Europe on the mend

Germany’s DAX is holding above its new support level at 10500. Respect, with follow-through above 10800, would confirm the primary up-trend.

DAX

* Target calculation: 10500 + ( 10500 – 9500 ) = 11500

France’s CAC-40 Index is consolidating in a narrow band between 4400 and 4500. Upward breakout would suggest a primary up-trend. Follow-through above 4600, completing a broad double bottom, would confirm. Rising Twiggs Money Flow reflects buying pressure.

CAC-40

The Footsie retreated from resistance at 7000 but short candles and strong Twiggs Money Flow, high above zero, suggest long-term buying pressure. Expect strong resistance between 7000 and 7100. Correction to 6500 would establish a more stable base for further advances.

FTSE 100

* Target calculation: 6500 + ( 6500 – 5900 ) = 7100

Europe: Out of the ashes

Deutsche Post AG (y_DPW.DE) serves as a bellwether for European markets, with subsidiary DHL couriers occupying a similar position to that of Fedex in US markets. DPW is testing resistance at €28.00 after a strong correction. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum recovered above zero and breakout above €28.00 would indicate another primary advance — a bullish sign for economic activity in the Eurozone.

Deutsche Post AG

* Target calculation: 28 + ( 28 – 22 ) = 34

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the DAX broke through resistance at 10000, signaling a fresh primary advance. A trough above zero on 13-Week Twiggs Momentum indicates continuation of the up-trend. The market is taking a positive view of expected quantitative easing (QE) by the European Central Bank (ECB).

DAX

* Target calculation: 10000 + ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 11000

France’s CAC-40 shows early signs of recovery, having broken through its descending trendline of recent months. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum suggests resumption of the primary up-trend. Recovery above 4500 would strengthen the signal, while breakout above 4600 would confirm.

CAC-40

Italy’s MIB Index remains weak, with 13-week Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero. Respect of resistance is more likely, but breakout above 20000 would suggest a recovery.

MIB Index

Spain’s Madrid General Index also remains in the Doldrums, with declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero. Only recovery above 1100 would provide cause for optimism.

Madrid General Index

Decline of inflation below zero for the Eurozone has forced the hand of the ECB. Announcement of significant QE is imminent. Expansion of the money supply should help to indirectly support stock prices. Unfortunately the Swiss National Bank, which held vast reserves of Euros because of its informal peg at 1.20 EUR/CHF, faced a difficult choice. Either go “all-in” to support the peg, and place their entire credit standing in question, or cut their losses (rumored to be around $70 billion) and walk away with their reputation a little worse for wear, but intact. Faced with the choice they had, in my opinion they took the correct option.

EURCHF

On the other side of the Channel, the Footsie is testing resistance at 6650. Recovery above the descending trendline would suggest the down-trend is over, especially if accompanied by recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero. Strong resistance at 6900/7000 remains a major obstacle to a further advance.

FTSE 100

One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am — a reluctant enthusiast… a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: You will outlive the bastards.

~ Edward Abbey

FTSE breaks primary support

The FTSE 100 broke support at 6400, signaling a primary down-trend. Penetration of the rising trendline would strengthen the signal. Expect a test of the June low at 6000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow highlights strong selling pressure; crossover to below zero would further strengthen the signal. Recovery above 6400 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

FTSE 100

Germany’s DAX is a lot more bullish, testing the new support level at 8500. Respect would offer a medium-term target of 9300*. Reversal below 8000 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 7500/7600.

DAX

* Target calculation: 8500 + ( 8500 – 7700 ) = 9300

France’s CAC-40 is similarly testing new support at 4100. Recovery above its 2011 high of 4200 would offer a target of 4400*. Reversal below 3900 is unlikely but would warn of a test of primary support at 3600.

CAC-40

* Target calculation: 4000 + ( 4000 – 3600 ) = 4400

Spain’s Madrid General Index is even stronger, with no hint of retracement while 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Retracement that respects support at 900 would confirm an advance to 1050*. Reversal below 900 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 900 + ( 900 – 750 ) = 1050

Italy’s MIB Index broke through resistance at 17500/18000, signaling a primary advance to 20000*. Successive troughs above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggest a strong primary up-trend. Reversal below 17500 and the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

MIB Index

* Target calculation: 17500 + ( 17500 – 15000 ) = 20000

Europe approaches zero hour

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there is bound to be a relief rally when EU leaders announce details of their rescue package — followed by a pull-back when traders figure out the costs. The danger is that Germany and France do an “Ireland” and rescue the banks but put themselves at risk. Both have public debt to GDP ratios close to 80 percent and it would not take much to push them into the danger zone. A down-grade would raise their cost of funding and place their own budgets under pressure. If they are down-graded then the kids are home alone — there will be no adults left in the room.

The FTSE 100 displays a decent bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, warning of strong buying pressure. Breakout above 5600 would offer a target of 6000*, but expect retracement to test the new support level. Respect would confirm the advance.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5500 + ( 5500 – 5000 ) = 6000

Germany’s DAX is headed for 6500, but a weaker recovery on Twiggs Money Flow suggests this is a bear market rally. Respect of 6500 would indicate another test of 5000.

DAX Index

The French CAC-40 index displays secondary buying pressure. Respect of 3700 would signal another test of primary support at 2800.

CAC-40 Index

Madrid rallied to test resistance at 900. Again buying pressure on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow appears secondary. Respect of 900 would signal a decline to the 2009 low of 700. Breakout, however, would signal a rally to test the descending trendline.

Madrid General Index

Italy’s MIB index is testing the descending trendline near 16500. Respect would test the 2009 low at 12500. Breakout would offer a target of 19000*.

FTSE MIB Index

* Target calculation: 16 + ( 16 – 13 ) = 19

European indices warn of another down-swing

The German DAX Index broke support at 5500 to warn of a down-swing to 4500*. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates strong selling pressure.

German DAX index

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

In France, the CAC-40 Index reversed below support at 3000, led by a sell-off in French banks. Expect support at the 2009 low of 2500, though the calculated target is even lower. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow again signals strong selling pressure.

France CAC-40 Index

* Target calculation: 3000 – ( 3700 – 3000 ) = 2300

The FTSE 100 is consolidating above 5000, but is likely to be dragged lower if major European trading partners fall. Breach of support would offer a target of 4400*.

UK FTSE 100 Index

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

European rally meets resistance

The FTSE 100 index is meeting selling pressure in its rally to test resistance at 5600, evidenced by tall shadows on the last two candles. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the signal. Failure of support at 4800 would offer a target of 4000*.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 4800 – ( 5600 – 4800 ) = 4000

The DAX Index also displays tall shadows on the last two weekly candles. The rally to test 6400 is particularly weak, with decline of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warning of strong selling pressure. Reversal below 5400 would offer a target of 4400*.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 5400 – ( 6400 – 5400 ) = 4400

The CAC-40 displays similar selling pressure. Breakout below 2900 would offer a target of 2500*.

CAC-40 Index

* Target calculation: 2900 – ( 3300 – 2900 ) = 2500

Europe crashes

Germany’s DAX Index is testing support at its 2010 low of 5400. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of further selling pressure. Failure of support would offer a target of 4500*.

Germany DAX Index

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

France has fallen well past its 2010 low, testing support at 3000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow again warns of further selling pressure. Breach of 3000 would test the 2009 low of 2500.

France CAC-40 Index

* Target calculation: 3000 – ( 3700 – 3000 ) = 2300

Secondary markets are as badly affected. The Amsterdam AEX Index fell below its 2010 low, while 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of selling pressure.

Netherlands Amsterdam AEX Index

* Target calculation: 300 – ( 340 – 300 ) = 260