish sign for the global economy.

Copper