Crude and commodities still bearish

Nymex crude continues its downward trend. Respect of the descending trendline would warn of further weakness, while breach of support at $92 would indicate a decline to $84/barrel*. Recovery above $100 is unlikely, with 13-week Twiggs Momentum declining below zero. Brent crude continues its consolidation above $105, reflecting global supply constraints. Breach of $105 would warn of a down-trend.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 92 – ( 100 – 92 ) = 84

Commodities also continue their primary down-trend, encouraged by a falling Shanghai Composite Index. Bullish divergence on Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, warns that a bottom is forming. Breach of the descending trendline would strengthen the signal — as would recovery of Momentum above zero. Breakout above 128 would signal a primary up-trend: a bullish sign for resources stocks.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Dollar and Treasuries likely to lift Gold

Spot gold continues to test support at $1300/ounce. Failure of support would visit the primary level at $1200/ounce, while respect would test $1440. Breach of the downward trend channel indicates the primary trend is slowing, but recovery above $1440, and a primary up-trend, seem some way off — as does recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero.

Spot Gold

The two-hourly chart shows breakout above resistance at $1330. Retracement that respects the new support level would signal a rally to test $1375, improving the chances of a bottom.

Spot Gold

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index broke primary support at 80.50, warning of a primary down-trend. Follow-through below 80 would confirm. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak at zero also suggests a down-trend. A falling dollar would boost gold prices. Recovery above 81 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes broke support at 2.70 percent, warning of another test of 2.40 percent. Penetration of the rising trendline would strengthen the signal. Falling treasury yields are also likely to lift precious metal prices (because of the lower opportunity cost).

10-Year Treasury Yields

Crude Oil

Nymex light crude broke support at $103/barrel and its rising trendline, warning that the up-trend is slowing. A test of medium-term support at $98/barrel is now likely. The wider spread with Brent Crude is an indication of 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 124 despite a resilient Shanghai Composite Index. Recovery above 130 is unlikely, but would confirm the earlier double-bottom reversal and a primary up-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

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

Commodities rise as the Dollar falls

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index is testing primary support at 80.50. Bearish divergence on weekly Twiggs Momentum warns of a primary down-trend and breach of support at 80.50 would confirm. Respect of support and recovery above 82, however, would indicate an up-swing to 84.50.
Dollar Index

Crude Oil

Nymex WTI light crude broke resistance at $108/barrel, as the Syrian conflict threatens to escalate. Expect an advance to $118/barrel*. Reversal below $108 is most unlikely, but would signal another test of the rising trendline. Brent crude similarly broke through $110, offering a target of $120.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 108 + ( 108 – 98 ) = 118

Commodities

Copper is headed for a test of $7500/tonne. Respect of resistance would indicate another test of long-term support at $6600/$6800. Upward breakout and penetration of the descending trendline would suggest the primary down-trend is ending, while breach of support at $6600 would signal continuation. Momentum oscillating mainly below zero still favors a down-trend.
Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index
The Shanghai Composite Index bear rally continues, causing a lift in commodity prices. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index completed a double-bottom reversal, with breakout above 130, offering a target of 135*. Penetration of the descending trendline also suggests the primary down-trend has ended.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

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

Be cautious, however, as the Shanghai Composite faces resistance at 2150. Reversal below the rising trendline would warn of another primary down-swing; confirmed if support at 1950 is breached.
Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Crude oil falls

Both Brent Crude and Nymex Light Crude are falling, with signs that the global economy is slowing and that tensions with Iran are easing. Brent is close to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level and a fall below $110/barrel would test primary support at $100. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn of a primary down-trend — and confirm a European recession. Recovery above $115 remains as likely, however, and would suggest a new primary advance.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers Weekly Chart

Nymex WTI Light Crude has already penetrated its rising trendline and support at $103/barrel. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would strengthen the bear signal. Failure of support at $96 would confirm a primary down-trend — and warn of US recession.

Nymex WTI Light Crude Weekly Chart

Commodity prices and the S&P 500

The CRB Commodities Index is testing primary support at 295 and respect of the zero line (from below) by 63-day Twiggs Momentum warns of another primary decline. Target for a breakout would be 265*. Divergence between commodities and the S&P 500 suggests that stocks are over-priced, with the Fed doing its best to depress bond yields and pump up stock prices ahead of the November election.

CRB Commodities Index and S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 295 – ( 325 – 295 ) = 265

Commodity and stock prices diverge

We had an interesting discussion last week about the correlation between commodities and stocks. The weekly chart below shows how CRB Commodities Index closely tracks the S&P 500 — except in times of extreme volatility like 2007/2008. We  are now witnessing another divergence, with the CRB headed for a test of primary support at 295 while the S&P 500 strengthens. Does weak demand for commodities indicate that stocks are over-priced as in 2007?  The Fed has been doing its best to depress bond yields, pumping up stock prices ahead of the November election. It is too early to tell what the outcome will be, but we need to monitor this relationship through the year.

CRB Commodities Index v. S&P 500 Index

The divergence between Brent Crude and Nymex Light Crude, from early 2011, continues. Both are in a primary up-trend, however, and breakout above the 2011 Nymex high would threaten the still fragile US recovery, offering a long-term target of $140/barrel. Brent is currently testing medium-term support at $115, but respect of this would also confirm a primary up-trend.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers v. Nymex WTI Light Crude Weekly Chart