UP – feat. Yellen

  • The picture says a thousand words so we shall leave it at that
  • Rate hike with dovish remark as expected
  • RIP zero interest rate – normalisation is expected going forward
  • A historic moment in 2015 but a new chapter awaits for 2016
  • VIX sold and calmness preside over the market with risk-on in full swing
  • The long awaited santa rally in equity has lift off
  • Dollar bulls got their mojo back and end of year book squaring will determine solid gains

Dollar Index

Daily

Are we going to reach the top of the megaphone channel before the end of the year? Low volume trading could well propel it higher and end of year book squaring could be the catalyst.

Euro

Daily

The agenda is clear here – euro weakness should continue though the initial script was for a crash and burn in the EUR/USD. Failure to recapture above the bear flag will remain as a strong resistance and there are many potential for a retest lower (or just consolidate before fresh positioning for 2016).

VIX

Daily

Weakness in the VIX gave the market confidence to rise higher. We are adding the chart so as to show the change in market sentiment and there are further room to retest lower. The rally in equity market (santa rally) is only at its infant stage it seems.

SPX cash

Daily

A potentially large inverse formation and a bull flag seems to suggest that the equity market can take additional rate hike. Market confidence remain high despite poor earning seasons and the lack of worry of any slowdown remain unfounded. Certainly one to watch as we head into 2016.

Gold

Daily

We remain steadfast with the view that the risk reward remain the same going forward. The rate hike is now out of the way – if there are no fresh sellers in the market then a period of dead cat bounce could happen. A retest lower cannot be rule out but with end of year, trading this means working with wider stops. Thread carefully is the best advice.

FOMC (Aftermath) HangOver

As per previous write up in “Pre-FOMC HangOver Sketch” we have the following results

Hike (Dovish speech) most likely scenario?

  • US dollar get some love but a pump and dump scenario can happen
  • Initial selling in Euro and Sterling but short covering resume higher (short squeeze?)
  • Precious metal retest or made double bottom but break higher
  • Equity will ramp higher with potential ATH as targets but dollar will dictate

RIP to zero interest rate and we have lift off with the potential of more rate hike in 2016 – portraying a strong outlook on the overall US economy. Yellen remain very dovish and accommodative to the market despite the miniscule hike and gave the market what it wants. Now that we have the Federal Reserve credibility in-tact, the market can move forward with the delayed Santa Rally.

Risk-On sentiment to prevail till the end of 2015 and dollar to sustain its momentum – giving the control back to “Euro parity” team another chance to have a go. Commodities had a choppy session but with low volume trading expected in the coming weeks, we could then see the real damage.

The next question for 2016 are as follows:

  • Watch for steady rise in unemployment
  • Fed ready to act if the economy tumbles
  • They now have extra tools to stimulate the economy
  • Inflation should rise to 2% gradually
  • Fed is aware of external shocks

In conclusion, Yellen have her Santa hat on and is not ready to rock the boat – basically giving what the market wants and this Fed chairwoman continue to be dictated by the fragility of the economy. However, that will be another topic of discussion for next year.

 

Rock The Boat?

  • Yellen et al to give the market what they wants (unlike Draghi?)
  • Paramount that Yellen give a neutral forward outlook – she will apply the same strategy of give some and take some
  • Because it is end of year trading, there is no point to rock the boat
  • Expect modest volatility but with low market participants (volume)
  • Initially knee-jerk reaction but trend should resume
  • Otherwise, all hell let loose before the holiday period?

We will keep the report short for today and put on some chart which is of interest. Also, please visit our take on pre-FOMC – http://globalbulliontimes.com/2015/12/15/pre-fomc-hangover-sketch/

Dollar Index

Daily

4 hour

Euro

Daily

Gold

Monthly

Silver

Weekly

 

Pre-FOMC HangOver Sketch

A brief look at 4 potential scenarios and what could well happen post FOMC. This is far from perfect but give a good glimpse on how traders could position themselves going forward.

One thing for sure, it all looks rather calm now but we are heading into the perfect storm – potentially a strong HangOver thereafter!

Hike (Hawkish speech)

  • US dollar should get a boost to break previous high or at least a retest of previous high
  • Continue strength and faith in dollar long resume (if Yellen talk more about future rate hike)
  • Sell off in Precious Metals – new low imminent
  • Euro and Sterling to retest previous ECB low (potential fade for a short term bounce)
  • Equity priced in rate hike and with more rate hike we see Equity initial sell off then recovery

Hike (Dovish speech) most likely scenario?

  • US dollar get some love but a pump and dump scenario can happen
  • Initial selling in Euro and Sterling but short covering resume higher (short squeeze?)
  • Precious metal retest or made double bottom but break higher
  • Equity will ramp higher with potential ATH as targets but dollar will dictate

No Hike (Hawkish speech)

  • US dollar tumbled for fresh low but will have a V shape recovery post speech
  • Euro and Sterling break higher but fail to hold on to gains – with selling resumption base on FOMC speech
  • Precious metal see similar fate – a short term rise and a big fall to retest previous low or make new low / a short term fall but rally?
  • Equity market should benefit as no rate hike
  • Fed lose credibility and future conference will be very much data dependant

No Hike (Dovish speech)

  • US dollar long is in big trouble and heading to the exit door
  • Equities could head lower if Euro (risk off) start to spike higher
  • Currencies VS USD to benefit and spike higher
  • Fed lose credibility and market could well puke lower asking for additional QE since Central banks are not confident
  • Precious metals and commodities will rally higher

Good luck and safe trading.

 

Credibility At Stake – Inter Market Analysis

  • Choppy price action to be expected as we head to FOMC
  • End of year book squaring and low volume trading environment
  • All eyes on the Dollar and how equity market will react
  • Does Yellen et al have their santas’ head on?

Dollar Index

Daily

4 hour

How much has the dollar index priced in the rate hike talk? One thing for sure, one can expect a choppy session going into tomorrow as traders positioned for year end and low volume trading will soon kick in. Irrational price action is to be expected and the aftermath from the Fed statement could well form the next directional play.

Euro

Daily

4 hour

It will not be an easy trading environment going into tomorrow FOMC result. Traders are closing their trading book – squaring their position as they head for their holidays. The EUR/USD parity crowd remain silent now after the disappointing ECB meeting. Should Yellen fail to inspire a strong USD, we expect the Euro to benefit higher as the short squeeze could continue to trip shorts. Only a break below 1.078 will give the bears more rooms lower.

Sterling

Daily

4 hour

Sterling put up a good fight at a strong technical support and if there are no new sellers, pain trade for higher sterling could continue (short squeeze). We will do another article this week (2016 Projection on currencies) so as to discuss what is in store and what may happen. We have highlighted the sell zone and will wait for the signal to trigger.

German Bund

Daily

4 hour

Following some simple rules such as sizing risk and stop loss – waiting patiently for the right moment to take a trade will help pay off taking on the wrong trade. Bunds are reacting well to RSI signal and any sign of a daily blow off top tend to send it lower. The risk reward is there for traders playing within the range.

Gold

Daily

4 hour

Only a break below 1052 will invalidate the rough inverse head and shoulder formation – neckline at 1087 and target of 1127. Traders could well position for some safe haven buying in case of high volatility that could unravel the market. Price action will depends on tomorrow FOMC results.

Silver

Daily

4 hour

We continue to argue that there are rooms for the white metal to test lower but we also acknowledge that price action will be very choppy as we head to FOMC and end of year low volume trading environment. Traders will look to position for 2016 while price will most likely stabilise once we find an equilibrium. The risk reward has shifted and we shall wait patiently on the next trade.

 

Santa Rally – Flight Delayed?

  • Pre-ECB complacency evaporated and VIX is heading higher
  • Market skittish ahead of FOMC – global equity under pressure as Oil plummet
  • A delayed Santa Rally? Bearish view among analyst and projections of a dire 2016 economic situation
  • Questions if Yellen et al can really hike – credibility or the economy first?
  • Weaker dollar heading towards FOMC decision – bull lack confidence or seasonality at play?
  • Market expecting a small rate hike but a very DOVISH Yellen (this is what it’s showing on the surface but is there a hidden agenda?)
  • Euro, Sterling and Yen enjoy continued rally though commodity currencies suffer
  • Precious Metals consolidated throughout the week but end of year positioning takes priority
  • Traders prepare for more volatile and violent FOMC week? Low volume trading to match with irrational move?
  • Ever since our December post-we maintain that risk reward has shifted for PM and remain to be so for now

Weekly

A break out higher on the VIX sent global equity market skidding lower. Distressing signs are showing yet again as we head to FOMC December meeting with volatility rising. Chart just show how sentiment has just shifted from a pre-ECB complacent take to a more cautious view on what Miss Yellen has to say next week.

Daily

Dollar Technical Outlook

There you have it, we called the resistance at 12150 as per last week and it seems the dollar index does not see a V shape recovery fit enough. Traders were left with end of year book squaring and holding the dollar at such current price is not the plan ahead of the low volume and holiday season. Concern about a very dovish Yellen

Technically, the dollar index can build support as the daily chart has confluence of 100 ma, mega-phone formation with 50% Fib retracement. However, we cannot rule out a break lower followed by a steady recovery. The next ideal support stands at 61.8% Fib retracement which confluence with long term rising channel and 200 ma. This is merely an assumption as traders will need to digest what the Yellen et al bring on the table. Thus, only if dollar bull can reclaim above 12150 we can only envisage a choppy period as we head to end of year low volume trading environment.

Well what a week it has been – kicking off the last trading month of the year with a bang. Mr Draghi was the highlight after coming in so close yet so far. It was an outcry in the market as a big U-turn signs was posted on the dollar index, taking down as many wrong-footed traders as possible. It was a super Thursday or also a nasty one to the late comers. Dollar bull was set to break higher but post ECB has triggered an exodus – with everyone running out of the exit. A weekly bearish engulfing candle does not bode confidence into next week – yes we expect more weakness but are also wary that a massive “V” shape recovery could be underway as we head into the next risk events.

Technically, the daily chart has a potential of a megaphone formation – thus a short term dollar recovery cannot be rule out. A short term bounce to retest what was once support now resistance at 12150 is possible. The other scenario is a complete “V” shape recovery that we mentioned above (watch the daily chart that has a potential double bottom).”

Weekly

Daily

Gold Technical Outlook

Gold consolidated and the short covering rally dissipated – despite weakness from the dollar index, the yellow metal fail to capitalise higher – leaving the small bull camp disappointed. The verdict is still out there and the risk reward to buy the dip remains for now. Any retest lower is another opportunity to reload long with several key level of interest 1046, 1032 and 1008. A break above 1087 could trigger another fresh round of short covering for higher gold price.

Mario shoot blanks was the theme from last week – allowing gold to rocket higher. As we highlighted last week, the risk reward has changed and a bounced is in store. Looking ahead into next week, we cannot rule out a retest of last week high – potentially tripping above but we are wary of a dollar index recovery as we head into FOMC 16th December meeting. Note that Draghi came out to keep the Euro advance under the lid.

Technically, gold should advance next week after posting a bullish engulfing candle. Short covering action and failure to find fresh sellers has made the bounce possible with resistance now standing at 1098 and 1117.”

Position Valid Date Price Action Stop Loss Target Results
LONG   1050 Live 1030 moved to 1060 1100  
LONG   1033 Order Placed 1000 1066  

Weekly

Daily

Silver Technical Outlook

The white metal failed to move higher and resumption lower to a new 12 months low. Chinese economic data may have added fuel to test lower – creating a weekly bearish engulfing candle. Current price action may suggest further weakness ahead as the weekly RSI broke support and head lower (it has not reach an oversold condition yet). Only a break above 14.20 (daily 20 ma) will give us the confidence to head higher. Trading wise, we will step aside and wait for a clearer direction.

As per last week report, we entered a short term long on Silver on the break of the daily 20 ma at 14.22 and stops have been raised for break-even. Our modest target is at 14.85 and then we will re-assess where silver prices could go. Our long term scenario is a new low in Silver again before a see a much higher rally.”

Position Valid Date Price Action Stop Loss Target Results
LONG   14.22 Closed 14.22 14.85 0

Weekly

Daily

Platinum Technical Outlook

Oops, we hope we have not jinxed it but Platinum did have a short term bounce as mentioned last week. However, it is noteworthy to know that this is an inside week candle which may carry some weight of a reversal. Only a break below 2015 low will invalidate this and start the leg lower. A break above 890 could see further short covering activities but with the lack of bullish momentum, the trend will remain as your friend. Red box on the weekly chart remain as a the primary sell zone while the green box offer a short term bounce.

The anticipated short term bounce is underway but we will remain cautious and cancel our previous long order for now. More often than not, the market is showing signs of mixed sentiments and we remain steadfast that this could just be a one-off short term bounce – potentially with more selling in the next few weeks. Watch this space as Platinum could make lower low again.

Position Valid Date Price Action Stop Loss Target Results
LONG   795 Cancelled 785 840  

Weekly

Daily

Palladium Technical Outlook

We stick with our long trade and yes it is rare that we got filled on Palladium and running in profit. No change in strategy but we will let this run and trail accordingly. Daily chart is in a potential megaphone formation We could let it price action hit our stops and reload on long at the lower end of the formation.

We maintain our outlook as per last week – current price action seems to suggest that palladium could well have hit bottom. Scrolling out the chart back to 2011 there is support here and a potential triple bottom. Buyers flock in at 530 levels and as long as buying interest appear here then expect a return to the upper channel.”

Position Valid Date Price Action Stop Loss Target Results
LONG   525 Live 505 moved to 535 610  
LONG   515 Order Placed 505    

Daily

This article is written according to the author’s views and by no means indicates investment purpose.

Pre-FOMC Tantrum – Inter Market Analysis

Dollar Index

Daily

4 hour

Dollar index has been very technical of late – bulls are busy giving up grounds cautiously – with end of the year book squaring as well as positioning ahead of FOMC imminent rate hike. The market is expecting Yellen to deliver but remain ultra dovish – a two headed approach that could lead to a rather volatile market.

Euro

Daily

4 hour

An inside day in the daily chart while the 4 hour is showing an early RSI divergence – though it remains bullish as support at 1.078 saw buyers / short covering resume. Only a significant break below 1.089 will kick off another round of selling pressure. Will be watching the dollar index for the next set of clues.

Sterling

Daily

4 hour

We will now add sterling on our watch list. Fundamentally, a stronger pound is possible but recent economic data and warning from the IMF left a stale taste. A retest lower to the blue zone is a potential buy area for a short term bounce.

Gold

Daily

4 hour

Gold look set to retest previous low or could even take it out once and for all. Should we see lower prices, the RSI divergence could strengthen – despite that, prevailing weakness remains on a weaker dollar. Lack of interest is showing here but we are wary of a dump and pump scenario post FOMC.

Silver

Daily

4 hour

Weakness continue to set in – the short term bounce was a dead cat bounce while risk to the downside remains. Only a clear break above 14.20 could kick start the next leg higher to take out previous higher – otherwise, a new low is certainly possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forex Analysis GBP/USD & EUR/USD

GBP/USD

Monthly

  • Previous month has a bearish engulfing candle – this monthly candle for December could see follow through selling – Risk factor remain to favour the bears unless we get a doji or bullish hammer to change the tide
  • Risk factor continue to favour the bears given the large bear flag formation but cannot rule out a potential double bottom

Weekly

  • GBP look weak again post ECB statement-however, the retest lower could make or break the current wedge pattern
  • Traders could potentially look for a small long at 1.48868 and 1.48124 after FOMC
  • The risk reward on the weekly seems to favour long for now if price reacted well with new buyers

Daily

  • Post ECB ramp is giving back most of all the gains made – it is too early to say which direction is being favoured but given USD V shape recovery – weakness in Sterling could continue but look for long on the lower end of the channel

EUR/USD

Monthly

  • A potential double bottom? Price action favour the bears as they remain in control but we are wary of any more short covering momentum
  • Only a break out of the downtrend line will give bulls the room to try higher

Weekly

  • A strong bullish engulfing candle – seems to suggest that more upside can be achieved although there are many resistances ahead
  • Downside remains vulnerable due to the sharp short covering – a break and close below 1.078 will give sellers more confidence

Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • A strong short covering rally while pullback to the Fib levels could give buyers a chance to re-enter and trade higher with tight stops
  • Break above 1.1 give rooms to test the pink trendline