The S&P 500 and Plan B

The S&P 500 penetrated its rising trendline, warning of a re-test of support at 3000. But selling pressure on the Trend Index appears to be secondary.

S&P 500

Transport bellwether Fedex retreated below long-term support at 150 on the monthly chart — on fears of a slow-down in international trade. Follow-through below 140 would strengthen the bear signal, offering a target of 100. The bear-trend warns that economic activity is contracting.

Fedex

Brent crude dropped below $60/barrel on fears of a global slow-down. Expect a test of primary support at 50.

Brent Crude

Dow Jones – UBS Commodity Index broke primary support at 76 on the monthly chart, also anticipating a global slow-down.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

South Korea’s KOSPI Index is a good barometer for global trade. Expect a re-test of primary support at 250.

KOSPI

While Dr Copper, another useful barometer, warns that the patient (the global economy) is in need of medical assistance.

Copper (S1)

The Fed can keep pumping Dollars into financial markets but at some point, the patient is going to stop responding. In which case you had better have a Plan B.

Asian markets

The Shanghai Composite Index reflects China’s controlled slow-down, edging lower with intermittent bear market rallies. The index is currently testing the descending (secondary) trendline at 2500. Penetration would offer a target of 2650 but would not indicate that the primary down-trend is over. Failure of support at 2300/2350 remains more likely and would offer a target of 2000.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2300 – ( 2600 – 2300 ) = 2000

HongKong’s Hang Seng Index is headed for a test of the (primary) descending trendline at 21000; breakout above 20000 would confirm. The primary trend remains downward, however, and respect of the trendline would suggest another test of 16000.

Hang Seng Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index is ranging between 8400 and 9100. Breakout would indicate future trend direction.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 8400 – ( 9000 – 8400 ) = 7800

South Korea’s Seoul Composite Index continues to reflect buying pressure on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow. Follow-through above recent highs would indicate a strong bear rally, but the primary trend remains downward.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1800 ) = 2000

Asia monthly charts

Monthly charts help fit the current market action into a long-term perspective. The Nikkei 225 index broke support at 9000 and is likely to test the 2009 low of 7000*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum respecting the zero line (from below) confirms the primary down-trend.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 11000 – 9000 ) = 7000

The Seoul Composite found (primary) support at 1650/1700, followed by a reaction to 1900. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Respect of resistance at 1900 is likely, which would indicate another test of primary support.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1700 – ( 1900 – 1700 ) = 1500

The Shanghai Composite index is testing support at 2400. Failure would confirm the strong primary down-trend signaled by declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2500 – ( 3500 – 2500 ) = 1500

The Hang Seng index is retracing to test resistance at 20000. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Respect of resistance, would indicate another test of 16000.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 16 – ( 20 – 16 ) = 12

India’s SENSEX is headed for a test of resistance at 17500/18000 after a small bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicated buying pressure. Respect of 18000 would warn of another test of 16000.

SENSEX Index

* Target calculation: 16 – ( 18 – 16 ) = 14

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is in a similar position. Respect of resistance at 2900 would signal another test of 2500. Failure of support would confirm the strong primary down-trend signaled by declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum.

Singapore Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 2500 – ( 2900 – 2500 ) = 2100

Japan & South Korea

Bullish divergence on Japan’s Nikkei 225 index (13-week Twiggs Money Flow) warns of a bear market rally. Breakout above the upper channel of the broadening wedge pattern would confirm. The primary trend, however, remains downward; breakout below the lower channel at 8400 would warn of a down-swing to 7800*.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 8400 – ( 9000 – 8400 ) = 7800

The Seoul Composite is weaker on Wednesday after a sharp rally earlier in the week. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow continues to threaten a break below zero. Breakout below the lower border of the broadening wedge formation would signal another primary decline.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1650 – ( 1900 – 1650 ) = 1400

Nikkei breaks support

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index broke support at 8600, signaling a down-swing to test the 2009 low of 7000*. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow respect of the zero line warns of selling pressure.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 8600 – ( 10200 – 8600 ) = 7000

South Korea’s Seoul Composite Index fared better, consolidating between 1700 and 1900. Failure of support is more likely (this is a bear market) and would offer a target of 1500*.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1700 – ( 1900 – 1700 ) = 1500