Prices in the equity, energy, and precious metals markets plunged early last week. The U.S. Dollar index futures tried to work their way out of a descending channel, but came up unsuccessful. The U.S. Dollar index rallied in several morning sessions, but usually was met with heavy selling later in the day which either muted gains or pushed the dollar index lower. Fed comments solidified the Central Bank’s continued efforts to devalue the U.S. currency and hold short-term interest rates hostage. It seems more likely that Quantitative Easing II will expire in June and Quantitative Easing III will not be pursued unless economic conditions worsen.
Recent statements from the Federal Reserve chairman and several of his minions believe that we are not experiencing real inflation in the economy. Apparently the Fed does not believe that most Americans need food to eat or gasoline to drive to their jobs, assuming they have one since around 16% of the adult population capable of working is either unemployed, underemployed, or taking part time work. Apparently, the Fed believes the increase in food commodity prices are only going to last for the short term and have little consequence. We have also been told that energy prices are nothing more than a short term market perturbation. Gold and silver prices continue to break out to new highs, but still we have no inflation.
Where do I think oil is headed? Higher. I believe that oil will continue to work higher because we are in the later stages of this bull market cycle and most cycles end with commodity prices pushing higher and energy related stocks putting up solid gains. We are in that period now, and while it could last for several months or even a year potentially, I believe that we have further room to run. More than anything else, I firmly believe that the U.S. Dollar Index is the most critical chart to watch in coming days and weeks. The daily chart is shown below:
US Dollar Index
If the dollar breaks down which aligns with my expectations, I would expect it to test the lows reached back in November of 2009. If we see prices test the November lows in coming days/weeks, I expect oil, precious metals, and equity prices to continue to work higher. However, we could see a huge breakout in all three asset classes if the U.S. Dollar Index tests the November lows and they do not hold. If a breakdown transpires, we could see a huge rally in gold and oil. It can be assumed that equity prices would rally, but it would depend on how orderly the U.S. Dollar sold off. A quick glance at the key levels in oil futures can be seen below:
Oil Futures
As far as the future in equities prices, we continue to have an inverse head and shoulders pattern on the SPX daily chart. If the pattern plays out it would presage a rally that could extend as high as 1,450 on the SPX. However, a breakdown below the key 1,300 area presents a possible retest of the 1,250 lows. Right now I’m leaning to the bullish side on the back of a sliding dollar and my expectations that earnings may not be as bad as expected. Until we get a breakout higher or a breakdown lower, I believe the S&P 500 is pinned in a range between 1,300 — 1,340. The daily chart below illustrates the inverse head and shoulders pattern as well as the key channel high and low:
S&P 500 Index Options (CBOE: SPX)
Finally, gold futures sold off early in the week but have since rallied back and have taken out previous highs. Silver futures also broke out to new highs after experiencing selling pressure early in the week. After the Federal Reserve made it rather clear that they were not going to tighten interest rates in the short run, precious metals and oil futures have rallied. While the two may not go hand in hand, it is a rather interesting coincidence, particularly when various financial institutions have different opinions about the future price of oil referenced above. If the U.S. Dollar index falters, I expect gold and silver to continue higher. The daily chart of gold is shown below:
Gold Futures
In closing, I am going to be focused on the U.S. Dollar Index futures next week looking for clues as to whether we are going to see a breakout, a breakdown, or whether we will remain in a range bound market. At this point anything could happen, but unlike the Federal Reserve I’m leaning into the idea that inflation is here.
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