Nymex WTI Light Crude Archives - Page 7 of 8

April 3, 2013

Gold tests key support level

Spot gold is testing primary support at $1500 to $1550. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary trend reversal. Failure of support at $1500 would confirm.

Spot Gold
The daily chart shows penetration of support at $1550. Recovery above the support level would warn of a bear trap — confirmed if there is a breakout above the February high at $1620 — but follow-through below $1500 would signal the start of a bear market.

Spot Gold

I don’t like the look of this:

Probability of gold entering a primary down-trend is rising. Watch out for bear traps, but failure of primary support at $1500 would confirm a primary down-trend.

Dollar Index

The stronger dollar contributes to weaker gold prices. Breakout of the Dollar Index above 84.00 would signal an advance to 89.00/90.00. Rising momentum suggests continuation of the primary up-trend.

Crude Oil

Brent Crude respected support at $106/barrel, while Nymex Crude breakout above $98/$99 would confirm a primary up-trend. Rising crude prices would inhibit the global recovery.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

Commodity prices continue to diverge from stocks, with the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index headed for a test of support at 126. Weaker commodities suggest that the S&P 500 advance is unsustainable.

March 27, 2013

Gold Bugs warn of weakness

The Gold Bugs Index ($HUI) representing un-hedged gold stocks has under-performed spot gold since the GFC in 2008, with a safe-haven premium priced into the metal. But $HUI diverged strongly in mid-2012, commencing a strong primary down-trend while spot gold continues to range above support (at $1500/ounce).

On the weekly chart spot gold continues to test resistance at 1620 — and the upper trend channel. Failure to break out would threaten primary support at $1500 to $1550. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero already warns of a primary down-trend and failure of support at $1500 would confirm; a TMO peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold

Conclusion:

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend, but substantial outflows from gold ETFs in recent months highlight investors returning to the stock market. Inflation is muted, with central bank expansionary policies merely counteracting deflationary pressures from credit contraction. Opportunities for another bull run on gold appear distant — unless a major catastrophe sparks more QE — but respect of primary support would signal further ranging between $1500 and $1800.

Dollar Index

A stronger dollar contributes to weaker gold prices. Breakout of the Dollar Index above 84.00 would signal an advance to 89.00/90.00. Rising momentum suggests continuation of the up-trend.

Crude Oil

Brent Crude is falling in response to the contraction in Europe, while Nymex Crude breakout above $98/barrel would signal a primary up-trend in response to a reviving US economy. Reversal of Brent Crude below $106/barrel would signal a primary down-trend, narrowing the price gap between the two continents.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is in a primary down-trend, headed for another test of the 2012 low at 126. Divergence between the index and S&P 500 suggests that the rise in equities does not reflect a recovery in the US manufacturing base — and may be prone to failure if manufacturing does not respond.
Commodities

March 14, 2013

Gold finds support while the Dollar rises

Spot gold is testing primary support at $1500 to $1550. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum warns of a reversal and failure of support at $1500 would confirm. A Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold
On the weekly chart we can see respect of support at $1550 is likely to be followed by a rally to test the February 26 high at $1620. That is likely to be followed by a re-test of support at $1550 but breakout above $1620 and the trend channel would indicate an advance to $1800.

My conclusion is similar to last week:

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend. We may be in a low-inflation/deflationary environment right now but central bank expansionary policies will counteract this. Watch out for bear traps. Respect of primary support around $1500 could present a buying opportunity.

Dollar Index

A stronger dollar contributes to weaker gold prices. Breakout of the Dollar Index above 84.00 would signal an advance to 89.00/90.00. Rising momentum suggests continuation of the up-trend.

Crude Oil

A long-term view shows Brent and Nymex Crude ranging at far higher prices than in the lead up to the GFC. High crude prices continue to inhibit the global recovery. Breakout of Nymex above $100/barrel and Brent Crude above $120 would signal a primary up-trend — and more bad news for the recovery — while failure of primary support at $84 and $106/barrel, respectively, would signal a primary down-trend.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index found support at 126, but……
Commodities

The Continuous Commodity Index has already broken its equivalent support level. Respect of resistance at 29 would confirm another down-swing to test the June 2012 lows. The Dow Jones-UBS Index would most likely follow.
Continuous Commodities Index

March 7, 2013

Gold tests $1550/ounce

Spot gold is consolidating between $1570 and $1585/ounce on the 2-hourly chart. Upward breakout would re-test the February 26 high at $1620. Downward breakout would test support at $1550.

Spot Gold
This can be seen on the weekly chart, where respect of support at $1550 would test the upper trend channel at $1620. Breakout would indicate that the correction is over. Failure of support would warn that the long-term up-trend is over and follow-through below $1500 would confirm a primary down-trend.
Spot Gold
My conclusion is the same as last week:

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend. We may be in a low-inflation/deflationary environment right now but how long will it take for central bank expansionary policies to overcome this? Watch out for bear traps. Respect of primary support around $1500 could present a buying opportunity.

Crude Oil

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude continue to weaken but, for the moment, remain in a primary up-trend.retreated below support at $117/barrel, on concerns over the global economy. Failure of primary support at $106 and $84/barrel, respectively, would signal a primary down-trend. Falling crude would be a bearish sign for gold: demand for gold increases when crude rises.

US Dollar Index

February 27, 2013

Gold retreats

Spot gold is consolidating after retreating below $1600/ounce on the hourly chart. Breach of short-term support at $1590 would warn of a down-swing to test medium-term support at $1550 — and primary support at $1500.

Spot Gold On the monthly chart we can see that breach of $1500 would signal a primary down-trend. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum fall below -10% would also suggest a primary down-trend, while reversal above zero would suggest further ranging between $1500 and $1800.

Silver is also headed for a test of primary support — at $26/ounce — but 63-day Twiggs Momentum respect of -10% would continue the long-term bullish divergence, suggesting a new up-trend.
Spot Gold

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend. We may be in a low-inflation/deflationary environment right now but how long will it take for central bank expansionary policies to overcome this? Watch out for bear traps. Respect of primary support around $1500 could present a buying opportunity.

Crude Oil

Jeremy Grantham (GMO) reminds us, in a recent BBC interview, not to underestimate the importance of crude oil. Crude represents roughly half of the cost (extraction, shipping, etc.) of other major commodities traded, but crude oil itself also represents half of the value of all commodities traded. When crude prices rise they do serious harm to the global economy.

Brent Crude retreated below support at $117/barrel, on concerns over the global economy. Expect medium-term support at $90/barrel for Nymex and $112/barrel for Brent crude (the green line) but only failure of primary support at $84 and $106 would signal a primary down-trend. Falling crude would be a bearish sign for gold: demand for gold increases when crude rises.

US Dollar Index

February 7, 2013

Gold and commodities rising

Gold is forming a base between $1650 and $1700/ounce on the daily chart. Upward breakout would offer an initial target of $1750/ounce. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum close to the zero line indicates consolidation but beware of a peak below zero — or reversal below $1650 on the spot chart — which would warn of another down-swing.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1700 + ( 1700 – 1650 ) = 1750

Silver displays a similar long-term pattern to gold, albeit with a sharper spike in 2011. Bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests an up-trend. Breakout above $35/ounce ($1800 in the case of gold) would signal a long-term advance.

Silver

Brent and Nymex crude both threaten an upward breakout from their recent consolidation — which would signal a primary advance to their 2012 highs.

Crude Oil

Commodity prices are also improving, with Dow Jones-UBS Commodity index displaying a bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Breakout above 150 would complete an inverted head and shoulders reversal with a target of 175. Rising commodities — other than gold and oil where other factors need to be considered — would suggest a recovering global economy and further gains for stocks in the year ahead.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 150 + ( 150 – 125 ) = 175

December 5, 2012

Weaker commodities threaten down-turn

Commodities remain weak despite the softer dollar, with the DJ-UBS Commodity Index hovering above support at 140 on the weekly chart. Breach of support would test the primary level at 125/126, warning of a global economic down-turn. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would also suggest a down-trend.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

The gap between Nymex WTI Light Crude and ICE Brent Crude Middle East widened to $24/barrel as a result of tensions in the Middle East. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero suggests a primary down-trend despite the weaker dollar.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

November 29, 2012

Gold long tail as dollar retreats

Yesterday’s long tail on the spot gold daily chart indicates support at $1700 per ounce. Recovery above $1750 would signal another test of $1800. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum well above zero continues to indicate a healthy up-trend. A weakening dollar would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1700 ) = 1900

The Dollar Index (weekly chart) is testing medium-term support at 80. Failure would threaten a head-and-shoulders reversal. Breach of primary support at 78.50 would offer a target of 74*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero already suggests a primary down-trend. Recovery above 81.50 is unlikely but would indicate an advance to 84.

US Dollar Index

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

The DJ-UBS Commodity Index (weekly chart) respected support at 140, helped by the weaker dollar. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero suggests a primary up-trend but reversal would re-test primary support at 126.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Nymex WTI Light Crude and ICE Brent Crude both trend downwards but the gap between the two is widening. Middle East tensions affect Brent Crude supply more than its West Texas cousin. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm: WTI at $78 per barrel and Brent Crude at $90.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

November 22, 2012

Gold strengthens as dollar retreats

Long tails on the last two days of the spot gold daily chart indicate strong support at $1700 per ounce. Breakout above $1740 would indicate another test of $1800. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum well above zero suggests a healthy up-trend. A weakening dollar would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1700 ) = 1900

The Dollar Index (weekly chart) retreated below resistance at 81. Follow-through below 80 would test primary support at 78.50, while failure of primary support would complete a head-and-shoulders reversal with a target of 74*. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum holding below zero already suggests a primary down-trend. Breakout above 81.50 is unlikely but would indicate an advance to 84.

US Dollar Index

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

The DJ-UBS Commodity Index (weekly chart) respected support at 140. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero suggests a primary up-trend. A weakening dollar would strengthen the signal, while breakout above 152 would confirm. Breach of 140 is unlikely but would test primary support at 126.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Nymex WTI Light Crude and ICE Brent Crude are both trending downward. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak at zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm: WTI at $78 per barrel and Brent Crude at $90.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

November 16, 2012

The Gold-Euro-Dollar conundrum Part II

Last week we discussed conflicting signals from the euro and US dollar. The Dollar Index and the euro are normally plotted inversely to each other. I have reversed this on the chart below. As expected, with the euro the largest component (57.6 percent) of the dollar index weighted basket of currencies, there is a strong correlation. Divergences between the two seldom last as traders “arbitrage” the differences.

The rising Dollar Index is testing resistance at 81.50. Respect of resistance would threaten a head-and-shoulders reversal — with a target of 74* — following a breakout below primary support at 78.50. Falling 63-day Twiggs Momentum, below zero, already suggests a primary down-trend. But recovery above 81.50/82.00 would negate this, indicating another primary advance.

US Dollar Index

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

Spot gold (daily chart) is testing short-term support at $1700 per ounce. Respect of support would reinforce the earlier trendline break, suggesting another test of $1800. But a stronger dollar and failure of support at $1675 would indicate a more severe correction.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1700 ) = 1900

The DJ-UBS Commodity Index (weekly chart) continues to test support at 140. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would indicate a primary up-trend. Recovery above 152 would confirm. A stronger dollar and breach of 140, however, would test primary support at 126.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Nymex WTI Light Crude and ICE Brent Crude are both headed for a test of primary support: WTI at $76/$78 per barrel and Brent Crude at $90. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend.

Nymex WTI Light Crude