Gold and commodities fall

The Dollar Index is consolidating between 79 and 80. Upward breakout would test resistance at 81.00/81.50 — penetration of the descending trendline indicating the correction has ended — but the primary trend is downward and breach of support at 79 would signal another decline. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 81 – 79 ) = 77

Inflation expectations are easing, with spot gold undergoing a correction since breaking support at 1750. Expect short-term support at 1700 and penetration of the descending trendline would indicate another test of $1800 per ounce*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero is likely — and would signal a primary up-trend, while breakout above $1800 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

The DJ-UBS Commodity Index also reflects an easing inflation outlook, breaking medium-term support at 145 to signal a correction. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum is unlikely to remain above zero but a shallow trough would be a bullish sign.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Brent Crude is also falling, having broken support at $108 per barrel. Expect a test of $100. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 108 – ( 117 – 108 ) = 99

Nymex WTI Light Crude is similarly headed for a test of primary support at $76/$78 per barrel. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

Gold and commodities wait on the dollar

The Dollar Index rally recovered and is headed for a test of resistance at 81.00/81.50. Respect of resistance would confirm the primary down-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero also signals a primary down-trend; a peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81 – ( 84 – 81 ) = 78

Gold and commodities await clear direction from the dollar which, in turn, is dependent on the inflation outlook. Spot Gold encountered strong resistance at $1800 per ounce*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would signal a primary up-trend, while breakout above $1800 would confirm. Reversal below $1740 is unlikely but would warn of another correction.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

The RJ-CRB Commodities Index has been de-listed so I am now using the DJ-UBS Commodity Index, which retraced to test support at 145/146. Respect would indicate another test of resistance at 150/152 — as suggested by recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero — while failure would warn of another test of primary support at 125.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Brent Crude rallied off support at $108 per barrel and is headed for another test of $117. Breakout would advance to the 2012 high of $125/$126. The small 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero suggests a primary up-trend.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 117 + ( 117 – 108 ) = 126

Gold, TIPS and inflation

The Dollar Index rally to test resistance at 81.00/81.50 appears to be faltering. Respect of resistance would confirm the primary down-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero earlier indicated a trend change; a peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81 – ( 84 – 81 ) = 78

Spot Gold continues to test resistance at $1800 per ounce*. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would signal a primary up-trend, while breakout above $1800 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1650 + ( 1650 – 1500 ) = 1800

Rising gold prices indicate increased inflation expectations. The spread between 10-year Treasury yields and the equivalent TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) yield also spiked up after the latest QE announcement but then retreated. The inflation effect of quantitative easing by the Fed is likely to be muted by deflationary pressures from private debt contraction — and a slow-down in government debt expansion after November (no matter who wins the election) — working in the opposite direction. I believe the Fed goal is to manufacture a soft landing rather than to generate inflation, which would go against their mandate.

10-Year Treasury Yield v. 10-Year TIPS Yield

Commodities: The RJ/CRB Commodities index has been delisted by ICE Futures US (formerly NYBOT). For details click here.

The equivalent DJ-UBS Commodity Index is testing resistance at 150/155. Respect would warn of another test of primary support at 125, but also that inflation expectations remain muted.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Brent Crude is correcting despite the rise in inflation expectations, reflecting slowing economic activity rather than improved security. Follow-through below $108 per barrel would indicate a correction to $100, while reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would suggest a primary down-trend.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers