Gold: Reasons for the up-trend

Gold is in a medium- to long-term up-trend. Apart from record central bank purchases of bullion and a weakening Chinese Yuan, real long-term interest rates are declining.

The chart below highlights the inverse relationship between gold and real long-term interest rates (10-year Treasury yield minus CPI YoY%). When LT interest rates fall, gold prices surge.

Spot Gold in USD compared to Real 10-Year Treasury Yields

Treasury yields are falling because the Fed is cutting short-term interest rates but, more importantly, because QE has resumed. With the ECB driving bond yields into the negative, demand for Treasuries is surging.

The Fed has also reversed course, expanding their balance sheet after the recent liquidity squeeze forced them to resume overnight repos.

Fed Total Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

Our target for Gold is the 2012 high of $1800/ounce.

A weak rally strengthens the bearish argument for China’s Yuan, suggesting continuation of the primary down-trend.

CNYUSD

The Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Resolution of trade tensions is unlikely. Trade is merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash between two global powers with conflicting ideologies which is likely to continue for decades.

Gold is testing support at $1495/ounce. Breach would warn of a correction.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is similarly testing support. Breach of $17.50/ounce is likely and would warn of a correction, with Gold expected to follow.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a short-term target of 6500.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required. Gold remains in a long-term up-trend and a correction may offer a sound entry point.

Gold finds support

China’s Yuan found short-term support at 0.1395/0.1400 against the US Dollar but the ensuing rally is weak, suggesting continuation of the primary down-trend.

Our view is that the Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Resolution of trade tensions is unlikely, with trade merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash, between two global powers with conflicting ideologies, that is likely to continue for decades.

CNYUSD

The soft Yuan rally strengthened demand for Gold. A correction would present a good entry point in an expected long-term up-trend but patience is required.

Spot Gold in USD

Problems with continued use of the Dollar as a global reserve currency are driving central bank demand for Gold. According to Peter Schiff:

“Central bank gold purchases in April continue a trend we saw through 2018. In total, the world’s central banks accumulated 651.5 tons of gold last year. The World Gold Council noted that 2018 marked the highest level of annual net central bank gold purchases since the suspension of dollar convertibility into gold in 1971, and the second highest annual total on record.

A move to minimize dependence on the US dollar, especially by countries like Russia and China, is driving this central bank gold-buying spree.”

Our target for Gold is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Silver found support at $17.50 after a stronger retracement. Breach of support on Silver would be a bearish medium-term signal for Gold.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500. The primary trend is expected to remain upward, so this could present a good entry point.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

A long-term chart of the All Ordinaries Gold Index plotted against Gold (in AUD) shows valuations are relatively low compared to the boom of 2007 and 2011. A weaker Aussie Dollar and stronger gold price could both lift prices for local gold miners.

All Ordinaries Gold Index Relative to Gold Price

Gold: Correction likely as Yuan finds support

The Yuan found short-term support at 0.1395/0.1400 against the US Dollar. Expect a rally over the next month, with “talks about talks” between US and Chinese trade representatives.

The Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Our view is that resolution of trade tensions is unlikely. Trade is merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash between two global powers with conflicting ideologies, likely to continue for decades, if not longer.

CNYUSD

The Yuan rally has softened demand for Gold and breach of support at $1500, or penetration of the rising trendline, would warn of a correction. A correction may present a good entry point in an expected long-term up-trend. Our target is the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Last week’s gravestone candlestick on Silver also warns of a correction. Gold and Silver tend to move in tandem.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is testing support at 7500. Breach would warn of another decline, with a target of 6000/6500. The primary trend is expected to remain upward, so again, this may present a good entry point.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

A long-term chart of the Australian Dollar against the greenback illustrates our long-term target of 60 cents (subtract 10 cents (80-70) from 70 cents). A weaker Aussie Dollar would support stronger prices for local gold miners.

Australian Dollar

Falling Yuan bullish for Gold

China’s Yuan continued its plunge against the US Dollar after the latest Trump tariff tantrum. The trade war is hotting up and we can expect further Yuan weakness, fueling demand for Gold.

CNYUSD

Spot Gold consolidation above $1500/ounce is a bullish sign, while a Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

Spot Gold in USD

We maintain our bullish outlook for Gold, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

The All Ordinaries Gold Index surprised with a fall despite the weakening Aussie Dollar. Penetration of the rising trendline warns of a correction but the primary trend remains upward. A Trend Index trough that respects the zero line would confirm this.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Gold pauses after recent surge

China’s Yuan has paused after breaking above 7.0 to the US Dollar. Expect further consolidation, but respect of support at 7.0 would signal a further advance (and Yuan weakness), fueling demand for Gold.

USDCNY

Spot Gold is consolidating above $1500/ounce. Respect of support at $1500 would likewise suggest further gains. The Trend Index trough above zero indicates strong buying pressure.

Spot Gold in USD

The trouble with an accelerating up-trend (or blowoff as they are often called) is that they seldom give you adequate warning of a reversal. The All Ordinaries Gold Index retreated this week and is testing its rising trendline at 8000. Breach of 8000 seems unlikely but would warn of a correction.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

We maintain our bullish outlook for Gold, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce.

Gold retreats

Spot Gold retreated from resistance at $1350/ounce. Penetration of the rising trendline warns of another correction. The immediate target is support at $1250.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is also retreating. Breach of $15/ounce would strengthen the bear signal.

Spot Silver in USD

Crude oil has rallied since the start of the year but the primary trend is down and lower peaks on the trend index warn of further selling pressure. Breach of medium-term support at $52 would signal another test of primary support at $42 which would be bullish for the Dollar.

Crude Oil

The Dollar is gradually strengthening. Breakout of the Dollar Index above its current range of 95.50 to 97.50 would be bearish for gold.

Dollar Index

The Aussie Dollar held steady, while the All Ordinaries Gold Index retreated from its recent high above 6000. Expect a test of new support at 5400.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Gold rallies but so does the Dollar

A long-term (monthly) chart shows Crude Oil (WTI Light Crude) has broken below its trend channel and is testing support at $45/barrel.

Crude Oil

Weak crude tends to coincide with a strong Dollar. Breakout of the Dollar index above 97 is likely. Rising Trend index troughs indicate buying pressure.

Dollar Index

Gold is headed for another test of resistance at $1350/ounce but a strong Dollar is likely to undermine a primary advance.

Spot Gold in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index broke resistance at 5400/5500, signaling a primary advance with a target of 7000. That will depend on further weakness in the Aussie Dollar and/or a stronger gold price.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Conclusion: We are witnessing a rally in Gold due to global uncertainty but the LT outlook, with declining crude and a stronger Dollar, is still bearish.

Gold and the Dollar direction

Crude Oil (WTI Light Crude) respected support at $45/barrel, with turmoil in Venezuela raising concerns over supply. Breakout above $55 would signal another rally but declining peaks on the Trend Index warn of selling pressure. Expect another test of $45. Breach of support would signal a decline to test the 2016 low at $26/barrel.

Crude Oil

The Dollar index is weakening. If China continues to support the Yuan, we may see a correction to test support at 92. A lot will depend on trade talks in the next two weeks but I expect continued Dollar strength and Yuan weakness.

Dollar Index

The PBOC increased support for the Yuan over the last month, leading up to the US-China trade talks, causing the Dollar to weaken.

Chinese Yuan/USD

Gold has ranged below resistance at $1350/ounce for the past five years. Expect another test of $1350 if the Dollar weakens. Breakout would signal a primary up-trend but LT Dollar strength is likely ….and a correction to test support at $1200.

Spot Gold in USD

A weakening Australian Dollar has helped Aussie gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index broke resistance at 5400, signaling a primary advance with a target of 7000. But that depends on further weakness in the Aussie Dollar (< 70 US cents?) and/or a stronger gold price (> $1350?)

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Conclusion: We are witnessing a rally in Gold due to global uncertainty but the LT outlook, with declining crude and a stronger Dollar, is bearish.

Gold rallies despite strong Dollar

Falling crude prices show a dead cat bounce at $50/barrel, warning of further selling pressure. OPEC production cuts have not helped much as the market anticipates slowing demand from China.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

The Dollar Index is strengthening, with Trend Index troughs above zero signaling buying pressure. Follow-through above 97.50 would signal an advance to 100 in the medium-term (next quarter).

Dollar Index

Gold rallied to test resistance at $1250/ounce but this is still a bear rally and another test of support at $1180 is likely. Breach would warn of a decline to the 2015 low at $1050/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index ran into strong resistance at 5100. Declining Trend Index peaks warn of selling pressure. Breach of 4900 would warn of another test of 4550.

Gold in Australian Dollars

Strong Dollar warns of Gold weakness

Falling crude prices have helped to strengthen the Dollar. Nymex Light Crude found support at $50/barrel, helped by an OPEC production cut, but the organization does not have the sway it once had. A test of $45/barrel is likely.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

The Dollar Index closed above 97, signaling an advance to 100 in the medium-term (next quarter). Penetration of the descending trendline on the Trend Index would strengthen the signal.

Dollar Index

Gold is likely to test support at $1180/ounce. Breach would warn of a decline to $1050/ounce (the 2015 low).

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is testing long-term support at $14/ounce. Breach would offer a target of $10 but would also warn of similar weakness for Gold.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is consolidating between 4500 and 5500, buoyed by a weaker Australian Dollar. But Gold is more volatile than the Aussie Dollar and further weakness is expected. Bearish divergence on the Trend Index warns of selling pressure. Breach of 4500 would signal a primary decline.

Gold in Australian Dollars