Global equity indices are gaining upside momentum. Recent breakouts above long-term trend lines suggest multi-month uptrends. Last week’s price action pushed UK FTSE 100 index to all time high levels. Charts that are very close to long-term breakouts: MSCI ALL COUNTRIES WORLD INDEX, EURO STOXX 50 INDEX and UK FTSE 100 INDEX.
Positive price action is likely to continue in the developed market equities.
Peru LIMA IGRA index has one of the weakest chart set-ups in the emerging market equities. Multi-year head and shoulder top has a neckline standing at 14,150 levels. Index is trading at 13,493 levels – below the multi-year support. Decisive “weekly” close below 13,360 levels (minor low in January) will confirm the downtrend towards 10,000 levels. Strong medium/long-term resistance area remains between 14,150 and 15,000. Technical outlook is negative for Peru equities.
Here is a detailed article that explains the difference between on shore and off shore Chinese Yuan.
http://www.businessinsider.com/onshore-and-offshore-renminbi-2014-2
I am analyzing the long-term base formation on the USD/CNH (Chinese Yuan Off Shore) in this update. I think this chart is important as we start reading more about currency wars. Cup & handle is a reversal pattern. In this case it is a bullish development and suggests higher levels for USD/CNH. In other words depreciation for the Chinese Yuan. Breakout above 6.27-6.30 area will confirm the 2 year-long base formation. Until the beginning of 2015, USD/CNH had lower lows and lower highs. In the last quarter of 2014, the low formed at a higher level. This could be the beginning of a change in trend.
Commodities markets have performed poorly compared with stocks over the past 3 years. From industrial metals to agricultural commodities deflationary pressures are being felt worldwide.
Platinum prices which is almost 50% lower than 2008 historical high levels, is now testing a 15 year-long trend support. Usually prices should rebound sharply from such historical level. However, over the past four months the performance has been lackluster. Breakdown below 1,170 levels will have long-term implications and will be negative for Platinum prices. It is important to note that the next major long-term support is around 735 levels. Next few months will be extremely important for the medium/long-term trend.
During the sharp correction in October 2014, S&P 500 index reached 1,800 levels and CBOE VIX jumped to 31 levels. VIX is often called the “fear index”. Higher levels of VIX can coincide with market corrections. Over the past 2 months CBOE VIX has been consolidating in a tight range. Consolidation can be a symmetrical triangle. Breakout from this consolidation will result in high volatility for U.S. equities. Breakout above 22.80 levels can send the VIX to 35-40 area. Breakdown below 15.52 levels will be positive for equities. I have posted the S&P 500 index futures on an inverted scale to see the price movements in sync with the VIX. Symmetrical triangle chart pattern (if it is a valid one) should resolve in the next few days/week.
S&P 500 INDEX (MAR 2015) FUTURES PRICE
Austria Vienna ATX Index formed similar chart patterns in different time frames. Since 2009 the index has been consolidating in a wide range. Long-term chart pattern is a symmetrical triangle. Over the past six months, ATX index formed a short/medium-term consolidation; another symmetrical triangle. Direction of the breakout from the short-term consolidation range will be important. Breakout above 2,280 levels will push the index towards 2,500. Breakdown below 2,000-2,100 range can be very negative in the long-term.
Volatility can move higher in the following months if we see a decisive weekly close above 22 levels. In the last two years CBOE VIX consolidated in a range between 11 and 22. Six year-long downward trend line and the upper boundary of the horizontal consolidation range meet at 22 levels. A decisive break above 22 levels can result in a sharp upward move towards 40-45 area. Such price action will be bearish for global equity markets. It is important to keep a close eye on this chart development in the next few months.
Chart is plotted on a weekly scale and closing prices are taken into consideration.
Strong trends usually emerge from low volatility periods. Low volatility reading on long-term charts is more significant. MSCI Emerging Markets index is getting closer to a strong directional movement after the band width reached multi-decade low level. Index is now in a tight range between 910 and 1,100 levels. Breakout in either direction will result in a strong move. Last two year’s choppy sideways trading is a sign of weakness. Though, I would wait for a decisive close above or below the mentioned levels.
FEEDER CATTLE had a strong bull market since its long-term breakout in 2010. Though, this uptrend might be over. Feeder Cattle which had a strong rally after breaking out of its 2005-2010 consolidation period, formed a head & shoulder top chart pattern. Both the neckline and the 200-day moving average were between 208-215 area. Price broke down the neckline and the 200-day moving average. Possible H&S price target remains at 180 levels. Unless we see Feeder Cattle price climbing back above 208-215 area in the following days/weeks, expectation will be lower prices towards 180 levels.
Note: Analyzed chart is the March 2015 Feeder Cattle futures contract that trades on the CME. For more information you can follow this –> More info on FEEDER CATTLE
Over the past two decades Copper underperformed Gold during turbulent times in the financial markets. Ratio between Copper and Gold declined sharply during 2000-2003 and 2007-2009 periods. Latest breakdown from the consolidation range can result in further underperformance for Copper. This is a powerful long-term chart with a strong message.
