Tag Archives: US Dollar Index

Back in the Range

Model Gold Portfolio: Neutral, last signal 12/01 “exit long”

CTM141216Technical Read: On Dec 15th gold fell back in the trading range (approx. 112-117.3, GLD basis). The 16th featured considerable intra-day volatility. Trading over the last couple of days and Dec 8th suggest that the 114 level may be the rallying point of a local bottom, however recent technical work does not confirm this yet. No signal.

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – The currency world was rocked today when the Central Bank of Russia hiked rates a stunning 650 basis points today. The increase came without warning and puts the county’s interest rate at 17%.The move is seen as an act of desperation to prop up the ruble. Russia’s currency is under considerable pressure during the plunge in crude (Western sanctions are a lessor factor). The US dollar fell in the aftermath and this is bullish for gold.
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 broke south of near-term support (approx. 2040). Big cap equities have been under the cloud of a looming deflationary storm. Uncertainty out of Russia is not improving things either. Anything resembling panic selling is going to be positive for gold on a short-term basis (longer-term deflation is not a positive for many asset classes).
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com

Gold trading signals, GLD Trading signals, Gold Technical Read, Model Gold Portfolio,

Stop Hunting?

Model Gold Portfolio: Neutral, last signal 12/01 “exit long”

CTM141211Technical Read: On Dec 9th gold popped, breaking above the recent trading range (approx. 112-117.3, GLD basis). My technical indicators had not registered that the market had enough energy to do this in a sustained way. The following 2 days the market drifted back. So the situation is the yellow metal is just above the recent range but technical work is not confirming the breakout. No signal.

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – The US dollar trend is generally up, though we have seen selling in recent days. The market mood is supportive for the greenback. This is bearish for gold.
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 had really unusual action this week. After making a new high, the market sold off the 8th then attempted to drop off the next day but buyers came to the rescue before the close. The next two trading sessions (10th and 11th) featured significant intra-day selling. The index is currently resting on support (approx. 2030). If this does not hold, lower S&P prices will be supportive for gold.
  • Catalyst 3 – Crude oil dropped below $60 today. Previously, pundits had signaled a floor near $70. If you look at a 5-year chart, you cannot help but be struck by the fact that all support has been violated and that the recent move has a parabolic theme to it. This energy cost reduction is going to act as a tax-cut for almost everyone and provide a stimulus effect, possibly giving cover for the Fed to end QA. But looking at the 5-year chart, you may feel a drop in temperature, like when a summer storm rolls in suddenly and drops the mercury. Does this mean deflation is on its way?
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com

Still in the range

Model Gold Portfolio: Neutral, last signal 12/01 “exit long”

CTM141208Technical Read: Gold is going back and forth inside the range (approx. 112 to 117, GLD basis). The present technical read does not indicate enough energy (preponderance of sellers or buyers) to bust out the channel. So, we are back to the waiting game.

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – The US dollar has broken out of its recent trading range. The currency back drop of US economic out performance is a key factor. The National Association for Business Economics posted an upbeat forecast for US GDP in 2015: 3.1%. Estimates for Europe and Japan are closer to 1%. This is bearish for gold.
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 dropped off today. Overall, the trend is still up and this week featured new highs. This is mildly negative for Gold.
  • Catalyst 3 – Two pro-democracy hunger strikers in Hong Kong withdrew. At least one cited health reasons behind the capitulation. The protests began in earnest over two months ago. Short-term the movement may be waning, but Is there a longer-term cycle at work here? Is the groundwork laid for future pro-democracy gains in Hong Kong and China?
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com

A New range?

Model Gold Portfolio: Neutral, last signal 12/01 “exit long”

CTM141203Technical Read: Gold looks to be forming a new trading range based on the recent high/low established over the last 4 trading days. Using the GLD ETF as a proxy, the range would be 117 to 112 (approx.) Today’s closing price of 116.33 puts the indicator near the high end of the range. Can it push further north now? Technically, probably not.

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – The US dollar is breaking out of its trading range. Global growth problems in Japan and Europe are looming factors. A resumption of the dollar uptrend is negative for gold. With gold near-term overbought, this should argue against gold going much higher.
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 rallied the last two trading session. This makes it seem like big-cap equities are not ready to roll-over yet. Mildly negative for Gold.
  • Catalyst 3 –The world watches as crude prices plunge lower, below the psychologically important $70 level. Expectations are for US output to increase during 2015. Can OPEC rally to put the breaks on the slide? Sunni/Shite relations are not high. This is negative for commodities in general, and gold as well.
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com

Power Play on the Bears!

Model Gold Portfolio: Neutral, today “exit long” (previous signal was “Long” on 11/20)

CTM141201Technical Read: Gold was slammed during holiday thinned (a new phrase) trading on Friday but the bears’ dominance was decisively crushed with a substantial rally today. GLD is above our entry level (11/20) but now short-term overbought. Readings indicate it is time to go neutral (exit longs).

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – Friday’s gold crash did not manage to coincide with a dollar breakout (this was a clue to the “brief” aspect of the selloff). The US Dollar index is still in its trading range, so a positive for gold
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 had a downside reversal today as well. The uptrend is still in effect but the strength is starting to wane. Mildly positive for Gold.
  • Catalyst 3 – Moody’s (credit rating agency) cut Japan’s credit rating from AA3 to A1. US credit rating agencies don’t really have the reputation for great forward insight. Still, taken for what it is, another asset class on the ropes, mildly positive for gold.
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com

Still No Selling!

Model Gold Portfolio: Long, 11/20 (Today’s chart was produced intra-day so the closing price pictured is not really the official close).

CTM141125Technical Read: GLD drifted higher from our bullish trend change signal. The current position continues to feature limited selling and thus would lead one to conclude higher prices for the yellow metal are ahead. I wish a happy Thanksgiving to the Mummy watchers!

Backdrop:

  • Catalyst 1 – The US Dollar Index bounced to the upper end of the recent trading range but failed break out and is selling back down to the lower end of the range. A well behaved dollar (not trending higher) is positive for gold.
  • Catalyst 2 – The S&P 500 has moved north of its previous range. This is mildly bearish for gold.
  • Bond Trading Signals. I am offering a similar Mummy process for Treasuries. See the “Bond Trading Signals” tab for more info.

GH Garrett – Veteran Commodity Watcher for ConquerTheMummy.com