Enough to make Gazputin grin

  • Chinese stocks drift lower
  • Crude oil rising
  • Other commodities weak

China’s Shanghai Composite Index continues to drift lower on the long-term, monthly chart.

Shanghai Composite Index

Apart from crude oil, commodity prices have fared little better. But crude plays such a dominant role in most commodity indices that they appear more buoyant. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index rallied to 140 before retracing for another test of primary support. Oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Momentum around zero, however, does not suggest a significant trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Crude oil is doing a lot better, heading for another test of $110/barrel on the back of supply threats from geo-political tensions. The ascending triangle is very large, but breakout would suggest a long-term target of the 2008 high at $145*.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 110 + ( 110 – 75 ) = 145

…Enough to make even Gazputin grin.

Vladimir Putin

Read more at Bloomberg, June 2013: Gazprom’s Demise Could Topple Putin

Crude and commodities retrace

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is again retracing to test support at 133/134, but is clearly in a primary up-trend (with breakout above 134 following earlier recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero). Target for the advance is 144*. Reversal below 133 is unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 134 + ( 134 – 124 ) = 144

Crude oil, the most highly-traded commodity, is also retracing, with Nymex Light Crude headed for a test of primary support at $98/barrel*. Breach of support would signal a primary down-trend. Respect of support would indicate another test of $105. Brent crude, while declining slightly, would need to penetrate support at $104/barrel to signal a down-trend.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 105 + ( 105 – 98 ) = 112

Gold support at $1200

Gold

The long tail on this week’s candle reflects buying support for spot gold at $1200/ounce. Recovery above $1250 would suggest another rally to $1350. But the 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a down-trend. And breach of primary support at $1200 would confirm.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Often a leading indicator of spot prices, the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, continues in a primary down-trend after breaking support at 210. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes broke through medium-term resistance 2.75, suggesting a primary advance to 3.50 percent*. Breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm. Reversal below the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of trend weakness and another test of 2.50. Higher yields are likely to strengthen the dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

The Dollar Index shows evidence of strong support at 80.50, consolidating in a narrow band between 80.50 and 81.00 over the last 2 weeks. Upward breakout would suggest a primary advance; confirmed if resistance at 81.50 is broken. Breach of support at 80.50 remains as likely and would warn of another test of primary support at 79.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81.5 + ( 81.5 – 79 ) = 84

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar would increase downward pressure on gold.

Crude Oil

Nymex crude penetrated its downward trendline but this first bear rally may not be the last. Expect resistance between $98 and $100/barrel. Respect remains likely and would indicate another test of support at $92. Brent crude reflects global supply constraints and is likely to find strong support at $100/barrel.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

A rising Shanghai Composite Index is supporting commodity prices. Recovery of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index above 126 would indicate a bear trap. Breakout above 130 would suggest reversal to a primary up-trend; and cross-over of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance at 126 and a primary decline now appear unlikely.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Gold: $1200 next?

Spot gold consolidating in a narrow band below support at $1250/ounce suggests a test of $1200. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Breakout below the June low ($1200) would confirm a primary down-trend. Recovery above $1260 is unlikely, but would indicate a rally to $1350.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Silver broke through support at $20.50/ounce and is headed for a test of primary support at $18/ounce. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm.

Spot Silver

Often a leading indicator of spot prices, the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, broke primary support at 210 to signal a primary down-trend. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes retreated below 2.75. Breakout would signal a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent* (breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm). Reversal below the rising trendline is less likely, but would warn of trend weakness and another test of 2.50. Higher yields would help strengthen the dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

The Dollar Index retraced to test the new support level at 80.50. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at 79 would confirm. Breakout above 81.50 remains as likely, however, and would indicate an advance to 84*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81.5 + ( 81.5 – 79 ) = 84

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar would increase downward pressure on gold.

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction and is likely to test primary support at $85/$86 per barrel. Reversal of 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Brent crude is rising despite an easing of tensions with Iran. The primary reason for the divergence is supply. Iain Armstrong, oil analyst at Brewin Dolphin, earlier in the year explained that Brent is effectively a global brand — affected by global issues of supply/demand — while Nymex is a “local” brand and benefits from plentiful shale oil in the US.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

A resurgent Shanghai Composite Index is supporting commodity prices. Recovery of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index above 126 would indicate a bear trap. A peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, warns of a continuing down-trend. Respect of the resistance level, as indicated by follow-through below 122, would signal a decline to 114*.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Rising interest rates drive gold through support

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes followed through above 2.75, indicating a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent*. Breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero (recovery above say 30%) would strengthen the signal. Reversal below the rising trendline is unlikely, but would warn of another test of 2.50.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

Dollar Index

Rising interest rates would strengthen the dollar. The Dollar Index rallied off support at 79 on the monthly chart, suggesting a test of 84. Breach of the rising trendline, however, still warns of trend weakness, and 13-week Twiggs Momentum respect of the zero line (from below) would strengthen the signal.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 84 – 79 ) = 74 or 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Gold

Rising interest rates and a stronger dollar weaken gold. Spot gold broke support at $1250/ounce, signaling a primary down-trend. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Follow-through below the next support level, the June low of $1200, would confirm. Recovery above $1260 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero warns of reversal to a primary down-trend; a peak below the zero line would strengthen the signal. Expect strong support at $85/$86 per barrel. Respect of support would mean that Nymex remains in a primary (albeit weak) up-trend. Diverging Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

Copper prices, bellwether for the global economy, respected resistance at $7400/$7500 per tonne and are heading for another test of the 2011 lows at $6800/tonne. Downward breakout would signal a primary down-trend, as would completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero. Recovery above the descending trendline would be a bullish sign for the global economy, while breach of support at $6800 would be bearish.

Copper

China is a primary driver of commodity prices and a strengthening Shanghai Composite Index has slowed the fall in commodity prices. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index broke primary support at 124, but is consolidating in a narrow range below the former support level. Recovery above 124 would be a bullish sign, while follow-through below 122 would indicate a decline to 114*. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would also suggest a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Gold tests key support as the dollar rises

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes rallied off support at 2.50 percent. Follow-through above 2.75 would indicate a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Respect of resistance is unlikely, but would warn of another test of 2.50.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

Dollar Index

Rising interest rates would strengthen the dollar. The Dollar Index respected support at 79, suggesting a rally to resistance at 84. Breach of the rising trendline, however, still warns of trend weakness, and 13-week Twiggs Momentum respect of the zero line (from below) would strengthen the warning.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 84 – 79 ) = 74

Gold

Rising interest rates and a stronger dollar would weaken gold. Spot gold is testing primary support at $1250/ounce. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend; breach of $1250 would strengthen the signal, while follow-through below the June low of $1200 would confirm. Respect of support at $1250 is less likely, but would indicate another test of $1350.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Silver is similarly testing support at $20.50/ounce. Breach would signal a decline to $18/ounce. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a primary down-trend.

Spot Silver

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero warns of reversal to a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at $86/barrel would confirm. Until then, however, Nymex remains in a primary up-trend. Diverging Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

China is a primary driver of commodity prices and a weakening Shanghai Composite Index is driving commodity prices lower. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index broke primary support at 124, offering a target of 114*. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero also suggests a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

Dollar falls and gold rises

The Dollar Index respected resistance at 80.50, breaking below 80 to confirm a primary decline. Breach of the 2012 lows at 79 would confirm a long-term target of 76.50*. The falling dollar is boosting gold prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80.5 – ( 84.5 – 80.5 ) = 76.5

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes broke through support at 2.60 percent, heading for primary support at 2.40 percent. Falling yields depress the dollar while lowering the opportunity cost of holding precious metals, exerting upward pressure on gold. Respect of primary support, however, would warn of an advance to 3.60 percent.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.40 ) = 3.60

Gold

Spot gold recovered above $1300 and its descending trendline on the daily chart, suggesting another primary advance. Breakout above $1350 would confirm, offering a target of 1600*. Respect of resistance, however, would warn of another test of $1250.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1425 + ( 1425 – 1250 ) = 1600

The weekly chart shows how penetration of the September high would signal a new primary up-trend. Strengthened if 13-week Twiggs Momentum crosses to above zero.

Spot Gold

Bullish divergence of 13-week Twiggs Momentum on the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, suggests a primary up-trend. Breakout above 280 would confirm.

Gold Bugs Index

Crude Oil

Nymex crude broke medium-term support at $98/barrel. Expect retracement to test the new resistance level, but respect would warn the primary up-trend is over. Divergence of Brent crude reflects both a strengthening European recovery and continued supply threats in the Middle East.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing medium-term support at 2150. Downward breakout would warn of another correction — a bearish sign for commodity prices. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index consolidation between 124 and 130 reflects indecision. Breakout will indicate future direction. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a continuing down-trend, while cross to above zero would suggest a reversal.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 130 + ( 130 – 125 ) = 135

Dollar bear trap?

The Dollar Index found support at 80. Recovery above 81 would suggest a bear trap. A peak close to zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, indicates a primary down-trend. Reversal below 80 would confirm the long-term target of 76.50*.

A falling dollar would boost gold prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80.5 – ( 84.5 – 80.5 ) = 76.5

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes threatens recovery above 2.70 percent, which would signal an advance to 3.40 percent. Failure of support at 2.60 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to 2.40 percent.

Rising treasury yields would lift the dollar, while raising the opportunity cost of holding precious metals and exerting downward pressure on gold.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.60 ) = 3.40

Gold

Spot gold continues its correction toward primary support at $1200. Follow-through below $1250 would confirm, while recovery above $1300 would suggest a higher trough and primary up-trend. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaking below zero, however, would indicate continuation of the down-trend.

Spot Gold

Crude Oil

Nymex light crude is edging lower and likely to test medium-term support at $98/barrel. Brent crude is diverging, reflecting continuing tensions over Syria.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing medium-term support at 2150. Downward breakout would warn of another correction — a bearish sign for commodity prices. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index shows evidence of a higher trough, however, and recovery above 130 would signal a primary up-trend. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum also suggests a reversal.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 130 + ( 130 – 125 ) = 135

Commodity prices: bullish divergence

Commodity prices continue to display weakness, with a tall shadow on the latest Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index weekly candle. But the Shanghai Composite Index is strengthening and bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum suggests a reversal. Recovery above 130 would signal a primary up-trend.

Rising commodity prices would be good news for resources stocks.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 130 + ( 130 – 125 ) = 135

Gold

Spot gold respected the declining trendline. Breach of short-term support at $1280 per ounce would indicate another test of primary support at $1200. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum (not shown) peak below zero would be a strong bear signal. Respect of support, followed by recovery above the recent high of $1330 is unlikely but would complete a small double-bottom, indicating the correction is over.

Spot Gold

Crude Oil

Nymex light crude followed through below $102/barrel after breaking support at $103, confirming a test of medium-term support at $98/barrel. The wider spread with Brent Crude reflects continuing tensions over Syria which threaten supply.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index is consolidating below its new resistance level of 80.50. Follow-through below 80 would confirm the primary down-trend. The 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak at zero also signals a down-trend. Recovery above 81 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

A falling dollar would boost gold prices.

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes is consolidating between 2.60 and 2.70 percent. Recovery above 2.70 would signal an advance to 3.40 percent. Failure of support, however, would warn of a test of 2.40 percent.

Rising treasury yields would raise the opportunity cost of holding precious metals, exerting downward pressure on prices.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.60 ) = 3.40

Gold breaks support

Spot gold broke support at $1300/ounce, indicating a test of the primary level at $1200/ounce. Follow-through below $1270 would confirm. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would be a strong bear signal.

Spot Gold

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index is consolidating below the recent primary support level of 80.50. Follow-through below 80 would confirm the primary down-trend. The 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak at zero also signals a down-trend. Recovery above 81 is most unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

A falling dollar would boost gold prices.

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes found short-term support at 2.60 percent. Recovery above 2.70 would signal an advance to 3.40 percent. Failure of support, however, would warn of a test of 2.40 percent.

Rising treasury yields would raise the opportunity cost of holding precious metals, exerting downward pressure on prices.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.60 ) = 3.40

Crude Oil

Nymex light crude broke support at $103/barrel and its rising trendline, warning of a test of medium-term support at $98/barrel. The wider spread with Brent Crude is an indication of continuing tensions over Syria which threaten supply.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

Commodity prices continue to fall, with the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index headed for another test of primary support at 124 despite a resilient Shanghai Composite Index. Recovery above 130 is unlikely at present, but would confirm the earlier double-bottom reversal and a primary up-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 130 + ( 130 – 125 ) = 135