There are conflicting reports about whether China is head for a hard or soft landing. China has the reserves and the capacity to implement further infrastructure programs if the economy cools too rapidly. And while its long-term goal is to deflate the speculative real estate bubble, the PBOC has shown itself prepared to kick that can down the road until export markets recover from the euro-zone crisis. The downside to manufacturing a soft landing, as we have already discovered post-GFC, is that the recovery takes longer. So a sharp recovery of Chinese markets is also unlikely.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index broke its 2011 low at 2150 on the weekly chart, indicating a decline to 1800*. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of rising selling pressure. Recovery above 2250 remains unlikely, but would suggest another attempt at 2500.
* Target calculation: 2150 – ( 2500 – 2150 ) = 1800
The Shenzhen Composite Index broke support at 880 to confirm the Shanghai signal. The peak below zero on 63-Day Twiggs Momentum also indicates a primary down-trend.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is more resilient, testing resistance at 20000 on the weekly chart. Breakout would indicate an advance to 22000* — strengthened if 63-Day Twiggs Momentum recovers above zero. Reversal below 19000 is less likely but would warn of a decline to 16000 — confirmed if support at 18000 is broken.
* Target calculation: 20 + ( 20 – 18 ) = 22
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index is headed for another test of resistance at 9000 on the weekly chart, but a peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of strong selling pressure. Failure of support would signal another test of the 2008/2009 lows at 7000, while breakout above 9000 would signal an advance to 10000.
India’s Sensex found support around 17000 on the weekly chart and is headed for another attempt at 17500. Breakout is likely and would indicate an advance to 18500. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would strengthen the recovery signal.
Singapore’s Straits Times Index continues to test resistance at 3040. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests that the primary up-trend is intact, and breakout would signal an advance to 3300*. Narrow oscillation around zero, however would warn of a ranging market.
* Target calculation: 3000 + ( 3000 – 2700 ) = 3300
Colin Twiggs is a former investment banker with almost 40 years of experience in financial markets. He co-founded Incredible Charts and writes the popular Trading Diary and Patient Investor newsletters.
Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.
Focusing on interest rates and financial market liquidity as primary drivers of the economic cycle, he warned of the 2008/2009 and 2020 bear markets well ahead of actual events.
He founded PVT Capital (AFSL No. 546090) in May 2023, which offers investment strategy and advice to wholesale clients.
