|
Market Wrap

Week Ending 2/27/09
Bonds
Months ago I questioned if bonds were the next bubble to burst. At the time
bonds were roaring full steam ahead. Investors, speculators, and those simply
looking for a safe haven during the financial meltdown, couldn't buy bonds
fast enough.
Bonds have now come under pressure. The market is waking up and realizing
just how much debt (bonds) is going to be issued to fund all the bailout schemes.
The spin masters can put any name on it they want, but when all is said and
done, it still comes out as more debt, which is what got us into
this mess to start with.
More of the same will not get us out.
As the next chart shows, bond prices have been falling since late Dec., which
means interest rates have been rising (per the second chart).


Not only is an ever increasing amount of bonds (debt) needed to fund the bailout
schemes, but higher interest rates (cost) are required to attract buyers. This
is why more of that which got us into this fix, i.e. excessive debt levels,
cannot possibly be the answer as to how to get us out.
Savings and a reduction in consumption are needed. In other words: fiscal
discipline to spend less and save more: on individual, local, state, and federal
levels - from main street to Wall Street.
During late 2008 and into 2009 several inter-market relationships or dynamics
changed. Earlier we saw that Yen/Dollar and Euro/Gold have changed.
The charts below show that Gold/Oil and T-Bonds/Gold have also changed. The
common denominator in all of these relationships is GOLD. Since late 2008 something
is "different" with gold.

What happened was the financial crisis and investor's perceptions that gold
is the safest asset existent. It retains purchasing power better than any of
currency or asset.
There has been a flight to safety into gold. The U.S. dollar has experienced
the same, but to a lesser degree. For awhile, both the Yen and T-bonds were
experiencing a flight to safety, but both have given up their recent strength.
It is a testament to gold's soundness as real money that these inter-market
relationships have changed. Because of the fragile condition of the global
financial system, it is not a given that these relationships will remain as
is. Systemic risk is present that can and will play havoc with various assets.
Unless and until the financial crisis is cured, gold will continue to outperform
all other currencies and assets. This is why gold is known as the sovereign
of sovereigns.
The next chart shows every sector of the stock market is under water, yet
gold is up over 8%. Gold performs well in either deflation or inflation, as
each represents a dislocation of the paper money system at opposing poles.

Gold
Gold was down $59.70 (continuous contract) to close at $942.50 for a 5.96%
loss. On my website I have been asked if it's possible a double top is being
put in. Of course it's possible; anything is possible. Let's look at what's
probable.
A double top is not completed or "confirmed" until support is broken below.
As the chart shows - support is down around the $680.00 area. That's one hell
of a drop, and is not the most probable scenario.
Back in September when the 50 dma crossed BELOW the 200 dma, gold's enemies
attacked in full force: gold was falling apart and about to enter a bear market.
When gold rallied, but made a lower high last autumn, once again the calls
were against gold.
Now, gold has rallied above the autumn high and the summer high before that.
These are moves of strength, not weakness. The lower highs have finally been
bettered. After doing this much work - gold has earned a rest.
A corrective consolidation will simply provide a stronger base from which
to launch the next move up in the on-going bull market.

Weeks ago when everyone was euphoric over gold, I stated that I was still
very bullish long term, but that the price action was getting a bit frothy,
and that a pullback was most likely. The pullback is occurring, which should
be of no surprise.
The most dominant chart feature is the gold cross - the 50 dma crossing up
and above the 200 dma. It can be seen on the chart above; and on the chart
below, of all gold crosses since the beginning of the bull market.
These are very powerful crossovers that have led to new legs up in the on-going
bull market. Sure it could be different this time, but the odds say that gold
is very strong right now, and is simply undergoing a healthy correction and
consolidation.
It is what it is until proven otherwise. The last piece of the puzzle to fit
into place will be a new high that turns resistance above $1000 into support.
Then the next major leg up in the on-going secular bull market will begin.

This is why last week's report said:
A new phase in the gold bull is about to be entered upon, regardless if
a correction first appears as suspected.
The monthly chart of GLD shows a positive RSI divergence and MACD turning
up for a possible bullish crossover.
This is gold's long term chart and it's showing that a new leg up is forming.
When coupled with the above charts, the weight of the evidence strongly suggests
a bullish resolution - not a double top.

As of now gold is alive and well, and is in a "B" correction that will put
in a higher low; then a "C" leg up to new highs will begin.
This is the most probable scenario unless the bull market turns in to a bear,
which at the present time is the least likely scenario.
The above is an excerpt from the full market wrap report available at the Honest
Money Gold & Silver Report website. This week's twenty-five page
report contains twenty-seven charts & graphs, including positions held
in the model portfolio and on our stock watch list. Available on the site
is an audio version of the book Honest
Money.
Good luck. Good trading. Good health, and that's a wrap.

Come visit our website: Honest
Money Gold & Silver Report
New Book Now Available - Honest Money
|