Spot gold broke support at $1300/ounce warning of a test of primary support at $1200. The up-trend has lost momentum, reflected by penetration of the rising trendline, but consolidation above $1200 would suggest that the trend is intact. Breach of $1200 is now as likely, however, and would warn of a test of the 2015 low at $1050/ounce.
The ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index is testing support at 4500. Breach is likely and would warn of a primary down-trend.
Expectations of interest rate rises are growing, with 10-year Treasury yields advancing towards 2.0 percent after breaking out above 1.60.
The Chinese Yuan is easing against the US Dollar, in a managed process from the PBOC which will use up foreign reserves more slowly than a direct peg. It is also likely to minimize selling pressure on the Yuan, both from capital flight and from Chinese borrowers covering on Dollar-denominated loans.
Spot gold is easing, in a falling wedge formation, towards a test of medium-term support at $1300/ounce. This is a watershed moment. Breach of $1300 would warn of a test of primary support at $1200. But respect of support would suggest another test of the July high at $1375.
* Target calculation: 1375 + ( 1375 – 1300 ) = 1450
Rising interest rates and low inflation increase downward pressure on gold but uncertainty over US elections, Europe/Brexit, and the path of the Chinese economy contribute to buying support. Gold stocks serve as a useful counter-balance to growth stocks in a portfolio. If there are positive outcomes and a return to economic stability, then growth stocks will do well and gold is likely to underperform. If things goes wrong and growth stocks do poorly, gold stocks are likely to outperform.
In Australia the All Ordinaries Gold Index ($XGD) continues to test support at 4500. Respect (recovery above 5000) would signal another test of the recent highs at 5600. A weakening Australian Dollar/US Dollar would tend to mitigate the impact of a fed rate hike. Breach of 4500 is less likely but would confirm a primary down-trend.
* Target calculation: 4500 – ( 5000 – 4500 ) = 4000
Spot Gold found support at $1325/ounce after retracing from resistance at $1350. Short candles suggest weak selling pressure. Respect of support at $1325 would signal another test of the July high at $1375. Follow-through above $1350 would confirm. Breakout above $1375 would offer a target of $1450* but expect strong resistance if the Fed appears intent on raising interest rates. Breach of support at $1300 is unlikely but would warn of a test of primary support at $1200/ounce.
* Target calculation: 1375 + ( 1375 – 1300 ) = 1450
In Australia the All Ordinaries Gold Index ($XGD) is testing support at 4500. Respect is likely and would signal a test of the recent highs around 5600. A weakening Australian Dollar/US Dollar would tend to mitigate the impact of a fed rate hike. Breach of 4500 is unlikely but would warn of trend reversal.
* Target calculation: 5500 + ( 5500 – 4500 ) = 6500
Spot Gold rallied to test resistance at $1350/ounce. Momentum above zero continues to indicate a primary up-trend. Short retracement (short candles and short duration) would signal a test of the July 2016 high at $1375. Breakout above $1375 would offer a target of $1450*. Breach of support at $1300 is unlikely but would warn of a test of primary support at $1200/ounce.
* Target calculation: 1375 + ( 1375 – 1300 ) = 1450
In Australia the All Ordinaries Gold Index ($XGD) found support at 4500. Expect a test of the recent highs around 5500. The Index is likely to follow the spot gold price, provided the Australian Dollar/US Dollar remains fairly stable. Breakout above 5500 would signal a fresh advance, with a target of 6500*. Breach of 4500 is unlikely but would warn of trend reversal.
* Target calculation: 5500 + ( 5500 – 4500 ) = 6500
Long-term interest rates continue their decline, with 10-year Treasury yields testing support at 1.65 to 1.70 percent. Breach would signal a test of the all-time (July 2012) low of 1.40 percent.
Gold rallied in response, breaking initial resistance at $1250/ounce to signal a test of $1300.
The Chinese appear to have resumed selling foreign reserves to support the Yuan, with USDCNY running into resistance at 6.60. PBOC sale of reserves would weaken the Dollar, boosting demand for Gold. Failure to support the Yuan is unlikely, but would increase safe haven demand for Gold from Chinese investors.
The Dollar Index, representing predominantly the Euro and Yen crosses, fell sharply. Breach of support at 93 would confirm the primary down-trend earlier signaled by 13-week Momentum below zero.
The Australian All Ordinaries Gold Index broke through 4500 to signal another advance, with the weakening Australian Dollar adding further impetus. Gaps between trough lows (orange line) and preceding highs (brown line) indicate strong buying pressure.
Disclosure: Our Australian managed portfolios are invested in gold stocks.
Gold is now in the fourth week of a flag formation and is testing support at $1250/ounce. The best flag signals are in weeks 3 or 4. With no immediate prospect of a breakout, this raises the question: is gold losing momentum?
Increased likelihood of a Fed interest rate hike has certainly taken some wind from the sails …..as has recent Chinese stimulus which at least postponed (but not averted) Yuan devaluation against the Dollar. While this affected short to medium-term prospects, factors driving long-term demand for gold are unaltered. From a technical view, narrow candle ranges over the last 4 days suggest increased buying at the $1250 support level. And breakout above the flag remains a buy signal ……at least into the fifth week.
Silver experienced a much sharper sell-off, but on the weekly chart still looks likely to respect support at $16.00/ounce. Respect would suggest another test of resistance at $18.00 to $18.50.
On the weekly chart gold remains on track for a test of $1300/ounce. For as long as support at $1200 holds, we retain our bullish view on gold.
* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1050 ) = 1550
With the added incentive of a weakening Aussie Dollar, Australian gold stocks, represented here by the All Ords Gold Index (XGD), remain in a strong primary up-trend. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero and breakout above the recent trend channel are both bullish signs.
Disclosure: Our Australian managed portfolios are invested in gold stocks.
Australian gold stocks have had a good run since the index (XGD) broke resistance at 2800. At some stage there is bound to be a correction but the up-trend now looks pretty robust, rising 13-week Money Flow confirming buying pressure.
