ASX and the Aussie Dollar

The Aussie Dollar broke support against the US Dollar at 77 cents, warning of a decline to test long-term support between 71.50 and 72.00.

Iron ore continues to test new resistance at $62/tonne. Respect would warn of a test of primary support at $53. Declining Twiggs Trend Index indicates selling pressure.

The ASX 300 Metals & Mining index fared better, testing resistance at its three-year high of 3300. But the index is likely to follow iron ore lower. Breach of support at 3100 would warn of a decline to 2700.

The ASX 300 Banks index retreated from resistance at 8800. Respect warns of another test of primary support at 8000.

If banks and miners are both headed in the same direction, the index is sure to follow.

The ASX 200 continues to test resistance at 5900. Follow-through above 5920 would be a strong bull signal, indicating an advance to 6000. Reversal below 5880 would suggest retracement to test the new support level at 5800 (top of the narrow ‘line’ formed over the last four months). Twiggs Money Flow reversal below zero would be a bearish sign.

Despite the falling Dollar and iron ore, the present outlook continues to favor the bull side.

Aussie meets resistance

The Aussie Dollar met resistance at the former support level of 75 US cents, with a tall shadow on Tuesday’s shooting star candlestick pattern. Respect of resistance is likely and would warn of another test of support at 73.50. Breach of support would offer a target of 72, putting pressure on ASX stocks as international investors retreat.

The Aussie tends to take its direction from commodities. At present iron ore displays a weak rally that coincides with the rally on AUDUSD. Reversal through support at 60 is likely, and would warn of a decline to 50.

Broad commodity indexes like the DJ-UBS Commodity Index are consolidating in a rectangle, between 82 and 90 on the chart below. Commodities have been trending lower since 2011, as shown yesterday. Breakout above 90 is unlikely but would signal a primary up-trend. Breach of support is more likely and would indicate a decline to test support at the January 2016 low, between 72 and 74.

Aussie Dollar & Yen break support

Dollar strength is affecting not only gold and commodities, but even the strongest of the currency crosses.

The Aussie Dollar broke support at $0.92 against the greenback, warning of a correction. Expect support at $0.89. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero, however, suggests a primary down-trend — confirmed if primary support at $0.87 is penetrated. Recovery above $0.925 is unlikely, but would indicate a false break.

The greenback similarly broke through resistance at ¥105.50 against the Japanese Yen. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero signals a primary up-trend. Reversal below ¥105 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of ¥104.

* Target calculation: 105.5 + ( 105.5 – 101 ) = 110

The Euro is already in a primary down-trend against the Dollar. Declining 13-week Twiggs Momentum, below zero, confirms a strong down-trend. Expect support at $1.2750/$1.2800, but a rally is unlikely to break the descending trendline and resistance at $1.31.

* Target calculation: 1.35 – ( 1.40 – 1.35 ) = 1.30

Euro, Yen plunge against Dollar

The Euro broke support at $1.33, signaling a further decline against the Dollar with a target of $1.30*. Falling 13-week Twiggs Momentum, below zero, warns of a strong down-trend. Recovery above $1.35 is most unlikely, but would suggest that the down-trend is slowing.

* Target calculation: 1.35 – ( 1.40 – 1.35 ) = 1.30

The recent rally of the Euro against the Russian ruble has faltered. An economic contraction and rising tensions over Eastern Ukraine both contributed. The Euro remains in an up-trend and recovery above RUB 49 would suggest another attempt at the previous high of RUB 51. But failure of support at RUB 46 would signal a primary down-trend. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum oscillating close to zero reflects current uncertainty.

Vladimir Putin is attempting to exploit fault lines in the US/European alliance, targeting the powerful European farming and motor industry lobbies. Unauthorized incursions into Ukrainian territory by his white-painted “aid convoy” are another example, where the infringement is so apparently inoffensive that Angela Merkel will find it difficult to convince her European allies to escalate sanctions further. Failure to react will merely embolden Putin to conduct further minor infringements in defiance of the EU, confident in their response, until the Ukraine suffers “death by a thousand cuts”.

Only if the US/EU adopt an aggressive escalation, as suggested here on Defence & Freedom, are they likely to contain Russian aggression.

“…a defensive and reactionary game plan makes one predictable. The very existence of a crisis should be understood as a hint that someone used this predictability to predict the outcome of a produced crisis — and arrived at the conclusion that it’s a good idea. Aka failure of deterrence.”

Japan

As with the Euro, the Japanese Yen is also weakening against the Dollar. The Greenback broke resistance at ¥103.50, signaling a rally to test the 2013 high. Follow-through above ¥104 would confirm. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal. Reversal below ¥103 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at ¥101.

Australia

The Aussie Dollar, however, is holding its own — ranging between $0.92 and $0.95 against the US Dollar. The narrow band and 13-week Twiggs Momentum holding above zero both suggest continuation of the up-trend. Breakout above $0.95 would suggest a target of $0.97. Reversal below $0.92 is unlikely at present, but would warn of a decline to the band of support between $0.87 and $0.89.

The ASX 200, retracing slightly from resistance at 5650, is also influenced by strong foreign investment flows. Indications are predominantly bullish, including 21-day Twiggs Money Flow forming troughs above zero. Follow-through above 5660 would signal another advance, with a medium-term target of 5850. Reversal above 5550 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support.

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5450 ) = 5850

Aussie strong despite ASX

The ASX 200 broke its rising trendline and short-term support to signal a correction. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates short-term selling pressure (a trough that respects zero would be a bullish sign). Breach of 5290/5300 would warn of a test of primary support at 5050. Failure of primary support is unlikely, but would signal a down-trend. Recovery above 5460 is also unlikely at present, but would signal a fresh advance.

* Target calculation: 5450 + ( 5450 – 5300 ) = 5600

ASX 200 VIX is rising, but continues to indicate low risk typical of a bull market.

The Aussie Dollar remains strong, consolidating at $0.94 despite ASX weakness. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum signals a primary up-trend, but we may see the RBA intervene to prevent this. The RBA may need to follow the RBNZ, with macro-prudential controls, to take the steam out of the housing market (setting a maximum LVR percentage, for example) if further rate cuts become necessary.

* Target calculation: 0.93 + ( 0.93 – 0.91 ) = 0.95

Who is buying Australian stocks?

Despite a broad sell-off across global markets, the ASX 200 has stood firm, rallying into the close for the last two days. Low volumes indicate an absence of sellers, but expect strong resistance at 5450/5460. Breach of the rising trendline would warn of another test of support at 5300 and possibly a stronger correction. Breakout above 5450/5460 remains as likely and would signal an advance to 5600*. Primary support at 5050 does not at this stage appear threatened and the index remains in an up-trend.

* Target calculation: 5450 + ( 5450 – 5300 ) = 5600

A rising Aussie Dollar may be contributing to ASX resilience. Performance over the last quarter looks a lot stronger if measured in US Dollars or Japanese Yen. Breakout of the Aussie Dollar above $0.93 suggests a rally to $0.95*.

* Target calculation: 0.93 + ( 0.93 – 0.91 ) = 0.95

The weekly chart presents a more complete picture. Breach of the descending trendline and recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero (after a strong bullish divergence) both suggest that a bottom is forming, but we are a long way from commencing an up-trend.

Aussie Dollar resilient despite ASX correction

China is dragging the ASX lower despite a resilient US market. Breach of medium-term support at 5340 warns of a correction. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates selling pressure and reversal below zero would strengthen the signal. The primary trend remains upward, however, and only breach of support at 5050 would signal a reversal.

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 5800

ASX 200 VIX retreated to 13, indicating low risk typical of a bull market.

The Aussie Dollar is also proving resilient, testing resistance at $0.91 and the descending trendline despite weakness on the ASX. Upward breakout would suggest the down-trend is weakening. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would go further, signaling a primary up-trend, though only breakout above $0.97 would confirm. Reversal below medium-term support at $0.89 remains more likely, however, and would warn of another decline. Breach of primary support at $0.87 would offer a target of $0.83*.

* Target calculation: 0.87 – ( 0.91 – 0.87 ) = 0.83

Australia: Weaker Dollar will boost economic growth

….The paper, written by staffers from the RBA’s Economic Analysis Unit says that a temporary 10% depreciation in the real exchange rate for the Aussie dollar can increase growth by between a quarter and a half of a percent over 2-3 years.

Read more at RBA Modelling Shows Precisely How Much The Dollar's Fall Can Affect Australia's Economic Growth | Business Insider.

hat tip to Greg McKenna.

ASX and Aussie Dollar retreat

The Aussie Dollar retreated from resistance at $0.91 and is likely to test medium-term support at $0.89. Breach of support would test the primary level at $0.87, while respect would favor another attempt at $0.91. The primary trend is down and failure of primary support would offer a target of $0.83*.

* Target calculation: 0.87 – ( 0.91 – 0.87 ) = 0.83

The ASX 200 followed the Aussie lower, retreating below 5450 on the daily chart. Retreat of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow below zero would complete a bearish divergence, warning of a correction. Failure of support at 5350 would confirm. The primary trend remains upward and only breach of support at 5050 would signal a reversal.

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 5800

ASX 200 VIX below 15 continues to indicate low risk typical of a bull market.

Aussie dive hurts ASX

The Australian Dollar is declining after breaking primary support at $0.885, offering a long-term target of 80 cents*. Exporters and import replacement industries on the ASX will benefit from the weaker Aussie Dollar in the long-term, but the short-term impact is negative, with overseas investors retreating from the market.

* Target calculation: 0.885 – ( 0.97 – 0.885 ) = 0.80

The ASX 200 is heading for a test of support at 5200. Breach is likely and would signal a test of primary support at 5000. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates selling pressure. Recovery above 5400 is unlikely in the short-term, but would signal a primary advance, with a long-term target of 5800*.

* Target calculation: 5400 + ( 5400 – 5000 ) = 5800

Aussie Dollar leads ASX lower

The falling Aussie Dollar continues to reflect local market weakness. Breach of primary support at $0.89 against the greenback would indicate a primary decline, with a long-term target of $0.81*. The recent Twiggs Momentum peak below zero also suggests a primary down-trend. Respect of support, and recovery above the descending (orange) trendline, is unlikely but would indicate another rally.

* Target calculation: 0.89 – ( 0.97 – 0.89 ) = 0.81

The ASX 200 correction halted above medium-term support between 4900 and 5000, but there are no signs yet of a reversal. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of selling pressure. Breach of support at 4900 would warn of a test of primary support at 4650. Respect of support (4900) and Twiggs Money Flow respect of the zero line are both unlikely, but would suggest continuation of the primary up-trend.

Low values on the ASX 200 VIX continue to reflect low market risk.

Forex: Dollar and Sterling strengthen

The Euro is rallying for another test of resistance at $1.37 after finding support at $1.3350 against the greenback. Troughs above zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum suggest a healthy up-trend. Breakout above $1.37 would signal an advance to $1.40*. Respect of resistance, indicated by reversal below the secondary rising trendline, would, however, warn of a correction to the primary trendline at $1.31.

* Target calculation: 1.37 + ( 1.37 – 1.34 ) = 1.40

Sterling breakout above resistance at €1.20 signals a primary up-trend. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero strengthens the signal. Target for the advance is €1.23*. Reversal below €1.19 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of €1.1650.

* Target calculation: 1.20 + ( 1.20 – 1.17 ) = 1.23

The Greenback is likely to retrace to test the new support level at ¥101 Japanese Yen. Respect would confirm an advance with a target of ¥108*. The trough above zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum strengthens the signal. Reversal below ¥101 is unlikely, penetration of the rising trendline warning of trend weakness.

* Target calculation: 1.01 + ( 1.01 – 0.94 ) = 1.08

Canada’s Loonie broke primary support at $0.94, signaling another decline with a target of $0.915*. A peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum strengthens the signal. Recovery above $0.945 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

* Target calculation: 0.945 – ( 0.975 – 0.945 ) = 0.915

The Aussie Dollar is heading for a test of primary support at $0.89. The peak below zero on 13-week Twiggs Momentum signals continuation of the down-trend. Breakout below $0.89 would offer a long-term target of $0.81*, while respect of support would suggest a rally to $0.93. The RBA needs a weaker Aussie Dollar, without lowering interest rates, and will do all it can to assist the decline.

* Target calculation: 0.89 – ( 0.97 – 0.89 ) = 0.81

Aussie down-trend

The Aussie Dollar found short-term support at $0.91 against the greenback. Expect a rally to test the descending trendline and resistance at $0.93. Respect of the trendline is likely and would warn of a down-swing to primary support at $0.89. The peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum signals continuation of the down-trend. Breakout above $0.93 is unlikely, but would suggest that the down-trend is ending. The RBA needs a weaker Aussie Dollar, without lowering interest rates, and will do all it can to assist the decline.

* Target calculation: 0.91 – ( 0.93 – 0.91 ) = 0.89

Aussie breach of support at $1.12 against its Kiwi neighbor, warns of a primary down-trend. Retracement is likely to respect the new resistance level and would confirm the down-trend. Follow-through above $1.13 is unlikely but would warn of a bear trap. The peak below zero on 63-day Twiggs Momentum signals continuation of the down-trend. Target for the decline is $1.08*.

* Target calculations: 1.12 – ( 1.16 – 1.12 ) = 1.08

Aussie Dollar tests support

The Euro is testing support at $1.3350 against the greenback after a false break above the February high of $1.37. Penetration of the secondary trendline warns of a correction. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum, however, continues to indicate a primary up-trend. Breach of $1.3350 would test primary support and the long-term rising trendline at $1.31. Recovery above $1.37 is less likely, but would signal a fresh advance.

* Target calculation: 1.38 + ( 1.38 – 1.34 ) = 1.42

The greenback completed a higher trough against the Yen, offering a target of ¥101. Breakout above ¥101 would signal a fresh advance to ¥105. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above 5% would complete a trough above zero, continuing the primary up-trend. Reversal below support at ¥96 is unlikely, but would test primary support at ¥94.

* Target calculation: 1.01 + ( 1.01 – 0.97 ) = 1.05

The Aussie Dollar also weakened against the greenback, retracing to medium-term support at $0.93*. Respect would signal continuation of the up-trend; follow-through above $0.97 would confirm, offering a target of parity*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would strengthen the signal. Breach of support at $0.93 and a Twiggs Momentum peak below zero, on the other hand, would test primary support at $0.89. The RBA needs a weaker Aussie Dollar and will do all it can to assist the decline.

* Target calculation: 0.975 + ( 0.975 – 0.95 ) = 1.00

Forex: Euro, Sterling and Aussie Dollar strengthen

The Euro found support at $1.31, the short retracement suggesting a breakout above resistance at $1.34/$1.3450. Breakout would offer a target of $1.40*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Momentum indicates a healthy primary up-trend.

* Target calculation: 1.34 + ( 1.34 – 1.28 ) = 1.40

Sterling is doing even better, breaking through resistance at €1.19 after piercing the descending trendline. Breakout completes a double bottom reversal with a target of €1.24*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero also suggests a primary up-trend. Reversal below €1.16 would warn of a bull trap, but is most unlikely.

* Target calculation: 1.19 + ( 1.19 – 1.14 ) = 1.24

The greenback is stabilizing against the Yen after losing momentum over the last 3 months. The recent rally respected resistance at ¥100/101 and another test of ¥96 is likely. Breakout above ¥101 would offer a target of ¥106*, but failure of support at ¥96 remains as likely, and would warn of a primary down-trend.

* Target calculation: 101 + ( 101 – 96 ) = 106

Canada’s Loonie is headed for a test of the descending trendline and resistance at $0.9750. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Momentum favors a breakout, while recovery above zero would suggest a primary up-trend. Breakout would also complete a double-bottom reversal, with a target of parity*. Reversal below $0.96 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at $0.9450.

* Target calculation: 97.5 + ( 97.5 – 94.5 ) = 100.5

The Aussie Dollar also completed a double-bottom reversal against the greenback — this time on a daily chart — offering a target of $0.95*. Follow-through above $0.93 confirms the signal. Reversal below $0.92 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at $0.89.

* Target calculations: 0.92 + ( 0.92 – 0.89 ) = 0.95

The Aussie continues to weaken against its Kiwi neighbour. Respect of primary support at $1.12 and recovery above the descending trendline, however, would warn that a bottom is forming. Breakout above $1.16 would confirm, offering a target of $1.20*.

* Target calculations: 1.16 + ( 1.16 – 1.12 ) = 1.20

Forex: Euro and Aussie retreat

The Euro retreated after a false break above resistance at $1.34, suggesting a test of $1.32. Downward breakout would signal a test of primary support at $1.28, while recovery above $1.34 would indicate a primary advance to $1.40*. Momentum predominantly above zero favors an up-trend.

* Target calculation: 1.34 + ( 1.34 – 1.28 ) = 1.40

The greenback is testing the upper border of its downward channel against the Yen. Breakout above ¥98.50 would suggest the correction is over and another test of ¥101.50 likely. Respect of resistance, however, would indicate a test of primary support at ¥94; breach of support at ¥96 would confirm.

* Target calculation: 102 + ( 102 – 96 ) = 108; 94 – ( 102 – 94 ) = 86;

The Aussie Dollar retreated below $0.90 against the greenback, respect of the descending trendline suggesting another down-swing. Breach of support at $0.8850* would offer a medium-term target of  $0.86*, but the long-term target remains at $0.80*.

* Target calculations: 0.89 – ( 0.92 – 0.89 ) = 0.86; 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

Forex: Euro, Aussie and Loonie strengthen

The Euro is consolidating between $1.32 and $1.34. Upward breakout would indicate a primary advance to $1.40*, while reversal below $1.32 would warn of another test of primary support at $1.27. Close oscillation of 13-week Twiggs Momentum around the zero line indicates hesitancy.

* Target calculation: 1.34 + ( 1.34 – 1.28 ) = 1.40

Sterling respected primary support at €1.135/€1.140 against the euro. Recovery above €1.165 suggests that a bottom is forming.  Penetration of the descending trendline would strengthen the signal. In the longer term, breakout above €1.19 would complete a double bottom with a target of €1.24. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Momentum above zero would also indicate a primary up-trend. Reversal below €1.165, however, would warn the down-trend is likely to continue. Failure of primary support at €1.14 would confirm.

* Target calculation: 1.19 + ( 1.19 – 1.14 ) = 1.24

The greenback is headed for a test of primary support at ¥94 against the Yen.  Breach of short-term support at ¥96 would confirm.  In the longer term, breach of primary support at ¥94 would signal a down-trend with an initial target of ¥86*, while recovery above ¥101.50 would indicate an advance to ¥108*.

* Target calculation: 102 + ( 102 – 96 ) = 108; 94 – ( 102 – 94 ) = 86;

Canada’s Loonie is consolidating between $0.96 and $0.975 against the greenback. Upward breakout would penetrate the descending trendline, suggesting that a bottom is forming, while reversal below $0.96 would test primary support at $0.945.

Short retracement of the Aussie Dollar against the greenback suggests buying pressure. Follow-through above $0.92 would test the descending trendline and resistance at $0.93. Breakout is unlikely, but would warn that the down-trend is ending. Reversal below medium-term support at $0.90 would warn of a decline to $0.87*, with a long-term target of $0.80*.

* Target calculations: 0.90 – ( 0.93 – 0.90 ) = 0.87; 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

Forex: Euro rallies, Yen weakens, Aussie consolidates

The Euro continues to test medium-term resistance at $1.32 on the weekly chart. Breakout above $1.32 would suggest a primary advance, with a target of $1.40* — confirmed if resistance at $1.34 is broken. But oscillation of 63-day Twiggs Momentum around zero does not indicate a strong trend and respect of resistance remains as likely.

* Target calculation: 1.34 + ( 1.34 – 1.28 ) = 1.40

The greenback recovered above long-term support at ¥100 against the Yen, indicating continuation of the advance, with a target of ¥114*. Follow-through above ¥101.50 would confirm. Reversal below ¥100 is unlikely, but would warn of a test primary support at ¥94; confirmed if support at ¥98.50 is broken.

* Target calculation: 104 + ( 104 – 94 ) = 114

Canada’s Loonie broke resistance at $0.96, suggesting a rally to the descending trendline and resistance at $0.98 against the greenback. Reversal below $0.96, however, would warn of another test of support at $0.9450. 63-Day Twiggs Momentum declining while below zero reflects a healthy primary down-trend.

The Aussie Dollar is consolidating below medium-term resistance at $0.93 against the greenback. Breakout would signal a rally to the primary trendline at $0.96. But the primary trend remains downward and respect of $0.93 would re-test $0.90. The long-term target remains at $0.80* against the greenback. The RBA favors a softer dollar to cushion the impact of falling commodity prices.

* Target calculation: 0.95 – ( 1.10 – 0.95 ) = 0.80

The impact of the declining resources sector is reflected in the primary down-trend on the Aussie/New Zealand Dollar cross. AUDNZD is approaching its target of $1.15 and breakout above the descending trendline would indicate a rally to test resistance at $1.21. But respect of $1.21 would be likely, suggesting another downward leg on the Aussie/Kiwi cross.

* Target calculation: 1.21 – ( 1.27 – 1.21 ) = 1.15