Commodities: Copper and crude rise for different reasons

Copper continues in a primary up-trend, driven by speculative demand with a weakening dollar and anticipation of a US recovery. Retracement that respects support at 8000 on the weekly chart would strengthen the signal.

Grade A Copper


Brent Crude broke resistance at $115/barrel for altogether different reasons. Further disruption of supplies from Nigeria and heightened tensions as the US increases pressure on Iran raise concerns about future supply. Expect retracement to test the new support level; respect would confirm a new primary up-trend.

Brent Crude

* Target calculation: 115 + ( 115 – 100 ) = 130

The broader CRB Commodities Index has breached its declining trendline, but proceeds at a slower pace. Breakout above 325 would signal the start of a primary up-trend, with an initial target of 350*. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 325 + ( 325 – 300 ) = 350

Gold up-trend not yet confirmed

Spot gold is consolidating below resistance at $1800. Until we have a breakout there is no confirmation that gold has started a new up-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn indicate weakness.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 -1500 ) = 2100

US Dollar Index continues to decline, boosting gold and commodities. Respect of the rising trendline would confirm the primary up-trend — as would a trough on 63-day Twiggs Momentum that finishes above the zero line.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Brent oil on tear with Iran sanctions, Europe winters – Commodities – Futures Magazine

PHIL FLYNN: The Brent crude versus WTI spread has blown out to the highest levels since last October surging over $20 on a combination of gluts, cuts and nuts. As U.S. refiners go into hibernation against a backdrop of weak demand, supply in the U.S. continues to rise. Refiners are cutting runs dramatically at a time when we are seeing rising Canadian oil sand production as well as shale liquids that is creating a glut of crude that seems to be getting more glutinous by the minute. Weak refining margins and the approaching shoulder season are weighing in on the West Texas Intermediate.

On the other hand, Europe scrambles as fears that the nuts in Iran may do something crazy in response to the tightening economic noose around their necks. Add to that a wickedly cold winter and Asian refiners hoarding supply, and we have Brent crude on a tear….

via Brent oil on tear with Iran sanctions, Europe winters – Commodities – Futures Magazine.

Crude oil and commodities

The weakening dollar is driving up commodity prices. Brent crude is headed for a test of resistance at $115/barrel after earlier breaching the declining trendline, indicating that a bottom is forming. Breakout would signal the start of a primary up-trend, with an initial target of the 2011 highs at $125*. Rising oil prices would add a further brake on the economic recovery.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 115 + ( 115 – 105 ) = 125

CRB Commodities Index has also signaled that a bottom is forming. Breakout above 325 would signal the start of a primary up-trend, with an initial target of 350*. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 325 + ( 325 – 300 ) = 350

Gold rallies as dollar weakens

Spot gold is headed for a test of resistance at $1800 after breaching the descending trendline on the weekly chart, indicating that a bottom is forming. Breakout above $1800 would complete a double bottom reversal, with a target of $2100*. Respect of $1800 remains as likely, however, and would indicate another test of primary support at $1500.

Index

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The Dollar Index is weakening in anticipation of QE3 ahead of the November 2012 elections. The primary trend remains upward, though breach of the rising trendline, and/or reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero, would warn that a top is forming.

Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold & Commodities: Copper breakout as dollar weakens

The US Dollar Index has retraced to test medium-term support at 79.50. Respect would confirm a strong primary up-trend, while failure would suggest trend weakness. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero still indicates a primary up-trend, but breach of the rising trendline warns that the up-trend is slowing. A weakening dollar is likely to cause stronger commodity prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

The weekly chart shows spot gold testing its descending trendline. Respect would indicate another test of primary support at $1500/ounce, while breakout would suggest that a bottom is forming. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would complete an iceberg pattern, warning of a primary down-trend. The bull-trend of the last few years was driven by quantitative easing (QE1 and QE2) from the Fed. We are unlikely to see another bull-trend without QE3.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1600 – ( 1800 – 1600 ) = 1400

Copper broke through resistance at $8000/tonne, completing a higher trough and signaling a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. The primary up-trend in this bellwether commodity suggests an economic recovery is under way.

Copper A Grade

* Target calculation: 8000 + ( 8000 – 7200 ) = 8800

The broader CRB Commodities Index, however, lags behind. Breach of the descending trendline indicates a base is forming, but only recovery above 325 would signal a primary up-trend. Cross-over of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

CRB Commodities Index


Brent crude is also forming a base, after breaching its descending trendline. Breakout above 115 would signal the start of a primary up-trend.

Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 115 + ( 115 – 105 ) = 125

Dollar tests support while gold hints at new base

The US Dollar Index retraced to test support at 79.50/80.00. Respect would confirm the primary up-trend, signaling an advance to 85.00*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Spot Gold is testing resistance at $1700 and the descending trendline. Breakout would indicate that the down-trend has ended and the metal is forming a base.

Spot Gold


Commodities also appear to be forming  a base, with the CRB Commodities Index testing resistance at 315 after piercing the descending trendline. Recovery above 325 would complete a double-bottom reversal. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above the zero line would also be a bullish sign.

CRB Commodities Index

Crude oil and commodities threaten breakout

Brent crude has strengthened despite Libya coming back on-stream. Heightened tensions with Iran have increased support above $100/barrel. Breakout above $115 would signal the start of a new up-trend — not a good sign for the global economy. In the long term, recovery above $125 would offer a target of $150*.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 125 + ( 125 – 100 ) = 150

The CRB Commodities Index has also found support: at 295. Penetration of the descending trendline would suggest that a base is forming, while recovery above 325 would indicate a fresh primary advance.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 325 + ( 325 – 295 ) = 355

Spot gold finds support

Spot gold found support at $1500/ounce. Failure of this level would confirm a primary down-trend. Breach of the descending trendline would indicate that a base is forming, while recovery above $1800 would indicate a fresh primary advance to $2300*. We are unlikely to witness another bull-trend, however, unless the Fed introduces QE3.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1500 ) = 2300