France Archives - Page 2 of 2 - the patient investor

November 14, 2011

Europe consolidates

The FTSE Italian MIB index found support at 15000. Expect an upsurge in response to news that Mario Monti has been asked to form a new government. Breakout above 17000 would signal a rally to 19000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates consistent buying pressure over the past few weeks.

FTSE MIB Index

* Target calculation: 17 + ( 17 – 15 ) = 19

France’s CAC-40 index similarly found support at 3000. Recovery above 3400 would offer a target of 3800, but 63-day Twiggs Momentum, a long way below zero, indicates a primary down-trend.

CAC-40 Index

* Target calculation: 2800 – ( 3400 – 2800 ) = 2200 AND 3400 + ( 3400 – 3000 ) = 3800

The German DAX found support at 5700. Recovery above 6400 would offer a target of 7100, while failure of support would warn of another test of primary support at 5000.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 6400 + ( 6400 – 5700 ) = 7100

The FTSE 100 is also consolidating above medium-term support — this time at 5350. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow continues to signal strong buying pressure. Breakout above 5700 would re-test the 2011 highs at 6100. Failure of support is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 4800.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5700 + ( 5700 – 5300 ) = 6100

We need to remember, however, that this is still a bear market. We have seen one or two favorable news headlines but very little substance. And the European economy faces strong headwinds over the next few years.

October 26, 2011

EU Forges Greek Bond Deal – WSJ.com

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after the marathon negotiating session that the leaders had reached agreement with private banks on a “voluntary” 50% reduction of Greece’s debt in the hands of private investors.

He also said they had agreed to expand the firepower of the European Financial Stability Facility, the euro zone’s bailout vehicle, four- or five-fold—suggesting it could provide guarantees for €800 billion to €1.3 trillion of bonds issued by countries such as Spain and Italy.

The leaders also agreed on a plan that would boost the capital buffers of the stragglers among the Continent’s 70 biggest banks by €106 billion—though they didn’t say where the money would come from.

via Euro-Zone Talks Hit Roadblocks – WSJ.com.

October 25, 2011

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

October 24, 2011

France appears to have conceded to German-ECB position on bailout fund | Credit Writedowns

France appears to have backed down in the face of a German-ECB joint position that strenuously objected to the EFSF becoming a bank to borrow from the ECB. Instead, it appears that the insurance/guarantee function of the EFSF is going to dominate. Although the situation still appears fluid, the momentum seems to favor those who want to have this guarantee function only for new issuance of Spain and Italy.

via France appears to have conceded to German-ECB position on bailout fund | Credit Writedowns.

October 23, 2011

Crunch Time for Franco-German Relations – WSJ.com

…what euro-zone leaders appear to be inching toward is yet another fudge: a Greek deal that avoids default but still falls short of putting debt on a sustainable basis; a bank recapitalization that’s not sufficient to withstand multiple defaults and an expanded bailout fund that isn’t big enough to restore the confidence of sovereign and bank debt markets. That would send a worrying signal that the rift between Germany and France hasn’t been mended. And the longer they leave it, the wider it is sure to grow.

via Crunch Time for Franco-German Relations – WSJ.com.

August 21, 2011

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