Gold encounters resistance as Dollar finds support

Spot gold ran into resistance at $1800/ounce and is testing medium-term support at $1700. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs momentum above zero signals a primary up-trend but we will not have confirmation until there is a clear break through $1800.
Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The Dollar Index is conversely testing support at 78.00. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum may be slowing but the dollar remains in a primary up-trend. Respect of support would signal continuation — and weaker demand for gold.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold tests $1800/ounce

Spot gold is testing resistance at $1800/ounce on the weekly chart after completing a small flag to signal continuation of the up-trend. Breakout would signal a primary advance to $2100*. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + (1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The US Dollar Index remains weak as inflation expectations rise. Failure of medium-term support at 78.50 would warn of trend weakness, while recovery above 80.00 would indicate trend strength. Target for a breakout above 81.50 would be 85.00*.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold hesitates on dollar strength

Spot gold displays a small flag consolidation, suggesting continuation of the advance to test $1800/ounce. Breach of the descending trendline indicates that the down-trend has ended and breakout above $1800 would signal an advance to $2100*. Respect of the zero line by 63-day Twiggs Momentum would strengthen the signal. A strengthening dollar, however, would weaken demand for gold.
Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The US Dollar Index found support above 78. Recovery above 80 would indicate another test of resistance at 82. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum continues to signal a strong up-trend. Breakout above 82 would confirm the target of 85*.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold up-trend not yet confirmed

Spot gold is consolidating below resistance at $1800. Until we have a breakout there is no confirmation that gold has started a new up-trend. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would warn indicate weakness.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 -1500 ) = 2100

US Dollar Index continues to decline, boosting gold and commodities. Respect of the rising trendline would confirm the primary up-trend — as would a trough on 63-day Twiggs Momentum that finishes above the zero line.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold rallies as dollar weakens

Spot gold is headed for a test of resistance at $1800 after breaching the descending trendline on the weekly chart, indicating that a bottom is forming. Breakout above $1800 would complete a double bottom reversal, with a target of $2100*. Respect of $1800 remains as likely, however, and would indicate another test of primary support at $1500.

Index

* Target calculation: 1800 + ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 2100

The Dollar Index is weakening in anticipation of QE3 ahead of the November 2012 elections. The primary trend remains upward, though breach of the rising trendline, and/or reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero, would warn that a top is forming.

Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Gold & Commodities: Copper breakout as dollar weakens

The US Dollar Index has retraced to test medium-term support at 79.50. Respect would confirm a strong primary up-trend, while failure would suggest trend weakness. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero still indicates a primary up-trend, but breach of the rising trendline warns that the up-trend is slowing. A weakening dollar is likely to cause stronger commodity prices.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

The weekly chart shows spot gold testing its descending trendline. Respect would indicate another test of primary support at $1500/ounce, while breakout would suggest that a bottom is forming. Reversal of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would complete an iceberg pattern, warning of a primary down-trend. The bull-trend of the last few years was driven by quantitative easing (QE1 and QE2) from the Fed. We are unlikely to see another bull-trend without QE3.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1600 – ( 1800 – 1600 ) = 1400

Copper broke through resistance at $8000/tonne, completing a higher trough and signaling a primary up-trend. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. The primary up-trend in this bellwether commodity suggests an economic recovery is under way.

Copper A Grade

* Target calculation: 8000 + ( 8000 – 7200 ) = 8800

The broader CRB Commodities Index, however, lags behind. Breach of the descending trendline indicates a base is forming, but only recovery above 325 would signal a primary up-trend. Cross-over of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the bull signal.

CRB Commodities Index


Brent crude is also forming a base, after breaching its descending trendline. Breakout above 115 would signal the start of a primary up-trend.

Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 115 + ( 115 – 105 ) = 125

Dollar tests support while gold hints at new base

The US Dollar Index retraced to test support at 79.50/80.00. Respect would confirm the primary up-trend, signaling an advance to 85.00*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Spot Gold is testing resistance at $1700 and the descending trendline. Breakout would indicate that the down-trend has ended and the metal is forming a base.

Spot Gold


Commodities also appear to be forming  a base, with the CRB Commodities Index testing resistance at 315 after piercing the descending trendline. Recovery above 325 would complete a double-bottom reversal. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above the zero line would also be a bullish sign.

CRB Commodities Index

Spot gold finds support

Spot gold found support at $1500/ounce. Failure of this level would confirm a primary down-trend. Breach of the descending trendline would indicate that a base is forming, while recovery above $1800 would indicate a fresh primary advance to $2300*. We are unlikely to witness another bull-trend, however, unless the Fed introduces QE3.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1500 ) = 2300

Dollar breakout causes gold tremors

The Dollar Index broke through resistance at 80.00, signaling a primary advance to 85.00. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum indicates a strong up-trend.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

The stronger dollar caused spot gold to weaken, testing the band of support between $1550 and $1600/ounce.

Spot Gold

Gold is also testing the lower trend channel on the weekly chart. Cross of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a trend reversal. Failure of support at $1550 would confirm a primary down-trend.

Spot Gold Weekly

* Target calculation: 1600 – ( 1800 – 1600 ) = 1400

CRB Commodities Index is similarly testing support at 292. Breakout would offer a target of 265*.

CRB Commodities Index

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

Brent Crude is testing medium-term support at $105/barrel. Failure would indicate a test of the lower trend channel.

ICE Brent Afternoon Markers

Some readers questioned why gold and stocks are falling simultaneously — one normally rises when the other falls. A possible explanation is that expectation of quantitative easing, both from the Fed and ECB, has been supporting both markets. As prospects of QE recede, inflation forecasts will be lowered and demand for inflation-hedge assets (stocks and commodities) will fade. We should see a corresponding rise in bond prices (and falling yields) as a result.

Safe haven demand for dollar and gold eases

The Dollar Index is testing support at 78.00. Narrow consolidation above the support level indicates weakness. Recovery above 79.00 would relieve this, while failure of support would warn of another test of primary support at 75.00.  Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum, well above zero, however, suggests continuation of the up-trend.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

Spot gold is also weak as safe haven demand for both the yellow metal and the dollar has eased. Reversal below $1670 would signal another test of primary support at $1600. Declining 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests further weakness but the long-term outlook remains bullish with the indicator comfortably above the zero line.

Spot Gold

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

Increased tensions with Iran are supporting the price of Brent Crude above $105/barrel. Narrow oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around the zero line indicates uncertainty. Failure of support (and respect of the descending trendline) would indicate another primary decline with a target of $85*. Breach of primary support at $99 would confirm.

ICE Brent Crude Afternoon Markers

* Target calculation: 100 – ( 115 – 100 ) = 85

The CRB Commodities Index respected its descending trendline, suggesting a primary decline to $265*. Follow-through below short-term support at $305 would strengthen the signal, while breach of primary support at $295 would confirm. The Aussie Dollar and Canada’s Loonie both closely follow commodity prices and can be expected to follow the CRB index lower.

CRB Commodities Index

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