More Uncertainty

By Colin Twiggs
July 12, 2010 7:30 a.m. ET (9:30 p.m. AET)

These extracts from my trading diary are for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as investment or trading advice. Full terms and conditions can be found at Terms of Use.



For seventeen years between 1965 and 1982 the Dow failed to make any headway, with the economy suffering a period of low growth and high inflation, nowadays referred to as stagflation. False signals were common as the index breached support then resistance before retreating into a ranging market.

Dow Jones Industrial Average 1960-1984

We are not in a ranging market at present, but face a similar period of low growth and uncertainty over the next decade as financial markets attempt to scale back some of the excesses from the credit expansion of the last three decades. If this occurs, long-term investors will experience a frustrating lack of growth — while traders could benefit from the increased volatility.

USA

Dow Jones Industrial Average

The Dow is undergoing a broadening consolidation, with the index twice breaching primary support only to retreat above the new resistance level at 10000. Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) remains bearish, however, warning of another test of primary support in the weeks ahead. Recovery above 10500 is less likely, but would indicate a test of the upper boundary of the broadening wedge.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 10000 - ( 11000 - 10000 ) = 9000

S&P 500

The S&P 500 shows greater buying support on Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) and recovery above 1120 would indicate an advance to 1220. Reversal below 1050, however, would confirm a bear market.

Standard & Poors 500 chart

Transport

Bellwether transport stock UPS respected primary support at $56, failing to join Fedex in a primary down-trend, and offering some hope of an increase in economic activity. Breach of support would confirm the Fedex bear signal.

UPS & Fedex

Technology

The Nasdaq 100 is retracing to test the declining trendline. Recovery above 1920 would indicate that the correction has ended, while reversal below 1730 would signal a primary down-trend. Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) remains bearish.

Nasdaq 100

Canada: TSX

The TSX Composite signaled a primary down-trend before retreating above the new resistance level at 11400. Breakout above 12000 would signal that the bear trend has ended — as would Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) holding above zero. Reversal below 11400, however, would confirm the primary down-trend.

TSX Daily

* Target calculation: 11400 - ( 12000 - 11400 ) = 10800

United Kingdom: FTSE

The FTSE 100 shows a similar formation to the Dow: recovering above the new resistance level at 5000. Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) oscillating around the zero line in a triangular pattern, however, is neutral. Respect of resistance at 5300 would confirm the bear market, while breakout would indicate an advance to 5800.

FTSE 100 Daily

Germany: DAX

The DAX is more positive and, having respected support at 5700, is headed for a test of resistance at 6300. Breakout from the broad (5700 to 6300) consolidation would indicate future direction.

German DAX

* Target calculation: 6300 + ( 6300 - 5700 ) = 6900

India: Sensex

The Sensex consolidated in a narrow range on Monday, immediately below resistance at 18000. Upward breakout is likely and would offer a target of 20000*. A completed higher trough on Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) would indicate strong buying pressure.

Sensex India

* Target calculation: 18000 + ( 18000 - 16000 ) = 20000

Japan: Nikkei

The Nikkei 225 remains in a primary down-trend. Recovery above 10200 is unlikely, but would indicate an advance to 11000, while respect of resistance at 10000 would signal a down-swing to 9000*.

nikkei 225 japan

* Target calculation: 10000 - ( 11000 - 10000 ) = 9000

South Korea

The Seoul Composite, having found support at 1670 is headed for another test of resistance at 1750. Rising Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) suggests a breakout above 1750 which would offer a target of 1950*.

Seoul Composite Index

* Target calculation: 1750 + ( 1750 - 1550 ) = 1950

China

The Shanghai Composite Index penetrated its declining trendline, suggesting that the primary down-trend is slowing. Narrow consolidation below 2500 on Monday indicates a breakout that would test 2700. Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) holding above zero confirms buying support. But respect of 2700 would signal a down-swing with a target of 2100*.

Shanghai Composite Index China

* Target calculations: 2700 - ( 3300 - 2700 ) = 2100

The Hang Seng Index is also testing its declining trendline. Recovery above 21000 would signal reversal to a primary up-trend. Rising Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) indicates buying support.

Hang Seng Index Hongkong

* Target calculations: 19000 - ( 21000 - 19000 ) = 17000

Australia: ASX

The All Ordinaries is headed for another test of the new resistance level at 4500. Respect would confirm the primary down-trend, while breakout above 4650 would signal a reversal. Twiggs Momentum (21-day) bearish divergence favors a reversal.

ASX All Ordinaries

A completed Twiggs Money Flow (13-week) trough above zero on the ASX 200 would indicate strong buying support, suggesting a reversal.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 4300 - ( 4600 - 4300 ) = 4000



Man is not the enemy of man but through the medium of a false system of government.

~ Thomas Paine: The Rights Of Man (1791)