Footsie and Euro Stoxx 50 shows signs of resurgence

The FTSE 100 index is headed for resistance at 5700. Breakout would signal an advance to the 2011 highs at 6100. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure.

* Target calculation: 5700 + ( 5700 – 5200 ) = 6200

The Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 also shows signs of recovery, heading for a test of the descending trendline and resistance at 2500. Breakout would signal a primary advance to 2900* and the end of the bear market. Momentum is rising but remains a long way below the zero line. Respect of 2500 would be a bear signal not only for the euro-zone, but for the global economy.

* Target calculation: 2500 + ( 2500 – 2100 ) = 2900

Bovespa disappoints

Brazil’s Bovespa index disappointed after promising a breakout above 60000. The index failed to break through resistance, instead falling through support at 58000 to warn of another test of 48000. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum and Twiggs Money Flow, however, continue to indicate that the index is forming a bottom.

Dollar surge continues

The Dollar Index is headed for a test of resistance at 80* after respecting support at 76.50. The brief dip of 63-day Twiggs Momentum below zero also suggests a primary up-trend. In the long term, breakout above 80 would signal an advance to 85*.

* Target calculations: 77.5 + ( 77.5 – 75.0 ) = 80.0 and 80 + ( 80 – 75 ) = 85

ASX 200 runs into resistance

The ASX 200 encountered selling pressure at 4350, as indicated by the tall shadow (or “wick”) on Monday’s candle. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow also indicates medium-term selling pressure. Failure of support at 4150 would signal another test of primary support at 3850. Upward breakout is less likely but would offer a target of 4850*.

* Target calculation: 4350 + ( 4350 – 3850 ) = 4850

Dow Jones Shanghai

Dow Jones Shanghai Index is also hesitant, with no advance over the last 3 trading days. Reversal below 304 would indicate a test of primary support at 284. Breakout above the descending trendline — and resistance at 330 — is unlikely with 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (respect of the zero line from below) warning of selling pressure.

Canada TSX 60

The TSX 60 is testing the band of resistance from 720 to 730 and the descending trendline. Upward breakout would indicate that the primary down-trend is weakening, while respect would warn of another test of primary support. The sharp rise on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure, but there is no sign yet of a reversal.

* Target calculation: 650 – ( 720 – 650 ) = 580

Kiwi Dollar

The Kiwi respected the band of resistance at $0.80/$0.82 against the greenback, warning of a primary decline. Earlier breach of the rising trendline strengthens the signal. Failure of support at $0.75 would offer a target of $0.70.

* Target calculation: 0.75 – ( 0.80 – 0.75 ) = 0.70

Dollar rebounds as euro-zone debt crisis drags on

The Dollar Index is consolidating below resistance at 77.50. Breach of the descending trendline suggests the correction is over and recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above the zero line indicates that the primary trend remains upward. Breakout above 77.50 would offer a medium-term target of 80*.

* Target calculation: 77.50 + ( 77.50 – 75.00 ) = 80.00

Now for the correction

Several weeks ago, when asked what it would take to reverse the bear market, I replied that it would take 3 strong blue candles on the weekly chart followed by a correction — of at least two red candles — that respects the earlier low. We have had three strong blue candles. Now for the correction.

On the S&P 500 expect retracement to test support at 1200 or 1250. Respect of 1250 would signal a strong up-trend, while failure of support at 1200 would warn of another test of primary support at 1100. A trough on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow that respects the zero line would also indicate strong buying pressure.

* Target calculation: 1225 + ( 1225 – 1100 ) = 1350

Dow Jones Industrial Average weekly chart displays a similar picture. Expect retracement to test support at 11500. A peak on 63-day Twiggs Momentum that respects the zero line would be bearish — warning of continuation of the primary down-trend.

* Target calculation: 11500 + ( 11500 – 10500 ) = 12500

The Nasdaq 100 is testing resistance at 2400 — close to the 2011 high. Breakout would signal a primary advance to 2800*, while respect would warn of another test of primary support at 2000. Bullish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow has warned of a reversal for several weeks.

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2000 ) = 2800

Dow breaks 12000

Dow Jones Industrial Average broke through resistance at 12000. On the monthly chart we can see the index is headed for a test of its 2011 high at 13000. Breakout would signal an advance to 15000*. Bearish divergence on 63-Day Twiggs Momentum, however, continues to warn of a primary down-trend; and respect of 13000 would indicate another test of primary support at 11000.

* Target calculation: 13 + ( 13 – 11 ) = 15

Looking at the weekly chart, retracement to test the new support level at 12000 is likely. Respect would confirm the primary advance, while failure would signal another test of primary support at 10500/11000. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above the zero line would indicate strong buying pressure.

* Target calculation: 12 + ( 12 – 11 ) = 13

S&P 500 and Europe encounter resistance

The S&P 500 pulled back from resistance at 1250 and is headed for a test of short-term support at 1200. Failure would test primary support at 1100, while breakout above 1250 would signal an advance to 1400*. Rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow continues to indicate secondary buying pressure.

* Target calculation: 1250 + ( 1250 – 1100 ) = 1400

Dow Jones Europe index also ran into resistance at 250, bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warning of short-term selling pressure. Reversal below 230 would test primary support at 205/210, while breakout above 250 would signal an advance to 290*.

* Target calculation: 250 + ( 250 – 210 ) = 290

Dollar Index: The big picture

When markets are volatile it often pays to take a step back and look at the big picture. A monthly chart shows the Dollar Index ranging between 70 and 90 since 2003, with the 80 level alternating as mid-range support/resistance. The index recently pulled back from resistance at 80 and will now either re-group for another attempt or medium-term support will give way, signaling a test of long-term support.

Zooming in to the daily chart shows narrow consolidation above medium-term support at 76.50. Breakout above 77.60 and the descending trendline would signal another test of 80, while failure of support at 76 would mean a decline to 73.50*.

* Target calculation: 76.5 – ( 79.5 – 76.5 ) = 73.5

In the long term, breach of 73.50 would test 70, while breakout above 80 would signal an advance to 90. If support at 70 fails, gold will rocket through $2000/ounce, but that is only likely to occur if the Fed rolls out QE3.

ASX 200 hits ceiling

The ASX 200 index encountered both the declining trendline (from April 2011) and resistance at 4300. Low volume indicates a lack of enthusiasm from buyers. The strong red candle warns of another test of 3850; follow-through below Tuesday’s low would confirm.

* Target calculation: 4000 – ( 4500 – 4000 ) = 3500

South Africa & Brazil

The JSE Overall Index is testing both resistance and the descending trendline at 31500. Breakout would test the 2008/2011 high of 33000, but respect would warn of a test of 30000. Reversal below 30000 would signal a primary decline to 26000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying support but long-term selling pressure.

* Target calculation: 28500 – ( 31500 – 28500 ) = 25500

Brazil’s Bovespa index also shows medium-term buying support but long-term selling pressure. Respect of resistance at 58000 would indicate another test of primary support at 50000. Breakout above 58000 is unlikely, given global market conditions and falling iron ore prices, but would signal reversal to a primary up-trend.

* Target calculation: 50 – ( 58 – 50 ) = 42

Race to the bottom

The euro is outstripping the dollar in their race to the bottom. Having respected resistance at $1.40, breakout below $1.35 would signal a test of the next major support level at $1.30*. The 63-day Momentum peak below zero confirms a strong down-trend.

* Target calculation: 1.40 – ( 1.50 – 1.40 ) = 1.30

Canada: TSX 60

The weekly TSX 60 chart respected resistance at 730 and is retreating to test support at 650/660. Decline of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of further selling pressure. Failure of support would offer a target of 590*.

* Target calculation: 660 – ( 730 – 660 ) = 590

DAX key reversal; FTSE rally fades

Germany’s DAX Index shows a strong key reversal [R] on the weekly chart. Expect a rally, but we are in a bear market and resistance at 6500 is likely to hold. Reversal below 5400 would warn of another down-swing.

* Target calculation: 5500 – ( 6500 – 5500 ) = 4500

The FTSE 100 fell at Monday’s open, but the weekly chart displays a particularly volatile consolidation edging higher. Breakout above 5400 would indicate a test of 5600/5700. Again, we are in a bear market; respect of resistance is likely and would warn of another test of 4800.

* Target calculation: 5000 – ( 5600 – 5000 ) = 4400

Gold finds support at $1800/ounce

Spot gold found short-term support at $1800/ounce. A rally to $1900 from this point would form a bullish ascending triangle, suggesting an upward breakout and offering a target of $2100*. Failure of support, however, would penetrate the rising (secondary) trendline and suggest a correction to $1500.

* Target calculation: 1900 + ( 1900 – 1700 ) = 2100

Gold Bugs ($HUI) and Gold Miners ($GDX) Indexes both broke through resistance to signal a fresh primary advance. With a target of 700 for $HUI, the breakout favors continuation of the current advance in spot prices.

* Target calculation: 600 + ( 600 – 500 ) = 700