Heard on the Street: Australia’s Juggling Act – WSJ.com

Economists expect 2012 will see a slowdown in the economy of China, Australia’s biggest trading partner. China’s gross domestic product growth could slip to around 8% from more than 9% this year, which will lead to lower demand for commodities. Already, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s index of commodity prices—a weighted basket of Australia’s resource sector exports—has fallen sharply this year. The central bank says the economy’s resources-led surplus may have hit its peak and could decline “somewhat” from here.

via Heard on the Street: Australia’s Juggling Act – WSJ.com.

Aussie dollar strengthens

The Aussie dollar recovered above parity, breach of the declining trendline indicating that the correction is over. Breakout of the CRB Commodities Index above 325 would be a bullish sign, suggesting another test of $1.08 against the greenback. Breakout above $1.08 remains unlikely, but would offer a long-term target of 1.20*.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 1.08 + ( 1.08 – 0.96 ) = 1.20

Commodities drag Aussie and Canadian dollar lower

Commodities are weakening and dragging the Aussie and Loonie lower. The Aussie dollar shows a similar iceberg pattern on 63-day Twiggs Momentum, warning of a primary down-trend. Breakout below primary support at $0.94 would offer a long-term target of $0.80*.

AUDUSD

* Target calculation: 0.94 – ( 1.08 – 0.94 ) = 0.80

Canada’s Loonie is also headed for a test of $0.94 against the greenback. The peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates a strong down-trend. Failure of primary support (0.94) would offer a target of $0.87*.

CADUSD

* Target calculation: 0.94 – ( 1.01 – 0.94 ) = 0.87

Commodities and Crude Oil

Brent Crude is testing medium-term support at $105/barrel. Failure is likely if the dollar continues to strengthen and would mean a test of the $99/$100 primary level. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below -5% would complete an iceberg pattern, indicating a solid primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would offer a target of $85/barrel*.

Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 115 – 100 ) = 85

Roughly only 10% of an iceberg is visible at sea, with most of the ice-mass hidden below the water-line. Similarly, an “iceberg” pattern on a chart describes a situation where +/- 90% of Twiggs Momentum (or a similar indicator) is below zero with only a small peak protruding above. 

CRB Commodities Index is similarly headed for a test of primary support, at 295. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum deep below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend. Failure of support would offer a target of 265*.

CRB Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 295 – ( 325 – 295 ) = 265

That would have a negative impact on the Aussie Dollar and Canadian Loonie which closely track commodity prices.

Brazilian Real and South African Rand

The Brazilian Real has fallen sharply against the greenback since the government took measures to stem the inflow of funds on capital account. Breach of medium-term support at $0.56 would indicate respect of the descending trendline and another test of primary support at $0.52. In the long-term, failure of primary support would warn of a fall to $0.40.

Brazilian Real

* Target calculation: 0.52 – ( 0.64 – 0.52 ) = 0.40

The South African Rand is weakening against both the US and Aussie dollar. The Aussie (another resources currency) shows an accelerating up-trend against the Rand. Breakout above R8.30 would signal an advance to R9.00*. Accelerating up-trends, however, inevitably lead to blow-offs — as in 2008.

South African Rand

* Target calculation: 7.50 + ( 7.50 – 6.00 ) = 9.00