03 April 2010

Five Weekly Charts: Gold, Silver, US Dollar, US Long Bond, and SP 500




Gold's bull trend is intact, but it is facing formidable resistance at $1150.



Silver is in a bull trend, but the $19 level could be difficult to surmount.



The US dollar index is still in rally mode, but has backed off the key 82 resistance level. The Dollar index is a composite of other currency crosses and the recent strength has been largely due to euro weakness. If stocks retreat the dollar rally will likely continue.



The Long Bond looks range bound, and is hanging on to support.



The SP 500 is a good representation of the US equity markets. It has reached the logical conclusion of what might be termed a bear market bounce based on monetary expansion, similar to other recoveries after significant declines. If the SP 500 breaks down from here, the risk is that it might fall to retest the lows. The market rally is thin and not backed by widespread buying, and certainly not the traditional buy-and-hold investor.

To put it simply, the SP 500 and US equities in general are now 'hitting a high note' and it is a good question to wonder how long they can hold it without some backup from the chorus. The 'chorus' of course is evidence of a structural recovery that is not depending on Fed monetization, official sleight of hand, and accounting gimmickry.



Even with the 'good' employment number, the stark contrast is that the median hourly wage continued to decline. This is not deflation, as the CPI and PPI continue to advance, so much as a reflection that the jobs available are largely temporary and of an inferior quality from which to build a sustainable recovery.



As alway, keep an eye on the VIX which is one of the fear indexes along with some of the key spreads.