The Euro is testing resistance at $1.32 and its descending trendline. Upward breakout would warn the primary down-trend is ending. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero indicates a primary up-trend. Breakout above the 2012 high of $1.35* would strengthen the signal, but only a higher trough of several weeks would confirm.
* Target calculation: 1.275 + ( 1.275 – 1.20 ) = 1.35
Pound Sterling is correcting to support around €1.22 against the Euro. Breach of the rising trendline would warn the primary up-trend is ending, while retreat of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero would suggest a primary down-trend.
Canada’s Loonie is testing the new support level against the greenback at $1.02. Respect of support would confirm the primary up-trend indicated by long-term bullish divergence on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Target for the advance is $1.08* but expect resistance at the 2011 highs of $1.06.
* Target calculation: 1.02 +( 1.02 – 0.96 ) = 1.08
The Aussie Dollar respected resistance at $1.06 against the greenback, retreating to test support at $1.04 on the daily chart. Respect of support is likely and follow-through above $1.05 would indicate another test of $1.06. The 63-day Twiggs Momentum trough above zero signals a primary up-trend. Breakout above $1.06 would confirm. Expect resistance at $1.075/$1.08, but target for an advance is $1.10*.
* Target calculation: 1.06 + ( 1.06 – 1.02 ) = 1.10
The Aussie Dollar is testing resistance at ¥83.50 against the Japanese Yen. Recovery of 63-Day Twiggs Momentum above zero indicates a primary up-trend. Breakout would signal an advance to ¥88*. Reversal below ¥79.50 is unlikely but would re-test primary support at ¥74.
* Target calculation: 84 + ( 84 – 80 ) = 88
A few readers objected to my view that the RBA should intervene to prevent further appreciation of the Australian Dollar. One reason cited is that the RBA is not strong enough to stand up to global capital markets and would eventually be forced to capitulate. I disagree. If you are printing your own money you can take on all-comers. The SNB demonstrated this by preventing depreciation of the euro against the Swiss Franc, pegging the rate at 1.20 CHF for the last year.
The second argument was that “the market knows best” and any interference would cause more problems than it solves. My answer to that is that capital markets are subject to huge ebbs and flows, some determined by trade fluctuations but primarily caused by speculative flows and deliberate strategies by other central banks. If the RBA fails to act, local industry exposed to international competition may be irreparably damaged by loss of international markets and being under-cut in local markets by cheap imports. When the tide eventually turns, and the dollar weakens, it would be difficult to restore those industries if key capital equipment and skilled jobs have been lost.
The US is a perfect example: China and Japan hold more than $2 trillion in US treasury investments which helped to suppress appreciation of their currencies against the greenback, maintaining a trade advantage which cost the US millions of manufacturing jobs. It will be difficult to restore those industries lost even if the imbalance is corrected.
