This is a 20-year (monthly) chart of the US dollar against the Japanese yen. The dollar has declined in a primary down-trend since early 2008. Long-term support at 80 failed to halt the fall and the greenback is now ranging between ¥75 and ¥80. The down-trend is in its fourth year and large bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a reaction. Penetration of the declining trendline would strengthen the signal and breakout above 80 would confirm, offering a long-term target of 100.
Spot Gold is consolidating between $1740 and $1800, with the rising dollar halting its advance. Penetration of the rising trendline warns that momentum is slowing and breach of support at $1740 would signal another test of $1700.
* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1600 ) = 2200
The weekly chart shows gold continuing its long-term ascent in a narrow trend channel. Breakout below $1600 would warn of a reversal.
The gold-oil ratio has fluctuated in a far narrower range since mid-2009 and it may take some years before we see another overbought/oversold signal.
The strengthening dollar should see commodities weaken. Reversal below 315 would indicate respect of the descending trendline — and another test of primary support at 295. Breakout is unlikely, despite the rise of crude oil, but would indicate that the down-trend is weakening.
* Target calculation: 295 – ( 325 – 295 ) = 265
Spot gold is testing short-term support at $1750/ounce as the greenback strengthens. Breach of the rising trendline would suggest that the advance is losing momentum — and breakout below $1700 would signal another test of primary support at $1600. Respect of $1700 is less likely, but would signal an advance to $1900.
* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1700 ) = 1900
According to China Daily, China owns $1.13 trillion of US debt. China has $3.20 trillion in foreign exchange reserves.
via Chart of the day: China’s U.S. Debt Holdings | Credit Writedowns.
The key statistic here is the $36.5 billion decline in August which dwarfs previous monthly changes. No wonder the yuan jumped against the dollar.
But ask yourself: why has a poor country like China (GDP per capita of $4000 a year) invested more than $1T in US Treasuries? It could not be for the yield. Inflows on the US capital account are used by China to suppress its currency and give its exporters a massive trade advantage against US manufacturers. Imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese imports would provoke a tit-for-tat response and lead to a trade war. But a US withholding tax on foreign capital inflows could not provoke retaliation as China already strictly controls capital inflows. And exemptions to the withholding tax — only to countries who have reciprocal open capital markets — could be negotiated on a country-by-country basis as an extension of existing tax treaties.
That would force currency manipulators to repatriate their investments in US capital markets. This should be welcomed by the US as it would suppress the dollar against the yuan and other currencies, giving US manufacturers a massive advantage in export markets.
The chairman of the US Federal Reserve has accused China of damaging prospects for a global economic recovery through its deliberate intervention in the currency market to hold down the value of the renminbi.
…..“Right now, our concern is that the Chinese currency policy is blocking what might be a more normal recovery process in the global economy,” he said. “It is to some extent hurting the recovery”.
The CRB Commodities Index gapped down to its lower trend channel in response to turmoil in Europe and the resulting stronger dollar.
The Aussie followed its Canadian counterpart below parity, confirming a primary down-trend with an initial target of $0.94*.
* Target calculation: 1.02 – ( 1.10 – 1.02 ) = 0.94
Softening of gold prices from the “stronger” dollar is being offset by demand for gold as a safe haven from the looming euro-zone crisis. Respect of support at 1750 would indicate another test of $1900; confirmed if spot recovers above $1830. The pattern remains bullish at present, but breakout below $1750 would warn of a double top and correction to $1500/$1600* (depending on whether you take the base as $1700 or $1750).
* Target calculation: 1900 + (1900 – 1750 ) = 2050 and 1750 – (1900 – 1750 ) = 1600
Gold miners such as AMEX Gold Bugs Index ($HUI) continue to test support after their recent breakout. Failure of support at 600 would warn of a bull trap and weaker spot prices.
* Target calculation: 600 + ( 600 – 500 ) = 700
The euro is outstripping the dollar in their race to the bottom. Having respected resistance at $1.40, breakout below $1.35 would signal a test of the next major support level at $1.30*. The 63-day Momentum peak below zero confirms a strong down-trend.
* Target calculation: 1.40 – ( 1.50 – 1.40 ) = 1.30
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).
