Gold, Silver and Treasury yields

10-Year Treasury yields retraced from resistance at 2.0% this week but rising Trend Index troughs indicate upward pressure on yields. Breakout above 2.0% would strengthen the signal. Higher long-term rates would increase the opportunity cost of holding Gold, reducing demand.

10-Year Treasury Yields

China’s Yuan penetrated its descending trendline against the Dollar. Similarities between the two patterns (above and below) suggest that China is reducing purchases of Treasuries, increasing upward pressure on yields.

Chinese Yuan CNY/USD

Rising yields would normally strengthen demand for the Dollar. Instead, declining Trend Index peaks warn of long-term selling pressure.

Dollar Index

Gold found short-term support at $1450/ounce but further rises in Treasury yields would increase the selling pressure highlighted by declining peaks on the Trend Index.

Gold (USD/ounce)

Silver broke support at $17.00/ounce, with an even steeper fall on the Trend Index warning of a further decline on Silver and Gold.

Silver (USD/ounce)

Australia’s All Ordinaries Gold Index continues its downward trend channel, headed for secondary support at 6000. Declining Trend Index peaks again warn of strong selling pressure. Respect of 6000 would signal that the primary up-trend is intact, while breach and a test of primary support at 5400 would again warn of trend weakness.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience

Gold is in a long-term up-trend. A correction may offer an attractive entry point but we first need to confirm that the up-trend is intact before increasing exposure to gold stocks.

Gold plunges

Gold broke support at $1490/ounce, the base of a bearish descending triangle. A sharp drop on the Trend Index warns of strong selling pressure. Respect of secondary support at $1350 would signal that the primary up-trend is intact, while a test of primary support at $1270 would warn of trend weakness.

Gold (USD/ounce)

Silver similarly broke support at $17.50/ounce, with an even steeper fall on the Trend Index warning of a strong decline, confirming the Gold signal.

Silver (USD/ounce)

The cause of the sharp fall is clear: long-term Treasury yields are rising, increasing the opportunity cost of holding Gold. 10-Year Treasury yield breakout above 2.0% would warn of an up-trend, with an initial target of 2.50%.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The All Ordinaries Gold Index continues its downward trend channel, towards secondary support at 6000. Declining Trend Index peaks again warn of selling pressure. Respect of 6000 would signal that the primary up-trend is intact, while a test of primary support at 5400 would again warn of trend weakness.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required

Gold is in a long-term up-trend and a correction may offer an attractive entry point. But we first need to confirm that the up-trend is intact before increasing exposure to gold stocks.

Gold’s hidden correction

There is a lot going on in global financial markets, with a Dollar/Eurodollar shortage forcing the Fed to intervene in the repo market. The Fed will not, on pain of death, call this QE. But it is. The only difference is that the Fed is purchasing short-term Treasury bills rather than long-term notes and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The effect on the Fed’s balance sheet (and on Dollar reserves held by primary dealers) is the same.

Fed Assets

The effect on the Dollar has been dramatic, with a sharp dip in the Dollar Index. Interesting that this was forewarned by a bearish divergence on the Trend Index since June this year. Financial markets knew this was coming; they just didn’t shout it from the rooftops.

Dollar Index

Gold and precious metals normally surge in price when the Dollar weakens, to be expected as they are priced in USD, but Gold was already weakening, testing support at $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD compared to Real 10-Year Treasury Yields

Silver was similarly testing support at $17.50/ounce.

Spot Silver

The falling Dollar has supported Gold and Silver despite downward pressure from other sources. In effect we have a “hidden” correction, with falling precious metal values obscured by falling unit values. Just as surely as if we had reduced the number of grams in an ounce….

Support for the Dollar would likely result in Gold and Silver breaking support, signaling a correction.

Australia’s All Ordinaries Gold Index, where the effect of the weakening greenback is secondary, has already broken support at 7200 after a similar bearish triangle (to Gold and Silver). Breach warns of another decline. Expect support at 6000.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required. Gold is in a long-term up-trend, with a target of the 2012 high at $1800/ounce. A correction would offer an attractive entry point.

Gold: Reasons for the up-trend

Gold is in a medium- to long-term up-trend. Apart from record central bank purchases of bullion and a weakening Chinese Yuan, real long-term interest rates are declining.

The chart below highlights the inverse relationship between gold and real long-term interest rates (10-year Treasury yield minus CPI YoY%). When LT interest rates fall, gold prices surge.

Spot Gold in USD compared to Real 10-Year Treasury Yields

Treasury yields are falling because the Fed is cutting short-term interest rates but, more importantly, because QE has resumed. With the ECB driving bond yields into the negative, demand for Treasuries is surging.

The Fed has also reversed course, expanding their balance sheet after the recent liquidity squeeze forced them to resume overnight repos.

Fed Total Assets and Excess Reserves on Deposit

Our target for Gold is the 2012 high of $1800/ounce.

A weak rally strengthens the bearish argument for China’s Yuan, suggesting continuation of the primary down-trend.

CNYUSD

The Yuan is in a long-term down-trend against the Dollar that shows no signs of easing. Resolution of trade tensions is unlikely. Trade is merely the tip of the iceberg in a far wider clash between two global powers with conflicting ideologies which is likely to continue for decades.

Gold is testing support at $1495/ounce. Breach would warn of a correction.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is similarly testing support. Breach of $17.50/ounce is likely and would warn of a correction, with Gold expected to follow.

Spot Silver in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index is trending lower. Breach of 7200 would warn of another decline, with a short-term target of 6500.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Patience is required. Gold remains in a long-term up-trend and a correction may offer a sound entry point.

Gold: The rally continues

The Dollar Index is testing resistance at 98; breakout would offer a target of 100. The stronger Dollar has softened demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Silver is retracing to test its new support level after breakout above $16. Respect of support at $16 would signal an advance to $17.50. Gold and silver tend to move in unison.

Spot Silver in USD

The Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, is retracing after a strong rally. A correction of short duration would be a bullish sign, suggesting another advance.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot Gold continues to consolidate above short-term support at $1400, indicating buying pressure. Upward breakout is likely and would offer a medium-term target of $1500/ounce.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold at a watershed

Silver found short-term support at $14.50/ounce but declining Trend Index peaks indicate selling pressure and a test of primary support at $14 is likely.

Spot Silver in USD

Gold, by contrast, has found strong support at $1280/ounce, refusing to give way despite concerted selling. Breach of 1280 would signal a test of primary support at 1180 but recovery above 1300 becomes increasingly likely the longer that support holds.

Spot Gold in USD

A rising Dollar would weaken demand for Gold but the Dollar Index has met strong resistance between 97 and 98. Follow-through above 98 would signal a fresh advance but a fall below 97 would be bullish for Gold.

Dollar Index

10-Year Treasury yields have also broken support at 2.4% offering a short-term target of 2.2%. Falling Treasury yields have a depressing effect on the Dollar and boost demand for Gold (by lowering the opportunity cost).

10-Year Treasury Yield

Gold is therefore at a watershed. Breach of strong support for Gold at $1280 would be a strong bear signal but respect would be a bullish sign, suggesting another advance. Probability is still favor of the bearish scenario but the bull case is strengthening.

 

 

Gold retreats as the Dollar strengthens

China’s Yuan fell sharply against the Dollar on imposition of tariffs by the US. Expect a test of primary support.

Chinese Yuan/US Dollar

The Dollar index strengthened. Follow-through above 98 would signal a fresh advance. The long-term target is 100.

Dollar Index

10-Year Treasury yields are testing support at 2.40%. Breach would offer a target of 2.20%. Rate hikes are a distant memory.

10-Year Treasury Yield

Gold continues to test medium-term support at $1280/ounce. The tall shadow on this week’s candle warns of selling pressure; as does the Trend Index peak at zero. Breach of support would signal a test of primary support.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver continues to fall, heading for a test of primary support at $14. Declining Trend Index peaks indicate selling pressure.

Spot Silver in USD

Gold is likely to follow.

Gold and Silver break support

The Dollar index retracement respected support at 97.50, confirming the advance. Follow-through above 98.00 would further strengthen the signal. Target for the advance is 100.

Dollar Index

10-Year Treasury yields penetrated the descending trendline, signaling that a base is forming around 2.50%. Rising troughs on the Trend Index also indicate support. Higher yields strengthen demand for Dollars.

10-Year Treasury Yield

The stronger Dollar is weakening demand for Gold. Declining Trend Index peaks warn of selling pressure. Spot Gold broke support at $1280/ounce, warning of a correction with a target of primary support at $1180.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver likewise broke support, at $15/ounce. Expect a test of primary support at $14.

Spot Silver in USD

The broad DJ-UBS Commodity Index continues to trend lower, in support of precious metals. Breach of primary support at 77 would warn of another decline.

DJ-UBS Commodity Index

Gold and Silver threaten fall

Silver closed at $14.965/ounce, threatening a break below medium-term support at $15/ounce. Follow-through would warn of a test of primary support at $14. Declining Trend Index peaks flag selling pressure.

Spot Silver in USD

Spot Gold is testing the base of its descending triangle, at $1280/ounce, and is likely to follow Silver lower. The bearish triangle and declining Trend Index peaks warn of selling pressure. Breach of $1280 would offer a target of primary support at $1180.

Spot Gold in USD

Gold descending triangle

The Dollar continues to test resistance at 97.50, threatening a breakout. A strengthening Dollar weakens demand for Gold.

Dollar Index

Spot Gold has formed a descending triangle, testing medium-term support at $1280/ounce. The bearish formation and declining Trend Index warn of selling pressure. Breach of $1280 would offer a target of primary support at $1180.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is likewise testing medium-term support at $15/ounce, warning of a decline to $14.

Spot Silver in USD