business newsIs Gold Becoming a Risk-Off Asset?
Gold is positioning itself contrary to risk-on assets. It has detached from the stock market -- and that's a good thing.
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First, let’s take a look at the recent activity in a number of markets. From top to bottom we plot silver, gold, the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX), the iShares Barclays 20+ Yr Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TLT) and the US dollar. The first three markets have been in a downtrend since the end of September. Meanwhile, TLT and the buck began their downtrends in the middle of November. It appears that these markets have been tightly connected since the end of November. That is the bigger picture. The short-term term picture shows the US$ potentially breaking out and bonds not breaking to a new low.
Meanwhile, we should take note of the action in some other markets since late November. Both emerging markets (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM)) and the S&P 500 have advanced, but EEM is slowing down. Commodities failed to make a new high even as the US dollar made a marginal low. As we can see, the inverse of the buck is threatening to break down and realign with commodities and Central Fund of Canada Limited (USA) (NYSEAMEX:CEF), a fund which is half gold and half silver. The rally since November is now seeing a negative divergence as emerging markets have not made a new high and the US dollar could be breaking out.
The bottom line is the action in precious metals, commodities, and the US dollar is signaling a warning for the equity market. The bond market needs to confirm this warning, and if it does, it could be the catalyst for a sell-off in equities. Keep in mind, the S&P 500 is approaching strong long-term resistance while in a state of euphoric sentiment. If you don’t believe that, check the recent sentiment surveys and ignore those who don’t provide hard data. By the way, public opinion on bonds (from sentimentrader.com), is only 14% bulls! Sounds like we should sell bonds and buy stocks, right?
Meanwhile, the precious metals appear likely to test major support in the coming days and weeks. There will be some more pain, but things are setting up perfectly for the next cyclical bull market. Gold is positioning itself contrary to risk-on assets. It has detached from the stock market and that is a good thing. There will likely be a transition period as precious metals find a bottom and the equity market reaches its peak. For now, look to buy precious metals if they reach an extreme oversold condition next week.
Editor's Note: See more from Jordan Roy-Byrne at The Daily Gold.
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