Terms of trade taking a hammering | | MacroBusiness

As predicted, coking coal is now breaking down in sympathy with iron ore. …..That’s 10% in two weeks. Thermal coal is down 10% in two months. Ore is now down over 20% in two months. These three commodities make up 50% of the [Australian] terms of trade.

via Terms of trade taking a hammering | | MacroBusiness.

Dollar and gold strengthen

The US Dollar Index broke resistance at 83.50, signaling continuation of the primary advance to the 2010 high at 88.50, with an interim target of 86.00*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above zero reinforces the up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold shows strong support at $1530 per ounce and penetration of the descending trendline now suggests that a bottom is forming — possibly in anticipation of further QE by the Fed. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero continues to warn of a primary down-trend, while recovery above zero would confirm that a bottom is forming. Breakout below primary support at $1530 would offer a target of $1300*; recovery above $1640 would indicate a new up-trend.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

Spot Silver is weaker and continues to test primary support at $26 per ounce. Failure would offer a target of $16*.

Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

The CRB Commodities Index is testing its descending trendline. Breakout would warn that the down-trend is ending, but reversal below 295 would suggest another test of 265. The S&P 500 is likely to follow commodities lower.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 265 – ( 305 – 265 ) = 225

Brent Crude has already penetrated its descending trendline, suggesting that a bottom is forming, but 63-day Twiggs Momentum continues to indicate a primary down-trend. A peak below zero would signal a primary decline to $75 per barrel*.

Brent Crude and Nymex WTI Light Crude

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

Rising dollar but commodities strengthen

The rising dollar suggests weaker gold and commodity prices. The US Dollar Index continues to test resistance at 83.50. Breakout would target the 2010 high at 88.50, with an interim target of 86*, while respect would test support at 81.50. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above zero indicates a strong up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold continues to test primary support at $1530 per ounce, while 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breakout would offer a target of $1300*. QE3, however, would start a new up-trend.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

Spot Silver is similarly testing primary support at $26 per ounce. Failure would offer a target of $16*.

Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Commodities, and not just crude oil, however, have rallied strongly. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero indicates a strong down-trend and CRB Commodities Index respect of its descending trendline would warn of a decline to 240*. Penetration above the trendline is unlikely, but would suggest that a bottom is forming.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 270 – ( 300 – 270 ) = 240

Brent Crude has already penetrated its descending trendline, suggesting that a bottom is forming, but 63-day Twiggs Momentum continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Recovery of the indicator above zero would strengthen the bull signal, while a peak below zero would signal a primary decline to $75 per barrel*.

Brent Crude and Nymex WTI Light Crude

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

Dollar rises, gold and silver threaten support

The US Dollar Index rallied to test resistance at 83.50. Breakout would target the 2010 high of 88.00. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above the zero line indicates a strong up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold is consolidating above primary support at $1530 per ounce. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero signals a primary down-trend. Downward breakout would offer a target of $1300*……. unless the Fed introduces QE3.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

Spot Silver is similarly testing primary support at $26 per ounce. Breakout would offer a target of $16*….. again with the QE3 caveat.

Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Commodities continue in a primary down-trend, warning of a global economic down-turn. Respect of resistance at 295 by the CRB Commodities Index would warn of another primary decline, with a target of 235*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero indicates a strong down-trend. Penetration of the descending trendline is unlikely, but would suggest that a bottom is forming.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 265 – ( 295 – 265 ) = 235

Brent Crude is also testing resistance — and the descending trendline — at $100 per barrel. Respect would indicate another decline, with a target of $75 per barrel*. There are two wild cards that could impact on price: tensions with Iran and QE3.

Brent Crude and Nymex WTI Light Crude

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

The gold-oil ratio (measured against Brent crude) is close to its mid-point of 15.0, offering little in the way of overbought/oversold readings for gold over the last  few years (after a false overbought reading — above 20 — in 2009).

Gold/Brent Crude Ratio

The Threat From a Recession | ECRI

The Economic Cycle Research Institute, which claims a perfect recession-forecasting record, says an economic contraction is imminent. “We have not seen a slowdown where year-over-year payroll job growth has dropped this low without a recession,” ECRI states in a May report.

If, or when, the U.S. (and/or the global) economy does start to contract, commodity prices will tumble because of three factors…..

via The Threat From a Recession | News | News and Events | ECRI.

Commodities rebound

The US Dollar Index continues to respect support at 81.00, indicating another test of resistance at 83.50 on the Weekly chart. Breakout would offer a target of 86.00*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above the zero line indicates a healthy up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold similarly respected support at $1530 per ounce and is headed for a test of $1640/$1650. Confidence in the introduction of QE3 has strengthened support. Breakout above $1640 would indicate a rally to $1800. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero, however, warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at $1530 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

The 2-Hour chart displays a flag formation over the last two days. Upward breakout (above 1620) would signal a test of $1640.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1620 – ( 1620 – 1600 ) = 1640

Brent Crude retraced sharply to test resistance at $100 per barrel, fueled by rising hope of recovery in Europe and tensions with Iran. Penetration of the declining trendline would suggest that a bottom is forming. Respect of resistance, however, would indicate a decline to $80, with the long-term target at $75*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

Crude is not the only commodity driving prices higher. The CRB Non-Energy Commodities Index is testing its upper standard deviation channel. Breakout would indicate that a bottom is forming. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would complete a bullish divergence, indicating reversal to a primary up-trend. Respect of the upper trend channel, on the other hand, would indicate a decline to 240*.

CRB Commodities (ex-Energy) Index

* Target calculation: 260 – ( 280 – 260 ) = 240

Dollar rebound drives gold and commodities lower

The US Dollar Index respected support at 81.00 and is headed for resistance at 83.50. Breakout would offer a target of 86.00*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating above the zero line indicates a healthy up-trend.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 82 + ( 82 – 78 ) = 86

Spot Gold retreated below support at $1600/ounce. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum reversal below zero signals a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at $1530 would confirm. Introduction of QE3 by the Fed, however, would commence a new up-trend.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

The primary down-trend on CRB Commodities Index is unlikely to change unless we see the introduction of QE3. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 270 – ( 290 – 270 ) = 250

Brent Crude and Nymex WTI Light Crude both offer a target of $75 per barrel. After falling sharply over the last few months, the gap has narrowed to just over $10 per barrel — from a peak of $25 in October 2011. Rapidly expanding gas and oil reserves are driving North American prices lower, while gloomy prospects for European economies have crimped demand for Brent Crude.

Brent Crude and Nymex WTI Light Crude

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

Rising Dollar suggests lower gold and commodities

The Dollar Index is testing medium-term support at 81.00/81.50. Respect would confirm a healthy primary up-trend. Reversal below the rising trendline is unlikely, but would indicate trend weakness. Another trough above zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the bull signal.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81 + ( 81 – 78 ) = 84

Gold displays strong buying support above $1500 with four long tails on the weekly chart. Recovery above $1700/ounce would suggest a new primary up-trend, but the rising dollar warns of weakness. Reversal below $1600 would strengthen the bear signal from 63-day Twiggs Momentum declining below zero.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1550 – ( 1800 – 1550 ) = 1300

Brent crude is consolidating after breaking support at $100/barrel. Respect of the new resistance level would warn of another decline, while reversal would test $110.

IPE Brent Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 125 – 100 ) = 75

The Nymex WTI Light Crude is similarly consolidating below $85/barrel. Respect of the new resistance level would indicate a decline to $75/76 per barrel.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

The broader CRB Commodities Index found short-term support at 265 as the dollar weakened, but is likely to follow through to long-term support at 250 as the greenback strengthens. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero warns of a strong down-trend.

CRB Commodities Index

History of the Gold Standard in the 20th Century – James Rickards

James Rickards, senior managing director of Tanget Capital Partners and author of “Currency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis,” talks about inflation and the gold standard in the 20th century.

The future of natural gas – an interview with Raymond Learsy – On Line Opinion

Raymond Learsy: Let me show you this. It is from a study that MIT made ….. it goes into a great deal of detail that natural gas will result in demand reduction and displacement of coal-fired power by a gas-fired generation. And because of its more limited CO2 emissions further de-carbonization of the energy sector will be required and natural gas provides a cost effective bridge to such a low carbon future. In other words, natural gas, the way it’s structured, it’s enormous availability (we are finding more and more of it since these articles have been written), and it’s extraordinary low cost, present a very real danger to other forms of hydrocarbons…..At $2.50 an MMBtu, the amount of energy that is delivered by that quotient of natural gas, the price of oil would have to be around fifteen dollars a barrel.

via The future of natural gas – an interview with Raymond Learsy – On Line Opinion – 13/6/2012.