Gold finds support at $1200

Spot gold recovered above the former primary support level at $1200/ounce despite low inflation and the stronger Dollar. I would attribute demand to rising uncertainty in the global economy, with falling oil prices, political turmoil in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and the potential for a currency war with competing currency debasement (QE) between Japan, China and the EU.

Spot Gold

Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum suggests a recovery. Breakout above $1250 would indicate a rally to $1400. But reversal below $1200 remains as likely and would warn of a decline to $1000. Respect of the TMO zero line (from below) would strengthen the bear signal.

Gold and Inflation

The Dollar Index is testing long-term highs at 90. Breakout is likely and would suggest a strong bull trend.

Dollar Index

One reason is falling inflation expectations, with the Breakeven Rate (5-year Treasury yield minus equivalent TIPS yield) testing its 5-year low. Further falls would increase pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates.

Breakeven Rate

A strong Dollar and low inflation both weaken gold prices. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum, below zero, suggests a strong down-trend. Follow-through below $1180/ounce would confirm this.

ASX 200 daily

Stronger dollar, weaker gold

Ten-year Treasury Note yields retreated below 2.30%, signaling another test of primary support at 2.00%. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero suggests a continuing down-trend. Recovery above 2.40% is unlikely, but would warn of a rally to 2.65%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.30 – ( 2.60 – 2.30 ) = 2.00

The Dollar Index is testing resistance at its 2008/2010 highs between 88 and 90. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum indicates a healthy (primary) up-trend. Expect retracement or consolidation below resistance, but failure of support at 84 is unlikely.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89.00

Gold

Low inflation and a strong dollar reduce demand for gold. Low interest rates reduce the carrying cost of gold, but the appeal is muted when inflation expectations remain low. Gold is testing its new resistance level at $1200/ounce. Respect is likely and would confirm a long-term target of $1000*. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero indicates a strong down-trend.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Falling crude threatens gold

Nymex Light Crude broke long-term support at $76/barrel, signaling a further decline. Sharply falling 13-week Twiggs Momentum reinforces this. Brent crude is in a similar down-trend. Long-term target for WTI is $50/barrel*.

Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 80 – ( 110 – 80 ) = 50

Supply is booming and OPEC members appear unwilling to agree on production cuts [Bloomberg]. Goldman Sachs project WTI prices of around $74/barrel in 2015 [Business Insider], but the following chart of real crude prices (Brent crude/CPI) suggests otherwise.

Nymex Crude

Prior to the 2005 “China boom”, the index seldom ventured above 0.2. The subsequent surge in real crude prices produced two unwelcome results. First, higher prices retarded recovery from the 2008/2009 recession, acting as a hand-brake on global growth. The second unpleasant consequence is a restored Russian war chest, financing Vladimir Putin’s geo-political ambitions.

I suspect that crude prices are not going to reach the 2008 low of close to $30/barrel, but the technical target of $50 is within reach. Given the propensity of gold and crude prices to impact on each other, the bearish effect on gold could be immense.

Gold breaks key support level

A monthly chart of Gold shows the breach of support at $1200/ounce, offering a long-term target of $1000*. Another 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Retracement that respects the new resistance level at $1200 would confirm. Recovery above 1200 is unlikely.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Crude Oil

Crude is also falling — in response to the rising Dollar as well as expanding supply. The long-term target for Brent crude is $60*.

Brent Crude

* Target calculation: 90 – ( 120 – 90 ) = 60

…And $50/barrel for Nymex Light Crude. Follow-through below $75 would confirm the down-trend.

Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 80 – ( 110 – 80 ) = 50

Commodities

Copper is below its 2011 low of $6800/tonne, reflecting weak demand from China. Follow-through below $6600 would confirm a primary down-trend.

Copper

Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index has already broken support at 125, suggesting a test of its 2009 low at 100.

Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index

Gold breaks support

Gold broke support at $1200/$1180 per ounce, signaling another (primary) decline. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero strengthens the signal. The long-term target is $1000*. Recovery above 1200 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Gold breaks support

Gold broke support at $1200/$1180 per ounce, signaling another (primary) decline. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero strengthens the signal. The long-term target is $1000*. Recovery above 1200 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Gold – further falls likely

Low interest rates increase demand for gold by lowering the carrying cost. A rising dollar, however, has the opposite effect.

Gold respected resistance at $1250/ounce, confirming the primary down-trend. Another 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Breach of primary support at $1180 would offer a long-term target of $1000*. Recovery above 1250 is unlikely, but would test the descending trendline around $1300.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, fell sharply since breaching long-term support at 190. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum (below zero) signals a strong primary decline. Bearish for gold.

Gold Bugs Index

The price of gold adjusted for inflation (gold/CPI) remains relatively high and further falls are likely.

Gold adjusted for CPI

Gold Bugs and Silver warn of further weakness

Low interest rates strengthen demand for gold as they reduce the carrying cost. A rising dollar, however, would reduce demand.

Gold encountered stubborn resistance at $1250/ounce. Respect would confirm the primary down-trend. Another 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal. Breach of primary support at $1180 would offer a long-term target of $1000*. Recovery above $1250 is unlikely, but would test the descending trendline around $1300.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, broke long-term support at 190, signaling another primary decline. Gold is likely to follow.

Gold Bugs Index

Silver failed to rally in concert with gold, instead consolidating in a narrow range which suggests further weakness. Another bearish sign for gold.

Silver

Bears eye gold

Gold is testing resistance at $1250/ounce after a two-week retracement. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum (below zero) continues to indicate a primary down-trend. Respect of resistance at $1250 would confirm this. And breach of primary support at $1180 would offer a long-term target of $1000*.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Silver has already broken long-term support, signaling another primary decline. Gold is likely to follow.

Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is also testing long-term support (at 190). Breach of support would strengthen the bear signal for gold.

Gold Bugs Index