Gold follows through

The Gold Bugs Index followed through above 225 after breaking its descending trendline, suggesting that a bottom is forming. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum strengthens the signal. Reversal below 210 is unlikely, but would re-test primary support at 190.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot gold similarly followed-through above 1280, suggesting a bottom. Again, bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum strengthens the signal. Another retracement to find support is likely before there is a serious attempt at the September 2013 high of 1430, which would complete a large double bottom. Reversal below 1240 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 1180.

Spot Gold

Silver is likely to follow gold. Breakout above $20.50 would suggest another test of $25.00/ounce.

Spot Silver

Gold and silver bottom?

The Gold Bugs Index broke its descending trendline on the weekly chart and shows a bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum. Both suggest reversal to a primary up-trend, but first we are likely to see a re-test of support at 190. Respect of 190 followed by recovery above the recent high at 225 would strengthen the reversal signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Spot gold displays a similar penetration of the descending trendline and bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, suggesting that a bottom is forming. Follow-through above 1280 would strengthen the signal. Reversal below 1240, however, would warn of another test of primary support at 1180. Breach of 1180 is unlikely, but would offer a target of 1000*.

Spot Gold

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

The silver chart, consolidating above primary support at $18/ounce, is mimicking gold. Recovery above $20.50 would also suggest that a bottom is forming.

Spot Silver

Gold: $1200 next?

Spot gold consolidating in a narrow band below support at $1250/ounce suggests a test of $1200. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum peak below zero strengthens the signal. Breakout below the June low ($1200) would confirm a primary down-trend. Recovery above $1260 is unlikely, but would indicate a rally to $1350.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1250 – ( 1350 – 1250 ) = 1150

Silver broke through support at $20.50/ounce and is headed for a test of primary support at $18/ounce. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would confirm.

Spot Silver

Often a leading indicator of spot prices, the Gold Bugs Index, representing un-hedged gold stocks, broke primary support at 210 to signal a primary down-trend. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Gold Bugs Index

Dollar Index

The yield on ten-year Treasury Notes retreated below 2.75. Breakout would signal a fresh primary advance, with a target of 3.50 percent* (breakout above 3.00 percent would confirm). Reversal below the rising trendline is less likely, but would warn of trend weakness and another test of 2.50. Higher yields would help strengthen the dollar.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 3.00 + ( 3.00 – 2.50 ) = 3.50

The Dollar Index retraced to test the new support level at 80.50. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Momentum peak below zero would warn of a primary down-trend. Breach of primary support at 79 would confirm. Breakout above 81.50 remains as likely, however, and would indicate an advance to 84*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 81.5 + ( 81.5 – 79 ) = 84

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar would increase downward pressure on gold.

Crude Oil

Nymex crude is undergoing a strong correction and is likely to test primary support at $85/$86 per barrel. Reversal of 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero warns of a primary down-trend. Brent crude is rising despite an easing of tensions with Iran. The primary reason for the divergence is supply. Iain Armstrong, oil analyst at Brewin Dolphin, earlier in the year explained that Brent is effectively a global brand — affected by global issues of supply/demand — while Nymex is a “local” brand and benefits from plentiful shale oil in the US.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodity Prices

A resurgent Shanghai Composite Index is supporting commodity prices. Recovery of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index above 126 would indicate a bear trap. A peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, warns of a continuing down-trend. Respect of the resistance level, as indicated by follow-through below 122, would signal a decline to 114*.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 124 – ( 134 – 124 ) = 114

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

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

Gold consolidates as dollar and commodities fall

Gold is consolidating in a narrow range between $1300 and $1350/ounce. Penetration of the descending trendline indicates that a bottom is forming. Reversal below $1300 would suggest another test of primary support at $1200, but breakout above $1350 is as likely and would target $1400.

Spot Gold

A rally to $1400 would test the long-term descending trendline as shown on the monthly chart.

Spot Gold

Spot silver has made a weaker rally over the last month and breakout below the rising flag would warn of another decline, with a target of $16.50*. Declining silver would be a bearish sign for gold.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 19.5 – ( 21.5 – 18.5 ) = 16.5

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index found short-term support at 81.50. Penetration would indicate a test of primary support at 80.50. Recovery above 82.50 is unlikely, but would suggest the correction is over. Another 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero would indicate the primary up-trend is intact. Breakout above 84.50 is some way off, but would signal an advance to the 2009/2010 highs around 90.00.
Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Crude Oil

Nymex WTI light crude is retracing after a sharp rally and is likely to find support between $98 and $100/barrel. Expect the spread with Brent crude to narrow as the US recovery outstrips Europe.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

* Target calculation: 98 + ( 98 – 86 ) = 110

Commodities

Copper is testing long-term support at $6800/ton. Follow-through below $6700 would confirm another primary decline.
Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index
Commodity prices are primarily driven by Chinese demand. With the Shanghai Composite Index testing its 2012 low (1950), breakout would signal a decline to its 2008 low (1660) and drag commodity prices lower. Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index breach of long-term support at 125/126 would confirm, targeting its 2009 low at 100*. Not good news for Australian resources stocks, even if the impact is cushioned by a falling Aussie Dollar.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 125 – ( 150 – 125 ) = 100

Gold and commodities fall as the dollar rises

Gold is falling fast, but should find short/medium-term support at $1200/ounce*. Breach of that level would offer a target of $1000.

Spot Gold

* Target calculations: 1350 – ( 1500 – 1350 ) = 1200;  1500 – ( 1800 – 1500 ) = 1200

Silver similarly offers a target of $16/ounce*.
Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index respected its primary trendline at 80.50 and is headed for another test of 84. The 13-week Twiggs Momentum trough above zero suggests a strengthening up-trend. Target for a breakout would be the 2010 high at 89*.

Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 79 ) = 89

Crude Oil

Crude is range-bound, with Nymex WTI retreating after a false break above resistance at $98/barrel and Brent testing support at $100. The spread has narrowed to $6 and is likely to close further as the US economy recovers faster than Europe. Brent is in a down-trend, while Nymex continues to threaten a primary up-trend, reflecting the stronger US economy.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

The Dow Jones/UBS Commodity Index is falling hard, more in sympathy with gold than with crude, as the dollar strengthens. A rapidly weakening Chinese economy is likely to drag commodity prices even lower. Breakout below long-term support at 125/126 would offer a target of the 2009 low at 100*.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

* Target calculation: 125 – ( 150 – 125 ) = 100

Gold falls while Treasury yields rise

Gold is testing primary support at $1340/ounce. Breach of support would signal another primary decline, while follow-through below $1320 would confirm.

Spot Gold
Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero indicates a healthy primary down-trend. Breach of primary support would offer a target of $1100*.
Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1300 – ( 1500 – 1300 ) = 1100

Silver displays a similar down-trend on the monthly chart, offering a target of $16/ounce*.
Spot Silver

* Target calculation: 26 – ( 36 – 26 ) = 16

Dollar Index

The Dollar Index respected its primary trendline at 80.50 on the weekly chart. Recovery above 81.50 would indicate another test of 84. Declining peaks on 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, suggest a weak up-trend. Failure of support at 80.50 would warn of another test of primary support at 79.

Dollar Index

Treasuries

Treasuries fell, with yields rising sharply after today’s FOMC announcement. Target for the advance of 10-year Treasury Yields is 2.60%*.

10-Year Treasury Yields

* Target calculation: 2.10 + ( 2.10 – 1.60 ) = 2.60

Crude Oil

Crude is rising despite the stronger dollar, with Nymex WTI breaking resistance at $98/barrel and Brent testing resistance at $106. The spread between the two has narrowed to around $8 and is likely to close further as the US economy recovers faster than Europe. Follow-through of Nymex crude above $100/barrel would confirm a primary up-trend, reflecting a stronger US economy — if the dollar is strengthening.

Brent Crude and Nymex Crude

Commodities

The Dow Jones/UBS Commodity Index, assisted by crude oil, found support at 130 on the weekly chart. Expect a test of the declining trendline at 134, but the primary trend is down and, with China weakening, a test of  primary support at 125/126 remains likely.

Dow Jones UBS Commodities Index

Gold retreats

Spot gold is consolidating after retreating below $1600/ounce on the hourly chart. Breach of short-term support at $1590 would warn of a down-swing to test medium-term support at $1550 — and primary support at $1500.

Spot GoldOn the monthly chart we can see that breach of $1500 would signal a primary down-trend. A 63-day Twiggs Momentum fall below -10% would also suggest a primary down-trend, while reversal above zero would suggest further ranging between $1500 and $1800.
Spot Gold

Silver is also headed for a test of primary support — at $26/ounce — but 63-day Twiggs Momentum respect of -10% would continue the long-term bullish divergence, suggesting a new up-trend.
Spot Gold

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend. We may be in a low-inflation/deflationary environment right now but how long will it take for central bank expansionary policies to overcome this? Watch out for bear traps. Respect of primary support around $1500 could present a buying opportunity.

Crude Oil

Jeremy Grantham (GMO) reminds us, in a recent BBC interview, not to underestimate the importance of crude oil. Crude represents roughly half of the cost (extraction, shipping, etc.) of other major commodities traded, but crude oil itself also represents half of the value of all commodities traded. When crude prices rise they do serious harm to the global economy.

Brent Crude retreated below support at $117/barrel, on concerns over the global economy. Expect medium-term support at $90/barrel for Nymex and $112/barrel for Brent crude (the green line) but only failure of primary support at $84 and $106 would signal a primary down-trend. Falling crude would be a bearish sign for gold: demand for gold increases when crude rises.

US Dollar Index

Gold and commodities rising

Gold is forming a base between $1650 and $1700/ounce on the daily chart. Upward breakout would offer an initial target of $1750/ounce. Oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum close to the zero line indicates consolidation but beware of a peak below zero — or reversal below $1650 on the spot chart — which would warn of another down-swing.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1700 + ( 1700 – 1650 ) = 1750

Silver displays a similar long-term pattern to gold, albeit with a sharper spike in 2011. Bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum suggests an up-trend. Breakout above $35/ounce ($1800 in the case of gold) would signal a long-term advance.

Silver

Brent and Nymex crude both threaten an upward breakout from their recent consolidation — which would signal a primary advance to their 2012 highs.

Crude Oil

Commodity prices are also improving, with Dow Jones-UBS Commodity index displaying a bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Breakout above 150 would complete an inverted head and shoulders reversal with a target of 175. Rising commodities — other than gold and oil where other factors need to be considered — would suggest a recovering global economy and further gains for stocks in the year ahead.

US Dollar Index

* Target calculation: 150 + ( 150 – 125 ) = 175