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

Asia: India breaks out, ASX near target

India’s Sensex broke out above its 2007 and 2010 highs at 21000. Expect retracement to test the new support level. Respect would signal a primary advance with a target of 24000*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 20500 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to primary support at 18000.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 21000 + ( 21000 – 18000 ) = 24000

Japan’s Nikkei 225 again respected resistance at 15000. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term selling pressure. Breakout above 15000 would signal an advance to 17500*, but reversal below the October low is more likely and would test primary support at 13200, penetration of the rising trendline warning of trend weakness.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 15000 + ( 15000 – 12500 ) = 17500

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is heading for another test of long-term resistance at 3300. Breakout would signal a primary advance to 3600*. But 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend and reversal below the rising trendline would strengthen the signal. Breach of support at 3000 would confirm a primary down-trend.

Straits Times Index

* Target calculation: 3300 + ( 3300 – 3000 ) = 3600

China’s Shanghai Composite is consolidating below resistance at 2150/2160. Breakout below 2100 would signal a correction to primary support at 1950, while recovery above the upper trend channel at 2200 would suggest another advance; follow-through above 2250 confirming a primary up-trend. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term selling pressure, but respect of the zero line would suggest long-term support.

Shanghai Composite Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is again testing resistance at 23500 on the weekly chart. Breakout would signal a primary advance, with a medium-term target of 24500 and a long-term target of 28000*. Follow-through above 24000 would confirm. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure; a trough above zero would strengthen the signal. Reversal below 22500 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to 21500 or the primary trendline.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 24000 + ( 24000 – 20000 ) = 28000

The ASX 200 found short-term support at 5390, short retracement suggesting buying pressure. Penetration of the descending trendline on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, after a mild bearish divergence, would confirm this. Breakout above 5450 would test 5500, exceeding the target for the current advance. Respect of resistance remains as likely, however, and would warn of a correction to 5250/5300; confirmed if support at 5390 is broken. In the longer term, another Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would suggest a healthy primary up-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5300 + ( 5300 – 5150 ) = 5450

Will dollar support stem gold & silver rise?

The Dollar Index found support at the 2012 low of 79 and is likely to test resistance at 80.50. Respect would confirm the primary down-trend, with a medium-term target of 77.50*. Breakout above 80.50 is unlikely, but would indicate strong support. The falling dollar is expected to boost gold and commodity prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 79 – ( 80.5 – 79 ) = 77.5

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes found support at 2.50 percent and is expected to rally to test the descending trendline at 2.60 percent. Respect would signal a decline to 2.40 percent. Falling yields depress the dollar while lowering the opportunity cost of holding precious metals; both increasing upward pressure on gold. Respect of primary support at 2.40, 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 is testing resistance at $1350/ounce. Breakout would indicate a primary advance to $1600*, while follow-through above $1425 would confirm. Respect of resistance is less likely, but would warn of another test of primary support at $1250.

Spot Gold

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

Silver is similarly testing resistance at $22.50/ounce. Follow-through above $23 would indicate a primary advance — confirmed if resistance at $25 is broken — while a fall below $22 would re-test primary support.

Spot Silver

Crude Oil

Nymex crude below medium-term support at $98/barrel and 13-week Twiggs Momentum crossing to below zero both warn of reversal to a primary down-trend. But recovery above resistance at $103 would negate this. 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, a primary driver of commodity prices, continues to offer mixed signals. The Shanghai Composite Index recovered above medium-term support at 2150, suggesting another test of the upper trend channel. A failed swing, or downward breakout from the trend channel, would warn of correction to test primary support at $1950; a bearish sign for commodity prices.

Shanghai Composite Index

Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index continues to test medium-term support at 126. Breach would indicate a test of the primary level at 124. Recovery above 130 still seems more likely — and would signal a primary up-trend. A 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero, however, would warn of a continuing down-trend.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

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

Copper prices, bellwether for the global economy, tested 2011 lows at $6800/tonne over the last few months. Prices are now rallying to test resistance — and the descending trendline — at $7500/tonne. Breakout would signal a primary up-trend, as would recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero; a bullish sign for the global economy.

Copper

Shanghai weakens, ASX unaffected

China’s Shanghai Composite index broke support at 2150, signaling a correction to test primary support at 1950. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates selling pressure. Follow-through below 2100 would confirm. Recovery above 2150 is less likely, but would suggest a bear trap.

Shanghai Composite Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 respected resistance at 15000. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term selling pressure. Monday has so far posted gains and breakout above 15000 would signal an advance to 17500*, but reversal below the October low is as likely and would test primary support at 13200. Penetration of the rising trendline would warn of trend weakness.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 15000 + ( 15000 – 12500 ) = 17500

India’s Sensex respected its 2007 and 2010 highs at 21000, retracing to test support at 20500. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure and breakout above 21000 would offer a long-term target of 24000*. Reversal below 20500 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 18000.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 21000 + ( 21000 – 18000 ) = 24000

The ASX 200 posted a strong blue candle on Monday, but mild bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns the index is nearing its target and is due for retracement to test support at 5250/5300. In the longer term, however, troughs above zero reflect a healthy primary up-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5300 + ( 5300 – 5150 ) = 5450

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

Asian recovery bullish for ASX

India’s Sensex is testing long-term resistance at its all-time high of 21000. Expect retracement to test the new support level at 20500. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure and breakout above 21000 would offer a long-term target of 24000*. Reversal below 20500 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 18000.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 21000 + ( 21000 – 18000 ) = 24000

Rising troughs on Japan’s Nikkei 225 weekly chart suggest buying pressure; 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above 30% would strengthen the signal. Breakout above 15000 would signal an advance to 17500*. Reversal below 14000 is unlikely, but would warn of a bull trap.

Nikkei 225

* Target calculation: 15000 + ( 15000 – 12500 ) = 17500

China’s Shanghai Composite is consolidating below resistance at 2250. Reversal below the lower channel border at 2180, however, would warn that the trend is slowing and breach of support at 2150 would signal another correction. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates short-term selling pressure, but oscillation above the zero line indicates buyers are dominant in the longer term.

Shanghai Composite Index

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is testing resistance at 23500 on the weekly chart. Breakout would be a strong bull signal, offering a target of 25500*. Follow-through above 24000 would confirm the advance. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow suggests medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 22750 is unlikely, but would indicate a correction to 21500.

Hang Seng Index

* Target calculation: 23500 + ( 23500 – 21500 ) = 25500

Rising Asian markets are bullish for the ASX. The ASX 200 index followed through above 5300, confirming an advance to 5850*. Expect retracement to test the new support level at 5250/5300. Failure of support is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5250 + ( 5250 – 4650 ) = 5850

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

China & India bouyant, Japan weakens

Japan’s Nikkei 225 broke short-term support at 14300, indicating a correction to 13000. Penetration of the rising trendline would warn that momentum is slowing, while breach of 13000 would signal a primary down-trend. Earlier bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warned of a reversal; decline below recent lows at 15% would strengthen the signal.

Nikkei 225

China’s Shanghai Composite followed through today above the (secondary) declining trendline, suggesting a rally to test resistance — and the upper trend channel — at 2330. A 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would indicate medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 2150 is unlikely, but would indicate another test of primary support at 1950.

Shanghai Composite Index

India’s Sensex is consolidating below resistance at 20400 — a bullish sign. Breakout above 20400 would signal another primary advance, but reversal below 19400 is as likely, and would warn of another test of 18000. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would indicate long-term buying pressure.

Sensex

* Target calculation: 18500 – ( 20500 – 18500 ) = 16500

China recovery

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing support at 2150 and the lower trend channel. Recovery above the descending trendline would suggest another rally, while failure of support would warn of a correction to primary support at 1950. The index hints at long-term recovery but further confirmation is necessary.
Shanghai Composite Index

The Harper Petersen Index, from ship brokers Harper Petersen & Co., indicates that shipping rates for container vessels remain depressed, suggesting a sluggish global trade in manufactured goods. Exporters like China would be severely affected.

Harper Petersen Index

The Baltic Dry Index — reflecting dry bulk shipping rates for commodities like iron ore and coal — jumped sharply, however, reflecting an upturn in demand for bulk commodities.
Baltic Dry Index

Bulk commodity prices remain depressed according to the RBA.
RBA Bulk Commodity Prices
But export volumes are rising, in step with the Baltic Dry Index, reflecting strong demand from infrastructure development.
RBA Bulk Commodity Exports

WSJ reports that monthly electricity consumption has reached a new high:

China on Tuesday posted an all-time record-high electricity output level of 498.7 billion kilowatt-hours in August, rising 13% from a year earlier.

Monthly fluctuations should largely be ignored because of weather variation — excessively hot months like August can boost electricity demand — but the rising long-term trend in electricity consumption (chart from IndexMundi) suggests a robust recovery. A recovery led primarily by infrastructure investment rather than manufactured exports may well prove unsustainable in the long-term, but should provide welcome relief to the resources sector in the next few years.
Electricity Consumption