One down five to go

I say this rather flippantly as we are in the middle of a bear market, and I do not believe we are ready, but a reader asked what it would take to signal a bull market. My answer: three decent blue candles on the weekly chart followed by a correction of at least two red candles that respects the preceding low. The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index displays a blue candle with a long tail, signaling buying support. That would qualify as candle #1.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1100 – ( 1250 – 1100 ) = 950

There is no supporting divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow to signal a change in the underlying selling pressure. Reversal to an up-trend is unlikely but would take a rally of at least 3 blue candles to break resistance at 1250 followed by a correction that finishes above 1100 — and re-crosses 1250. What is more likely is a failed attempt or false break at 1250 followed by penetration of support at 1100, signaling a decline to 1000/950*.

ASX 200 rally — but it’s still a bear market

Australia’s ASX 200 index rallied strongly Thursday and is headed for a test of the upper trend channel. 63-day Momentum declining below zero reminds that we are in a strong primary down-trend. Respect of the upper channel would warn of another decline — to test the lower channel border.

ASX 200 Index

* Target calculation: 4000 – ( 4500 – 4000 ) = 3500

We are experiencing exceptional volatility at present and risk of false signals is high. It is important in such situations to look for strong confirmation. One step is to wait for signals on the weekly chart to confirm those on the daily chart. As you can see, this bear market is a long way from over.

ASX 200 Index Weekly

Europe: DAX and Footsie jump on bailout hopes

Germany’s DAX Index gapped above its secondary trend channel (or large flag) on hopes that the EFSF bailout rumor will materialize. The index is due for a secondary reaction, with bullish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicating medium-term buying pressure. Expect resistance at 6100. The bear market continues, however, and reversal below 5000 would offer a target of 4000*.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 6000 – 5000 ) = 4000

The FTSE 100 continues its narrow line between 5000 and 5450, with divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicating (medium-term) buying pressure. Again, the bear market is likely to continue and failure of support at 5000 would signal another down-swing — with a target of 4400*.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 5600 – 5000 ) = 4400

Copper warns of global recession

Copper has in the past proved a reliable indicator of the state of the global economy. Now it has gapped through primary support at 8500 and below its trend channel (drawn at 2 standard deviations around a linear regression line) on the weekly chart — warning of a global recession. The 63-day Momentum peak below zero also signals a bear market.

Copper

* Target calculation: 8500 – ( 10000 – 8500 ) = 7000

The Dow tests key support at 10600

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing support at 10600; failure would add final confirmation of  the bear market signaled by 63-day Twiggs Momentum (holding below zero).

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 11000 – ( 12000 – 11000 ) = 10000

The Next Selling Wave Is About to Begin | Toby Connor | Safehaven.com

As the stock market moves down into the next daily cycle low and the selling pressure intensifies, this should drive the dollar index much higher. It remains to be seen if gold can reverse this pattern of weakness in the face of dollar strength, especially since the dollar will almost certainly be rallying violently during the intense selling pressure that is coming in the stock market.

via The Next Selling Wave Is About to Begin | Toby Connor | Safehaven.com.

 

When the dollar strengthens, gold normally falls. Except in times of high uncertainty (like the present), when demand for gold as a safe haven overcomes downward pressure from a stronger dollar. Buying gold at current prices is a bet that either Greece will default — a pretty safe bet — or that the Fed is again forced to use its printing press (not quite as certain).

DAX key reversal; FTSE rally fades

Germany’s DAX Index shows a strong key reversal [R] on the weekly chart. Expect a rally, but we are in a bear market and resistance at 6500 is likely to hold. Reversal below 5400 would warn of another down-swing.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 5500 – ( 6500 – 5500 ) = 4500

The FTSE 100 fell at Monday’s open, but the weekly chart displays a particularly volatile consolidation edging higher. Breakout above 5400 would indicate a test of 5600/5700. Again, we are in a bear market; respect of resistance is likely and would warn of another test of 4800.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 5600 – 5000 ) = 4400

Bear rally and triple-witching

A narrow range with large volume often acts like a compressed spring — absorbing buying pressure before launching a sharp move in the opposite direction. The spike in volume [W] on Dow Jones Industrial Average was due to triple-witching hour on Friday, but we should nevertheless be wary of a fall below 11400, which would indicate another test of 10600.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 11000 – ( 12000 – 11000 ) = 10000

The weekly chart of S&P 500 shows a similar bear rally. Expect a test of 1250/1260. But 63-day Momentum below zero reminds that the index is in a primary down-trend; a peak below the zero line would warn of another down-swing.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1125 – ( 1250 – 1125 ) = 1000

NASDAQ 100 Index displays a particularly strong rally, but this remains a bear market. Expect strong resistance at 2400. Failure of support would offer a target of 1700*.

NASDAQ 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2050 – ( 2400 – 2050 ) = 1700

Europe consolidates

Dow Jones Europe Index ($E1DOW) recovered above 230 and is expected to consolidate between 230 and 250. The bear market remains strong, with 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicating selling pressure. Reversal below 230 would test the 2010 low of 205, though the calculated target is lower*.

Dow Jones Europe Index $E1DOW

* Target calculation: 230 – ( 265 – 230 ) = 195

Denial is not a river in Egypt

Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied, suggesting a second higher low above primary support at 10600/10800.  Expect a test of 11900/12000, but this does not mean the bear market is about to reverse. We are still in the early “denial stage” of the bear market, identified by sporadic bargain-hunting, high volatility and a general lack of direction. Declining volume indicates a lack of enthusiasm from buyers and sellers. Failure of primary support would change that, leading to a sharp fall to 10000*.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 11000 – ( 12000 – 11000 ) = 10000