Amex Gold Bugs Index gapped through the rising trendline and support at 600, warning of a bull trap. The Gold Bugs Index represents unhedged gold miners. Spot gold support at $1700/ounce is now likely to fail.
Gold finds safe haven support
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
Gold finds support at $1800/ounce
Spot gold found short-term support at $1800/ounce. A rally to $1900 from this point would form a bullish ascending triangle, suggesting an upward breakout and offering a target of $2100*. Failure of support, however, would penetrate the rising (secondary) trendline and suggest a correction to $1500.
* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1700 ) = 2100
Gold Bugs ($HUI) and Gold Miners ($GDX) Indexes both broke through resistance to signal a fresh primary advance. With a target of 700 for $HUI, the breakout favors continuation of the current advance in spot prices.
* Target calculation: 600 + ( 600 – 500 ) = 700
Gold miners threaten breakout
The Gold Bugs Index, representing unhedged gold miners, threatens to break through resistance at 600 which would signal an advance to 700*. Upward breakout would negate the earlier bear signal from penetration of the rising trendline — as well as strengthening prospects of a further advance in the spot price.
* Target calculation: 600 + ( 600 – 500 ) = 700
Spot gold has so far respected the secondary trendline and support at $1750. Short retracement from resistance at $1850 would be a bullish sign, suggesting an upward breakout. Recovery above $1900 would test $2000, though the calculated target is even higher*.
* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1750 ) = 2050
Upside potential for gold remains strong. Treasury and the Fed are running out of options to revive the economy and further quantitative easing grows ever more inviting despite the inflationary outcome. With presidential elections looming in 2012, the White House will also be doing their best to influence the Fed decision.