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.
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.
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.
Silver was similarly testing support at $17.50/ounce.
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.
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.
