UK and Europe: Tentative recovery

The FTSE 100 index broke resistance (and the descending trendline) at 5600/5620, suggesting the correction has ended. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around zero is narrowing, indicating hesitancy. Follow-through above 5650 would strengthen the breakout signal — as would recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero — targeting 6000*. Reversal below 5600, however, would warn of a false signal.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5600 + ( 5600 – 5200 ) = 6000

Germany’s DAX is testing resistance at 6500; breakout would test the 2012 high of 7200. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (not shown) indicates buying pressure. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 6500 + ( 6500 – 6000 ) = 7000

The Madrid General Index is headed for a test of medium-term resistance at 750/760. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. Penetration of resistance — and the long-term descending trendline — would indicate a bottom is forming.

Madrid General Index

Italy’s MIB Index shows a similar bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (not shown) — and on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Recovery above 15000 would signal another test of long-term resistance at 17000.

MIB Index

* Target calculation: 15000 + ( 15000 – 13000 ) = 17000

UK & Europe

Dow Jones Europe Index found medium-term support at 220 but reversal of  13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of strong selling pressure. Breach of primary support at 210 would signal a decline to 160*, close to the 2009 low. Respect of support is less likely but would indicate a rally to 260.

Dow Jones Europe Index

* Target calculation: 210 – ( 260 – 210 ) = 160

The FTSE 100 is consolidating above 5250 on the weekly chart. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow remains above zero but 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of a primary down-trend. Failure of primary support at 5000/5100 would confirm.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 6000 – 5000 ) = 4000

UK & Europe: Closer to the breach

Europe inches closer to the point when the artificial levee, built to protect European banks from market forces, is breached. Germany and France delay the inevitable while they attempt to restore bank balance sheets — by widening interest margins at the expense of depositors and transferring risky bonds to the European Central Bank . They do their utmost to avert a Greek default, because of contagion risk to the rest of the euro-zone, but their actions merely encourage more strident demands from Greece. If the levee breaks, damage will be that much greater because of the build-up of market forces behind the artificial barrier.

Spain’s Madrid General Index broke support at the 2009 low of 700, signaling another primary decline with an immediate target of 600*. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero reinforces the signal.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 750 – ( 900 – 750 ) = 600

Italy’s MIB Index broke primary support at 13000, confirming the earlier signal from 63-day Twiggs Momentum and offering a long-term target of 10000*. Recovery above 13500 is unlikely but would warn of a bear trap.

Italy MIB Index

* Target calculation: 13500 – ( 17000 – 13500 ) = 10000

Germany’s DAX broke support at 6500 and is testing the rising trendline. Support remains strong, with 13-week Twiggs Money Flow holding above zero, but breach of the rising trendline and breach of short-term support at 6200 would indicate a test of primary support at 5400.

Germany DAX Index

France’s CAC-40 is also headed for a test of primary support at 2800. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of selling pressure. Failure of primary support would offer a long-term target of 2000*.

France CAC-40 Index

* Target calculation: 2800 – ( 3600 – 2800 ) = 2000

The FTSE 100 found short-term support at 5300 but breach of the rising trendline and 63-Day Twiggs Momentum below zero warn of a primary down-trend. Failure of primary support at 5000/5050 would offer a long-term target of 4000*.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 6000 – 5000 ) = 4000

UK & Europe: Madrid at 2009 low

The monthly chart of the Madrid General Index is testing its 2009 low of 700. With unemployment rates (24.4 per cent) similar to the US Great Depression and more than half of Spaniards under 25 jobless, there is no recovery in sight. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum oscillating below zero indicates a strong primary down-trend. Failure of support at 700 would signal another primary decline.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 750 – ( 900 – 750 ) = 600

Italy’s MIB Index is more resilient, with recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicating buying pressure. Expect another test of resistance at 17000.
Italy MIB Index
The CAC-40 monthly chart shows France in a similar fix. Failure of support at 3100 would indicate another test of primary support, close to the 2009 low of 2500. Recovery above 3600, however, would indicate another test of 4000 — especially if accompanied by recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above 10%.
France CAC-40 Index

The German DAX respected support at 6500, confirming the primary up-trend. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong buying pressure. Expect another test of 7500.
Germany DAX Index

The FTSE 100 respected support at 5600 and breakout above 5800 would signal an advance to 6400*. The 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above the zero line indicates buying pressure. Reversal below 5600 is unlikely but would warn that the primary up-trend is weakening.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6000 + ( 6000 – 5600 ) = 6400

UK & Europe: Madrid tests major support level

The monthly chart of the Madrid General Index shows the index testing support at its 2009 low of 700. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow crossing below zero warns of selling pressure. Failure of support would signal a decline to 600*.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 750 – ( 900 – 750 ) = 600

France’s CAC-40 found support at 3150 after a sharp correction on the weekly chart. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow — and last week’s gravestone candlestick — warn of selling pressure. Failure of support is likely and would suggest another test of primary support at 2800.

France CAC-40 Index

Germany’s DAX is also undergoing a correction but found stronger support at 6500. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow continues to indicate long-term buying pressure. Respect of support, indicated by follow-through above 6800 would signal a primary advance to 7900*. Failure of support at 6500 is unlikely and would warn that the primary up-trend is weakening.

DAX Index

* Target calculation: 7200 + ( 7200 – 6500 ) = 7900

The FTSE 100 remains in a descending broadening wedge pattern. Upward breakout would indicate an advance to the earlier peak of 6000. Recovery of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow above zero would strengthen the signal, while respect of the zero line (from below) would warn of continued selling pressure. Reversal below 5720 would indicate another test of primary support at 5600.

FTSE 100 Index

UK & Europe: Madrid in trouble

The monthly chart of the Madrid General Index highlights the extent of Spain’s problems, with the index breaking support at 750 and headed for its 2009 low of 700. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below the zero line warns of a strong down-trend. Failure of 700 would signal a decline to 600*.

Madrid General Index

* Target calculation: 750 – ( 900 – 750 ) = 600

The broader Dow Jones Europe Index is undergoing a correction on the weekly chart. The sharp fall on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Failure of medium-term support at 240 is likely and would suggest another test of primary support at 210. Respect of support is unlikely but would indicate that the primary up-trend is intact.

Dow Jones Europe Index

The FTSE 100 is testing support at 5600. Respect would confirm the primary up-trend, indicating an advance to 6400*.
A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above the zero line would signal continued buying pressure. Failure of support, however, would warn that the up-trend is weakening.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6000 + ( 6000 – 5600 ) = 6400

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