Gold has re-tested its 200-day average, which was recently broken for the first time in 3 years. The move was triggered by a multi-month triangle pattern breakout (see both daily and intraday charts).

Downside pressure remains heavy from inter-market weakness across related risk proxies such as EUR/USD and equity markets. Moreover, there is still heightened risk for a much larger decline if we confirm a weekly close beneath $1600 and $1530 (swing low).

A number of "bargain hunting" trend-followers will be watching this benchmark "line in the sand" for repeat support or a potential big squeeze lower into $1300 and perhaps even $1040-1000 (12-year channel-floor/see top chart insert).

Speculative (net long) flows also support this view having recently breached a key downside level which may threaten over 2 years of sizeable long gold positions. This will trigger a temporary, but dramatic setback that would ultimately offer a unique buying opportunity into summer 2012.

Daily Technical Report