China: Will history repeat itself?

China’s Shanghai Composite retreated from resistance at 3400, but this is a long way from signaling a down-trend.
Shanghai Composite Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has shown much stronger gains over the last 3 years, but diverged in the second half of 2014, falling while the Shanghai Composite soared. Breach of support at 22500, and the rising trendline, would warn of a primary down-trend.
Hang Seng Index

This opinion by Andrew Sheng highlights some of the challenges facing the Middle Kingdom:

It is hard to find earlier examples of economies which experienced similar growth spurts to that enjoyed by China over the last decade. The closest are probably the US in the 1920s and Japan in the 1980s. Both of these should serve as a warning that times of rapid growth can generate vast imbalances within an economy that inevitably lead to periods of painful adjustment.

ASX under pressure

The S&P 500 continues to test resistance at 2050, the upper bound of the broadening wedge. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests buying pressure. Breakout would offer a target of 2250*. Reversal below 2000 is less likely, but would warn of another correction.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 2050 + ( 2050 – 1850 ) = 2250

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) indicates low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 is testing resistance at 3140. Breakout would indicate an advance to 3300. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow oscillating around zero suggests indecision. Respect of 3140 would test primary support at 3000.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

The Shanghai Composite Index retraced to test support at 2440, while declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term selling pressure. Reversal below the rising trendline at 2400 would warn of a correction, while respect would suggest trend strength.

Shanghai Composite

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is weaker. Reversal below 23000 would warn of a test of primary support at 21200/21500. Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) reversal below zero would also be a strong bear signal.

HSI

The ASX 200 is undergoing another correction. Respect of support at 5250/5300 would indicate reasonable trend strength, but declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term selling pressure. With both Energy and Metals & Mining sectors under pressure, a test of primary support at 5120/5150 is likely.

ASX 200

The Aussie Dollar is also falling, having reversed below primary support at $0.8650 to signal a decline to $0.80*.

Aussie Dollar

* Target calculation: 0.87 – ( 0.94 – 0.87 ) = 0.80

S&P 500 bullish but Europe and China encounter resistance

Retracement of the S&P 500 respected its new support level at 2000, confirming a primary advance with a target of 2150*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above the declining trendline indicates buyers are back in control. Reversal below 2000 and the rising trendline is unlikely, but would signal another correction.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1850 ) = 2150

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 13 indicates low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Germany’s DAX found resistance at 9400 and retracement to test support at 9000 is likely. Failure of the former primary support level at 8900/9000 would confirm a primary down-trend. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would also indicate that sellers dominate.

DAX

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

The Footsie also encountered resistance, at 6500/6560. Respect of this level would warn of a primary down-trend, but rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure.

FTSE 100

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing its 2013 high of 2440. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of (medium-term) resistance.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2300 ) = 2500

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also found resistance, at 24000. Reversal below 23000 would confirm a primary down-trend. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

Hang Seng Index

The ASX 200, influenced by both the US and China, is testing resistance at 5550. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (above zero) indicates medium-term buying pressure. Expect a test of 5650/5660. Reversal below 5380/5400 is less likely, but would warn that sellers have resumed control. I have lowered the target to 6000* because of constant back-filling in recent months.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5300 ) = 6000

Asia: Governor Kuroda bets on QE

Aggressive asset purchases by the Bank of Japan shows Governor Kuroda’s willingness to back his QE policy to the hilt. The Yen has weakened significantly against the Dollar over the last two years and this trend is likely to continue.

USDJPY

The Nikkei 225 surged through 16300, signaling a fresh advance. The long-term target is 18000*. Reversal below 16000 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates medium-term buying pressure.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 16000 + ( 16000 – 14000 ) = 18000

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is testing resistance at 24000. Reversal below 23000 would warn of a primary down-trend. Breach of 21200 would confirm. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the bear signal. Follow-through above 25000 is unlikely, but would signal another primary advance.

Hang Seng Index

China’s Shanghai Composite Index respected support at 2250, strengthening the bull signal. Follow-through above 2450 would confirm a primary up-trend. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow remains in an up-trend, signaling medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 2250 is unlikely, but would warn of trend weakness.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex continues in a primary up-trend, testing resistance at 28000. Troughs above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate buying pressure. Short retracements rather than stronger corrections also suggest buying pressure. Breakout above 28000 would indicate an advance to 29000. The index is becoming over-extended, but may remain so for some time. Reversal below 27000 and the secondary trendline is less likely, but would indicate a correction to the primary trendline around 25000.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 27000 + ( 27000 – 26000 ) = 28000

Hong Kong weighs on China

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is testing support at 23000. Narrow consolidation warns of continuation to test primary support at 21200. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero suggests a primary down-trend. Breach of support at 21200 would confirm.

Hang Seng Index

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is retracing after penetration of its secondary trendline, but at this stage it’s no more than a secondary correction. Hong Kong could weigh on the index, however. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would warn of a primary down-trend.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex broke clear of its recent flag formation and is again testing resistance at 27000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow remains a concern, but breakout above 27000 would indicate an advance to 28000*. Reversal below 26000 would signal a correction to the primary trendline.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 27000 + ( 27000 – 26000 ) = 28000

Hang Seng falters

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is testing support at 23000. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of support at 21000 would confirm.

Hang Seng Index

China’s Shanghai Composite Index continues to test its new support level at 2340. Respect would suggest an advance to 2500*. Breach would warn of a correction. I remain wary because of weakness in Hong Kong.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

China in a cleft stick

The CCP is in a cleft stick over the protests in Hong Kong. Either they escalate and clear protestors with a massive show of force — which risks further escalation — or they wait patiently and let the protest run its course. Their problem is that there are more than 800 million Chinese citizens watching, who will take this as a precedent for future demonstrations in China. The shadow of Tiananmen Square will be replaced by the outcome of the current protests, whatever that is.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index broke support at 24000, signaling a correction to 21000/22000. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would warn of a bear market. Breach of support at 21000 would indicate a primary down-trend.

Hang Seng Index

China’s Shanghai Composite Index, however, broke resistance at 2340/2350, indicating an advance to 2440/2450. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to indicate medium-term buying pressure. I would advocate caution, given the situation in Hong Kong and a negative outlook for the economy.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex is testing support at 26000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of long-term selling pressure, but another trough above zero would suggest that buyers are regaining control. Failure of support would signal a correction to the primary trendline — around 25000 — while respect would indicate an advance to 28000*.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 27000 + ( 27000 – 26000 ) = 28000

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index retraced to test support at 16000, but respect of this level would be a bullish sign, suggesting a breakout above its 2013 high of 16300 with a long-term target of 18000*. Reversal below 16000 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction. Another 13-week Twiggs Money Flow would signal long-term buying pressure.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 16000 + ( 16000 – 14000 ) = 18000

India, Japan bullish but China hesitates

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is testing support at 24000. Breach of the rising trendline warns of a correction. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow holding above zero continues to indicate long-term buying pressure. Respect of support at 24000 would suggest another advance; confirmed if there is follow-through above 25000. Breach of support, however, would also warn of a correction — to the primary trendline around 22000.

Hang Seng Index

* Long-term target calculation: 24000 + ( 24000 – 21000 ) = 27000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is consolidating below resistance at its 2013 high. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to indicate medium-term buying pressure. Breakout above 2350 would signal a fresh advance, while reversal below 2250 would warn of a correction.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex recovered above 27000, suggesting an advance to 28000*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure. Breach of the secondary rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 27000 + ( 27000 – 26000 ) = 28000

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index is testing resistance at its 2013 high of 16300. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Breakout above 16300 would offer a long-term target of 18000*. Reversal below 16000 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 16000 + ( 16000 – 14000 ) = 18000

Asian stocks cautious

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is retracing to test support at 24000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates sustained buying pressure. Respect of 24000 would suggest another primary advance, while failure would warn of a correction. Breakout above 25000 would offer a target of 27000*.

Hang Seng Index

* Long-term target calculation: 24000 + ( 24000 – 21000 ) = 27000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is consolidating at its 2013 high. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow reflects medium-term buying pressure. Breakout above 2340 would strengthen the primary up-trend, but retracement to test the new support level at 2250 remains as likely.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex retreated below short-term support at 27000. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of long-term selling pressure, but another trough above zero would negate this. Breach of the secondary rising trendline would warn of a correction, while respect would suggest further gains.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 21000 + ( 21000 – 15000 ) = 27000

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index is testing resistance at 16000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Breakout above 16300 would signal another advance. Reversal below 15500 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 16000 + ( 16000 – 14000 ) = 18000

Asian stocks pause

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index continues to encounter resistance at 25000, but respect of support at 24000 and rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate sustained buying pressure. Breakout would offer a target of 27000*.

Hang Seng Index

* Long-term target calculation: 24000 + ( 24000 – 21000 ) = 27000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is consolidating after breaking resistance at 2250. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow reflects medium-term buying pressure. The primary trend is up, but expect retracement to test the new support level at 2250.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2250 + ( 2250 – 2000 ) = 2500

India’s Sensex has reached its long-term target of 27000*, shown here on a quarterly chart. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of long-term selling pressure. Respect of the zero line appears likely and would suggest a further advance, but a fall below zero would warn of a decline to test the rising trendline.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 21000 + ( 21000 – 15000 ) = 27000

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index continues its advance towards 16300. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 15500 is unlikely, but would warn of a test of 14800.

Nikkei 225